8th August Research Articles

Post 2015 Development Planning: Adaption of a Holistic Approach in Planning and Research - A Commentary from a Practitioner’s Perspective

In this article, we analyse the argument that lack of holistic approach in planning and research have contributed to the lack of sustainable development in Africa. We base our discussion on the speech by the special advisor on the national consultation on the post 2015 development as it relates to Uganda and other African Context held on 8th August 2015. The advisor was convinced that there is a need to adopt a more integrated and comprehensive planning approach to reinventing traditional development tools and meet persistent and emerging challenges. Efforts must be made to start putting in place the practical measures, markers, mechanisms and partnerships that make sustainable advancements possible. Scholars and managers are called upon to take the challenge of demonstrating how the adoption of a holistic approach in planning, and research can contribute to sustainable development.

Report on National Conference on Ethics, Copyrights, and Plagiarism in Research and Publications

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India partnered with Society for Social Development and Peoples Action (SDPA) to organize a National Conference on Ethics, Copyrights and Plagiarism in Research & Publications at AYUSH- Sabhagar, New Delhi on 8th August 2015. The conference was aimed at raising awareness about copyright infringement, enhancing knowledge about Intellectual Property Right issues/laws etc and guiding participants to prevent plagiarism. The conference was attended by 125 delegates including Medical and library professionals, researchers and students from ten states across the country. Four scientific sessions on Intellectual property rights- changing concerns, IPR issues in Research & Publications, IPR laws and judicial institution, Internet & Challenges to IPR were held; key speakers of the sessions being Prof. Alka Chawla, Dr. Somen Chakraborty and Dr. Deepankar Mukherjee respectively. The conference concluded with a set of recommendations collated from the papers presented, speeches delivered and individual feedback from the participants. Dr. Raj K. Manchanda in his closing remarks thanked the organising team of both SDPA and CCRH. He further assured to organize events on copyright subjects every year for benefit of all.

Social media: A tool to spread information: A case study analysis of Twitter conversation at the Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand 61st Annual Scientific Meeting 2013

The World Wide Web has changed the way in which people communicate and consume information. More importantly, this innovation has increased the speed and spread of information. There has been recent increase in the percentage of cardiovascular professionals, including journals and associations using Twitter to engage with others and exchange ideas. Evaluating the reach and impact in scientific meetings is important in promoting the use of social media. This study evaluated Twitter use during the recent 61st Annual Scientific Meeting at the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. During the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand 2013 61st Annual Scientific Meeting Symplur was used to curate conversations that were publicly posted with the hashtag #CSANZ2013. The hashtag was monitored with analysis focused on the influencers, latest tweets, tweet statistics, activity comparisons, and tweet activity during the conference. Additionally, Radian6 social media listening software was used to collect data. A summary is provided. There were 669 total tweets sent from 107 unique Twitter accounts during 8th August 9 a.m. to 11th August 1 p.m. This averaged nine tweets per hour and six tweets per participant. This assisted in the sharing of ideas and disseminating the findings and conclusions from presenters at the conference with a total 1,432,573 potential impressions in Twitter users tweet streams. This analysis of Twitter conversations during a recent scientific meeting highlights the significance and place of social media within research dissemination and collaboration. Researchers and clinicians should consider using this technology to enhance timely communication of findings. The potential to engage with consumers and enhance shared decision-making should be explored further.

Merger Under Companies Bill, 2012

Due to change in corporate structures and practices the government has introduced Companies Bill 2012 which was passed by Lok Sabha on 18th December 2012 and by Rajya Sabha on 8th August 2013. A more comprehensive framework has been built in through Chapter XV for compromises, amalgamations and arrangements in the Companies Bill 2012. The Companies Bill contains 10 clauses i.e., 230-240 regarding M&A whereas Companies Act, 1956 contained only 7 sections of which only 4 particularly dealt with M&A. While some of the proposals are intended to make it easier for companies to implement schemes of arrangement, others impose the much required checks and balance to prevent possible abuse of these enabling provisions by companies.

