bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trial to End Ambulance Diversion in Boston: Report from the Conference of the Boston Teaching Hospitals Consortium
Authors: Friedman Franklin D. , Rathlev Niels K. , White Laura , Epstein Stephen K. , Sayah Assaad , Pearlmutter Mark , Biddinger Paul , Zane Richard , Moyer Peter 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Annual ambulance diversion hours in Boston increased more than six-fold from 1997 to 2006. Although interventions and best practices were implemented, there was no reduction in the number of diversion hours.Objectives: A consortium of Boston teaching hospitals instituted a two-week moratorium on citywide diversion from 02 October 2006 to 15 October 2006. The hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in measures of hospital and emergency medical services (EMS) efficiency compared with the two weeks immediately prior.Methods: A total of nine hospitals and the municipal emergency medical services in Boston submitted data for analysis. The following mean daily hospital measures were studied: (1) emergency department volume; (2) number of emergency department admissions; (3) length of stay (LOS) for all patients; and (4) number of elopements. Mean EMS at-hospital time by destination and the percent of all Boston EMS transports to each hospital destination were calculated. The median differences (MD) were calculated as “before” minus “during” the study period and were compared with paired, Wilcoxon, non-parametric tests. Additional mean EMS measures for all destinations included: (1) to hospital time; (2) number of responses with transport initiated per day; (3) incident entry to arrival; and (4) at-hospital time.Results: The LOS for admitted patients (MD = 0.30 hours; IQR 0.10,1.30; p = 0.03) and number of daily admissions (MD = -1.50 patients; IQR -1.50, -0.10; p = 0.04) were significantly different statistically. The results for LOS for all patients, LOS for discharged patients, ED volume, EMS time at hospital by destination, number of elopements, and percent of Boston EMS transports to each hospital revealed no statistically significant differences. The difference between the study and control periods for mean EMS to hospital time, at-hospital time, and incident entry to arrival was a maximum of 0.6 minutes. The vast majority of EMS respondents to an online survey believed that the “no diversion” policy should be made routine practice.Conclusions: The LOS for admitted patients decreased by 18 minutes, and the number of admissions increased by 1.5 patients per day during the study period. The “no diversion” policy resulted in minimal changes in EMS efficiency and operations. Diversion was temporarily eliminated in a major city without significant detrimental changes in ED, hospital, or EMS efficiency.
MODELLING THE SPREAD OF TUBERCULOSIS, INCLUDING DRUG RESISTANCE AND HIV: A CASE STUDY IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S WESTERN PROVINCE
Authors: THOMAS EMMA G. , BARRINGTON HANNAH E. , LOKUGE KAMALINI M. , MERCER GEOFFRY N. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHigh tuberculosis (TB) prevalence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a serious public health concern. The epidemic in this region is exacerbated by the presence of drug-resistant TB strains as well as HIV infection. This presents a public health threat not only locally but also to Australia due to the high potential for cross-border transmission between PNG’s Western Province and the Australian Torres Strait Islands. We present two mathematical models of TB in the Western Province: a simple model of the underlying TB dynamics, and a detailed model which accounts for the additional effects of HIV and drug resistance. The detailed model is used to make quantitative predictions about the impact of expanding the TB case detection rate under the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course treatment regimen. This paper provides a framework for future investigation into the economic costs and public health benefits of potential TB interventions in this region, with the eventual aim of providing recommendations to guide policy makers in both PNG and Australia.
Higher categories, colimits, and the blob complex
Authors: Morrison Scott , Walker Kevin 
Published: May 2011

We summarize our axioms for higher categories, and describe the “blob complex.” Fixing an
n
-category

, the blob complex associates a chain complex

to any
n
-manifold
W
. The zeroth homology of this chain complex recovers the usual topological quantum field theory invariants of
W
. The higher homology groups should be viewed as generalizations of Hochschild homology (indeed, when
W
=
S
1
, they coincide). The blob complex has a very natural definition in terms of homotopy colimits along decompositions of the manifold
W
. We outline the important properties of the blob complex and sketch the proof of a generalization of Deligne’s conjecture on Hochschild cohomology and the little discs operad to higher dimensions.
