bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential Treatment of Inflammatory and Proliferative Diseases by Ultra-Low Doses of Ionizing Radiations
Authors: Sanders Charles L.
Published: October 2012

Ultra-low doses and dose- rates of ionizing radiation are effective in preventing disease which suggests that they also may be effective in treating disease. Limited experimental and anecdotal evidence indicates that low radiation doses from radon in mines and spas, thorium-bearing monazite sands and enhanced radioactive uranium ore obtained from a natural geological reactor may be useful in treating many inflammatory conditions and proliferative disorders, including cancer. Optimal therapeutic applications were identified via a literature survey as dose-rates ranging from 7 to 11μGy/hr or 28 to 44 times world average background rates. Rocks from an abandoned uranium mine in Utah were considered for therapeutic application and were examined by γ-ray and laser-induced breakdown fluorescence spectroscopy. The rocks showed the presence of transuranics and fission products with a γ-ray energy profile similar to aged spent uranium nuclear fuel (93% dose due to β particles and 7% due to γ rays). Mud packs of pulverized uranium ore rock dust in sealed plastic bags delivering bag surface β,γ dose-rates of 10–450 μGy/h were used with apparent success to treat several inflammatory and proliferative conditions in humans.
Chemicals and Health – Thought for Food
Authors: Bast Aalt , Hanekamp Jaap C.
Published: October 2012

In our contribution we concisely question and answer some basic notions on food, health, and safety. We show that for some food components such as flavonoids, a whole range of small toxicological effects that have been uncovered the last decade on the whole confer benefits to human health. This development underlines the notion that health is adaptation with respect to the exposures humans experience when consuming food.
Small γ-Ray Doses Prevent Rather than Increase Lung Tumors in Mice
Authors: Scott B. R. , Bruce V. R. , Gott K. M. , Wilder J. , March T.
Published: October 2012

We show evidence for low doses of γ rays preventing spontaneous hyperplastic foci and adenomas in the lungs of mice, presumably via activating natural anticancer defenses. The evidence partly relates to a new study we conducted whereby a small number of female A/J mice received 6 biweekly dose fractions (100 mGy per fraction) of γ rays to the total body which prevented the occurrence of spontaneous hyperplastic foci in the lung. We also analyzed data from a much earlier Oak Ridge National Laboratory study involving more than 10,000 female RFMf/Un mice whereby single γ-ray doses from 100 to 1,000 mGy prevented spontaneous lung adenomas. We point out the possibility that the decrease in lung cancer mortality observed in The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team study involving lung tumor screening using low-dose computed tomography (CT) may relate at least in part to low-dose X-rays activating the body's natural anticancer defenses (i.e., radiation hormesis). This possibility was apparently not recognized by the indicated research team.
Degradability of n-alkanes during ex situ natural bioremediation of soil contaminated by heavy residual fuel oil (mazut)
Authors: Ali Ramadan , Solevic-Knudsen Tatjana , Antic Malisa , Beskoski Vladimir , Vrvic Miroslav , Schwarzbauer Jan , Jovancicevic Branimir
Published: October 2012

It is well known that during biodegradation of oil in natural geological
conditions, or oil pollutants in the environment, a degradation of
hydrocarbons occurs according to the well defined sequence. For example, the
major changes during the degradation process of n-alkanes occur in the
second, slight and third, moderate level (on the biodegradation scale from 1
to 10). According to previous research, in the fourth, heavy level, when
intensive changes of phenanthrene and its methyl isomers begin, n-alkanes
have already been completely removed. In this paper, the ex situ natural
bioremediation (unstimulated bioremediation, without addition of biomass,
nutrient substances and biosurfactant) of soil contaminated with heavy
residual fuel oil (mazut) was conducted during the period of 6 months. Low
abundance of n-alkanes in the fraction of total saturated hydrocarbons in the
initial sample (identification was possible only after concentration by urea
adduction technique) showed that the investigated oil pollutant was at the
boundary between the third and the fourth biodegradation level. During the
experiment, an intense degradation of phenanthrene and its methyl-,
dimethyl-and trimethyl-isomers was not followed by the removal of the
remaining n-alkanes. The abundance of n-alkanes remained at the initial low
level, even at end of the experiment when the pollutant reached one of the
highest biodegradation levels. These results showed that the unstimulated
biodegradation of some hydrocarbons, despite of their high biodegradability,
do not proceed completely to the end, even at final degradation stages. In
the condition of the reduced availability of some hydrocarbons,
microorganisms tend to opt for less biodegradable but more accessible
hydrocarbons.
Chronic Treatment With a Melanocortin-4 Receptor Agonist Causes Weight Loss, Reduces Insulin Resistance, and Improves Cardiovascular Function in Diet-Induced Obese Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Kievit Paul , Halem Heather , Marks Daniel L. , Dong Jesse Z. , Glavas Maria M. , Sinnayah Puspha , Pranger Lindsay , Cowley Michael A. , Grove Kevin L. , Culler Michael D.
Published: October 2012