Sensitivity of CERES-Rice model to different environmental parameters on the productivity of aromatic rice in middle Gujarat

The present investigation was carried out during kharif season of 2007 and 2008 to develop genetic coefficients of four different genotypes of aromatic rice (cv. Pankhali, Narmada, GR-104 and Pusa Basmati-1) transplanted on three different dates viz., D1 (8th July), D2 (22nd July) and D3 (8th August). The sensitivity analysis of CERES-Rice model with respect to different scenarios of duration of photoperiods, solar radiation, CO2 concentration, maximum and minimum temperatures were carried out. The simulated grain yield increased linearly with incremental unit increase in day length, solar radiation, reduction of maximum temperature and vice versa. Simulated grain yields increased up to 27.9% under elevated scenarios of CO2 from 380 to 410 ppm by the model. Large yield reductions were observed on decreasing plant population. However, model did not show any significant change due to increase in the plant population. The model was found enough sensitive to account for the effects of transplant age of seedlings on simulated grain yield in comparison with the base yield.

8th August: Proper 14

8th August: Proper 14

100% of Complete Response (CR) and Survival (FFP, OS) in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Advanced- and Intermediate-Stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) Treated with Six Cycles of Dose-Dense, Dose-Intense (DD-DI) ABVD without Radiotherapy (RT).

Despite the mature results of the new intensive treatments, ABVD is still considered the standard therapy of the HL. Here we report the 2-year results of a phase 2 study which explore the possibility to ameliorate the performance of this (g)old schedule. Primary End-Points: CR and early cardio-toxicity. Secondary End-Points: survival (FFP,OS) and late cardio-toxicity. 23/25 CR (CI 90%) to validate the study (80% standard vs 90% DD-DI ABVD, CI +/− 10% one tail test, 5% sig stat level). Modifications of the standard (st) ABVD and strategy concepts are summarized as follow:Each patient received a total of 6 cycles without RTAdryamicin (ADM) was escalated from 50 to 70 mg/m2 in the cycles 1,2,3,4. The cumulative dose of ADM was 380 mg/m2.The intercycle period was shortened from 28 to 21 days for all 6 cycles; the 4 drugs were delivered at day 1 and 11 of each cycleG-CSF was given from d4 to d8, and from d14 to d18 of each cycleThe therapy program was driven by dynamic indicators such as interim-PET and CT fusion images.Normalisation of PET images at the end of 2nd cycles was indicator of early CR, while the persistence of PET+ lesion(s) at the end of the 4th cycle was indicator of failure and consequently the treatment was shift to a high-dose CT/CD34+ rescue program.RT was eliminated. At the end of 6th cycle, PET- residual masses were monitored by PET/TC fusion images.An historical group of 94 HL pts treated with 6–8 cycles of st-ABVD +/− RT was used to compare response, survival and toxicity data.Compared to st-ABVD the theoretical relative dose-intensity (RDI) values of drugs were 1.86 for ADM, 1.33 for DTIC, Bleomycin and Vinblastine, and 1.46 for the entire schedule. Administered RDIs of the schedule (delivered cycles = 184) ranged between 1.10 to 1.55 (median value 1.39).Results: from June 2004 to August 2006 thirty-nine pts were enrolled (tab1). As the 8th August 2006 thirty-five out of 39 pts have performed the interim-PET-TC fusion images and thirty-two completed the treatment: 100% of valuable pts obtained the early CR (35/35) and CR (32/32). All pts are alive and free of disease (tab2 and fig.1).Cardiac functions were monitored by ECG, Ecography, MUGA scan, pro-BNP, and troponin T. Toxicity was mild and similar to standard ABVD.Dose-dense and dose-intense ABVD is feasible, well tolerated and highly active in newly diagnosed patients with advanced/intermediated Hodgkin's lymphoma: six cycles without RT seem superior to 6–8 cycles of ABVD +/− RT (fig 1) and may be a promising program for optimal long-term results.tab1presentation featuresFeaturestotal39100%Early unfavourable923%Advanced3077%Age > 45 –yr410%Bulky1944%Stage IV1333%B symptoms2564%Extranodal923%VES > 50 mm2051%LDH Ratio > 11538%IPS ≥ 31026%N. Sites>32872%Male1333%tab.2Response and SurvivalN. of patientspercentEarly CR35/35*100%CR32/32*100%FFP-2yr32/32*100%OS-2yr32/32*100%*n°. of valuable pts as 8 August 2006 [Display omitted]

