bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Algoritmo e implementación del análisis factorial de correspondencias
Authors: Castillo Elizondo William , Rodríguez Oldemar
Published: August 2014

En este artículo se presenta un algoritmo en pseudocódigo para el Análisis Factorial de Correspondencias. Se presentan también algunos comentarios sobre la implementación desarrollada en C++. Finalmente se ilustra el método mediante un ejemplo.
Stadis dual: software y análisis de datos reales
Authors: Castillo Elizondo William , González Varela Jorge
Published: August 2014

En este artículo se presenta una implementación computacional con MATHEMATICA del método Statis dual y se usa este método para analizar el fenómeno del crecimiento de una variedad de caña de azúcar.
Descomposición de procesos de incrementos independientes en casi intervalos
Authors: Lobo Jaime
Published: August 2014

Se introduce la noción de procesos de incrementos independientes en casi intervalos. Son estudiadas ciertas propiedades de los puntos fijos de estos procesos así como las descomposiciones aditivas. Finalmente se establece la relación de este proceso con el clásico y se deduce una propiedad de la variación total de los procesos en tiempo continuo.
Dinámica de una huella plana turbulenta alejada
Authors: Grebenev Vladimir N.
Published: August 2014

A partir de la ecuación de la conservación de la cantidad de movimiento y de la energía cinética de la turbulencia estudiada, la dinámica de una huella plana y turbulenta en un medio líquido incomprensible. Para el caso de una corriente líquida de una huella lejana se demuestra que el modelo considerado está bien planteado, y como se estudian las propiedades asintóticas de la solución.
Relations of k-th derivative of dirac delta in hypercone with ultrahyperbolic operator
Authors: Aguirre T. Manuel A.
Published: August 2014

In this paper we prove that the generalized functions d (k) (P+) - d (k) (P), d (k) (P-)-d (k) (-P) and d 1 (k) (P)-d 2 (k) (P)d are concentrated in the vertex of the cone P=0 and we find their relationship with the ultrahyperbolic operator iterated (k +1 -n/2 ) times under condition k ³ n/2-1.
El espacio cociente y algunas propiedades geométricas de los espacios de Banach
Authors: Morales Jose R.
Published: August 2014

En esta nota enunciaremos alguans propiedades geométricas de los espacios de Banach, entre las cuales podemos señalar espacios uniformemente convexos, espacios uniformemente no cuadrados, espacios localmente uniformemente convexos, espacios estrictamente convexos, etc., y analizaremos el problema cuando tales propiedades  se trasladan al espacio cociente.
Ultraproductos de f-anillos proyectables
Authors: Guier Jorge I.
Published: August 2014

Keimel representa en [7] los f-anillos proyectables como secciones continuas de haces Hausdorff de anillos totalmente ordenados. Aquí damos un resultado sobre la representación de los ultraproductos de f-anillos proyectables en términos de los espacios de representación y de las fibras de sus factores.
Grafos destinados al Análisis de datos Multivariante Condicionado por su Estructura
Authors: García Montoya Miguel Angel , Zárraga Castro Amaya , Castro Íñigo Belén
Published: August 2014

En este artículo se muestran dos nuevos métodos para la construcción de grafos que pueden utilizarse en combinación con las técnicas descriptivas de Análisis de Datos Multivariante: grafo basado en la distancia ji-cuadrado y grafo basado en las componentes fuertemente conectadas. Además se presentan sendos ejemplos correspondientes a cada uno de los grafos, tomando como datos la matriz intermedia de las Tablas Input-Output.
Dynamics of a two-dimensional discrete-time SIS model
Authors: Barrera Jaime H. , Cintrón Arias Ariel , Davidenko Nicolas , Denogean Lisa R. , Franco González Saúl Ramón
Published: August 2014

Analizamos un modelo bidimensional SIS en tiempo discreto con una población total no constante. Nuestra meta es determinar la interacción entre la problación total, la clase susceptible y la clase infectada, y las implicaciones que esto puede tener para la dinámica de la enfermedad. Usando una tasa de reclutamiento constante en laclase susceptible, es posible asumir la existencia de una ecuación limitante asintótica que permite reducir el sistema de dos ecuaciones a una sola ecuación dinámicamente equivalente. En este caso, somos capaces de demostrar la estabilidad global de los equilibrios libres de enfermedad y la endemia, cuando el número básico reproductivo (R0) es menor que uno y mayor que uno, respectivamente. Cuando se considera una tasa de reclutamiento no constante, la problación total se bifurca cuando se varía la tasa de natalidad y la tasa de mortalidad. Usando simulaciones computacionales, observamos diferentes comportamientos entre la clase infectada y la población total, y posiblemente, la ocurrencia de un extraño atractor.
La teoría de respuesta a los itemes: una moderna alternativa para el análisis psicométrico de instrumentos de medición
Authors: Montero Eliana
Published: August 2014