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is well recognized as an important mediator of body weight homeostasis. Activation of MC4R causes dramatic weight loss in rodent models, and mutations in human are associated with obesity. This makes MC4R a logical target for pharmacological therapy for the treatment of obesity. However, previous studies in rodents and humans have observed a broad array of side effects caused by acute treatment with MC4R agonists, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. We demonstrate that treatment with a highly-selective novel MC4R agonist (BIM-22493 or RM-493) resulted in transient decreases in food intake (35%), with persistent weight loss over 8 weeks of treatment (13.5%) in a diet-induced obese nonhuman primate model. Consistent with weight loss, these animals significantly decreased adiposity and improved glucose tolerance. Importantly, we observed no increases in blood pressure or heart rate with BIM-22493 treatment. In contrast, treatment with LY2112688, an MC4R agonist previously shown to increase blood pressure and heart rate in humans, caused increases in blood pressure and heart rate, while modestly decreasing food intake. These studies demonstrate that distinct melanocortin peptide drugs can have widely different efficacies and side effects.
Local Anesthesia Part 2: Technical Considerations
Authors: Reed Kenneth L. , Malamed Stanley F. , Fonner Andrea M.
Published: October 2012

An earlier paper by Becker and Reed provided an in-depth review of the pharmacology of local anesthetics. This continuing education article will discuss the importance to the safe and effective delivery of these drugs, including needle gauge, traditional and alternative injection techniques, and methods to make injections more comfortable to patients.
Comparison of Propofol-Remifentanil Versus Propofol-Ketamine Deep Sedation for Third Molar Surgery
Authors: Kramer Kyle J. , Ganzberg Steven , Prior Simon , Rashid Robert G.
Published: October 2012

This study aimed to compare continuous intravenous infusion combinations of propofol-remifentanil and propofol-ketamine for deep sedation for surgical extraction of all 4 third molars. In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled study, participants received 1 of 2 sedative combinations for deep sedation for the surgery. Both groups initially received midazolam 0.03 mg/kg for baseline sedation. The control group then received a combination of propofol-remifentanil in a ratio of 10 mg propofol to 5 μg of remifentanil per milliliter, and the experimental group received a combination of propofol-ketamine in a ratio of 10 mg of propofol to 2.5 mg of ketamine per milliliter; both were given at an initial propofol infusion rate of 100 μg/kg/min. Each group received an induction loading bolus of 500 μg/kg of the assigned propofol combination along with the appropriate continuous infusion combination . Measured outcomes included emergence and recovery times, various sedation parameters, hemodynamic and respiratory stability, patient and surgeon satisfaction, postoperative course, and associated drug costs. Thirty-seven participants were enrolled in the study. Both groups demonstrated similar sedation parameters and hemodynamic and respiratory stability; however, the ketamine group had prolonged emergence (13.6 ± 6.6 versus 7.1 ± 3.7 minutes, P = .0009) and recovery (42.9 ± 18.7 versus 24.7 ± 7.6 minutes, P = .0004) times. The prolonged recovery profile of continuously infused propofol-ketamine may limit its effectiveness as an alternative to propofol-remifentanil for deep sedation for third molar extraction and perhaps other short oral surgical procedures, especially in the ambulatory dental setting.
Severe Intraoperative Bronchospasm Treated with a Vibrating-Mesh Nebulizer
Authors: Golden Leonard R. , DeSimone Helen Ann , Yeroshalmi Farhad , Pranevicius Mindaugas , Saraghi Mana
Published: October 2012

Bronchospasm and status asthmaticus are two of the most dreaded complications that a pediatric anesthesiologist may face. With the occurrence of severe bronchospasm and the inability to ventilate, children are particularly vulnerable to apnea and ensuing hypoxia because of their smaller airway size, smaller lung functional residual capacity, and higher oxygen consumption rates than adults. Nebulized medication delivery in intubated children is also more difficult because of smaller endotracheal tube internal diameters. This case demonstrates the potentially lifesaving use of a vibrating-mesh membrane nebulizer connected to the anesthesia circuit for treating bronchospasm.
The Impact of Dual Enrollment on College Degree Attainment
Authors: An Brian P.
Published: October 2012

Dual enrollment in high school is viewed by many as one mechanism for widening college admission and completion of low-income students. However, little evidence demonstrates that these students discretely benefit from dual enrollment and whether these programs narrow attainment gaps vis-à-vis students from middle-class or affluent family backgrounds. Using the National Longitudinal Study of 1988 ( N= 8,800), I find significant benefits in boosting rates of college degree attainment for low-income students while holding weaker effects for peers from more affluent backgrounds. These results remain even with analyses from newer data of college freshman of 2004. I conduct sensitivity analyses and find that these results are robust to relatively large unobserved confounders. However, expanding dual enrollment programs would modestly reduce gaps in degree attainment.
UBU at the Museum—Imaginary Travels through the World of Jean Paul Gaultier
Authors: Jasmin Stéphanie , Kroetsch Neil
Published: October 2012

