bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing spatial detection accuracy for syndromic surveillance with street level incidence data
Authors: Savory David J , Cox Kenneth L , Emch Michael , Alemi Farrokh , Pattie David C
Published: January 2010

Background

The Department of Defense Military Health System operates a syndromic surveillance system that monitors medical records at more than 450 non-combat Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) worldwide. The Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) uses both temporal and spatial algorithms to detect disease outbreaks. This study focuses on spatial detection and attempts to improve the effectiveness of the ESSENCE implementation of the spatial scan statistic by increasing the spatial resolution of incidence data from zip codes to street address level.

Methods

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) was used as a test syndrome to develop methods to improve the spatial accuracy of detected alerts. Simulated incident clusters of various sizes were superimposed on real ILI incidents from the 2008/2009 influenza season. Clusters were detected using the spatial scan statistic and their displacement from simulated loci was measured. Detected cluster size distributions were also evaluated for compliance with simulated cluster sizes.

Results

Relative to the ESSENCE zip code based method, clusters detected using street level incidents were displaced on average 65% less for 2 and 5 mile radius clusters and 31% less for 10 mile radius clusters. Detected cluster size distributions for the street address method were quasi normal and sizes tended to slightly exceed simulated radii. ESSENCE methods yielded fragmented distributions and had high rates of zero radius and oversized clusters.

Conclusions

Spatial detection accuracy improved notably with regard to both location and size when incidents were geocoded to street addresses rather than zip code centroids. Since street address geocoding success rates were only 73.5%, zip codes were still used for more than one quarter of ILI cases. Thus, further advances in spatial detection accuracy are dependant on systematic improvements in the collection of individual address information.
Vascular endothelial growth factor regulates myeloid cell leukemia-1 expression through neuropilin-1-dependent activation of c-MET signaling in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Shumin , Zhau Haiyen E , Osunkoya Adeboye O , Iqbal Shareen , Yang Xiaojian , Fan Songqing , Chen Zhengjia , Wang Ruoxiang , Marshall Fray F , Chung Leland WK , Wu Daqing
Published: January 2010

Background

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is a member of the Bcl-2 family, which inhibits cell apoptosis by sequestering pro-apoptotic proteins Bim and Bid. Mcl-1 overexpression has been associated with progression in leukemia and some solid tumors including prostate cancer (PCa). However, the regulatory mechanism for Mcl-1 expression in PCa cells remains elusive.

Results

Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that Mcl-1 expression was elevated in PCa specimens with high Gleason grades and further significantly increased in bone metastasis, suggesting a pivotal role of Mcl-1 in PCa metastasis. We further found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a novel regulator of Mcl-1 expression in PCa cells. Inhibition of endogenous Mcl-1 induced apoptosis, indicating that Mcl-1 is an important survival factor in PCa cells. Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), the "co-receptor" for VEGF165isoform, was found to be highly expressed in PCa cells, and indispensible in the regulation of Mcl-1. Intriguingly, VEGF165promoted physical interaction between NRP1 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor c-MET, and facilitated c-MET phosphorylationviaa NRP1-dependent mechanism. VEGF165induction of Mcl-1 may involve rapid activation of Src kinases and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (Stat3). Importantly, NRP1 overexpression and c-MET activation were positively associated with progression and bone metastasis in human PCa specimens and xenograft tissues.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that Mcl-1 overexpression is associated with PCa bone metastasis. Activation of VEGF165-NRP1-c-MET signaling could confer PCa cells survival advantages by up-regulating Mcl-1, contributing to PCa progression.
An M2e-based multiple antigenic peptide vaccine protects mice from lethal challenge with divergent H5N1 influenza viruses
Authors: Zhao Guangyu , Lin Yongping , Du Lanying , Guan Jie , Sun Shihui , Sui Hongyan , Kou Zhihua , Chan Chris CS , Guo Yan , Jiang Shibo , Zheng Bo-Jian , Zhou Yusen
Published: January 2010

Background

A growing concern has raised regarding the pandemic potential of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop an effective and safe vaccine against the divergent H5N1 influenza viruses. In the present study, we designed a tetra-branched multiple antigenic peptide (MAP)-based vaccine, designated M2e-MAP, which contains the sequence overlapping the highly conserved extracellular domain of matrix protein 2 (M2e) of a HPAI H5N1 virus, and investigated its immune responses and cross-protection against different clades of H5N1 viruses.

Results

Our results showed that M2e-MAP vaccine induced strong M2e-specific IgG antibody responses following 3-dose immunization of mice with M2e-MAP in the presence of Freunds' or aluminium (alum) adjuvant. M2e-MAP vaccination limited viral replication and attenuated histopathological damage in the challenged mouse lungs. The M2e-MAP-based vaccine protected immunized mice against both clade1: VN/1194 and clade2.3.4: SZ/406H H5N1 virus challenge, being able to counteract weight lost and elevate survival rate following lethal challenge of H5N1 viruses.

