bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and distribution of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wastewater and the surface, drinking and ground waters in the Lower Rhine, Germany
Authors: GALLAS-LINDEMANN C. , SOTIRIADOU I. , PLUTZER J. , KARANIS P. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYSamples from different water sources (n = 396) were collected during 2009 and 2011. Wastewater (2–5 l) was purified by aluminium sulphate flocculation. Surface, ground and drinking waters (400–6400 l) were collected by filtration. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were further concentrated by sucrose centrifugation. (Oo)cysts were identified by IFT (immunofluorescence test), DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining and DICM (difference interference contrast microscopy). Out of 206 wastewater samples, 134 (65·0%) were found to be positive for Giardia cysts and 64 (31·1%) for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Parasite numbers ranged from 0 to 2436 cysts/l and 0 to 1745 oocysts/l. Eight (4·2%) surface and drinking water samples (n = 190) were found to be positive for Giardia cysts (0–56000/100 l), and 18 (9·5%) for Cryptosporidium oocysts (2400/100 l). The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and concentrations of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. by detecting (oo)cysts from water samples. This study provides substantial evidence that G. lamblia cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts are able to enter and circulate in the aquatic environment with negative implications for public health.
Trimethoprim use in early pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: a register-based nationwide cohort study
Authors: ANDERSEN J. T. , PETERSEN M. , JIMENEZ-SOLEM E. , BROEDBAEK K. , ANDERSEN E. W. , ANDERSEN N. L. , AFZAL S. , TORP-PEDERSEN C. , KEIDING N. , POULSEN H. E. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYThe antibiotic trimethoprim acts as a folate antagonist. Since trophoblasts are very sensitive to drugs that interfere with the folic acid cycle and thereby inhibit DNA synthesis, use of trimethoprim during the first trimester could be associated with miscarriage. A nationwide cohort study including all women in Denmark with a registered pregnancy between 1997 and 2005 was conducted. We used nationwide registers to identify all women giving birth, having a record of miscarriage or induced abortion. Data on exposure to trimethoprim were obtained from the National Prescription Register. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis with exposure to trimethoprim as a time-dependent variable was used to estimate the risk of miscarriage. The adjusted hazard ratio of having a miscarriage after exposure to trimethoprim in the first trimester compared to non-exposure was 2·04 (95% confidence interval 1·43–2·91). Our results indicate that trimethoprim exposure in the first trimester is associated with a doubling of the hazard of miscarriage.
Laboratory surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease in New South Wales, Australia, before and after introduction of 7-valent conjugate vaccine: reduced disease, but not antibiotic resistance rates
Authors: OFTADEH S. , GIDDING H. F. , GILBERT G. L. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYWe compared serotype distributions ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates from patients aged <5 and ⩾5 years with invasive pneumococcal disease in New South Wales, Australia, and antibiotic susceptibilities of isolates from the <5 years age group only, before (2002–2004) and after (2005–2009) introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). Overall, there were significant decreases in the mean annual number of referred isolates (770vs. 515) and the proportion belonging to PCV7 serotypes (74%vs. 38%), but non-PCV7 serotypes, particularly 19A, increased (5%vs. 18%). All changes were more marked in the <5 years age group. Susceptibility testing of isolates from the <5 years age group showed variation in resistance between serotypes, but significant overall increases in penicillin non-susceptibility (23%vs. 31%), ceftriaxone resistance (2%vs. 12%) and multidrug resistance (4%vs. 7%) rates; erythromycin resistance fell (32%vs. 25%). Continued surveillance is needed to monitor changes following the introduction of 13-valent PCV in 2012.
Rate of Prescription of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Drugs after Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland
Authors: Usher Kim , Brown Lawrence H. , Buettner Petra , Glass Beverley , Boon Helen , West Caryn , Grasso Joseph , Chamberlain-Salaun Jennifer , Woods Cindy 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionThe need to manage psychological symptoms after disasters can result in an increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants and anxiolytics. Therefore, an increase in the prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics could be an indicator of general psychological distress in the community.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if there was a change in the rate of prescription of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs following Cyclone Yasi.MethodsA quantitative evaluation of new prescriptions of antidepressants and anxiolytics was conducted. The total number of new prescriptions for these drugs was calculated for the period six months after the cyclone and compared with the same six month period in the preceding year. Two control drugs were also included to rule out changes in the general rate of drug prescription in the affected communities.ResultsAfter Cyclone Yasi, there was an increase in the prescription of antidepressant drugs across all age and gender groups in the affected communities except for males 14-54 years of age. The prescription of anxiolytic drugs decreased immediately after the cyclone, but increased by the end of the six-month post-cyclone period. Control drug prescription did not change.ConclusionThere was a quantifiable increase in the prescription of antidepressant drugs following Cyclone Yasi that may indicate an increase in psychosocial distress in the community.UsherK, BrownLH, BuettnerP, GlassB, BoonH, WestC, GrassoJ, Chamberlain-SalaunJ, WoodsC. Rate of prescription of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs after Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(6):1-5.
