bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cross sectional survey of knowledge, attitude and practices related to house flies among dairy farmers in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Hafiz Azhar Ali , Akram Waseem , Shad Sarfraz Ali , Razaq Muhammad , Naeem-Ullah Unsar , Zia Khuram 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Background
House flies are of major public health concerns in areas with poor sanitation and hygienic conditions. Unfortunately, sanitation and hygiene have always been ignored in dairy farms particularly in the developing or low-income countries. Management of these flies mostly depends on the awareness regarding associated hazards and protective measures taken by the people to minimize risks associated with flies. The present study therefore explores the knowledge, attitude and practices taken by dairy farmers in Punjab, Pakistan against house flies.

Methods
The present study was based on a cross sectional self administered survey to a convenience sample of 173 small scale dairy farmers in four localities – Multan, Lahore, Shorkot and Faisalabad – of Pakistan. The relationships between socio-demographics, knowledge and preventive practices were investigated through logistic regression analysis and chi-square test of association.

Results
Considerable number of dairy farmers 71/173 (41.04%) had no idea about the problems associated with house flies. Although 77/173 (44.51%) dairy farmers reported house flies as disease transmitters, only 23 (29.87%) farmers were familiar with diseases and 22 (28.57%) had somewhat idea of the mode of disease transmission. We found a positive association between dairy farmer’s education level and overall knowledge of house flies in multivariate analysis. Farmer’s education level and knowledge of the house flies breeding sites had a positive association with the adoption of house fly prevention practices by the respondents. However, knowledge of the problems associated with house flies and preventive measures had no association with house fly prevention practices.

Conclusion
The present ethnoentomological survey provides information about knowledge, attitude and practices of dairy farmers related to house flies in Punjab, Pakistan. We conclude that the farmers’ education level and knowledge of the breeding sites had a positive association with the adoption of prevention practices against house flies. The study also highlights the need of targeting the lack of knowledge of dairy farmers for the successful management of house flies.
Recovering complete plant root system architectures from soil via X-ray μ-Computed Tomography
Authors: Mairhofer Stefan , Zappala Susan , Tracy Saoirse , Sturrock Craig , Bennett Malcolm John , Mooney Sacha Jon , Pridmore Tony Paul 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (μCT) offers the ability to visualise the three-dimensional structure of plant roots growing in their natural environment – soil. Recovery of root architecture descriptions from X-ray CT data is, however, challenging. The X-ray attenuation values of roots and soil overlap, and the attenuation values of root material vary. Any successful root identification method must both explicitly target root material and be able to adapt to local changes in root properties.
RooTrak meets these requirements by combining the level set method with a visual tracking framework and has been shown to be capable of segmenting a variety of plant roots from soil in X-ray μCT images. The approach provides high quality root descriptions, but tracks root systems top to bottom and so omits upward-growing (plagiotropic) branches.

Results
We present an extension to RooTrak which allows it to extract plagiotropic roots. An additional backward-looking step revisits the previous image, marking possible upward-growing roots. These are then tracked, leading to efficient and more complete recovery of the root system. Results show clear improvement in root extraction, without which key architectural traits would be underestimated.

Conclusions
The visual tracking framework adopted in RooTrak provides the focus and flexibility needed to separate roots from soil in X-ray CT imagery and can be extended to detect plagiotropic roots. The extended software tool produces more complete descriptions of plant root structure and supports more accurate computation of architectural traits.
Sex-differences in reasons for non-participation at recruitment: Geelong Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Markanday Shikha , Brennan Sharon L , Gould Haslinda , Pasco Julie A 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Understanding reasons for non-participation in health studies can help guide recruitment strategies and inform researchers about potential sources of bias in their study sample. Whilst there is a paucity of literature regarding this issue, it remains highly plausible that men and women may have varied reasons for declining an invitation to participate in research. We aimed to investigate sex-differences in the reasons for non-participation at baseline of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS).

