bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaboration with general practitioners: preferences of medical specialists – a qualitative study
Authors: Berendsen Annette J , Benneker Wim HGM , Schuling Jan , Rijkers-Koorn Nienke , Slaets Joris PJ , Meyboom-de Jong Betty
Published: December 2006

Background

Collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and specialists has been the focus of many collaborative care projects during the past decade. Unfortunately, quite a number of these projects failed. This raises the question of what motivates medical specialists to initiate and continue participating with GPs in new collaborative care models.

The following question is addressed in this study: What motivates medical specialists to initiate and sustain new models for collaborating with GPs?

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with eighteen medical specialists in the province of Groningen, in the North of The Netherlands. The sampling criteria were age, gender, type of hospital in which they were practicing, and specialty. The interviews were recorded, fully transcribed, and analysed by three researchers working independently. The resulting motivational factors were grouped into categories.

Results

'Teaching GPs' and 'regulating patient flow' (referrals) appeared to dominate when the motivational factors were considered. In addition, specialists want to develop relationships with the GPs on a more personal level. Most specialists believe that there is not much they can learn from GPs. 'Lack of time', 'no financial compensation', and 'no support from colleagues' were considered to be the main concerns to establishing collaborative care practices. Additionally, projects were often experienced as too complex and time consuming whereas guidelines were experienced as too restrictive.

Conclusion

Specialists are particularly interested in collaborating because the GP is the gatekeeper for access to secondary health care resources. Specialists feel that they are able to teach the GPs something, but they do not feel that they have anything to learn from the GPs. With respect to professional expertise, therefore, specialists do not consider GPs as equals. Once personal relationships with the GPs have been established, an informal network with incidental professional contact seems to be sufficient to satisfy the collaborative needs of the specialist.

The concerns seem to outweigh any positive motivational forces to developing new models of collaborative practice.
Myocardial performance in conscious streptozotocin diabetic rats
Authors: Borges Giulianna R , de Oliveira Mauro , Salgado Helio C , Fazan Rubens
Published: December 2006

Background

In spite of a large amount of studies in anesthetized animals, isolated hearts, and in vitro cardiomyocytes, to our knowledge, myocardial function was never studied in conscious diabetic rats. Myocardial performance and the response to stress caused by dobutamine were examined in conscious rats, fifteen days after the onset of diabetes caused by streptozotocin (STZ). The protective effect of insulin was also investigated in STZ-diabetic rats.

Methods

Cardiac contractility and relaxation were evaluated by means of maximum positive (+dP/dtmax) and negative (-dP/dtmax) values of first derivative of left ventricular pressure over time. In addition, it was examined the myocardial response to stress caused by two dosages (1 and 15 μg/kg) of dobutamine. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences among groups, and two-way ANOVA for repeated measure, followed by Tukey post hoc test, to compare the responses to dobutamine. Differences were considered significant if P < 0.05.

Results

Basal mean arterial pressure, heart rate, +dP/dtmax and -dP/dtmax were found decreased in STZ-diabetic rats, but unaltered in control rats treated with vehicle and STZ-diabetic rats treated with insulin. Therefore, insulin prevented the hemodynamic and myocardial function alterations observed in STZ-diabetic rats. Lower dosage of dobutamine increased heart rate, +dP/dtmax and -dP/dtmax only in STZ-diabetic rats, while the higher dosage promoted greater, but similar, responses in the three groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that myocardial function was remarkably attenuated in conscious STZ-diabetic rats. In addition, the lower dosage of dobutamine uncovered a greater responsiveness of the myocardium of STZ-diabetic rats. Insulin preserved myocardial function and the integrity of the response to dobutamine of STZ-diabetic rats.

Conclusion

The present study provides new data from conscious rats showing that the cardiomyopathy of this pathophysiological condition was expressed by low indices of contractility and relaxation. In addition, it was also demonstrated that these pathophysiological features were prevented by the treatment with insulin.
Relationship between household wealth inequality and chronic childhood under-nutrition in Bangladesh
Authors: Hong Rathavuth , Banta James E , Betancourt Jose A
Published: December 2006

Background

Household food insecurity and under-nutrition remain critically important in developing countries struggling to emerge from the scourge of poverty, where historically, improvements in economic conditions have benefited only certain privileged groups, causing growing inequality in health and healthcare among the population.

Methods

Utilizing information from 5,977 children aged 0-59 months included in the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey , this study examined the relationship between household wealth inequality and chronic childhood under-nutrition. A child is defined as being chronically undernourished or whose growth rate is adversely stunted, if his or her z-score of height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the median of international reference. Household wealth status is measured by an established index based on household ownership of durable assets. This study utilized multivariate logistic regressions to estimate the effect of household wealth status on adverse childhood growth rate.

Results

The results indicate that children in the poorest 20% of households are more than three time as likely to suffer from adverse growth rate stunting as children from the wealthiest 20% of households (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 3.0, 4.3). The effect of household wealth status remain significantly large when the analysis was adjusted for a child's multiple birth status, age, gender, antenatal care, delivery assistance, birth order, and duration that the child was breastfed; mother's age at childbirth, nutritional status, education; household access to safe drinking water, arsenic in drinking water, access to a hygienic toilet facility, cooking fuel cleanliness, residence, and geographic location (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.8, 3.2).