Seed supply in local markets: supporting sustainable use of crop genetic resources
Authors: Lipper Leslie , Cavatassi Romina , Winters Paul 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis introductory paper summarizes the policy context, methodological approach, and key results from the set of papers contained in this special edition derived from a FAO-led project on seed sourcing in local markets and its farm-level impacts. The introduction provides the conceptual framework used in the papers for considering the relationship between sourcing seed from market and rural household decision-making as well as the effects this has on two key farm outcomes: on-farm diversity and household welfare. Approaches for data collection and study site selection are described, with a focus on how methodological issues were addressed in the different studies. Lastly, the paper summarizes the results of the individual papers and draws broad conclusions and policy implications for promoting the sustainable utilization of crop genetic resources through increasing market access and in a manner that supports agricultural production.
Designing the eatwell week: the application of eatwell plate advice to weekly food intake
Authors: Leslie Wilma S , Comrie Fiona , Lean Michael EJ , Hankey Catherine R 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a menu and resource to illustrate to consumers and health professionals what a healthy balanced diet looks like over the course of a week.DesignDevelopment and analysis of an illustrative 7 d ‘eatwell week’ menu to meet current UK recommendations for nutrients with a Dietary Reference Value, with a daily energy base of 8368 kJ (2000 kcal). Foods were selected using market research data on meals and snacks commonly consumed by UK adults. Analysis used the food composition data set from year 1 (2008) of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme. The eatwell week menu was developed using an iterative process of nutritional analysis with adjustments made to portion sizes and the inclusion/exclusion of foods in order to achieve the target macronutrient composition.ResultsThree main meals and two snacks were presented as interchangeable within the weekdays and two weekend days to achieve adult food and nutrient recommendations. Main meals were based on potatoes, rice or pasta with fish (two meals; one oily), red meat (two meals), poultry or vegetarian accompaniments. The 5-a-day target for fruit and vegetables (range 5–6·7 portions) was achieved daily. Mean salt content was below recommended maximum levels (<6 g/d). All key macro- and micronutrient values were achieved.ConclusionsAffordable foods, and those widely consumed by British adults, can be incorporated within a 7 d healthy balanced menu. Future research should investigate the effect of using the eatwell week on adults’ dietary habits and health-related outcomes.
School food cost–benefits: England
Authors: Nelson Michael 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the costs per relevant unit (pupils and meals) associated with improvements to school food and the potential economic and health gains that may result.DesignCalculation of costs per relevant unit (pupils and meals) based on (i) Department for Education expenditure to support improvements in school food, 2005–2011 and (ii) measures of the changes in the number of pupils taking school lunch and the number of meals served over the same time period; plus examples of the use of linked data to predict longer-term economic and health outcomes of healthier eating at school.SettingEngland.SubjectsLocal authorities, government departments and non-departmental public bodies.ResultsAnalysis of investment over a 6-year period indicates that costs of setting up and maintaining a change organization such as the School Food Trust were low in relation to short-term benefits in nutrition and behaviour. Models that predict long-terms gains to the exchequer and to quality-adjusted life years need further elaboration.ConclusionsModest levels of government investment in the delivery and promotion of healthier school food is likely to yield both short-term and long-term benefits in relation to nutrition, learning, economics and health.
Use of point-of-sale data to assess food and nutrient quality in remote stores
Authors: Brimblecombe Julie , Liddle Robyn , O'Dea Kerin 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the feasibility of using point-of-sale data to assess dietary quality of food sales in remote stores.DesignA multi-site cross-sectional assessment of food and nutrient composition of food sales. Point-of-sale data were linked to Australian Food and Nutrient Data and compared across study sites and with nutrient requirements.SettingRemote Aboriginal Australia.SubjectSix stores.ResultsPoint-of-sale data were readily available and provided a low-cost, efficient and objective assessment of food and nutrient sales. Similar patterns in macronutrient distribution, food expenditure and key food sources of nutrients were observed across stores. In all stores, beverages, cereal and cereal products, and meat and meat products comprised approximately half of food sales (range 49–57 %). Fruit and vegetable sales comprised 10·4 (sd1·9) % on average. Carbohydrate contributed 54·4 (sd3·0) % to energy; protein 13·5 (sd1·1) %; total sugars 28·9 (sd4·3) %; and the contribution of total saturated fat to energy ranged from 11·0 to 14·4 % across stores. Mg, Ca, K and fibre were limiting nutrients, and Na was four to five times higher than the midpoint of the average intake range. Relatively few foods were major sources of nutrients.ConclusionsPoint-of-sale data enabled an assessment of dietary quality within stores and across stores with no burden on communities and at no cost, other than time required for analysis and reporting. Similar food spending patterns and nutrient profiles were observed across the six stores. This suggests potential in using point-of-sale data to monitor and evaluate dietary quality in remote Australian communities.
