bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multiple biomarker risk score for guiding clinical decisions using a decision curve approach
Authors: Hughes Maria F , Saarela Olli , Blankenberg Stefan , Zeller Tanja , Havulinna Aki S , Kuulasmaa Kari , Yarnell John , Schnabel Renate B , Tiret Laurence , Salomaa Veikko , Evans Alun , Kee Frank ,   (for the MORGAM project)
Published: July 2011

Aims: We assessed whether a cardiovascular risk model based on classic risk factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure) could refine disease prediction if it included novel biomarkers (C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin I) using a decision curve approach which can incorporate clinical consequences.

Methods and results: We evaluated whether a model including biomarkers and classic risk factors could improve prediction of 10 year risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD; chronic heart disease and ischaemic stroke) against a classic risk factor model using a decision curve approach in two prospective MORGAM cohorts. This included 7739 men and women with 457 CVD cases from the FINRISK97 cohort; and 2524 men with 259 CVD cases from PRIME Belfast. The biomarker model improved disease prediction in FINRISK across the high-risk group (20⊟40%) but not in the intermediate risk group, at the 23% risk threshold net benefit was 0.0033 (95% CI 0.0013−0.0052). However, in PRIME Belfast the net benefit of decisions guided by the decision curve was improved across intermediate risk thresholds (10⊟20%). At pt = 10% in PRIME, the net benefit was 0.0059 (95% CI 0.0007⊟0.0112) with a net increase in 6 true positive cases per 1000 people screened and net decrease of 53 false positive cases per 1000 potentially leading to 5% fewer treatments in patients not destined for an event.

Conclusion: The biomarker model improves 10-year CVD prediction at intermediate and high-risk thresholds and in particular, could be clinically useful at advising middle-aged European males of their CVD risk.
Risk factors and mortality associated with an elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity measured by Doppler-echocardiography in thalassemia: a Thalassemia Clinical Research Network report
Authors: Morris Claudia R. , Kim Hae-Young , Trachtenberg Felicia , Wood John , Quinn Charles T. , Sweeters Nancy , Kwiatkowski Janet L. , Thompson Alexis A. , Giardina Patricia J. , Boudreaux Jeanne , Olivieri Nancy F. , Porter John B. , Neufeld Ellis J. , Vichinsky Elliott P.
Published: July 2011

An elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) is associated with hemolysis and early mortality in sickle cell disease, yet risk factors, clinical parameters, and mortality associated with this biomarker in thalassemia are poorly defined. This report summarizes the prevalence of an elevated TRV in 325 patients screened by Doppler echocardiography in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network. A documented TRV was reported in 148 of 325 (46%) of patients. Average age was 25.9 years (range, 5-56 years) and 97% were transfusion-dependent. Mean TRV was 2.3 ± 0.4 m/s (range, 0.2-3.5 m/s). An abnormal TRV ≥ 2.5 m/s was identified in 49 of 148 (33%) of patients with a documented TRV, 5% (8/148), with a TRV ≥ 3.0 m/s, suggesting significant PH risk. Older age was strongly associated with a high TRV; however, 16% of children had a TRV ≥ 2.5 m/s. A history of splenectomy, hepatitis C, smoking, or high white blood cell count was associated with TRV elevation. In summary, an elevated TRV is noted in one-third of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients with a documented value and develops in both children and adults. Age, splenectomy, hepatitis C, and smoking are significant univariate risk factors, with splenectomy surfacing as the dominant risk factor over time. Mortality was low in this cohort. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed. This study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00661804.
Effectiveness of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in an unselected population of patients with chronic hepatitis C: A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Hansen Nanna , Obel Niels , Christensen Peer B , Kjær Mette , Laursen Alex L , Krarup Henrik B , Møller Axel , Schlichting Poul , Bukh Jens , Weis Nina ,   the Danish Database for Hepatitis B and C (DANHEP)- group
Published: July 2011

Background

The effect of peginterferon and ribavirin treatment on chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been established in several controlled clinical studies. However, the effectiveness of treatment and predictors of treatment success in routine clinical practice remains to be established. Our aim was to estimate the effectiveness of peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in unselected HCV patients handled in routine clinical practice. The endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR), determined by the absence of HCV RNA 24 weeks after the end of treatment.

Methods

We determined the proportion of SVR in a nationwide, population-based cohort of 432 patients with chronic HCV infection who were starting treatment, and analyzed the impact of known covariates on SVR by using a logistic regression analysis.