Methods
The GOS, a prospective cohort study, randomly recruited men and women aged 20 years and over from a region in south-eastern Australia using Commonwealth electoral rolls (2001–06 and 1993–97, respectively). Reasons for non-participation (n=1,200) were documented during the two recruitment periods. We used the Pearson’s chi squared test to explore differences in the reasons for non-participation between men and women.

Results
Non-participation in the male cohort was greater than in the female cohort (32.9% vs. 22.9%; p<0.001). Overall, there were sex-differences in the reasons provided for non-participation (p<0.001); apparent differences related to time constraints (men 26.3% vs. women 10.4%), frailty/inability to cope with or understand the study (men 18.7% vs. women 30.6%), and reluctance over medical testing (men 1.1% vs women 9.9%). No sex-differences were observed for non-participation related to personal reason/disinterest, and language- or travel-related reasons.

Conclusions
Improving participation rates in epidemiological studies may require different recruitment strategies for men and women in order to address sex-specific concerns about participating in research.
Helmholtz tomography of ambient noise surface wave data to estimate Scholte wave phase velocity at Valhall Life of the Field
Authors: Mordret Aurélien , Shapiro Nikolaï M. , Singh Satish S. , Roux Philippe , Barkved Olav I. 
Published: March 2013

We applied the Helmholtz tomography technique to 6.5 hours of continuous seismic noise record data set of the Valhall Life of Field network. This network, that has 2320 receivers, allows us to perform a multifrequency, high-resolution, ambient-noise Scholte wave phase velocity tomography at Valhall. First, we computed crosscorrelations between all possible pairs of receivers to convert every station into a virtual source recorded by all other receivers. Our next step was to measure phase traveltimes and spectral amplitudes at different periods from crosscorrelations between stations separated by distances between two and six wavelengths. This is done in a straightforward fashion in the Fourier domain. Then, we interpolated these measurements onto a regular grid and computed local gradients of traveltimes and local Laplacians of the amplitude to infer local phase velocities using a frequency dependent Eikonal equation. This procedure was repeated for all 2320 virtual sources and final phase velocities were estimated as statistical average from all these measurements at each grid points. The resulting phase velocities for periods between 0.65 and 1.6 s demonstrate a significant dispersion with an increase of the phase velocities at longer periods. Their lateral distribution is found in very good agreement with previous ambient noise tomography done at Valhall as well as with a full waveform inversion P-wave model computed from an active seismic data set. We put effort into assessing the spatial resolution of our tomography with checkerboard tests, and we discuss the influence of the interpolation methods on the quality of our final models.
Two Suspected Cases of Immunoglobulin-Mediated Interference Causing Falsely Low Vancomycin Concentrations with the Beckman PETINIA Method
Authors: Gunther Mary , Saxinger Lynora , Gray Margaret , LeGatt Donald 
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE To describe 2 recent cases of suspected immunoglobulin-mediated interference with the Beckman Coulter particle–enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA) used to measure vancomycin serum or plasma concentrations and to review the existing literature. CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old woman with a history of multiple immune-related comorbidities received vancomycin for treatment of a prosthetic joint infection growing coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. A 33-year-old man with a history of Felty syndrome received vancomycin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. Both patients had multiple vancomycin trough concentrations determined using the Beckman Coulter PETINIA method and had measured concentrations reported as less than 4 mg/L despite appropriate vancomycin dosing for their size, age, and organ function. The patients' serum was then tested by alternative methods, which reported vancomycin concentrations consistent with those expected with the patients' dosing regimens. DISCUSSION Immunoglobulins are well known for interfering with chemistry assays. It is suspected that high levels of immunoglobulins in these 2 patients interfered with the accurate measurement of serum vancomycin concentrations. An objective causality assessment supported the interactions as being definite and probable, respectively. Two other cases of suspected immunoglobulin interference with vancomycin measurement have been reported in the literature when vancomycin concentrations were initially measured using the Beckman Coulter PETINIA method. In vitro studies support the hypothesis that immunoglobulin interference with vancomycin measurement by this method occurs and is a graded phenome non. CONCLUSIONS These cases suggest a high likelihood of immunoglobulin-mediated interference with the Beckman Coulter PETINIA method, which results in the reporting of falsely low vancomycin serum concentrations. When vancomycin concentrations do not correlate with what would be expected clinically, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for potential assay interference.
Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats
Authors: Oyagbemi Ademola A. , Omobowale Temitayo O. , Azeez Ibraheem O. , Abiola John O. , Adedokun Rahamon A.M. , Nottidge Helen O. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to investigate toxicological effects associated with prolonged consumption of Moringa oleifera leaves as a beverage.

