bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Squamata, Dipsadidae, Boiruna sertaneja Zaher, 1996: new records and geographic distribution map
Authors: Brito Polyanne Souto de , Gonçalves Ubiratan
Published: May 2016

We provide a review of the geographic range of Boiruna sertaneja and include a new record for the state of Alagoas, Brazil, 96 km east of the first record for this state.
Xylophilous Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) of the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Abrahão Maira Cortellini , Gugliotta Adriana De Mello , Bononi Vera Lúcia Ramos
Published: May 2016

An updated checklist of xylophilous Agaricomycetes from the Brazilian Cerrado showed 127 species, 22 families and nine orders (Agaricales, Atheliales, Auriculariales, Corticiales, Gloeophyllales, Hymenochaetales, Polyporales, Russulales, and Thelephorales). The new list includes new specimens collected between 2009 and 2011 in Reserva Biológica de Mogi-Guaçu, São Paulo State, Brazil, and a revision of material previously known from Cerrado. Twelve species are mentioned for the first time for Brazil and 51 are recorded as new for the Cerrado.
Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Dhansiri River, Dimapur, Nagaland, India
Authors: Acharjee Biswajit Kumar , Das Madhurima , Borah Papari , Purkayastha Jayaditya
Published: May 2016

Northeastern India, one of the Ichthyofaunal hot spot areas of our country, is marked by the presence of varied freshwater fishes,a few adapted to torrential waterflow. River Dhansiri is an important river of Dimapur District of Nagaland, India, which flows through Nagaland –Assam border harbouring rich aquatic flora and fauna. Very little studies have been carried out to document the fish biodiversity of the Dhansiri river till date. In the present study an attempt has been made to access the piscine diversity of this river. The survey results in finding of species of 34 fishes belonging to five (5) orders, thirteen (13) families and twenty four (24) genera. Cyprniformes is the dominant order while Osteoglossiformes is the least common.
Distribution and composition of butterfly species along the latitudinal and habitat gradients of the Western Ghats of India
Authors: Padhye Anand , Shelke Sheetal , Dahanukar Neelesh
Published: May 2016

Distribution of butterfly species along the latitudinal and habitat gradients of the Western Ghats was studied. The Western Ghats was divided into 14 latitude zones and the species diversity in each latitude zone, along with habitats of their occurrence, were studied using the data from literature survey for the entire Western Ghats as well as data from personal observations in the areas between 14°N to 20°N latitudes. Out of 334 species recorded from the Western Ghats, 58 species were found in all latitudinal zones, while 5 species were reported in only one latitudinal zone. Further, southern Western Ghats consisted of more number of species and more number of genera as compared to northern Western Ghats. Latitudinal zones between 10°N to 12°N had most of the Western Ghats endemic species. Habitat wise distribution of species revealed three significant clusters grossly separated by the level of human disturbance. Evergreen forest habitats supported maximum number of species endemic to the Western Ghats.
Larval fish of the Campos Basin, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Bonecker Ana Cristina Teixeira , Katsuragawa Mário , Castro Márcia Salustiano de , Gomes Eduardo De Araújo Pinto , Namiki Cláudia Akemi Pereira , Zani-Teixeira Maria De Lourdes
Published: May 2016

Studies on the vertical distribution of larval fish in water masses along the Brazilian coast are very rare. The present study aimed to identify larval fish occurring in the surface (1 m) layer and at depth in four water masses of the Campos Basin, southeastern Brazil: South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) (250 m), Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) (800 m), Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW) (1,200 m) and North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) (2,300 m). Material used in this study was obtained in 2009 through nocturnal horizontal stratified hauls using a Multinet (500 μm mesh size) during both rainy (February to April) and dry periods (August to September). A total of 10,978 fish larvae comprising 169 taxa were identified during the rainy (n = 6,015) and dry (n = 4,963) periods. The number of taxa decreased as the sampling depth increased. Larvae of Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Scombridae dominated in samples collected in the surface layer, while Sternoptychidae and Myctophidae were the most representative families in SACW. The other three water masses were dominated by Gonostomatidae larvae.
First record of Leucospis signifera Bouček, 1974 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Leucospidae) in the São Paulo state, Brazil
Authors: Perioto Nelson W. , Lara Rogéria I. R.
Published: May 2016

The present note extends the geographic range of Leucospis signifera Bouček, 1974 farther to the Northeast, reaching the State of São Paulo, based on the examination of four females collected at Jataí Ecological Station, municipality of Luiz Antônio, São Paulo State, Brazil. The present finding indicates that L. signifera is associated with dry ecosystems, at least in part of its geographic distribution.
New records and geographic distribution of Glaziophyton mirabile (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)
Authors: Fernandez Eduardo P. , Moraes Miguel Avila , Martinelli Gustavo
Published: May 2016

