bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterisation and quantification of F8 transcripts of ten putative splice site mutations
Authors: Lu Yeling , Ruan Yufeng , Ding Qiulan , Wang Xuefeng , Xi Xiaodong , Wang Hongli , Liang Qian , Xiang Mingjie 
Published: December 2014

SummaryMutations affecting splice sites comprise approximately 7.5 % of the known F8 gene mutations but only a few were verified at mRNA level. In the present study, 10 putative splice site mutations were characterised by mRNA analysis using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) and co-amplification fluorescent PCR were used in combination to quantify the amount of each of multiple F8 transcripts. All of the mutations resulted in aberrant splicing. One of them (c.6187+1del1) generated one form of F8 transcript with exon skipping, and the remaining nine mutations (c.602-6T>C, c.1752+5_1752+6insGTTAG, c.1903+5G>A, c.5219+3A>G, c.5586+3A>T, c.969A>T, c.265+4A>G, c.601+1_601+5del5 and c.1444-8_1444del9) produced multiple F8 transcripts with exon skipping, activation of cryptic splice site and/or normal splicing. Residual wild-type F8 transcripts were produced by the first six of the nine mutations with amounts of 3.9 %>, 14.2 %>, 5.2 %>, 19.2 %>, 1.8 °% and 2.5 %> of normal levels, respectively, which were basically consistent with coagulation phenotypes in the related patients. In comparison with the mRNA findings, software Alamut v2.3 had values in the prediction of pathogenic effects on native splice sites but was not reliable in the prediction of activation of cryptic splice sites. Our quantification of F8 transcripts may provide an alternative way to evaluate the low expression levels of residue wild-type F8 transcripts and help to explain the severity of haemophilia A caused by splicing site mutations.
An Observational and Modeling Study of Impacts of Bark Beetle–Caused Tree Mortality on Surface Energy and Hydrological Cycles
Authors: Chen Fei , Zhang Guo , Barlage Michael , Zhang Ying , Hicke Jeffrey A. , Meddens Arjan , Zhou Guangsheng , Massman William J. , Frank John 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Bark beetle outbreaks have killed billions of trees and affected millions of hectares of forest during recent decades. The objective of this study was to quantify responses of surface energy and hydrologic fluxes 2–3 yr following a spruce beetle outbreak using measurements and modeling. The authors used observations at the Rocky Mountains Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiments Site (GLEES), where beetles killed 85% of the basal area of spruce from 2005–07 (prebeetle) to 2009/10 (postbeetle). Observations showed increased albedo following tree mortality, more reflected solar radiation, and less net radiation, but these postoutbreak radiation changes are smaller than or comparable to their annual preoutbreak variability. The dominant signals from observations were a large reduction (27%) in summer daytime evaporation and a large increase (25%) in sensible heat fluxes. Numerous Noah LSM with multiparameterization options (Noah-MP) simulations incorporating beetle-caused tree mortality effects were conducted to assess their impact on the surface hydrological cycle components that were not directly observed. Model results revealed substantial seasonal variations: more spring snowmelt and runoff, less spring–summer transpiration, and drier soil in summer and fall. This modeled trend is similar to observed runoff changes in harvested forests where reduced forest density resulted in more spring snowmelt and annual water yields. Model results showed that snow albedo changes due to increased litter cover beneath killed trees altered the seasonal pattern of simulated snowmelt and snow water equivalent, but these changes are small compared to the effect of leaf loss. This study highlights the need to include the transient effects of forest disturbances in modeling land–atmosphere interactions and their potential impacts on regional weather and climate.
