bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting feeding patterns of native red deer and two exotic ungulates in a Mediterranean ecosystem
Authors: Miranda María , Sicilia Marisa , Bartolomé Jordi , Molina-Alcaide Eduarda , Gálvez-Bravo Lucía , Cassinello Jorge
Published: March 2012

Context Ungulates have been widely introduced in multiple ecosystems throughout the world due to their value as food and for sport hunting. The identification of foraging preferences of exotic and native ungulates living in sympatry is, therefore, becoming increasingly important in order to assess potential impacts of introduced animals on the host ecosystem. Aims To describe species-specific foraging strategies and infer resource selection overlap between native and exotic ungulates. Methods We compared the trophic ecology of three sympatric ungulate species living in a Mediterranean landscape: the native Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus, and two exotic bovids, the European mouflon Ovis orientalis musimon and the aoudad Ammotragus lervia. We simultaneously determined herbivore diet through analyses of botanical content in faeces and assessed the nutritional content of these diets. Key results Higher selection of shrubs by deer was sustained throughout the year, while bovids showed seasonal shifts in forage selection. Both bovids displayed a selective dietary strategy directed towards a higher overall nutritional quality than that of deer. Divergent exploitation patterns between the studied cervid and bovids might be related to body mass and physiological adaptations to overcome secondary defence compounds of shrubs, and were largely affected by seasonal changes in the nutritional value of available vegetation. Ecological theory suggests that diet overlap should be greater between similar-sized species. Indeed, both exotics showed similar, sometimes overlapping, dietary patterns that could lead to potential competition in the use of resources. Native red deer preferences only showed some overlap with those of exotic mouflon under constrained summer conditions. Conclusions Dietary overlap between deer and mouflon and between aoudad and mouflon during limiting summer conditions could entail a potential competitive interaction under more even densities of the study species, since a concurrent habitat overlap between those pairs of species has previously been reported. Implications The outcomes of our study suggest the need for an integration of habitat and ungulate management. Management actions in Mediterranean rangelands should be directed towards protecting habitat conditions so that biodiversity is enhanced along with the presence of sustainable communities of large herbivores. Management directed towards ungulates should maintain moderate stocking rates and monitor and control introduced and native populations.
Live-trapping and bovine tuberculosis testing of free-ranging white-tailed deer for targeted removal
Authors: Cosgrove Melinda K. , Campa Henry , Schmitt Stephen M. , Marks David R. , Wilson Anthony S. , O'Brien Daniel J.
Published: March 2012

Context
Significant efforts have been made in Michigan, USA, to reduce the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) over the past 15 years. Since 2002, however, prevalence has changed little, prompting the need for new control strategies.

Aims
In January–March of 2007 and 2008, a trap–test–cull project was conducted on an 11 000-ha property in the north-eastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The objectives were to assess the feasibility of live-trapping and testing white-tailed deer for TB as a means for targeted removal and estimate the cost of this effort.

Methods
Live-trapped deer were ear-tagged and a blood sample was drawn for use with the CervidTB STAT-PAK (commonly called Rapid Test) for TB diagnosis in the field. Deer testing negative were released, whereas deer testing positive were euthanised to confirm blood-test results via bacterial culture.

Key results
In all, 762 (741 with known sex and age) individual deer were captured and tested for TB. Adults comprised 59% (437 of 741) of the captures. Eight (1.8%) adults were positive on the blood test; six of eight (1.4% of adults) were confirmed TB positive via bacterial culture. Estimated TB prevalence in the present study was 2.5% (adjusted for Rapid Test sensitivity of 56%), being lower than what would be expected on the basis of routine hunter-harvest surveillance for this site which has yielded prevalence rates from 3.4% to 4.8%. Results demonstrated the ability to trap and test a substantial number of deer given high deer densities (16–20 deer per km2), availability of traps and abundant workers. The 2-year project cost a total of ~US$228 000, or US$38 000 per culture-positive animal.

Conclusions
Because of the cost and effort involved, a project such as the present one applied to Michigan’s larger TB-management area (148 018 ha) is not feasible.

Implications
If the efficiency and effectiveness of a trap–test–cull project could be improved by vaccinating test-negative animals, should a vaccine be approved for use in free-ranging white-tailed deer, a trap–test–cull project applied on a scale similar to the present study may prove beneficial by possibly reducing disease transmission, in addition to removing TB-positive animals.
Evidence for source - sink dynamics in a regional population of arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii plesius)
Authors: Donker Scott A. , Krebs Charles J.
Published: March 2012

Context
Variable demographic rates can manifest themselves between habitat types in the form of source–sink dynamics where populations in sink habitats would not exist without the addition of migrants from source habitats.

Aims
Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii pleisus (Osgood, 1900)) occupy a large geographic area in northern Canada and live in a variety of habitat types, including boreal forest, low-elevation meadows and alpine meadows, providing an opportunity to investigate the possible existence of source–sink dynamics.

Methods
We hypothesised that arctic ground squirrels in the south-western Yukon exhibit demographic characteristics indicative of source–sink dynamics. Boreal forest habitat could be a sink in spite of previous high squirrel densities, whereas meadows could be a source. We investigated this by mark–recapture live-trapping and radio-telemetry.