Glaziophyton Franch. is a monotypic bamboo genus (G. mirabile Franch.), narrowly endemic to the Campos de Altitude in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Five occurrence sites are known, but one is considered locally extinct and, at two sites, the species has not been recollected for several years. Due to its restricted geographical range G. mirabile is classified as a threatened species. In this study we report two new populations. These new records might change the species conservation status and the category of its extinction risk.
Araneae, Deinopidae, Deinopis amica Schiapelli and Gerschman, 1957: First record for Uruguay and distribution map
Authors: Laborda Álvaro , Oca Laura Montes de , Useta Gonzalo , Pérez-Miles Fernando , Simó Miguel
Published: May 2016

This is the first record for the species Deinopis amica and for the family Deinopidae in Uruguay. The present study expands the known distribution of the species to the lower Uruguay River. Data on natural history of the species is provided.
Engraulisoma taeniatum Castro, 1981 (Characiformes: Characidae): range extension with new records in the rio Madeira basin, Rondônia and Amazonas states, Brazil
Authors: Ohara Willian Massaharu
Published: May 2016

Engraulisoma taeniatum is a rare fish recorded in few collections around the world. In Brazil E. taeniatum was only known from the rio Paraguay drainage according to the available scientific literature. Herein the geographic range of the species in the Brazilian territory is extended to tributaries of the rio Madeira basin in the States of Rondônia and Amazonas.
Filling gaps on the distribution of Arabis nova Vill, Thlaspi coclearioides Hook.f and Thomas, Gentiana venusta Wall. ex Griseb and Primula involucrata Wall.ex Dubey in Gurez valley, Kashmir, India
Authors: Dad Javaid M. , Khan Anisa B.
Published: May 2016

Gurez valley represents the northernmost remote area of Kashmir, India. The mountainous terrain of the valley is characterized by lofty mountains and long flat grasslands loaded with plant species richness. Four species of vascular plants unreported from the valley are discussed. These taxa have their major distribution in the alpine grasslands which act as summer grazing grounds for the livestock of the pastoral nomads.
Endlicheria lhotzkyi (Nees) Mez (Magnoliophyta: Laurales: Lauraceae): first record for the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Alves Flávio Macedo , Frison Sergianne , Lehn Carlos Rodrigo
Published: May 2016

Endlicheria lhotzkyi is the first time recorded for the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, collected in the municipal district of Sonora, north of the state. Taxonomic comments and an identification key of Endlicheria species from Mato Grosso do Sul is presented.
Trogon rufus Gmelin, 1788, Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1818), Notharchus swainsoni (Gray, 1846), Synallaxis ruficapilla Vieillot, 1819, Tyrannopsis sulphurea (Spix, 1825) and Procnias nudicollis (Vieillot, 1817) (Aves): documented records in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Filho José Carlos Morante , Godoi Mauricio Neves
Published: May 2016

A better understanding of patterns of species distribution is critical to carrying out the ecological studies needed to develop more appropriate conservation plans. Here we present records for six bird species in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Five of these species (Trogon rufus, Baryphthengus ruficapillus, Notharchus swainsoni, Synallaxis ruficapilla and Procnias nudicollis) are rare and their distribution range is still poorly understood; one species (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) was recorded for the first time in the state.
Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae, Lithobates palmipes (Spix, 1824): new record and geographic distribution map in South America
Authors: Santos Danusy Lopes , Vaz-Silva Wilian
Published: May 2016

Herein we report a new record for Lithobates palmipes (Spix, 1824) for the state of Tocantins, Brazil.
New record of Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the Cerrado of Tocantins state with a compilation of the known distribution within Brazil
Authors: Novaes Roberto Leonan Morim , Souza Renan De França , Felix Saulo , Sauwen Cristal , Jacob Gabriella , Avilla Leonardo Dos Santos
Published: May 2016

Furipterus horrens is an insectivorous bat that occurs from Costa Rica to southeastern Bolivia and southern Brazil, with records in the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Despite this broad distributional range across South America, the species is currently known from few localities, and its habitat preferences are poorly known. We report the first record of Furipterus horrens for the Tocantins state, northern Brazil, based on four individuals collected in two caves surrounded by Neotropical savanna (Cerrado) in the Aurora do Tocantins municipality.
First record of the smoky bat Furipterus horrens (F. Cuvier, 1828) (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Duda Rafaela , Dalapicolla Jeronymo , Costa Leonora Pires
Published: May 2016

Furipterus horrens has its distribution restricted to the Neotropics. In the coastal states of Southeastern Brazil covered by Atlantic Forest, few records are known and the Espírito Santo state has never been included as an area of occurrence of the species. Here, we report the collection and identification, using morphological and molecular data, of a single individual from Floresta Nacional do Rio Preto, Conceição da Barra, which is the first record in Espírito Santo and fills in a gap in the known geographical distribution of this bat in the Atlantic Forest.
The effects of cysplatin on human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stromal cells under different oxygen levels
Authors: Rylova Yu. V. , Buravkova L. B. , Zhivotovky B. D.
Published: May 2016