The universe of Jean Paul Gaultier teems with forms and interminglings. Jasmin characterizes Gaultier as a free-spirited artist who draws his inspiration from cinema, literature, the visual arts and music, as well as ethnic and street cultures. That openness and his boundless imagination provided Denis Marleau and Stéphanie Jasmin with extensive leeway in conceiving the dramatic framework for the mannequins. They had already been fleshing out the characters before any writing was done, discovering photos of their garments and the theme of the fashion collection from which they hailed. Jasmin reflects, “The characters were already speaking to us, as it were. That natural theatricality immediately exploded in all its splendour. One fundamental question we posed concerned that inherent emotional force of the mannequins, whether it was really necessary to dramatize them any further.”
Annoyance of Traffic Noise on Roads and Rail
Authors: Cik Michael , Fallast Kurt , Fellendorf Martin
Published: October 2012

Noise is one of the most frequently reported negative environmental effects of traffic. According to the current standards and calculation specifications, the impact of road and rail traffic noise is represented by the A-weighted energy-equivalent sound level (LA,eq). This quantity does not account for the subjective annoyance of sound events as it is perceived by the affected persons. The main focus of this research was to improve sound analysis methods in order to include the subjective effects, especially annoyance, caused by road and rail traffic noise. This improvement was made by the addition of consideration of psycho-acoustic findings to existing sound analysis methods. The result is a statistical parameter called traffic noise annoyance on roads and rail (TNAR), which should be considered for use in road and transport planning as a supplemental tool for better understanding the noise impacts of transportation projects. The tool should help engineers develop projects with reduced noise impacts.
Alternative Uses of Highway Rights-of-Way
Authors: Poe Carson , Filosa Gina
Published: October 2012

In recent years, the capacity, generation, and consumption of energy derived from renewable sources have grown significantly on a global level. To increase renewable energy production in the near term, state and local transportation agencies have recently expressed more interest in installing decentralized renewable energy technologies on spaces not traditionally considered for energy generation. Many transportation agencies have demonstrated the viability of utilizing the highway right-of-way (ROW) for decentralized renewable energy production. Following these leads, several U.S. state departments of transportation are exploring similar prospects, given that the ample lands that they manage are in proximity to power loads and, in some cases, have already been disturbed or are no longer held for their environmental attributes. From a highway ROW perspective, however, considerable economic, ecological, legal, and political uncertainties are related to whether accommodating renewable energy technologies can be a practical highway land management practice. This study provides transportation agencies with information that will enable them to consider better the implications and evaluate the feasibility of implementing renewable energy and fuel options in the ROW. The lessons that early adopters have learned should inform others.
Generating Heavy-Duty Truck Activity Data Inputs for MOVES Based on Large-Scale Truck Telematics Data
Authors: Boriboonsomsin Kanok , Sheckler Ross , Barth Matthew
Published: October 2012

An accurate characterization of vehicle activity is crucial to the construction of a regional emissions inventory of on-road mobile sources for state implementation plans and transportation conformity analyses. However, it is a challenging task given the limited availability of vehicle activity data on a large, regional scale. Compared with data on light-duty vehicles, data on the availability of heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) are even more limited. To address this issue, this study examines truck telematics data from vehicle-tracking and -monitoring systems that have increasingly been used by commercial HDT fleets in recent years as a potential source for HDT activity data. A large-scale truck telematics data set from a collective fleet of more than 2,000 U.S. HDTs was obtained and used to develop several of the HDT activity data inputs required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's motor vehicle emission simulator (MOVES) model. The developed HDT activity data inputs include vehicle miles traveled by road type, by weekday and weekend, and by hour. The data inputs also include average speed distribution as well as trip start locations and distributions. Experience working with the data set shows that the truck telematics data have both advantages and limitations. Depending on the availability and quality of the existing data sources, the truck telematics data can be used to provide, supplement, or replace some of the HDT activity data inputs required by MOVES that are developed from those existing data sources.
Exposure of Bicyclists to Air Pollution in Seattle, Washington
Authors: Hong E-Sok Andy , Bae C.-H. Christine
Published: October 2012

The increase in urban bicycling facilities, raises public health concerns for potential exposure of bicyclists to traffic emissions. For an assessment of bicyclists' exposure to local traffic emissions, a hybrid approach is presented; it combines personal monitoring and a land use regression (LUR) model. Black carbon, a proxy variable for traffic-related air pollution, was measured with an Aethalometer along the predesignated bicycle route in Seattle, Washington, for 10 days, during a.m. and p.m. peak hours (20 sampling campaigns). Descriptive statistics and three-dimensional pollution maps were used to explore temporal variations and to identify pollution hot spots. The LUR model was developed to quantify the influence of spatial covariates on black carbon concentrations along the designated route. The results indicated that the black carbon concentrations fluctuated throughout the sampling periods and showed statistically significant diurnal and monthly patterns. The hot spot analysis suggests that proximity to traffic and other physical environments have important impacts on bicyclists' exposure and demand further investigation on the localized effects of traffic emissions on exposure levels. The LUR model explains 46% of the variations in black carbon concentrations, and significant relationships are found with types of bicycle route facility, wind speed, length of truck routes, and transportation and utility land uses. This research is the first application of the LUR approach in quantifying bicyclists' exposure to air pollution in transport microenvironments. This study provides a rationale for encouraging municipalities to develop effective strategies to mitigate the health risks of exposure to local traffic emissions in complex urban bicycling environments.
Effects of Engine Idling on National Ambient Air Quality Standards Criteria Pollutant Emissions from Nonroad Diesel Construction Equipment
Authors: Lewis Phil , Rasdorf William , Frey H. Christopher , Leming Michael
Published: October 2012