Results

The majority of treated patients had genotype 1 (133 patients) and genotype 2/3 (285 patients) infections, with 44% and 72%, respectively, obtaining SVR. Other than genotype, the predictors of SVR were age ≤ 45 years at the start of treatment, completion of unmodified treatment, the absence of cirrhosis and non-European origin.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of peginterferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C in a routine clinical practice is comparable to that observed in controlled clinical trials, with a higher SVR rate in genotype 2 and 3 patients compared to genotype 1 patients. Our data further indicate that age at start of treatment is a strong predictor of SVR irrespective of HCV genotype, with patients 45 years or younger having a higher SVR rate.
A 4D IMRT planning method using deformable image registration to improve normal tissue sparing with contemporary delivery techniques
Authors: Li Xiaoqiang , Wang Xiaochun , Li Yupeng , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: July 2011

We propose a planning method to design true 4-dimensional (4D) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans, called the t4Dplan method, in which the planning target volume (PTV) of the individual phases of the 4D computed tomography (CT) and the conventional PTV receive non-uniform doses but the cumulative dose to the PTV of each phase, computed using deformable image registration (DIR), are uniform. The non-uniform dose prescription for the conventional PTV was obtained by solving linear equations that required motion-convolved 4D dose to be uniform to the PTV for the end-exhalation phase (PTV50) and by constraining maximum inhomogeneity to 20%. A plug-in code to the treatment planning system was developed to perform the IMRT optimization based on this non-uniform PTV dose prescription. The 4D dose was obtained by summing the mapped doses from individual phases of the 4D CT using DIR. This 4D dose distribution was compared with that of the internal target volume (ITV) method. The robustness of the 4D plans over the course of radiotherapy was evaluated by computing the 4D dose distributions on repeat 4D CT datasets. Three patients with lung tumors were selected to demonstrate the advantages of the t4Dplan method compared with the commonly used ITV method. The 4D dose distribution using the t4Dplan method resulted in greater normal tissue sparing (such as lung, stomach, liver and heart) than did plans designed using the ITV method. The dose volume histograms of cumulative 4D doses to the PTV50, clinical target volume, lung, spinal cord, liver, and heart on the 4D repeat CTs for the two patients were similar to those for the 4D dose at the time of original planning.
Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) improves motor performance and survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Zhao Wei , Varghese Merina , Yemul Shrishailam , Pan Yong , Cheng Alice , Marano Paul , Hassan Sadiq , Vempati Prashant , Chen Fei , Qian Xianjuan , Pasinetti Giulio M
Published: July 2011

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects spinal cord and cortical motor neurons. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to motor neuron death in ALS. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) is a principal regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism.

Results

In this study, we examined whether PGC-1α plays a protective role in ALS by using a double transgenic mouse model where PGC-1α is over-expressed in an SOD1 transgenic mouse (TgSOD1-G93A/PGC-1α). Our results indicate that PGC-1α significantly improves motor function and survival of SOD1-G93A mice. The behavioral improvements were accompanied by reduced blood glucose level and by protection of motor neuron loss, restoration of mitochondrial electron transport chain activities and inhibition of stress signaling in the spinal cord.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that PGC-1α plays a beneficial role in a mouse model of ALS, suggesting that PGC-1α may be a potential therapeutic target for ALS therapy.
Rectal endometriosis causing colonic obstruction and concurrent endometriosis of the appendix: a case report
Authors: Katsikogiannis N , Tsaroucha AK , Dimakis K , Sivridis E , Simopoulos CE
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Endometriosis is a clinical entity which presents with functioning endometrial tissue at sites outside the uterus. Bowel endometriosis is usually asymptomatic, but it may show non-specific symptoms. The presence and/or association of appendiceal endometriosis, concomitant with rectal endometriosis, is possible.

Case presentation

A 36-year-old Greek woman was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with signs of acute abdomen. On physical examination, our patient had a painful distended abdomen. Digital examination revealed an empty rectum and bowel obstruction was diagnosed. Our patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and rectum stenosis (almost complete obstruction) was observed. The bowel stenosis was resected, and temporary colostomy and appendectomy were performed. The pathology report showed endometriosis of the colon and the appendix, and our patient received medical treatment for endometriosis. Six months after this operation our patient had another surgery for restoration of large bowel continuity. No endometriosis was found. Our patient was doing well at the one-year follow up.

Conclusion

Endometriosis of the bowel is a disease that may cause large bowel obstruction. In women of reproductive age, the surgeon should consider endometriosis as a differential diagnosis in case of various gastrointestinal symptoms.
Modelling age-heterogeneous Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni survey data via alignment factors
Authors: Schur Nadine , Utzinger Jürg , Vounatsou Penelope
Published: July 2011

Background

Reliable maps of the geographical distribution, number of infected individuals and burden estimates of schistosomiasis are essential tools to plan, monitor and evaluate control programmes. Large-scale disease mapping and prediction efforts rely on compiled historical survey data obtained from the peer-reviewed literature and unpublished reports. Schistosomiasis surveys usually focus on school-aged children, whereas some surveys include entire communities. However, data are often reported for non-standard age groups or entire study populations. Existing geostatistical models ignore either the age-dependence of the disease risk or omit surveys considered too heterogeneous.

Methods

We developed Bayesian geostatistical models and analysed existing schistosomiasis prevalence data by estimating alignment factors to relate surveys on individuals aged ≤ 20 years with surveys on individuals aged > 20 years and entire communities. Schistosomiasis prevalence data for 11 countries in the eastern African region were extracted from an open-access global database pertaining to neglected tropical diseases. We assumed that alignment factors were constant for the whole region or a specific country.

