bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Instruments for evaluating compliance with infection control practices and factors that affect it: an integrative review
Authors: Valim Marília Duarte , Marziale Maria H Palucci , Richart‐Martínez Miguel , Sanjuan‐Quiles Ángela 
Published: September 2013

Aims and objectivesTo search for instruments to measure compliance with infection control practices and to report on which dimensions and contents the instruments evaluate, their psychometric characteristics, compliance and factors influencing compliance.BackgroundLow compliance with infection control practices has been reported among healthcare professionals around the world over the years. Existing data concerning health professionals' compliance with standard precautions are based on measuring instruments.DesignIntegrative review.MethodsThe descriptors were identified and used separately and in combination to search in the following databases:Lilacs,PubMed (MEDLINE),ISI Web ofKnowledge,Scopus andCINAHL. The selected articles complied with inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsTwenty‐three studies were analysed, resulting in the identification of 18 instruments. No instrument addressed all compliance topics, and the most commonly addressed topics were the use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and safe practices in the handling of cutting material. Most authors explored content validity and some performed reliability analysis by means ofCronbach's alpha and test–retest. Countries in the sample have different human development indices, and countries with medium and low human development indices show less compliance. Some variables were strong predictors of compliance: training, perceptions of safe environment, perception of obstacles to comply with standard precautions and knowledge.ConclusionsCompliance is below the recommended levels. Health professionals seem to be selective in following standard precautions. Significant influences include institutional management and psychosocial variables, which deserve further study.Relevance to clinical practiceHealth managers and government policies and interventions should pay greater attention to this subject.
Fertility outcomes of patients with early stage endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Parlakgumus Huriye Ayse , Kilicdag Esra Bulgan , Simsek Erhan , Haydardedeoglu Bulent , Cok Tayfun , Aytac Pinar Caglar , Bagis Tayfun , Erkanlı Serkan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimThree to five percent of endometrial carcinoma patients are younger than 40 years and may desire fertility. Conservative treatment can be employed in these cases. We aimed to review treatment outcomes of patients who were diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma and who wanted to preserve their fertility.Material and MethodsWe reviewed nine patients who were diagnosed with early stage endometrial carcinoma and wanted to spare their fertility. The patients were followed up at Baskent University Adana Research Center from January 2004 to December 2011.ResultsIn all patients the carcinoma presented as polyps, which were resected by hysteroscopy. After being informed about both surgical and medical therapies, four patients preferred surgery and five preferred medical treatment. The mean number of in vitro fertilization trials after conservative treatment was 3.25. One woman, who was on medroxyprogesterone acetate, delivered a healthy term baby from a fresh cycle. Another woman, who was on dydrogesterone, got pregnant from a thawing cycle, which later ended up in a missed abortus. Of all the patients who chose medical treatment, three had surgery at the end. One woman developed an ovarian tumor during the follow‐up; one woman had a recurrence of endometrial carcinoma on dilatation and curettage for missed abortus and one woman tried in vitro fertilization several times and could not get pregnant, thus decided to have surgery. Two women had stage IA endometrial carcinoma and one had stage IIB ovarian carcinoma.ConclusionConservative treatment of endometrial carcinoma is safe in most cases. However, patients should be well‐informed about the risks of conservative treatment because delaying definitive treatment sometimes worsens the prognosis.
Recent pregnancy trends among early adolescent girls in Japan
Authors: Baba Sachiko , Goto Aya , Reich Michael R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimThe paper examines recent time trends, explores potentially influential background factors and discusses prevention strategies of pregnancy among girls under 15 years of age in Japan.MethodsUsing Japanese government data, we first analyzed time trends of early adolescence (<15 years of age) abortion, live birth and child sexual abuse from 2003 to 2010. Second, we analyzed ecological correlations of early adolescent pregnancy (abortion, live birth and stillbirth) with pregnancy in other age groups, child sexual abuse, and indicators of juvenile victimization and juvenile delinquency, using prefectural data.ResultsWe found that rates of both abortion and live birth in early adolescents have increased since 2005 (annual percent change 5.3% and 2.3%, respectively), despite declining rates in older age groups. The abortion ratio in early adolescence remained the highest among all age groups in Japan. The early adolescent pregnancy rate showed significant correlation with the rates of juvenile victimization of welfare crimes (obscenity, alcohol drinking, smoking and drug use) (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient [rs] = 0.42, P = 0.00) and juvenile delinquency among junior high school students (12–14 years of age) (rs = 0.69, P = 0.00).ConclusionThe observed rise in rates of abortion, live birth and child sexual abuse among early adolescents along with strong ecological correlations of their pregnancy rate with juvenile victimization and delinquency indicators suggests that epidemiological investigation and public health programs at the individual and community levels are needed to address the complex social roots of these trends and to produce effective improvements in early adolescent reproductive health.
Placental abnormalities detected by ultrasonography in a case of confined placental mosaicism for trisomy 2 with severe fetal growth restriction
Authors: Nagamatsu Takeshi , Kamei Yoshimasa , Yamashita Takahiro , Fujii Tomoyuki , Kozuma Shiro 
Published: September 2013