Conclusion

This study concludes that household wealth inequality is strongly associated with childhood adverse growth rate stunting. Reducing poverty and making services more available and accessible to the poor are essential to improving overall childhood health and nutritional status in Bangladesh.
Cloretazine (VNP40101M), a Novel Sulfonylhydrazine Alkylating Agent, in Patients Age 60 Years or Older With Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Giles Francis , Rizzieri David , Karp Judith , Vey Norbert , Ravandi Farhad , Faderl Stefan , Dad Khan Khuda , Verhoef Gregor , Wijermans Pierre , Advani Anjali , Roboz Gail , Kantarjian Hagop , Bilgrami Syed Fazl Ali , Ferrant Augustin , Daenen Simon M.G.J. , Karsten Verena , Cahill Ann , Albitar Maher , Mufti Ghulam , O'Brien Susan
Published: December 2006

Purpose

Cloretazine (VNP40101M) is a sulfonylhydrazine alkylating agent with significant antileukemia activity. A multicenter phase II study of cloretazine was conducted in patients 60 years of age or older with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Patients and Methods

Cloretazine 600 mg/m2 was administered as a single intravenous infusion. Patients were stratified by age, performance score, cytogenetic risk category, type of AML, and comorbidity.

Results

One hundred four patients, median age 72 years (range, 60 to 84 years), were treated on study. Performance status was 2 in 31 patients (30%) and no patient had a favorable karyotype. Forty-seven patients (45%) had cardiac disease, 25 patients (24%) had hepatic disease, and 19 patients (18%) had pulmonary disease, defined as per the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation–Specific Comorbidity Index, at study entry. The overall response rate was 32%, with 29 patients (28%) achieving complete response (CR) and four patients (4%) achieving CR with incomplete platelet recovery. Response rates in 44 de novo AML patients, 45 secondary AML patients, and 15 high-risk MDS patients were 50%, 11%, and 40%, respectively. Response by cytogenetic risk category was 39% in 56 patients with intermediate cytogenetic risk and 24% in 46 patients with unfavorable cytogenetic risk. Nineteen (18%) patients died within 30 days of receiving cloretazine therapy. Median overall survival was 94 days, with a 1-year survival of 14%; the median duration of survival was 147 days, with a 1-year survival of 28% for those who achieved CR.

Conclusion

Cloretazine has significant activity and modest extramedullary toxicity in elderly patients with AML or high-risk MDS. Response rates remain consistent despite increasing age and comorbidity.
Phase III Trial of Gabapentin Alone or in Conjunction With an Antidepressant in the Management of Hot Flashes in Women Who Have Inadequate Control With an Antidepressant Alone: NCCTG N03C5
Authors: Loprinzi Charles L. , Kugler John W. , Barton Debra L. , Dueck Amylou C. , Tschetter Loren K. , Nelimark Robert A. , Balcueva Ernie Porteza , Burger Kelli N. , Novotny Paul J. , Carlson Mark D. , Duane Steven Fletcher , Corso Steven W. , Johnson David B. , Jaslowski Anthony J.
Published: December 2006

Purpose

Despite the utility of newer antidepressants for alleviating hot flashes, antidepressants do not work adequately enough in many patients. Gabapentin is a nonhormonal agent that also can reduce hot flashes. No data have been available to address whether the combination of both agents would more effectively alleviate hot flashes, compared with gabapentin alone, in patients with inadequate hot flash control with an antidepressant alone.

Patients and Methods

This was a randomized trial in which 118 patients with inadequate hot flash control on an antidepressant were randomly assigned to receive both an antidepressant and gabapentin versus being weaned off the antidepressant and receiving gabapentin alone. Patients were observed for 5 weeks (including a baseline week in which patients continued on their current antidepressant without gabapentin) during which time they completed validated daily hot flash diaries.

Results

Ninety-one patients provided complete data at the 5-week assessment. Regardless of whether or not the antidepressant was continued when gabapentin was started, there was an approximately 50% median reduction in hot flash frequencies (54%; 95% CI, 34% to 70% for combined treatment v 49%; 95% CI, 26% to 58% for gabapentin alone) and scores (56%; 95% CI, 26% to 71% for combined treatment v 60%; 95% CI, 33% to 73% for gabapentin alone).

Conclusion

Gabapentin seems to decrease hot flashes by approximately 50% in women with inadequate hot flash control who were using an antidepressant. This study saw no significant additional hot flash reduction from continuation of the antidepressant.
On the way to supramolecular photochemistry at the single-molecule level
Authors: Schäfer Christian , Decker Björn , Letzel Matthias , Novara Francesca , Eckel Rainer , Ros Robert , Anselmetti Dario , Mattay Jochen
Published: December 2006

Two examples of artificial supramolecular host-guest systems derived from resorc[4]arenes (calix[n]arenes based on resorcinol) and ammonium ions as guests have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). For the first time, real single-molecule events have been determined for this type of supramolecular complexes and off-rates as well as molecular parameters of single-molecule aggregates such as the depths of the binding pocket (molecular length parameter) could be measured by applying the methods of dynamic force spectroscopy. In addition, this technique was also applied to differentiate between the two states (open and closed) of a photoswitchable resorc[4]arene-anthracene tweezer. An investigation of the exchange rates of various complexes in the gas phase by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry confirmed the results of the AFM study.
Probing molecular properties and the role of the environment at the single-molecule level
Authors: Hofkens J. , Bell T. D. M. , Stefan A. , Fron E. , Müllen K. , De Schryver F. C.
Published: December 2006

