bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Best Cross‐Cultural Training Practices for North American and European Expatriates in China: A Delphi Study
Authors: Cheema Harjinder 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe deployment of expatriate managers by business leaders is expensive, with the cost reported to be in the millions of lost revenue dollars when expatriates fail at their assignment. The rate of failure, which can result in financial loss and talent depletion, necessitates an examination of successful training strategies and techniques used by North American or European expatriates, especially in China, where expatriates face many cross‐cultural challenges. The purpose of this modified Delphi study was to explore the strategies and techniques used to prepare expatriates before relocating to China and to develop consensus on the elements most necessary for a successful cross‐cultural training (CCT) program. Twenty‐three expatriates with at least one year of experience in a foreign assignment participated in the study. Three rounds of data collection and analysis resulted in consensus for the inclusion of 61 CCT outcomes, covering the seven categories for adaptation. The categories were (a) cultural shock and transition; (b) professional and working life, which was grouped into two subcategories of skills and knowledge and cultural awareness and understanding; (c) language and communication; (d) general cultural training; (e) living in China; and (f) training methods. The findings in the current study are important with respect to the identification of a multidimensional theoretical construct for the development of practitioner training programs.
Authenticity and quality of animal origin food investigated by stable‐isotope ratio analysis
Authors: Vinci Giuliana , Preti Raffaella , Tieri Alessandra , Vieri Simone 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAuthentication of a food product is the procedure by which it is verified that the product matches the statements on the label, and that it conforms to what is established by regulations. This testing process includes analysis of the ingredients, determination of the geographical origin, and examination of the production methods. In particular, the use of rapid, effective and reliable analytical methods, when correctly applied to verify the authenticity and the traceability of the product, represents a valuable and irreplaceable tool for the authorities to carry out control functions. Tools and methodologies from scientific innovation and technological evolution can help to quickly locate particularly sophisticated frauds and adulterations. The feeding regime of livestock is a fundamental issue for the properties and safety of animal origin food, but this regime is often hidden from the consumer, making the zootechnical sector more prone to fraudulent practices. This review reports the results recently obtained in authentication of animal origin food by the application of stable‐isotope ratio analysis, the most promising analytical technique in this field.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Alpha‐Helix Self‐Assembly of Oligopeptides Originated From Beta‐Sheet Keratin
Authors: Zhang Qianjie , Liebeck Bernd M. , Yan Kelu , Demco Dan E. , Körner Andrea , Popescu Crisan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe structure and characterization of the oligopeptide crystals formed from the feather keratin solution obtained by superheated water treatment are reported. The FTIR spectra and 1H and 13C solid‐state NMR results indicate that the peptides, arranged mostly in a beta‐sheet structure in feather, reorganize into a mainly alpha‐helix and less beta‐sheet mixed secondary structure, when self‐assemble from the solution at room temperature. MALDI‐ToF‐ToF spectra confirm that the most primary sequence with the mass 1884 come from the feather keratin 4, KRFA_CHICK of Gallus gallus. The largely preservation of all but cystine amino acid species and the increase of hydrophobic amino acids content in the oligopeptide crystals are proved by the amino acid analysis.
Elevated p66Shc is associated with intracellular redox imbalance in developmentally compromised bovine embryos
Authors: Bain Nathan T. , Madan Pavneesh , Betts Dean H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe in vitro production of mammalian embryos suffers from low efficiency, with 50–70% of all fertilized oocytes failing to develop to the blastocyst stage. This high rate of developmental failure is due, in part, to the effects of oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The p66Shc adaptor protein controls oxidative stress response by regulating intracellular ROS levels through multiple pathways, including mitochondrial ROS generation and the repression of antioxidants. This study explored the relationship between p66Shc levels, redox state, and developmental potential in early bovine embryos. Embryo developmental potential was established based on observing their time of first cleavage. P66Shc, catalase, and mitochondrial‐specific, manganese‐superoxide dismutate (MnSOD) levels were compared between embryos with high and low developmental potentials. Additionally, p66Shc, catalase, and MnSOD content were assayed following a variety of oxidative stress‐inducing and‐alleviating conditions. Increased developmental potential correlated with significantly lower p66Shc content, significantly higher levels of catalase and MnSOD, and significantly lower intracellular ROS levels (MitoSOX staining) and reduced DNA damage (γ‐H2A.X(phospho S139) immunostaining). p66Shc content was increased by either high (20%) O2 culture or H2O2 treatment, and significantly decreased by supplementing culture media with the antioxidant polyethylene glycol‐conjugated catalase. While the abundance of p66Shc varied according to pro/anti‐oxidant culture conditions, antioxidant content varied only according to developmental potential. This discrepancy has important implications regarding ongoing efforts towards maximizing in vitro embryo production. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 22–34, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification and function of proteolysis regulators in seminal fluid
Authors: LaFlamme Brooke A. , Wolfner Mariana F. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractProteins in the seminal fluid of animals with internal fertilization effect numerous responses in mated females that impact both male and female fertility. Among these proteins is the highly represented class of proteolysis regulators (proteases and their inhibitors). Though proteolysis regulators have now been identified in the seminal fluid of all animals in which proteomic studies of the seminal fluid have been conducted (as well as several other species in which they have not), a unified understanding of the importance of proteolysis to male fertilization success and other reproductive processes has not yet been achieved. In this review, we provide an overview of the identification of proteolysis regulators in the seminal fluid of humans and Drosophila melanogaster, the two species with the most comprehensively known seminal fluid proteomes. We also highlight reports demonstrating the functional significance of specific proteolysis regulators in reproductive and post‐mating processes. Finally, we make broad suggestions for the direction of future research into the roles of both active seminal fluid proteolysis regulators and their inactive homologs, another significant class of seminal fluid proteins. We hope that this review aids researchers in pursuing a coordinated study of the functional significance of proteolysis regulators in semen. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Recombinant Human Thrombin: A Pooled Analysis of Results from 10 Clinical Trials
Authors: Singla Neil K. , Foster Kevin N. , Alexander W. Allan , Pribble John P. 