It is difficult to assess the effects of engine idling on air pollutant emissions from highway construction equipment because of a lack of combined activity and emissions data. A methodology is presented for quantifying the impact of idling on National Ambient Air Quality Standards criteria pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM). The methodology and results are based on field data collected from 35 items of nonroad diesel construction equipment. Engine idle time was quantified in terms of equipment operational efficiency (η), which was defined as the ratio of nonidle time to total equipment use time (nonidle time plus idle time). With η and the ratio of idle to nonidle emission rates (re) for each pollutant, the percentage increase in the total quantities of each pollutant emitted (NE) was calculated for each item of equipment for the observed values of η and re. Results showed that as η increased (or idle time decreased), NE decreased. Mathematical models with η as a predictor variable were developed to estimate values of NE for each pollutant. Regression equations in the form of y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d were developed for NOx and HC, with R2 values of 97% and 87%, respectively. Regression equations in the form of y = mx + b were developed for CO and PM, with R2 values of .50 and .65, respectively. Recommendations include using the models as performance measurement tools to assess idle restriction regulations and operational strategies of highway construction equipment.
Air Quality at Bus Stops
Authors: Moore Adam , Figliozzi Miguel , Monsere Christopher M.
Published: October 2012

Congested traffic corridors in dense urban areas are key contributors to the degradation of urban air quality. While waiting at bus stops, transit patrons may be exposed to greater amounts of vehicle-based pollution, including particulate matter (PM), because of their proximity to the roadway. Current guidelines for the location and the design of bus stops do not take into account air quality or exposure considerations. This study compared the exposure of transit riders waiting at three-sided bus stop shelters that either faced the roadway traffic or faced away from the roadway traffic. Shelters were instrumented with air quality monitoring equipment, sonic anemometers, and vehicle counters. Data were collected for 2 days at three shelters during both the morning and the afternoon peak periods. Bus shelter orientation was found to significantly affect concentration of four sizes of PM: ultrafine particles, PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. Shelters with an opening oriented toward the roadway were consistently observed to have higher concentrations inside the shelter than outside the shelter. In contrast, shelters oriented away from the roadway were observed to have lower concentrations inside the shelter than outside the shelter. The differences in PM concentration were statistically significant across all four sizes of particulate matter studied. Traffic flow was shown to have a significant relationship with all sizes of particulate concentration levels inside bus shelters. Microscale anemometer measurements were made next to bus shelters. Both wind speed and direction were shown to affect particulate concentrations differently, depending on shelter orientation.
Modeling Roadway Link PM2.5 Emissions with Accurate Truck Activity Estimate for Regional Transportation Conformity Analysis
Authors: Perugu Harikishan , Wei Heng , Rohne Andrew
Published: October 2012

The impact of fine particulate matter (PM) on public health has long been a concern. The primary mobile sources of fine (PM) (PM2.5) are diesel trucks. In practice, accurate roadway link-based modeling of the truck emissions remains a major challenge because of aggregated and unreliable truck activity data. The advanced emission model MOVES has been recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for estimating emission factors, but supplying accurate and detailed truck activity-related inputs has become another challenge. Daily truck traffic activity is usually not estimated accurately and cannot be disaggregated to hourly activity with traditional methods. To address this problem, two innovative econometric methods were successfully enhanced in this study to predict accurate truck activity-based inputs for emission estimation. The models for truck factor spatial panel and multinomial probit hourly vehicle miles traveled were improved and tested with regional traffic data from the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area. The application of those models indicates that using MOVES default input data underestimates the regional PM2.5 inventory. The proposed methodology enables plotting the spatiotemporal distribution of PM2.5 emissions in a subarea. Such an integrated method provides a useful decision support tool for practitioners because they can also model PM2.5 emissions at a detailed level as required by project-level conformity analysis. The methodology presented is scalable and transferable and holds technical promise in its application to different regions and different pollutants.
Predictive Ecocruise Control System
Authors: Park Sangjun , Rakha Hesham A. , Ahn Kyoungho , Moran Kevin , Saerens Bart , Van den Bulck Eric
Published: October 2012

A vehicle predictive ecocruise control system is developed. It minimizes vehicle fuel consumption levels by utilizing roadway topographic information. The predictive ecocruise control system consists of three components: a fuel consumption module, a powertrain module, and an optimization algorithm. The developed system generates an optimal control plan by using roadway grade information obtained from a high-resolution digital map to control the vehicle speed within a preset speed window in a fuel-saving manner. The performance of the system is tested by simulating a vehicle trip on a section of Interstate 81 in the state of Virginia. The results demonstrate fuel savings up to 15% with execution times within real time.
Applicability of Traffic Microsimulation Models in Vehicle Emissions Estimates
Authors: Song Guohua , Yu Lei , Zhang Yanhong
Published: October 2012