Evidence for intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in synthetic systems consisting of a triphenylamine-perylenediimide donor-acceptor dendrimer or a triphenylamine-peryleneimide dendrimer at the ensemble and single-molecule (SM) level is presented. Moreover, for the first time a direct observation of the forward as well as the backward ET step is made in a single emitting entity. Fluctuations in the values of the rate constants for forward and backward ET were observed, induced by the local environment as well as by conformational changes of the dendrimer itself. The results obtained in a weakly coupled system can also be extended to a strongly coupled donor-acceptor system based on peryleneimide and penta-phenylene.
Vigilance Latencies to Aircraft Detection among NORAD Surveillance Operators
Authors: Pigeau R. A. , Angus R. G. , O'Neill P. , Mack I.
Published: December 2006

A function of North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) in North Bay, Ontario, is to identify all aircraft entering Canadian airspace. The first step in performing this task is to detect visually the presence of aircraft from either radar or transponder information presented on display consoles. This challenging, real-world vigilance task was used to investigate factors affecting detection latencies. The experiment revealed that performance varied as a function of geographic area of coverage, the midnight shift was particularly sensitive to vigilance decrements, and a vigilance decrement effect can occur in a real-world task, but this effect is not as strong as those reported in laboratory studies.
Estimates of Driver Mental Workload: A Long-Term Field Trial of Two Subsidiary Tasks
Authors: Zeitlin Lawrence R.
Published: December 2006

Two auditory subsidiary task measures of driver mental workload---delayed digit recall and random digit generation---were evaluated in a four-year field trial. Van pool members performed the tasks for 2-min periods while driving a mix of rural secondary roads, limited access expressways, high-density, limited-access urban drives, and downtown city streets on a daily commute from upstate New York to New York City. Data collected included the roadway being traveled, time of day, traffic conditions, vehicle density, speed, weather, brake applications, and driver's subjective difficulty rating. Subsidiary task degradation was a function of traffic density, average speed, and uncertainty (estimated by the number of brake depressions). Weather conditions moderated these variables. Unpredictability of traffic appeared to be the major determinant of perceived difficulty. The digit recall task correlated (r = 0.784) with driver ratings of task difficulty and (r = 0.808) with a calculated driver workload index based on brake actuations per minute plus the log2 of vehicle speed. Although subjective difficulty ratings correlated with subsidiary task performance and with objective criteria of traffic density and speed, some dissociation was noted. Indications of workload homeostasis were evident, as drivers appeared to modify their performance to keep workload within a comfortable range.
Industrial Injury Cost Analysis by Occupation in an Electric Utility
Authors: Dieterly Duncan L.
Published: December 2006

The objective of this study was to establish a cost base of industrial injuries by occupations at the Southern California Edison Company (SCE). The cost base is a risk management tool to project future costs of current injuries by occupation. It provides an estimation of anticipated cost for use in strategic program development. The SCE workers' compensation database of industrial injuries was used in this study. Cost data from 1980 to 1987 were converted to 1993 dollars. Several years must elapse for the total cost data to accrue for complex medical lost time injury cases. The total average cost per injury for the 46 occupations was $5173. The occupational total average injury cost range was $300-$19 500, a difference in total average injury cost of more than $19 000. The costing model developed included three major cost categories: lost productivity, medical, and indemnity. It is a conservative estimate of the actual cost of an average injury event. Reducing injury rates in high total average injury cost occupations offers the maximum potential for cost savings.
Acquisition of Control Skill with Delayed and Compensated Displays
Authors: Ricard Gilbert L.
Published: December 2006

The difficulty of mastering a two-axis, compensatory, manual control task was manipulated by introducing transport delays into the feedback loop of the controlled element. Realistic aircraft dynamics were used. Subjects' display was a simulation of an "inside-out" artificial horizon instrument perturbed by atmospheric turbulence. The task was to maintain straight and level flight, and delays tested were representative of those found in current training simulators. Delay compensations in the form of first-order lead and first-order lead/lag transfer functions, along with an uncompensated condition, were factorially combined with added delays. Subjects were required to meet a relatively strict criterion for performance. Control activity showed no differences during criterion performance, but the trials needed to achieve the criterion were linearly related to the magnitude of the delay and the compensation condition. These data were collected in the context of aircraft attitude control, but the results can be applied to the simulation of other vehicles, to remote manipulation, and to maneuvering in graphical environments.
The Measurement of Team Process
Authors: Brannick Michael T. , Prince Ashley , Prince Carolyn , Salas Eduardo
Published: December 2006

