bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of the refractive index dispersion of As2Se3 bulk glass and thin films prior to and after laser irradiation and annealing using prism coupling in the near- and mid-infrared spectral range
Authors: Carlie N. , Anheier N. C. , Qiao H. A. , Bernacki B. , Phillips M. C. , Petit L. , Musgraves J. D. , Richardson K. 
Published: May 2011

The prism coupling technique has been utilized to measure the refractive index in the near- and mid-IR spectral region of chalcogenide glasses in bulk and thin film form. A commercial system (Metricon model 2010) has been modified with additional laser sources, detectors, and a new GaP prism to allow the measurement of refractive index dispersion over the 1.5–10.6 μm range. The instrumental error was found to be ±0.001 refractive index units across the entire wavelength region examined. Measurements on thermally evaporated AMTIR2 thin films confirmed that (i) the film deposition process provides thin films with reduced index compared to that of the bulk glass used as a target, (ii) annealing of the films increases the refractive index of the film to the level of the bulk glass used as a target to create it, and (iii) it is possible to locally increase the refractive index of the chalcogenide glass using laser exposure at 632.8 nm.
Sharps Injuries among Employees of Acute Care Hospitals in Massachusetts, 2002–2007
Authors: Laramie Angela K. , Pun Vivian C. , Fang Shona C. , Kriebel David , Davis Letitia 
Published: May 2011

Objective.Sharps with engineered sharps injury protections (SESIPs) have been found to reduce risk of sharps injuries (Sis). We examined trends in SI rates among employees of acute care hospitals in Massachusetts, including the impact of SESIPs on SI trends during 2002-2007.Design.Prospective surveillance.Setting.Seventy-six acute care hospitals licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.Participants.Employees of acute care hospitals who reported Sis to their employers.Methods.Data on Sis in acute care hospitals collected by the Massachusetts Sharps Injury Surveillance System were used to examine trends in SI rates over time by occupation, hospital size, and device. Negative binomial regression was used to assess trends.Results.During 2002-2007, 16,158 Sis among employees of 76 acute care hospitals were reported to the surveillance system. The annual SI rate decreased by 22%, with an annual decline of 4.7% (P< .001). Rates declined significantly among nurses (—7.2% per year;P< .001) but not among physicians (—0.9% per year;P= .553). SI rates associated with winged steel needles and hypodermic needles and syringes also declined significantly as the proportion of injuries involving devices with sharps injury prevention features increased during the same time period.Conclusion.SI rates involving devices for which SESIPs are widely available and appear to be increasingly used have declined. The continued use of devices lacking SI protections for which SESIPs are available needs to be addressed. The extent to which injuries involving SESIPs are due to flaws in design or lack of experience and training must be examined.
Epidemiological Model forClostridium difficileTransmission in Healthcare Settings
Authors: Lanzas C. , Dubberke E. R. , Lu Z. , Reske K. A. , Gröhn Y. T. 
Published: May 2011

Objective.Recent outbreaks ofClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) have been difficult to control, and data indicate that the importance of different sources of transmission may have changed. Our objectives were to evaluate the contributions of asymptomatic and symptomatic C.difficilecarriers to new colonizations and to determine the most important epidemiological factors influencing C.difficiletransmission.Design, Setting, and Patients.Retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to medical wards at a large tertiary care hospital in the United States in the calendar year 2008.Methods.Data from six medical wards and published literature were used to develop a compartmental model of C.difficiletransmission. Patients could be in one of five transition states in the model: resistant to colonization (R), susceptible to colonization (S), asymptomatically colonized without protection against CDI (C-), asymptomatically colonized with protection against CDI (C+), and diseased (ie, with CDI; D).Results.The contributions of C-, C+, and D patients to new colonizations were similar. The simulated basic reproduction number ranged from 0.55 to 1.99, with a median of 1.04. These values suggest that transmission within the ward alone from patients with CDI cannot sustain new C.difficilecolonizations and therefore that the admission of colonized patients plays an important role in sustaining transmission in the ward. The epidemiological parameters that ranked as the most influential were the proportion of admitted C-patients and the transmission coefficient for asymptomatic carriers.Conclusion.Our study underscores the need to further evaluate the role of asymptomatically colonized patients in C.difficiletransmission in healthcare settings.
Hospital Staff Perceptions of a Legislative Mandate for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Screening
Authors: Wise Matthew E. , Weber Stephen G. , Schneider Amy , Stojcevski Meg , France Anne Marie , Schaefer Melissa K. , Lin Michael Y. , Kallen Alexander J. , Cochran Ronda L. 
Published: May 2011