Langmuir Turbulence under Hurricane Gustav (2008)
Authors: Rabe Tyler J. , Kukulka Tobias , Ginis Isaac , Hara Tetsu , Reichl Brandon G. , D’Asaro Eric A. , Harcourt Ramsey R. , Sullivan Peter P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractExtreme winds and complex wave fields drive upper-ocean turbulence in tropical cyclone conditions. Motivated by Lagrangian float observations of bulk vertical velocity variance (VVV) under Hurricane Gustav (2008), upper-ocean turbulence is investigated based on large-eddy simulation (LES) of the wave-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. To realistically capture wind- and wave-driven Langmuir turbulence (LT), the LES model imposes the Stokes drift vector from spectral wave simulations; both the LES and wave model are forced by the NOAA Hurricane Research Division (HRD) surface wind analysis product. Results strongly suggest that without LT effects simulated VVV underestimates the observed VVV. LT increases the VVV, indicating that it plays a significant role in upper-ocean turbulence dynamics. Consistent with observations, the LES predicts a suppression of VVV near the hurricane eye due to wind-wave misalignment. However, this decrease is weaker and of shorter duration than that observed, potentially due to large-scale horizontal advection not present in the LES. Both observations and simulations are consistent with a highly variable upper ocean turbulence field beneath tropical cyclone cores. Bulk VVV, a TKE budget analysis, and anisotropy coefficient (ratio of horizontal to vertical velocity variances) profiles all indicate that LT is suppressed to levels closer to that of shear turbulence (ST) due to misaligned wind and wave fields. VVV approximately scales with the directional surface layer Langmuir number. Such a scaling provides guidance for the development of an upper-ocean boundary layer parameterization that explicitly depends on sea state.
Expression of dopamine transporter in the different cerebral regions of methamphetamine-dependent rats
Authors: Hong S-J , Zhang D , Zhang L-H , Yang P , Wan J , Yu Y , Wang T-H , Feng Z-T , Li L-H , Yew DTW 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: To observe the expression of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in six cerebral regions of a methamphetamine (MA)-dependent rat, which were frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens septi, striatum, hippocampus, substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Methods: The rats were administrated intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg/day of MA for 10 days consecutively; the behaviour changes were measured via the conditioned place preference (CPP), and the scores of stereotyped behaviour (SB) were used to confirm animal addiction. Then, the animals were further injected with MA respectively for 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks to establish different periods of MA-dependent models. The expressions of DAT and DAT messenger RNA in six cerebral regions were detected. Results: The results of CPP and SB scores were significant different when comparing all four experimental groups with the control group ( p < 0.05). Comparing between different experimental groups, the expression of DAT mainly decreased and had dynamic changes in the same regions ( p < 0.05). Comparing the different regions with each other in the same experimental group, the expression of DAT also had significant difference in several regions p < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of DAT mainly decreased and had different in the six cerebral regions at the same MA-dependent time period as well as at different time periods in the same cerebral region. It was speculated that DAT might play a crucial role in the mechanism of MA dependence.
Effectiveness of narrative pedagogy in developing student nurses’ advocacy role
Authors: Gazarian Priscilla K , Fernberg Lauren M , Sheehan Kelly D 
Published: December 2014

Background: The literature and research on nursing ethics and advocacy has shown that generally very few nurses and other clinicians will speak up about an issue they have witnessed regarding a patient advocacy concern and that often advocacy in nursing is not learned until after students have graduated and begun working. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of narrative pedagogy on the development of advocacy in student nurses, as measured by the Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale. Design: We tested the hypothesis that use of a narrative pedagogy assignment related to ethics would improve student nurse’s perception of their advocacy role as measured by the Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale using a quasi-experimental nonrandomized study using a pre-test, intervention, post-test design. Data collection occurred during class time from October 2012 to December 2012. The Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale tool was administered to students in class to assess their baseline and was administered again at the completion of the educational intervention to assess whether narrative pedagogy was effective in developing the nursing student’s perception of their role as a patient advocate. Ethical considerations: Students were informed that their participation was voluntary and that the data collected would be anonymous and confidential. The survey was not a graded assignment, and students did not receive any incentive to participate. The institutional review board of the college determined the study to be exempt from review. Setting: School of Nursing at a small liberal arts college in the Northeastern United States. Participants: A consecutive, nonprobability sample of 44 senior-level nursing students enrolled in their final nursing semester was utilized. Findings: Results indicated significant differences in student nurse’s perception of their advocacy role related to environment and educational influences following an education intervention using an ethics digital story. Conclusion: Using the Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale, we were able to measure the effectiveness of narrative pedagogy on nursing student’s perception of the nurse’s advocacy role.