Efforts in estimating emissions by an integration of traffic simulation models and emissions models have become a fast-evolving research area. However, because of the lack of effective methods and indicators to characterize traffic behaviors, the accuracy of emissions by such an approach has not been effectively verified or evaluated. The current study is intended to examine the applicability of traffic microsimulation models in vehicle emissions estimates on the basis of the explanatory parameter of vehicle emissions—the vehicle-specific power (VSP) distribution. Analyzing massive real-world and simulated vehicle activity data showed that the results from traffic simulation could not represent real-world driving behaviors for emissions estimates. The simulated vehicle- specific power distribution led to errors that were as high as 82.8%, 53.6%, and 29.6% for nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide emissions, respectively. Then a sensitivity analysis of 16 adjustments on eight parameters of simulation models was conducted to determine their effects on simulated VSP distributions: systematic errors existed in the use of traffic simulation models to represent second-by-second driving behaviors. The errors could not be reduced by parameter calibration on the simulation model. This study concluded that the traditional approach of integrating traffic simulation models with emissions models was not applicable for vehicle emissions estimates. The primary reasons for the errors need to be investigated further from the internal mechanism of submodels of microsimulation. On the basis of these findings, several recommendations are proposed for future studies.
Reduction Potential of Environment-Responsive Traffic Control on Roadside Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxide Concentrations
Authors: Kohoutek Sven , Weinbruch Stephan , Boltze Manfred
Published: October 2012

Fundamentals for an impact assessment of environment-responsive traffic control are described. This road traffic control should support the need for mobility as well as the need for environmental protection by selecting control measures that consider the current situation of traffic and the environment. For optimal selection of measures, this traffic control must assess the impact of measures quite precisely. A statistical approach with high-quality local data is used to assess the short-term (minutes) and midterm (hours) effects of traffic control measures on pollution levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. The approach uses high-resolution input data of traffic and meteorological parameters to consider appropriately the influence of volatile parameters such as traffic flow and traffic volume. A regression model is used to describe measured roadside pollution concentrations and to assess the influence of the different input variables. With the quantified influence of traffic-related input variables, the environmental reduction potential is estimated. Potential investigation areas to improve the developed modeling approach and recommendations for data collection and data processing regarding integrated environment-responsive traffic control are offered.
Real-World Measurement and Evaluation of Duty Cycles, Fuels, and Emission Control Technologies of Heavy-Duty Trucks
Authors: Sandhu Gurdas S. , Frey H. Christopher
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study is to assess the robustness of relative comparisons of emission rates between fuels and technologies to differences in real-world duty cycles on the basis of in-use measurements of five heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs). Prior comparisons of biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur diesel emissions, recent changes in emission standards applicable to HDDVs, and typical emission control technologies used in these vehicles are reviewed. The study methodology includes field measurements with a portable emission measurement system and related instruments and sensors for five HDDVs operated in normal service by professional drivers on multiple round-trip routes within North Carolina. Duty cycles and emission rates are quantified on the basis of the manifold absolute pressure, which is an indicator of engine load. Variability in engine load for each observed round trip is quantified on the basis of the cumulative distribution function of normalized manifold absolute pressure. The effect of variability in duty cycles on fuel-based emission rates for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter is evaluated. Comparisons are made for emissions of three trucks operated on B20 biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur diesel. Furthermore, comparisons of five trucks with model years ranging from 1999 to 2010 illustrate the impact of different emission standards and emission control technologies on real-world emission rates. A key finding is that relative comparisons pertaining to fuels and technologies are robust to variability in observed duty cycles.
Molecular characterization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes through SSR markers
Authors: Islam S , Haque MS , Emon RM , Islam MM , Begum SN
Published: October 2012

A study was undertaken to examine the genetic diversity of 12 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, using 4 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). A total of 10 alleles were found. Allele number per locus ranged from 2 to 4 with an average of 2.5. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.2755 to 0.5411 with an average of 0.3839. The average gene diversity over all SSR loci for the 12 wheat genotypes was 0.4688, ranging from 0.3299 to 0.6042. Cluster analysis based on microsatellite allelic diversity discriminated the varieties into different clusters. Genetic diversity was the highest between variety Gourab and Akbar as well as Gourab and BAW-1064, showing a genetic distance value of 0.4697. The genetic distance was lowest between Balaka and Aghrani as well as Triticale and BAW-1036. Positive correlations were found between gene diversity, number of alleles, the allele size range and the types of repeat motif of microsatellite markers. It was found from this study that microsatellite markers could characterize and discriminate all of the genotypes. More primers should be used for saturation of different regions in further studies. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(3): 389-398, September 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i3.12082
Effect of bulb size and plant spacing on seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md. , Hasan Md. Mainul , Hasan Md. Mahmudul , Moniruzzaman Md. , Kabir Howlander Mohammad Humayun
Published: October 2012

