bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Oxadiazon on Peanuts and Weeds1
Authors: Buchanan Gale A. , Backman Paul A. , Rodriguez-Kabana R.
Published: May 2010

Oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2, 4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)- Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] was applied alone as a preemergence treatment and in combination with dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) as a cracking-time treatment to peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). During the years 1970 to 1972 the experimental area was heavily infested with a mixed population of annual grass and broadleaf weeds. During the years 1973 to 1975, the predominant species present were sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) and Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) D.C.]. Grass control was acceptable with 3.36 kg/ha of oxadiazon in 2 of the 3 years when benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-∝, ∝, ∝ -trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-p-toluidine) was not included. Commercially acceptable control of Florida beggarweed and sicklepod occurred with application of 3.36 kg/ha of oxadiazon. Substantial control was obtained with an application of 1.68 kg/ha. Generally, the addition of 1.68 kg/ha dinoseb to oxadiazon resulted in slightly improved weed control, particularly at lower rates of oxadiazon. Oxadiazon at rates of 6.7 kg/ha or more was phytotoxic to peanuts during the early part of the growing season. This phytotoxicity generally did not result in lower peanut yields. However, treated plants were more compact.
Correlation of Volatile Components of Raw Peanuts With Flavor Score
Authors: Brown Mona L. , Wadsworth J. I. , Dupuy H. P. , Mozingo R. W.
Published: May 2010

The direct gas chromatographic procedure for analysis of the volatiles of peanut butter and other food products was applied to raw peanuts. A glass liner packed with ground, raw peanuts was placed in the heated inlet of a gas chromatograph and allowed to remain in place while the volatiles distilled out of the sample onto the head of a cool column. The liner was then removed and temperature programming was begun. Raw, Virginia type peanuts from the 1974 and 1975 harvests were analyzed, and some gas chromatographic data were correlated with flavor scores of the roasted peanuts. Ethanol was the predominant volatile component, and it tended to increase as flavor quality decreased. The correlation coefficients, significant at the 1% level, between the flavor scores and the ratios of ethanol-to-methanol and ethanol-to-total volatiles were −0.87 and −0.88, respectively.
Air Flotation Velocities and Physical Properties of Peanuts and Foreign Materials
Authors: Blankenship Paul D. , Williams E. Jay
Published: May 2010

Physical properties of size, thickness, length, specificgravity, and flotation velocity were determined for various separations of peanut pods, kernels, and foreign materials. Pods had overall thicknesses large enough to allow removal of an average of 22% of the raisins and 32% of the rocks from the pods by screening. More than 96% of the peanut vines, weed stalks, and taproots were over 1 in long. Rocks and soil clods has specific gravities 2 to 4 times greater than pods. Flotation velocities for all of the materials varied from 100 to 3000 ft/min with most of the materials having velocities of 1000 to 2700 ft/min.
Blanching of Peanut Kernels As Affected By Repeated Rewetting-Drying Cycles1
Authors: Farouk S. M. , Brusewitz G. H. , Paulsen M. R.
Published: May 2010

Shelled Spanish peanut kernels were subjected to repeated cycles of rewetting and drying at three levels of drying relative humidity (20%, 40% and 60%) and a single level of rewetting humidity (90%). Temperature was constant at 40 °C for all the experiments. Effects of relative humidity, number of rewetting-drying cycles, and the level of moisture content on the percentage of blanching were observed and analyzed. The number of rewetting-drying cycles, and the relative humidity of the drying air were found to be highly significant. Univariate models predicting blanching percentage as a function of the number of cycles of operation at fixed relative humidity levels, and bivariate model predicting blanching percentage as a function of drying relative humidity and number of cycles were fit to the experimental data. Skin moisture content and moisture history are suggested as important factors in peanut kernel blanching.
Internal Pericarp Color as a Subjective Maturity Index for Peanut Breeding1
Authors: Gilman D. F. , Smith O. D.
Published: May 2010

Fruit of 10 peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes differing in botanical type and geographical source were evaluated to establish parameters for making reliable maturity determinations on the basis of internal pericarp color (IPC), and to compare the IPC, kernel density (KD) and arginine maturity index (AMI) methods of estimating peanut maturity.

Kernels from fruits with detectable, non-disease related internal pericarp darkening were significantly lower in density than kernels from fruits without internal pericarp darkening. No difference in density was detected between kernels from fruits differing in intensity of internal pericarp darkening. In general, two-seeded fruits with detectable non-disease related darkening in at least one orbital of the pericarp were mature, whereas fruits with no internal pericarp darkening were immature.

Mature fruit percentages were determined on sample sizes of 25, 50, 75, and 100 fruits. Although standard errors were consistently high for 25-fruit samples, means and standard errors were similar for sample sizes of 50, 75, and 100 fruits, indicating that estimates based on 50-fruit samples were reliable.

Post-harvest stability of IPC was evaluated from determinations made on five dates at 30-day intervals. IPC did not change sufficiently during the 120 day period to affect the maturity estimates.

Kernel samples classified as mature by the IPC method were significantly lower in density and free arginine content than kernels classified as immature. Correlations among maturity estimates using the IPC, KD and AMI methods were highly significant, with all coefficients exceeding 0.95.