Published: October 2012

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of recombinant human thrombin (rThrombin), an active topical stand‐alone hemostatic agent.DesignAnalysis of pooled data from 10 rThrombin clinical trials.PatientsA total of 644 adult and pediatric patients treated with rThrombin; 609 patients were included in the immunogenicity analysis.Measurements and Main ResultsIn all studies, rThrombin was applied during a single surgical procedure (day 1); the procedures consisted of spinal procedures, major hepatic resection, peripheral arterial bypass, arteriovenous graft formation for hemodialysis access, and synchronous burn wound excision and skin grafting. A dosage of 1000 IU/ml of rThrombin was administered for more than 99% of patients. Adverse events and clinical laboratory values were monitored through day 29. Blood samples were obtained for immunogenicity analyses before the procedure and on day 29. Adverse events were mild or moderate in severity for the majority of patients; no patients discontinued from an rThrombin study due to adverse events. The most commonly reported adverse events in the 644 patients were incision site pain (305 patients [47.4%]), procedural pain (215 patients [33.4%]), and nausea (170 patients [26.4%]). Five patients (0.8%) died during the studies; all deaths were considered unrelated to rThrombin treatment. Antibodies to the rThrombin product developed in 5 (0.8%, 95% confidence interval 0.4–2.8%) of 609 patients by day 29, approximately 1 month after treatment; these antibodies did not neutralize the activity of native human thrombin. The development of antibodies did not appear to differ substantively by type of surgical procedure, amount of rThrombin administered, or patient age.ConclusionRecombinant human thrombin was well tolerated, and adverse events were consistent with those reported in the postoperative setting in the surgical populations studied. Approximately 1 month after treatment, less than 1% of the patients had developed antibodies to the rThrombin product, and these antibodies did not neutralize the activity of native human thrombin. These results support the safety of rThrombin when used as a topical aid to hemostasis in numerous surgical settings and for patients of differing ages.
Comparison of Prescription Drug Costs in the United States and the United Kingdom, Part 3: Methylphenidate
Authors: Jick Hershel , Wilson Andrew , Wiggins Peter , Chamberlin Douglas P. 
Published: October 2012

Study ObjectiveTo compare the annual cost of methylphenidate in the United States and the United Kingdom.DesignMatched‐cohort cost analysis.Data SourcesThe U.K. General Practice Research Database (GPRD) and MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database, a large, U.S. self‐insured medical claims database.Study PopulationWe initially identified 1.6 million people in the GPRD who were younger than 65 years of age in 2005. These people were then matched by year of birth and sex with 1.6 million people in the U.S. database. From this matched pool, we estimated that 98,000 boys aged 5–14 years from each country in 2005 were prescribed at least one drug. Of these, 6485 (6.6%) in the U.S. were prescribed methylphenidate compared with 1405 (1.4%) in the U.K. After excluding those who did not receive methylphenidate continuously, there remained 2298 boys in the U.S. and 939 in the U.K. who were prescribed methylphenidate continuously during 2005 (annual methylphenidate users). We estimated and compared drug costs (presented in 2005 U.S. dollars) for continuous users separately in the two countries.Measurements and Main ResultsEstimated drug costs were determined by random sampling. Estimated annual costs/patient in the U.S. ranged from $402 for doses of 5–10 mg to $821 for doses greater than 20 mg. In the U.K., costs ranged from $146 for doses of 5–10 mg to $661 for doses greater than 20 mg. The total annual cost of the continuous receipt of methylphenidate in the U.S. was $170,199 compared with $39,393 in the U.K.ConclusionThe cost of methylphenidate for boys aged 5–14 years paid by private insurance companies in the U.S. was more than 4 times higher than comparable costs paid by the government in the U.K.