Key Results
In the boreal forest in the Kluane region, we found reduced recruitment, reduced population growth rates (λ), and reduced survivorship for radio-collared individuals that moved from low-elevation meadows into the boreal forest. There was no evidence from radio-collared juveniles of dispersal from high-density ground squirrel populations in alpine meadows down into boreal forest.

Conclusions
Boreal forest is a sink habitat for arctic ground squirrels. Source–sink dynamics observed between low-elevation meadow and boreal forest habitats appear to result from increased predation pressure in the boreal forest. The result has been a near extirpation of boreal forest arctic ground squirrels in the Kluane region since 1998.

Implications
Because the source areas of low-elevation meadows occupy only 7–9% of the lowland habitat, recolonisation of boreal forest sites has been very slow. Whereas alpine populations remain high in 2011, boreal forest populations remain near zero. Alpine populations do not appear to be a source for the boreal forest.
Research on advanced student writing across disciplines and levels
Authors: Ädel Annelie , Römer Ute
Published: March 2012

This paper introduces the Michigan Corpus of Upper-level Student Papers (MICUSP) as a new resource that will enable researchers and teachers of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to investigate the written discourse of highly advanced student writers whose written assignments have been awarded the grade ‘A’. The usefulness of two aspects of the design of the corpus — variation across discipline and across student level — is illustrated by two case studies, one on attribution and one on recurrent phraseological patterns. The first case study investigates how references to the work of others are realized and to what extent disciplinary variation exists in unpublished academic writing by students. The second study examines the use of phraseological items (n-grams and phrase-frames) by students at four different levels of undergraduate and graduate study. The paper closes with a discussion of the results of both case studies and describes future avenues for MICUSP-based research.
Electronic deconstruction
Authors: O'Halloran Kieran
Published: March 2012

This article introduces a corpus-based procedure for revealing tensions in a text which seeks to persuade an audience into a particular point of view on a particular topic, tensions which may otherwise be difficult to see; the text is thus deconstructed and loses credibility. I refer to this corpus-based, critical approach to revealing tensions in such texts as Electronic Deconstruction. In drawing on corpus linguistic method for this end, as well to help reduce interpretative bias, the article bears resemblance to Corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis. However, in two crucial respects it is different. This is because: i) its corpus-based, deconstructive focus is cohesion in a text which seeks to persuade an audience into a particular point of view and ii) it takes its theoretical stimulus from the work of Jacques Derrida.
Tuning the tetraethylammonium sensitivity of potassium channel Kcv by subunit combination
Authors: Tan Qiulin , Ritzo Brandon , Tian Kai , Gu Li-Qun
Published: March 2012

Tetraethylammonium (TEA) is a potassium (K+) channel inhibitor that has been extensively used as a molecular probe to explore the structure of channels’ ion pathway. In this study, we identified that Leu70 of the virus-encoded potassium channel Kcv is a key amino acid that plays an important role in regulating the channel’s TEA sensitivity. Site-directed mutagenesis of Leu70 can change the TEA sensitivity by 1,000-fold from ∼100 µM to ∼100 mM. Because no compelling trends exist to explain this amino acid’s specific interaction with TEA, the role of Leu70 at the binding site is likely to ensure an optimal conformation of the extracellular mouth that confers high TEA affinity. We further assembled the subunits of mutant and wt-Kcv into a series of heterotetramers. The differences in these heterochannels suggest that all of the four subunits in a Kcv channel additively participate in the TEA binding, and each of the four residues at the binding site independently contributes an equal binding energy. We therefore can present a series of mutant/wild-type tetramer combinations that can probe TEA over three orders of magnitude in concentration. This study may give insight into the mechanism for the interaction between the potassium channel and its inhibitor.
Population genetic evidence that basidiospores play an important role in the disease cycle of rice‐infecting populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG‐1 IA in Iran
Authors: Padasht‐Dehkaei F. , Ceresini P. C. , Zala M. , Okhovvat S. M. , Nikkhah M. J. , McDonald B. A.
Published: March 2012

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG‐1 IA causes sheath blight, one of the most important rice diseases worldwide. The first objective of this study was to analyse the genetic structure of R. solani AG‐1 IA populations from three locations in the Iranian Caspian Sea rice agroecosystem. Three population samples of R. solani AG‐1 IA isolates were obtained in 2006 from infected rice fields separated by 126–263 km. Each field was sampled twice during the season: at the early booting stage and 45 days later at the early mature grain stage. The genetic structure of these three populations was analysed using nine microsatellite loci. While the population genetic structure from Tonekabon and Amol indicated high gene flow, they were both differentiated from Rasht. The high gene flow between Tonekabon and Amol was probably due mainly to human‐mediated movement of infested seeds. The second objective was to determine the importance of recombination. All three populations exhibited a mixed reproductive mode, including both sexual and asexual reproduction. No inbreeding was detected, suggesting that the pathogen is random mating. The third objective was to determine if genetic structure within a field changes over the course of a growing season. A decrease in the proportion of admixed genotypes from the early to the late season was detected. There was also a significant (P = 0·002) increase in the proportion of loci under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These two lines of evidence support the hypothesis that basidiospores can be a source of secondary inoculum.
The Boundaries of Women's Power: Gender and the Discourse of Political Friendship in Twelfth‐Century England
Authors: Slitt Rebecca
Published: March 2012