The construct validity of measures of team process was evaluated using predictive, known groups and multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) validation strategies. Military air crews ( N = 51) flew two simulated missions. Independent judges provided evaluations of the same six team process variables in both scenarios. An MTMM analysis of judges' ratings treating judges as a method variable showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Judges' mean ratings of the six process variables were correlated with mission effectiveness. Some process measures discriminated between student and instructor teams, thus showing discrimination between known groups. Conversely, an MTMM analysis of ratings treating scenarios as a method showed poor convergent validity. We concluded that important team process behaviors have been identified and can be rated validly but that multiple observations are necessary to assess characteristics of individual teams with any accuracy. The discussion includes implications for practice and future research.
Battlefield Recognition of Armored Vehicles
Authors: Briggs Ralph W. , Goldberg Joseph H.
Published: December 2006

Accurate and rapid recognition of armored vehicles as friend or foe is critical to battlefield success. As evidenced by incidents in the Persian Gulf conflict with Iraq, the potential for fratricide from inaccurate recognition is immense, even under favorable environmental conditions. Specific training on critical vehicle cues can aid in enhancing correct recognitions, and turrets are a major tank recognition cue. To assess the effectiveness of turret recognition, 10 male active duty U.S. Army captains made timed friend-foe determinations of 144 tachistoscopically presented drawings of U.S., German, Soviet, and British tanks. Each tank was represented as either whole vehicle or turret, presented for either 100 or 500 ms, and from either a flank or frontal viewpoint. Viewing the turrets was generally as effective as viewing entire vehicles, but frontal turret views produced much slower and less accurate recognition than did flank position turret views. Additional training is recommended for rapidly observing these vehicles from frontal viewpoints. Greater concentration on developing flexible decision heuristics based on turret features is one way to aid this training.
Predictors of Hearing Protection Use among Workers: Implications for Training Programs
Authors: Lusk Sally Lechlitner , Ronis David L. , Kerr Madeleine J.
Published: December 2006

In this study, we used the conceptual Health Promotion Model to identify predictors of hearing protection use among blue-collar workers ( N = 504). The strongest predictors were self-efficacy, benefits, value, and barriers. Items in the barriers scale were most strongly correlated with use and had the greatest potential for change. Therefore, items from this scale are being used as the primary basis for development of a training intervention program.
The Proximity Compatibility Principle: Its Psychological Foundation and Relevance to Display Design
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Carswell C. Melody
Published: December 2006

In this report we describe the concept of the proximity compatibility principle (PCP) and demonstrate its relevance to display design: Displays relevant to a common task or mental operation (close task or mental proximity) should be rendered close together in perceptual space (close display proximity). Different forms of task proximity are discussed, as are the different information-processing mechanisms that underlie the effects of the several different design manipulations of display proximity. Experimental data that support this process-based elaboration of PCP are then reviewed in design contexts relating to aviation, graphs, display layout, and decision aiding.
Influence of Flooring on Standing Fatigue
Authors: Redfern Mark S. , Chaffin Don B.
Published: December 2006

This study investigated effects of flooring on perceived tiredness, fatigue, and discomfort for workers required to stand while performing their jobs. Eight flooring conditions of varying thickness and stiffness (including one shoe insert) were evaluated by workers who answered a questionnaire. Questions were asked regarding whole-body tiredness. leg fatigue. and discomfort. Flooring had a significant effect on workers' perception. In general softer materials caused less perceived tiredness; however, one extremely soft floor resulted in higher ratings of tiredness. Similar results were found for material thickness. The shoe insert condition showed low tiredness ratings as compared with most floors, including one made of the same material. The discomfort ratings indicated that harder flooring materials caused greater discomfort. Discomfort of the lower extremities tended to decrease as distance from the floor increased. Low back discomfort was found for hard flooring surfaces.
Situation Awareness in Anesthesiology
Authors: Gaba David M. , Howard Steven K. , Small Stephen D.
Published: December 2006

Situation awareness has primarily been confined to the aviation field. We believe that situation awareness is an equally important characteristic in the complex, dynamic, and risky field of anesthesiology. We describe three aspects of situations of which the decision maker must remain aware: subtle cues, evolving situations, and special knowledge elements. We provide examples of real or simulated anesthesia situations in which situation awareness is clearly involved in the provision of optimal patient care, and we map the elements of situation awareness onto a cognitive process model of the anesthesiologist. Finally, we consider how situation awareness can be further investigated and taught in this medical domain using anesthesia simulators and analyses of real cases. The study of situation awareness in anesthesiology may provide a good example of the wider application of the concept of situation awareness to nonaerospace environments.
Judgments of Azimuth and Elevation as a Function of Monoscopic and Binocular Depth Cues Using a Perspective Display
Authors: Barfield Woodrow , Rosenberg Craig
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of three-dimensional display formats for judgments of spatial information using an exocentric frame of reference. Eight subjects judged the azimuth and elevation that separated two computer-generated objects using either a perspective or stereoscopic display. Errors, which consisted of the difference in absolute value between the estimated and actual azimuth or elevation, were analyzed as the response variable. The data indicated that the stereoscopic display resulted in more accurate estimates of elevation, especially for images aligned approximately orthogonally to the viewing vector. However, estimates of relative azimuth direction were not improved by use of the stereoscopic display. Furthermore, it was shown that the effect of compression resulting from a 45--deg computer graphics eye point elevation produced a response bias that was symmetrical around the horizontal plane of the reference cube, and that the depth cue of binocular disparity provided by the stereoscopic display reduced the magnitude of the compression errors. Implications of the results for the design of spatial displays are discussed.
Expert and Novice Recognition of Similar Situations
Authors: Federico Pat-Anthony
Published: December 2006