Objective: To evaluate the damaging effects of cisplatin on MMSCs from adipose tissue in a phase of active proliferation and the state of the monolayer, which was exposed at standard (20%) and reduced to 1% and 5% level of oxygen.Methods: The incubation MMSC with cisplatin was performed on cultures of 2 passage in a state in monolayer and cultures in the active growth phase. Profile surface markers of MMSC determined by flow cytometry. MMSCs viability after incubation with cisplatin was detected by the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells using ANNEXIN V-FITC - PI Kit (Immunotech, France). Standard culture conditions (~ 20% O2) created in a CO2 incubator (Sanyo, Japan), 5% O2 created using multigas incubator (Sanyo, Japan), 1% O2 - using an airtight chamber (Stemcell Technologies, USA).Results: Incubation of monolayer MMSC with cisplatin at a concentration of 10 ug/ml for 72 hours leads to death of half of the cells in culture under 20% O2, 5% O2 and 1% O2. Cisplatin increased the fracture of PI+-cell, and PI+/Ann+-cells under all culture conditions. The short-term exposure with cisplatin (24 and 48 hours) did not cause the damaging effect. Effects of cisplatin on the MMSC in the growth phase for 48 hours led to accumulation of Ann+-cells and PI+/Ann +-cells under all culture conditions. However least damaging effect of cisplatin was observed in culture under hypoxic conditions (1% O2).Conclusion: These data suggest that monolayer MMSCs are dying primarily through necrosis, whereas MMSC in the growth phase in response to cisplatin treatment are dying by apoptosis, regardless the oxygen tension.
Subpopulations of regulatory T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kravchenko P. N. , Zhulai G. A. , Churov A. V. , Oleinik E. K. , Oleinik V. M. , Barysheva O. Yu. , Vezikova N. N. , Marusenko I. M.
Published: May 2016

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease, associated with a dysfunction of the T cell-mediated tolerance and leading to the disability of working population.  The regulatory CD4+ T cells are play important role in the regulation of autoimmunity and can suppress immune responses. With that, there is no consensus on the content of  these lymphocytes  and their role in the pathogenesis of RA. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the content of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) according to the expression of membrane markers CD4, CD25, CD127 and intracellular FOXP3 marker, as well as the expression of two functional molecules (CTLA-4 and CCR4) in Treg cells of patients with RA. Methods: Peripheral blood samples of RA patients (mean age 61,1±10,5) and healthy controls (mean age 52,2±14,0) were analyzed. Cell count and the expression level of molecules were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Peripheral blood samples of 36 RA patients and 20 healthy donors were analyzed. The number of the cells with Treg-associated phenotypes CD4+CD25hi and CD4+CD25hiCD127low/– was higher in RA patients in comparison with healthy donors. Increased levels of RA CD4+ T cells expressing FOXP3 were also observed. This may be due to increasing in the number of CD4+FOXP3+CD25- lymphocytes, whereas the content of RA CD4+FOXP3+CD25+ Treg cells was at the level of the control. The expression of the functional molecule CTLA-4 in Treg cells of patients with RA was not different from the control, while the expression level of the chemokine receptor CCR4, which provides migration of lymphocytes at sites of inflammation and barrier tissues, was significantly increased in RA patients. Conclusion: Increase in the levels of certain Treg-associated lymphocyte populations were detected in peripheral blood of RA patients. During the natural course of RA, alterations in the level of the chemokine receptor CCR4 might indicate the enhanced lymphocyte migration.
Negative pressure wound therapy use in the treatment of patient with an active process of anal cancer in order to the further treatment – case report.
Authors: Kicińska Magdalena , Błażejewska Dorota , Banasiewicz Tomasz
Published: May 2016

A common treatment of bad healing wounds is vacuum assisted therapy (negative pressure wound therapy). The main clinical goal are: reduced time of wound healing, decreasing frequency of septic complications, and better functional and cosmetic effect. One of the main contraidications include a malignant process in the patient, however, it is reported that in some cases it has achieved possitive results.68 years-old man was admitted to the hospital due to resection of giant anal cancer. Because of severe problems with passing stool, size of the lesions, sphincter infiltration and full dysfunction, according to the patient’s acceptation abdominoperineal rectal resection with end colostomy was performed. An open, non-healed wound was a contraindication for radiotherapy – the most advisable type of treatment in advanced anal cancer. Despite of potential malignancy in the wound, because the non-healed wound delaying the radiotherapy the negative pressure wound therapy was introduced to improve healing, close the wound and enable radiotherapy.Potential benefits and risks of npwt treatment should always be considered. In some selected cases of oncologic patients after the surgery npwt can be considered, especially when our treatment is used in palliative management or even when the proliferation of neoplastic tissues does not affect the duration of life (paliative treatment, morbidity, old age etc.)
A governança da água, vulnerabilidade hídrica e os impactos das mudanças climáticas no Brasil
Authors: Bolson Simone Hegele , Haonat Ângela Issa
Published: May 2016