Objective.In August 2007, Illinois passed legislation mandating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) admission screening for intensive care unit patients. We assessed hospital staff perceptions of the implementation of this law.Design.Mixed-methods evaluation using structured focus groups and questionnaires.Setting.Eight Chicago-area hospitals.Participants.Three strata of staff (leadership, midlevel, and frontline) at each hospital.Methods.All participants completed a questionnaire and participated in a focus group. Focus group transcripts were thematically coded and analyzed. The proportion of staff agreeing with statements about MRSA and the legislation was compared across staff types.Results.Overall, 126 hospital staff participated in 23 focus groups. Fifty-six percent of participants agreed that the legislation had a positive effect at their facility; frontline staff were more likely to agree than midlevel and leadership staff (P < .01). Perceived benefits of the legislation included increased awareness of MRSA among staff and better knowledge of the epidemiology of MRSA colonization. Perceived negative consequences included the psychosocial effect of screening and contact precautions on patients and increased use of resources. Most participants (59%) would choose to continue the activities associated with the legislation but advised facilities in states considering similar legislation to educate staff and patients about MRSA screening and to draft clear implementation plans.Conclusion.Staff from Chicago-area hospitals perceived that mandatory MRSA screening legislation resulted in some benefits but highlighted implementation challenges. States considering similar initiatives might minimize these challenges by optimizing messaging to patients and healthcare staff, drafting implementation plans, and developing program evaluation strategies.
Effect of Oral Hygiene with 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate on the Incidence of Nosocomial Pneumonia in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Jácomo Andréa D. N. , Carmona Fabio , Matsuno Alessandra K. , Manso Paulo H. , Carlotti Ana P. C. P. 
Published: May 2011

Objective.To evaluate the effect of oral hygiene with 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children undergoing cardiac surgery.Design.Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Setting.Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at a tertiary care hospital.Patients.One hundred sixty children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease, randomized into 2 groups: Chlorhexidine (n= 87) and control (n= 73).Interventions.Oral hygiene with 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate or placebo preoperatively and twice a day postoperatively until PICU discharge or death.Results.Patients in experimental and control groups had similar ages (median, 12.2 vs 10.8 months;P= .72) and risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery 1 score distribution (66% in category 1 or 2 in both groups;P= .17). The incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was 29.8% versus 24.6% (P= .46) and the incidence of VAP was 18.3% versus 15% (P = .57) in the Chlorhexidine and the control group, respectively. There was no difference in intubation time (P= .34), need for reintubation (P= .37), time interval between hospitalization and nosocomial pneumonia diagnosis (P= .63), time interval between surgery and nosocomial pneumonia diagnosis (P= .10), and time on antibiotics (P= .77) and vasoactive drugs (P= .16) between groups. Median length of PICU stay (3 vs 4 days;P= .53), median length of hospital stay (12 vs 11 days;P= .67), and 28-day mortality (5.7% vs 6.8%;P= .77) were also similar in the Chlorhexidine and the control group.Conclusions.Oral hygiene with 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate did not reduce the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and VAP in children undergoing cardiac surgery.Trial Registration.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00829842.
Clinical Vignettes Provide an Understanding of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Authors: Patel Sameer , Landers Timothy , Larson Elaine , Zaoutis Theoklis , Delamora Patricia , Paul David A. , Wong-McLoughlin Jennifer , Ferng Yu-hui , Saiman Lisa 
Published: May 2011