A field experiment was conducted at the `Research Farm` of Regional Seed Production Office of Lal Teer Seed Limited, Dinajpur, Bangladesh during November 2008 to April 2009. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of bulb size and planting spacing on seed production of cultivar Taherpuri onion. Three bulb sizes [small (5±2g), medium (10±2g), and large (15±2g)] and four planting spacing [closest 25×15, closer 25×20, wider 30×15, and widest 30×20cm] was considered in this experiment. Number of flowering stalks, length of flowering stalks, number of umbels per plant, number seeded fruits, seed weight per umbel, 1000-seed weight and seed yield per hectare were measured to assess the onion seeds. The results revealed that the highest seed yield (776.67 kg) per hectare was obtained from the large bulb (15±2g) with the closest spacing of 25×15cm followed by small bulb size of same spacing. The maximum number of flowers per umbel (371.39), seed weight per umbel (0.80g) and 1000-seed weight (3.92g) were obtained from the largest bulb size (15±2g) with widest (30×20cm) planting spacing. Hence, large bulb size with closest plant spacing is suggested for onion seed production in northern part of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(3): 405-414, September 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i3.12084
Impact of power tillers on profitability of some cropping patterns in some selected areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Quayum MA , Ali Amin Muhammad , Salam MA
Published: October 2012

A study was conducted to examine the impact of power tillers (PTs) on profitability of Boro rice based cropping patterns in some selected areas of Bangladesh in 2003. Six major Boro rice based cropping patterns out of 23 patterns in the study areas were examined to estimate the profitability differences among the power tiller and draught animal using farms round the year. Analysis revealed that gross return of MV Boro-MV T. Aus- MV T. Aman pattern is 10.5% higher for PT users than that for draught animal power (DAP) users. The total variable cost is 16.2% lower for PT users than that for DAP users resulting the gross margin 158% higher for PT users. Gross returns of MV Boro-MV T. Aus-LV T. Aman, MV Boro-Fallow- MV T.Aman and MV Boro- MV T.Aman-Mustard, MV Boro-MV T. Aus-Fallow patterns are respectively, 9.7%, 8.1%, 23.4% and 35.3% higher for PT users than that for DAP users. The benefit cost analysis indicates that PT users obtain higher yield, higher gross return and higher BCR from MV Boro-Vegetables-MV T. Aman pattern than those of DAP users. Thus, among all six identified patterns, this pattern is more profitable for PT users. The production cost of all six patterns by PT users is substantially lower than those of DAP users. In general, these six patterns are also found to be more profitable when power tillers are used in place of animal power. Use of power tillers was observed to be associated with higher cropping intensity in the study areas. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(3): 415-432, September 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i3.12085
Trace elements content in vegetables grown in industrially polluted and non-polluted areas
Authors: Naser Habib Mohammad , Mahmud Nashir Uddin , Sultana Sarmin , Gomes Rebeca , Rahman Mukhlesur
Published: October 2012

Field survey based laboratory studies were carried out to investigate trace elements contents in soils and vegetables collected from industrially polluted and non-polluted areas. The content of four trace elements, such as manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in four popular vegetables, namely spinach (Spinacia oleracea), red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris), and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and the rizosphere soils of the respective crops were collected from three locations viz. i) directly polluted (Kaliakoir, Konabari, Gazipur), ii) indirectly polluted (Zorun, Konabari, Gazipur), and iii) non-polluted (BARI, Gazipur) areas. In all four vegetables, a similar trend in metal contents was observed i.e. directly polluted>indirectly polluted>non-polluted. The Mn and Fe concentrations were found in the order of spinach>red amaranth>bottle gourd>pumpkin, whereas it was little bit irregular pattern for Zn. The Cu concentration was higher in spinach followed by red amaranth and the least in bottle gourd irrespective of the location. Mean concentration of Mn, Fe, and Cu in vegetables from investigated areas were below the recommended level except Zn. However, the higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the polluted (either directly or indirectly) area indicates that industrial activities, such as discharge their wastes and effluents into the natural ecosystems in most cases without any treatment, thus causing health hazard as well as environmental pollution, especially with heavy metals and organic toxic. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(3): 515-527, September 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i3.12128
Fungi as biocontrol agents in nature: Interaction of fungi on phylloplane of Datura metel L. and Vigna catjang L.
Authors: Shamsi Shamim , Naher Najmun , Haq Rokeya
Published: October 2012

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(3): 537-541, September 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i3.12130
A biological tool to combat against multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolated from poultry of Chittagong City, Bangladesh
Authors: Mahbuba A , Islam S , Mazumdar RM , Fakruddin M , Das S , Bhuiyan H , Prodhan SH
Published: October 2012

Thirty two strains of Salmonella were isolated from the samples collected from different poultry farm of Chittagong City. Isolated organisms were then subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test against seven different standard antibiotics. Most of the strains tested were resistant to four antibiotics; 93.75% were resistant to co-trimaxazole, while 90.62% were resistant to cephotaxime, nalidixic acid and Tetracycline each. In this study, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin were found to be the most potent drugs, (78.125%) were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin & (78.125%) were sensitive to gentamicin. Antimicrobial activity of bark extract of T. arjuna against 13 selected isolates of Salmonella were then determined. During the course of the anti-microbial screening it was found that among the 13 selected isolates, Salmonella (L3-B1), Salmonella (L5-X4), Salmonella (F-X2) and Salmonella (S2-B1) showed good sensitivity to crude extract of T. arjuna. International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(3):71-75 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i3.12135
Factors related occurrence of Haemonchosis of Goats in Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Nahar L , Sarder MJU , Mondal MMH , Faruquw MO , Islam MH
Published: October 2012

