bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Temperature Synthesis of High Alumina Cements by Gel‐Trapped Co‐Precipitation Process and Their Implementation as Castables
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Singh Vinay Kumar , Srivastava Abhinav , Agrawal Gokul Nath 
Published: October 2012

Use of high alumina cement (HAC) as low cement castables (LCC) and ultra‐cement castables (ULCC) has increased for refractories applications over the last few years. HAC is being prepared commercially, by fusing or sintering a mixture of argillaceous and calcareous materials above 1500°C and subsequent grinding to obtain a fine powder. Powders produced by this method have low specific surface area. Therefore, the present work was aimed to prepare nano structured HAC powders at lower temperatures than the conventional one. The powder process adopted here was modified gel‐trapped precipitation method as described earlier. Two compositions of calcium aluminate powders containing 70 and 80 wt% Al2O3, respectively, were selected. The remaining material was CaO in both mixtures. The gel powders obtained by the abovementioned process were calcined at different temperatures with varying soaking periods. The prepared cements were characterized for structural, mechanical, and cementing properties. Finally, the calcination temperature and time were optimized to obtain the desired phases in HAC. The prime cementing phases observed were CA, CA2, CA6, C3A5, and C4A3SO4. These cements were then used with bauxite of different grain sizes to prepare LCC and then their physical properties were studied. The XRD patterns of the bauxite‐based castables indicated the formation of the corundum phase along with a mullite phase in all samples. Castable containing HAC and 10 wt% zirconia substituted for bauxite improved physico‐mechanical and refractory properties. Mullite formed at high temperature acts as a bonding phase and is accounted for high CCS values. These excellent properties of such castables may enable their use in various applications such as refractory lining for fabrication of steel, aluminum, copper, glass, cement, chemicals, and ceramics.
Impact of response shift on the assessment of treatment effects using the Oral Health Impact Profile
Authors: Reissmann Daniel R. , Remmler Antje , John Mike T. , Schierz Oliver , Hirsch Christian 
Published: October 2012

The assessment of changes in oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) is challenging because individuals' concepts and internal standards of OHRQoL may change over time. The aim of this study was to detect response shifts in OHRQoL assessments made using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Oral health‐related quality of life was assessed in a consecutive sample of 126 patients seeking prosthodontic care. Patients were asked to rate their OHRQoL before treatment started and 1 month after treatment was finished, using the German 49‐item version of the OHIP. When rating their OHRQoL after treatment, patients were also asked to rate their pre‐treatment OHRQoL without having access to their baseline data. The response shift was calculated as the difference in OHIP summary scores between the initial assessment and the retrospective baseline assessment. The OHIP mean scores decreased from 31.8 at the initial baseline assessment to 24.4 after treatment. The retrospective baseline assessment resulted in an OHIP mean score of 38.1, corresponding to a response shift of 6.3 OHIP points. The effect size (Cohen's d = 0.21) of the response shift was considered small. The response shift phenomenon and its magnitude have important implications for dental practice, where patients and dentists often assess perceived treatment effects retrospectively.
Synthesis of Ceramic Bonded Carbon Using SiC‐Coated Carbon Particles and Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Nakamura Masaharu , Tojo Tetsuro , Naito Makio , Miyamoto Yoshinari 
Published: October 2012

A dense SiC coating on carbon particles has been developed using SiO powders as the Si source and a chemical vapor reaction method. The coating process was controlled by atmosphere, coating temperature, time, and weight ratio of SiO/C. The SiC‐coated carbon particles, with a mean particle size of 20 μm, were sintered at 2000°C under 40 MPa for 20 min by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The product, called ceramic bonded carbon (CBC), had a unique microstructure, with a 3D micro‐network structure consisting of carbon particles covered with 1~5 μm thick SiC boundary layers. The sintering behavior of SiC/CBCs was analyzed in terms of the network formation of SiC boundary layers at over 1800°C and the grain growth of SiC at 2000°C. SiC/CBCs showed a bending strength of 150 MPa and a low shore hardness of 40. These materials could also be easily joined to SiC ceramics using SPS.
Growth and Body Composition of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, Fry Fed Organic Diets Containing Yeast Extract and Soybean Meal as Replacements for Fish Meal, with and without Supplemental Lysine and Methionine
Authors: Trosvik Kimberly A. , Rawles Steven D. , Thompson Kenneth R. , Metts Linda A. , Gannam Ann , Twibell Ronald , Webster Carl D. 
Published: October 2012