The discourse of friendship was an integral part of political language and interaction in twelfth‐century England. Because the qualities that made a good political friendship – loyalty, wise counsel and generosity, among others – corresponded so closely to the criteria for successful lordship, historians often used the quality of a king's friendship as a signifier for the quality of his rule. Yet their treatment of women's political friendship was markedly different. The discourse of friendship therefore provides a window into the larger struggle over the representation of gender and rulership in twelfth‐century historical writing in England, reflecting chroniclers’ anxiety about female sovereignty. Twelfth‐century historians depicted women's participation in political friendship as acceptable only within certain circumscribed boundaries that corresponded to the sanctioned political roles for women in general. Otherwise, chroniclers attempted to efface the existence of women's political friendship, sometimes describing the same situations in different language depending on whether the main participant was male or female. Chroniclers also represented women as arbiters of friendship, showing men how better to conduct their relationships either through direct instruction or counter‐example. In both cases women reinforced male friendship, either by being excluded from it, or by demonstrating the correct way to carry it out.
Development of an instrument to determine competencies of postgraduate ICU nurses in Cyprus
Authors: Hadjibalassi Maria , Papastavrou Evridiki , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Tsangari Haritini , Athini Evdokia , Georgiou Evanthia , Nicolaou Elisavet , Merkouris Anastasios
Published: March 2012

Aims and objectives: The study sought to explore the expected competencies for postgraduate intensive care unit nurses aiming to develop a future competency‐based curriculum. The aim of this part of the study is to develop a new instrument to determine what competencies are expected of postgraduate critical care nurses.

Background: Despite existing competency frameworks that emerged from research in the area of critical care, globally and within countries there is diversity and an ongoing debate regarding level of critical care education, outcomes and competencies acquired.

Design and methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative approach was used. In first stage (qualitative), focus groups and interviews were used aiming to explore critical care nurses views concerning expected competencies of postgraduate critical care nurses. In second stage (quantitative), an 81 items Likert scale questionnaire, which was designed based on qualitative data and literature, was distributed among critical care nurses in Cyprus (n: 234, response rate 66%) aiming to receive feedback from clinical nurses and validate the instrument. Psychometric approaches such as internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's α and construct validity were used to validate the instrument.

Results: The final questionnaire includes 72 items and has a four‐dimensional structure. The four dimensions are (1) leadership/management and professional development, (2) decision‐making and management of emergencies, (3) provision of care and professional practice and (4) ethical practice. All factors were highly reliable, with Cronbach's α ranging from 0·895 to 0·974.

Conclusions: A new instrument to determine what competencies are expected of postgraduate critical care nurses was generated from this study. A new framework of competencies is grounded on this study that addresses the holistic, individualized and ethically informed quality care of critically ill and may inform educational strategies.

Relevance to clinical practice: Critical care nurses competencies need to be determined for quality care and speciality development.
The Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lu AA21004 and its Major Metabolite in Healthy Young Volunteers
Authors: Areberg Johan , Søgaard Birgitte , Højer Astrid‐Maria
Published: March 2012

Lu AA21004 is a novel multimodal antidepressant that is currently in phase 3 development. The objective of this report was to detail the clinical pharmacokinetics of Lu AA21004 and its major but inactive metabolite Lu AA34443 (3‐methyl‐4‐(2‐piperazine‐1‐yl‐phenylsulfanyl)‐benzoic acid) in healthy men and women aged between 18 and 53 years. Data from two single‐dose and one multiple‐dose study were combined; the total number of volunteers was 97 (64 men, 33 women). Blood and urine samples were collected after p.o. and i.v. administrations to determine the content of Lu AA21004 and Lu AA34443 performed with a validated method. Standard pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated with non‐compartmental analysis. The absolute bioavailability was 75%. After oral administration, Lu AA21004 showed an extended absorption phase, a medium clearance and a large volume of distribution resulting in late tmax values and a mean elimination half‐life of 57 hr. The exposure of Lu AA21004 showed a linear relationship with dose in the dose ranges studied (up to 75‐mg single dosing and 60‐mg multiple dosing). After weight correction, no differences in exposure for Lu AA21004 and Lu AA34443 were observed between men and women. The renal clearance of Lu AA21004 was negligible. The major metabolite Lu AA34443 had a half‐life similar to that of Lu AA21004 but a lower accumulation ratio at steady‐state, indicating formation‐rate‐limited elimination. In conclusion, Lu AA21004 showed an extended absorption phase, a medium clearance and a large volume of distribution.
Computational Aspects of Elasto-Plastic Deformation in Polycrystalline Solids
Authors: Borja Ronaldo I. , Rahmani Helia
Published: March 2012