A governança da água no Brasil, em especial em regiões de vulnerabilidade hídrica (v.g. Semiárido e parte do Sul), é desafiada pela incidência das mudanças climáticas, as quais acirram o problema da escassez hídrica. Pretende este artigo a análise e estudo de dados referentes à vulnerabilidade hídrica e os impactos do câmbio climático nas regiões antes citadas, bem como abordar sobre o Plano Nacional de Segurança Hídrica e a organização de consórcio público pelos municípios das regiões atingidas. São esses dois instrumentos de combate e prevenção à insegurança hídrica os sugeridos à proposta da implementação de uma boa governança da água.
Nonnative forest insects and pathogens in the United States: Impacts and policy options
Authors: Lovett Gary M. , Weiss Marissa , Liebhold Andrew M. , Holmes Thomas P. , Leung Brian , Lambert Kathy Fallon , Orwig David A. , Campbell Faith T. , Rosenthal Jonathan , McCullough Deborah G. , Wildova Radka , Ayres Matthew P. , Canham Charles D. , Foster David R. , LaDeau Shannon L. , Weldy Troy
Published: May 2016

We review and synthesize information on invasions of nonnative forest insects and diseases in the United States, including their ecological and economic impacts, pathways of arrival, distribution within the United States, and policy options for reducing future invasions. Nonnative insects have accumulated in United States forests at a rate of ~2.5 per yr over the last 150 yr. Currently the two major pathways of introduction are importation of live plants and wood packing material such as pallets and crates. Introduced insects and diseases occur in forests and cities throughout the United States, and the problem is particularly severe in theNortheast andUpperMidwest. Nonnative forest pests are the only disturbance agent that has effectively eliminated entire tree species or genera from United States forests within decades. The resulting shift in forest structure and species composition alters ecosystem functions such as productivity, nutrient cycling, and wildlife habitat. In urban and suburban areas, loss of trees from streets, yards, and parks affects aesthetics, property values, shading, stormwater runoff, and human health. The economic damage from nonnative pests is not yet fully known, but is likely in the billions of dollars per year, with the majority of this economic burden borne by municipalities and residential property owners. Current policies for preventing introductions are having positive effects but are insufficient to reduce the influx of pests in the face of burgeoning global trade. Options are available to strengthen the defenses against pest arrival and establishment, including measures taken in the exporting country prior to shipment, measures to ensure clean shipments of plants and wood products, inspections at ports of entry, and post‐entry measures such as quarantines, surveillance, and eradication programs. Improved data collection procedures for inspections, greater data accessibility, and better reporting would support better evaluation of policy effectiveness. Lack of additional action places the nation, local municipalities, and property owners at high risk of further damaging and costly invasions. Adopting stronger policies to reduce establishments of new forest insects and diseases would shift the major costs of control to the source and alleviate the economic burden now borne by homeowners and municipalities.
Photojournalism: Journalistic Reality and Necessity
Authors: Kasbekar Sushama
Published: May 2016

Aylan Kurdi, a three year old Syrian boy’s image carried on the front pages of newspapers and magazines in September 2015 was enough to stop the world in its tracks. It embodied the ravages of the Syrian war which has made headlines in newspapers and in the mass media in the past few years. Photo journalism is “Journalism in which written copy is subordinate to pictorial presentation of news stories or in which a high proportion of pictorial presentation is used, is broadly news photography” according to Miriam Webster’s dictionary. News photography sears, it captures reality. It is a necessity in this world which requires evidence and substantiation. This paper aims to study the photos related to the war in Syria; especially photos of Aylan Kurdi a three year old boy washed ashore while escaping with his family from Syria. The impact of these photographs on readers has been made through a qualitative study with in-depth interviews. The disturbing nature of the photographs, the knowledge about the war in Syria, the need and necessity of using of such photographs in media, feelings evoked, and the impact of the photographs by being shown on social media was gauged through a questionnaire and in-depth interviews.
New Enzyme Completion Technology Used in the Gulf of Mexico for the First Time
Authors: Bast M. S. , Ali S. A. , Scarborough B. , Luyster M. R.
Published: May 2016

Polymer-specific and starch specific-enzymes were evaluated for use as breakers for biopolymer/starch-based drill-in fluids. Various combinations of drill-in fluid components were also tested to determine the optimum system that would enhance enzyme(s) performance. In the first half of the testing program, the effectiveness of the enzyme(s) was determined by measuring the flow rate of synthetic oil through a permeable disk before and after exposure of the drill-in fluid filter cake to enzyme(s) for a specified soak period. To better simulate and exemplify a drill-in fluid, simulated drill solids were added to these systems. The combination of a customized drill-in fluid and enzyme(s) breaker that exhibited the optimum rheology, fluid loss control, and clean up was then tested using approximate wellbore conditions with a 25 ft. horizontal model. In addition, a customized displacement pill for enhancing the removal of residual drill-in fluid filter cakes was tested and optimized to enhance the effectiveness of enzyme(s).