Results

Regional alignment factors indicated that the risk of a Schistosoma haematobium infection in individuals aged > 20 years and in entire communities is smaller than in individuals ≤ 20 years, 0.83 and 0.91, respectively. Country-specific alignment factors varied from 0.79 (Ethiopia) to 1.06 (Zambia) for community-based surveys. For S. mansoni, the regional alignment factor for entire communities was 0.96 with country-specific factors ranging from 0.84 (Burundi) to 1.13 (Uganda).

Conclusions

The proposed approach could be used to align inherent age-heterogeneity between school-based and community-based schistosomiasis surveys to render compiled data for risk mapping and prediction more accurate.
Methylation of H2AR29 is a novel repressive PRMT6 target
Authors: Waldmann Tanja , Izzo Annalisa , Kamieniarz Kinga , Richter Florian , Vogler Christine , Sarg Bettina , Lindner Herbert , Young Nicolas L , Mittler Gerhard , Garcia Benjamin A , Schneider Robert
Published: July 2011

Background

Covalent histone modifications are central to all DNA-dependent processes. Modifications of histones H3 and H4 are becoming well characterised, but knowledge of how H2A modifications regulate chromatin dynamics and gene expression is still very limited.

Results

To understand the function of H2A modifications, we performed a systematic analysis of the histone H2A methylation status. We identified and functionally characterised two new methylation sites in H2A: R11 (H2AR11) and R29 (H2AR29). Using an unbiased biochemical approach in combination with candidate assays we showed that protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 1 and PRMT6 are unique in their ability to catalyse these modifications. Importantly we found that H2AR29me2 is specifically enriched at genes repressed by PRMT6, implicating H2AR29me2 in transcriptional repression.

Conclusions

Our data establishes R11 and R29 as new arginine methylation sites in H2A. We identified the specific modifying enzymes involved, and uncovered a novel functional role of H2AR29me2 in gene silencing in vivo. Thus this work reveals novel insights into the function of H2A methylation and in the mechanisms of PRMT6-mediated transcriptional repression.
Utilization capability of sucrose, raffinose and inulin and its less-sensitiveness to glucose repression in thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus DMKU 3-1042
Authors: Lertwattanasakul Noppon , Rodrussamee Nadchanok , Suprayogi  , Limtong Savitree , Thanonkeo Pornthap , Kosaka Tomoyuki , Yamada Mamoru
Published: July 2011

Kluyveromyces marxianus possesses a useful potential to assimilate a wide variety of substrates at a high temperature, but the negative effect by coexisting glucose is critical for utilization of biomass containing various sugars. Such a negative effect on the activity of inulinase, which is the sole enzyme to hydrolyze sucrose, raffinose and inulin, has been demonstrated in K. marxianus without analysis at the gene level. To clarify the utilization capability of sucrose, raffinose and inulin and the glucose effect on inulinase in K. marxianus DMKU 3-1042, its growth and metabolite profiles on these sugars were examined with or without glucose under a static condition, in which glucose repression evidently occurs. Consumption of sucrose was not influenced by glucose or 2-deoxyglucose. On the other hand, raffinose and inulin consumption was hampered by glucose at 30°C but hardly hampered at 45°C. Unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae, increase in glucose concentration had no effect on sucrose utilization. These sugar-specific glucose effects were consistent with the level of inulinase activity but not with that of the KmINU1 transcript, which was repressed in the presence of glucose via KmMig1p. This inconsistency may be due to sufficient activity of inulinase even when glucose is present. Our results encourage us to apply K. marxianus DMKU 3-1042 to high-temperature ethanol fermentation with biomass containing these sugars with glucose.
A simple method to evaluate the number of bradyrhizobia on soybean seeds and its implication on inoculant quality control
Authors: Penna Claudio , Massa Rosana , Olivieri Florencia , Gutkind Gabriel , Cassán Fabricio
Published: July 2011

Soybean seeds are non-sterile and their bacterial population interferes with the enumeration of beneficial bacteria, making it difficult to assess survival under different conditions. Within this context, the principal aims of this work were: (1) to improve a selective media for the enumeration of B. japonicum recovered from inoculated soybean seeds; (2) to establish the most representative mathematical function for B. japonicum mortality on soybean seeds after inoculation; (3) to evaluate if environmental or physiological conditions modify B. japonicum mortality on soybean seeds; and (4) to create a new protocol for quality control of soybean inoculants. We successfully evaluated the combination of pentachloronitrobenzene and vancomycin added to the yeast-mannitol medium to inhibit most fungi and Gram-positive soybean microbiota, thus producing reliable counts of B. japonicum from inoculated soybean seeds. Percentages of recovery and survival factors were obtained and used to construct a two-phase exponential decay non-linear regression function. High temperature and desiccation decreased these parameters, while the optimization of temperature and the use of osmoprotective compounds with inoculants increased them. The use of this protocol minimized heterogeneity between experiments and may be considered more reliable than the simple expression of direct colony count of bacteria recovered from seeds.
Metabolism, LXR/LXR ligands, and tumor immune escape
Authors: Russo Vincenzo
Published: July 2011