Situation assessment is crucial for making schema-driven decisions in naturalistic settings. Recognizing that some situations are similar to a specific category of scenarios underscores the classification aspect. To test hypotheses regarding expert and novice differences in recognizing similar scenarios, 28 senior naval officers and 52 junior naval officers classified tactical situations, each of which appeared on a note card, labeled every created cluster to convey a category description, and signified their criteria for sorting scenarios. Principal-components and discriminant analyses, and associated statistics, established that when categorizing situations, experts and novices used surface features and deep structures as criteria for recognizing similarity; experts are significantly more context-dependent than are novices; experts and novices do not differ significantly in the number of schemata and scenarios per schema formed or in the access avenues ascribed for these schemata; experts do not process scenarios at significantly deeper levels of analysis than do novices; and experts do not assign significantly more importance to conceptual aspects or less importance to perceptual properties than do novices.
Situation Awareness: Proceed with Caution
Authors: Flach John M.
Published: December 2006

Situation awareness (SA) is a relatively new concept that has captured the imagination of the human factors community. This new concept is considered in the light of Benton J. Underwood's discussion about psychological concepts. In particular the distinction between SA as a phenomenon description (Level 2 concept) and SA as a causal agent (Level 3 concept) is discussed. The argument that SA is valuable as a phenomenon description draws attention to the intimate interactions between human and environment in determining meaning (or what matters) and reflects an increased appreciation for the intimate coupling between processing stages (e.g., perception, decision, and action) within closed-loop systems. However, I caution against considering SA as a causal agent. When SA is considered to be an object within the cognitive agent, there is a danger of circular reasoning in which SA is presented as the cause of itself. As a causal explanation, SA is a simple, easy-to-understand wrong answer that, in the end, will be an obstacle to research. As a phenomenon description, SA invites further research to discover causal relationships between the design of human-machine systems and the resulting performance.
Measurement of Situation Awareness in Dynamic Systems
Authors: Endsley Mica R.
Published: December 2006

Methodologies for the empirical measurement of situation awareness are reviewed, including a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the potential limitations of the measures from a theoretical and practical viewpoint. Two studies are presented that investigate questions of validity and intrusiveness regarding a query-based technique. This technique requires that a simulation of the operational tasks be momentarily interrupted in order to query operators on their situation awareness. The results of the two studies indicate that the query technique is not intrusive on normal subject behavior during the trial and does not suffer from limitations of human memory, which provides an indication of empirical validity. The results of other validity studies regarding the technique are discussed along with recommendations for its use in measuring situation awareness in varied settings.
How in the World Did We Ever Get into That Mode? Mode Error and Awareness in Supervisory Control
Authors: Sarter Nadine B. , Woods David D.
Published: December 2006

New technology is flexible in the sense that it provides practitioners with a large number of functions and options for carrying out a given task under different circumstances. However, this flexibility has a price. Because the human supervisor must select the mode best suited to a particular situation, he or she must know more than before about system operations and the operation of the system as well as satisfy new monitoring and attentional demands to track which mode the automation is in and what it is doing to manage the underlying processes. When designers proliferate modes without supporting these new cognitive demands, new mode-related error forms and failure paths can result. Mode error has been discussed in human-computer interaction for some time; however, the increased capabilities and the high level of autonomy of new automated systems appear to have created new types of mode-related problems. We explore these new aspects based on results from our own and related studies of human-automation interaction. In particular, we draw on empirical data from a series of studies of pilot-automation interaction in commercial glass cockpit aircraft to illustrate the nature, circumstances, and potential consequences of mode awareness problems in supervisory control of automated resources. The result is an expanded view of mode error that takes into account the new demands imposed by more automated systems.
Effects of Single- and Dual-Task Practice on Acquiring Dual-Task Skill
Authors: Detweiler Mark C. , Lundy David H.
Published: December 2006

In two experiments we examined the effects of single- and dual-task training on the acquisition and transfer of dual-task skill. Subjects performed two consistently mapped (CM) visual search tasks (word-category search and spatial-pattern search). Experiment 1 demonstrated benefits in both reaction time and accuracy for dual-task practice over comparable single-task practice when the two search tasks were combined. Experiment 2 examined the effects of task timing under single-task, synchronous dual-task, and asynchronous dual-task conditions. Benefits similar to those found in the first experiment were obtained. These results suggest that dual-task training can be more effective than single-task training when two dissimilar CM search tasks need to be performed together.
Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A 20-Year Experience
Authors: Pietz Jeff , Achanti Babu , Lilien Lawrence , Stepka Erin Clifford , Mehta Sudhir Ken
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVE. Diet, indomethacin, and early use of dexamethasone have been implicated as possible causes of necrotizing enterocolitis and intestinal perforation. Because we seldom prescribe indomethacin or early dexamethasone therapy and we follow a special dietary regimen that provides late-onset, slow, continuous drip enteral feeding, we reviewed our 20 years of experience for the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and bowel perforation.