First Report of the Golden Potato Cyst Nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Ostojić I. , Grubišić D. , Zovko M. , Miličević T. , Gotlin Čuljak T. 
Published: May 2011

The golden potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Behrens, 1975, is the most problematic pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. subsp. tuberosum) worldwide and it is recognized as an A1 plant health quarantine species. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there have been no surveys for the presence of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) in ware potato lands, although they have been documented in the nearby countries of Serbia and Croatia (3). To determine the presence and distribution of PCN and to prevent further spread or increase of PCN populations, a survey in ware potato land was undertaken in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Soil samples consisting of 100 cores of 4 to 5 ml of soil were taken in a grid pattern throughout the plots. Samples of approximately 500 g were processed in the laboratory. The samples were air dried and cysts were extracted using a Spears's flotation method (4) from a 100-ml subsample. Species identification was based on morphometrical characters (2) and real-time PCR where the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS5, PITSr3) region was amplified and detected by the Sequence Dection Software v1.3 (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA) (1). In 2008, soil sampling was conducted in five locations and PCN were not detected in any of 10 soil samples taken. In June 2009, 17 soil samples were collected from seven locations. Two viable cysts of G. rostochiensis were detected in one soil sample from Tihaljina (Zaside; E 6447659.560, N 4797392.101, altitude 130 m). A total of 110 soil samples were collected from 90 locations in May and June 2010. Five viable cysts of G. rostochiensis were detected in one soil sample taken from Čapljina (Opličići – Turajlovina; E 6485169, N 4775964, altitude 222 m). On the basis of the survey results, G. rostochiensis is not widely spread but the cysts are detectable, indicating that the infestation is relatively recent and that there is a threat of further spread of this quarantine species. Consequently, producers need to grow resistant potato cultivars and implement additional control measures to keep the nematode populations below damaging levels. References: (1) J. Bacic et al. Russ. J. Nematol. 16:1, 61, 2008. (2) C. C. Fleming and T. O. Powers. Potato Cyst Nematodes: Biology, Distribution and Control. R. J. Marks and B. B. Brodie, eds.CAB International, Wallingford, 1998. (3) D. Grubišic et al. J. Pest Sci. 80:21, 2007. (4) J. F. Spears. Agr. Handb. No. 353. U.S. Dep. Agric., 1968.
Identification of Brassica napus Lines with Partial Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Khot S. D. , Bilgi V. N. , del Río L. E. , Bradley C. A. 
Published: May 2011

A collection of Brassica napus plant introduction (PI) lines was evaluated in a series of research trials to identify lines with resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot of canola. Five PI lines (169080, 286418, 436554, 458940, and 633119) were identified that consistently had SSR resistance levels equal to or greater than the partially resistant check cultivar Hyola 357. In addition, two of these lines (436554 and 458940) were found to exhibit SSR field resistance levels similar to Hyola 357. The PI lines identified from our research studies could be used in canola breeding programs to develop cultivars with improved resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Accepted for publication 21 February 2011. Published 22 April 2011.
Addiction Research Centres and the Nurturing of Creativity. Monitoring the European drug situation: the ongoing challenge for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
Authors: Griffiths Paul , Mounteney Jane , Lopez Dominique , Zobel Frank , Götz Wolfgang 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the designated hub for drug‐related information in the European Union. The organization's role is to provide the European Union (EU) and its Member States with a factual overview of European drug problems and a common information framework to support the drugs debate. In order to achieve its mission, the EMCDDA coordinates and relies on a network of 30 national monitoring centres, the Reitox National Focal Points. The Centre publishes on a wide range of drug‐related topics, across epidemiology, interventions, laws and policies. Every November, the EMCDDA publishes its Annual Report, providing a yearly update on the European drug situation, translated into 23 EU languages. In line with its founding regulation, the EMCDDA has a role acting as an interface between the worlds of science and policy. While not a research centre in the formal sense, the results the Centre generates serve as catalysts for new research questions and help to identify priorities. Current challenges facing the agency include continuing to increase scientific standards while maintaining a strong institutional role, as well as supporting European efforts to identify, share and codify best practice in the drugs field.