La Teoría de Respuesta a los Itemes, TRI, (o "Item Response Theory", en inglés) es un enfoque más poderoso que la Teoría Clásica de los Tests para el análisis de calidad técnica de instrumentos de medición psicométricos. Comparada con la Teoría Clásica, la TRI permite obtener más información sobre los ítems de la prueba y sobre el constructo o variable latente que interesa medir en los examinados. Además, con la TRI se pueden generar pruebas adaptadas al nivel de los individuos. También se logran indicadores de las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento, y de los ítems que lo componen, según los diferentes valores del constructo de interés. Estas características de la TRI le dan ventajas esenciales en relación con la Teoría Clásica. Sin embargo, hay todavía problemas de estimación no resueltos, que provocan, algunas veces, la imposibilidad de ajustar ciertos modelos en conjuntos específicos de datos. Para lograr comprender cabalmente la naturaleza, potencialidades y limitaciones de la TRI se requiere de conocimientos en matemática y estadística. Es quizá por esta razón que en nuestra región latinoamericana estos enfoques son poco conocidos entre los científicos sociales. En general, las dos disciplinas que pueden beneficiarse más con la aplicación de estos modelos son la Psicología y la Educación.
Análogos a Teoremas Tauberianos
Authors: Mora M. María de los Angeles
Published: August 2014

Se obtienen resultados similares al Teorema Tauberino de W. Rudin, para integrales singulares definidas en intervalos acotadas. Así mismo, para casos en que el núcleo es una función oscilante.
Métodos de superficie Multirespuesta: Un Estudio Comparativo
Authors: De la Vara Salazar Román , Domínguez Domínguez Jorge
Published: August 2014

El problema de optimización simultánea de varias respuestas puede no tener una solución completamente satisfactoria desde la perspectiva de cada respuesta individual, en el sentido de que, generalmente, los ´optimos individuales no coinciden con el óptimo global; aunque siempre podemos decir que existe el punto de operación del proceso en el que todas las variables cumplen con los requerimientos "de la mejor manera posible". Así pues, típicamente se obtiene una solución de compromiso, que busca balancear de manera adecuada la importancia relativa de las respuestas. El tema de multirrespuesta es relevante en procesos industriales puesto que al determinar un óptimo común permitirá mejorar la calidad de un producto. En este artículo se presentan algunos métodos que se han expuesto hasta ahora para resolver dicho problema y se propone el método gráfico como alternativa adecuada para abordar la optimización simultánea. Se realiza un estudio comparativo del desempeño de los métodos al aplicarlos a los mismos datos experimentales. Finalmente, se discuten las ventajas y desventajas de cada método y se presentan mejoras en dos de ellos ponderando las respuestas.
Análisis y síntesis de sistemas de ingeniería para la preparación y toma de decisiones bajo criterios múltiples
Authors: Arzola Ruiz José , Simeón Rolando
Published: August 2014

En este trabajo se expone una metodología de análisis y síntesis de sistemas destinados a la preparación y toma de decisiones bajo criterios múltiples y su aplicación a tareas de ingeniería. Esta metodología presupone la realización de las siguientes etapas consecutivas:-Descomposición de la tarea de mayor envergadura a la que pertenece la tarea estudiada.-Análisis externos e interno.-Elaboración del procedimiento general de preparación y toma de decisiones.
Lemniscatas 3D
Authors: Ortega Rafael , Paluszny Marco
Published: August 2014

Una lemniscata 3D es una superficie que consiste en los puntos cuyo producto de distancias a un conjunto (finito) de puntos fijos ó focos es constante. En este trabajo se introducen las lemniscatas 3D en el contexto de la modelación geométrica, se explora en  particular,  el  caso  de  tres  focos,  especialmente  en  lo  relativo  a  la  deformación controlada.
Interrelationships among stress, coping and psychological well-being among preclinical medical students
Authors: Pikó Bettina
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Because the level of stress is rather high among medical students, it would be important to prepare them for preventing it. Aim: The aim of the authors was to investigate the perceived stress level of medical students, their psychosomatic symptoms, coping strategies and satisfaction with life. Method: Preclinical medical students from the University of Szeged, Hungary (N = 155) participated in the study. Data collection was performed by groups, in self-administered, anonymous and voluntary form. Results: Levels of stress load and satisfaction with life among medical students were similar to previous international and national data. There were no gender differences in the levels of life satisfaction, however, levels of perceived stress and psychosomatic symptoms were higher among girls. Satisfaction with life was primarily related to perceived stress level and the coping methods. Conclusions: The results suggest that there are significant interrelationships among in the levels of perceived stress, psychosomatic symptoms and coping styles among in preclinical students. During medical education there is also a need for improving skills, such as coping and stress management. Orv. Hetil, 2014, 155(33), 1312–1318.
Modelling Development of a Thermal Gas/Oil Gravity-Drainage Process in an Extraheavy-Oil Fractured Reservoir
Authors: Niz-Velasquez Eider , Bagheri S. R. , van Dorp Johan J. , Verlaan Marco L. , Jennings James W.
Published: August 2014