The mechanisms of tumor immune evasion have gained increasing interest among the tumor immunologists, because of their ability to suppress spontaneous and immunotherapy-elicited antitumor responses. Recent studies clearly show that the deletion of cells/molecules involved in tumor evasion is capable of restoring antitumor immune responses, ultimately leading to tumor rejection in mouse tumor models. These studies further support and strengthen the idea to target not only the cancer cell-intrinsic defects but also those affecting cells of the microenvironment, such as immune cells. The alterations of cancer cell metabolism are also emerging as important regulators of immune cell function, with particular emphasis on immune-escape mechanisms. Indeed, intermediate or final products of cancer cell metabolism may interfere with the function of immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. This review will focus on the role of cholesterol metabolism, with particular emphasis on the axis LXR/LXR ligands. This axis has been shown to affect DC migration to lymphoid organs, thus dampening the induction of successful antitumor responses. Finally, we will discuss whether this pathway may interfere with other immune cells infiltrating tumors and how to improve spontaneous and immunotherapy-based antitumor responses by counteracting this immune-escape mechanism.
Effects of Melatonin on Peripheral Reproductive Function: Regulation of Testicular GnIH and Testosterone
Authors: McGuire Nicolette L. , Kangas Kristina , Bentley George E.
Published: July 2011

Study of seasonal reproduction has focused on the brain. Here, we show that the inhibition of sex steroid secretion can be seasonally mediated at the level of the gonad. We investigate the direct effects of melatonin on sex steroid secretion and gonadal neuropeptide expression in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). PCR reveals starling gonads express mRNA for gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and its receptor (GnIHR) and melatonin receptors 1B (Mel 1B) and 1C (Mel 1C). We demonstrate that the gonadal GnIH system is regulated seasonally, possibly via a mechanism involving melatonin. GnIH/ GnIHR expression in the testes is relatively low during breeding compared with outside the breeding season. The expression patterns of Mel 1B and Mel 1C are correlated with this expression, and melatonin up-regulates the expression of GnIH mRNA in starling gonads before breeding. In vitro, GnIH and melatonin significantly decrease testosterone secretion from LH/FSH-stimulated testes before, but not during, breeding. Thus local inhibition of sex steroid secretion appears to be regulated seasonally at the level of the gonad, by a mechanism involving melatonin and the gonadal GnIH system.
Bone mineral density
Authors: Marquezan Mariana , Lau Thiago Chon Leon , Mattos Claudia Trindade , da Cunha Amanda Carneiro , Nojima Lincoln Issamu , Sant'Anna Eduardo Franzotti , de Souza Margareth Maria Gomes , de Souza Araújo Mônica Tirre
Published: July 2011

Objective:

To verify whether bone mineral density (BMD) of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and total bone influence the primary stability of orthodontic miniscrews and to verify whether there is a correlation between the measurement of BMD by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Materials and Methods:

Twenty bovine bone sections were extracted from the pubic and iliac bones from regions with cortical thicknesses of approximately 1 mm. The BMD of the total bone block was evaluated using two methods: CBCT and DEXA. The BMD of cortical, trabecular, and total bone in the region of interest (ROI) were also evaluated by CBCT. After scanning the bone blocks, 20 self-drilling miniscrews (INP®) 1.4 mm in diameter and 6 mm long were inserted into them. The peak implant insertion torque (IT) was registered. After this, the pull-out test (PS) was performed and the maximum force registered. The Pearson correlation test was applied to verify the correlations between variables.

Results:

The BMD of the total bone block verified by CBCT and DEXA showed a positive and strong correlation (r  =  0.866, P  =  .000). The BMD of the ROI for cortical bone influenced the IT (r  =  0.518, P  =  .40) and the PS of miniscrews (r  =  0.713, P  =  .001, Table 2). However, the total bone BMD (verified by CBCT and DEXA) and trabecular bone BMD presented weak and not statistically significant correlations with primary stability.

Conclusions:

There was a positive correlation between total bone block BMD measured by DEXA and CBCT. The cortical BMD influenced the IT and PS.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals a Quantitative Trait Locus of Adiponectin on CDH13 That Predicts Cardiometabolic Outcomes
Authors: Chung Chia-Min , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Chen Jaw-Wen , Leu Hsin-Bang , Yang Hsin-Chou , Ho Hung-Yun , Ting Chih-Tai , Sheu Sheng-Hsiung , Tsai Wei-Chuan , Chen Jyh-Hong , Lin Shing-Jong , Chen Yuan-Tsong , Pan Wen-Harn
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

The plasma adiponectin level, a potential upstream and internal facet of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, has a reasonably high heritability. Whether other novel genes influence the variation in adiponectin level and the roles of these genetic variants on subsequent clinical outcomes has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we aimed not only to identify genetic variants modulating plasma adiponectin levels but also to investigate whether these variants are associated with adiponectin-related metabolic traits and cardiovascular diseases.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with high molecular weight forms of adiponectin levels by genotyping 382 young-onset hypertensive (YOH) subjects with Illumina HumanHap550 SNP chips. The culpable single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants responsible for lowered adiponectin were then confirmed in another 559 YOH subjects, and the association of these SNP variants with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and ischemic stroke was examined in an independent community–based prospective cohort, the CardioVascular Disease risk FACtors Two-township Study (CVDFACTS, n = 3,350).