The results were then applied to two candidates in the Main Pass 313 Field, Gulf of Mexico. Both wells exhibited higher than expected production rates, as well as relatively low skin damage and improved cost savings compared to conventional vertical completions and a similar horizontal completion.
Isha-Upanishad and Economics Consideration: An Elucidation
Authors: Gewali Babu Ram
Published: May 2016

In this article, the effort has been made to trace the tradition of oriental economic thoughts- spread in the four Vedas and Upanishad, which are the earliest documents of human civilization. For the analysis the first Upanishad- Isha has been selected. This analysis is based on the first mantra of Isha-Upanishad. It is concluded that the first serious econic thinking was inisitated by the composer of Upanishad.  

Economic Literature, Vol. XI (35-39), June 2013 
State of Food (in)Security in Chepang Community: A Case of Dahakhani VDC, Chitwan
Authors: Aryal Badri
Published: May 2016

This study intends to investigate food (in) security situation of Chepang communities as well as their food coping strategies based on 48 sample households in Dahakhani Village Development Committee, Chitwan. On an average they possess low level of assets and meager amount of crops and animal husbandry products. Consequently, most of the Chepang are found food insecure. Social services like school and drinking water sources are supplied within half an hour walking distance from their home whereas institutions are 3 hours far from home. Correlation analysis showed highly significant relationship between number of food insufficient months and number of livestock and birds in the household; between number livestock and birds with quantities of cereal production in a year. There is significant association of quantity of cereal production and land holding size with number of food insufficient months for a year. It can be inferred that meat is one of the important component of Chepang food habit and promotion of livestock rising can be an important supplement to Chepang diets. 

Economic Literature, Vol. XI (60-66), June 2013 
Book Review: The System of Tourism Development Planning in Nepal (An Integrated Approach)
Authors: Srivastava Nagendra Lal
Published: May 2016

The System of Tourism Development Planning in Nepal (An Integrated Approach), by Prof. Dr. Om Sharma. Kathmandu: Nawaraj Pandey, Ananda Chand and Saraswati Sharma, 2012. Pages 280 (including Bibliography, Index and Appendices). Price: NRs 300.

Economic Literature, Vol. XI (67-68), June 2013 
Book Review: Business Economics (Second Edition)
Authors: Poudel Hom Nath
Published: May 2016

Business Economics (Second Edition) by Pramshu Nepal, Min Raj Poudel, Girdhari Prasad Lamichhne and Rishi Ram Gaire. Kathmandu: M.K. Publisher and distributers, 2012, Pages 385 (including references, old question and chapter wise question banks). Price: NRs 280.

Economic Literature, Vol. XI (69-70), June 2013 
Loan Disbursement in Animal Husbandry with Reference to Agriculture Development Bank, Bagar, Pokhara
Authors: Gaudel Yadav Sharma , Gautam Yashoda
Published: May 2016

This article analyzes the loan disbursement pattern from Agriculture Development Bank, Bagar, Pokhara in the past 10 (FY 2060/61-FY 2069/70) years to find out the rate of growth of disbursal for loan and changes in interest rate in animal husbandry and its responses from the farmers in and around Pokhara. The data were based on the internal records of the bank during FY 2060/61 to FY 2069/70. Data show that during the study period (2060-2069), the highest total loan disbursement of ADBN, Bagar was 176.35 million in FY2064/65 and the lowest was 109.74 million in FY 2062/63. The highest loan disbursement in animal husbandry was 16.23 million (14.79%) in FY 2062/63 and the lowest was 2.57 million (21.60%) in FY 2060/61. The highest growth rate of loan disbursement in animal husbandry was 214.8% FY 2061/62. Similarly, the rate of interest for the loan in Animal husbandry was the highest in FY 2060/61 with 16% per annum and it reached its lowest point in FY 2065/66 at 11% per annum. The highest amount of principal collection was Rs. 189.27 thousand in FY 2062/63 and the lowest was Rs. 24.69 thousand in FY 2060/61. Farmers are facing the problem of bank loan procedure even though animal husbandry is getting attention of the farmers to increase their investment. However, the beginners of animal husbandry feel discouraged by the tough condition in loan procedure, which shows that the bank policies have not become farmers-friendly.

Economic Literature Vol.12 2014: 1-7
An Analysis of Trend and Sources of Deficit Financing in Nepal
Authors: Sutihar Deo Narayan
Published: May 2016

Deficit financing has emerged as an important tool of financing government expenditure. In Nepal, the share of fiscal deficit to GDP ratio was 5.5% in FY 2010/11 in compare to 3.6% of FY 2000/01. There are three sources of deficit financing i.e. foreign loan, domestic borrowing and cash balance and their shares to fiscal deficit have found 24.3%, 85.7% and -10.0% respectively in FY 2010/11. The domestic borrowing to budget deficit was found to be very high. The fiscal deficit to expenditure ratio was maximum 30.3% in FY 2000/01 and minimum 16.8% in FY 2010/11 respectively. This exhibits that there was decreasing trend in ratio in the study period. The regression equation has been used to estimate the annual declining rate of fiscal deficit to expenditure ratio. The estimates of the annual average and annual declining rate of deficit/expenditure ratio have been found to be 26.64% and - 0.846% respectively. From the result, it is obvious that fiscal deficit/expenditure ratio has been decreased by 0.846 % annually during the period of 11 years. This trend exhibits that Nepal will try to announce balanced budget in the near future. From the statistical analysis, the value of autocorrelation is found to be 0.427 and its d-statistic has been estimated 1.003, which not significant at 5% level of significance. Thus, the analysis justifies that there is no positive autocorrelation among error terms in the study period.