Experimental micromechanical characterisation of wood cell walls
Authors: Eder Michaela , Arnould Olivier , Dunlop John W. C. , Hornatowska Joanna , Salmén Lennart 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe properties of wood and wood-based materials are strongly dependent on the properties of the fibres, that is, the cell wall properties. It is thus highly important to be able to mechanically characterise cell walls in order to understand structure–property relationships. This article gives a brief overview of the state of the art in experimental techniques to characterise the mechanical properties of wood at both the level of the single cell and that of the cell wall. Challenges, opportunities, drawbacks and limitations of single fibre tensile tests and nanoindentation are discussed with respect to the wood material properties.
Uptake of α‐Linolenic Acid and Its Conversion to Long Chain Omega‐3 Fatty Acids in Rats Fed Microemulsions of Linseed Oil
Authors: Sugasini D. , Lokesh B. R. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe present work was designed to prepare linseed oil (LSO) microemulsion and explore the possibility of enhancing the uptake and utilization of α‐linolenic acid (ALA) present in LSO. The bioavailability of encapsulated LSO as against native oil was monitored in rats by measuring the uptake in vitro using the intestinal everted sac model and in‐vivo administration of microemulsions of LSO to rats for a period of 30 days. Microemulsions were prepared by using different binding materials such as gum acacia, whey protein and lipoid. When LSO was encapsulated with gum acacia, whey protein and lipoid, the levels of ALA uptake into intestinal sacs was increased by 6, 17 and 28 % as compared to oil given without encapsulation. EPA and DHA were not observed in the oil absorbed by intestinal everted sacs when given as emulsions with gum acacia or whey protein. When LSO was given as microemulsions with lipoid, EPA + DHA was observed in oil absorbed by intestinal sacs. Similarly when LSO was given as a lipoid emulsion by intubation to rats, the EPA and DHA in serum lipids were found to be 41 and 34 μg/ml, respectively while rats given LSO without encapsulation contained EPA and DHA at 9.1 and 8.8 μg/ml, respectively. Similar changes in omega‐3 fatty acid content in liver lipids were observed when LSO was given as a microemulsion with lipoid. This study indicated that ALA was taken up and metabolized to long chain omega‐3 PUFA when given as microemulsion with lipoid.
Pollen Records of Vegetation and Inferred Climate Change in South-western Madhya Pradesh during the Last ca. 3800 Years
Authors: Chauhan M. S. , Quamar M. F. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Pollen analysis of 1.5m deep sediment core from Sapna Lake, Betul District (M.P.) has demonstrated that between 3,800 and 2,700 yr BP, open Acacia-dominant scrub forests interspersed with stretches of herbaceous vegetation comprising grasses, sedges, Asteraceae, Cheno/Am, etc., occurred in the region under a regime of dry climate. A few trees of Madhuca indica, Holoptelea, Shorea robusta, Lagerstroemia parviflora, etc. were also sparingly distributed therein. The vicinity of the lake was under cereal-based agricultural practice as portrayed by the presence of Cerealia and other culture pollen taxa viz., Cheno/Am, Caryophyllaceae, Artemisia and Cannabis sativa. Around 2,700 to 1,260 yr BP the Acacia-dominant scrub forests were succeeded by the open mixed deciduous forests as evidenced from the improvement in frequencies of Madhuca indica, Sapotaceae, Holoptelea, Shorea robusta as well as sporadic invasion of Terminalia, Mitragyna, Flacourtia, Grewia, Lannea coromandelica, etc. This enhancement in the forest floristic reflects the initiation of a warm and humid climate possibly in response to increasing monsoon precipitation. Owing to the prevailing favourable climatic condition there was acceleration in the agricultural practice as indicated by the rising trend of Cerealia and other culture pollen taxa. Since 1,260 yr BP onwards the depletion in the prominent forest constituents such as Madhuca indica, Sapotaceae, Shorea robusta, Holoptelea and other associated trees implies that the forests turned more sparse and less diversified due to the inception of a warm and less humid climate, attributable to reduced monsoon precipitation. However, the agricultural practice continued with almost same intensity as before, because the Cerealia and other culture pollen taxa remain unchanged.