Conclusions

These results suggest that M2e-MAP presenting M2e of H5N1 virus has a great potential to be developed into an effective subunit vaccine for the prevention of infection by a broad spectrum of HPAI H5N1 viruses.
Wnt-5aoccludes Aβ oligomer-induced depression of glutamatergic transmission in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Cerpa Waldo , Farías Ginny G , Godoy Juan A , Fuenzalida Marco , Bonansco Christian , Inestrosa Nibaldo C
Published: January 2010

Background

Soluble amyloid-β (Aβ;) oligomers have been recognized to be early and key intermediates in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related synaptic dysfunction. Aβ oligomers block hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and impair rodent spatial memory. Wnt signaling plays an important role in neural development, including synaptic differentiation.

Results

We report here that the Wnt signaling activation prevents the synaptic damage triggered by Aβ oligomers. Electrophysiological analysis of Schaffer collaterals-CA1 glutamatergic synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices indicates that Wnt-5a increases the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) and both AMPA and NMDA components of the excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), without modifying the paired pulse facilitation (PPF). Conversely, in the presence of Aβ oligomers the fEPSP and EPSCs amplitude decreased without modification of the PPF, while the postsynaptic scaffold protein (PSD-95) decreased as well. Co-perfusion of hippocampal slices with Wnt-5a and Aβ oligomers occludes against the synaptic depression of EPSCs as well as the reduction of PSD-95 clusters induced by Aβ oligomers in neuronal cultures. Taken together these results indicate that Wnt-5a and Aβ oligomers inversely modulate postsynaptic components.

Conclusion

These results indicate that post-synaptic damage induced by Aβ oligomers in hippocampal neurons is prevented by non-canonical Wnt pathway activation.
Effects of a fish oil containing lipid emulsion on plasma phospholipid fatty acids, inflammatory markers, and clinical outcomes in septic patients: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Barbosa Vera M , Miles Elizabeth A , Calhau Conceição , Lafuente Estevão , Calder Philip C
Published: January 2010

Introduction

The effect of parenteral fish oil in septic patients is not widely studied. This study investigated the effects of parenteral fish oil on plasma phospholipid fatty acids, inflammatory mediators, and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis, and predicted to need parenteral nutrition were randomized to receive either a 50:50 mixture of medium-chain fatty acids and soybean oil or a 50:40:10 mixture of medium-chain fatty acids, soybean oil and fish oil. Parenteral nutrition was administrated continuously for five days from admission. Cytokines and eicosanoids were measured in plasma and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood culture supernatants. Fatty acids were measured in plasma phosphatidylcholine.

Results

Fish oil increased eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma phosphatidylcholine (P < 0.001). Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 concentration decreased significantly more, and IL-10 significantly less, in the fish oil group (both P < 0.001). At Day 6 the ratio PO2/FiO2 was significantly higher in the fish oil group (P = 0.047) and there were fewer patients with PO2/FiO2 <200 and <300 in the fish oil group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). Days of ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and mortality were not different between the two groups. The fish oil group tended to have a shorter length of hospital stay (22 ± 7 vs. 55 ± 16 days; P = 0.079) which became significant (28 ± 9 vs. 82 ± 19 days; P = 0.044) when only surviving patients were included.

Conclusions

Inclusion of fish oil in parenteral nutrition provided to septic ICU patients increases plasma eicosapentaenoic acid, modifies inflammatory cytokine concentrations and improves gas exchange. These changes are associated with a tendency towards shorter length of hospital stay.

Trials Registration

Clinical Trials Registration Number ISRCTN89432944
Effect of carbonate pore structure on dynamic shear moduli
Authors: Verwer Klaas , Eberli Gregor , Baechle Gregor , Weger Ralf
Published: January 2010

Elastic shear moduli from ultrasonic measurements of carbonate rocks show an increase or decrease when saturated from the dry state with brine. The induced changes on the moduli have been attributed to several rock-fluid interaction effects, including viscous coupling, reduction in free surface energy, and dispersion caused by local flow with a subsequent effect on acoustic velocities. As many studies have recognized that acoustic velocity in carbonate rocks is dependent on pore structure, a relationship between the pore structure and observed changes must, to a certain extent, exist. We make use of quantitative digital image analysis parameters, such as dominant pore size and perimeter over area, to demonstrate how changes in dynamic shear moduli upon saturation relate to the geologic make up of the rock. Samples with a small dominant pore size and large perimeter over area show abnormal decrease in shear moduli with saturation from the dry state. This is attributed to the large surface area available for matrix-fluid interaction. Samples with large dominant pore size and small perimeter over area show an increase in shear moduli with saturation. This may be a dispersion effect, as high frequency and high permeability may cause the fluid in the saturated samples to move out-of-phase with the solid during propagation of the acoustic wave and thus cause a stiffening effect.
Neuroligin-deficient mutants ofC. eleganshave sensory processing deficits and are hypersensitive to oxidative stress and mercury toxicity
Authors: Hunter Jerrod W. , Mullen Gregory P. , McManus John R. , Heatherly Jessica M. , Duke Angie , Rand James B.
Published: January 2010

Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins that bind specifically to presynaptic membrane proteins called neurexins. Mutations in human neuroligin genes are associated with autism spectrum disorders in some families. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has a single neuroligin gene (nlg-1), and approximately a sixth of C. elegans neurons, including some sensory neurons, interneurons and a subset of cholinergic motor neurons, express a neuroligin transcriptional reporter. Neuroligin-deficient mutants of C. elegans are viable, and they do not appear deficient in any major motor functions. However, neuroligin mutants are defective in a subset of sensory behaviors and sensory processing, and are hypersensitive to oxidative stress and mercury compounds; the behavioral deficits are strikingly similar to traits frequently associated with autism spectrum disorders. Our results suggest a possible link between genetic defects in synapse formation or function, and sensitivity to environmental factors in the development of autism spectrum disorders.
Experimental study on the mechanical properties of the horn sheaths from cattle
Authors: Li B. W. , Zhao H. P. , Feng X. Q. , Guo W. W. , Shan S. C.
Published: January 2010

Bovine horn is composed of a sheath of keratin overlying a bony core. Previous studies of the bovine horn sheath have focused mainly on its morphology and compositions. In the present paper, we performed a series of uniaxial tension, three-point bending, and fracture tests to investigate the structural and mechanical properties of the horn sheaths from subadult cattle, Bos taurus. The effects of hydration on the mechanical properties were examined and their variations along the longitudinal direction of the horn sheath were addressed. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces showed that the horn sheath has a layered structure and, more interestingly, the laminae have a rippled appearance. The Young's modulus and tensile strength increase from 850 MPa and 40 MPa at 19% water content to 2.3 GPa and 154 MPa at 0% water content, respectively. The Poisson's ratio of the horn sheath was about 0.38. The critical stress intensity factor was about 4.76 MPa m1/2 at an intermediate hydration (8% water content), greater than that at 0% water content (3.86 MPa m1/2) and 19% water content (2.56 MPa m1/2). The bending properties of the samples varied along the length of the horn. The mean flexural moduli of the specimens in the distal, middle and proximal parts were about 6.26 GPa, 5.93 GPa and 4.98 GPa, respectively; whereas the mean yield strength in the distal segment was about 152.4 MPa, distinctly higher than that in the middle (135.7 MPa) and proximal parts (116.4 MPa). This study deepens our understanding of the relationships among optimal structure, property and function of cattle horn sheaths.
Regulation of Bacterial Conjugation in Microaerobiosis by Host-Encoded Functions ArcAB and SdhABCD
Authors: Serna Ana , Espinosa Elena , Camacho Eva M , Casadesús Josep
Published: January 2010

The virulence plasmid of Salmonella enterica (pSLT) is an F-like conjugative plasmid. High rates of pSLT transfer occur in the mammalian gut, a microaerobic environment. In this study, we describe genetic screens for host-encoded activators and repressors of the transfer operon (tra) of pSLT. We show that the transcription factor ArcA is an activator of conjugation, especially under microaerobiosis. In turn, succinate dehydrogenase (SdhABCD) is a repressor of mating in aerobiosis. ArcA binds upstream of the main tra promoter (ptraY) and activates tra transcription, as previously described in F, R1, and R100. In the absence of ArcA, transfer of pSLT decreased 7-fold in aerobiosis and >100-fold in microaerobiosis. In aerobiosis, ArcA activates the traY promoter in an ArcB-independent manner, as described in other F-like plasmids. In microaerobiosis, however, the ArcB sensor is necessary for activation of ptraY. Lack of Sdh causes a >20-fold increase in pSLT transfer in aerobiosis, but has little effect under microaerobiosis. Sdh inhibits conjugal transfer by reducing traJ transcription, probably in an indirect manner. In turn, the sdhCDAB operon is repressed by the ArcAB system under microaerobiosis. Hence, the ArcAB two-component system of S. enterica stimulates pSLT transfer under microaerobiosis by two concerted actions: activation of the tra operon and repression of the sdhCDAB operon.
Flavonoid Phytoalexin-Dependent Resistance to Anthracnose Leaf Blight Requires a Functional yellow seed1 in Sorghum bicolor
Authors: Ibraheem Farag , Gaffoor Iffa , Chopra Surinder
Published: January 2010

In Sorghum bicolor, a group of phytoalexins are induced at the site of infection by Colletotrichum sublineolum, the anthracnose fungus. These compounds, classified as 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, have structural similarities to the precursors of phlobaphenes. Sorghum yellow seed1 (y1) encodes a MYB transcription factor that regulates phlobaphene biosynthesis. Using the candystripe1 transposon mutagenesis system in sorghum, we have isolated functional revertants as well as loss-of-function alleles of y1. These near-isogenic lines of sorghum show that, compared to functionally revertant alleles, loss of y1 lines do not accumulate phlobaphenes. Molecular characterization of two null y1 alleles shows a partial internal deletion in the y1 sequence. These null alleles, designated as y1-ww1 and y1-ww4, do not accumulate 3-deoxyanthocyanidins when challenged with the nonpathogenic fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Further, as compared to the wild-type allele, both y1-ww1 and y1-ww4 show greater susceptibility to the pathogenic fungus C. sublineolum. In fungal-inoculated wild-type seedlings, y1 and its target flavonoid structural genes are coordinately expressed. However, in y1-ww1 and y1-ww4 seedlings where y1 is not expressed, steady-state transcripts of its target genes could not be detected. Cosegregation analysis showed that the functional y1 gene is genetically linked with resistance to C. sublineolum. Overall results demonstrate that the accumulation of sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins and resistance to C. sublineolum in sorghum require a functional y1 gene.
Duplication Frequency in a Population of Salmonella enterica Rapidly Approaches Steady State With or Without Recombination
Authors: Reams Andrew B , Kofoid Eric , Savageau Michael , Roth John R
Published: January 2010