AbstractClinical outcome of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) is varied, from normal pregnancy to intrauterine fetal death. It has been suggested that CPM for trisomy 2 is less likely to cause serious adverse effect on pregnancy. We hereby report a case of CPM for trisomy 2, which presented severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) and placental abnormalities. A 30‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital at 17+2 weeks because of marked FGR. Ultrasonography demonstrated prominent placental hypertrophy with multiple focal defects without any fetal structural abnormalities. Amniocentesis at 18+3 weeks revealed normal karyotype. Fetal growth rate worsened with gestational weeks, reaching −7 standard deviation at 36 weeks. At 37 weeks, the fetal condition suddenly deteriorated, ending in a stillbirth of a 756‐g female baby. Postnatal cytogenetic analysis by array comparative genomic hybridization revealed trisomy 2 of the chorionic villi, and CPM for trisomy 2 was suggested as the cause of FGR and placental abnormalities.
Chinese Migration and Entangled Histories: Broadening the Contours of Migratory Historiography
Authors: Low Kelvin E.Y. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis paper broadens the analytical contours of Chinese migration by employing the paradigm of histoire croisée. By comparing three connected episodes within the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: (1) British expansionism; (2) Kuomintang activities and British migratory legislation; and (3) the interconnection of the slump in China's silk industry, the anti‐marriage movement, and the intertwinement of historiographies of China and Singapore – the entangled histories approach offers analytic purchase for which Chinese migration can be scrutinised with attention paid to the interpellations of historical contingencies and economic relations. The paper therefore analyses broader sociocultural and political patterns that inflect migratory flows, and considers the significance of how migratory historiography bears upon social memory of Chinese female migrants.
Cranio‐Caudal (Transradial) Approach for Renal Artery Intervention
Authors: SANGHVI KINTUR , COPPOLA JOHN , PATEL TEJAS 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis report describes the technique of transradial renal angiography and interventions. We illustrate the approach using typical case images. We believe cranio‐caudal approach to the renal artery for diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization offers advantages over the traditional femoral approach. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:530‐535)
Rearing conditions influence nutrient availability of plant extracts supplemented diets when fed to broiler chickens
Authors: Pirgozliev V. , Bravo D. , Rose S. P. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe effects of a standardised mixture of essential oils, including 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde and 2% capsicum (XT 6930; Pancosma S.A), on dietary apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen retention (AMEn), nutrient digestibility and mucin secretions, measured as sialic acid (SA) were investigated in broilers fed on the same diet but reared under different conditions, that is, cages and floor pens littered with wood shavings used in previous broiler study. The use of XT reduced (p < 0.05) nitrogen digestibility (0.585 vs. 0.544) and tended (p = 0.072) to reduce dry matter digestibility (0.733 vs. 0.717) of the diet when fed to birds reared in cages. However, XT supplementation improved (p < 0.05) fat digestibility (0.844 vs. 0.862) and tended (p = 0.093) to increase AMEn (14.01 vs. 14.25 MJ/kg DM) of the same diet when fed to broilers reared in floor pens. Essential oils supplementation tended (p = 0.059) to increase the secretion of SA, when fed to birds reared in cages (11.24 vs. 14.18 μg), but did not influence (p > 0.05) the SA secretion from birds reared in floor pens. The results obtained from the cage study tend to be the opposite of those obtained from the floor pen study. This suggests that the efficiency of dietary plant extracts may be influenced by the rearing/hygienic conditions of poultry. Based on the overall results, it can be concluded that information on rearing conditions should be taken into account for more complete interpretation of the experimental data emanating from experiments involving use of essential oils typified by those considered in this study.
Maintenance of constant functional diversity during secondary succession of a subtropical forest in China
Authors: Böhnke Martin , Kröber Wenzel , Welk Erik , Wirth Christian , Bruelheide Helge 
Published: September 2013