RESULTS

The SNP (rs4783244) most significantly associated with adiponectin levels was located in intron 1 of the T-cadherin (CDH13) gene in the first stage (P = 7.57 × 10−9). We replicated and confirmed the association between rs4783244 and plasma adiponectin levels in an additional 559 YOH subjects (P = 5.70 × 10−17). This SNP was further associated with the risk of MS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, P = 0.027), T2DM in men (OR = 3.25, P = 0.026), and ischemic stroke (OR = 2.13, P = 0.002) in the CVDFACTS.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated the role of T-cadherin in modulating adiponectin levels and the involvement of CDH13 or adiponectin in the development of cardiometabolic diseases.
ECN Congestion Control Mechanism in IP Networks
Authors: Shakya Subarna , Sainju Anup
Published: July 2011

Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) is a newer method for congestion control in TCP IP networks. Network Simulator 2 (NS2) software has been used to compare the performance of ECN packet marking to other older and newer congestion control schemes, such as DropTail and Random Early Detection (RED), in both LAN and WAN schemes. During the simulations different parameters including proportion of packet drops, window size variation, queue size, and throughput were measured to evaluate the performance. The overall objective was to independently and comparatively study ECN in a wide range of situations to better understand its advantages and disadvantages. The results of these simulations showed that when all the network prerequisites were met (i.e. all the nodes including being ECN-aware), ECN reduced packet drops and thereby optimized network resource utilization and data throughput.Key Words : Explicit Congestion Notification; Network Simulator; Random Early Detect; DropTailDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5093Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page : 12-24Uploaded Date: 19 July, 2011
Strategies to Reform Engineering Education
Authors: Pahari Bharat Raj
Published: July 2011

After the globalization, the attention of the world is turning to economy. The world power is shifted to economy. There has been a paradigm shift- the physical resources; such as, minerals, lands, etc. as the property, has changed. The world is expanding to a global village and societies are heading towards knowledge base economy. By now, a country cannot survive in a closed boundary as before. The result of this is obviously cognitive revolution along with the continuous innovation. Above this, the effect of globalization is turning the world to the international partnerships diversifying the workforce and resulting to demographic shifts. The education, more precisely the engineering higher education, should be able to load individual the depth knowledge and skill that makes people capable and competent. In the course of time, the role of engineering education is increasing. This article is shedding light on the strategies for the reform of engineering education in Nepal eventually attaining quality.Keywords : Engineering educationDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5096Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 48-63Uploaded Date: 19 July, 2011
Prospects of BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Projects for Infrastructure Development in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Santosh Kumar
Published: July 2011

Infrastructure development is one of the top priorities in a country's economic progress. Planned and well connected infrastructure services attract foreign direct investments and boost local investments. To meet the present and future demand for infrastructure development, developing and least developed countries like Nepal always face scarcity of their own resources. To mitigate the shortage of the Government's funds for infrastructure developments, the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode of financing has been a model in many countries. Considering the BOT project successes in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and other countries, and following Khimti-I and the United World Trade Center building, Nepal must seriously consider having more BOT projects. Especially in its urgently needed infrastructure such as Hydropower generation, roads, bridges, telecommunications, water supply, waste disposal, etc.Key Words: Build Operate Transfer; BOT; Public Private PartnershipDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5104Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 138-142Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Financial Analysis of Jatropha Plantations in the context of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Narayan Prasad , Wegstein Michael
Published: July 2011

In general two scenarios for Jatropha plantations are considered to be realistic for Nepal. The first scenario concentrates on the Terai region. In this area large-scale plantations seem to be possible for example in locations formerly subjected to flooding. The plantations can be set up within a professional context – meaning to provide the necessary inputs (fertilizer, labour) for maximising yields. Using this sort of wasteland Jatropha can be used to produce straight vegetable oil (SVO) for the direct use in water pumps or modified engines or – if the yield exceeds the demand for SVO, with establishing transesterification-units the SVO can be transformed into biodiesel. With water pumps crops can be increased from one yield per year up to three yields per year with irrigation. The second scenario concentrates on the hill region. In this context Jatropha is considered as being part of poverty alleviation strategies. Per household 500 plants could be planted as a fence, along roads, against erosion or around the leasehold forestry areas. In this scenario no plant care besides some cutting and weeding is assumed. Accordingly the yield is expected to be lower than in the first scenario. For hill areas the SVO will mainly find application for lightning or running processing mills, pumps, generators or tractors. Replacing Kerosene and Diesel in modified engines and lamps will be the best application for the hill areas. Transforming SVO into biodiesel is economically not viable and efficient as the analysis will show.Key Words: Biofuel; Jatropha; Financial analysis; Renewable energies; Transesterification; Jatropha plantation; Biodiesel; Cash flow analysisDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5105Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 143-148Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Genetic Algorithms and the Inverse Problem of Electromagnetic Radiation
Authors: Rangel-Merino A. , Linares y Miranda R. , López-Bonilla J.
Published: July 2011