Public health benefits and risks of fish consumption: current scientific evidence v. media coverage
Authors: Pasquaré Federico A , Bettinetti Roberta , Fumagalli Sonia , Vignati Davide A 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate if and how the current degree of scientific uncertainty about the safety of fish consumption is incorporated at the media level.DesignWe used a dedicated software (TalTac®) to investigate the content of 169 news articles related to ‘mercury and fish consumption’ that appeared from 1990 to 2010 in the two Italian broadsheets with the highest circulation figures, in order to identify journalistic frames used in the coverage of benefits v. risks associated with fish consumption. Hypotheses were made on how the public might change fish consumption patterns as a result of media coverage.SettingItaly.ResultsThe two newspapers have different agendas in covering the issue. La Repubblica appears to support the view that, besides health benefits, there may be risks associated with fish consumption, while Corriere della Sera emphasizes health benefits more than possible risks. Depending on the preferred information source, the public could: (i) reduce its fish intake; (ii) increase its fish intake; or (iii) become confused about the problem and sceptical towards the media, as a result of conflicting journalistic frames.ConclusionsThe Italian media, in cooperation with scientists, public health nutritionists and dietitians, should place more emphasis on the existence of a few fish species with high to very high Hg levels and relatively low contents of beneficial n-3 fatty acids (e.g. swordfish and shark). This would enable consumers to make more educated purchasing decisions to maximize the benefits of n-3 intake while reducing possible risks from consuming Hg-contaminated fish.
Solar spot influence on Earth's molecular processes
Authors: Evstafyev Vladimir K. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe paper considers the two-century-old problem of how solar spots influence biological objects on the Earth. It describes the modern state of the kT-problem, which for a long time has been the most difficult obstacle in explaining solar activity effects. Based on recent advances in spin chemistry and magnetoplasticity physics, it is shown that a ‘molecular target’ sensitive to weak electromagnetic fields is spins in non-equilibrial states of the molecular system. A way of how solar spots can influence Earth's molecular, including biological, processes through a ‘transparency window’ in the Earth's atmosphere is proposed.
High‐resolution estimates of net community production and air‐sea CO2 flux in the northeast Pacific
Authors: Lockwood Deirdre , Quay Paul D. , Kavanaugh Maria T. , Juranek Lauren W. , Feely Richard A. 
Published: September 2012

Rates of net community production (NCP) and air‐sea CO2 flux in the Northeast Pacific subarctic, transition zone and subtropical regions (22°N–50°N, 145°W–152°W) were determined on a cruise in August–September 2008 by continuous measurement of surface values of the ratio of dissolved oxygen to argon (O2/Ar) and the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). These estimates were compared with simultaneous measurements of sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a), flow cytometry, and discrete surface nutrient concentrations. NCP and CO2 influx were greatest in the subarctic (45°N–50°N, 25.8 ± 4.6 and 4.1 ± 0.9 mmol C m−2 d−1) and northern transition zone (40°N–45°N, 17.1 ± 4.4 and 2.1 ± 0.5 mmol C m−2 d−1), with mean NCP ∼6–8× greater than mean CO2 invasion (error estimates reflect 1 σ confidence intervals). Contrastingly, the southern transition zone (32°N–40°N) and subtropics (22°N–32°N) had lower mean NCP (5.4 ± 1.8 and 8.1 ± 2.1 mmol C m−2 d−1, respectively) and mean CO2 efflux (3.0 ± 0.5 and 0.1 ± 0.0 mmol C m−2 d−1, respectively). In the subarctic and transition zone, NCP was highly correlated with surface chl‐a and CO2 influx, indicating strong coupling between the biological pump and CO2 uptake. Meridional trends in our NCP estimates in the transition zone and subtropics were similar to those for integrated summertime NCP along the cruise track determined using an upper ocean climatological carbon budget.
Long period seismic source characterization at Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico
Authors: Arciniega‐Ceballos Alejandra , Dawson Phillip , Chouet Bernard A. 
Published: September 2012

The seismicity of Popocatépetl is dominated by long‐period and very‐long period signals associated with hydrothermal processes and magmatic degassing. We model the source mechanism of repetitive long‐period signals in the 0.4–2 s band from a 15‐station broadband network by stacking long‐period events with similar waveforms to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. The data are well fitted by a point source located within the summit crater ∼250 m below the crater floor and ∼200 m from the inferred magma conduit. The inferred source includes a volumetric component that can be modeled as resonance of a horizontal steam‐filled crack and a vertical single force component. The long‐period events are thought to be related to the interaction between the magmatic system and a perched hydrothermal system. Repetitive injection of fluid into the horizontal fracture and subsequent sudden discharge when a critical pressure threshold is met provides a non‐destructive source process.