Tandem duplications are among the most common mutation events. The high loss rate of duplication suggested that the frequency of duplications in a bacterial population (1/1000) might reflect a steady state dictated by relative rates of formation (kF) and loss (kL). This possibility was tested for three genetic loci. Without homologous recombination (RecA), duplication loss rate dropped essentially to zero, but formation rate decreased only slightly and a steady state was still reached rapidly. Under all conditions, steady state was reached faster than predicted by formation and loss rates alone. A major factor in determining steady state proved to be the fitness cost, which can exceed 40% for some genomic regions. Depending on the region tested, duplications reached 40–98% of the steady-state frequency within 30 generations—approximately the growth required for a single cell to produce a saturated overnight culture or form a large colony on solid medium (109 cells). Long-term bacterial populations are stably polymorphic for duplications of every region of their genome. These polymorphisms contribute to rapid genetic adaptation by providing frequent preexisting mutations that are beneficial whenever imposed selection favors increases in some gene activity. While the reported results were obtained with the bacterium Salmonella enterica, the genetic implications seem likely to be of broader biological relevance.
Pulp Capping with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA): A Retrospective Analysis of Carious Pulp Exposures Treated by Undergraduate Dental Students
Authors: Miles J. P. , Gluskin A. H. , Chambers D. , Peters O. A.
Published: January 2010

Clinical Relevance

Carious pulp exposures present a therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a treatment option that may provide successful outcomes for the capping of carious pulp exposures in adult patients. However, the success measured as pulp survival over a period of one and two years of pulp caps performed by undergraduate dental students may be low. This study provides data regarding the impact of exposure sizes and other pre-operative variables on outcomes of MTA pulp caps in adults.
Evaluation of Bond Strength and Internal Adaptation Between the Dental Cavity and Adhesives Applied in One and Two Layers
Authors: Soares C. G. , Carracho H. G. , Braun A. P. , Borges G. A. , Hirakata L. M. , Spohr A. M.
Published: January 2010

Clinical Relevance

The double layer of adhesive promoted a slight increase in bond strength for Scotchbond MP and Clearfil SE Bond. However, this technique did not promote improvement in the internal adaptation between the dental cavity and the adhesive systems tested.
Adhesive Bond Strengths to Enamel and Dentin Using Recommended and Extended Treatment Times
Authors: Kimmes N. S. , Barkmeier W. W. , Erickson R. L. , Latta M. A.
Published: January 2010

Clinical Relevance

Self-etch adhesive systems are promoted as being more efficient for bonding procedures by using fewer treatment steps to condition tooth surfaces for bonding resin-based materials. Concern has been expressed regarding the ability of the newer self-etch adhesives to yield strong, durable bonds when compared to more traditional etch-and-rinse systems. Extending the treatment time of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives does not appear to result in relevant increases in the bond strength of resin composites to enamel or dentin.
Restoration of Occlusal Vertical Dimension in Dental Erosion Caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux: Case Report
Authors: Reston E. G. , Closs L. Q. , Busato A. L. S. , Broliato G. A. , Tessarollo F. R.
Published: January 2010

PURPOSE

The authors describe a minimally invasive procedure for occlusal rehabilitation in a young patient presenting with mild mandibular prognathism and loss of occlusal vertical dimension caused by dental erosion from chronic gastroesophageal reflux.
Calculation of atomic spontaneous emission rate in 1D finite photonic crystal with defects
Authors: Rudziński Adam , Szczepański Paweł
Published: January 2010

We derive an expression for the spontaneous-emission rate in finite one-dimensional photonic crystals with arbitrary defects, using the effective resonator model to describe electromagnetic field distributions in the structure. We obtain explicit formulae for contributions from different modes, i.e. radiation, substrate and guided modes. Formal calculations are illustrated by a few numerical examples, which demonstrate that application of the effective resonator model simplifies the interpretation of results.
Cosmological implications of the tetron model of elementary particles
Authors: Lampe Bodo
Published: January 2010

Based on a possible solution to the tetron spin problem, a modification of the standard Big Bang scenario is suggested, where the advent of a space-time manifold is connected to the appearance of tetronic bound states. The metric tensor is constructed from tetron constituents and the reason for cosmic inflation is elucidated. Furthermore, there are natural dark matter candidates in the tetron model. The ratio of ordinary to dark matter in the universe is calculated to be 1:5.
Image formation in a multilayer using the extended Nijboer-Zernike theory
Authors: Braat J. J. M. , van Haver S. , Janssen A. J. E. M. , Pereira S. F.
Published: January 2010