Quantities of fish meal (FM) have remained level for the past several decades; however, demand has dramatically increased because of its inclusion in all animal production as a high‐quality protein source. Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely used plant‐protein ingredient for replacing various proportions of FM in aquatic animal diets. However, use of SBM as the sole protein source has often resulted in reduced fish growth. There is a growing segment of consumers who desire organically grown seafood, and tilapia is one of the most‐cultured fish in the world. As tilapia have herbivorous/omnivorous feeding habits, tilapia fed organic diets may allow producers to enter this rapidly developing market. A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the combination of organic SBM and an organic yeast extract (YE) as complete replacements for FM in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fry diets. Nine diets were formulated to contain various percentages of organic YE (0, 15, 30, and 45%) in combination with organic SBM (84–34%) with and without amino acid (methionine and lysine) supplementation.At the conclusion of the study, fry fed a control diet containing 20% FM and fry fed a diet containing 45% YE/36%SBM with amino acid supplementation showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to those fed all other diets. On the basis of these data, an organic diet which replaces FM with a combination of SBM and YE with added methionine and lysine is commercially feasible and further investigation into the increased use of these two ingredients as protein sources in aquaculture diets is warranted.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loans and Landowner Investments in Agricultural Best Management Practices in Iowa1
Authors: Arbuckle J. Gordon 
Published: October 2012

Arbuckle, Jr., J. Gordon, 2012. Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loans and Landowner Investments in Agricultural Best Management Practices in Iowa. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00688.xAbstract:  Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan programs for water quality have traditionally funded infrastructure projects at the community, municipality, or state level. They are increasingly being used to support individual landowner adoption of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source pollution abatement. In 2005, the Iowa CWSRF initiated the Local Water Protection Program (LWPP) to increase the scope, scale, and rate of agricultural BMP establishment. This research examines the effectiveness of that program through a comparison of survey data from LWPP participants and state cost‐share recipients who were eligible for loans, but did not take them. Loan recipients’ assessments of the program were overwhelmingly positive, with near‐universal satisfaction with both the loan product and process. Results of statistical analyses indicate that loan recipients invested substantially more in conservation than nonrecipients. Evidence suggests that by helping program participants to overcome financial constraints, loans are facilitating larger and accelerated investments in conservation. Although findings indicate that conservation loans can play an important role in funding conservation, loan recipients also still depend on cost‐share. Loans are not necessarily a substitute for traditional forms of conservation funding, but rather another tool that landowners and conservation professionals can employ to facilitate investments in BMPs.
Using Multiple Watershed Models to Predict Water, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Discharges to the Patuxent Estuary1
Authors: Boomer Kathleen M.B. , Weller Donald E. , Jordan Thomas E. , Linker Lewis , Liu Zhi‐Jun , Reilly James , Shenk Gary , Voinov Alexey A. 
Published: October 2012

Boomer, Kathleen M.B., Donald E. Weller, Thomas E. Jordan, Lewis Linker, Zhi‐Jun Liu, James Reilly, Gary Shenk, and Alexey A. Voinov, 2012. Using Multiple Watershed Models to Predict Water, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Discharges to the Patuxent Estuary. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐25. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00689.xAbstract:  We analyzed an ensemble of watershed models that predict flow, nitrogen, and phosphorus discharges. The models differed in scope and complexity and used different input data, but all had been applied to evaluate human impacts on discharges to the Patuxent River or to the Chesapeake Bay. We compared predictions to observations of average annual, annual time series, and monthly discharge leaving three basins. No model consistently matched observed discharges better than the others, and predictions differed as much as 150% for every basin. Models that agreed best with the observations in one basin often were among the worst models for another material or basin. Combining model predictions into a model average improved overall reliability in matching observations, and the range of predictions helped describe uncertainty. The model average was not the closest to the observed discharge for every material, basin, and time frame, but the model average had the highest Nash–Sutcliffe performance across all combinations. Consistently poor performance in predicting phosphorus loads suggests that none of the models capture major controls. Differences among model predictions came from differences in model structures, input data, and the time period considered, and also to errors in the observed discharge. Ensemble watershed modeling helped identify research needs and quantify the uncertainties that should be considered when using the models in management decisions.
Analysis and Predictive Models of Single‐Family Customer Response to Water Curtailments During Drought1
Authors: Polebitski Austin S. , Palmer Richard N. 
Published: October 2012