Regional surface mass anomalies from GRACE KBR measurements: Application of L‐curve regularization anda priori hydrological knowledge
Authors: Tangdamrongsub Natthachet , Hwang Cheinway , Shum C. K. , Wang Lei 
Published: September 2012

We present a method of directly estimating surface mass anomalies at regional scales using satellite‐to‐satellite K‐band Ranging (KBR) data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) twin‐satellite mission. Geopotential differences based primarily on KBR measurement are derived using a modified energy integral method with an improved method to calibrate accelerometer measurements. Surface mass anomalies are computed based on a downward continuation process, with optimal regularization parameters estimated using the L‐curve criterion method. We derive the covariance functions in both space‐ and space‐time domains and use them as light constraints in the regional gravity estimation process in the Amazon basin study region. The space‐time covariance function has a time‐correlation distance of 1.27 months, which is evident that observations between neighboring months are correlated and the correlation should be taken into account. However, most of the current GRACE solutions did not consider such temporal correlations. In our study, the artifact in the regional gravity solution is mitigated by using the covariance functions. The averaged commission errors are estimated to be only 6.86% and 5.85% for the solutions based on the space‐covariance function (SCF) and the space‐time covariance function (STCF), respectively. Our regional gravity solution in the Amazon basin study region, which requires no further post‐processing, shows enhanced regional gravity signatures, reduced gravity artifacts, and the gravity solution agrees with NASA/GSFC's GRACE MASCON solution to about 1 cm RMS in terms of water thickness change over the Amazon basin study region. The regional gravity solution also retains the maximum signal energy while suppressing the short wavelength errors.
Linking enclave formation to magma rheology
Authors: Hodge K. F. , Jellinek A. M. 
Published: September 2012

Magmatic enclaves record the history of deformation and disaggregation (i.e., fragmentation) of relatively hot, compositionally more mafic magmas injected into actively convecting silicic magma chambers through dikes. Enclave size distributions may provide crucial clues for understanding the nature of this mechanical mixing process. Accordingly, we conduct a comprehensive field study to measure enclave size distributions in six Cascade lava flows. Using results from recent fluid dynamics experiments along with thermodynamic and modeling constraints on key physical properties of the injected and host magmas (i.e., temperature, density and effective viscosity), we use the size distributions of enclaves to characterize the magmatic flow regime governing enclave formation. Scaling arguments suggest that the viscous stresses related to magma chamber flow acting against the yield strength of a crystallizing injected magma control the breakup of 1 m‐wide mafic dikes into millimeter‐ to centimeter‐scale enclaves. Our data analysis identifies a characteristic length scale of breakup that constrains the yield strength of the injected magmas in a more restrictive way than existing empirical models for yield strength based on crystal content. In all six lava flows, we show that the progressive fragmentation of the injected magma is self‐similar and characterized by a fractal dimensionDf ∼ 2, which is comparable to previous studies on enclaves. We also find a small but statistically significant dependence of Df on the effective viscosity ratio between host and enclave magmas, such that large variations in effective viscosity enhance breakup. This work demonstrates that field observations of enclave size distributions can reliably constrain the rheological and flow conditions in which enclaves form.
Displacement along the Red River Fault constrained by extension estimates and plate reconstructions
Authors: Mazur S. , Green C. , Stewart M. G. , Whittaker J. M. , Williams S. , Bouatmani R. 
Published: September 2012

Significant E‐W extension and/or compression must have been generated by displacements along the Red River Fault (RRF) since its curvature does not match a small circle centered at the Euler pole for the Indochina–south China plate pair. The amount of extension perpendicular to the RRF offshore Vietnam depends on the magnitude of left‐lateral displacement along the RRF. In general, the larger the left‐lateral displacement along the fault, the smaller the amount of E‐W extension. All purely strike‐slip models of the opening of the South China Sea that assume large displacements (>250 km) along the RRF encounter major problems because they imply little extension, or even considerable shortening, offshore east Vietnam. This is inconsistent with the presence of large elongated basins offshore Vietnam. Using a plate tectonic model, we compare continental extension values implied by different magnitudes of displacement along the RRF with crustal stretching estimates derived from 2‐D profiles modeled from gravity data. We utilize 2‐D gravity forward models to restore the extended continental margin crust to its original position prior to extension. We find that substantial amounts of extension for offshore Vietnam can only be modeled assuming moderate displacements along the RRF compatible with the presence of a southward subducting proto–South China Sea. The total amount of ENE‐WSW extension offshore northern Vietnam constrained by our 2‐D gravity profiles and gravity inversion increases southward from 36 to 89 km along the Yinggehai Basin. These values of ENE‐WSW extension are consistent with 250 km of left‐lateral displacement along the RRF.