The overall elasto-plastic behavior of single crystals is governed by individual slips on crystallographic planes, which occur when the resolved shear stress on a critical slip system reaches a certain maximum value. The challenge lies in identifying the activated slip systems for a given load increment since the process involves selection from a pool of linearly dependent slip systems. In this paper, we use an “ultimate algorithm” for the numerical integration of the elasto-plastic constitutive equation for single crystals. The term ultimate indicates exact integration of the elasto-plastic constitutive equation and explicit tracking of the sequence of slip system activation. We implement the algorithm into a finite element code and report the performance for polycrystals subjected to complicated loading paths including non-proportional and reverse/cyclic loading at different crystal orientations. It is shown that the ultimate algorithm is comparable to the widely used radial return algorithm for J2 plasticity in terms of global numerical stability.
Mechanics of Epidermal Electronics
Authors: Wang Shuodao , Li Ming , Wu Jian , Kim Dae-Hyeong , Lu Nanshu , Su Yewang , Kang Zhan , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A.
Published: March 2012

Epidermal electronic system (EES) is a class of integrated electronic systems that are ultrathin, soft, and lightweight, such that it could be mounted to the epidermis based on van der Waals interactions alone, yet provides robust, intimate contact to the skin. Recent advances on this technology will enable many medical applications such as to monitor brain or heart activities, to monitor premature babies, to enhance the control of prosthetics, or to realize human-machine interface. In particular, the contact between EES and the skin is key to high-performance functioning of the above applications and is studied in this paper. The mechanics concepts that lead to successful designs of EES are also discussed. The results, validated by finite element analysis and experimental observations, provide simple, analytical guidelines for design and optimization of EES with various possible functionalities.
Reversed-Polarity Secondary Deformation Structures Near Fault Stepovers
Authors: Ben-Zion Yehuda , Rockwell Thomas K. , Shi Zheqiang , Xu Shiqing
Published: March 2012

We study volumetric deformation structures in stepover regions using numerical simulations and field observations, with a focus on small-scale features near the ends of rupture segments that have opposite-polarity from the larger-scale structures that characterize the overall stepover region. The reversed-polarity small-scale structures are interpreted to be generated by arrest phases that start at the barriers and propagate some distance back into the rupture segment. Dynamic rupture propagating as a symmetric bilateral crack produces similar (anti-symmetric) structures at both rupture ends. In contrast, rupture in the form of a predominantly unidirectional pulse produces pronounced reversed-polarity structures only at the fault end in the dominant propagation direction. Several observational examples at different scales from strike-slip faults of the San Andreas system in southern California illustrate the existence of reversed-polarity secondary deformation structures. In the examples shown, relatively-small pressure-ridges are seen only on one side of relatively-large extensional stepovers. This suggests frequent predominantly unidirectional ruptures in at least some of those cases, although multisignal observations are needed to distinguish between different possible mechanisms. The results contribute to the ability of inferring from field observations on persistent behavior of earthquake ruptures associated with individual fault sections.
Drifting Impact Oscillator With a New Model of the Progression Phase
Authors: Ajibose Olusegun K. , Wiercigroch Marian , Pavlovskaia Ekaterina , Akisanya Alfred R. , Károlyi Györygy
Published: March 2012

In this paper, a new model of the progression phase of a drifting oscillator is proposed. This is to account more accurately for the penetration of an impactor through elasto-plastic solids under a combination of a static and a harmonic excitation. First, the dynamic response of the semi-infinite elasto-plastic medium subjected to repeated impacts by a rigid impactor with conical or spherical contacting surfaces is considered in order to formulate the relevant force-penetration relationship during the loading and unloading phases of the contact. These relationships are then used to develop a physical and mathematical model of a new drifting oscillator, where the time histories of the progression through the medium include both the loading and unloading phases. A nonlinear dynamic analysis of the system was performed and it confirms that the maximum progressive motion of the oscillator occurs when the system exhibits period one motion. The dynamic response for both contact geometries (conical or spherical) show a topological similarity for a range of the static loads.
Response to Comments on “Productivity Is a Poor Predictor of Plant Species Richness”
Authors: Grace James B. , Adler Peter B. , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Hillebrand Helmut , Hautier Yann , Hector Andy , Harpole W. Stanley , O'Halloran Lydia R. , Anderson T. Michael , Bakker Jonathan D. , Brown Cynthia S. , Buckley Yvonne M. , Collins Scott L. , Cottingham Kathryn L. , Crawley Michael J. , Damschen Ellen I. , Davies Kendi F. , DeCrappeo Nicole M. , Fay Philip A. , Firn Jennifer , Gruner Daniel S. , Hagenah Nicole , Jin Virginia L. , Kirkman Kevin P. , Knops Johannes M. H. , La Pierre Kimberly J. , Lambrinos John G. , Melbourne Brett A. , Mitchell Charles E. , Moore Joslin L. , Morgan John W. , Orrock John L. , Prober Suzanne M. , Stevens Carly J. , Wragg Peter D. , Yang Louie H.
Published: March 2012

Pan
et al
. claim that our results actually support a strong linear positive relationship between productivity and richness, whereas Fridley
et al
. contend that the data support a strong humped relationship. These responses illustrate how preoccupation with bivariate patterns distracts from a deeper understanding of the multivariate mechanisms that control these important ecosystem properties.
Renewable Cathode Materials from Biopolymer/Conjugated Polymer Interpenetrating Networks
Authors: Milczarek Grzegorz , Inganäs Olle
Published: March 2012

Lignin to the Rescue?

