Determining 1D velocity model from local earthquake data in the South Hangay region, central Mongolia

One dimensional (1D) velocity models are still widely used for computing earthquake locations at seismological centers. The location accuracy of an earthquake strongly depends on the velocity model used to compute the location. In the past, the local velocity model developed for the Hangay region was lacking precision due to insufficient data. Within the framework of the “Intracontinental Deformation and Surface Uplift- Geodynamic Evolution of the Hangay Dome, Mongolia, Central Asia” project [15], 72 seismic Broadband stations network were deployed in the Hangay Dome. This gives us an opportunity to estimate the crustal velocity structure of the South Hangay region using recorded local earthquake data. For this purpose, available velocity models for the South Hangay region have been re-evaluated.  By simultaneous invertion P- and S-wave arrival times using VELEST algorithm, we estimated minimum 1D velocity models, station corrections, hypocentre locations, and origin times for the south Hangay region. Consequently, 1D crustal velocity model is proposed for the South Hangay region. This new model is expected to improve the accuracy of the routine hypocenter determination and as initial reference models for seismic tomography study

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Pyrethrum pulchrum Ledeb.

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Pyrethrum pulchrum Ledeb. were investigated. Dried plant material was hydro-distillated yielding 0.1% of essential oil. The oil was analyzed by GC-MS techniques. Fifty-five compounds were identified representing 99.7% of the total oil composition. Camphor was the predominant compound (33.9%) followed by linalool (21.1%) and α-pinene (9.0%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was determined using the disk diffusion method against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), Mycobacterium vaccae and fungi (Candida albicans, Sporidiobolus salmonicolor and Penicillum notatum). The essential oil of P. pulchrum displays an intermediate activity against selected bacteria

Regional variation of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) in Mongolia and its association with Ki-67 expression

Background: The prevalence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) varies worldwide in association with demographic and environmental factors. The analysis of these associations in Asia, Africa, and less developed countries is limited by low absolute numbers and unknown etiologic factors such as in Mongolia. The geographic variations in NHL incidence and mortality rates may induce by differences in case ascertainment and registration, or disease diagnosis and classification. The interpretation of NHL patterns and trends remains difficult. Therefore, an attempt was made to test the correlation between Ki-67 expression and clinical parameters on one hand, and geographical or ethnic differences on the other. Research purpose: The objectives of this study are to examine the geographic distribution of non-Hodgkin's disease more in detail for high incidence Mongolian prefectures, and to evaluate the association between the distribution of NHL and Ki-67 expression. Methods: Expression of Ki-67 was examined using an immunohistochemical technique in archival paraffin-embedded sections taken from (n=35) both National pathology center of Mongolia and Etemo clinic previously. Geo-processing was conducted with the aide of the software R Studio [under the Mapping plots] (1.0.136 version). The analyzed geographic incidence rates of NHL include locations of the central and east provinces Orkhon, Uvurhangay, Khuvsgul, Ulaanbaatar and Dornod The age-specific incidence and mortality rates were compared to those for all regions in Mongolia and those for the combined high mortality localities within the high-risk prefectures. Results: Expression of Ki-67 protein was noted in 71.8% of the tumor cases. Average Ki-67 expression was associated with regions of high incidence. Conclusion: We found that provinces with a high incidence and mortality from non-Hodgkin's disease were aggregated in the eastern-central parts of Mongolia, particularly in the areas along Ulaanbaatar capital city

Global principles in local traditional knowledge: a review of forage plant-livestock-herder interactions

An understanding of traditional ecological knowledge systems is increasingly acknowledged as a means of helping to develop global, regional and national, but locally relevant policies. Pastoralists often use lands that are unsuitable for crops due to biophysical and climatic extremities and variabilities. Forage plants of pastures are utilized by herding communities by applying locally relevant multigenerational knowledge. We analyzed the forage-related knowledge of pastoralists and herders by reviewing scientific papers and video documentaries on forage plants and indicators, their use in land management, and plant-livestock interactions. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with key knowledge holders in Iran, Mongolia, Kenya, Poland and Hungary. We found 35 indicators used by herders to describe forage species. The indicators described botanical features, livestock behavior during grazing, and the impact of plants on livestock condition and health. The indicators were used in context-specific management decisions, with a variety of objectives to optimize grazing. We identified ten global principles, including, among others, a livestock-centered perspective, close monitoring and targeted pasturing of various (preferred or avoided) forages, and the use of different livestock types and well-planned spatial movements at multiple scales to optimize the utilization of available plant resources. Although pastoralists vary greatly across the globe, the character and use of their traditional forage-related knowledge do seem to follow strikingly similar principles. Understanding these may help the local-to-global-level understanding of these locally specific systems, support bottom-up pastoral initiatives and discussions on sustainable land management, and help to develop locally relevant global and national policies.Peer reviewe

Initial Trials With Susceptibility-Based and Empiric Anti-H. pylori Therapies in Mongolia

Background: Mongolia has a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer. We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of common regimens in Mongolia and to obtain specimens for susceptibility testing.Methods: Empiric treatments: 270 patients with confirmed H. pylori infection were randomized to receive 10 days clarithromycin-triple therapy (Clari-TT) (n = 90), modified bismuth quadruple therapy (M-BQT) (n = 90), or sequential therapy (ST) (n = 90). A second group of 46 patients received susceptibility-based Clari-TT. H. pylori was cultured from 131 patients and susceptibility testing was performed. H. pylori eradication was confirmed by stool antigen 4 weeks after the therapy.Results: Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis cure rates were 71.1% (95% CI = 61.7–80.5%) for Clari-TT, 87.8% (95% CI = 81–94.6%) for M-BQT, 67.8% (95% CI = 58.1–77.5%) for ST vs. 89.1% (95% CI = 86–98.2%) for susceptibility-based Clari-TT. Per-protocol (PP) analysis results for these therapies were 72.7% (63.4–82%), 89.8% (83.5–96.1%), 68.5% (58.8–78.2%), and 97.6% (89.5–99.8%), respectively. Among 131 cultured H. pylori, resistance rates to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole were 8.4, 37.4, and 74%, respectively.Conclusion: In Mongolia, the prevalence of H. pylori resistance is high requiring bismuth quadruple therapy or susceptibility-based therapy to obtain acceptable cure rates

몽골 내 석탄 함유 퇴적분지와 산출 석탄의 특징 : 저품위 석탄의 화학 구조 변화 및 탄소동위원소 연구

Thesis(doctors) --서울대학교 대학원 :지구환경과학부,2010.2.Docto