Economic Literature Vol.12 2014: 8-15
Does Financial Institution Support for Economic Growth? A Case of Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Bharat Ram
Published: May 2016

This paper examines the causality of economic growth and financial institutions with reference to Nepalese economy and determines whether financial institutions supports for economic growth or not. The empirical analysis shows that there is existence of long run association among the variables of gross domestic product (GDP), broad money (M2) and domestic credit to private sectors (DCPS). Moreover, vector error correction model (VECM) also suggests for the validity of the long run association among variables. The Granger causality and Wald statistics test do not find any short run causal relationship. The empirical result shows that there is a long-run association between financial institutions and economic growth of Nepal. Thus, a sound financial system helps to promote financial institutions in the country that supports for economic growth of the nation in the long run. The regulatory authority and financial institutions should accelerate financial reforms to improve the efficiency of financial system that helps to stimulate adequate capital formation and investment in the productive sectors.

Economic Literature Vol.12 2014: 56-68
Awareness about Tuberculosis in people living with HIV/AIDS: A cross Sectional Institutional Study
Authors: Shrestha Bikal
Published: May 2016

Introduction  

Worldwide, Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection affecting HIV seropositive individuals and it remains the most common cause of death in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is estimated that 50 to 60% of HIV infected people will develop TB in their lifetime. Keeping this in background this study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on TB in HIV positive patients.

Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out in HIV positive individuals attending an ART centre. 100 attendees were selected by systematic random sampling method and interviewed with a pretested, structured questionnaire.

Results

In the study 37.2% of respondents were not aware about air/droplet as a route of transmission of TB. Only 10% knew that infective organisms as a common opportunist infection in people with HIV & AIDS. 78.2% of the study population felt that the community will treat them differently if they suffer from TB and total of 57.7% confirmed an attitude of hiding the disease in them.

   

Conclusion

 The overall knowledge about TB in HIV positive individuals is low. Efforts must be made to counsel the patients about TB right in the first counselling session that the patient attends in ART centres so as to prevent spread of TB in the community.

 

 
Comparative Study on Quality of Life of Strabismic and Non-Strabismic Visually Normal Adults
Authors: Shrestha Sabina , Manoranjan Aparajita , Shrestha Sushan Man
Published: May 2016

Introduction: Strabismus is known to affect health related quality of life in adults. This study was conducted to compare the quality of life among strabismic and non strabismic visually normal adults.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted at Nepal Eye Hospital for two years. Fifty three adults with strabismus and fifty three adults without strabismus and normal vision were enrolled. Twenty open ended adult strabismus questionnaire (AS-20) developed by Hatt et al were used to assess the impact of strabismus on patient’s health related quality of life. All the participants reviewed AS-20 instructions for patients prior to completing the questionnaire. The overall AS-20 score was calculated as a mean of all 20 item scores. The psychosocial subscale was calculated as a mean of items 1-10 (inclusive). Function subscale was calculated as a mean of items 11-20 (inclusive).The mean overall and subscale scores were compared between strabismic patients and non-strabismic visually normal adults using Mann Whitney U test.Results: Mean overall scores decreased for patients with strabismus as compared to non strabismic visually normal adults. Mean psychosocial scale among strabismic patients and non strabismic patients was 47.53 ± 24.840 and 95.42 ± 9.631 respectively and mean function subscale among the two groups were 63.57±22.652 and 83.91±13.592 respectively. There was statistical difference in the overall score, psychosocial as well as function subscale between the strabismic and non strabismic visually normal adults (p value 0.00).Conclusion: The overall quality of life appears to be adversely affected in people with strabismus in comparison to the ones without strabismus. Strabismus, being a treatable condition, should not be ignored and corrective measures should be undertaken.
Suvorexant: A boon for Sleepless Nights
Authors: Khadka Anjan , Brashier Dick , Khanpure Amol Vijay , Chuki Pem
Published: May 2016

Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or experiencing nonrestorative sleep. Insomnia is the most common medical complaint in general practice.  Low efficacy and various side effects limit the use of existing treatment option. Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist (ORA), first in a new class of drugs in development for the treatment of insomnia. It inhibits the wakefulness-promoting orexin neurons of the arousal system thereby promoting the natural transition from wakefulness. It also improves sleep onset and sleep maintenance and has a favorable tolerability and limited side-effect profile.
Carboxylate-Terminated Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymer as an Effective Inhibitor for Carbonate and Sulphate Scales
Authors: Liu Guangqing , Xue Mengwei , Liu Qinpu , Zhou Yuming , Huang Jingyi
Published: May 2016