Modeling and Forecasting Health Expectancy: Theoretical Framework and Application
Authors: Majer Istvan M. , Stevens Ralph , Nusselder Wilma J. , Mackenbach Johan P. , van Baal Pieter H. M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractLife expectancy continues to grow in most Western countries; however, a major remaining question is whether longer life expectancy will be associated with more or fewer life years spent with poor health. Therefore, complementing forecasts of life expectancy with forecasts of health expectancies is useful. To forecast health expectancy, an extension of the stochastic extrapolative models developed for forecasting total life expectancy could be applied, but instead of projecting total mortality and using regular life tables, one could project transition probabilities between health states simultaneously and use multistate life table methods. In this article, we present a theoretical framework for a multistate life table model in which the transition probabilities depend on age and calendar time. The goal of our study is to describe a model that projects transition probabilities by the Lee-Carter method, and to illustrate how it can be used to forecast future health expectancy with prediction intervals around the estimates. We applied the method to data on the Dutch population aged 55 and older, and projected transition probabilities until 2030 to obtain forecasts of life expectancy, disability-free life expectancy, and probability of compression of disability.
Identifying Potential Areas of Infectivity on High‐Touch Locations in the OR
Authors: Vande Leest LoAnn , Kawczynski Rick , Esser Lipp Fawn , Barrientos Rebecca 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPersonnel at an ambulatory surgery center in Franklin, Wisconsin, used the nationwide emphasis on minimizing health care–associated infections as the impetus to set up an investigation to determine the effectiveness of cleaning procedures for the OR and stationary OR equipment. During the course of one week, we examined areas that we considered to be high touch (ie, with the greatest frequency of multiple hand contacts) for effective cleaning and decontamination in one OR by using a commercial cleaning verification system commonly used in the food service industry and standard culture methods. As a result of this project, we determined that the cleaning and disinfection at our facility was effective. In the process, we gained insight into the dynamics of the cleaning procedure under actual conditions. This project reports a simple method of maintaining or improving cleaning protocols in a cost‐effective manner.
Clinical Issues
Authors: Van Wicklin Sharon A. 
Published: October 2012

This MonthFilling pain pump reservoirsKey words: pain pumps, reservoirs, compounded sterile preparations, US Pharmacopeia chapter <797>.Laparoscopic procedures involving abdominal and perineal areasKey words: laparoscopic, perineal, sterile technique, clean‐contaminated.Postprocedure cleaning of the ORKey words: health care‐associated infections, environmental surfaces, Environmental Protection Agency‐registered disinfectant.Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in pregnant womenKey words: venous thromboembolism, prophylaxis, pregnant women.
Effect of microstructural anisotropy on the fluid–particle drag force and the stability of the uniformly fluidized state
Authors: Holloway William , Sun Jin , Sundaresan Sankaran 
Published: October 2012

AbstractLattice-Boltzmann simulations of fluid flow through sheared assemblies of monodisperse spherical particles have been performed. The friction coefficient tensor extracted from these simulations is found to become progressively more anisotropic with increasing Péclet number, $Pe= \dot {\gamma } {d}^{2} / D$, where $\dot {\gamma } $ is the shear rate, $d$ is the particle diameter, and $D$ is the particle self-diffusivity. A model is presented for the anisotropic friction coefficient, and the model constants are related to changes in the particle microstructure. Linear stability analysis of the two-fluid model equations including the anisotropic drag force model developed in the present study reveals that the uniformly fluidized state of low Reynolds number suspensions is most unstable to mixed mode disturbances that take the form of vertically travelling waves having both vertical and transverse structures. As the Stokes number increases, the transverse-to-vertical wavenumber ratio decreases towards zero; i.e. the transverse structure becomes progressively less prominent. Fully nonlinear two-fluid model simulations of moderate to high Stokes number suspensions reveal that the anisotropic drag model leads to coarser gas–particle flow structures than the isotropic drag model.
Drag reduction due to spatial thermal modulations
Authors: Hossain M. Z. , Floryan D. , Floryan J. M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIt is demonstrated that a significant drag reduction for pressure-driven flows can be realized by applying spatially distributed heating. The heating creates separation bubbles that separate the stream from the bounding walls and, at the same time, alter the distribution of the Reynolds stress, thereby providing a propulsive force. The strength of this effect is of practical interest for heating with wavenumbers $\ensuremath{\alpha} = O(1)$ and for flows with small Reynolds numbers and, thus, it is of potential interest for applications in micro-channels. Explicit results given for a very simple sinusoidal heating demonstrate that the drag-reducing effect increases proportionally to the second power of the heating intensity. This increase saturates if the heating becomes too intense. Drag reduction decreases as ${\ensuremath{\alpha} }^{4} $ when the heating wavenumber becomes too small, and as ${\ensuremath{\alpha} }^{\ensuremath{-} 7} $ when the heating wavenumber becomes too large; this decrease is due to the reduction in the magnitude of the Reynolds stress. The drag reduction can reach up to 87 % for the heating intensities of interest and heating patterns corresponding to the most effective heating wavenumber.