Polebitski, Austin S. and Richard N. Palmer, 2012. Analysis and Predictive Models of Single‐Family Customer Response to Water Curtailments During Drought. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐12. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00691.xAbstract:  This research investigates customer response to demand management strategies during two drought periods in the City of Seattle. An analysis of customer response to voluntary water curtailments is conducted using k‐means clustering to identify like groups of customers and behavior patterns. The clustering method identified important variables (household income, lot size, living space, and family size) useful in determining customer response to water curtailments. Ordinary least squares and spatial lag regression models are estimated using the first and second principal components of variables identified in the clustering analysis. Larger values of income, lot size, and living space enhanced water reductions whereas larger family size tended to reduce the effectiveness of curtailments. Projections of changes in Seattle’s built environment and demographics between 2000 and 2030 were obtained from an urban simulation model (UrbanSim) and were processed through the regression models to investigate changes in future curtailment effectiveness. This research found that increasing household size hardened demands (decreased curtailment effectiveness) whereas decreasing household size increased per‐capita curtailment effectiveness. These results suggest that changes in the number of residents within a home is likely to be the most important factor in determining future curtailment effectiveness.
Assessing competencies and training needs of pharmacy staff to deliver chlamydia screening in community pharmacies
Authors: Kapadia Mufiza Zia , Warner Pamela , Fairhurst Karen , Muir Aileen , Glasier Anna 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Objective
In the UK community pharmacies have become involved in providing chlamydia testing and treatment (CT&T) to young people. Our objective was to ascertain among pharmacy staff their self-reported competencies and training needs prior to implementation of a pharmacy-based CT&T service.

Methods
Self-complete questionnaires were posted to 166 community pharmacies in Lothian, Scotland. Questions included socio-demographic information and four-point Likert-type scale items addressing self-judged competencies and training needs for the provision of a CT&T service. Each competency item was transformed to a binary variable ‘insufficiently competent’ (comprising responses of ‘not at all’ or ‘somewhat’), and each training need item to a binary variable ‘substantial training need’ (responses of ‘full’ or ‘top-up’ training needed).

Results
Forty-one per cent of the 235 respondents were pharmacists, 32% technicians and 26% counter assistants. In respect of ‘insufficient’ competency, more than half of all staff responses were thus categorised for four competencies regarding offering and giving instructions for screening (60% to 83%), knowing the signs/symptoms of chlamydia (60%), raising the issue of sexual health (58%) and responding to a request for sexual health information (53%). ‘Substantial training need’ was identified for the majority of respondents, for all but two items, highest rates being for the four inter-communicative competencies: giving guidance on use of the kit, offering test to men, or to women, and advising regarding screening (71% to 83%). For pharmacist-only competencies the highest rates of substantial training need were for clarity regarding medico-legal aspects (Fraser guidelines), criteria for referral, and ability to take a sexual history and to review staff competencies for CT&T service (74% to 83%).