The results indicate that peanut samples can be evaluated reliably for maturity by subjective classification of IPC. Maturity estimates on the basis of IPC were as effective as those determined using either the KD or AMI methods. The IPC method requires no sophisticated equipment and it is simple, rapid and nonsacrificial which makes it particularly useful in breeding programs involving large numbers of maturity determinations.
Reduction of Shelling-Plant Noise Caused By Impingement of Peanuts
Authors: Woodward John D.
Published: May 2010

Measurements in numerous peanut shelling plants revealed that the striking of metal surfaces by peanut pods and kernels was a major source of noise. Noise level was affected by thickness of metal and kinetic energy of peanuts (height of fall and flow rate of peanuts). Results from controlled tests showed that plant noise could be substantially reduced by use of modified handling techniques, by use of various damping treatments, and/or by enclosure of the noise sources.
Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Farmers Stock Peanuts In Flat Storage1,2
Authors: Leesch J. G. , Redlinger L. M. , Dennis N. M.
Published: May 2010

Farmers stock peanuts, bulk stored inside large warehouses, were fumigated for 24 hr with methyl bromide (bromomethane) after thorough sealing of the facilities. Temperature of the peanuts varied from 21.8° to 26.8° C and gas concentrations monitored in the headspace above the peanuts decreased from 20.1 to 12.2 mg/liter during fumigation. Gas concentrations in the mass varied considerably during fumigation, being highest at the bottom of the peanuts. Gas concentrations decreased to less than 1 mg/liter after 48 h of aeration. Although tremendous populations of insects existed before fumigation, no insects survived the treatment. Bromide residues were much below the tolerance on the peanuts, although looseshelled kernels accumulated slightly higher residues than did sound mature kernels from pods. The success of the fumigation was attributed to the good construction of the warehouses and to the thorough sealing performed before the fumigation.
Sensory and Nutritional Quality of Fortified Corn Muffins1
Authors: Ahmed E. M. , Araujo P. E.
Published: May 2010

Corn muffins were fortified with peanut, soybean and Liquid Cyclone Processed (LCP) cottonseed flours to achieve average protein concentrations of 5.55, 7.12 and 8.44 g/muffin and dietary fiber at concentrations of 1.20, 2.40 and 3.60 g/muffin. Average muffin weights ranged from 36.1 to 43.1 g. Quality of the control and fortified muffins was determined by sensory methods and animal feeding tests.

Sensory acceptability ratings for the peanut and soybean flour fortified muffins were higher than the rating of the LCP cottonseed flour. No difference was found between the sensory acceptability ratings of the muffins supplemented with peanut and soybean flours. Similar acceptability ratings were obtained for muffins fortified with the different levels of protein concentrations. Muffins supplemented with peanut flour at the level of 8.22 g protein/muffin and 1.20 or 2.40 g fiber/muffin were as acceptable to the sensory panel as the nonfortified corn muffins. Protein supplementation of corn muffins allowed weanling mice to sustain a maximal growth rate on a smaller dietary intake when compared to the nonfortified muffins.
Response of Five Peanut Cultivars to Gypsum Fertilization On Soils Varying in Calcium Content1
Authors: Walker M. E. , Keisling T. C.
Published: May 2010

Experiments were conducted to characterize the response to Ca of two recently released peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars, ‘Tifrun’ and ‘Early Bunch’ and to compare their response to that obtained from ‘Florunner’, ‘Florigiant’, and ‘NC-Fla 14’.

Gypsum (CaSO4•2H2O, approximately 72% CaSO4) was applied at rates of 0 and 1,121 kg/ha in a split plot design using the above cultivars. The experiment was conducted on Fuquay loamy sand low in Ca content and on Greenville sandy loam relatively high in Ca content. Yield, percent sound mature Kernels (% SMK), percent extra large kernels (% ELK), and percent oil in the seed were measured.

The peanut cultivars differed in their response to soil Ca level and to Ca fertilizaton. Gypsum applications did not increase % SMK and yield of Florunner significantly when soil Ca content was low and pH adequate, whereas the other four cultivars produced large increases in these factors. Gypsum applications to the low Ca soil with high pH increased the percent oil 4.0% for all varieties every year. The response of Tifrun and Early Bunch to gypsum fertilization was similar to Florigiant and NC.FLA 14 Tifrun quality factors and yields were comparable to Florunner on the Greenville soil without supplementary Ca, whereas Ca fertilization of the Fuquay soil was necessary. Early Bunch was similar to Florigiant and NC-Fla 14 in both yield and quality factors.
Estimating Defoliation of Peanuts From Spectral Data1
Authors: Harlan J. C. , Rosenthal W. D. , Smith D. H.
Published: May 2010