Deep Transverse Metatarsal Ligament and Static Stability of Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints
Authors: Wang Bibo , Guss Andrew , Chalayon Ornusa , Bachus Kent N. , Barg Alexej , Saltzman Charles L. 
Published: December 2014

Background: The static support that guides motion around the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) is complex. Biomechanical studies revealed important roles of both the plantar plane and collateral ligaments. Since part of the plantar plate is attached to the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML), we hypothesized that the transection of the DTML in the intermetatarsal space may substantially reduce the MTPJ stability. Methods: The second, third, and fourth MTPJ stabilities of 6 fresh-frozen human cadaveric foot specimens were measured under load control. Both dorsiflexion and dorsal subluxation conditions were tested. After the intact condition was assessed, the DTML was sequentially transected such that each MTPJ had a unilateral and then a bilateral DTML transection. Stiffness data were calculated using the loading range in each test condition. Paired Student t tests were performed to test for statistical significance ( P value less than .05). Results: In intact specimens, the mean stiffness with dorsiflexion of the second, third, and fourth toes was 0.52 ± 0.15 N/deg. When the DTML was operatively transected on one side, the dorsiflexion stiffness significantly decreased 17.3% to an average of 0.43 ± 1.00 N/deg ( P < .001). Subsequent transection of the DTML on the other side of each joint resulted in a further significant decrease of 5.8% to an average of 0.40 ± 0.08 N/deg ( P < .001). The mean stiffness with dorsal subluxation of the intact second, third, and fourth toes was 3.55 ± 0.66 N/mm. When the DTML was operatively transected on one side, the dorsal subluxation stiffness significantly decreased 16.1% to an average of 2.98 ± 0.64 N/mm ( P < .001). Subsequent transection of the DTML on the other side of each joint resulted in a further significance decrease of 7.6% to an average of 2.71 ± 0.48 N/mm ( P = .016). Conclusion: The DTML has a significant role in maintaining lesser MTPJ ligament stability. Both unilateral and bilateral DTML transections caused substantial instability of the lesser MTPJ. Clinical Relevance: The DTML is part of the natural static restraint to dorsiflexion or dorsal subluxation of the lesser MTPJ. Operative transection, injury, or degeneration of this ligament may predispose the adjacent MTPJ to instability.
Context-specific graphical models for discrete longitudinal data
Authors: Edwards David , Ankinakatte Smitha 
Published: December 2014

Ron et al. (1998) introduced a rich family of models for discrete longitudinal data called acyclic probabilistic finite automata. These may be represented as directed graphs that embody context-specific conditional independence relations. Here, the approach is developed from a statistical perspective. It is shown here that likelihood ratio tests may be constructed using standard contingency table methods, a model selection procedure that minimizes a penalized likelihood criterion is described, and a way to extend the models to incorporate covariates is proposed. The methods are applied to a small-scale dataset. Finally, it is shown that the models generalize certain subclasses of conventional undirected and directed graphical models.
The Politics of Need: Examining Governors' Decisions to Oppose the “Obamacare” Medicaid Expansion
Authors: Barrilleaux Charles , Rainey Carlisle 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis article explains governors' decisions to support or oppose Medicaid expansions offered under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. We theorize that governors' decisions to oppose the funding should depend on both political demands and the level of need in the state, though politics and need are often in tension. We find that governors' partisanship and the composition of the legislature have substantively meaningful effects on governors' decisions, but the level of need in the state exerts little effect on governors' decisions. This suggests that for high profile, highly politicized issues such as the Affordable Care Act, political considerations outweigh the needs of citizens and state economic conditions in gubernatorial decision making.
