bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemicals and Overall Quality of Leafy Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Varieties Grown in Closed Hydroponic System
Authors: Mampholo Bevly M. , Maboko Martin M. , Soundy Puffy , Sivakumar Dharini 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular salad vegetable and consumption of lettuce has many health benefits. The objective of this study was to select lettuce varieties grown in a closed hydroponic system based on their morphological parameters, phytochemical and mineral content for mixed fresh cut salads or as whole product.Principal component analysis illustrated three separate groups based on the bioactive compounds, color values and fresh leaf mass for the 16 lettuce varieties. Group 1; Multired 4 contained the highest concentrations of total phenols, flavonoids (isohamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol, epicatechin, mycertin, anthocyanin), β‐carotene, ascorbic acid and higher antioxidant property and lower leaf fresh mass. Group 2; included the green lettuce varieties (Multigreen 3 and Multigreen 1) and the red varieties (Cantarix, Lunix, Soltero, Veneza Roxa, Feska) revealed moderately higher in bioactive compounds and fresh leaf mass. Group 3 contained the green lettuce varieties (Smile, Palmir, Hardy, Nasir, Monary, Atlantis and Vera Green Frilly) and showed lower bioactive compounds with leaf higher fresh mass.Red lettuce varieties are rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidant property mainly due to higher total phenols and flavonoid compounds. Multired 4 (red), Multigreen 3 (green) and Multigreen 1 (green) and other red lettuce varieties can be recommended for mixed lettuce salads or as whole product.Practical ApplicationsLettuce consumption is determined by color, size, texture, taste and nutritional properties. Choice of lettuce varieties is important for lettuce mixed fresh cuts or as a whole product. Therefore, it is important to profile the phytochemical composition in different lettuce varieties to improve the antioxidant and nutrient intake in the diet.
Video ethnography during and after caesarean sections: methodological challenges
Authors: Stevens Jeni , Schmied Virginia , Burns Elaine , Dahlen Hannah G 
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectivesTo describe the challenges of, and steps taken to successfully collect video ethnographic data during and after caesarean sections.BackgroundVideo ethnographic research uses real‐time video footage to study a cultural group or phenomenon in the natural environment. It allows researchers to discover previously undocumented practices, which in‐turn provides insight into strengths and weaknesses in practice. This knowledge can be used to translate evidence‐based interventions into practice.DesignVideo ethnographic design.MethodsA video ethnographic approach was used to observe the contact between mothers and babies immediately after elective caesarean sections in a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. Women, their support people and staff participated in the study. Data were collected via video footage and field notes in the operating theatre, recovery and the postnatal ward.ConclusionsChallenges faced whilst conducting video ethnographic research included attaining ethics approval, recruiting vast numbers of staff members and ‘vulnerable’ pregnant women, and endeavouring to be a ‘fly on the wall’ and a ‘complete observer’. There were disadvantages being an ‘insider’ whilst conducting the research because occasionally staff members requested help with clinical tasks whilst collecting data; however, it was an advantage as it enabled ease of access to the environment and staff members that were to be recruited. Despite the challenges, video ethnographic research enabled the provision of unique data that could not be attained by any other means.Relevance to clinical practiceVideo ethnographic data are beneficial as it provides exceptionally rich data for in‐depth analysis of interactions between the environment, equipment and people in the hospital environment. The analysis of this type of data can then be used to inform improvements for future care.
Knowledge and practice in cardiovascular disease prevention among hospital registered nurses: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ding Shu , Deng Ying , Lu Sai , Lamb Karen V , Zhang Ying , Wu Ying 
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the knowledge and clinical practices of cardiovascular disease prevention among registered nurses who worked on three major clinical units in Beijing hospitals.BackgroundHealth education on cardiovascular disease prevention is an important component of nursing practice; however, Chinese registered nurses’ knowledge and practice patterns have been poorly explored in previous studies.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsA stratified random sample of three hundred registered nurses was recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China. A validated questionnaire was used to examine nurses’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors, their practices and perceived barriers to cardiovascular disease prevention‐related patient education. The differences in knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and the practice pattern associated with cardiovascular disease prevention were compared among nurses who worked on three major clinical units.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 273 registered nurses with a response rate of 91%. More than 75% of the registered nurses knew the cardiovascular disease risk factors; however, less than half knew the right target goals for cardiovascular disease risk factors. Notably, fewer than 70% of registered nurses routinely provided health education for cardiovascular disease prevention during their practice. There was inconsistency between registered nurses’ knowledge of target goals for cardiovascular disease risk reduction and their education practices on cardiovascular disease prevention. The three major barriers to providing cardiovascular disease risk factor preventive education were lack of time, patients’ reluctance to change lifestyle and lack of physicians’ support.ConclusionsNot all of the registered nurses were motivated to educate and encourage patients to engage healthy lifestyle changes, even though most of them were knowledgeable about cardiovascular disease risk factors. A gap between the knowledge and practice for the prevention of cardiovascular disease was identified.Relevance to clinical practiceThe findings highlight the need to advocate for knowledge application and address knowledge deficits in the area of cardiovascular disease prevention among registered nurses.