Objective.To use clinical vignettes to understand antimicrobial prescribing practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Design.Vignette-based survey.Setting.Four tertiary care NICUs.Participants.Antibiotic prescribers in NICUs.Methods.Clinicians from 4 tertiary care NICUs completed an anonymous survey containing 12 vignettes that described empiric, targeted, or prophylactic antibiotic use. Responses were compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for appropriate use.Results.Overall, 161 (59% of 271 eligible respondents) completed the survey, 37% of whom had worked in NICUs for 7 or more years. Respondents were more likely to appropriately identify use of targeted therapy for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, that is, use of oxacillin rather than vancomycin, than for Escherichia coli, that is, use of first-generation rather than third-generation cephalosporin, (P < .01). Increased experience significantly predicted appropriate prescribing (P = .02 ). The proportion of respondents choosing appropriate duration of postsurgical prophylaxis (P < .01) and treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis differed by study site (P = .03).Conclusions.The survey provides insight into antibiotic prescribing practices and informs the development of future antibiotic stewardship interventions for NICUs.
Why does the lumen maintenance of sodium–scandium metal halide lamps improve by VHF operation?
Authors: van Erk W , Luijks G M J F , Hitchcock W 
Published: May 2011

Lifetime experiments show that sodium–scandium metal halide lamps perform better on very high frequency (VHF) drivers than on low frequency (LF) constant wattage autotransformer (CWA) ballasts. The question why, will be addressed with focus on arc tube aspects. It is argued that at high frequency operation sodium loss is less, and that the absence of thermal fluctuations in the electrode tip causes less damage and cracking to this part of the electrode. Sudden lm W−1drops, observed with CWA-operated lamps, most probably occur when the arc attaches on such a corroded and cracked surface.Thorium is effective as an emitter both in the CWA and the VHF operation mode, despite the absence of cataphoretic transport to the cathode in the VHF case.
Mercury-free high pressure discharge lamps dominated by molecular radiation
Authors: Käning M , Hitzschke L , Schalk B , Berger M , Franke St , Methling R 
Published: May 2011