Thermal gas/oil gravity drainage (T-GOGD) is an attractive enhanced-oil-recovery method applicable to naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs). The process is applied successfully in Qarn Alam, a heavy-oil field in Oman. This paper presents a case study featuring dynamic-modelling optimization and uncertainty-analysis workflow for T-GOGD in a bitumen-bearing fractured reservoir on the basis of realistic 3D fracture characterization. In T-GOGD, the fractures are displaced to steam to provide a (matrix) gravity-drainage potential while heating the reservoir at the same time. One of the recovery mechanisms associated with T-GOGD is thermal expansion, which can result in high initial rates, but may cause plugging of the fracture system in the case of extraheavy oil (bitumen) if the expanded oil cools down before it is being produced. This situation requires short-distance well configurations and/or steam-stimulation cycles to establish communication. In an NFR, steam vapour occupies the fracture system while oil drains through the matrix, increasing the area for heat transfer with respect to the steam-chamber case; the process therefore differs significantly from steam-assisted gravity drainage, and a different production function applies. Shell’s in-house reservoir simulator MoReS with advanced dual-permeability capability is used to model development of T-GOGD in a bitumen reservoir employing 3D element-of-symmetry (EOS) models. A realistic fracture-characterization and -modelling process is described. The geometrical well configuration and operating schedule and strategy are optimized on an economic function for a deterministic subsurface realization. Using an uncertainty-analysis work flow, cumulative distribution functions of recovery and steam/oil ratio (SOR) are generated. Finally, robust optimization is explored by use of an economic objective function. The study concludes that (1) relatively large well spacing is feasible while injector/producer horizontal well offset is necessary to avoid steam channeling to the producer well, (2) live steamproduction control is a robust operating strategy, (3) performance is most sensitive to matrix permeability and oil viscosity, and (4) vertical fracture connectivity plays an important role in the process performance. T-GOGD has significant potential to develop the bitumen resource in naturally fractured carbonates.
Enhanced Biodegradability of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products by Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Kim Hyun Young , Lee O‐Mi , Kim Tae‐Hun , Yu Seungho
Published: August 2014

The radiolytic degradation of antibiotic compounds, including lincomycin (LMC), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and tetracycline (TCN), and the change of biodegradability of the radiation‐treated target compounds were evaluated. As a result, the degradation of target antibiotics by hydrolysis, biodegradation, and gamma irradiation showed a compound‐dependent manner. However, the biodegradability of all target compounds was enhanced by the gamma irradiation. The enhanced biodegradability after gamma irradiation (2 kGy) followed the trend of LMC (18.89%) < SMX (28.33%) < TCN (36.62%), indicating that gamma irradiation might transform nonbiodegradable compounds into biodegradable. Consequently, the effective degradation of nonbiodegradable antibiotics can be accomplished by ionizing radiation followed by biodegradation. This result indicated that ionizing radiation technology would be useful to enhance biodegradability of the recalcitrant pollutants and can facilitate further degradation of residuals or intermediates in the effluent when discharged into surface water.
The Effect of Seed Health of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.) on Germination Capacity
Authors: Wiewióra Barbara
Published: August 2014

The analysis of seed health and germination capacity of 7 varieties of Lolium perenne, originated from two breeding station and two seed company localized in different places of Poland, harvested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were performed. Results of mentioned analysis indicated that seeds were contaminated by numerous species of fungi. The most numerous group of fungi were saprophytes or weak parasites such as: Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, Septonema chaetospira and Penicillium spp. Pathogenic species were represented by species of Drechslera, Fusarium, Phoma, Curvularia lunata and Bipolaris sorokiniana. Seed germination capacity was influenced by contamination of fungi. It was found that seed more often contaminated by fungi germinated much poorer then seed with lower infection.
Comparing the APACHE II, SOFA, LOD, and SAPS II scores in patients who have developed a nosocomial infection
Authors: Haddadi Ahmed , Ledmani Mohamed , Gainier Marc , Hubert Hubert , De Micheaux P Lafaye
Published: August 2014