A Chinese version of the Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire: reliability and validity assessment
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Mei , Chen Ching‐Min 
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectivesTo examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PCCQ) to see whether the Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire can be applied in Chinese context.BackgroundThe rapid increase in the number of older adults with chronic diseases has made caring for this vulnerable population a priority healthcare issue in Taiwan. The PCCQ has been widely used in international studies. However, research has not yet assessed the suitability and applicability of the PCCQ in Taiwan.DesignA cross‐sectional survey design was applied for the psychometric testing of the scale.MethodsA total of 314 older Taiwanese adults with chronic diseases receiving discharge planning intervention were pooled from a hospital in Central Taiwan. After receiving permission from the author of the PCCQ, a Chinese translation and back translation were made.ResultsThe scale was first rated by eleven experts with a Content Validity Index of 0·93. Two factors were extracted with the exploratory factor analysis, namely ‘information transfer to patients’ and ‘relationships with providers during hospitalisation’, with a total of 70·34% of the variance explained.ConclusionsThe PCCQ ‐ Chinese can be used to assist professionals to fully understand the continuity of care of the discharged patients under consideration.Relevance to clinical practiceA PCCQ ‐ Chinese version can be used as a guide for discharging preparation that enables patients to receive high‐quality continuity of care and further to self‐manage their conditions.
Racial disparity in all‐cause mortality among hepatitis C virus‐infected individuals in a general US population, NHANES III
Authors: Emmanuel B. , Shardell M. D. , Tracy L. , Kottilil S. , El‐Kamary S. S. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryThere are few long‐term nationally representative studies of all‐cause mortality among those infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). When an additional 5 years of data were made publicly available in 2015, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File became the longest nationally representative study in the United States. Our objective was to update the estimated HCV‐associated all‐cause mortality in the general US population and determine any differences by sex, age and race/ethnicity. HCV status was assessed in 9117 nationally representative adults aged 18‐59 years from 1988 to 1994, and mortality follow‐up of the same individuals was completed through 2011 and made publicly available in 2015. There were 930 deaths over a median follow‐up of 19.8 years. After adjusting for all covariate risk factors, chronic HCV had 2.63 times (95% CI: 1.59‐4.37; P=.0002) higher all‐cause mortality rate ratio (MRR) compared with being HCV negative. All‐cause MRR was stratified by sex, age and race/ethnicity. Only race/ethnicity was a significant effect modifier of MRR (P<.0001) as the highest MRR of chronic HCV compared to HCV negative was 7.48 (95% CI: 2.15‐26.10, P=.001) among Mexican Americans, 2.67 (95% CI: 2.67‐5.56, P=.009) among non‐Hispanic Whites and 2.02 (95% CI: 1.20‐3.40, P=.007) among non‐Hispanic Blacks. Racial disparity was seen in the all‐cause mortality as Mexican Americans with chronic HCV had approximately seven times higher mortality rate than HCV‐negative individuals. This suggests that these at‐risk individuals should be targeted for HCV screening and treatment, given the availability of new highly effective HCV therapies.
Reduced nondominant lumbar multifidi cross‐sectional area is a precursor of low back injury in cricket fast bowlers
Authors: Olivier B. , Gillion N. , Stewart A. V. , McKinon W. 
Published: December 2016

Asymmetry in the lumbar multifidi muscle (LM) cross‐sectional area (CSA) is associated with low back injury. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the symmetry of the CSA of LM at L3, L4, and L5, in the context of simultaneous injury monitoring. Injury free, male, right‐handed cricket fast bowlers playing at a nonprofessional level participated in this study. LM CSA at L3, L4, and L5 vertebral levels was measured through the use of ultrasound imaging in prone. The primary outcome measure of the study was the incidence of an injury during a cricket season of eight‐month duration. Twenty‐six fast bowlers (aged 21.8 ± 1.8 years) participated. No difference was found between the nondominant and the dominant LM CSA among injury free bowlers (P>.05). However, in bowlers who sustained a lower back injury during the cricket season, the nondominant CSA at L3 (nondominant median 5.80 cm2, range 3.69 cm2; dominant median 7.38 cm2, range 2.61 cm2; P=.04) and L5 (nondominant median 6.94 cm2, range 2.10 cm2; dominant median 7.38 cm2, range 3.54 cm2; P=.04) is smaller compared to the dominant side. These findings may indicate that a side‐to‐side difference in LM CSA may be a precursor of injury.