AbstractQuestionsDoes the importance of biotic interactions between tree species increase during secondary forest succession? Do functional trait values become increasingly divergent from early towards late successional stages and how is functional diversity affected by trait identity, species identity and species richness effects?LocationGutianshan National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, southeast China.MethodsBased on 26 leaf and wood traits for 120 woody species, we calculated functional diversity, using Rao's formula for quadratic entropy, trait dissimilarity, defined as half the mean trait‐based distance of all species in the community, and functional evenness, defined as the degree to which functional diversity is maximized. We employed randomization techniques to disentangle the effects of trait identity, species identity and species richness on these three components of functional diversity.ResultsAgainst expectations, functional diversity did not show any successional trend because the communities compensated for a loss in trait dissimilarity by distributing the trait values more evenly among the resident species, thus increasing functional evenness. Randomization tests showed that functional diversity was not affected by trait identity, by species identity or by species richness, which indicates that functional diversity was neither determined by particular single traits or by single species with outstanding trait values.ConclusionsThe constant functional diversity suggests constant functionality in this subtropical forest, which might temporally maintain stable immigration conditions during the course of succession, and thus provides an explanation why these subtropical forests become more species‐rich with time.
Clara Reeve's Progress of Romance and the Female Critic in the 18th Century
Authors: Omdal Gerd Karin 
Published: September 2013

AbstractClara Reeve's The Progress of Romance (1785) is of very few literary historical works written in the dialogue form by female authors in the 18th century. Extending over two volumes The Progress of Romance is significant in several ways; both as a part of the rich British tradition of literary history writing and genre theory, and as a contribution to the tradition of female literary history which was initiated by Elizabeth Rowe and Susan Dobson earlier in the 18th century. Reeve writes about the general history of romance, and of its reputation and reception. But how does the fact that she is of the underrepresented sex in scholarly work of her time affect her text?
Beyond Shakespeare: Early Modern Adaptation Studies and Its Potential
Authors: Clement Jennifer 
Published: September 2013

AbstractEven after years of important and useful work, early modern adaptation studies remains largely limited to two areas: Shakespeare and film. This limitation is understandable. An adaptor himself, Shakespeare has also inspired countless adaptations and appropriations over the centuries. Film Shakespeare carries obvious appeal for those interested in early modern adaptation, not only for the magic of Shakespeare's name but also because much adaptation theory remains the province of film scholars. However, this article argues that such a tight focus unnecessarily restricts the wide field of early modern adaptation practices available for study. Instead, we need to establish a wider context for early modern adaptation studies. This article suggests some approaches towards establishing such a context through its examinations of adaptation theory and digital humanities as avenues for moving beyond Shakespeare.
Instruction and Information from Manuscript to Print: Some English Literature, 1400–1650
Authors: Griffin Carrie 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis paper considers aspects of the variety of literature concerned with information and instruction that was in circulation in later medieval and early modern England. It looks at the dynamic nature of that literature and at what it can reveal about cultural and social practices as well as ways of reading and engaging with texts and textual genres. It also examines the interface between texts in manuscript and in print, and considers some of the implications that technological innovation had for the spread of information.
Urinary Bladder Relaxation through Activation of Imidazoline Receptors Induced by Agmatine is Increased in Diabetic Rats
Authors: TSAI Tsung‐Chin , LIN Chia‐Ho , CHUNG Hsien‐Hui , CHENG Juei‐Tang , CHEN I‐Hung , TONG Yat‐Ching 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe effect of agmatine on bladder contractility and the diabetes‐induced alteration of this action were studied in the rat.MethodsBladder strips were isolated from 9‐week‐old streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats and control Wistar rats. Strips were hung in an organ bath for measurement of isometric tension and pre‐contracted with either 1 µmol/L acetylcholine (ACh) or 50 mmol/L KCl. Dose‐dependent relaxation of the bladder strips was studied by cumulative administration of agmatine 1–100 µmol/L into the organ bath. Effects of specific imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonists on the agmatine‐induced relaxation were studied. Western blotting analysis was used to measure bladder IR, sulphonylurea receptor (SUR) and inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit 6.2 (Kir 6.2) protein levels.ResultsAgmatine reduced ACh and KCl pre‐contracted bladder strip tension in a dose‐dependent fashion. Relaxation was significantly increased in STZ‐diabetic rats. The relaxation was inhibited by BU224, a selective I2 IR antagonist; but not by efaroxan (I1 IR antagonist) or KU14R (I3 IR antagonist). Moreover, the agmatine‐induced relaxation was attenuated by glibenclamide (inhibitor of KATP channel) and H‐89 (inhibitor of protein kinase A), but enhanced by 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX, inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase). Western blotting showed increased expression of bladder IR but not SUR or Kir 6.2 in the STZ‐diabetic rat.ConclusionAgmatine causes rat bladder relaxation by activation of the I2 IR, which opens KATP channels through the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A pathway. Agmatine‐induced bladder relaxation in STZ‐diabetic rats is increased due to a higher expression of IR.
Optimization of Earthquake Energy Dissipation System by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Hejazi F. , Toloue I. , Jaafar M. S. , Noorzaei J. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractNumerous recent studies have assessed the stability and safety of structures furnished with different types of structural control systems, such as viscous dampers. A challenging issue in this field is the optimization of structural control systems to protect structures against severe earthquake excitation. As the safety of a structure depends on many factors, including the failure of structural members and movement of each structural node in any direction, the optimization technique must consider many parameters simultaneously. However, the available literature on optimizing earthquake energy dissipation systems shows that most researchers have considered optimization processes using just one or a few parameters applicable only to simple SDOF or MDOF systems. This article reports on the development of a multiobjective optimization procedure for structural passive control systems based on genetic algorithm; this research focused on systems that would minimize the effects of earthquake based on realistic structural responses considering plastic hinge occurrence in structural elements and three‐directional displacement in all structural nodes. The model was applied to an example of three‐dimensional reinforced concrete framed building and its structural seismic responses were investigated. The results showed that the optimized control system effectively reduced the seismic response of structures, thus enhancing building safety during earthquake excitations.
Biochemical analysis and structure determination of Paucimonas lemoignei poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) depolymerase PhaZ7 muteins reveal the PHB binding site and details of substrate–enzyme interactions
Authors: Jendrossek Dieter , Hermawan Siska , Subedi Bishwa , Papageorgiou Anastassios C. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryFive amino acids (Y105, Y176, Y189, Y189, W207) that constitute the substrate binding site of PHB depolymerase PhaZ7 were identified. All residues are located at a single surface‐exposed location of PhaZ7. Exchange of these amino acids by less hydrophobic, hydrophilic or negatively charged residues reduced binding of PhaZ7 to PHB. Modifications of other residues at the PhaZ7 surface (F9, Y66, Y103, Y124, Y169, Y172, Y173, F198, Y203, Y204, F251, W252) had no effect on substrate binding. The PhaZ7 wild‐type protein, three muteins with single amino acid exchanges (Y105A, Y105E, Y190E), a PhaZ7 variant with deletion of residues 202–208, and PhaZ7 in which the active‐site serine had been replaced by alanine (S136A) were crystallized and their structures were determined at 1.6–2.0 Å resolution. The structures were almost identical but revealed flexibility of some regions. Structural analysis of PhaZ7 (S136A) with bound 3‐hydroxybutyrate tetramer showed that the substrate binds in a cleft that is composed of Y105, Y176, Y189 and Y190 and thus confirmed the data obtained by site‐directed mutagenesis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first example in which the substrate binding site of a PHB depolymerase is documented at a molecular and structural level.
TheBrazilianAssociation ofRegulatoryAgencies: Integrating levels, consolidating identities in the regulatory state in the south
Authors: Bianculli Andrea C. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis article discusses a unique organization in the regulatory world, theBrazilianAssociation ofRegulatoryAgencies (ABAR), which brings together federal, state, and municipal regulatory agencies across different policy sectors. The paper argues that as a regulatory policy network,ABARhas been crucial to the professional socialization, capacity building, and institutionalization of regulators inBrazil. Moreover, it has promoted their identity as professionals and differentiated them from politicians, regulatees, and societal actors. Thus, whileABARraises the shield of expertise to secure independence from political and social interference, it has itself become a relevant actor in the country's regulatory political dynamics, contributing as such to the strengthening of theBrazilian regulatory state.
Hierarchical Longitudinal Models of Relationships in Social Networks
Authors: Paul Sudeshna , O'Malley A. James 
Published: September 2013