Analysis of spectral reflectance potentially can be used to determine the condition of a crop, e.g., drought stress and nutritional deficiencies. Since there is a paucity of information on the feasibility of quantifying disease severity in Arachis hypogaea (L.) with spectral reflectance measurements of the canopy, the objective of this study was to determine if spectral reflectance values of the peanut canopy could be used to estimate the amount of defoliation attributable to epidemics of Cercospora leafspot. Defoliation data and spectral reflectance values (Exotech 100-A radiometer) were periodically obtained in fungicide evaluation tests with varying amounts of defoliation, depending on the efficacy of the fungicide treatments. Combination parameters were developed from reflectance values and statistically compared with appropriate defoliation data. During this two-year study, defoliation percentages were accurately predicted (R2=0.89) by subjecting the combination parameters to regression analyses. Therefore, these results indicate that there is a definite relationship between canopy reflectance and defoliation resulting from Cercospora leafspot epidemics. Since full sunlight near solar noon is the only requirement for reliable reflectance measurements, this radiometric technique can probably be used to monitor development of leafspot epidemics and quantify yield losses on a large scale with either aerial or satellite measurements.
Protein Nutritional Quality of Meal Made From Several Cultivars of Peanuts as Measured by Rat Bioassay1
Authors: Miller Josephine , Phillips R. Dixon , Young C. T.
Published: May 2010

Peanut protein supported rapid growth in weanling rats when present in the diet in sufficient quantity. Defatted meal was prepared by cold pressing and hexane extraction of oil from seeds of Florunner, Tifrun, UF 70115, Tennessee Red, Tamnut and Comet cultivars of peanuts. A concentration of 16% peanut protein resulted in better growth than 12% protein from all cultivars tested. Increasing protein to 20% of the diet further improved growth of rats fed meal from some, but not all, cultivars of peanuts. Apparent digestibility of nitrogen in the meals was about 92%. Peanut meal is potentially a good source of protein for animal production if the peanuts and meal are properly handled after harvest to maintain the nutritional quality of the product. Some statistically significant differences occurred in growth performance of rats fed meals from the several cultivars of peanuts but these are not likely to be of practical importance. However, they suggest that protein quality of the peanut might be improved by breeding.

The nutritional quality of peanut protein is considered to be low because the concentration of several of the essential amino acids is below optimal levels for promoting growth of young animals. When compared with casein in the accepted bioassay for protein efficiency ratio (PER, Neucere et al., 1972) or by the slope-ratio technique (Hegsted et al., 19680), the biological value is commonly found to be 50 to 75% of that of the standard protein. Such tests are conducted with growth-limiting levels of dietary protein and provide little information on the potential capacity of a protein to support an acceptable rate of growth. Carpenter and de Muelenaere (1965) concluded that, under certain conditions, higher levels of poor-quality proteins would result in nearly as good growth of chicks, pigs, and rats as could be obtained with practical diets containing good-quality proteins. Defatted meal from Florunner peanuts, when incorporated into diets to provide 16.7% protein, supported growth of weanling rats at a rate comparable to that obtained with diets containing 12% to 24% of casein (Miller and Young, 1977).

This paper describes results of a study similar to that mentioned above using meal from several cultivars of peanuts that are of current commercial or genetic interest.
Effect of Quantity of Light on the Early Growth and Development of the Peanut1
Authors: Cox F. R.
Published: May 2010

The effects of the quantity and quality of radiation must be determined over a period of time in order to model the growth and development of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). Two phytotron experiments were conducted in which light intensity and the duration of light were varied and Florigiant peanuts grown. Dry weights of leaflets, petioles and stems, leaf area, and number of flowers of young noncompetitive plants were measured at four-to five-day intervals over a 39- or 46-day growth period. Top dry weight increased curvilinearly with increasing photosynthetically active radiation becoming asymptotic above about 23 E m−2 day−1. Leaf area differed due to light treatment much as did top dry weight but differences in light did affect the leaf area per gram of leaflet and the leaflet to top ratio. That the latter also was related to top weight should be useful in modeling. The main stems were quite elongated under the low light treatments but light quality may be a factor in this response. The number of flowers was markedly reduced as less light was received by the plants. Regression techniques were used to fit an equation to describe a daily radiation factor that can be used in a simulation model. This daily radiation factor compared well with those from field estimates. These relations emphasize the importance of radiation only at quite low light levels. There was no apparent interaction between intensity and duration so use of total light should be valid.
Cultivar x Environment Interactions in Peanut Yield Tests1
Authors: Wynne J. C. , Isleib T. G.
Published: May 2010

Cultivar x environment interactions for yield and several fruit traits were estimated from two groups of Virginia peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivar yield trials conducted in the Virginia-North Carolina production area.

A substantial cultivar x location x year second-order interaction was observed for yield in both studies. Both cultivar x location and cultivar x year interactions were small when compared to the variation among cultivars.

No advantage could be gained by subdividing the production area into subareas for breeding or testing purposes. However, a reallocation of the number of plots presently used could give comparable estimates of cultivar performance and reduce the time necessary for cultivar evaluation.
Arginine Maturity Index: Relationship With Other Traits in Peanuts1
Authors: Hammons Ray O. , Tai Peter Y. P. , Young Clyde T.
Published: May 2010