For the control of carbonate and sulphate scales, a new type of green scale inhibitors AQn was synthesized. The thermal stability and the molecular weight of the copolymers were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The anti-scale property of the AQn copolymers towards CaCO3 and CaSO4 in the artificial cooling water was studied through static scale inhibition tests. The results show that both CaCO3 and CaSO4 inhibition increase with increasing the degree of polymerization of AQn from 5 to 15. The dosage of AQn plays also an important role on CaCO3 and CaSO4 inhibition. Surface morphology characterization of CaCO3 and CaSO4 was investigated with combination of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. An inhibition mechanism is proposed that the interactions between calcium and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are the fundamental impetus to restrain the formation of the scale in cooling water systems.
Two-Polarisation Physical Model of Bowed Strings with Nonlinear Contact and Friction Forces, and Application to Gesture-Based Sound Synthesis
Authors: Desvages Charlotte , Bilbao Stefan
Published: May 2016

Recent bowed string sound synthesis has relied on physical modelling techniques; the achievable realism and flexibility of gestural control are appealing, and the heavier computational cost becomes less significant as technology improves. A bowed string sound synthesis algorithm is designed, by simulating two-polarisation string motion, discretising the partial differential equations governing the string’s behaviour with the finite difference method. A globally energy balanced scheme is used, as a guarantee of numerical stability under highly nonlinear conditions. In one polarisation, a nonlinear contact model is used for the normal forces exerted by the dynamic bow hair, left hand fingers, and fingerboard. In the other polarisation, a force-velocity friction curve is used for the resulting tangential forces. The scheme update requires the solution of two nonlinear vector equations. The dynamic input parameters allow for simulating a wide range of gestures; some typical bow and left hand gestures are presented, along with synthetic sound and video demonstrations.
Strengthening of Masonry Columns with BFRCM or with Steel Wires: An Experimental Study
Authors: Fossetti Marinella , Minafò Giovanni
Published: May 2016

Nowadays, innovative materials are more frequently adopted for strengthening historical constructions and masonry structures. The target of these techniques is to improve the structural efficiency with retrofitting methods while having a reduced aesthetical impact. In particular, the use of basalt fiber together with a cementitious matrix emerges as a new technique. This kind of fiber is obtained by basalt rock without other components, and consequently it could be considered a natural material, compatible with masonry. Another innovative technique for strengthening masonry columns consists of applying steel wires in the correspondence of mortar joints. Both techniques have been recently proposed and some aspects of their structural performances are still open. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the compressive behavior of clay brick masonry columns reinforced either with Basalt Fiber–Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (BFRCM) or with steel wire collaring. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed on eight retrofitted columns and four control specimens until failure. Two masonry grades were considered by varying the mix used for the mortar. Results are presented and discussed in terms of axial stress-strain curves, failure modes and crack patterns of tested specimens. Comparisons with unreinforced columns show the capability of these techniques in increasing ductility with limited strength enhancements.
Global Metabolic Regulation of the Snow Alga Chlamydomonas nivalis in Response to Nitrate or Phosphate Deprivation by a Metabolome Profile Analysis
Authors: Lu Na , Chen Jun-Hui , Wei Dong , Chen Feng , Chen Gu
Published: May 2016

In the present work, Chlamydomonas nivalis, a model species of snow algae, was used to illustrate the metabolic regulation mechanism of microalgae under nutrient deprivation stress. The seed culture was inoculated into the medium without nitrate or phosphate to reveal the cell responses by a metabolome profile analysis using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). One hundred and seventy-one of the identified metabolites clustered into five groups by the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model. Among them, thirty of the metabolites in the nitrate-deprived group and thirty-nine of the metabolites in the phosphate-deprived group were selected and identified as “responding biomarkers” by this metabolomic approach. A significant change in the abundance of biomarkers indicated that the enhanced biosynthesis of carbohydrates and fatty acids coupled with the decreased biosynthesis of amino acids, N-compounds and organic acids in all the stress groups. The up- or down-regulation of these biomarkers in the metabolic network provides new insights into the global metabolic regulation and internal relationships within amino acid and fatty acid synthesis, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and the Calvin cycle in the snow alga under nitrate or phosphate deprivation stress.
A Foveon Sensor/Green-Pass Filter Technique for Direct Exposure of Traditional False Color Images
Authors: Fent Livio , Meldrum Al
Published: May 2016

A direct exposure technique to simulate the vegetation red-magenta hues associated with the traditional Kodak Ektachrome Professional Infrared EIR film is proposed. The method uses the Foveon sensor in full spectrum mode as found in Sigma cameras in combination with green-pass filters to reproduce the red-magenta hues of healthy vegetation without resorting to multi-exposures or channel swaps as is the current norm in single sensor cameras. An array of commercially available green-pass filters are analyzed via spectrophotmetric, densitometric and colorimetric measurements. A calibration technique using color-compensating filters is presented such that any green-pass filter will transmit green wavelengths to a set norm and ensure repeatability. A color model for the Foveon/green-pass filter is developed using quantum efficiencies to explain the color effects observed. Color similarities in near-infrared, blue and black and differences in red and green compared with Kodak Ektachrome Infrared film are discussed. Aerial photography examples are discussed, and the technique is proposed as a more direct means of obtaining traditional false color infrared imagery for pictorial and scientific applications when using Foveon type commercially available digital cameras.
Revisiting Structural Modeling of Credit Risk—Evidence from the Credit Default Swap (CDS) Market
Authors: Huang Zhijian , Luo Yuchen
Published: May 2016