The study was conducted on live and slaughtered goats in Rajshahi district during the period of March, 2011 to February, 2012 by coproscopy and necroscopy studies respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the factors such as age, sex and breed of the goat which influences the prevalence of haemonchosis. The information was collected from farmers through a questionnaire. A total of 720 goats examined, of which 416 goats were found positive for Haemonchus infection and the overall prevalence of haemonchosis in goat was 57.8%. The prevalence rate was found to be higher in young (< 2 yrs), 63.8% compared to older (>2 yrs), 41.5% goats. It was observed that in relation to sex the prevalence of haemonchosis was higher in female, 63.9% compared to male, 50.0% goats. Among the breed, the crossbred goats were the maximum, 60.2% infection rate of haemonchosis than that of Black Bengal, 55.6% goats. The young stage and female goats are more prone to haemonchosis and statistically a significant difference (P<0.05) was noted but there is no significant difference (P>0.05) was found in breed of goats. The present study suggests that young aged and females goats were more susceptible but crossbred goats were slightly susceptible to haemonchosis and requires special attention for its control. International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(3):83-87 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i3.12137
Diagnosis & Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia via Parental Iron
Authors: Iqbal MS , Ahmed MS , Ogras TT , Ullah S , Asif JH , Keshavarzi F
Published: October 2012

All living things contain liquid inside their bodies which serves many functions like blood act as important connective tissue in transport of oxygen to all the cells similarly to excrete all the waste material from the cell to outside the body. Blood cells contain a red colored pigment which is called hemoglobin and its central portion is iron, when the level of haemoglobin falls in the body this condition is called anemia. To find the actual type of anemia different types of blood tests are conducted a person suffers. Most of the pregnant women suffer with the deficiency of iron. A study of such patients was conducted in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, and after collection of blood sample their test report indicate that most of the women were suffered with iron deficiency anemia. Total of seventy were taken into 2 groups A (n=40) and B (n=30). For iron deficiency anemia intravenous and intra muscular iron therapy was compared based on Hemoglobin (Hb) level Group A received intra venous iron (2 ampoules/alternate day), while Group B received intra muscular iron (1 ampoules/day). The data was recorded for group A (Hb=8.0±1.1 g/dl) at 15 days interval whereas for group B (Hb=8.8±0.9 g/dl) once prior to delivery. Group A showed an average rise of hemoglobin 2.5 g/dl with mean value of 10.8 g/dl. On the other hand Group B indicated an increase of hemoglobin 1.4 g/dl with mean of 10.2 g/dl target hemoglobin level (11 g/dl) was achieved 87% in group A and only 25% by group B. It was concluded that Intravenous therapy was safe, convenient and more effective than intramuscular iron therapy, in treating iron deficiency anemia. International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(3):88-90 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i3.12138
Effect of osmopriming on rice seed germination and seedling growth
Authors: Islam R , Mukherjee A , Hossin M
Published: October 2012

The experiment was conducted in the Agronomy Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna from 29th August to 17th September, 2009. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two factors and three replications. The aim of the experiment was to study the efficacy of three osmopriming agents viz ., NaCl, KC1 and CaCb with control on seed germination and seedling growth of three T. aman rice varities viz., BRRI dhan40, BRRI dhan41 and BINA dhan7. Among the chemicals CaCb showed best as osmopriming agents and it enhanced all germination parameters. BRRI dhan41 showed the best performance. Better root length and shoot length were observed in control. Seeds of BRRI dhan41 when treated with NaCl showed the highest germination percentage (98.67%), germination energy (88%), germination speed (96.83%), but vigor index (10.63) was found highest in BRRI dhan40 when it was treated with KC1. BRRI dhan41 produced the largest root (8.56 cm) when seeds were treated with NaCl. BRRI dhan40 (10.51 cm) and BINA dhan7 (10.53 cm) produced the highest shoot length at controlled condition and CaCl2 treated seed, respectively.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12013   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 1520, 2012
Effects of cowdung and potassium on growth and yield of Kohlrabi
Authors: Sultana J , Siddique M A , Rashid M H A
Published: October 2012