Background: There have been numerous scores intended to evaluate the severity of patients condition upon admission and during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. However, to our knowledge, no study has ever evaluated the predictive abilities of these scores among nosocomial patients during their ICU stay. The aim of our study is to compare the predictive performances of the Acute Physiology, and, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, Simplified Acute Physiologic Score (SAPS II), Logistic Organ Dysfunction (LOD), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores among intensive care patients who have developed a nosocomial infection. Methods: The study is monocentric and retrospective. The APACHE II, SAPS II, LOD, and SOFA scores were reported from the third day of the patients hospital stay, preceding the diagnosis of the first nosocomial event up to the third post diagnosis day. Results: Out of 46 patients contracting at least one ICU-acquired infection, the multiple analyses indicated that on the day of diagnosis, the SOFA score is the most predictive (odds ratio [OR]: 12.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3364.91). The second most predictive was the APACHE II score (OR: 8.29; 95% CI: 1.4348.14). The third and fourth most predictive were the LOD score (OR: 4.06; 95% CI: 0.8120.26) and the SAPS II score (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 0.559.24), respectively. Conclusion: The analysis of the receiver operating characteristic areas under the curve of the reported scores in the present study showed that the best predictive performance is in favor of the SOFA score. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bccj.v2i1.19949 Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2014; 2 (1): 4-9
EEG in ICU: A monitoring tool for critically ill patient
Authors: Banu Selina Husna
Published: August 2014

Electroencephalographic monitoring provides dynamic information about the brain function that permits early detection of changes in neurologic status, which is especially useful when the clinical examination is limited. Identification of ongoing electrographic seizures, non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), periodic epileptogenic discharges (PED), irreversible cerebral dysfunction i.e., isoelectric tracing would help the care providers in appropriate decision making regarding the management. Non-convulsive seizures (NCSz) are more common than previously recognized and are associated with worse outcome if not treated in time. Majority of seizures at the ICU are not clinically identified because of the disease phenomena or as the patient may remain under sedation. Studies revealed the first NCSz within 1 to 24 hours of EEG monitoring; longer period of monitoring is required in comatose patient and those with PED. Factors associated with an increased risk of NCSz and NCSE include coma, prior clinical seizures, CNS infection, trauma, stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, brain tumor, recent neurosurgery, and PED.In resource-poor situation, EEG is frequently requested to confirm brain death, particularly where there is limited information on neurological examination or inconclusive apnea test; or when the patient is in prolonged state of coma. Presence of isoelectric tracing for at least 30 minutes in the EEG along with other clinical evidences is helpful in such situations. Extreme care should be taken for recording and reviewing continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring at the ICU where sources of electrical noise are present. Patients identified with electrographic seizures and mild to moderate degree encephalopathy, with presence of normal background activities had better outcome compared to those with PED, monorrhythmic alpha beta coma and severe generalized encephalopathy. Real-time detection of ischemia at a reversible state is technologically feasible with cEEG and should be developed into a practical form for prevention of in-hospital infarction. Brain function monitoring with EEG is useful and this is in great demand at the ICU of present time. Such monitoring can help to improve neurological outcome in a variety of ICU settings. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bccj.v2i1.19954 Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2014; 2 (1): 28-34
Farmers communication exposure and knowledge in poultry farming
Authors: Bhuyian MA Sayeed , Akanda MKI , Hasanuzzaman SM , Tipu S Uddin
Published: August 2014

The main purpose of the study was to analyse the farmers communication exposure and knowledge in poultry farming. The research was conducted in three selected unions of Bhaluka upazila under Mymensingh district. Each of the six selected characteristics of poultry farmers namely age, education, family size, family education, farm size and organizational participation are the independent variables; while farmers exposure to communication media for poultry production and farmers knowledge on poultry were the two dependent variables. In case of farmers exposure to communication media for poultry production, majority of the farmers (54 percent) had low exposure to communication media, while 46 percent had medium exposure and none of them had high exposure. In the case of poultry farming knowledge, majority of the farmers (57 percent) had medium knowledge while 29 percent of them had low knowledge and only 14 percent had high knowledge. Tests of hypotheses indicated that education of the farmers was positively related to communication exposure for poultry production while the rest independent variables had no relationship with any of the dependent variables. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19842 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 177-182, 2013
Effects of industrial wastewater reuse for crop production: A case study in Tejgaon metropolitan area of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Roy S , Banna LN , Mamun SA , Farukh MA
Published: August 2014

This study was carried out to identify the benefits, adverse effects, social acceptance and a long term impacts of industrial wastewater reuse in the Tejgaon metropolitan area of Dhaka city. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in the exposed and control sites to collect data on the farmers perception and responses regarding agricultural, economic, social and environmental health issues. The most important benefits of wastewater reuse have been found as the availability of wastewater over all seasons and economic return from reduced chemical fertilizer requirement in vegetable field. The potential risks of wastewater reuse have been found as the increased insect attacks, diseases and excessive weed problem. Farmer mentioned that long term exposure of this water stimulates crop growth rapidly but it reduces grain production dramatically. Sometimes excess wastewater used for irrigation or short-term water logging in the area eventually leads to crop damage. Interviews with the key factors indicate that a long term institutional arrangement for sustainable reuse of wastewater is not beneficial in the region. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19860 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 183-188, 2013
Varietal influence on the nutrient contents and their uptake by wheat
Authors: Nipa FN , Saha BK , Chowdhury MAH , Hassan MN
Published: August 2014