A comparison of methods for estimating the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in repeat blood donors
Authors: Brambilla Donald J. , Busch Michael P. , Dodd Roger Y. , Glynn Simone A. , Kleinman Steven H. ,   for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteRecipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in repeat blood donors has been estimated using seven methods. Although incidence is always calculated as cases per person‐time, approaches to selecting cases and calculating person‐time vary. Incidence estimates have not been compared among methods.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe seven methods were compared in a simulation study. Because three methods used information from donations made before an estimation interval, 8 years of donation and infection history were simulated, and Years 7 and 8 were treated as the estimation interval for all methods. An exponential random variate was assigned to each donor to simulate the time to infection. Infection risk was constant over 8 years in one scenario but increased at various rates in seven other scenarios. The infection risk scenarios were combined with four mixes of donation frequency to generate 32 test conditions.RESULTSThree methods produced biased estimates under all conditions. Three other methods were biased under most conditions. Bias from most methods increased as donation frequency declined. The single method that consistently produced unbiased estimates was the only method that involved the standard epidemiological approach of tabulating all interdonation intervals (IDIs) within the estimation interval. Bias was eliminated from one of the consistently biased methods by a simple modification that involved the average IDI in a sample of donors.CONCLUSIONThe standard epidemiological approach is recommended if required data are available. Otherwise, the modified method involving the estimated average IDI should be considered. Investigators should use caution when comparing incidence estimates among studies that use different estimation methods or donation frequencies.
Tensile Comparison of Polydioxanone, Polyglyconate, and Barbed Glycolide‐Trimethylene Carbonate Suture in Canine Cadaveric Tensor Fascia Lata
Authors: Shimizu Naomi , Tarlton John , Friend Ed , Doran Ivan , Parsons Kevin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the mode of failure, load at yield, ultimate load to failure and stiffness of non‐barbed polydioxanone, non‐barbed polyglyconate and barbed glycolide‐trimethylene carbonate (GTC) suture in canine cadaveric fascia.Study DesignEx vivo biomechanical study.Sample Population18 fascia lata specimens from 9 canine cadavers.Methods6 fascia lata specimens were sutured with polydioxanone, 6 with polyglyconate, and 6 with barbed GTC suture. Load at yield, stiffness, ultimate load to failure were measured using tensile strength testing. Statistical analysis was used to compare outcomes between suture materials. The mode of failure was recorded and described.ResultsThe load at yield and ultimate load to failure were significantly greater for polydioxanone than barbed GTC (P=.045 and P=.016, respectively). The load at yield and ultimate load to failure was not significantly different between polydioxanone and polyglyconate (P=.687 and P=.586, respectively). The load at yield and the ultimate load to failure was not significantly different between polyglyconate and barbed GTC (P=.194 and P=.109, respectively). Stiffness was not different between constructs (P=.103). Polydioxanone and polyglyconate failed by suture breakage and suture pullout. Barbed GTC failed by suture slippage and suture breakage.ConclusionOur results showed that under the conditions of this study, 4‐0 monofilament polydioxanone had a greater load at yield and load to failure than similarly sized, barbed copolymer suture in the fascia lata. This finding may help direct suture choice for fascial closure.
Fundamental Design of Response Control Technology for Aerogenerator Against Seismic Motion and Wind Load
Authors: Furuya Osamu , Cho Sunggook , Kurabayashi Hiroshi , Uchida Kazuma 
Published: December 2016

Aerogenerators have been constructed in various countries during the recent years as one of the power generation system using environmentally friendly energy. Japan has been promoting a national project to examine constructing a wind turbine power generating station in the ocean. In general, the structure of aerogenerator is heavy at top due to the higher position of the center of gravity because a heavy nacelle is set at the top of aerogenerator. Since the dynamic response of the aerogenerator increases excessively due to the top position of heavy weight, it is further required to reduce the responses and improve the seismic and wind resistances.
This study has examined the response control system to reduce the structural responses and to upgrade the resistant performance against earthquakes and wind excitation. The paper discusses design methods and loading tests of elasto-plastic damping devices to investigate the mechanical characteristics of dampers. In order to confirm the structural seismic and wind response control effects by the damping devices, the preliminary analyses and a set of vibration tests using a 1/16 scale model of aerogenerator were performed in this study. This paper reviews the results obtained from analyses and tests.