Prices high, tensions ease and a new OPEC is formed

This section summarizes downstream developments of the previous month. Exploration & Production are covered in 'Upstream Review'. Crude oil prices rose on news that BP was to shut‐in its 400,000 bpd Prudhoe Bay field, following the discovery of corrosion in a pipeline serving the field. Dated BFO went to a record high of $78.72/bbl on 8th August. Speculation that refiners on the US West Coast would seek to replace the lost Alaska North Slope crude with supplies from the Asia/Pacific region caused prices to rise there as well. US crude prices were rather less affected than elsewhere by events in Alaska as it rapidly became clear that stock levels were sufficient to deal with any loss of production. It also emerged that BP was able to keep about half of Prudhoe Bay in production. By that time, however, oil markets had latched on to an entirely different source of worry. The announcement in London that police had uncovered a plot to blow‐up aeroplanes crossing the Atlantic led to concerns of a sharp fall in passenger travel. Traders were not simply worried about the effect of this on the demand for jet fuel, but expressed concerns of a more general loss of business confidence across the world. Fears over a fall in jet fuel consumption did not appear to have spread to Singapore, where jet kerosine traded at an all‐time high of $91.75/bbl early in August.

Rethinking Retrospective Criminality in the Context of War Crimes Trials

This article focuses upon the deficits inherent within the hitherto undifferentiated concept of ‘retrospectivity’ and the formulation of an appropriate typography of the retrospective strands within it, against the backcloth of the Trial of the Major War Criminals, 1945–1946, conducted at Nuremberg in the immediate aftermath of World War II. Following a brief description of the historical provenance and significance of the doctrine, nullum crimen sine lege praevia; nulla poena sine lege praevia; no crime and no punishment without previously established law, it seeks to explore and evaluate the salient provisions of the Nuremberg Charter, unilaterally enacted by the Allies on 8th August, 1945, under which the entire trial proceedings were subsequently governed. The segments of the Charter, ostensibly reliant upon the deployment of ex post facto criminal law are extrapolated, analysed and linked to the relevant strands of retrospectivity, identified within the postulated typography. This elucidation of the notion of ‘retrospectivity’ may not only provide keener insight into the historical utilisation of ex post facto law but also intensify awareness of any prospective violation of the nulla poena doctrine.

Dhruva: Main design features, operational experience and utilization

Dhruva is a product of technological initiatives taken during mid seventies when a need was felt for another research reactor having a high neutron flux to meet the growing demands of research and development in the frontier areas of science and engineering. In addition production of radioisotopes of high specific activity and the diverse requirements of a broad based user community had to be synthesized into a viable system, which could be engineered within the limited means available in the country. This high neutron flux reactor was designed, constructed and commissioned entirely by Indian scientists and engineers and it reflects the country's resolve to achieve self-reliance in the nuclear reactor technology. Dhruva is a 100 MW (thermal) research reactor with metallic natural uranium as fuel, heavy water as moderator, coolant and reflector, giving a maximum thermal neutron flux of 1.8 × 10 14 n/cm 2/s. Since its first criticality on 8th August 1985, a number of experimental facilities have been added which have proven to be highly attractive for universities and industrial researchers for their scientific merits in various fields. One of the major utilization areas has been the neutron beam research using several neutron spectrometers, all of which were built in-house. A guide tube facility comprising of two neutron guides and another experimental set-up with a multi-instrument beam line have enabled further enhancement of the utilization of this National Facility by the academic institutions in the country. Production of radioisotopes of high specific activity and in increased quantity has fulfilled growing demands for many applications. The write-up provides an overview of the reactor covering its design; layout, safety features, utilization and operating experience along with description of some of the specific experimental facilities.