SummaryMotivated by the need to understand the dynamics of relationship formation and dissolution over time in real world social networks we develop a new longitudinal model for transitions in the relationship status of pairs of individuals (‘dyads’). We first specify a model for the relationship status of a single dyad and then extend it to account for important interdyad dependences (e.g. transitivity—‘a friend of a friend is a friend’) and heterogeneity. Model parameters are estimated by using Bayesian analysis implemented via Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling. We use the model to perform novel analyses of two diverse longitudinal friendship networks: an excerpt of the Teenage Friends and Lifestyle Study (a moderately sized network) and the Framingham Heart Study (a large network).
A Coupled Hidden Markov Model for Disease Interactions
Authors: Sherlock Chris , Xifara Tatiana , Telfer Sandra , Begon Mike 
Published: September 2013

SummaryTo investigate interactions between parasite species in a host, a population of field voles was studied longitudinally, with presence or absence of six different parasites measured repeatedly. Although trapping sessions were regular, a different set of voles was caught at each session, leading to incomplete profiles for all subjects. We use a discrete time hidden Markov model for each disease with transition probabilities dependent on covariates via a set of logistic regressions. For each disease the hidden states for each of the other diseases at a given time point form part of the covariate set for the Markov transition probabilities from that time point. This allows us to gauge the influence of each parasite species on the transition probabilities for each of the other parasite species. Inference is performed via a Gibbs sampler, which cycles through each of the diseases, first using an adaptive Metropolis–Hastings step to sample from the conditional posterior of the covariate parameters for that particular disease given the hidden states for all other diseases and then sampling from the hidden states for that disease given the parameters. We find evidence for interactions between several pairs of parasites and of an acquired immune response for two of the parasites.