The increasing demand for rechargeable batteries is putting a strain on the availability of certain key raw materials. Lignin is the second most common biopolymer and typically makes up 25% of wood. Lignin derivatives are also readily available as by-products from the pulp and paper industry.
Milczarek and Inganäs
(p.
1468
) combined lignin derivatives, which are electronic insulators, with polypyrole, a conductive polymer, into an interpenetrating composite suitable for use as a cathode.
Comparing the needs of families of children dying from malignant and non-malignant disease: an in-depth qualitative study
Authors: Price Jayne , Jordan Joanne , Prior Lindsay , Parkes Jackie
Published: March 2012

Objective

To examine the experiences of bereaved parents concerning the care provided to children who died from cancer compared to those who died from a non-malignant condition.

Design

An in-depth qualitative study with bereaved parents of children who died as a result of a life-limiting diagnosis, recruited through two regional centres.

Results

Although parents' accounts displayed commonalities, key differences were discernible. Typically, parents of children with cancer considered care at the end of life as well resourced and responsive to their and their child's needs. In contrast, parents of children with non-malignant conditions reported under-resourced and inadequately responsive services. Although both groups of parents called extensively on military metaphors such as ‘battle’, ‘fight’ and ‘struggle’, the focus of their respective energies was different. In the one case the adversary was disease and illness; in the other it was service providers and service provision.

Conclusions

Community-based services for children and young people with cancer at the end of life were perceived by parents as responsive to parent and child needs. Conversely, community services for children and young people with non-malignant conditions were experienced as ad hoc and under-resourced. Community services for children with non-malignant conditions may require further development if they are to meet the levels of support offered to parents of children with cancer. If improvement is to be achieved, the need to raise awareness regarding hospice services, hospice referral and eligibility criteria across the entire gamut of service providers is essential.
Supporting family caregivers of hospitalised palliative care patients: a psychoeducational group intervention
Authors: Hudson Peter L , Trauer Thomas , Lobb Elizabeth , Zordan Rachel , Williams Anne , Quinn Karen , Summers Michael , Thomas Kristina
Published: March 2012

Background

Many family caregivers of palliative care patients experience poor health and have other unmet needs, requiring health professionals' support. However, there are few evidence-based supportive interventions to address these issues.

Purpose

The purpose of this project was to undertake preliminary testing of a psychoeducational group education programme, delivered in an in-patient setting, designed to prepare family caregivers for the role of supporting a relative currently receiving hospital-based palliative care.

Methods

A pilot phase was conducted to develop the intervention and explore its utility. Thereafter the single session intervention was delivered in five palliative care units in three states of Australia and its effectiveness was examined using a pre–post design. Outcome variables included caregiver preparedness, competence and unmet needs. Psychological wellbeing was measured in order to determine if there were any deleterious psychological outcomes.

Results

One hundred and twenty-six participants completed Time 1 data and 107 (84.9%) completed Time 2 data (post-intervention). There were statistically significant improvements in caregivers' sense of preparedness (p=<.001; effect size (ES) 0.43) and a significant reduction in unmet caregiver needs (p=014; ES 0.22). There was no significant effect on psychological wellbeing and the improvement on competence fell short of statistical significance.

Conclusions

This study reinforces the notion that psychoeducational interventions for this population can potentially be applicable, acceptable and effective. However, the number of participants who were recruited and attended each session was fewer than anticipated, resulting in methodological implications. It is recommended that the intervention undergo further empirical inquiry, such as via a controlled trial.
Efficacy of an incident-reporting system in cellular pathology: a practical experience
Authors: Rakha Emad A , Clark David , Chohan Brinder Singh , El-Sayed Maysa , Sen Soumadri , Bakowski Liz , O'Connor Simon
Published: March 2012

Background and aims

Incident reporting (IR) refers to systematic documentation of adverse incidents to facilitate their appropriate investigation and institution of corrective or remedial actions, and provide data to identify risk trends for recurrent problems. Minimisation of errors and reduction in process variation is recognised as an important goal of quality management and is an essential part of continuous quality improvement. Published data on the role IR plays in cellular pathology remains scanty.

Methods

In this study, the authors collected and analysed all incidents and adverse events reported in their department over a 2-year period.

Results

584 incidents were reported (0.5% of all cases processed). The majority (59%) occurred in the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory process with 23% in the analytical and 18% in the post-analytical phases. Booking-in and specimen labelling-related incidents were the largest single group (56% of all incidents), prompting further root cause analysis, but no other obvious patterns or trends were identified, and most incidents were followed by corrective actions on an individual basis. Most incidents (79%) posed potential harm, as opposed to causing actual harm to the service or patients. Only 78 cases (14%) posed a major risk to patients, such as specimen loss or mix-up, whereas 27% were associated with moderate risk and 59% with minor or insignificant risk.