The Impact of Relative Dose Intensity on Response and Survival in a Series of 180 Newly Diagnosed Patients with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

To improve ABVD results we first developed a protocol which adds G-CSF to the standard ABVD treatment. From March 1997 to May 2004 69 patients with HL were treated with ABVD+G-CSF and 22 with a standard ABVD. Recently we designed a new dose-dense and dose-intensity ABVD scheme (escABVD-21) for advanced HL; in this new schedule the adriamycin was escalated from 25 to 35 mg/m2 (cycles 1,2,3,4) and the inter-cycle period was shortened from 28 to 21 days (for all 6 cycles); primary G-CSF was administered from d3 to d8 and drugs were delivered at d10 and d21 of every cycle. From June 2004, 19 patients were treated with this protocol.Relative dose-intensity (RDI) was calculated for any of these 110 newly diagnosed HL patients treated with ABVD. The results were also compared with a historical group of 70 patients who had undergone hybrid MOPP/ABVD.HL patients received from 4 to 8 cycles of CT +/− IF-RT. Patients were divided in 4 groups according to the RDI. The first group included 20 (11%) pts with RDI less than 0.80; the 2nd group, 64 (36%) pts with RDI values between 0.80 and 0.95, the 3rd group, 74 (42%) pts with RDI values between 0.96 and 1.10 and, finally, the 4th group included pts with RDI values of more than 1.10. In Tab 2 we report the CR, EFS and OS rates according to the 4 levels of RDI. Figures 1 shows EFS curve according to Kaplan-Meyer.Response and survival rates of groups 1,2,3 and 4 were: 50%vs91%vs97% vs 100%, for CR (p<0.0001); 20%vs78%vs92%vs100% for EFS (p< 0.0001); and 25%vs91%vs99%vs100% for OS (p< 0.0001).The best progression rates of CR, EFS and OS were seen in patients with RDI >1.10. In particular, the new dose-dense and dose-intensity escABVD-21 protocol seems very promising in terms of complete response and toxicity profile: 19/19 pts (100%) obtained an early CR; (PET negative at the end of the 2nd cycle), and, as on 8th August 2005, all these19 patients were disease-free. The dose-escalation of adriamycin and the dose-density of the schedule were well-tolerated; toxicity was mild. These results show that subptimal RDI may compromise outcomes proportionally to the level of RDI reduction. On the contrary, Primary G-CSF permits to deliver dose-dense and dose intense schedules such as escABVD-21 maintaining the same profile of toxicity of standard ABVD, higher RDI levels, and consequently, a significant impact on complete response and survival rates.tab1Presentation featuresn. of ptsmale sexage>45 yrsadvanced stageE sites>1bulkyB symptomsIPI score ≥ 3180924314823808356%51%24%82%13%44%46%31%tab.2Response and Survival according to 4 RDI levelsRDI level (range 0.5–1.5)N. of pts. (%)CR rateFisher's Exact test (2-sided)EFS ratelog-rank statistic0S ratelog-rank statisticoverall180(100%)90%80%88%<0.8020 (11%)50%20%25%0.80–0.9564 (36%)91%28.39178%74.9991%96.760.96–1.1076 (42%)97%92%99%>1.1020 (11%)100%100%100%significance<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001 [Display omitted]

Chemical and physical observations of particulate matter at Golden Ears Provincial Park from anthropogenic and biogenic sources

Abstract Measurements of a number of aerosol properties and trace gases were conducted at Golden Ears Provincial Park (GE park), near the town of Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada from 6th to 11th of August 2001, just prior to the beginning of the main Pacific 2001 study. The measurements were intended to help with the characterization of the particulate matter (PM) in the forest that borders the northern side of the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV). The concentrations of inorganic ions in the particles decreased after 8th August, while the organic mass concentrations in the particles increased after 8th August. Throughout the study, organic carbon (OC) was the single highest component of the aerosol, and after 8th August, OC comprised about 90% of the particle composition. During the daytime, there was a clear anthropogenic influence from upslope flow driven by the sea breeze. The mixing ratio of monoterpenes increased overnight, when the winds were from the forests to the north but the cis-pinonic acid increased during the day, along with the anthropogenic tracers, suggesting that the oxidation of monoterpenes occurred with the help of anthropogenic oxidants. The particle volume data showed increases often corresponding with decreases in monoterpenes. A steady increase in particle volumes resulted from condensation of OC on the particles, and despite an increase in water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) the effectiveness of the OC at absorbing water for relative humidity (RH) values ⩽90% was low relative to sulphate.