We study the image formation by a high-numerical-aperture optical imaging system in the presence of a multilayer structure in the region around the image plane. Earlier references to this subject in the literature use numerical solutions of the diffraction integrals. In this paper, we use a numerical approach based on the semi-analytic Extended Nijboer-Zernike (ENZ) theory to solve the diffraction integrals in the presence of a multilayer structure. The specific ENZ calculation scheme uses the complex Zernike expansion of the complex amplitudes of forward and backward propagating plane wave components in a certain layer of the multilayer stack. By its nature, the ENZ approach enables an accurate and fast calculation of the vector field in the stratified image region. Examples of multilayer imaging that are encountered in high-numerical-aperture optical systems and in optical lithography for semiconductor manufacturing are presented and the accuracy of the ENZ approach is examined.
Preface to Vol.2(1)
Authors: Editor The
Published: January 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2509The Initiation Vol.2(1)
People and Blackbuck: Current Management Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Bhatta Shiv Raj
Published: January 2010

Blackbuck is one of the most magnificent animals living in close proximity to human settlement. The last surviving population of blackbuck in Nepal is found at Khairapur of Bardia District in west Nepal. The problem of land and management responsibility has been a issue for more than last 3 decade. The current issues of the management are related to: Policy, legal and institutional, habitat management, database and research and the livelihood of the neighboring communities has been briefly presented. A draft 5 year action plan has been prepared by the Department to address these issues and ensure the long-term survival of the last remaining population of blackbuck in Nepal. This new model of community participation proposed for conservation and management of the area and this protected species can be taken as an opportunity for conservation. Though the area has been encroached by some illegal settlers, long-term survival of this endangered species in the middle of village without community participation is impossible. Key Words: Blackbuck, Protected mammal, Habitat management, Crop damage, Conservation committee. DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2514 The Initiation Vol.2(1) pp17-21
Bat Species Richness and Their Distribution in Pokhara Valley of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Hari
Published: January 2010

Compared with the numerous studies on Chiroptera in other countries only little information has been published on Nepalese bats. Status of bats in Nepal has not been identified and even not given more interest by the government body which is devoted to wildlife managements itself. In Nepal, out of 51 species recorded by CAMP in 2002, 2 are critically endangered, 1 endangered and 5 are vulnerable. Pokhara valley is the city of caves. Some by products reports appear on bats of As Pokhara valley out of which 11 species belongs to Least concerned (LC), 5 Not threatened (NT), 1 Critically endangered (CR), 1 Endangered (EN) which is 35.29 % of bats species of Nepal. Few roosting sites of bats have been identified in Pokhara valley. These sites are distributed in the Lekhnath municipality, Pokhara sub-metropolitan city, Bhalam VDC, Armala VDC and Hemja VDC. Among the 12 roosting sites, two are tree roosts and the remaining ten are cave roosts. Key Words: Chiroptera, Roosts, Status, Species, Sites, Pokhara DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2522 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp43-48
Payment for Environmental Services in Nepal (A Case Study of Shivapuri National Park, Kathmandu, Nepal)
Authors: Kunwar Kamal Jung
Published: January 2010

With a view to highlight the issues of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) in Nepal, the paper aims at providing information on possible environmental goods and services rendered by the Shivapuri National Park (ShNP), Kathmandu. It also endeavors to explore the policy issues with regards to PES in Nepal. Secondary information was obtained through published and unpublished literatures and office records of ShNP whereas primary information was generated through various Rapid Appraisal tools; such as informal discussion with park officials, semi-structured interview, field observation etc. Despite the ShNP's role in providing environmental goods and services to the dwellers of Kathmandu metropolitan, the local inhabitants have not been benefited from such services. There has been low level of awareness on the issues such as environmental goods and services and possible benefits to be obtained and its equitable sharing. It is the dire need that policy should focus on these issues so that all the stakeholders could be benefited from the conservation and management of protected areas and forests in the country. Key Words: Payment for environmental services, Shivapuri national park, Upstream and downstream relationship, Benefit sharing, Free riders. DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2525 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp63-72
Watershed Management a Tool to Address Climate Change
Authors: Sthapit Keshar Man
Published: January 2010

Climate change and its effects on the water resources therefore also, livelihood is a major global concern. Water scarcity is already a major problem for the world poor, and changes in rainfall and temperature associated with climate change will likely make this worse. This indicates that efficient and effective management of the available water becomes essential for overall development, improving livelihoods and maintaining food sufficiency. Watershed management carries number of activities managing water resource to address the ever increasing water resource problems. Therefore, watershed management could be one of the tools to cope with climate change managing scarce water resource. This paper describes some of the watershed activities dealing with water resource management. Key Words: Watershed management, Climate change, Run off, Degraded land rehabilitation DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2526 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp33
Dealing with Climate Change Crisis
Authors: Oli Krishna Prasad , Dhakal Tara Devi , Pradhan Navraj
Published: January 2010