A field experiment was carried out in the Light village of Netrokona Sadar during the period from December 2010 to March 2011 to study the performance of some wheat varieties in terms of nutrient contents and their uptake. The experiment comprised of five varieties of wheat viz. BARI Gam 25, Shatabdi, BARI Gam 26, Prodip and Bijoy. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six replications. The nutrient contents and their uptake by wheat grain and straw were significantly influenced by the varieties. The highest N, P, K, S, Ca, B and Zn contents in grain were found in the variety BARI Gam 26 and the lowest N, K, S, Ca and Mg contents were found in the variety Shatabdi. The maximum N, P and S uptake by grain were recorded in the variety BARI Gam 26. On the other hand, the highest K and Zn uptake by grain were obtained from the variety Prodip. The minimum N, K, S, Ca, Mg and Zn uptake by grain were recorded in the variety Shatabdi. In straw, the maximum N, P, K, S, Ca and B uptake were observed in the variety BARI Gam 26 and the minimum N, K, S, Ca and B uptake were found in the variety BARI Gam 25. On the basis of nutrient contents and their uptake, wheat variety BARI Gam 26 showed the best performance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19898 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 221-226, 2013
Physico-chemical attributes and correlation among grain quality traits of some exotic aromatic rice lines
Authors: Seraj S , Hassan L , Begum SN , Sarker MM
Published: August 2014

Forty three rice genotypes were used to evaluate their aroma detection through sensory test. Aroma was detected by 1.7% KOH as a sensory test. Thirteen rice genotypes were detected having strong aroma; ten had moderate aroma; fifteen had slight aroma and five had no aroma. In case of grain shape study, 37 genotypes were evaluated as slender and six as medium. In this study, grain aroma had significant and positive association with grain length width ratio; significant and negative association with grain width, significant and negative association with gelatinization temperature, and significant and negative association with grain length. Gelatinization temperature had significant and negative correlation with grain length, significant and negative association with grain length width ratio, significant and positive association with grain width. Grain length had significant and negative correlation with grain width; significant and positive correlation with length width ratio. Grain width had significant and negative correlation with length width ratio. Finally, it can be concluded that among 43 genotypes Basmati370,CT19541-13-3-1-2P- 1P,PSBRC18,PSB-RC2(IR32809-26-3-3),IR64,IR50,2001059-TR2151-6-1-1,IR64-P401,IR72-P204 were found good grain quality traits having higher physico-chemical attributes. These elite lines could be readily used in breeding programmes to improve grain quality traits. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19899 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 227-232, 2013
Effect of herbicide Prechlor on the performance of T. aman rice
Authors: Faruk MSA , Salam MA , Jannat M , Rabbani MG
Published: August 2014

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period from July to December 2012 to find out the effect of herbicide Prechlor 500 EC on weed control and performance of transplant aman rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment consisted of two varieties viz., BRRI dhan41 and Nizershail, and four levels of Prechlor @ 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 L ha-1. Monochoria vaginalis, Nymphaea nouchali, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Echinochloa crusgalli and Scirpus juncodies were the major weeds in the experimental plots. Prechlor 500EC @ 1.5 L ha-1 showed the best performance in reducing weed density, weed dry weight and increased weed control efficiency but reduce grain yield. Variety had significant influence on all the yield and yield contributing characters of rice. Higher grain yield (3.09 t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan41. Different levels of Prechlor also had significant effect on yield and yield contributing characters such as number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, spikelets panicle-1, grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1 showed best performance with respect to most yield attributes, grain and straw yields and the lowest grain yield was obtained from Prechlor @ 0 L ha-1. The interaction effects of variety and herbicide Prechlor had significant effect on all yield attributes except plant height, effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, 1000-grain weight and harvest index. The highest grain yield (3.62 t ha-1) was obtained from variety BRRI dhan41 with Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1. The results suggest that farmers can be advised to use herbicide Prechlor @ 1.5 L ha-1 to boost up the production of BRRI dhan41 controlling weeds during aman season under the agro-climatic condition of the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19923 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 257-264, 2013
Forecasting wholesale price of coarse rice in Bangladesh: A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average approach
Authors: Hassan MF , Islam MA , Imam MF , Sayem SM
Published: August 2014

This article attempts to develop the model and to forecast the wholesale price of coarse rice in Bangladesh. Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models have been developed on the monthly data collected from July 1975 to December 2011and validated using the data from December 2010 to December 2011. The results showed that the predicted values were consistent with the upturns and downturns of the observed series. The model with non seasonal autoregressive 1, difference 1 and moving average 1 and seasonal difference 1 and moving average 1 that is SARIMA (1,1,1)(0,1,1)12 model has been found as the most suitable model with least Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 61.657, Normalised Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) of 8.300 and Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE) of 3.906. The model was further validated by Ljung-Box test (Q18=17.394 and p>.20) with no significant autocorrelation between residuals at different lag times. Finally, a forecast for the period January 2012 to December 2013 was made. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19925 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 271-276, 2013
Poverty and food security analysis: A study of fishermen households in a selected area of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman MA , Abka R , Rahman MS , Sarma PK
Published: August 2014