‘Spancross’, ‘Florunner’, and ‘Florigiant’ cultivars were used to determine the relationship between arginine maturity index (AMI) and other traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Samples were taken weekly beginning 73 days after planting in 1973 and biweekly beginning 77 days after planting in 1974. AMI-1 was measured on fresh fruit and AMI-2 was measured on dry seed. The relationship between these two characters was greater than r = 0.85 in each cultivar tested. Both AMI-1 and AMI-2 were positively correlated to percent of other kernels and negatively correlated to pod yield, and percentages of total sound mature kernels, total kernels, dry matter, and mature seed. Among these correlations AMI-pod yield was weakest, whereas AMI-percent of total sound mature kernels was strongest. The quadratic polynomial, Y = a + bx + cx2, was used to fit the distribution curve for each trait. Florunner and Florigiant appeared to have similar patterns in all traits except percent of mature seed, but they differed from Spancross in these traits.
Sclerotinia Blight Development in Peanut Vines Injured by Tractor Tires1
Authors: Porter D. M. , Powell N. L.
Published: May 2010

Peanut plants injured by tractor tires during the application of pesticides were infected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum more frequently than similar uninjured plants. Percentage of infection in injured plants was more than twice that in uninjured plants. Pod yields were less in injured plants infected with S. sclerotiorum than in uninjured plants infected with S. sclerotiorum. The relationship between tire injury and subsequent infection by S. sclerotiorum was clearly shown on aerial infrared photographs.
Isolation and Characterization of Novel Microsatellite Markers in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)
Authors: Pirseyedi Seyed Mostafa , Valizadehghan Sahar , Mardi Mohsen , Ghaffari Mohammad Reza , Mahmoodi Parvaneh , Zahravi Mehdi , Zeinalabedini Mehrshad , Nekoui Seyed Mojtaba Khayam
Published: May 2010

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been cultivated from ancient times for its economic, ornamental and medicinal properties globally. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers from a repeat-enriched genomic library of Punica granatum L. The genetic diversity of these loci was assessed in 60 genotypes of Punica granatum L. All loci were variable: the number of polymorphic alleles per locus ranged from two to five (average 2.9). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.15 to 0.87 and 0.29 to 0.65, respectively. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.26 to 0.61 (average: 0.43). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that polymorphic microsatellite markers have been reported for P. granatum L. These new markers should allow studies of the population structure and genetic diversity of pomegranate to be performed in the future.
Antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial strains isolated from Periplaneta americana and Musca domestica in Tangier, Morocco
Authors: Bouamamaa Lamiaa , Sorlozano Antonio , Laglaoui Amin , Lebbadi Mariam , Aarab Ahmed , Gutierrez José
Published: May 2010

Background:  Flies and cockroaches are two insects in close contact with human beings. They are carriers of human pathogenic bacteria on the external areas of their bodies or in their digestive tracts. This study examines Periplaneta americana and Musca domestica collected from the residential areas of six districts in Tangier, Morocco. Methodology: In total, 251 bacteria were isolated from external areas of the participants' bodies and the antimicrobial susceptibility was calculated. Results: The predominant bacterial species included Escherichia coli (17.9%), Klebsiella spp. (14.7%), Providencia spp. (9.6%), Staphylococcus spp. (15.1%) and Enterococcus spp. (11.6%). The study showed no difference between the species of bacterial strains from American cockroaches and houseflies. Carbapenems and aminoglycosides were active against 100% of the Gram-negative bacilli isolated in this study. Staphylococcus spp. strains were susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin, daptomycin, levofloxacin and cotrimoxazole, and no antibiotic resistance was found in Enterococcus spp. Conclusions: In our setting, although both cockroaches and flies collected from residential areas may be vectors of human pathogenic bacteria, the infections caused by them are easily treatable as a result of the high susceptibility of their bacteria to antibiotics routinely used in the community or in hospitals.
High prevalence of trimethoprim-resistance cassettes in class 1 and 2 integrons in Senegalese Shigella spp isolates
Authors: Gassama Sow Amy , Aïdara-Kane Awa , Barraud Olivier , Gatet Martine , Denis François , Ploy Marie Cécile
Published: May 2010

Background: Integrons have a well-established role in the dissemination of resistance among Gram-negative pathogens and are thus a useful marker of antibiotic resistance. Shigellae are noteworthy for their multiple drug resistance, having gradually acquired resistance to most widely use and inexpensive antimicrobial drugs. Methodology: A total of 32 Shigella strains belonging to serotypes flexneri, dysenteriae, and boydii 20, a new Shigella serovar, resistant to at least four antibiotics were analyzed by molecular techniques.Results: Class 1 integrons were the most prevalent (92.8%); class 2 integrons were found in 16 strains (57.1%). Fifty percent of the strains harboured both class 1 and 2 integrons (intI1 and intI2 genes); this combination of integrase genes was most prevalent in S. boydii 20 and S. dysenteriae strains. The class 1 integrons detected contained dfr and aadA cassettes, alone or in combination (dfrA5/dfrA15, or dfrA15-aadA1, dfrA1-aadA2), and an atypical cassette array with an insertion sequence (oxa30-aadA1-IS1). For class 2 integrons, we detected either the same cassettes as those found in Tn7 (dfrA1-sat1-aadA1-orfX) or truncated class 2 integrons without aadA1 or orfX. The tns genes were absent from all class 2 integrons.The distribution of integrons among RAPD profiles and serotypes revealed a clonal spread of integrons into serotypes and a transfer of integrons between different serotypes. Conclusions: The detection of integrons in a new Shigella serovar, in addition with a high integron prevalence among Shigella strains, confirms the propensity of shigellae to acquire and disseminate resistance determinants.
Ovine clone ST1464: A predominant genotype of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius isolated from sheep in Sudan
Authors: Elbir Haitham , Feil Edward J. , Drancourt Michel , Roux Véronique , El Sanousi Sulieman M , Eshag Mona , Colque-Navarro Patricia , Kühn Inger , Flock Jan-Ingmar
Published: May 2010