High intensity discharge (HID) lamps dominated by molecular radiation offer a very promising alternative for use in future light sources. They are able to deliver competitive efficacies of about 110 lm W−1 and higher, excellent colour rendering index above 90 and a correlated colour temperature in the 3000–4000 K region at the operating point near the Planckian locus. Moreover, these lamps are opening up the possibility of dimming. Due to the fact that they are able to omit mercury they are environmentally friendly.
The emission spectra generated by these HID lamps differ significantly from those of conventional lamps. The reason for this is the dominance of molecular radiation processes. In comparison with conventional HID lamps atomic contributions are usually rather small. In the present case they amount to less than about 10% of the total intensity in the visible range.
Parameter estimation of kinetic models from metabolic profiles: two-phase dynamic decoupling method
Authors: Jia Gengjie , Stephanopoulos Gregory N. , Gunawan Rudiyanto 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Time-series measurements of metabolite concentration have become increasingly more common, providing data for building kinetic models of metabolic networks using ordinary differential equations (ODEs). In practice, however, such time-course data are usually incomplete and noisy, and the estimation of kinetic parameters from these data is challenging. Practical limitations due to data and computational aspects, such as solving stiff ODEs and finding global optimal solution to the estimation problem, give motivations to develop a new estimation procedure that can circumvent some of these constraints.
Results: In this work, an incremental and iterative parameter estimation method is proposed that combines and iterates between two estimation phases. One phase involves a decoupling method, in which a subset of model parameters that are associated with measured metabolites, are estimated using the minimization of slope errors. Another phase follows, in which the ODE model is solved one equation at a time and the remaining model parameters are obtained by minimizing concentration errors. The performance of this two-phase method was tested on a generic branched metabolic pathway and the glycolytic pathway of Lactococcus lactis. The results showed that the method is efficient in getting accurate parameter estimates, even when some information is missing.
Contact: rudi.gunawan@chem.ethz.ch
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reconciling single-species TACs in the North Sea demersal fisheries using the Fcube mixed-fisheries advice framework
Authors: Ulrich Clara , Reeves Stuart A. , Vermard Youen , Holmes Steven J. , Vanhee Willy 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Ulrich, C., Reeves, S. A., Vermard, Y., Holmes, S. J., and Vanhee, W. 2011. Reconciling single-species TACs in the North Sea demersal fisheries using the Fcube mixed-fisheries advice framework. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1535–1547. Single-species management is a cause of discarding in mixed fisheries, because individual management objectives may not be consistent with each other and the species are caught simultaneously in relatively unselective fishing operations. As such, the total allowable catch (TAC) of one species may be exhausted before the TAC of another, leading to catches of valuable fish that cannot be landed legally. This important issue is, however, usually not quantified and not accounted for in traditional management advice. A simple approach using traditional catch and effort information was developed, estimating catch potentials for distinct fleets (groups of vessels) and métiers (type of activity), and hence quantifying the risks of over- and underquota utilization for the various stocks. This method, named Fcube (Fleet and Fisheries Forecast), was applied successfully to international demersal fisheries in the North Sea and shaped into the advice framework. The substantial overquota catches of North Sea cod likely under the current fisheries regimes are quantified, and it is estimated that the single-species management targets for North Sea cod cannot be achieved unless substantial reductions in TACs of all other stocks and corresponding effort reductions are applied.
First Report of Phytophthora infestans Genotype US23 Causing Late Blight in Canada
Authors: Kawchuk L. M. , Howard R. J. , Peters R. D. , Al-Mughrabi K. I. 
Published: May 2011

Late blight is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary and is one of the most devastating diseases of potato and tomato. Late blight occurs in all major potato- and tomato-growing regions of Canada. Its incidence in North America increased during 2009 and 2010 (2). Foliar disease symptoms appeared earlier than usual (June rather than July) and coincided with the identification of several new P. infestans genotypes in the United States, each with unique characteristics. Prior to 2007, isolates collected from potato and tomato crops were mainly US8 or US11 genotypes (1). However, P. infestans populations in the United States have recently experienced a major genetic evolution, producing isolates with unique genotypes and epidemiological characteristics in Florida and throughout the northeastern states (2). Recent discoveries of tomato transplants with late blight for sale at Canadian retail outlets prompted an examination of the genotypes inadvertently being distributed and causing disease in commercial production areas in Canada. Analysis of isolates of P. infestans from across Canada in 2010 identified the US23 genotype for the first time from each of the four western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia) but not from eastern Canada. Allozyme banding patterns at the glucose phosphate isomerase (Gpi) locus indicated a 100/100 profile consistent with US6 and US23 genotypes (4). Mating type assays confirmed the isolates to be A1 and in vivo metalaxyl sensitivity was observed. Restriction fragment length polymorphic analysis of 50 isolates from western Canada with the multilocus RG57 sequence and EcoRI produced the DNA pattern 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 24a, 25 that was indicative of US23 (3). The recently described P. infestans genotype US23 appears to be more aggressive on tomato, and although isolates were recovered from both tomato and potato, disease symptoms were often more severe on tomato. Results indicate that movement and evolution of new P. infestans genotypes have contributed to the increased incidence of late blight and that movement of the pathogen on retail plantlets nationally and internationally may provide an additional early season source of inoculum. A major concern is that the introduced new A1 populations in western Canada have established a dichotomy with the endogenous A2 populations in eastern Canada, increasing the potential for sexual recombination producing oospores and additional genotypes should these populations merge. References: (1) Q. Chen et al. Am. J. Potato Res. 80:9, 2003. (2) K. Deahl. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 100(suppl.):S161, 2010. (3) S. B. Goodwin et al. Curr. Genet. 22:107, 1992. (4) S. B. Goodwin et al. Phytopathology 88:939, 2004.
Treatment with Epinephrine (Adrenaline) in Suspected Anaphylaxis during Anesthesia in Denmark
Authors: Garvey Lene H. , Belhage Bo , Krøigaard Mogens , Husum Bent , Malling Hans-Jørgen , Mosbech Holger 
Published: May 2011