METHODS. We reviewed data on all 1239 very low birth weight infants (501–1500 g) admitted to our level III unit over a period of 20 years (1986–2005), for morphologic parameters, necrotizing enterocolitis, bowel perforation, use of the late-onset, slow, continuous drip protocol, and indomethacin therapy. Outcome data were also compared with Vermont Oxford Network data for the last 4 years.

RESULTS. In 20 years, 1158 infants received the late-onset, slow, continuous drip feeding protocol (group I), whereas 81 infants had either a change in dietary regimen, use of indomethacin, or early use of dexamethasone (group II). The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis in group I of 0.4% was significantly lower than that in group II of 6%. Group I, in comparison with the Vermont Oxford Network, had significantly lower rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (0.4% vs 5.9%), surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (0.4% vs 3.1%), and bowel perforation (0.35% vs 2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS. Our 20-year experience with 1239 very low birth weight infants suggests strongly that the late-onset, slow, continuous drip feeding protocol and avoidance of indomethacin and early dexamethasone treatment contribute to the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Sinopse do gênero Xylergates (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthocinini)
Authors: Giorgi José A. , Corbett Danielle C.
Published: December 2006

Uma sinopse do gênero Xylergates Bates, 1864 é apresentada. O seguinte sinônimo é estabelecido: Xylergatina Gilmour, 1962 = Xylergates Bates, 1864 e o novo restabelecimento de Xylergates pulcher Lane, 1957. Uma nova espécie do Espírito Santo (Brazil) é descrita, Xylergates capixaba. Uma chave para espécies é adicionada.
Novas espécies de Adetus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Apomecynini)
Authors: Martins Ubirajara R. , Galileo Maria Helena M.
Published: December 2006

Trata-se da descrição de novas espécies de Adetus LeConte, 1852, provenientes da Bolívia (Santa Cruz): Adetus cacapira sp. nov. e A. cecamirim sp. nov.; do Peru (Cuzco) e da Bolívia (Santa Cruz): A. inca sp. nov. e do México (Veracruz): A. catemaco sp. nov.
Pathotype diversity of Pyricularia grisea from improved upland rice cultivars in experimental plots
Authors: PRABHU ANNE S. , FILIPPI MARTA C. , ARAUJO LEILA G.
Published: December 2006

A study was undertaken to examine the pathogenic diversity of Pyricularia grisea isolates retrieved from 14 upland rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars in experimental plots during a period of five years. Inoculations were performed on 32 genotypes with 85 monoconidial isolates under controlled greenhouse conditions. Based on the reaction pattern of eight international differentials, eleven pathotypes of P. grisea were identified. The predominant international races or pathotypes were IB-9 (56.4%), IB-1 (16.4%) and IB-41 (11.8%). A set of eight commercial upland rice cultivars ('Carajás', 'Confiança', 'Maravilha', 'Primavera', 'Progresso', 'Caiapó', 'IAC-47', 'IAC-201') was utilized as additional differentials for describing the virulence pattern of P. grisea. Twenty-six Brazilian pathotypes were identified on the basis of disease reaction on these differentials, in contrast to the 11 international pathotypes. The most predominant Brazilian pathotypes, BB-21 and BB-41 were represented by 28.2% and 17.6% of the isolates tested, respectively. Isolates virulent and avirulent to cultivar 'Primavera' were encountered within the pathotype IB-1. Utilizing Brazilian cultivars as differentials, the 14 isolates of the pathotype IB-1could be further classified into eight local pathotypes, BB-41, BB-13, BB-21, BB-9, BB-29, BB-61, BD-9 and BG-1. Virulence to improved rice cultivars 'Canastra', 'Confiança', 'Carisma', 'Maravilha', 'Primavera' and 'Bonança' was frequent in pathogen population. Some of the Brazilian pathotypes that showed differential reaction on commercial rice cultivars could be utilized for incorporating resistance genes in susceptible cultivars improved for grain quality, by conventional breeding methods.
Identificação de marcadores RAPD ligados a um gene de resistência ao cancro da haste da soja
Authors: CARVALHO GERALDO A. , SEDIYAMA TUNEO , MARIN ANA LILIA ALZATE , BARROS EVERALDO G. , MOREIRA MAURILIO A.
Published: December 2006

O cancro da haste da soja (Glycine max) é uma importante doença causada pelo fungo Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis/Phomopsis phaseoli f. sp. meridionalis. Visando identificar marcadores RAPD associados a genes de resistência ao cancro da haste, causado pelo isolado CH8, presentes na linhagem UFV 91-61, foi realizado, inicialmente, um estudo sobre a herança da resistência, por meio do cruzamento desta linhagem com a variedade suscetível Paranaíba. Os resultados indicaram que um gene dominante controla a resistência a este isolado. Através de análises com marcadores moleculares na população F2 foram identificados dois marcadores RAPD produzidos pela amplificação do primer OPAB19. Os dois fragmentos de DNA de aproximadamente 1.150 e 1.320 pb produzidos por este primer estão ligadas em fases de repulsão e acoplamento, respectivamente, a uma distância de 4,7 cM do gene de resistência da linhagem UFV 91-61. Estes marcadores poderão ser usados para monitorar a introgressão deste gene em cultivares de soja adaptados e abre a possibilidade de uma sistemática procura de marcadores ligados a outros genes de resistência para o cancro da haste da soja, os quais poderiam ser posteriormente piramidados num único background genético.
Efeito da época, do número de aplicações e de doses de fungicida no controle da giberela em trigo
Authors: PANISSON EDIVAN , REIS ERLEI M. , BOLLER WALTER
Published: December 2006