The Manchester Siamese twins case — a French ethical analysis

Conjoined twins were born on 8th August 2000 in Manchester. After a 2-month period of legal fighting between their parents and the medical team, which was widely reported in the media, the twins were surgically separated on 7th November 2000. This case-report scrutinises the ethical dilemma from a fresh perspective.

A career interview with Bernie Galler

This article contains excerpts from a career interview with Bernard A. Galler, founding editor in chief of the “IEEE Annals of the History of Computing”, taken on 8th August 1991 by Enid H. Galler of Voice Treasures. Bernie, as his friends know him, is Professor Emeritus in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at the University of Michigan, and founder and former president of the Software Patent Institute. He tells people that he wasn't one of the “real pioneers” of computing; he came along just after them, in 1955

Three recent larger earthquakes offshore Norway

ABSTRACTThree earthquakes of magnitude around 5 occurred offshore western Norway on 5th February, 1986, on 8th August, 1988, and on 23rd January, 1989. These earthquakes, representing the highest seismic activity level in this area for at least 30 years, were all felt by people over most of southern and central Norway. Focal‐mechanism solutions for these earthquakes indicate thrust faulting along N‐S to NNE‐SSW striking fault planes, in response to NW‐SE compressional stress, most probably of plate tectonic origin.A number of high‐quality digital recordings of the ground motions at various distances from these and other recent earthquakes in Norway have shown that source spectral as well as wave attenuation characteristics in this area are reasonably consistent with what has been derived from other intraplate areas.

THE GREAT GRAIN ROBBERS

Speaking recently to the Royal Overseas League in London Michael Montague, Chairman of the National Consumer Council, compared the results of the EEC's Common Agricultural Policy to the work of the great train robbers. He said, ‘On the 8th August 1963, the Great Train Robbers got away with £2.25 million. In 1985, the Great Grain Robbers, and their allies the great beef, butter, sugar, fruit, vegetable, and wine robbers, are costing the UK's 56 million consumers £1 billion a year in higher food prices — the equivalent of eight and a half train robberies a week! The Common Agricultural Policy is a blot on Europe's economic, social and political landscape. It is bad for consumers. It is bad for taxpayers. It is bad for farmers. It is bad for our industry. It is bad for Europe.’

Third international IHSS meeting : Oslo, Norway, 4th–8th August 1986

Third international IHSS meeting : Oslo, Norway, 4th–8th August 1986

Puente Reich, Viena - Austria

The Reich Bridge substitutes for another bridge linking the centre and North areas of the city, collapsed on 8th August 1976. The purpose of this bridge is to regulate traffic and lends urban distinction to this city section. The structure is a suspended bridge, some 300 m in span, with two abutments on the banks and two piers for anchoring support. The cross section is a box girder large enough to carry motor traffic and the urban railway line.

Training needs of small firms

On the 8th August, 1972, Mr Maurice Macmillan, Secretary of State for Employment, made a statement in the House of Commons on the future of industrial training following his completion of the process of consultation on the proposals which were published on 1st February in the Government's Consultative Document, ‘Training for the Future’.

The Awards and Settlements (Temporary Continuation of Standstill) (No. 3) Order 1969

Whereas by virtue of a Reference to the National Board for Prices and Incomes under section 2(1) of the Prices and Incomes Act 1966 (the text whereof was published on 8th August 1969 in the London Gazette) the implementation of the agreement described in Article 2 hereof relating to the pay of certain workers employed by members of the Association of Film Laboratory Employers in technical, clerical and general grades was forbidden by section 15(2) of that Act