From experimental measurements of near field of any radiant device (RD) and using genetic algorithms (GA) as optimization tool for finding out the parameters of a model, carry out the search of geometric dipole structure (not necessarily unique), in order to reproduce the measurements above mentioned, with that model the far field is predicted. With any of the configurations (parameterized model) is possible to estimate the radiation in the zone of far field only modifying the distance parameter in the model. In this paper the application of the GA as a search method of a geometric configuration of elementary dipoles that solve the inverse problem of electromagnetic radiation are reported. The inverse problem of electromagnetic radiation appears as a new application in the electromagnetic compatibility area that allows estimating the far field radiation from near field measurements.Key Words: Electromagnetic Radiation; Geometric dipole structureDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5115Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 231-236Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Alternate Formulations of the Reducibility Problem of Open Shop Sequences Minimizing the Makespan
Authors: Dhamala Tanka Nath
Published: July 2011

The decision problem whether a given open shop sequence, minimizing the maximum completion time, is irreducible has been considered in the last 20 years. The problem has diversified applications in industries and communications. By now, a number of algorithms based on the specific properties of the corresponding sequence graph are proposed. Thus the problem is solved only partially and only in some special cases, but not in general yet. A number of open problems and conjectures carried out in this research have been posed, so far. In this paper, we present a brief sketch of these ideas with different formulations of the reducibility of open shop sequences and expose how important are the roles of conflict resolution reaching a conclusion to its end. Paths on the so-called H-comparability graphs with respect to the implication classes play vital roles in it.Key words: Scheduling; Sequencing; Open shop; Comparability graph; reducibility; ComplexityDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5117Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 243-254Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
A Study of Holders Inequality in New Spaces
Authors: Bhatta C. R.
Published: July 2011

The central attraction of this paper is to prove holders inequality in some new spaces such as Grand Lebesgue Space LP). Small Lebesgue space LP)' and Banach Lattice space XP.Key words: Holders InequalityDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5119Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 259-262Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Inflated Geometric Distribution to Study the Distribution of Rural Out-Migrants
Authors: Aryal Tika Ram
Published: July 2011

The aim of this paper is to apply inflated geometric distribution to study the distribution of rural out-migrants from a household. The inflated geometric distribution is found to be a reasonable approximation to describe this distribution. The estimated value of risk parameter α was found to be 0.7004229. Findings may help planners and policy makers for designing more effective and equitable rural and urban policies.Keywords: Rural Out-MigrantsDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5121Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011Page: 266-268Uploaded Date: 20 July, 2011
Assessment of Soil Compaction  A Project Study
Authors: Rahman Md Gazi Ferooz , Talukder MDH , Rahman AHMM
Published: July 2011

Soil compaction is one of the most important aspects of any earthwork construction. Compaction improves the engineering properties of the fills. Nearly all compaction specifications are based on achieving a certain value of dry unit weight (γd). During construction, the geotechnical engineers measure the unit weight of compacted soil in the field to verify the contractor’s compliance with the requirement. This paper is a project study of road construction project "Road Zia Colony to Mirpur Cantonment". Soil samples were collected from five different locations. In situ dry density was obtained by Sand Cone Test from each location. The laboratory tests (Standard Proctor Test) were carried out to find out the dry density for each sample. The maximum dry density in relation to moisture content was obtained. Relative compaction (CR) of soil at each location was then calculated to the soil compaction of the said road project.KEY WORDS: Compaction; porosity; density; Unit Weight DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/mist.v3i0.8046
Requirements for Semantic Educational Recommender Systems in Formal E-Learning Scenarios
Authors: Santos Olga C. , Boticario Jesus G.
Published: July 2011

This paper analyzes how recommender systems can be applied to current e-learning systems to guide learners in personalized inclusive e-learning scenarios. Recommendations can be used to overcome current limitations of learning management systems in providing personalization and accessibility features. Recommenders can take advantage of standards-based solutions to provide inclusive support. To this end we have identified the need for developing semantic educational recommender systems, which are able to extend existing learning management systems with adaptive navigation support. In this paper we present three requirements to be considered in developing these semantic educational recommender systems, which are in line with the service-oriented approach of the third generation of learning management systems, namely: (i) a recommendation model; (ii) an open standards-based service-oriented architecture; and (iii) a usable and accessible graphical user interface to deliver the recommendations.
Features of Microglia and Neuroinflammation Relevant to Environmental Exposure and Neurotoxicity
Authors: Kraft Andrew D. , Harry G. Jean
Published: July 2011