A giberela é considerada uma doença de infecção floral. Para seu desenvolvimento, são necessárias temperaturas superiores a 20 ºC e períodos de molhamento das espigas maiores do que 72 h durante a antese do trigo (Triticum aestivum). Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram estudar o momento ideal durante a antese para realizar a aplicação de fungicida, o efeito do número de aplicações e de doses de fungicida sobre o controle da doença e sobre a qualidade dos grãos colhidos. Até sete aplicações realizadas durante a antese não erradicaram a doença (controle de 91%). Duas e três aplicações realizadas durante a antese apresentaram controle superior em relação a uma única aplicação. O controle médio dos tratamentos foi de 67% em relação a severidade. O incremento de grãos obtido de 32%, justifica economicamente a aplicação de fungicidas para o controle da doença em plena floração.
Identificação de fontes de resistência em feijoeiro a Sclerotium rolfsii
Authors: DANTAS SUZANA A.F. , OLIVEIRA SÔNIA M.A. , COELHO RILDO S.B. , SILVA ROBERTO L. X.
Published: December 2006

A podridão do colo do feijoeiro comum (Phaseolus vulgaris), causada por Sclerotium rolfsii, pode ocasionar grandes perdas na produção da cultura, já que as medidas de controle aplicadas para esta doença, não têm proporcionado resultados efetivos. Neste contexto, existe a necessidade de identificar fontes de resistência em cultivares e linhagens de feijoeiro a S. rolfsii. Os isolados foram obtidos de caules de plantas de feijoeiro infetadas, provenientes de diferentes sub-regiões do Estado de Pernambuco e a inoculação foi realizada por deposição de dez escleródios no colo das plantas, previamente ferido. A severidade da doença foi avaliada através de escala de notas variando de 1 a 9, proposta pelo CIAT, e os dados transformados para índice de doença de Mackinney. Todas as cultivares e linhagens mostraram-se suscetíveis aos isolados provenientes da Zona da Mata e Agreste, que foram considerados mais virulentos. As cultivares e linhagens que se mostraram resistentes ao isolado proveniente do Sertão foram: IPA-10, Corrente, Mão Curta, Gordo e L-96029, sendo este isolado considerado menos virulento.
Genetic and phenotypic characterization of isolates of Pyricularia grisea from the rice cultivars epagri 108 and 109 in the State of Tocantins
Authors: PRABHU ANNE S. , FILIPPI MARTA C. , ARAUJO LEILA G. , FARIA JOSIAS C.
Published: December 2006

An epidemic of rice (Oryza sativa) blast occurred on cultivars Epagri 108 and 109 in the municipalities of Lagoa da Confusão and Duerê in the State of Tocantins, during the rice-growing season 1998-99. DNA fingerprinting and virulence phenotype analysis were utilized to determine the diversity of Pyricularia grisea isolates collected from these cultivars in one epidemic year. Rep-PCR analysis of isolates was done by using two primer sequences from Pot2. Two distinct fingerprint groups or lineages were identified among 53 isolates collected from nine different commercial fields. The virulence pattern of isolates retrieved from these two cultivars was analyzed in artificial inoculation tests utilizing 32 genotypes in the greenhouse. A dendrogram constructed from virulence phenotype data showed a single group considering 77% similarity level. The predominant pathotype IB-45 was represented by 47 of the 53 isolates corresponding to 83%. Four other pathotypes (IB-1, IB-9, IB-13 and IB-41) were identified at random among the isolates from these cultivars. There was no relation between rep-PCR grouping and pathotypes. The results showed that the isolates of P. grisea recovered from cultivars Epagri108 and 109 in farmers' fields had narrow phenotypic and genetic diversity. The blast outbreak on these two cultivars one year after their introduction could be attributed to the new pathotype IB-45 or its increase, which was hitherto existing in low frequency.
Purificação de metabólitos fúngicos com efeitos tóxicos sobre Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: SILVA GERALDO H. , OLIVEIRA DENILSON F. , CAMPOS VICENTE P.
Published: December 2006

Objetivando o desenvolvimento de novas metodologias de controle de fitonematóides, este trabalho buscou purificar as substâncias nematicidas produzidas por Cunninghamella elegans, Fusarium sp., Paecilomyces lilacinus eP. variotii. Esses fungos foram cultivados em meio líquido Czapek-Dox durante 15 dias, a 25 ºC, em agitador orbital. Em seguida, filtraram-se as misturas, o que permitiu a obtenção de soluções que foram concentradas sob vácuo e submetidas à purificação direcionada por testes in vitro com Meloidogyne incognita. Observou-se que os filtrados de P. lilacinus e P. variotii perdiam suas atividades nematicidas após a concentração sob vácuo, sugerindo que as substâncias ativas produzidas por esses fungos são consideravelmente voláteis. Para o filtrado de Fusarium sp., observou-se perda total da atividade contra M. incognita após fracionamento em coluna de sílica gel, indicando instabilidade da substância nematicida frente às condições empregadas.Do filtrado de C. elegans isolou-se uma substância que, em solução aquosa na concentração de 250 ppm, imobilizou 94% dos juvenis do segundo estádio de M. incognita expostos a tal solução durante 48 h.
Geostical analysis of spatial dynamics of Citrus Variegated Chlorossis
Authors: ROBERTO SÉRGIO R. , FARIAS PAULO R. S. , BERGAMIN FILHO ARMANDO
Published: December 2006