Psychometric properties of a motor skill checklist for 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children
Authors: Peersman W. , Carton W. , Cambier D. , De Maeseneer J. , van Waelvelde H. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Early identification of children with developmental co‐ordination disorder is important. Teachers may be very useful in this identification process. The objective of this study was to develop a motor skill checklist (MSC) for 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children to be completed by teachers, and to establish the psychometric properties of this new instrument.Methods  An MSC of 28 functional items was constructed in close consideration with clinical experts and teachers. In regular schools, 366 pre‐school children were rated with the MSC by their teachers (n= 111). To determine test–retest reliability, each teacher completed 4 weeks later the MSC again for one randomly selected child. In 22 classes with two teachers sharing the job, both teachers were asked to fill in the questionnaire. A subgroup of children was also tested with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M‐ABC; n= 122). All teachers were invited to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the MSC.Results  The internal consistency of the MSC was high. The test–retest reliability was good. Inter‐rater reliability was adequate except in the 5‐year‐old children. There was a strong correlation between the checklist and the M‐ABC, establishing concurrent validity. Most teachers judged the MSC as easy or rather easy to complete.Conclusions  The MSC is a reliable, valid and useful instrument to identify and assess young children with motor difficulties.
Fibrinogen concentrates for bleeding trauma patients: what is the evidence?
Authors: Meyer M. A. S. , Ostrowski S. R. , Windeløv N. A. , Johansson P. I. 
Published: May 2011

Introduction  A balanced transfusion of red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets are recommended for massively bleeding trauma patients. Fibrinogen concentrates could potentially lessen or replace the need for fresh frozen plasma and/or platelet transfusions.Objective  To provide a review of the literature covering the application of fibrinogen concentrates in trauma care.Methods  PubMed and Cochrane database search, ‘fibrinogen’ and (‘concentrate’ or ‘trauma’), not ‘congenital’, 10 years.Results  Only four papers were identified. None were randomized controlled trials. The main conclusion of these papers was that administration of fibrinogen sometimes together with prothrombin complex concentrate might improve haemostasis in trauma patients resuscitated with synthetic colloids.Conclusion  Evidence for the use of fibrinogen concentrate to trauma patients with massive bleeding is lacking. Well‐designed prospective, randomized, double‐blinded studies evaluating the effect of fibrinogen concentrate, as the only intervention, are urgently needed.
Factors associated with fainting – before, during and after whole blood donation
Authors: Bravo M. , Kamel H. , Custer B. , Tomasulo P. 
Published: May 2011

Background  Whole blood (WB) donation encompasses several periods during which some donors faint. Identification of factors associated with fainting during each period should guide intervention strategies. Reducing faint reactions may reduce donor injuries and disability.Methods  Blood donation was divided into three periods: Period 1 – registration; Period 2 – phlebotomy; and Period 3 – post‐phlebotomy. Period 3 consists of two sub‐periods (3A – on‐site and 3B – off‐site). For each Period, stratified rates of fainting in relation to various donor and donation characteristics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with fainting were conducted. Donor injuries in each period were also analysed.Results  Of the 956 766 donors registered in 2007, 554 534 (58%) donated WB. There were 43 fainting episodes and two injuries in Period 1 and 1520 faints and 73 injuries in Periods 2 and 3. Regression analyses showed that youth and donor first‐time status are associated with fainting in all periods; but most significantly in Period 1. Small estimated blood volume is notably not a factor in Period 1 but is significant in Periods 2 and 3. The highest injury rate is seen in Period 3A (0·07 and 0·09/1000 donations) for male and female donors, respectively.Conclusions  Variability in factors associated with fainting across defined periods of the donation process suggest differing underlying mechanisms and the possibility that interventions for the reactions most associated with injury during each time period can be designed. The highest rate of injury per donation occurred in ambulating donors.