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the phenotypic and genotypic relatedness of 17 Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius isolates recovered from sheep abscesses in Khartoum state, Sudan, during the period 2007-2008. Methodology: This sample was characterised using antibiogram typing, biochemical typing with the commercial PhenePlate system (PhP-CS) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Results: Low levels of resistance were noted to the 11 antimicrobial agents tested. All the isolates corresponded to a single PhP type, and to a single, novel, multilocus sequence type, designated ST1464.  Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the vast majority of cases of sheep abscess disease in Khartoum state are caused by a single novel clone of S. aureus subsp. anaerobius.
Thinking Strategies of Baccalaureate Nursing Students Prompted by Self-Regulated Learning Strategies
Authors: Kuiper RuthAnne , Murdock Nancy , Grant Nancy
Published: May 2010

The standard in nursing education today is to prepare nurses for future practice through generic programs with a culminating practicum experience. The clinical faculty in this program was interested in evaluating differences in student thinking strategies that occurred as a result of an increase from 60 to 120 clinical hours, coupled with reflective journaling. The Self-Regulated Learning model was used as a conceptual support for the journaling prompts, as well as a structure for narrative analysis. The 120-hour practicum group revealed a greater use of metacognitive self-evaluation strategies versus greater use of behavioral self-monitoring strategies by the 60-hour practicum group. This finding suggests that although self-observation and self-monitoring are important and desired thinking habits to develop in nursing students, an increase to 120 hours is beneficial. It promotes a greater use of self-evaluation of thinking and greater levels of self-efficacy in making decisions to solve clinical problems.
A Conceptual Framework for Scientific Writing in Nursing
Authors: Regan Mary , Pietrobon Ricardo
Published: May 2010

Formal scientific writing is the central mode of communication used across disciplines to disseminate ideas and persuade others of the validity of scientific arguments. Dissemination of knowledge is important because it provides evidence for nursing practices and plays a critical part in defining the boundaries of the discipline. Despite its relevance to nursing, education about this essential skill is not currently evidence based and relies on a combination of mentorship and trial and error. This is problematic because considerable time is required to become proficient using that method, which slows down the dissemination of knowledge and creates a barrier for many skilled individuals who aspire to a career in academics. This article’s aim is to present a conceptual framework for scientific writing that has been used in medical education and to demonstrate how it could be used to structure educational programs to teach novice nursing scholars about scientific writing.
Teaching Quality Improvement
Authors: Murray Mary Ellen , Douglas Stephen , Girdley Diana , Jarzemsky Paula
Published: May 2010

Practicing nurses are required to engage in quality improvement work as a part of their clinical practice, but few undergraduate nursing education programs offer course work and applied experience in this area. This article presents a description of class content and teaching strategies, assignments, and evaluation strategies designed to achieve the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing competencies related to quality improvement and interdisciplinary teams. Students demonstrate their application of the quality improvement process by designing and implementing a small-scale quality improvement project that they report in storyboard format on a virtual conference Web site.
Epiblepharon Related to High Body Mass Index in Korean Children
Authors: Ahn Hee Bae , Seo Jang Won , Yoo Jae Ho , Jeong Woo Jin , Park Woo Chan , Rho Sae Heun
Published: May 2010

Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical manifestations of epiblepharon in Korean children and the relationship between this condition and body mass index.

Methods:
In a retrospective case–control study, 223 children 6 to 15 years of age treated surgically for epiblepharon were studied and compared with an age-matched control group of 264 children. Data on age, sex, weight, height, and recurrence were recorded.

Results:
Mean age of the patients was 8.63 ± 4.43 years. Lower eyelids were commonly involved bilaterally. Chief complaints included ocular discomfort, eye rubbing, visual disturbances, photophobia, and epiphora. Minimal resection of orbicularis oculi with full-thickness eyelid rotatory suture for epiblepharon was performed on 223 patients. The body mass index in girls 12 to 15 years old with epiblepharon was significantly higher than that in children without epiblepharon (P < .05). There was a statistically significant correlation between the incidence of epiblepharon and obesity with aging in girls (P < .05). Reoperation was performed on 12 patients (4.4%) because of recurrence of corneal irritation with inverted eyelashes. Clinical factors such as sex, age, and body mass index did not affect the rate of recurrence.

Conclusion:
Epiblepharon is one of the most common eyelid abnormalities among Asian children. Obese Korean girls aged 12 to 15 years demonstrated symptomatic epiblepharon at a statistically significant level.
Effect of Intracameral Cefuroxime on Fibrinous Uveitis After Pediatric Cataract Surgery
Authors: Gradin Dan , Mundia Daniel
Published: May 2010

Purpose:
To determine whether intracameral cefuroxime reduces postoperative fibrin formation after pediatric cataract surgery.