Methods: Thirty rats were used in this study. They were grouped into five groups of six rats. Rats in group I received 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of corn oil (vehicle). Animals in groups II, III, IV and V received 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEMO) for 8 weeks. Serum collected was analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.

Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum total protein and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. Rats that received MEMO at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine which pointed to hepatic and kidney damage. All experimental animals that received MEMO had a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions: This study therefore confirms for the first time that chronic administration of M. oleifera leaves might predispose to hepatic and kidney damage.
The correlation of ultrasonographic placental architecture with placental histology in the low-risk primigravid population
Authors: Cooley Sharon M. , Donnelly Jennifer C. , Walsh Thomas , McMahon Corrina , Gillan John , Geary Michael P. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Aim: To determine the association, if any, between placental architecture findings assessed ultrasonographically at 22 and 36 weeks and placental histology.

Methods: There was prospective recruitment of 1011 low-risk primigravids from the antenatal clinic at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Ultrasound of the placenta was performed at 22 and 36 weeks and histological assessment was made of the placenta of all participants.

Results: Complete data pertaining to ultrasound and placental histology was available for 810 women (80%). Placental calcification on ultrasound in the third trimester was associated with a higher incidence of placental infarction identified following placental histology (80.0% vs. 21.5%; P=0.009: r=0.115). The placental thickness on ultrasound in the second trimester was less in cases complicated by chorioamnionitis (2.62 cm vs. 3.07 cm; P=0.039: r=–0.176). Chronic villitis was associated with a statistically significant increased incidence of antenatal placental infarction identified on ultrasound in the third trimester (10.7% vs. 1.9%; P=0.020: r=0.113). Intervillous thrombi occurred more frequently in cases with reduced placental thickness on ultrasound in the second trimester (3.0 cm vs. 3.3 cm; P=0.035: r=–0.171).

Conclusions: Antenatal ultrasound of the placenta may aid detection of placental disease, particularly in the identification of placental infarction.
Cross section measurements of a few threshold reactions induced by fast neutrons from an Am/Be source: integral tests of differential neutron reaction cross section data
Authors: Qaim Syed M. , Uddin M.S. , Hossain S. M. , Spahn I. , Zaman M. R. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Integral cross sections of the reactions 24Mg(n,p)24Na, 27Al(n,p)27Mg, 27Al(n,α)24Na and 95Mo(n,p)95Nb were measured for the first time with fast neutrons (E
n > 1.5 MeV) from an Am/Be source. Furthermore, upper cross section limits for the reactions 98Mo(n,α)95Zr and 103Rh(n,p)103Ru were deduced. The results were compared with data calculated using the neutron spectral distribution and the excitation function of each reaction given in the data files and libraries ENDF/B-VII, JEFF-3.1.2, JENDL-4.0, IRDF-2004, TENDL-2010, ROSFOND-2010 and CENDL-3.1. In general, the integral measurement and the integrated value agreed within ± 10%. The fast neutron field (with E
n > 1.5 MeV) of the Am/Be source is thus well suited for integral tests of excitation functions of neutron threshold reactions.
Cyclotron production of 44Sc for clinical application
Authors: Krajewski Seweryn , Cydzik Izabela , Abbas Kamel , Bulgheroni Antonio , Simonelli Federica , Holzwarth Uwe , Bilewicz Aleksander 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