Climate change and its impact on human survival have been today's major challenge and key topics of discussion globally. When considering the catastrophic impacts climate change will bring to earth, in-depth studies on the mechanics and chemistry of climate changes has been emerging. Simultaneously, international and national policies to reduce the vulnerability from climate change have been developed. This article discusses environmental retrospect and climate change issues and highlights efforts taken by global community to reduce GHG. An analysis through an equity lens is made between developed and developing nations and distinction of science and post normal science, and how skeptics revolve around the myth of climate changing ‘naturally' is discussed. A brief status of climate change in Nepal has been mentioned and some mitigation and adaptation measures that can be carried out at the institutional and individual level to start solving the climate crisis conclude the paper. Key Words: Global warming, Climate change, International policies, Intra- generational equity, GHG, Renewable energy, Individual adaptation DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2527 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp79-90
Participatory Carbon Estimation in Community Forest: Methodologies and Learnings
Authors: Rana Eak Bahadur , Shrestha Him Lal , Silwal Ramesh
Published: January 2010

Despite the potentiality of community forests to receive payment in turn its contribution of global carbon abatement, inadequate technical difficulties and scientifc base limit the carbon estimation and claim for the payment of carbon compensation in international market. This paper intends to provide an overview of participatory biomass and carbon estimation of CF in Nepal. Synthesized methodologies of national inventory guidelines, IPCC, McDicken and literature estimates were used to execute inventory and calculate the biomass and carbon density. The study found that GPS consumes less time to mapping boundary and laying out sample plots permanently with less systematic and personal errors than using compass survey. The ground based inventory is time consuming, the study concludes that the making capable local users in handling GPS and promoting participatory inventory and carbon calculation avoids the cost thereby make CFs able to claim in access to international carbon market. Key Words: GPS, Biomass, Abatement, Compensation, International carbon market DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2528 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp91-98
Unseen Corner of the Conservation Efforts: Safeguarding Life and Livelihoods (A Case from Dhanusha District)
Authors: Neupane Shiva Shankar
Published: January 2010

The major environmental problems in Nepal are caused by land degradation, deforestation and pollution. Poverty is the root cause of environmental degradation. The Mahadev Math, one of the settlements of Hariharpur VDC-1, Dhanusha lies at the western bank of the Jaladh river, has seriously been affected due to annual flash flood from Jaladh river and subsequent soil erosion. About 5.35 hectares of degraded farmlands has been reclaimed in the bank of the Jaladh river with applying bio-engineering methods for flood diversion and gulley treatments. It can be concluded that it is possible to reclaim the large area of the degraded and /or eroded land for safeguarding their lives and livelihoods even with the active participation of the local people and their subsequent contributions by way of using small financial support from the other external donors/ organizations. Key Words: River bank conservation, Land reclamation, Bio-engineering, Safeguarding life and livelihoods DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2530 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp104-108
Adaptation to Climate Change in Water Management, Agrobiodiversity and Forestry with Special Reference to Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Ujjwal T
Published: January 2010

Analysis of recent climatic trends reveals a significant sign of warming in recent decades which has been more pronounced at higher altitudes. Climate change scenarios for Nepal show considerable convergence on continued warming, Warming trends have already had significant impacts in the Nepal Himalayas -most significantly in terms of glacier retreat such as increase in size and volume of glacial lakes, making them more prone to glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF). This contributes to enhanced variability of river flows. The indepth analysis of water resources in Nepal identifies two critical impacts of climate change- GLOFs and variability of river runoff- both of which pose significant impacts not only on hydropower, but also on rural livelihoods and agriculture. The range of practices that can be used to adapt the climate change is diverse, and includes changes in behavior, structural policy based responses, technological or managerial responses. Key Words: Adaptation, Climate change, Forestry, Agrobiodiversity, GLOF DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2532 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp113-120
Climate Change: Miserable Green House Gases
Authors: Darjee Kumar Bahadur
Published: January 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2535  The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp136-137
Linkages between Bio-Resources and Human Livelihood: A Case Study of Adi Tribes of Mirem Village, Arunachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Nimachow Gibji , Taga Tahong , Tag Hui , Dai Oyi
Published: January 2010