The ground-breaking Black-Scholes-Merton model has brought about a generation of derivative pricing models that have been successfully applied in the financial industry. It has been a long standing puzzle that the structural models of credit risk, as an application of the same modeling paradigm, do not perform well empirically. We argue that the ability to accurately compute and dynamically update hedge ratios to facilitate a capital structure arbitrage is a distinctive strength of the Black-Scholes-Merton’s modeling paradigm which could be utilized in credit risk models as well. Our evidence is economically significant: We improve the implementation of a simple structural model so that it is more suitable for our application and then devise a simple capital structure arbitrage strategy based on the model. We show that the trading strategy persistently produced substantial risk-adjusted profit.
New Analytic Solutions for the (N + 1)-Dimensional Generalized Boussinesq Equation
Authors: Hong Baojian , Lu Dianchen
Published: May 2016

In this paper, the generalized Jacobi elliptic functions expansion method with computerized symbolic computation are employed to investigate explicitly analytic solutions of the (N + 1)-dimensional generalized Boussinesq equation. The exact solutions to the equation are constructed analytically under certain circumstances, some of these solutions are degenerated to soliton-like solutions and trigonometric function solutions in the limit cases when the modulus of the Jacobi elliptic function solutions tends to 0 and 1, which shows that the applied method is more powerful and will be used in further works to establish more entirely new exact solutions for other kinds of higher-dimensional nonlinear partial differential equations in mathematical physics.
Geometric Properties of Normalized Wright Functions
Authors: Mustafa Nizami
Published: May 2016

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate some characterizations for the Wright functions to be in the subclasses S * ( α , β ) and C ( α , β ) ( α , β ∈ [ 0 , 1 ) ) . Several sufficient conditions are obtained for the normalized Wright functions to be in these classes. Results obtained in this paper are new and their usefulness is put forth by several corollaries.
Impasse diplomatique : les ambiguïtés chinoises vis-à-vis de l’ouverture économique nord-coréenne
Authors: Clément Théo
Published: May 2016

Alors que la Corée du Nord semble procéder d’un processus de réforme et d’ouverture depuis déjà plusieurs décennies, ces expérimentations économiques, discrètes mais réelles, ne semblent pas suivies de résultats probants. Les Zones Économiques Spéciales nord-coréennes, notamment, semblent pour l’instant n’obtenir que des succès très mitigés, à l’inverse de leurs grandes sœurs chinoises qui avaient brusquement projeté la République Populaire de Chine sur la route du développement économique. Cet article tente de montrer qu’outre les incohérences propres du programme de réforme économique nord-coréen, l’attitude passive de la Chine, pourtant partenaire économique principal de la Corée du Nord, rend difficile tout dépassement de la situation actuelle.
Impact of the Learning Curve on Intraoperative Surgical Time in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Authors: Grewal Dilraj S. , Dalal Ritika R. , Jun Scott , Chou Jonathan , Basti Surendra
Published: May 2016

PURPOSE:

To analyze the impact of learning curve on operating room (OR) times, femtosecond laser times, procedure time (time for laser and non-laser steps combined), and surgical time (procedure time minus transfer and preoperative times) during transition to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and comparison with conventional phacoemulsification.

METHODS:

In this retrospective, comparative case series, patients undergoing FLACS by an experienced surgeon between November 2012 and June 2014 were reviewed using the Catalys Precision Laser system (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA). The cohort was divided into five sequential groups of roughly equally sized cohorts (n = 33 for groups 1 to 4, n = 34 for group 5) and temporal change in surgical times was compared. For controls, 50 consecutive patients who underwent phacoemulsification concurrently were reviewed.

RESULTS:

There were 166 eyes evaluated that underwent FLACS. Femtosecond laser time shortened through the first three groups (group 1: 4.37 minutes vs group 3: 3.37 minutes,
P
< .05) but plateaued thereafter (group 4: 3:43 minutes, group 5: 3:35 minutes,
P
> .05). Total FLACS OR time reduced through sequential groups (group 1: 44 minutes vs group 5: 34 minutes,
P
< .001). Procedure time reduced from 33 (group 1) to 23 (group 5) minutes (
P
< .001). However, surgical and total OR time for group 5 (0:17 ± 0.02 and 0:34 ± 0:04 minutes, respectively) remained longer than phacoemulsification (0.14 ± 0:04 and 0:29 ± 0:05 minutes, respectively, both
P
< .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite significant reduction in OR times with increasing surgeon experience, FLACS required longer overall procedure times and surgical times compared to phacoemulsification, even when approaching 200 cases. Surgeons and institutions should budget for increased surgical times and associated costs when transitioning to FLACS.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(5):311–317.]