INCEFA-PLUS (Increasing Safety in Nuclear Power Plants by Covering Gaps in Environmental Fatigue Assessment)
Authors: Mottershead Kevin , Bruchhausen Matthias , Métais Thomas , Cicero Sergio , Tice David , Platts Norman 
Published: December 2016

INCEFA-PLUS is a major new five year project supported by the European Commission HORIZON2020 program. The project commenced in mid 2015. 16 organizations from across Europe have combined forces to deliver new experimental data which will support the development of improved guidelines for assessment of environmental fatigue damage to ensure safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Prior to the start of INCEFA-PLUS, an in-kind study was undertaken by several European organizations with the aim of developing the current state of the art for this technical area. In addition to stress/strain amplitude, this study identified three additional experimental variables which required further study in order to support improved assessment methodology for environmental fatigue, namely the effects of mean stress/strain, hold time and surface finish. Within INCEFA-PLUS, the effects of these three variables on fatigue endurance of austenitic stainless steels in light water reactor environments are therefore being studied experimentally. The data obtained will be collected and standardized in an online environmental fatigue database. A dedicated CEN workshop will deliver a harmonized data format facilitating the exchange of data within the project but also beyond.
Based on the data generated and the resulting improvement in understanding, it is planned that INCEFA-PLUS will develop and disseminate methods for including the new data into assessment procedures for environmental fatigue degradation. This will take better account of the effects of mean stress/strain, hold time and surface finish.
This paper will describe the background to the project and will explain the expectations for it.
Calculation and Analysis for Pressure Vessel Rupture Study Under Fire in Plant
Authors: Ito Yoshiyasu , Tsuruoka Akira , Waki Yoshiyuki , Osedo Hiroko 
Published: December 2016

In case of fire occurring in an Oil and Gas facility, pressurized vessels may be exposed to fire. Though the entire system will be depressurized once a fire is detected, vessels may rupture, leading to risk of flammable, toxic or cryogenic fluid being released. Therefore, pressure vessels should be designed to withstand internal pressure without rupture in fire situations, at least until the system pressure can be decreased to a safe level. A pressure vessel rupture study should be conducted in addition to design code calculation to ensure a safe design in case of fire. As part of the recent trend for safer plant design, demand for pressure vessel rupture studies is growing.
In our previous presentation (PVP2015-45260 [1]), the material data for carbon steel (SA-516 Gr.70) and stainless steel (SA240 SUS type304 and SUS type304L) at the high temperature range were obtained by material testing and presented as our study result.
For the present research, pressure vessel rupture studies were performed for carbon steel and stainless steel using FEM analysis and calculation methods in published design guidelines for various conditions (e.g. heating area and shell thickness, etc.). In conclusion, a procedure for pressure vessel rupture study is proposed.
Numerical and Experimental Study of Elastic Interaction in Bolted Flange Joints
Authors: Zhu Linbo , Bouzid Abdel-Hakim , Hong Jun 
Published: December 2016

Bolted flange joints are widely used to connect pressure vessels and piping equipment together and facilitate their disassembly. Initial tightening of their bolts is a delicate operation because it is extremely difficult to achieve the target load and uniformity due to elastic interaction. The risk of failure due to leakage and fatigue under service loading is consequently increased.
This paper presents a study on the effect of elastic interaction that is present during the tightening of a bolted flange joints using three-dimensional nonlinear finite element modeling and experimentation. The nonlinear non-elastic behavior of the gasket is taken into account in the numerical simulation. The scatter in bolt preload produced during the tightening sequence is evaluated. Based on the elastic interaction coefficient method, the initial target tightening load in each bolt for every pass are determined by using the nonlinear finite element model to obtain a uniform preload after the final tightening pass. The validity of the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is supported by experimental tests conducted on a NPS 4 class 900 weld neck bolted flange joints using fiber and flexible graphite gaskets. This study provides guidance and enhances the safety and reliability of bolted flange joints by minimizing bolt scatter due to elastic interaction.
Applicability of a Crack Length Correction on the RCC-M Fracture Toughness Reference Curve
Authors: Delvallée-Nunio Isabelle , Blain Christophe 
Published: December 2016

The safety cases of the French 900-MWe and 1300-MWe reactor pressure vessels (RPV) have been reviewed respectively in 2010 and 2015 by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) in order to decide of the continued operation for the next ten years after their third decennial outage.
The demonstration of the RPV serviceability, based on a deterministic approach, includes an assessment of the risk of crack initiation under normal and accidental conditions. The fracture criterion defined by the French utility, takes into account a size effect on fracture toughness in the ductile-to-brittle transition of ferritic steel by the application of a correction factor to the fracture toughness estimated on the French code RCC-M fracture toughness reference curve. This correction related to the crack length is built on the observation that the failure probability follows a Weibull distribution and on the assumption that the RCC-M KIC curve can be associated to a reference crack length of 100 mm.
A first crack length correction has been judged inappropriate by ASN and IRSN in 2010. A new temperature-dependent correction has then been proposed in 2014. Nevertheless, numerous elements presented in this paper have led ASN and IRSN to the conclusion that this new correction should not be applied to the RCC-M KIC curve. In particular the RCC-M KIC curve already integrates intrinsically a size effect on fracture toughness.