The living of man in all societies is largely guided by the availability or otherwise of natural bio-resources. However, the tribal people who are regarded as in the primitive stage and experiencing slow pace of development have a high degree of dependence on the natural resources for their livelihood. Bio - resources consist of all biotic components of environment, which have utility and function in satisfying the individual wants as well as social wants of man. Recently, the importance of the study on man and nature relationship has gained momentum globally and has emerged as main concern for both the developed and developing nations worldwide. As such, the tribal dominated areas by virtue of having the higher percentage of forest cover have become prime area for research in the world context for sustainable use of bio-resources. The State of Forest Report, 2003 has placed Arunachal Pradesh second after Mizoram in terms of forest coverage with 68, 019 sq. km. under forest cover. An analysis of the linkages between the bio - resources and human livelihoods may prove significant and helpful in attaining the first rank in the total coverage of forests in the country. The Adi tribe is a major tribal group of Arunachal Pradesh who mostly inhabit East, West and Upper Siang districts. An assessment of linkages of human livelihood and the bioresources in the Adi inhabited area proved to be helpful in the sustainable management of natural resources. A household survey with the help of suitable structured questionnaire was conducted for Mirem village. Personal interview with the village elders was an important tool for the final analysis. The study finds that these people are forest lovers and they are strongly abated with their existing forests. The traditional folk tales, festivities and myths are strongly linked with nature and deeply influenced by the forest ecology and environment. Economic activities, material culture, food habits, house-building materials, ritual performances and herbal medicine all are collected from the forests. The study found that these people are highly dependent on the bio-resources for their livelihood even in this age of scientific and technological development. Key Words: Bio-resources, livelihood, Adi tribes, Man-nature relationship, Sustainable natural resources management, Forest cover, Material culture, Herbal medicine. DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2542 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp183-198
Syntheses of chiral C2-symmetric bidentate ligands having different ring sizes of cyclic amines and their catalytic abilities on enantioselective cyclopropanation of styrene catalysed by copper(I) triflate
Authors: Shi Min , Jiang Jian-Kang , Shen Yu-Mei , Feng Yan-Shu
Published: January 2010

A series of chiral bidentate ligands having different ring sizes of cyclic amines have been synthesized. Their catalytic abilities on chiral inductions have been examined in the asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene catalysed by copper(I) triflate.
Breast Cancer Detection with Gabor Features from Digital Mammograms
Authors: Zheng Yufeng
Published: January 2010

A new breast cancer detection algorithm, named the “Gabor Cancer Detection” (GCD) algorithm, utilizing Gabor features is proposed. Three major steps are involved in the GCD algorithm, preprocessing, segmentation (generating alarm segments), and classification (reducing false alarms). In preprocessing, a digital mammogram is down-sampled, quantized, denoised and enhanced. Nonlinear diffusion is used for noise suppression. In segmentation, a band-pass filter is formed by rotating a 1-D Gaussian filter (off center) in frequency space, termed as “Circular Gaussian Filter” (CGF). A CGF can be uniquely characterized by specifying a central frequency and a frequency band. A mass or calcification is a space-occupying lesion and usually appears as a bright region on a mammogram. The alarm segments (suspicious to be masses/calcifications) can be extracted out using a threshold that is adaptively decided upon the histogram analysis of the CGF-filtered mammogram. In classification, a Gabor filter bank is formed with five bands by four orientations (horizontal, vertical, 45 and 135 degree) in Fourier frequency domain. For each mammographic image, twenty Gabor-filtered images are produced. A set of edge histogram descriptors (EHD) are then extracted from 20 Gabor images for classification. An EHD signature is computed with four orientations of Gabor images along each band and five EHD signatures are then joined together to form an EHD feature vector of 20 dimensions. With the EHD features, the fuzzy C-means clustering technique and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier are used to reduce the number of false alarms. The experimental results tested on the DDSM database (University of South Florida) show the promises of GCD algorithm in breast cancer detection, which achieved TP (true positive rate) = 90% at FPI (false positives per image) = 1.21 in mass detection; and TP = 93% at FPI = 1.19 in calcification detection.
Geoditin A Induces Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis on Human Colon HT29 Cells
Authors: W. K. Cheung Florence , Li Chunman , Che Chun-Tao , P. L. Liu Bonnie , Wang Lijun , Liu Wing-Keung
Published: January 2010

Geoditin A, an isomalabaricane triterpene isolated from the marine sponge Geodia japonica, has been demonstrated to dissipate mitochondrial membrane potential, activate caspase 3, decrease cytoplasmic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and induce apoptosis of leukemia cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear [1]. In this study, we found fragmentation of Golgi structure, suppression of transferrin receptor expression, production of oxidants, and DNA fragmentation in human colon cancer HT29 cells after treatment with geoditin A for 24 h. This apoptosis was not abrogated by chelation of intracellular iron with salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH), but suppressed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant and GSH precursor, indicating that the cytotoxic effect of geoditin A is likely mediated by a NAC-inhibitable oxidative stress. Our results provide a better understanding of the apoptotic properties and chemotherapeutical potential of this marine triterpene.
Quercetin: A Treatment for Hypertension?—A Review of Efficacy and Mechanisms
Authors: Larson Abigail J. , Symons J. David , Jalili Thunder
Published: January 2010

Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid. Common sources in the diet are apples, onions, berries, and red wine. Epidemiological studies have found an inverse relationship between dietary quercetin intake and cardiovascular disease. This has led to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research to determine the mechanism by which quercetin exerts cardioprotective effects. Recent studies have found a reduction in blood pressure when hypertensive (>140 mm Hg systolic and >90 mm Hg diastolic) animals and humans are supplemented with quercetin. Proposed mechanisms for the antihypertensive effect of quercetin include decreased oxidative stress, inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme activity, improved endothelial function, direct action on the vascular smooth muscle, and/or modulation in cell signaling and gene expression. Although in vitro and in vivo evidence exists to support and refute each possibility, it is likely that quercetin influences multiple targets via a combination of known and as yet undiscovered mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to examine the mechanisms whereby quercetin might reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
Estimating Daily Land Surface Temperatures in Mountainous Environments by Reconstructed MODIS LST Data
Authors: Neteler Markus
Published: January 2010