Effect of synthetic and plant‐extracted aphid pheromones on the behaviour of Aphidius colemani
Authors: Ameixa O. M. C. C. , Kindlmann P. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractParasitoid females use several chemical cues to locate hosts. A better knowledge of how they respond to a complex of these cues in a small range may help us to understand how to manipulate the parasitoids in the field. Here, the response of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani to a mixture of odours of synthetic and plant‐extracted nepetalactone (a component of aphid sex pheromone) and to (E)‐β‐farnesene (aphid alarm pheromone) was investigated. The behavioural responses of A. colemani to three semiochemical groups with different concentrations were studied in a square arena. Parasitoid females were significantly attracted by the semiochemicals, when their concentrations were high, in which case the females spent more time in squares with semiochemicals. The majority of females preferred plant‐extracted nepetalactone, when it was in high concentration, but they consistently did not respond to (E)‐β‐farnesene.
Determination of antidermatophytic effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum
Authors: Al‐Janabi Ali Abdul Hussein S. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common pharmacological agents. They have three primary therapeutic properties including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐pyretic and analgesic effects. Seven NSAIDs were tested against two species of dermatophytes. Percentage inhibition was determined for effective agents. Diclofenac, aspirin and naproxen showed more potential to inhibit the growth of dermatophytes. Epidermophyton floccosum revealed susceptibility to more number of the tested agents than Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In conclusion, many NSAIDs may have a high potential to inhibit the growth of dermatophytes, while some of the agents belonging to this pharmaceutical group used in this study showed a potential activity on tested fungi.
Primary ovarian twin pregnancy with one fetus progressing to term: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Tiwari Priyadarshini , Meel Sonia , Lele Arvind 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA case of primary ovarian twin pregnancy is presented. A 30‐year‐old woman, gravida 3 para 2, was admitted to Medical College Hospital, Jabalpur, for postdated pregnancy with intrauterine fetal demise. Ultrasonography showed a break in the continuity of the uterus suggestive of a ruptured uterus. On laparotomy, twin ovarian pregnancy was discovered. One fetus was postdated, showing signs of maceration. The bones of the other fetus were discovered in the sac, suggestive of an autolysed fetus of approximately 26 to 28 weeks of gestation.
Descriptive study of blood transfusion practices in women undergoing cesarean delivery
Authors: Goundan Aditi , Kalra Jasvinder Kaur , Raveendran Ainharan , Bagga Rashmi , Aggarwal Neelam 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To study the blood transfusion practices in women undergoing cesarean delivery at a tertiary care centre in northern India.Methods:  This was a prospective study conducted in 1769 women who underwent cesarean section at a tertiary centre hospital from May 2008 to November 2009. A comprehensive predesigned proforma was filled in for each woman. Data related to antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal events was recorded and compared between women receiving blood transfusion during cesarean section and women not receiving blood transfusion.Results:  The cesarean section rate was 26% and the blood transfusion rate was 12.21%. The overall crossmatch transfusion ratio in our study was 5.46:1. After multiple regression logistic analysis factors, like placenta previa (OR 15.19, 95% CI 9.28–24.82), anemia (OR 9.93, 95% CI 5.17–19.06), blood loss >1000 mL (OR 5.97, 95% CI 4.32–8.24), abruptio (OR 4.18, 95% CI 2.02–8.62), intraoperative complications, like uterine incision extension, uterine atony, hysterectomy (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.70–4.24), general anesthesia (2.48, 95% CI 1.70–3.61) and inadequate antenatal supervision (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.05–2.42) were found to be significantly associated with a higher risk for blood transfusion during cesarean section.Conclusion:  Routine crossmatching of blood for all women prior to cesarean section needs to be reviewed. Cesarean sections performed on women with high risk factors for blood transfusion can have sudden and significant blood loss and thus adequate blood arrangement prior to cesarean section is justified only in this group of women and not in all women.