Background
Literature on the use of epinephrine in the treatment of anaphylaxis during anesthesia is very limited. The objective of this study was to investigate how often epinephrine is used in the treatment of suspected anaphylaxis during anesthesia in Denmark and whether timing of treatment is important.

Methods
A retrospective study of 270 patients investigated at the Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre after referral due to suspected anaphylaxis during anesthesia was performed. Reactions had been graded by severity: C1, mild reactions; C2, moderate reactions; C3, anaphylactic shock with circulatory instability; C4, cardiac arrest. Use of epinephrine, dosage, route of administration, and time between onset of circulatory instability and epinephrine administration were noted.

Results
A total of 122 (45.2%) of referred patients had C3 or C4 reactions; of those, 101 (82.8%) received epinephrine. Route of administration was intravenous in 95 (94%) patients. Median time from onset of reported hypotension to treatment with epinephrine was 10 min (range, 1-70 min). Defining epinephrine treatment less than or equal to 10 min after onset of hypotension as early, and more than 10 min as late, infusion was needed in 12 of 60 patients (20%) treated early versus 12 of 35 patients (34%) treated late (odds ratio, 2.09) (95% confidence interval, 0.81-5.35).

Conclusion
Anaphylaxis may be difficult to diagnose during anesthesia, and treatment with epinephrine can be delayed as a consequence. Anaphylaxis should be considered and treated in patients with circulatory instability during anesthesia of no apparent cause who do not respond to the usual treatments.
Ultrasound Imaging Facilitates Spinal Anesthesia in Adults with Difficult Surface Anatomic Landmarks
Authors: Chin Ki Jinn , Perlas Anahi , Chan Vincent , Brown-Shreves Danielle , Koshkin Arkadiy , Vaishnav Vandana 
Published: May 2011

Background
Poor surface anatomic landmarks are highly predictive of technical difficulty in neuraxial blockade. The authors examined the use of ultrasound imaging to reduce this difficulty.

Methods
The authors recruited 120 orthopedic patients with one of the following: body mass index more than 35 kg/m² and poorly palpable spinous processes; moderate to severe lumbar scoliosis; or previous lumbar spine surgery. Patients were randomized to receive spinal anesthetic by the conventional surface landmark-guided technique (group LM) or by an ultrasound-guided technique (group US). Patients in group US had a preprocedural ultrasound scan to locate and mark a suitable needle insertion point. The primary outcome was the rate of successful dural puncture on the first needle insertion attempt. Normally distributed data were summarized as mean ± SD and nonnormally distributed data were summarized as median [interquartile range].

Results
The first-attempt success rate was twice as high in group US than in group LM (65% vs. 32%; P < 0.001). There was a twofold difference between groups in the number of needle insertion attempts (group US, 1 [1-2] vs. group LM, 2 [1-4]; P < 0.001) and number of needle passes (group US, 6 [1-10] vs. group LM, 13 [5-21]; P = 0.003). More time was required to establish landmarks in group US (6.7 ± 3.1; group LM, 0.6 ± 0.5 min; P < 0.001), but this was partially offset by a shorter spinal anesthesia performance time (group US, 5.0 ± 4.9 vs. group LM, 7.3 ± 7.6 min; P = 0.038). Similar results were seen in subgroup analyses of patients with body mass index more than 35 kg/m and patients with poorly palpable landmarks.

Conclusion
Preprocedural ultrasound imaging facilitates the performance of spinal anesthesia in the nonobstetric patient population with difficult anatomic landmarks.