Continuous monitoring of extreme environments, such as the European Alps, is hampered by the sparse and/or irregular distribution of meteorological stations, the difficulties in performing ground surveys and the complexity of interpolating existing station data. Remotely sensed Land Surface Temperature (LST) is therefore of major interest for a variety of environmental and ecological applications. But while MODIS LST data from the Terra and Aqua satellites are aimed at closing the gap between data demand and availability, clouds and other atmospheric disturbances often obscure parts or even the entirety of these satellite images. A novel algorithm is presented in this paper, which is able to reconstruct incomplete MODIS LST maps. All nine years of the available daily LST data (2000–2008) have been processed, allowing the original LST map resolution of 1,000 m to be improved to 200 m, which means the resulting LST maps can be applied at a regional level. Extracted time series and aggregated data are shown as examples and are compared to meteorological station time series as an indication of the quality obtained.
Label-Free Toxin Detection by Means of Time-Resolved Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Chai Changhoon , Takhistov Paul
Published: January 2010

The real-time detection of trace concentrations of biological toxins requires significant improvement of the detection methods from those reported in the literature. To develop a highly sensitive and selective detection device it is necessary to determine the optimal measuring conditions for the electrochemical sensor in three domains: time, frequency and polarization potential. In this work we utilized a time-resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for the detection of trace concentrations of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). An anti-SEB antibody has been attached to the nano-porous aluminum surface using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane/glutaraldehyde coupling system. This immobilization method allows fabrication of a highly reproducible and stable sensing device. Using developed immobilization procedure and optimized detection regime, it is possible to determine the presence of SEB at the levels as low as 10 pg/mL in 15 minutes.
Virus Infection Recognition and Early Innate Responses to Non-Enveloped Viral Vectors
Authors: Shayakhmetov Dmitry  M.
Published: January 2010

Numerous human genetic and acquired diseases could be corrected or ameliorated if viruses are harnessed to safely and effectively deliver therapeutic genes to diseased cells and tissues in vivo. Innate immune and inflammatory response represents one of the key stumbling blocks during the development of viral-based therapies. In this review, current data on the early innate immune responses to viruses and to the most commonly used gene therapy vectors (using adenovirus and adeno-associated virus) will be discussed. Recent findings in the field may help develop new approaches to moderate these innate immune anti-viral responses and thus improve the safety of viral vectors for human gene therapy applications.
Synthesis and binding studies of two new macrocyclic receptors for the stereoselective recognition of dipeptides
Authors: Castilla Ana Maria , Morgan Conn M , Ballester Pablo
Published: January 2010

We present here the design, synthesis, and analysis of a series of receptors for peptide ligands inspired by the hydrogen-bonding pattern of protein β-sheets. The receptors themselves can be regarded as strands 1 and 3 of a three-stranded β-sheet, with cross-linking between the chains through the 4-position of adjacent phenylalanine residues. We also report on the conformational equilibria of these receptors in solution as well as on their tendency to dimerize. 1H NMR titration experiments are used to quantify the dimerization constants, as well as the association constant values of the 1:1 complexes formed between the receptors and a series of diamides and dipeptides. The receptors show moderate levels of selectivity in the molecular recognition of the hydrogen-bonding pattern present in the diamide series, selecting the α-amino acid-related hydrogen-bonding functionality. Only one of the two cyclic receptors shows modest signs of enantioselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity in the recognition of the enantiomers and diastereoisomers of the Ala-Ala dipeptide (ΔΔG01 (DD-DL) = −1.08 kcal/mol and ΔΔG01 (DD-LD) = −0.89 kcal/mol). Surprisingly, the linear synthetic precursors show higher levels of stereoselectivity than their cyclic counterparts.
Preliminary Observations on the Control of Grasshoppers and Related Insects on Flue-cured Tobacco with Chlordane Dust Applied to the Field Margins
Authors: Fox Charles J. S.
Published: January 2010

Grasshoppers, tree crickets, and katydids always cause some injury to tobacco in southwestern Ontario, and at times the injury is very severe. Thc leaves may be riddled or even completely stripped, the most severe injury usually occurring late in the season, about harvest time. These insects breed in sod, in wood-lots, and along roadsides, and such areas require special attention when control measures are undertaken. Because it is usually considered advisable to restrict the amount of insecticide applied to tobacco leaves, the chlordane dust used in this experiment was applied only to the vegetation bordering the field. Any control by applying poison to tobacco plants can be effected only after at least limited feeding and some injury to the leaves; but treatment of field margins uses waste plans as the poison ‘carriers’ and a large part of the injury to tobacco is avoided. This method of control is useful only for insects which feed on general vegetation and would be of little value in controlling species which restrict their feeding to the cultivated crop.