Placental and maternal serum inhibin A in patients with preeclampsia and small‐for‐gestational‐age
Authors: Shen Zongji , Cai Li‐Yi , Suprapto Iwan‐Satyagraha , Shenoy Pooja , Zhou Xiping 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of inhibin A simultaneously in the maternal serum and placental extract in preeclampsia (PE) with or without small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) and normal controls at term, and to evaluate the relationship among changes in serum and placental inhibin A according to the severity of PE and PE with or without SGA.Material and Methods:  This study involved 40 pregnant women; normal (n = 20), and PE (n = 20), the latter of who were classified into (i) mild (n = 10) and severe PE (n = 10); (ii) PE with SGA (n = 7) and without SGA (n = 13). Inhibin A concentrations were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the maternal serum and placental extract. Inhibin‐α subunit in the placenta was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and its intensity was graded by a semiquantitative scoring method.Results:  There was a positive correlation in inhibin A concentrations between the serum and placental extract (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Both maternal serum and placental inhibin A in PE groups were significantly higher than in controls, but there was no severity‐dependent increase of inhibin A when compared with mild and severe PE. There was no difference in inhibin A levels between PE with and without SGA. Moreover, the inhibin‐α subunit was predominantly abundant in the cytoplasm of the syncytiotrophoblasts, where the PE groups showed higher staining intensity than the controls (P < 0.000).Conclusion:  Serum inhibin A level might be a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of PE.
Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling: Pregnancy outcome
Authors: Deffieux Xavier , Faivre Erika , Senat Marie‐Victoire , Gervaise Amélie , Fernandez Hervé 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To report pregnancy outcome following prophylactic transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling in a population of high‐risk pregnant women.Materials and Methods:  A retrospective study with a continuous series of 57 women presenting with prior failure of McDonald cerclage (n = 47) and/or absent portio‐vaginalis of the cervix (n = 10).Results:  Cervicoisthmic cerclage was performed between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation (median 14 weeks' gestation). No intraoperative complication occurred. Preterm labor treated with parenteral tocolysis occurred in 14 women (24%). Cesarean delivery was systematically performed. Median gestational age at delivery was 37.2 weeks' gestation (interquartile range: 36.5–38.0). Overall neonatal survival rate was 94%.Conclusion:  Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling may be considered as an effective alternative to the transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage in women presenting with previous cerclage failure.
ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL RESERVE HOARDING IN KOREA
Authors: JO GAB‐JE 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSince the Asian financial crisis, Korea's accumulation of international reserves has substantially exceeded benchmark levels. The present paper examines the interaction between international reserve hoarding and mercantilist motives, in the context of Korea's policy of maintaining export competitiveness through exchange rate management. An estimation of cointegration and error correction has found that in both the long term and the short term, Korea has stockpiled reserves as a result of heightened concerns regarding export competitiveness. The short‐run dynamics entail precautionary motives that have contributed to reserve accumulation. A variance decomposition test suggests that the mercantilist motive has been the main driver of reserve accumulation.
ANNOUNCEMENT, OBSERVATION AND HONESTY IN THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS GAME
Authors: DENANT‐BOEMONT LAURENT , MASCLET DAVID , NOUSSAIR CHARLES 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we study the effect of pre‐play announcements and ex‐post observation of decisions on voluntary public good provision. We find that requiring announcements, in conjunction with making contribution decisions public, has a significantly positive effect on the average level of contributions. Those treatments, in which announcements are elicited, permit the truthfulness of subjects' announcements to be measured. We find that high contributors are more honest, the truthfulness of others is reciprocated with greater honesty and announcements are more honest when contribution decisions are observable.