Conclusion

Major risk incidents are relatively rare in the cellular pathology laboratory. IR should be included as an important component of a risk management strategy and clinical governance framework.
The persistence of irregular treatment of hypertension in the former Soviet Union
Authors: Roberts Bayard , Stickley Andrew , Balabanova Dina , Haerpfer Christian , McKee Martin
Published: March 2012

Background

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of avoidable mortality in the former Soviet Union (fSU). In previous work, the authors described patterns of irregular hypertension treatment in eight countries of the fSU in 2001. This paper presents new data on changes in the use of hypertension treatment in the same countries.

Methods

Using household survey data from 18 420 (2001) and 17 914 (2010) respondents from Armenia, Azerbaijan (2010 only), Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine, the authors describe changes in rates of irregular treatment use (less than daily) between 2001 and 2010. Multivariate logistic regression was also used to analyse the characteristics associated with irregular treatment.

Results

Irregular treatment was extremely high at 74% in 2001 and only fell to 68% in 2010 (all countries combined). Irregular treatment remained particularly high in 2010 in Armenia (79%), Kazakhstan (73%) and Moldova (73%). Recurring characteristics associated with irregular treatment included gender (men), younger age, higher fitness levels, and consuming alcohol and tobacco.

Conclusions

Irregular hypertension treatment continues to be a major problem in the countries of the fSU and requires an urgent response.
Case study of copper poisoning in a British dairy herd
Authors: Bidewell C. A. , Drew J. R. , Payne J. H. , Sayers A. R. , Higgins R. J. , Livesey C. T.
Published: March 2012

Following the initial diagnosis of chronic copper poisoning (CCP), the copper (Cu) status of a British dairy herd was investigated. Eight fatal cases of CCP were identified over a 17‐month period, from December 1999 to May 2001, involving seven Jersey cows and one Holstein‐Friesian; seven cows were dry when CCP occurred. Case diagnostic criteria were necrotising hepatopathy associated with abnormally high liver and kidney Cu concentrations. Analysis of the ration for the high‐yielding Jersey cow group revealed about 50 mg Cu/kg dry matter intake (DMI). Risk factors predisposing to fatal CCP were Jersey breed, previous high yield, first two weeks of the dry period and moderately high dietary Cu (greater than 40 mg Cu/kg DMI).
EFFECTS OF CHAMELEON SCALAR FIELD ON ROTATION CURVES OF THE GALAXIES
Authors: BURIKHAM PIYABUT , PANPANICH SIRACHAK
Published: March 2012

We investigate the effects of chameleon scalar field to the effective density and pressure of a dark matter (DM) halo. The pressure is generated from the chameleonic fifth force on the matter. We demonstrate that the thick-shell nonsingular boundary condition which forbids singular point, leads to extremely stringent constraint on the matter-chameleon coupling when applied to galaxy. We argue that chameleon profile with central singularity is more likely to develop in general physical situation. The chameleonic fifth force from the chameleon profile with central singularity experienced by DM could significantly modify the rotation curve of galaxies. The chameleonic fifth force could generate steeper cusp to the rotation curves in any DM profiles starting from the Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) to the pseudo-isothermal (ISO) profile. Upper limits on the coupling constant between the chameleon and DM are estimated from observational data of the late-type low surface brightness galaxies (LSB). It is in the order of β < 10-3.
DESIGNING OF A TESTING MACHINE FOR SHEAR-MODE FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH
Authors: KUSABA A. , OKAZAKI S. , ENDO M. , YANASE K.
Published: March 2012

As recognized, flaking-type failure is one of the serious problems for railroad tracks and bearings. In essence, flaking-type failure is closely related to the growth of the shear-mode (Mode-II and Mode-III) fatigue crack. In our research group, it is demonstrated that a shear-mode fatigue crack can be reproduced for cylindrical specimens by applying the cyclic torsion in the presence of the static axial compressive stress. However, a biaxial servo-hydraulic fatigue testing machine is quite expensive to purchase and costly to maintain. The low testing speed (about 10Hz) of the testing machine further aggravates the situation. As a result, study on shear-mode fatigue crack growth is still in the nascent stage. To overcome the difficulties mentioned above, in this research activity, we developed a high-performance and cost-effective testing machine to reproduce the shear-mode fatigue crack growth by improving the available resonance-type torsion fatigue testing machine. The primary advantage of using the resonance-type torsion fatigue testing machine is cost-efficiency. In addition, the testing speed effectively can be improved, in comparison with that of a biaxial servo-hydraulic fatigue testing machine. By utilizing the newly-designed testing machine, we have demonstrated that we can successfully reproduce the shear-mode fatigue crack.
Coordination Polymers of 4,4′‐(8‐Quinolinolyl‐5‐methylenoxy) Diphenyl Sulfide
Authors: Patel K. D. , Panchani S. C.
Published: March 2012

Coordination polymers containing a novel bis(oxine) bidentate ligand, namely 4,4′‐[(8‐Quinolinolyl‐5‐methylenoxy) diphenyl sulfide H2L have been prepared with the metal ions Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II). The novel bis‐(bidentate) ligand was synthesized by condensation of 5‐chloromethyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline hydrochloride with 4,4′‐dihydroxy diphenyl sulfide in the presence of a base catalyst. All of these coordination polymers and the parent ligand were characterized by elemental analyses, and IR spectral and diffuse reflectance spectral studies. The thermal stability and number‐average molecular weights (Mn) of all of the coordination polymers were determined by thermogravimetric analyses and non‐aqueous conductometric titrations, respectively. In addition, all of the coordination polymers have been characterized by their magnetic susceptibilities
Physicochemical Studies of Some Schiff Bases Derived From 6‐Ethylbenzene 1,3‐diol
Authors: Baluja Shipra
Published: March 2012