The spatial dynamics of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) was studied in a five-year old commercial orchard of 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sp.) trees, located in the northern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. One thousand trees were assessed in 25 rows of 40 trees, planted at 8 x 5 m spacing. Disease incidence data were taken beginning in March 1994 and ending in January 1996, at intervals of four to five months. Disease aggregation was observed through the dispersion index analysis (Ib), which was calculated by dividing the area into quadrants. CVC spatial dynamics was examined using semivariogram analysis, which revealed that the disease was aggregated in the field forming foci of 10 to 14 m. For each well-fitted model, a kriging map was created to better visualize the distribution of the disease. The spherical model was the best fit for the data in this study. Kriging maps also revealed that the incidence of CVC increased in periods during which the trees underwent vegetative growth, coinciding with greater expected occurrence of insect vectors of the bacterium in the field.
Mycovellosiella robbsii sp. nov. causing leaf-spot on Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia
Authors: BARRETO ROBERT W. , MARINI FILLIPE S.
Published: December 2006

This is a description of the new species Mycovellosiella robsii, a cercosporoidal hyphomycete, associated with leaf spots on Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, an important hedge plant with multiple uses in Brazil. The new species was compared to other cercosporoid species associated with plants of the genus Mimosa and other species of the genus Mycovellosiella described on legumes, and is recognized as a distinct taxon. Koch's postulates were carried out and the disease was reproduced by inoculating healthy plants with mycelial suspension or disk, confirming the pathogenicity. This is the first report of a fungal disease on this host.
Efetividade de genes de resistência de trigo a oídio
Authors: COSTAMILAN LEILA M. , LINHARES WALESCA I.
Published: December 2006

Levantamentos periódicos da freqüência de virulência do patógeno causador de oídio (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) em trigo (Triticum aestivum)auxiliam na escolha de fontes de resistência para uso em cruzamentos. Este trabalho relata resultados de cinco anos de verificação de efetividade de genes de resistência para populações patogênicas de B. graminis f. sp. tritici oriundas do Brasil e do Chile. Amostras de oídio foram recebidas pela Embrapa Trigo, Passo Fundo, RS, em 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 e 2000. Inoculou-se cada isolado monopustular em plantas de trigo da série diferencial para raças. Foram identificadas 90 combinações diferentes de genes efetivos e inefetivos para resistência. Em 1995 e 1997, a maioria dos isolados foram virulentos com relação aos genes Pm3a, Pm3c, Pm8, Pm1+... e PmD1; em 1999, para Pm3a, Pm3c, Pm4b, Pm8, PmD1 e PmD2; e, em 2000, para Pm3a, Pm3c, Pm4b, Pm6, Pm8, PmD1 e PmD2. Em todos os anos analisados, permaneceram efetivos a todos os isolados os genes Pm2 e Pm4a+.... O número de genes inefetivos por isolado variou entre um e nove, no total de 13 genes ou combinações de genes testados. Isolados apresentando virulência a cinco genes ou combinações foram mais freqüentes em 1995 e em 1997, a seis em 1999 e a sete em 2000, o que pode significar aumento na complexidade da composição racial do patógeno a cada ano.
Identificação sorológica do vírus do mosaico das nervuras da videira no Brasil
Authors: KUNIYUKI HUGO , REZENDE JORGE A. M. , YUKI VALDIR A. , BETTI JUAREZ A.
Published: December 2006

Em São Paulo, ocorrem quatro isolados do vírus que induz o mosaico das nervuras da videira (Vitis spp.), os quais são diferenciados pelos sintomas que provocam em algumas variedades. Para confirmar a identidade desse vírus e o relacionamento existente entre os quatro isolados, foram aplicados os testes DAS-ELISA e TAS-ELISA usando anti-soros comerciais contra o Grapevine fleckvirus (GFkV). As fontes de antígeno foram tecidos de floema de ramos dormentes e de folhas jovens da brotação de primavera de videiras sabidamente infetadas. As reações nos testes imuno-enzimáticos envolvendo os quatro isolados do vírus foram positivas para o anti-soro contra o GFkV. Os resultados foram também positivos para amostras de 66 plantas infetadas de 26 variedades de videira procedentes de 11 regiões vitícolas de São Paulo e de 24 plantas de 12 variedades provenientes dos estados de Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte e Santa Catarina. Extratos de folhas novas e tenras apresentaram valores de absorbância mais consistentes do que extratos de ramos dormentes. Plantas não infetadas foram empregadas como controle negativo. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram que os quatro isolados virais possuem relacionamento sorológico com o GFkV, sugerindo que os mesmos pertencem ao complexo viral que causa o "grapevine fleck disease".