Methods:
Children aged 3 months to 10 years with bilateral congenital or developmental cataracts who underwent surgery between February and July 2008 were eligible for inclusion in this prospective double-masked study. The same surgical technique was used in each eye. The intraocular lens was placed in either the bag or sulcus in both eyes. The same intraocular lens type was used in both eyes (polymethylmethacrylate). One eye was randomized to receive intracameral cefuroxime at the end of surgery and the fellow eye received saline. The surgeon was masked to the treatment assignment. The amount of fibrin formation in the anterior chamber of each eye was assessed by a masked grader on the fourth postoperative day.

Results:
Seventy eyes of 35 children were included in the study. Fibrin formation was noted on the fourth postoperative day in 14 of 70 eyes (20%), 7 in the cefuroxime group and 7 in the saline group. The mean fibrin score was 0.57 ± 1.31 in the cefuroxime group and 0.49 ± 1.07 in the saline group. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of fibrin formation between groups (P = .857, Wilcoxon ranked signs test).

Conclusion:
Intracameral cefuroxime did not significantly reduce postoperative fibrin formation in this study. Fibrin formation does not appear to be due to bacterial contamination in most cases of pediatric cataract surgery.
Action of Botulinum Toxin on Isometric Contraction of Medial and Lateral Rectus Muscles in Esotropic or Exotropic Patients
Authors: Santos Ely Almeida , Lira Rodrigo Pessoa Cavalcanti , Bicas Harley Edison Almaral , Gaete Maria Isabelle Lynch
Published: May 2010

Purpose:
To study the action of botulinum toxin A on isometric contraction of the medial and lateral rectus muscles in esotropic or exotropic patients.

Methods:
Isometric contraction in patients with strabismus (exotropic and esotropic) and in volunteers without strabismus was compared 30 days after the use of botulinum toxin A.

Results:
Findings show that this drug has changed the strength ratio between direct agonist and antagonist muscles. This has promoted the displacement of the point of equilibrium between muscle strengths toward the nasal direction in esotropic cases, toward the temporal direction in exotropic cases, and subsequent deviation of the eye toward its primary position. The average achieved correction was approximately 10 prism diopters in both groups of patients.

Conclusion:
In both exotropia and esotropia, the average variations in the induced points of equilibrium related to injection of botulinum toxin A were similar. This means that the greatest percentage of corrections happened in cases of small deviations.
Comparison of LASEK and LASIK with Thin and Ultrathin Flaps After Excimer Laser Ablation with the SCHWIND Aspheric Ablation Profile
Authors: Arbelaez Maria Clara , Vidal Camila , Arba Mosquera Samuel
Published: May 2010

Purpose:

To compare visual, refractive, and wavefront aberration outcomes of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), thin-flap LASIK (flap thickness 110 to 130 μm), and ultrathin-flap LASIK (flap thickness <110 μm) after excimer laser ablation with an aspheric ablation profile.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 97 eyes of 56 patients with myopia <6.00 diopters (D) sphere (30 eyes, alcohol-assisted LASEK; 30 eyes, LASIK 110; and 37 eyes, LASIK 130) was conducted. Surgery was performed using the SCHWIND ESIRIS Aberration-Free™ aspheric ablation profile and the Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome.

Results:

Groups were comparable preoperatively except for lower astigmatism and ocular trefoil (3,+3) in the LASIK 130 group and lower corneal thickness in the LASEK group. At 6 months postoperative, the groups were comparable for uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, efficacy index, safety, and refractive predictability. All groups demonstrated improved contrast sensitivity. All groups demonstrated a significant change in spherical aberration compared to preoperative levels. The induced spherical aberration was 0.057 μm/D in the LASEK group, 0.039 μm/D in the LASIK 110 group, and 0.044 μm/D in the LASIK 130 group. Other higher order aberrations did not show significant change except for a reduction in corneal trefoil (
P
=.034) in the LASEK group and increased ocular trefoil (
P
=.002) in the LASIK 110 group. The extent of change in higher order aberrations was not significantly different among groups.

Conclusions:

The aspheric ablation profile is safe, effective, and predictable and produces similar visual and refractive results with three different surgical approaches of LASEK, thin-flap LASIK, and ultrathin-flap LASIK. The ablation profile demonstrated a low induction rate of higher order aberrations regardless of surgical approach.
Comparison of the Toric Implantable Collamer Lens and Bioptics for Myopic Astigmatism
Authors: Choi Sung-Ho , Lee Myoung-Ok , Chung Eui-Sang , Chung Tae-Young
Published: May 2010

Purpose:

To compare results between toric implantable collamer lens (TICL) implantation and bioptics (ICL and excimer laser ablation) for the correction of myopic astigmatism.