The schiff bases were synthesized and their characterization was done by CHN analysis, IR and NMR spectra. The physicochemical properties such as density, refractive index, conductance, heat of solution etc., of these schiff bases were determined
Synthesis of Some New 2‐Methyl ‐1,4‐benzothiazine‐3(1H)‐ one Derivatives as Potential Vasodilators
Authors: Deshmukh M. B. , Mulik A. R. , Dhongade-Desai Savita
Published: March 2012

The increase in the internal diameter of a blood vessel that results from relaxation of smooth muscle within the wall of the vessel is vasodilation. This causes an increase in blood flow and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. Some substances produced by tissue deprived of fresh blood seem to be responsible for the dilation. Many products of metabolism bring about the action, CO2 and acids are among them. Dilation of vessels is necessary to restore local environment of tissues and normal metabolism. It may prove to be potential in the treatment of different cardiac disorders like atherosclerosis, where, the blood vessels are narrowed due to deposition of plaque of substances like cholesterol etc. 1,4‐benzothiazines have been reported to possess wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. Here, we report the synthesis and biological activity of some new arylidenehydrazino‐(1H)‐1,4‐benzothiazines. The synthesized compounds were subjected to a prediction of biological activities. A software application (PASS) was used for this purpose. The relationship between structure and different biological activities was studied and it was found that the arylidenehydrazino‐(1H)‐1,4‐benzothiazines are expected to be potential vasodilators.
Synthesis of Morpholine Containing Sulfonamides: Introduction of Morpholine Moiety on Amine Functional Group
Authors: Singh D. , Bansal G.
Published: March 2012

Sulfonamides have been the center of drug structures as this group is quite stable & well tolerated in human beings. The synthesis of these structures was started in search of new pharmacological active reagents. These compounds are being tested for the desired activity (ICAM‐1/LFA‐1 Interaction inhibitors as anti‐adhesion therapeutic agents), the biological activity & structure activity relationship will be published elsewhere. Synthesis of morpholine moiety from amino group is done by using reagent 2‐chloroethanol.
Comparative Bioavailability of Four Marketed Sparfloxacin Formulations in Healthy Human Volunteers
Authors: Rao K. Ravindra , Ratna J. Vijaya , Rao T. Manikya
Published: March 2012

The objective of the study was to obtain the pharmacokinetic data of four marketed tablet formulations of sparfloxacin and compare the relative bioavailability of the formulations with standard formulation. A single dose 4×4 latin square design of the four marketed tablet formulations of sparfloxacin (200 mg) was carried out in four healthy male volunteers. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time intervals. The serum concentrations of the drug were determined by microbiological assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the plasma concentration of sparfloxacin versus time data. The AUC0‐α of the sparfloxacin from products A, B, C and D was 23.33±3.90 μg h/mL, 19.72±2.47 μg h/mL, 18.76±5.19 μg h/mL and 18.27±2.84 μg h/mL respectively. The Cmax and t1/2 of the sparfloxacin was 0.98±0.07 μg/mL, 14.91±1.30 h, 0.80±0.06 μg/mL, 15.75±2.37 h, 0.78±0.11 μg/mL, 16.01±1.98 and 0.81±0.04 μg/mL, 13.91±3.59 h respectively for the products A, B, C and D. The serum concentration of the sparfloxacin and other pharmacokinetic parameters obtained were statistically analyzed. The results of three‐way analysis of variance of serum drug levels and pharmacokinetic parameters showed that there was no significant variation between the products, subjects and treatments at all the points of time with regard to the AUC0‐α, Cmax and t1/2. The results of the study indicated that the products A, B, C and D are bioequivalent.
Extractive Spectrophotometric determination of Dimethoate in Environmental Samples with Azure‐B
Authors: Reddy K. M. , Chiranjeevi P.
Published: March 2012

A new simple and selective spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of dimethoate by using Azure‐B is described. The method was based on the alkaline hydrolysis of dimethoate in presence of sodium ethoxide to form sodium dimethyl dithiophosphate (Na‐DMDTP). The Na‐DMDTP was formed as an ion‐pair complex with cationic dye, azure‐B. The ion‐pair complex was extracted into chloroform. The color of the organic layer was measured at 535 nm. The method was applied to the determination of dimethoate residues in water, grain and soil samples.
Synthesis and Studies of 1‐[2‐(Aryl Amino‐2‐Oxo Ethyl) Amino]‐4‐(N‐Methyl Piperazino)‐Benzene Derivatives
Authors: Desai Akshay D. , Chikhalia Kishor H.
Published: March 2012