Microglia are resident cells of the brain involved in regulatory processes critical for development, maintenance of the neural environment, injury and repair. They belong to the monocytic-macrophage lineage and serve as brain immune cells to orchestrate innate immune responses; however, they are distinct from other tissue macrophages due to their relatively quiescent phenotype and tight regulation by the CNS microenvironment. Microglia actively survey the surrounding parenchyma and respond rapidly to changes such that any disruption to neural architecture or function can contribute to the loss in regulation of the microglia phenotype. In many models of neurodegeneration and neurotoxicity, early events of synaptic degeneration and neuronal loss are accompanied by an inflammatory response including activation of microglia, perivascular monocytes, and recruitment of leukocytes. In culture, microglia have been shown to be capable of releasing several potentially cytotoxic substances, such as reactive oxygen intermediates, nitric oxide, proteases, arachidonic acid derivatives, excitatory amino acids, and cytokines; however, they also produce various neurotrophic factors and quench damage from free radicals and excitotoxins. As the primary source for pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglia are implicated as pivotal mediators of neuroinflammation and can induce or modulate a broad spectrum of cellular responses. Neuroinflammation should be considered as a balanced network of processes whereby subtle modifications can shift the cells toward disparate outcomes. For any evaluation of neuroinflammation and microglial responses, within the framework of neurotoxicity or degeneration, one key question in determining the consequence of neuroinflammation is whether the response is an initiating event or the consequence of tissue damage. As examples of environmental exposure-related neuroinflammation in the literature, we provide an evaluation of data on manganese and diesel exhaust particles.
Microfluidic Devices for Blood Fractionation
Authors: Hou Han Wei , Bhagat Ali Asgar S. , Lee Wong Cheng , Huang Sha , Han Jongyoon , Lim Chwee Teck
Published: July 2011

Blood, a complex biological fluid, comprises 45% cellular components suspended in protein rich plasma. These different hematologic components perform distinct functions in vivo and thus the ability to efficiently fractionate blood into its individual components has innumerable applications in both clinical diagnosis and biological research. Yet, processing blood is not trivial. In the past decade, a flurry of new microfluidic based technologies has emerged to address this compelling problem. Microfluidics is an attractive solution for this application leveraging its numerous advantages to process clinical blood samples. This paper reviews the various microfluidic approaches realized to successfully fractionate one or more blood components. Techniques to separate plasma from hematologic cellular components as well as isolating blood cells of interest including certain rare cells are discussed. Comparisons based on common separation metrics including efficiency (sensitivity), purity (selectivity), and throughput will be presented. Finally, we will provide insights into the challenges associated with blood-based separation systems towards realizing true point-of-care (POC) devices and provide future perspectives.
Note sur l'iconographie d'Octavie d'après un portrait provenant d'El Jem conservé au musée de Sousse
Authors: de Chaisemartin Nathalie
Published: July 2011

A Roman female marble portrait, discovered in 1910 in El Jem is nowadays kept in the Sousse Archaeological Museum. It represent a middle-aged woman with the typical hair-dressing used in the last third of the first century B.C., the so-called nodus or roll-tufted hair on the forehead. Trying to identify the lady, that we can consider, according to the quality and scale of the portrait, as a member of Augustus family, we can therefore underline in the bibliography that there has always been confusion in attributing official carved portraits with such hair-dressing (nodus) to Augustus wife Livia or to Octavia, his sister : the typical idealisation of the augustean portrait— sculpture and the real tendency to have a portrait looking like to the ruling emperor, can often interfere on the individual features of the imperial family members. The researches of V. Poulsen and W.H. Gross have helped to select several groups of Livia's portraits, so that we can notice on another hand the presence, in différents parts of the roman empire, of several portraits of a same lady, showing similar details in features, but having a slightly different hair-dressing from Livia's. She appears young on the heads discovered in Velletri (Rom, Therms Museum), Smyrna (Athens, National Museum) and Glanum (Saint- Rémy-de- Provence), older on the portraits from Béziers (Toulouse Museum), Cerveteri (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek), Italica (Seville Museum), Naples Museum and Crete (Athens), to which we relate the head of El Jem. The comparative research on the coins, the fact that the same lady took place in two series of julio-claudian family portraits (from Béziers and Cerveteri), and that she is twice represented taller than lifesize, leads us to identify her as beeing Octavia. According to their idealisation standard, their carving technics and comparisons with well-dated portraits of Livia, a chronological order of these portraits can be proposed : the portrait of Smyrna would take place round the time of the wedding of Octavia and Antony (40 B.C.) the one of Velletri round the twenties B.C. The other portraits appear like post mortem realisations inspires from two main types and would extend till Claudius time. The portrait of El Jem, certainly belonging to a dynastic group, take place around the first years of Tiberius rule.
Une épigramme funéraire grecque de Cherchel
Authors: Vatin Claude
Published: July 2011

Lecture nouvelle d'un poème funéraire grec consacré à un enfant, Proclos, mort à l'âge de dix ans, placé sous la protection de la nymphe Nysa qui assurera son immortalité.