44Sc is a promising β
+-emitter for molecular imaging with intermediate half-life of 4 h. Due to the chemical similarity of Sc3+ to the Lu3+ and Y3+ cations, 44Sc-DOTA bioconjugates are expected to demonstrate similar properties in vivo as the 177Lu- and 90Y-bioconjugates, what is important in planning the radionuclide therapy. 44Sc can be obtained from the 44
Ti/44Sc generator. An alternative method for 44Sc production can be the irradiation of 44Ca target at small cyclotrons. The aim of our work was to optimize the parameters of 44CaCO3 irradiation and to develop a simple procedure for 44Sc separation from the calcium target. For optimization study, 44CaCO3 targets were irradiated by protons in the energy range of 5.6–17.5 MeV with 9 MeV being found to be the best energy for 44Ca irradiations. A simple and fast separation procedure of 44Sc from calcium target was developed using chelating resin Chelex 100. DOTATATE conjugate was successfully radiolabelled with high yield at elevated temperature using the produced 44Sc. While 44CaCO3 is relatively expensive, the cost of 44Sc-DOTATATE production can be reduced by target recovery. Due to low proton energy required to produce GBq activity level of 44Sc, the availability of 44Sc radioisotope could be enhanced to open new opportunities for applications in medical imaging.
A minimal invasive surgical alternative to aberrant systemic arterial supply: Coil embolization
Authors: Gümüştaş Sevtap , Akça Ahmet , Çiftçi Ercüment , Topçu Salih , Akgül Asli Gül 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
We present the case of a 20-year-old man with hemoptysis for 3 years. Chest radiography revealed increased pulmonary vascular opacities in the left lower lung field. Computed tomography showed an anomalous systemic artery arising from descending aorta supplying the basal segments of the left lower lobe. Bronchial tree was normal. Pulmonary artery angiogram revealed a hypoplastic inferior lobar branch of the left pulmonary artery. There was no direct communication between anomalous artery and pulmonary veins. We diagnosed our case as aortopulmonary collateral with normal lung parenchyma. Coil embolization of the anomalous systemic artery was performed. The patient survived well without evidence of hemoptysis for 18 months after coil embolization.
A rare complication: Undeflatable balloon of the stent
Authors: Bostan Mehmet , Şatiroğlu Ömer , Erdoğan Turan , Durakoğlug.il Murtaza Emre , Uğurlu Yavuz 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Percutaneous coronary intervention is an important modality in the treatment of coronary artery disease. These procedures are usually completed successfully, but occasionally serious complications are encountered. In this paper, we present the case of an undeflatable stent balloon, which is an extremely rare complication that has not been described in the literature.
Ultrasonic Milling and Dispersing Technology for Nano-Particles
Authors: Hielscher Kathrin 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTUltrasonically generated forces are well known for dispersing and deagglomeration of small volumes in laboratory and bench-top scale. By the evaluation and optimization of the most important ultrasonic parameters and the development of large scale ultrasonic machinery, ultrasound forces can be applied also for particle size reduction and wet-milling of nano-particles in industrial scale.
Nanostructured SBA-15 Materials as Appropriate Supports for Active Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts Prepared from HSiW Heteropolyacid