This study examines the poverty and food security analysis of fishermen households in a selected area of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila in Gopalganj District in Bangladesh. A sample size of 60 households was selected purposively from four villages. Data was collected through field survey by using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Calorie intake levels were calculated and statistical comparisons were done. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine the factor influencing calorie intake in individual levels. Food consumption scores were used to determine calorie intake levels. The major findings of the study were that income, education, cultivable area and rented area had positive impact on calorie intake but age of the respondents and family size had negative impact on calorie intake. About 68.33% of the respondents belonged to hard core poor whose average calorie intake was 1692.32 k. calories and 25% of the respondents had an average calorie intake 1890.93 k. calories and they belonged to absolute poor. The rest 6.67 % of the respondents took above 2122 kilo calories and average calorie intake was 2193.50 k. calories. There was 20% households having poor food consumption and 42% having borderline food consumption. Only 6.67% fishermen households have acceptable low food consumption and 3.33% have acceptable high food consumption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19928 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 293-299, 2013
Standardization parameters for production of tofu using WSD-Y-1 machine
Authors: Jubayer MF , Uddin MB , Faruque MO
Published: August 2014

The present work was aimed to standardize different parameters for tofu production using the WSD-Y-1 machine. For this purpose the coagulant variation for production of tofu, shelf life of produced tofu as well as capacity of different parts of the WSD-Y-1 machine was determined. Soybean sample was collected from the Givency Pvt. Ltd., Gazipur. Soymilk was prepared by using the WSD-Y-1 machine. Seven tofu samples were prepared by using different coagulants (CaSO4, MgSO4). TSS variation of the milk was also made. The storage stability of tofu was observed at both room temperature and refrigeration temperature. The yield of tofu varied with coagulants. It was observed that the calcium sulfate gave more yield than magnesium sulfate when the use of both of the coagulants exceeded the single use. Tofu can be kept fresh under water up to one and half of a day and in the refrigerator up to ten days. The operating system of the WSD-Y-1 machine was standardized carefully. There were three operating parts: grinding, heating, and pressing. The grinder was capable to grind about 12-13 kg soybeans at a time. About 45 liter of milk can be heated in the heating system while in the pressing system about 14 liter of milk can be kept for pressing at a time. In this experiment about 1.2 kg of tofu was produced from 1 kg of soybean. On the basis of the work it is recommended that good quality of tofu can be prepared by using the WSD-Y-1 machine which is superior in quality to the hand-made ones. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19930 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 307-312, 2013
Dynamic crop planning for enhancing crop productivity in Mymensingh district
Authors: Akter T , Talukder MSU , Rahman MH , Mazumder MNN
Published: August 2014

A study was carried out to analyze the rainfall data for crop planning in rainfed regions,, Probability analysis of rainfall offers a better scope for predicting the minimum assured rainfall to help in crop planning. The 75% probability of rainfall occurrence was proposed as an index of dependable rainfall for crop production. Considering this in view, 25 years (1981-2005) of rainfall data of Mymensingh district have been analyzed in greater details covering probability aspects. Assured rainfall analysis, probability of potential evapotranspiration, water-balance approach and actual evapotranspiration were found quite effective to assess the water availability period for crop planning under rainfed condition. It was found that maximum rainfall occurred in July and minimum in December. The numbers of rainy days per year at 75% probability were 128 days. In the month of July and August numbers of rainy days were 20 and in December, it reduced to zero. The highest potential evapotranspiration was obtained in April (4.6 mm/day) and the lowest in January (2.4 mm/day).It was observed that April to October is the rainfall excess (rainfall>PET) and November to March is the deficit period (PET>rainfall). Climatic water balance revealed the possibility of water harvesting during May to October. It may be concluded that probabilistic rainfall data and number of rainy days, would be quite helpful for crop planning. It provides useful information like land preparation, planting, transplanting, intercultural operations, harvesting, threshing, drying and other cropping practices. This would go a long way in crop planning at farmers and at policy making level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19935 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 313-320, 2013
Determination of breeding season of endangered riverine catfish rita (Rita rita Hamilton, 1822) by studying ovarian development and Gonado-Somatic-Index
Authors: Rahman ML , Mollah MFA
Published: August 2014