Rapid Diffusion and Policy Reform: The Adoption and Modification of Three Strikes Laws
Authors: Karch Andrew , Cravens Matthew 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDespite many important recent advances in the study of policy diffusion, this research has devoted limited attention to what happens after the adoption decision. This article attempts to fill this gap in diffusion research by examining the adoption and subsequent modification of “Three Strikes and You're Out” laws in the American states. Its analysis suggests that distinct political forces affected state-level outcomes at these two stages of the policymaking process. The rapid spread of Three Strikes laws in the 1990s seems to have occurred because states with more conservative leanings and higher proportions of African-American residents gravitated to a salient and visible policy. In contrast, the modification of Three Strikes laws appears to have been encouraged by financial necessity and shifting ideological environments but hindered by the mobilization of stakeholders with an interest in preserving the status quo, including private prison operators and prison officer unions. The contrast illustrates the usefulness of treating policy diffusion as a multistage process, and the stakeholder mobilization results provide empirical support for recent theorizing about policy feedback effects.
Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach, over 8 years, in 11 cities of Turkey
Authors: Leblebicioglu Hakan , Koksal Iftihar , Rosenthal Victor D. , Akan Özay Arıkan , Özgültekin Asu , Kendirli Tanil , Erben Nurettin , Yalcin Ata Nevzat , Ulusoy Sercan , Sirmatel Fatma , Ozdemir Davut , Alp Emine , Yıldızdaş Dinçer , Esen Saban , Ulger Fatma , Dilek Ahmet , Yilmaz Hava , Yýlmaz Gürdal , Kaya Selçuk , Ulusoy Hülya , Tulunay Melek , Oral Mehmet , Ünal Necmettin , Turan Güldem , Akgün Nur , İnan Asuman , Ince Erdal , Karbuz Adem , Çiftçi Ergin , Taşyapar Nevin , Güneş Melek , Ozgunes Ilhan , Usluer Gaye , Turhan Ozge , Gunay Nurgul , Gumus Eylul , Dursun Oguz , Arda Bilgin , Bacakoglu Feza , Cengiz Mustafa , Yilmaz Leyla , Geyik Mehmet Faruk , Şahin Ahmet , Erdogan Selvi , Kılıc Aysegul Ulu , Horoz Ozden Ozgur 
Published: December 2014

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach in Turkey and analyse predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance. Design: An observational, prospective, interventional, before-and-after study was conducted from August 2003 to August 2011 in 12 intensive care units (ICU) of 12 hospitals in 11 cities. The study was divided into a baseline and a follow-up period and included random 30-minute observations for hand hygiene compliance in ICU. The hand hygiene approach included administrative support, supplies availability, education and training, reminders in the workplace, process surveillance, and performance feedback. Results: We observed 21,145 opportunities for hand hygiene. Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 28.8% to 91% (95% CI 87.6–93.0, p 0.0001). Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that several variables were significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance: males vs. females (39% vs. 48%; 95% CI 0.79–0.84, p 0.0001), ancillary staff vs. physicians (35% vs. 46%, 95% CI 0.73–0.78, p 0.0001), and adult vs. pediatric ICUs (42% vs. 74%, 95% CI 0.54–0.60, p 0.0001). Conclusions: Adherence to hand hygiene was significantly increased with the INICC Hand Hygiene Approach. Specific programmes should be directed to improve hand hygiene in variables found to be predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance.