Methods:

A retrospective evaluation was performed in 29 eyes (20 patients) with TICL implantation and 26 eyes (17 patients) treated with bioptics. For eyes treated with bioptics, corneal ablation was performed at 1.5 to 5 months (mean 2.56 months) after ICL implantation by laser epithelial keratomileusis in 17 eyes, LASIK in 8 eyes, and photorefractive keratectomy in 1 eye. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity, refraction, adverse events, safety, and efficacy were assessed preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results:

At 1 month postoperatively, UDVA in the TICL group was significantly higher than in the bioptics group (
P
=.02). However, the difference in UDVA at 12 months was not significant. At 12 months, mean spherical equivalent refraction was 0.33±0.21 diopters (D) in the TICL group and 0.29±0.41 D in the bioptics group (
P
=.07). Mean astigmatic error was higher in the TICL group (−0.42±0.32 D) than in the bioptics group (−0.32±0.38 D) (
P
=.10). In the bioptics group, the mean refractive cylinder at 12 months decreased from that reported at 6 months because of retreatment performed in two eyes. Safety and efficacy were not statistically different between groups. One eye with a TICL was treated to correct TICL decentration. Two crystalline lens opacities were observed after bioptics.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that TICL implantation provides reliable visual outcomes similar to bioptics. The advantages of TICL implantation are a more stable visual outcome and the elimination of laser treatments and their inherent risks.
An Examination of the Construct Validity of the Motor-Free Visual Perceptual Test—Third Edition (MVPT-3) Using Rasch Analysis with Adult Participants
Authors: Brown Ted
Published: May 2010

Visual perceptual skills of adults are often assessed by occupational therapists using standardized tests. The Motor-Free Visual Perception Test—Third Edition (MVPT-3) is a frequently used test, although its construct validity has not been thoroughly evaluated. The purpose of the study was to consider the construct validity of the MVPT-3 by evaluating its scalability/interval level measurement, unidimensionality, lack of differential item functioning (DIF), and hierarchical ordering of its items when completed by a group of adult participants. The visual perceptual performance scores from a sample of 221 participants 20 years or older (49 adults with neurological impairment and 172 adults without) were used to complete a Rasch analysis (RA) of the MVPT-3. When analyzed using RA, the MVPT-3 exhibited adequate measurement properties. However, several MVPT-3 scales exhibited RA misfit (items 40, 45, 54, 56, 61, 64) or DIF (items 57, 60, 61). The construct validity, scalability, unidimensionality, hierarchical ordering, and lack of DIF requirements were met by most (87.7%; 8 of 65 items) of the MVPT-3 scale items. When using the MVPT-3 to assess adult clients, clinicians should consider the items that exhibited RA misfit or DIF when interpreting scores.
A Clinical Comparison of Dynamic Contour Tonometry Versus Goldmann Applanation Tonometry
Authors: Yalcinbayir Ozgur , Baykara Mehmet , Atasoy Aydin , Ozcetin Hikmet
Published: May 2010

Background and Objective:

To compare the intraocular pressures (IOP) obtained with dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and to determine the dependency of both devices on corneal structure.

Patients and Methods:

One hundred forty eyes of 70 patients were included. Cases with corneal pathologies, former glaucoma diagnosis, and systemic diseases were excluded. All eyes underwent measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature. IOP measurements were obtained with GAT and DCT. The agreement of measurements was statistically analyzed.

Results:

The correlation of IOP values obtained with DCT and GAT was statistically significant. The mean DCT values were 0.46 ± 2.55 mm Hg higher than those of GAT, but this difference was statistically insignificant. Bland–Altman plots showed reasonable inter-method agreement between DCT and GAT measurements. GAT readings were significantly affected by CCT, but DCT measurements were affected by age and corneal curvature.

Conclusion:

DCT is a reliable method of assessing IOP and is less dependent on central corneal thickness. This new technology may be a promising step forward in the management of glaucoma. Further studies are required to validate these observations.
Non-invasive Couching Technique to Treat a Morgagnian Cataract Causing Bullous Keratopathy
Authors: Thompson Jennifer N. , Chang Sidney T. , Bhorade Anjali M.
Published: May 2010

A case is described in which a non-invasive couching technique was used to relieve bullous keratopathy caused by a dislocated Morgagnian cataract. This technique involved applying digital pressure to the inferior cornea to push the dislocated nucleus through the pupil and into the posterior segment. This technique may be useful in cases where relief or prevention of eye pain is the primary goal.
Approaches to Resolve Health Challenges in a Population of Older Adults Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Hain Debra J. , Wands LisaMarie , Liehr Patricia
Published: May 2010

Research is lacking regarding the health challenges older adults undergoing hemodialysis face when attempting to make lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to identify the health challenges of making lifestyle changes in this population and to identify approaches for resolving these challenges. Story theory guided data collection, and data were analyzed using Liehr and Smith's story inquiry method. Within these stories of health challenges, three themes captured the essence of what “matters most” to participants: (a) Living a Restriction-Driven Existence; (b) Balancing Independence/Dependence; and (c) Struggling With Those Providing Care. The approaches to resolving the health challenges exist on a continuum, with “unhappy passive acceptance” on one end and “assertive behavior intended to get what you want” on the other. The findings suggest that these approaches may change over time. Identifying health challenges could lead to self-management behaviors that support positive health outcomes for this population.
Food Expectations-Long Term Care Spanish Questionnaire
Authors: Crogan Neva L. , Evans Bronwynne C.
Published: May 2010