Rita rita is an endangered riverine catfish having high market and nutritive values. The histological process of ovaries of Rita rita were performed to determine the breeding season for facilitating the artificial breeding in controlled environment. Fish were sampled monthly from the Brahmaputra River adjacent to Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The average Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) ranged from 0.14 to 0.60 with the highest GSI value of 0.60 in July. The highest fecundity of 60114±3207.88 was found in the fish having length of 38.91±0.59 cm and weight of 1081.35±74.52 g. In contrast, the lowest fecundity was 37307.2±154.57 having length of 31.98±1.63 cm and weight of 810.87±49.75 g. The fecundity was found to increase with the increase of total length, body weight and the ovary weight and the relationship was linear and significant among them. Six developmental stages of ovaries were observed and categorized as the synchronous group. Vitellogenesis began in April with full development of ovaries in July. From this study, it can be presumed that gonadal development of R. rita peaked in July and breeding time within the months of June and July. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19938 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 341-348, 2013
Present status of broodstock management at carp hatcheries in Jessore
Authors: Samad MA , Hossain MT , Rahman BMS
Published: August 2014

This study represented a survey report on present status of management of carp brood fish. The survey was conducted with 40 hatcheries at Chacrha in Jessore from June to November, 2012. Production of brood fish was found to depend on the combined interaction between feed and culture technique. Some information showed that brood fish selection for induced breeding was done on the basis of their experience. Pond preparation was carried out properly but stocking density of brood fish was quite high and water quality was not maintained properly. Negative selection of brood fish was done in few hatcheries aiming at reducing the cost for collecting or purchasing good quality broods. The sources of brood fish were mainly own and other sources were Halda River, Padma River, Govertment brood bank and World Fish Center. Feed used for brood carp fish were mainly rice bran (34.57%), mustard oil cake (21.78%), vitamin and mineral premix (0.8%), wheat flour (8.64%), fish meal (8.64%) and soya bean flour (10.37%), maize flour (6.91%), rice ( 6.91%), di-calcium (1.73%), salt (0.34%) and antioxidant (0.04%) . Nutritional composition of feed was mainly crude protein (30-40%), crude lipid (10-12%), carbohydrate (20-30%). Protein percentage of feed always tried to keep 26% even though it was varied due to the other feed ingredients. Fertilizer such as Triple super phosphate (0.73 kg/dec), urea (0.25 kg/dec), potash (1.5 kg/decl), cowdung (5.19 kg/dec), poultry offal (1.9 kg/dec) and Murite of potash (0.13 kg/dec) were used. Scientific brood and hatchery management could be a good approach to attain the main purpose of aquaculture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19939 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 349-358, 2013
Investigation on fish health and diseases in rural pond aquaculture in three districts of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan MM , Faruk MAR , Anka IZ , Azad MAK
Published: August 2014

The present study was conducted to know the culture strategies and fish health and disease problems in pond aquaculture in Mymensingh, Bogra and Pabna districts of Bangladesh. Questionnaire interview and participatory rural appraisal tools like focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted with selected fish farmers. In total 90 farmers were interviewed and 9 FGD sessions were conducted. Most of the respondents practiced carp and pangas polyculture and they had disease problems in their ponds. Prevalence of fish disease varied with cultured species and locations. The most prevalent diseases as reported by the farmers were pop eye (57.78%), ventral reddening (55.55%), tail and fin rot (48.89), hemorrhagic lesion over the body surface (45.56%), dropsy (40%), gill rot (40%), white spot (40%) and epizootic ulcerative syndrome or EUS (33.33%). According to farmers opinion most susceptible species to disease was silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (57.78%); followed by mrigal, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (50%); catla, Catla catla (47.78%); sarputi, Barbodes gonionotus (47.78%); rui, Labio rohita (42.22%) and pangas, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (42.22%). Higher mortality was found in pangas (53.56%). Clinically, pangas, koi and sarputi were found severely affected. Most of the farmers used some treatment measures against disease problems. This study also highlited some fish health management problems in pond aquaculture. Further studies should include identification and characterization of pathogens involved in different types of diseases in pond aquaculture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19944 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 377-384, 2013
Confounding factors in using upward feedback to assess the quality of medical training: a systematic review
Authors: Zhou Anli Yue Zhou , Baker Paul
Published: August 2014

Purpose: Upward feedback is becoming more widely used in medical training as a means of quality control. Multiple biases exist, thus the accuracy of upward feedback is debatable. This study aims to identify factors that could influence upward feedback, especially in medical training. Methods: A systematic review using a structured search strategy was performed. Thirty-five databases were searched. Results were reviewed and relevant abstracts were shortlisted. All studies in English, both medical and non-medical literature, were included. A simple pro-forma was used initially to identify the pertinent areas of upward feedback, so that a focused pro-forma could be designed for data extraction. Results: A total of 204 articles were reviewed. Most studies on upward feedback bias were evaluative studies and only covered Kirkpatrick level 1-reaction. Most studies evaluated trainers or training, were used for formative purposes and presented quantitative data. Accountability and confidentiality were the most common overt biases, whereas method of feedback was the most commonly implied bias within articles. Conclusion: Although different types of bias do exist, upward feedback does have a role in evaluating medical training. Accountability and confidentiality were the most common biases. Further research is required to evaluate which types of bias are associated with specific survey characteristics and which are potentially modifiable.
Assessing the reliability and validity of the Revised Two Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ2F) in Ghanaian medical students
Authors: Mogre Victor , Amalba Anthony
Published: August 2014