Conclusions
Insufficient competency with respect to specifics of service procedure was not surprising, given that no training had yet been given and pharmacists and their support staff had not had any practical experience in the provision of the CT&T service. Substantial training need is particularly indicated for inter-communicative aspects specific to sexual health.
Synovial folds in equine articular process joints
Authors: Thomsen L. N. , Berg L. C. , Markussen B. , Thomsen P. D. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryReasons for performing studyCervical synovial folds have been suggested as a potential cause of neck pain in humans. Little is known about the extent and characteristics of cervical synovial folds in horses.ObjectivesThe objective of this explorative study was to determine the frequency of synovial folds in equine cervical articular process joints and to provide a characterisation of the size and morphology of the synovial folds.MethodsEquine cervical articular process joints from 6 horses were included in the study, ranging from cervical vertebra 2 (C2) to cervical vertebra 7 (C7) bilaterally. The articular process joints were dissected, and the cranial and caudal synovial folds of each joint were measured and embedded in paraffin. Synovial folds were analysed histologically and classified according to type, as adipose, fibrous and mixed type. Factors potentially influencing fold size were investigated, including joint number (from C2/C3 to C6/C7), fold type, position of fold within the joint (cranial or caudal) and side of neck (right or left).ResultsSynovial folds were identified in 98% of cervical articular process joints examined. The width of the synovial folds varied from 4 to 41 mm, and the height from 1 to 17.8 mm. Thirty‐eight per cent of the synovial folds were of adipose type, 41% of fibrous type and 21% of mixed type. Synovial fold size was significantly influenced by the side of the neck and fold type.Conclusions and potential relevanceThis study provides a characterisation of the frequency, size and morphology of equine cervical synovial folds in 6 horses. Synovial folds were present in 98% of the cervical articular process joints examined, and the size of the synovial folds indicates that they could be damaged by acute injury or chronic disease in the cervical articular process joints.
Pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamic effects of tramadol following intravenous administration to the horse
Authors: Knych H. K. , Corado C. R. , Mckemie D. S. , Steffey E. P. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryReasons for performing studyBoth the potential analgesic effect and the conflicting reports describing tramadol disposition in the horse warrant further study of the pharmacokinetics of tramadol in this species.ObjectivesTo describe the pharmacokinetics of tramadol and its metabolites, O‐desmethyltramadol and N‐desmethyltramadol, following i.v. administration of 3 doses to the horse.MethodsNine adult horses received a single i.v. dose of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg bwt tramadol. Blood samples were collected prior to and at various times up to 72 h post administration. Plasma samples were analysed using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and data analysed using noncompartmental analysis. Chin‐to‐ground distance, heart rate and rhythm, step count and gastrointestinal activity were also assessed.ResultsMaximal measured plasma tramadol concentrations were 454 ± 101.6, 1086.7 ± 330.7 and 1697.9 ± 406.1 ng/ml for 0.5, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg bwt, respectively. Depending on the dose administered, the tramadol clearance, volume of distribution and half‐life ranged from 24.6 to 25.0 ml/min/kg, 2.66 to 3.33 l/kg and 2.17 to 3.05 h, respectively. Following administration of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg bwt tramadol, the maximal measured plasma concentrations of the active metabolite, O‐desmethyltramadol, were 3.9 ± 1.9, 9.6 ± 4.8 and 12.9 ± 5.2 ng/ml, respectively. Muscle fasiculations and tremors were seen following administration of the 2 high doses. No significant changes in chin‐to‐ground distance, heart rate and rhythm, step count and gastrointestinal activity were observed.Conclusions and potential relevanceThis study confirms and extends previous studies describing the pharmacokinetics of tramadol following i.v. administration to the horse. Plasma tramadol concentrations exceeded those necessary for analgesia in human patients; however, further studies are necessary to determine plasma concentrations of tramadol necessary for analgesic efficacy in the horse. These results support further investigation of the analgesic efficacy of tramadol in the horse.
The impact of maternal prenatal smoking on the development of childhood overweight in school‐aged children
Authors: Wang L. , Mamudu H. M. , Wu T. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryWhat is already known about this subject
Maternal smoking during pregnancy likely increase the risk of childhood overweight.
Childhood overweight is influenced by socioeconomic characteristics of mothers.
Characteristics of child at birth determine the likelihood of overweight.
What this study adds
Children of mothers who smoked 1 year before birth (including pregnancy) were likely to be overweight during school ages than those of mothers who never smoked.
Confirmation that socioeconomic characteristics of mothers influence the likelihood of childhood overweight during school age.
Smoking cessation should be targeted at mothers 1 year before birth to improve their health status and that of offspring.
ObjectivesTo examine associations between maternal smoking and overweight among school‐aged children and also identify mothers and offspring characteristics that affect children's weight.MethodsWe used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCY). Childhood overweight was defined as having Body Mass Index (BMI) of 85th percentile or above. Smoking patterns among mothers were assessed by questioning smoking behaviour 1 year before birth of the target child: never or ever smoking. Standardized procedures were used to measure height and weight. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used for the analysis.ResultsDescriptive results showed that children of mothers who smoked anytime within 1 year before birth were more likely to be overweight and have higher BMI percentile averages. GEE results showed that children of mothers who were ever smokers 1 year before birth were more likely to be overweight (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.94) and have higher BMI percentile averages (β = 4.46, P = 0.036) from grades 1 through 6 than those of mothers who were never smokers. Additionally, the level of mother's education and birth weight were significantly associated with childhood overweight.ConclusionsConfirmed relationships between maternal smoking and overweight among school‐aged children have important implications for public health policy because this evidence can be used to enhance smoking cessation 1 year before birth to improve the health status of mothers and offspring.
Analysis of genetic diversity in Bolivian llama populations using microsatellites
Authors: Barreta J. , Gutiérrez‐Gil B. , Iñiguez V. , Romero F. , Saavedra V. , Chiri R. , Rodríguez T. , Arranz J.J. 
Published: October 2012

SummarySouth American camelids (SACs) have a major role in the maintenance and potential future of rural Andean human populations. More than 60% of the 3.7 million llamas living worldwide are found in Bolivia. Due to the lack of studies focusing on genetic diversity in Bolivian llamas, this analysis investigates both the genetic diversity and structure of 12 regional groups of llamas that span the greater part of the range of distribution for this species in Bolivia. The analysis of 42 microsatellite markers in the considered regional groups showed that, in general, there were high levels of polymorphism (a total of 506 detected alleles; average PIC across per marker: 0.66), which are comparable with those reported for other populations of domestic SACs. The estimated diversity parameters indicated that there was high intrapopulational genetic variation (average number of alleles and average expected heterozygosity per marker: 12.04 and 0.68, respectively) and weak genetic differentiation among populations (FST range: 0.003–0.052). In agreement with these estimates, Bolivian llamas showed a weak genetic structure and an intense gene flow between all the studied regional groups, which is due to the exchange of reproductive males between the different flocks. Interestingly, the groups for which the largest pairwise FST estimates were observed, Sud Lípez and Nor Lípez, showed a certain level of genetic differentiation that is probably due to the pattern of geographic isolation and limited communication infrastructures of these southern localities. Overall, the population parameters reported here may serve as a reference when establishing conservation policies that address Bolivian llama populations.