An experiment was carried out at the Horticulture Farm of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during  the period from November 2010 to January 2011 to study the effects of cowdung and potassium on growth and yield  of Kohlrabi. The experiment consisted of three levels of cowdung (0, 20 and 40 t/ha) and four levels of potassium (0,  20, 50, 80 kg /ha). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. All the  parameters were significantly influenced by application of cowdung and potassium. The highest plant height (44.65  cm), number of leaves per plant (12.11), length of largest leaf (37.54 cm), and breadth of largest leaf (18.66 cm) were  obtained from the highest dose of cowdung and potassium applied (40 t cowdung + 80 kg K/ha) while the lowest  plant height (33.64 cm), number of leaves (9.01), length of largest leaf (27.94 cm), and breadth of largest leaf (11.00  cm) were obtained from control treatment combination. The highest fresh weight of leaves (49.33 g), fresh weight of  knob (328.66 g) and fresh weight of roots (66.55 g) per plant were also recorded under the treatment combination of  40 t cowdung + 80 kg K/ha, while the lowest fresh weight of leaves (22.11 g), fresh weight of knob (136.00 g) and  fresh weight of roots (23.33 g) were obtained from control treatment combination. Similarly, the dry weight of leaves  (19.34%), knob (15.19%) and roots (32.75%) were highest under the same treatment combination of 40 t cowdung +  80 kg K/ha and the lowest dry weight of leaves (11.71%), dry weight of knob (7.38%) and dry weight of roots  (15.29%) were obtained from control treatment combination C0K0. The marketable yields of knob per plot (7.86 kg)  and per hectare (39.58 tons) were also the highest under the treatment combination 40 t cowdung/ha and 80 kg  potassium per hectare.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12035   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 2732, 2012
Morphological, growth and biochemical features of Dipogon lignosus (L.) Verdc. bean
Authors: Das S S , Fakir S A , Ferdausi A , Biswas M M I
Published: October 2012

Lignosus bean is a perennial vine of Fabaceae. Green seeds, tender leaves and twigs are used as vegetable and dry split cotyledons as pulse soup. Canopy characters, growth and biochemical features of the two genotypes, G1 and G2, of Lignosus bean were studied. Numbers of leaf meter-1 vine, % fertile inflorescence plant-1, green pod yield plant-1 and dry mass plant-1 were greater in G1 genotype (10.11, 73.17%, 3.21 kg and 2.68 kg, respectively) than G2 genotype (9.55, 66.52%, 2.80 kg and 1.97 kg, respectively). On the other hand, leaflet area, inflorescence length, number of node and pod inflorescence-1, fresh pod length and width, hundred fresh seed weight and shell ratio were higher in G2 genotype (33.26 cm2 , 9.47 cm, 24.33, 3.51, 6.99 cm, 1.55 cm, 125.08 g, 83.61%, respectively) than that in the G1 one (29.04 cm2 , 0.61 cm, 8.32 cm, 16.0, 2.52, 6.56 cm, 1.35 cm, 80.57 g, 72.69%, respectively). Total soluble solids of seed; and total chlorophyll of leaf and seed were also higher in G2 (31.43%, 59.19 mg/l and 0.83 mg/l, respectively) but Vitamin C of green seed was higher in G1 genotype (43.84 mg%). It may be concluded that the two genotypes can be distinguished on the characters of leaf, flower and seed.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12038   J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 4348, 2012
Identification of introgressed rice lines of Binadhan-7×FL-378 under salt stress through SSR markers
Authors: Haque M A , Mahmud M A , Islam M M , Begum S N
Published: October 2012

Thirty two rice lines of BC1F1 population (Binadhan-7/FL 378) were used to identify introgressed rice lines for salt tolerance using SSR markers at the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Divisions of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh. Seeds of BC1F1 population of Binadhan-7/FL-378 were collected from backcross population of F1 (Binadhan-7/FL 378). Salt tolerant genotype, FL-378 was crossed with high yielding variety, Binadhan-7. Randomly selected 32 BC1F1 progenies along with their two parents (Binadhan-7, FL-378) were genotyped with microsatellite or SSR markers for identification of introgressed rice lines. Parental polymorphism survey was assayed by 8 SSR markers and three polymorphic SSR markers viz., RM296, RM585 and OSR30 were selected to evaluate BC1F1 rice lines for salt tolerance. Primer RM585 indicated 16 lines as introgressed and 16 lines as susceptible in comparison with salt tolerant parent FL-378 and salt susceptible parent Binadhan-7. Primer RM296 identified 13 introgressed, and 19 susceptible lines. Nine introgressed and 23 susceptible lines were identified when BC1F1 lines were evaluated with marker OSR30. Line BC1F1-30, BC1F1-40, BC1F1-2, BC1F1-16 and BC1F1-34 were identified as introgressed in comparison with parent FL-378 (salt tolerant) when RM585 and RM296 markers were used but line BC1F1-1 and BC1F1-3 were identified as introgressed incase of 3 primers (RM585, RM296 and OSR30). Again the lines BC1F1-5, BC1F1-24, BC1F1-26, BC1F1-27, BC1F1-29, BC1F11F1-37 and BC1F1(PIC) values ranged from 0.3290 to 0.3671 with an average of 0.3544. The overall gene diversity of SSR loci for the 32 BC1F1 rice lines along with two parents was 0.4614, ranging from 0.4152 to 0.4844. Positive correlations were found between the genetic diversity and the maximum number of repeats. Among the lines, all the loci were polymorphic and clearly distinct and the cluster analysis (NJ tree and UPGMA) showed nearly similar pattern of variation which could be used for improvement of salt tolerant rice lines of rice through SSR markers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12039J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 4954, 2012