Purpose: We investigated the validity and reliability of the Revised Two Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ2F) in preclinical students in Ghana. Methods: The R-SPQ2F was administered to 189 preclinical students of the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Both descriptive and inferential statistics with Cronbach’s alpha test and factor analysis were done. Results: The mean age of the students was 22.69 ± 0.18 years, 60.8% (n = 115) were males and 42.3% (n = 80) were in their second year of medical training. The students had higher mean deep approach scores (31.23 ± 7.19) than that of surface approach scores (22.62 ± 6.48). Findings of the R-SPQ2F gave credence to a solution of two-factors indicating deep and surface approaches accounting for 49.80% and 33.57%, respectively, of the variance. The scales of deep approach (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.80) and surface approach (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.76) and their subscales demonstrated an internal consistency that was good. The factorial validity was comparable to other studies. Conclusion: Our study confirms the construct validity and internal consistency of the R-SPQ2F for measuring approaches to learning in Ghanaian preclinical students. Deep approach was the most dominant learning approach among the students. The questionnaire can be used to measure students’ approaches to learning in Ghana and in other African countries.
Coupling between the Output Force and Stiffness in Different Variable Stiffness Actuators
Authors: Jafari Amir
Published: August 2014

The fundamental objective in developing variable stiffness actuators is to enable the actuator to deliberately tune its stiffness. This is done through controlling the energy flow extracted from internal power units, i.e., the motors of a variable stiffness actuator (VSA). However, the stiffness may also be unintentionally affected by the external environment, over which, there is no control. This paper analysis the correlation between the external loads, applied to different variable stiffness actuators, and their resultant output stiffness. Different types of variable stiffness actuators have been studied considering springs with different types of nonlinearity. The results provide some insights into how to design the actuator mechanism and nonlinearity of the springs in order to increase the decoupling between the load and stiffness in these actuators. This would significantly widen the application range of a variable stiffness actuator.
Larval Population Density Alters Adult Sleep in Wild-Type Drosophila melanogaster but Not in Amnesiac Mutant Flies
Authors: Chi Michael , Griffith Leslie , Vecsey Christopher
Published: August 2014

Sleep has many important biological functions, but how sleep is regulated remains poorly understood. In humans, social isolation and other stressors early in life can disrupt adult sleep. In fruit flies housed at different population densities during early adulthood, social enrichment was shown to increase subsequent sleep, but it is unknown if population density during early development can also influence adult sleep. To answer this question, we maintained Drosophila larvae at a range of population densities throughout larval development, kept them isolated during early adulthood, and then tested their sleep patterns. Our findings reveal that flies that had been isolated as larvae had more fragmented sleep than those that had been raised at higher population densities. This effect was more prominent in females than in males. Larval population density did not affect sleep in female flies that were mutant for amnesiac, which has been shown to be required for normal memory consolidation, adult sleep regulation, and brain development. In contrast, larval population density effects on sleep persisted in female flies lacking the olfactory receptor or83b, suggesting that olfactory signals are not required for the effects of larval population density on adult sleep. These findings show that population density during early development can alter sleep behavior in adulthood, suggesting that genetic and/or structural changes are induced by this developmental manipulation that persist through metamorphosis.
Dissociating Cortical Activity during Processing of Native and Non-Native Audiovisual Speech from Early to Late Infancy
Authors: Fava Eswen , Hull Rachel , Bortfeld Heather
Published: August 2014

Initially, infants are capable of discriminating phonetic contrasts across the world’s languages. Starting between seven and ten months of age, they gradually lose this ability through a process of perceptual narrowing. Although traditionally investigated with isolated speech sounds, such narrowing occurs in a variety of perceptual domains (e.g., faces, visual speech). Thus far, tracking the developmental trajectory of this tuning process has been focused primarily on auditory speech alone, and generally using isolated sounds. But infants learn from speech produced by people talking to them, meaning they learn from a complex audiovisual signal. Here, we use near-infrared spectroscopy to measure blood concentration changes in the bilateral temporal cortices of infants in three different age groups: 3-to-6 months, 7-to-10 months, and 11-to-14-months. Critically, all three groups of infants were tested with continuous audiovisual speech in both their native and another, unfamiliar language. We found that at each age range, infants showed different patterns of cortical activity in response to the native and non-native stimuli. Infants in the youngest group showed bilateral cortical activity that was greater overall in response to non-native relative to native speech; the oldest group showed left lateralized activity in response to native relative to non-native speech. These results highlight perceptual tuning as a dynamic process that happens across modalities and at different levels of stimulus complexity.