The effect of a quality improvement programme reducing blood culture contamination on the detection of bloodstream infection in an emergency department
Authors: Robertson Paul , Russell Andrew , Inverarity Donald J 
Published: December 2014

Background: Contaminated blood cultures (BC) generate avoidable costs and prolong hospital stays. To measure our hospital’s performance against the recommended standard of <3% BC contamination, we performed a prospective study. Methods: We prospectively determined the frequency of contaminated and genuinely positive BC hospital-wide over seven months. Results: Overall, 73 of 1,829 blood cultures reviewed were contaminated (4.0%). However, distribution of contamination was not uniform. Finding a consistently higher incidence of contamination (11.7%) in our emergency department (ED) than elsewhere in the hospital (2.5%), we adopted a collaborative quality improvement strategy targeted to the ED. A combination of education, modified BC packs and regular feedback of BC results was associated with a significant reduction in contamination (7.4%, p=0.01) over the next six months. Our data suggests that contaminated BC were more likely to have been taken during regular day time hours (odds ratio (OR) 2.7, p=0.012), rather than overnight and were not associated with influxes of new junior medical staff. We found no evidence that the incidence of true bloodstream infection (12.8%) diagnosed by our ED was adversely affected by our intervention (10.7%, p=0.35). Conclusions: Using a simple and inexpensive collaborative intervention we reduced BC contamination without adversely affecting the detection of genuine BSI
Continuity of medication management and continuity of care: Conceptual and operational considerations
Authors: Beadles Christopher A , Voils Corrine I , Crowley Matthew J , Farley Joel F , Maciejewski Matthew L 
Published: December 2014

Objective: Continuity of care is considered foundational to high-quality care. Traditional continuity of care constructs may adequately characterize care quality in general populations, but may merit reconceptualization for patients with multiple chronic conditions. Specifically, interactions between multiple chronic condition patients and providers involve complex medication management; therefore care continuity measurement may be more relevant if focused on the provider subset who prescribes essential medications for chronic conditions—a construct we call continuity of medication management. Our objective was to explore conceptual distinctions between continuity of medication management and continuity of care, survey existing evidence in this area, and discuss implications of our findings for future research and intervention development. Methods: In this topical review, we discuss conceptual distinctions between continuity of medication management and continuity of care, review the limited continuity of medication management–related empirical evidence, and discuss implications for future research and interventions. Results: Continuity of medication management represents a potential conceptual and measurement advance by reflecting interpersonal continuity and management continuity, and may provide a means of identifying patients at high-risk of adverse events. Empirical evidence also establishes support for continuity of medication management as a meaningful measure of care continuity. Finally, continuity of medication management may also be a potential target for future intervention to improve care delivery among multiple chronic condition patients. Conclusion: If continuity of medication management is validated in diverse populations, correlated with patient outcomes, and responsive to change, then it may be an important target for improving the health and health care of multiple chronic condition patients.
Family history of breast and ovarian cancer and triple negative subtype in hispanic/latina women
Authors: Anderson Kristin , Thompson Patricia A , Wertheim Betsy C , Martin Lorena , Komenaka Ian K , Bondy Melissa , Daneri-Navarro Adrian , Meza-Montenegro Maria Mercedes , Gutierrez-Millan Luis Enrique , Brewster Abenaa , Madlensky Lisa , Tobias Malaika , Natarajan Loki , Martínez María Elena 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Familial breast and ovarian cancer prevalence was assessed among 1150 women of Mexican descent enrolled in a case-only, binational breast cancer study. Logistic regression was conducted to compare odds of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to non-TNBC according to family history of breast and breast or ovarian cancer among 914 of these women.
Prevalence of breast cancer family history in a first- and first- or second-degree relative was 13.1% and 24.1%, respectively; that for breast or ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative was 14.9%. After adjustment for age and country of residence, women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with TNBC than non-TNBC (OR=1.98; 95% CI, 1.26–3.11). The odds of TNBC compared to non-TNBC were 1.93 (95% CI, 1.26–2.97) for women with a first-degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer. There were non-significant stronger associations between family history and TNBC among women diagnosed at age <50 compared to ≥50 years for breast cancer in a first-degree relative (P-interaction = 0.14) and a first- or second-degree relative (P-interaction = 0.07).
Findings suggest that familial breast cancers are associated with triple negative subtype, possibly related to BRCA mutations in Hispanic/Latina women, which are strongly associated with TNBC. Family history is an important tool to identify Hispanic/Latina women who may be at increased risk of TNBC, and could benefit from prevention and early detection strategies.