Authors: Mendoza-Nieto J.A. , Tejeda-Espinosa K.D. , Puente-Lee I. , Salcedo-Luna C. , Klimova T. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTA series of NiW catalysts supported on SBA-15-type materials modified with Al, Ti or Zr were prepared and tested in simultaneous hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of two model compounds: dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT). Catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of SBA-type materials (pure silica SBA-15, Al-SBA-15, Ti-SBA-15 or Zr-SBA-15) using Keggin-type heteropolyacid H4SiW12O40 as active phase precursor and nickel nitrate. Nominal composition of the catalysts was 19 wt.% of WO3 and 3 wt.% of NiO. The supports and catalysts were characterized by SEM-EDX, N2physisorption, small-angle and powder XRD, UV-Vis DRS, TPR and HRTEM. It was shown that a good dispersion of Al, Ti and Zr species on the SBA-15 surface was reached. The characteristic structure of the SBA-15 support was preserved in all supports and NiW catalysts. Addition of metal atoms (Al, Ti, Zr) on the SBA-15 surface prior to catalysts’ preparation improved dispersion of Ni and W oxide species in calcined catalysts. HRTEM characterization of sulfided catalysts showed that the dispersion of NiW active phase was also better on metal-containing SBA-15 supports than on the pure silica one. All NiW catalysts supported on metal-containing SBA-15 materials showed an outstanding catalytic performance in HDS of both model compounds used (DBT and 4,6-DMDBT). A good correlation was found between the dispersion of sulfided NiW active phase and catalytic activity results. The highest HDS activity was obtained with the NiW catalyst supported on Zr-containing SBA-15 molecular sieve, which makes it a promising catalytic system for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization of diesel fuel.
Experimental and theoretical studies of Boron Nitride Nanotubes: Electric arc discharge and DFT calculations.
Authors: Silva-Molina R.A. , Gámez-Corrales R. , Guirado-López R.A. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTWe present a joint experimental and theoretical study dedicated to analyze the properties of Boron-Nitride (BN) nanotubes. First, multi-walled boron-nitride (MWBN) nanotubes were prepared by means of a modified electric arc discharge technique using boron-nitride powder. In a first stage, the BN powder was subjected to a ball milling process for about 100 hours in an atmosphere of ammonia. Later on, BN nanoparticle formation took place after the preparation of a pressed pellet at 300 °C to 25 kPa which was sintered in a furnace at approximately 1000 °C in nitrogen atmosphere for 15 hrs. The pellets were subsequently incorporated to the electrical arc discharge set up to obtain the MWBN nanotubes. The as-prepared MWBN nanotubes samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and micro RAMAN spectroscopy. Second, and in order to understand the measured data, extensive density functional theory calculations were performed. We present low energy atomic configurations for model finite-length armchair, zigzag, and chiral single-walled BN nanotubes, as well as for two-dimensional BN sheets. We calculate the vibrational spectra and the optical gap of each one of our considered structures and reveal how precise details of the local atomic environment can be revealed. Finally, we consider BN nanotubes functionalized with NH2, glycine and S-H molecules. We present the structural characteristics of the adsorbed configurations, charge transfer effects, and the electronic behavior. We conclude by underlining the crucial role played by molecular functionalization in order to tune the properties of these kinds of systems.
Preparation of ZnO:Mo Thin Films by RF Sputtering
Authors: Lin Tien-Chai , Chang Shang-Chou , Huang Wen-Chang , Huang Wen-Feng 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTBased on the electron configurations of Mo and Zn, the valence electron difference between Mo6+ and Zn2+ is 4. Therefore, a small amount of Mo doping can produce sufficient free carriers to reduce the ion scattering effects. The Mo doped ZnO (MZO) thin film prepared by RF sputtering was studied in this research. Structural, electrical, and optical characteristics of the films were discussed. The MZO film shows a resistivity of 1.1 × 10-2 Ω⋅cm, a carrier concentration of 2.2 × 1021 cm-3,a mobility of 0.63 cm2/V⋅s, and average transparency of 81.0% at both the powers of 20 W to the Mo target and of 125 W to the ZnO target. The MZO film becomes a stable p-type semiconductor at high power process toward Mo target. The film preserves its p-type characteristics after exposure to air for one and a half months. The crystal structure of the p-ZnO films is amorphous with an average transparency of 34.5%.