Although little is known about nutrition care for Hispanic older adults in nursing homes, soon at least 4.5 million will reside there because of chronic disease. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the internal consistency reliability of a food and food service satisfaction instrument, the Food Expectations-Long Term Care Spanish (FoodEx-LTCSp) questionnaire with nursing home residents and to examine relationships between satisfaction and food intake, serum prealbumin, and functional status. Only two FoodEx-LTCSp subscales, Cooking Good Food and Providing Food Service, were significantly correlated with one another (
r
= 0.624,
p
= 0.002). No significant correlations were found between prealbumin and food intake (perhaps related to the small sample and the short duration of food weight measurement) or between prealbumin and functional status, and no significant difference was found in the subscales of Enjoying Food and Food Service and Exercising Choice. Additional qualitative work may be needed with Hispanic residents to examine items that evolved from interview data obtained from an Anglo population.
Do Personality Traits Predict Work Outcomes of Certified Nursing Assistants?
Authors: Kovach Christine R. , Simpson Michelle R. , Reitmaier Amy B. , Johnson Addie , Kelber Sheryl T.
Published: May 2010

The purposes of this study were to describe personality traits of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) employed at nursing homes and explore relationships between personality traits, job satisfaction, and job performance. The sample included 177 CNAs providing direct care to residents in three nursing homes. CNAs with high and low job performance skills were distinguished by the cluster of traits associated with teamwork skills. Overall, 21.3% of the variance in job satisfaction was explained by the personality traits of Adjustment, Prudence, Likeability, Excitable, and Dutiful,
F
(8, 145) = 4.899,
p
< 0.001. The links found between personality, job satisfaction, and job performance provide important information about the personality traits of nursing staff who are most likely to enjoy and perform well in the nursing home setting. Knowledge of these links may be useful for hiring the appropriate person for direct care nursing home positions.
La influencia de las autocitas en el aumento del factor de impacto en revistas de Ciencias Sociales
Authors: Campanario Juan Miguel , Candelario Antonia
Published: May 2010

En este trabajo se indaga en el efecto de las autocitas en el aumento del factor de impacto en revistas incluidas en el Social Sciences Citation Index entre 1998 y 2007. Se estudian dos grupos de revistas: 63 cuyo factor de impacto aumenta después de cuatro descensos sucesivos y 23 revistas cuyo factor de impacto aumenta durante al menos seis años seguidos durante el intervalo estudiado de diez años. La variable fundamental es el porcentaje de autocitas que contribuyen al factor de impacto. En ninguno de los casos se encontró evidencia de que el factor de impacto haya aumentado debido a un uso masivo de las autocitas.
Evaluación del impacto científico de las tesis doctorales en Ciencias Pedagógicas mediante indicadores cienciométricos
Authors: Ortiz Torres Emilio , González Guitián María Virginia , Infante Pérez Inés , Viamontes Garrido Yoan
Published: May 2010

Dentro de las ciencias sociales, las Ciencias Pedagógicas son las que aportan mayor cantidad de tesis doctorales anualmente en Cuba, las cuales abordan problemas científicos de alta pertinencia para la sociedad. Sin embargo, hasta ahora no han sido evaluadas de manera sistemática sus contribuciones científicas una vez presentadas y aprobadas oficialmente mediante herramientas previamente establecidas, por lo que es pertinente la determinación de indicadores cienciométricos que puedan contribuir a la determinación de su impacto científico. En investigaciones anteriores realizadas por los autores de este trabajo, como parte de un proyecto investigativo, se ha constatado que dicha evaluación es insuficiente y desigual, pero sin llegar a determinar indicadores específicos. El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar el impacto científico de las tesis doctorales en Ciencias Pedagógicas.
Presencia internacional de los estudios sobre literatura catalana en el A&HCI
Authors: Ardanuy Jordi , Quintana Lluis , Urbano Cristobal
Published: May 2010

Caracterización internacional desde el punto de vista bibliométrico y temático de los estudios sobre literatura catalana que resultan visibles a través del Arts & Humanities Citation Index. El estudio se ha realizado fundamentalmente recuperando registros en esta base de datos a partir de una lista de autores literarios notables. Se constata la escasa cobertura que tienen los estudios de literatura catalana en dicha base de datos, lo que sugiere una escasa visibilidad internacional de la disciplina, así como un predominio de artículos en español. Además se confirman algunos resultados de trabajos anteriores sobre estudiosos (y su grado de coautoría) y sobre obras y épocas más estudiadas.
Indicador bibliométrico basado en el índice h
Authors: Dorta-González Pablo , Dorta-González María Isabel
Published: May 2010

El índice h se ha convertido en uno de los indicadores bibliométricos más empleados para estimar el éxito del trabajo realizado por un investigador y predecir el impacto de su producción en el futuro. Esto se debe principalmente a dos razones. En primer lugar, a su simplicidad, dado que se trata de un único indicador que combina producción e impacto, y puede ser determinado fácilmente por cualquier investigador. En segundo lugar, a que elimina los sesgos provocados por las colas de la distribución de citas. Sin embargo, este indicador presenta limitaciones al discriminar entre investigadores con diferentes hábitos de publicación, penalizando a aquellos más selectivos, que no destacan por el número de publicaciones pero sí por el alto número de citas recibidas, frente a los grandes productores. En este trabajo se proponen soluciones que consideran las citas de aquellos artículos que pueden contribuir, con una alta probabilidad, a incrementar el valor del índice h en el futuro.