1‐[2‐(Aryl Amino‐2‐Oxo Ethyl) Amino]‐4‐(N‐Methyl Piperazino)‐Benzene Derivatives were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against S.aures and E.coli by cup plat method. From screening result some compounds found highly active against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria while other compounds possess feeble to moderate activity.
Physicochemical and Phytochemical Examination of Medicinal Plants Used in Indigenous System of Medicine
Authors: Santosh M. K. , Shaila D. , Chandrakumar T. , Rajyalakshmi I. , Rao I. Sanjeeva
Published: March 2012

The present paper deals with the physicochemical and phytochemical examination of seventy‐six medicinal plants belonging to thirty‐six dicot and six monocot families. These are used in indigenous system of medicine as well as local inhabitants either as single drugs or in combination, for the cure of various ailments. In physicochemical study, the parameters such as moisture content, pH (1% aqueous), total ash, acid insoluble ash, water‐soluble extractive and alcohol soluble extractive were carried out. The preliminary phytochemical study was done for the detection of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, flavonoid, glycoside, phenol, saponin, resin, steroid and tannin. The preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloid and saponin in 68.4%; flavonoid in 44.7%; glycoside, phenol and steroid in 72.37%; resin in 60.5% and tannin in 71% of selected medicinal plants.
Extractive Spectrophotometric Determination of Malathion in Environmental Samples Using Gention Violet
Authors: Reddy K. M. , Suvardhan K. , Kumar K. Suresh , Rekha D. , Chiranjeevi P.
Published: March 2012

A new simple and selective spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of malathion by using Gention violet is described. The method was based on the alkaline hydrolysis of malathion in presence of sodium ethoxide to form sodium dimethyl dithiophosphate (Na‐DMDTP). The Na‐DMDTP was formed as an ion‐pair complex with cationic dye, gention violet. The ion‐pair complex was extracted into chloroform. The color of the organic layer was measured at 587 nm. The method was applied to the determination of malathion residues in water, grain and soil samples
Photocatalytic Degradation of Thiram (Fungicides) under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Thakare Sanjay R. , Bhave N. S.
Published: March 2012

Pesticides in the different form are toxic to the environment and removal of its form the various sources is a difficult task. The thiram undergoes photocatalytic degradation under visible light when prepared TiO2∼PVA polymer composite was used as a photocatalyst. The data represent that prepared TiO2∼PVA polymer composite is a more efficient photocatalyst than the neat TiO2. Photocatalytic efficiency of prepared TiO2∼PVA polymer composite was measured in term of no adsorption of pollutant, higher degradation rate and act as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. 150 minutes are required for the complete degradation of the thiram. The end products of photocatalytic degradation of thiram are CO2, nitrate and sulphate.
Polyaniline Conducting Electroactive Polymers Thermal and Environmental Stability Studies
Authors: Ansari Reza , Keivani M. B.
Published: March 2012

In the current studies, polyaniline (PANi) was prepared both chemical and electrochemically in the presence of different bronsted acids from aqueous solutions. The effect of thermal treatment on electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of the PANi conducting polymers were investigated using 4‐point probe and TGA techniques respectively. It was found that polymer prepared by CV method is more thermally stable than those prepared by the other electrochemical techniques. In this paper we have also reviewed some fundamental information about synthesis, general properties, diverse applications, thermal and environmental stability of polyaniline conducting polymers.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Evaluation of Pharmacodynamic Activity of Copper and Nickel Complexes of Ethambutol Dihydrochloride
Authors: Annapurna M. Mathrusri , Rao M. E. Bhanoji , Kumar B. V. V. Ravi
Published: March 2012

Nickel and copper complexes of ethambutol [EB] were synthesized and characterized. On the basis of spectral and thermal data an octahedral geometry was assigned to the complexes with molecular formulae [Cu(C10 H24 N2 O2)2Cl2] 5H2O and [Ni(C10 H24 N2 O2)2Cl2] 2H2O. Coordination of ethylene diamine derivative to the metal ion was proposed. The anti‐tubercular activity of the complexes was evaluated using Lowenstein–Jensen medium and MABA [Microplate Alamar Blue Assay] methods.
Studies on the Optical Properties and Surface Morphology of Nickel Phthalocyanine Thin Films
Authors: Joseph Benny , Menon C. S.
Published: March 2012

Thin films of Nickel Phthalocyanine (NiPc) are fabricated at a base pressure of 10-5 m.bar using Hind‐Hivac thermal evaporation plant. The films are deposited on to glass substrates at various temperatures 318, 363, 408 and 458K. The optical absorption spectra of these thin films are measured. Present studies reveal that the optical band gap energies of NiPc thin films are highly dependent on the substrate temperatures. The structure and surface morphology of the films deposited on glass substrates of temperatures 303, 363 and 458K are studied using X‐ray diffractograms and Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM), show that there is a change in the crystallinity and surface morphology due to change in the substrate temperatures. Full width at half maximum (FWHM) intensity of the diffraction peaks is also found reduced with increasing substrate temperatures. Scanning electron micrographs show that these crystals are fiber like at high substrate temperatures. The optical band gap increases with increase in substrate temperature and is then reduced with fiber‐like grains at 408K. The band gap increases again at 458K with full of fiber like grains. Trap energy levels are also observed for these films.