Proclos est représenté sur la stèle, tenant une grappe de raisin, signe de son appartenance au monde dionysiaque. La nymphe nourricière Nysa, évoquée dans le poème mais absente du bas-relief de Cherchel, figure, en compagnie d'un enfant au raisin, sur trois monuments funéraires de Rhénée.
Un atelier itinérant de marbriers le long des côtes de Proconsulaire
Authors: Ferchiou Naïdé
Published: July 2011

Étude d'éléments architecturaux (consoles, corniches, chapiteaux, bases) en onyx, marbre Pentélique, marbre de Proconèse. Une partie de ces éléments est importé, l'autre groupe peut être attribué à des ateliers locaux de marbriers itinérants, car on retrouve des vestiges comparables dans les villes antiques côtières de Proconsulaire.
L'aile Tauriana Torquata et les relations militaires de l'Hispania et de la Maurétanie tingitane entre Claude et Domitien
Authors: Christol Michel , Le Roux Patrick
Published: July 2011

La relecture de l'inscription espagnole CIL, II, 2984, permet de réviser l'itinéraire et l'histoire de Vaia Tauriana Torquato au Ier siècle après J.C. Après une étude de la dénomination complète de l'unité et de son évolution, après l'analyse des documents épigraphiques et littéraires qui sont en relation probable avec le séjour en Hispania, les conditions de l'installation en Maurétanie Tingitane sont réexaminées. En dépit de l'absence de témoignage clairement daté antérieur à 88 (CIL, XVI, 159= IAM, 2), c'est autour de l'année 75 que semble avoir eu lieu le transfert. La mise en évidence de rapports étroits entre les garnisons de Maurétanie Tingitane et d' Hispania entre les règnes de Claude et de Domitien éclaire les conclusions que l'on peut tirer d'inscriptions du Maroc insuffisamment expliquées jusqu'à présent (AE, 1922, 14= IAM, 508 ; IAM, 511). La mention des années de service à l'aide du mot aera est l'indication d'un lien du soldat ou de son unité avec la Péninsule Ibérique ; la documentation actuellement disponsible sur ce sujet est regroupée et commentée dans un Appendice.
Recherches à Lambèse III : Essais sur le temple d'Esculape
Authors: Janon Michel
Published: July 2011

Traditionnellement, on désigne par le nom de « Ville haute » de Lámbese un ensemble de temples et d'édifices de prestige groupés autour du camp de Titus, premier établissement militaire de la ville.

L' Asclepieium, installé à proximité immédiate du camp, a été jadis largement dégagé. C'est un vaste sanctuaire où se juxtaposent lieux de culte et constructions thermales. Il s'organise de part et d'autre d'une longue esplanade bornée à l'ouest par le temple édifié en 161-162 par la Legio III Augusta, à l'est par des « Propylées » construits probablement entre 202 et 211. Le temple, dédié à Jupiter Valens, Esculape, Salus et Silvain Pegasianus, s'articule autour d'un corps central tétrastyle, d'ordonnance dorique. Deux ailes incurvées concaves le flanquent et conduisent à deux chapelles latérales avec des façades en contre-courbe. Cette forme architecturale exceptionnelle peut s'expliquer comme une réponse à un besoin de la liturgie, pour une incubation « ad deos ». Il semble surtout qu'elle pétrifie l'idéologie médico-religieuse contemporaine, dont témoignent en particulier les textes d'Aelius Aristide. De ce point de vue, l'utilisation de l'ordre dorique pour le bâtiment central affirme une tradition grecque, plus précisément épidaurienne de la médecine. Le plan général concave s'inspire de l'architecture des nymphées et souligne le caractère sacré de l'eau comme le rôle joué par l'hydrothérapie dans les sanctuaires d'Esculape. Adouci par les contre-courbes des chapelles, il révèle le caractère accueillant du « plus bienveillant de tous les dieux ».

La part d'une tradition africaine, ou punico-africaine, fondée sur l'identité Esculape-Eschmun, semble bien mince, voire négligeable, dans la conception d'un temple qui reflète plutôt la religiosité erudite de la classe dirigeante au IIe et IIIe siècles de notre ère.
Nouvelles inscriptions de Timgad sur des légats de la troisième Légion Auguste
Authors: Le Glay Marcel , Tourrenc Serge
Published: July 2011

Sont présentés des textes épigraphiques qui concernent neuf légats impériaux de la legio III Augusta : P. Metilius Secundus (121-123), T. Caesernius Statius (140-141), C. Prastina Pacatus Messalinus (143-146), M. Valerius Etruscus (151-152), L. Matuccius Fuscinus (158-159), C. Maesius Picatianus (163-165), C. Modius Iustus (169-171), M. Aemilius Macer Saturninus (172-174), Q. Anicius Faustus (196-201).

Ces documents inédits renseignent sur les légats eux-mêmes et leur activité, sur l'activité de la légion, sur l'urbanisme de Timgad au IIe siècle. Ils proviennent de divers endroits de la ville, mais surtout du Fort byzantin, construit au Sud de Thamugadi sur un temple dit de l' Aqua Septimiana.
The date of the mosaics from Zliten
Authors: Parrish David
Published: July 2011

This article reexamines the issue of dating the mosaic ensemble from the villa at Zliten in Roman Tripolitania, and focuses attention on two pavements from that site, namely, the mosaic of the seasons and the pavement with amphitheater scenes. The chronology of these mosaics is uncertain because of a lack of clear archaeological evidence. The present article proposes a date in the Severan period, as a result of stylistic comparisons with numerous other works of art, in the medium of both painting and mosaic. It is shown that the pavements from Zliten fit within a broad stylistic context, which is characteristic of African art of Severan times, and which has parallels outside that region.