bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma equilibrium reconstructions in the lithium tokamak experiment
Authors: Berzak Hopkins L. , Menard J. , Majeski R , Lundberg D.P. , Granstedt E. , Jacobson C. , Kaita R. , Kozub T. , Zakharov L. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The lithium tokamak experiment (LTX) (R
0 = 0.4 m, a = 0.26 m) is designed to explore the low-recycling, lithium wall operating regime for magnetically confined plasmas. A set of shell quadrants internal to the vacuum vessel and conformal to the plasma last closed flux surface is designed to be coated with lithium to produce the lithium plasma-facing surface. The shell quadrants are highly conductive in order to maintain an even thermal distribution, but this conductivity also permits eddy currents to flow that can be larger in magnitude than the plasma current. Due to this effect, plasma start-up is greatly complicated as is the development of an applicable equilibrium solver code. A suitable code, LTX LRDFIT, has been developed and benchmarked and has now been used to compare plasma flux surface reconstructions for discharges before and after initial lithium wall conditioning. Dramatic improvements in plasma performance and shaping have been noted with the introduction of lithium.
AS-EAST: a functional annotation tool for putative proteins encoded by alternatively spliced transcripts
Authors: Shionyu Masafumi , Takahashi Ken-ichi , Go Mitiko 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Summary: Alternative Splicing Effects ASsessment Tools (AS-EAST) is an online tool for the functional annotation of putative proteins encoded by transcripts generated by alternative splicing (AS). When provided with a transcript sequence, AS-EAST identifies regions altered by AS events in the putative protein sequence encoded by the transcript. Users can evaluate the predicted function of the putative protein by inspecting whether functional domains are included in the altered regions. Moreover, users can infer the loss of inter-molecular interactions in the protein network according to whether the AS events affect interaction residues observed in the 3D structure of the reference isoform. The information obtained from AS-EAST will help to design experimental analyses for the functional significance of novel splice isoforms.
Availability: The online tool is freely available at http://as-alps.nagahama-i-bio.ac.jp/ASEAST/.
Contact: m_shionyu@nagahama-i-bio.ac.jp
Effect of positioning from supine and left lateral positions to left lateral tilt on maternal blood flow velocities and waveforms in full‐term parturients
Authors: Kundra P. , Velraj J. , Amirthalingam U. , Habeebullah S. , Yuvaraj K. , Elangovan S. , Venkatesan V. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPositioning the parturient from supine to the left lateral tilt position (supine‐to‐tilt) may not effectively displace the gravid uterus, but turning from the left lateral position to the left lateral tilt position (left lateral‐to‐tilt) may keep the gravid uterus displaced and prevent aortocaval compression. Fifty‐one full‐term parturients were randomly placed in the left lateral position, supine‐to‐tilt and left lateral‐to‐tilt positions using a Crawford wedge. Femoral vein area, femoral vein velocity, femoral artery area, pulsatility index, resistance index and right arm mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. Our results showed a lower mean (SD) femoral vein area (82.2 (14.9) vs 96.2 (16.4) mm2), a lower pulsatility index (3.83 (1.3) vs 5.8 (2.2)), a lower resistance index (0.93 (0.06) vs 0.98 (0.57)), a higher femoral artery area (33.3 (3.8) vs 30.9 (4.4) mm2) and a higher femoral vein velocity (7.9 (1.2) vs 6.1 (1.6) cm.s−1) with left lateral‐to‐tilt when compared with supine‐to‐tilt (all p < 0.001). Our results suggest that moving a full‐term parturient from the full left lateral to the lateral tilt position may prevent aortocaval compression in full‐term parturients more efficiently than when positioning the parturient from a supine to left lateral tilt position.
Functional responses of stream biofilms to flow cessation, desiccation and rewetting
Authors: TIMONER XISCA , ACUÑA VICENÇ , VON SCHILLER DANIEL , SABATER SERGI 
Published: May 2012

Summary1.  Mediterranean climate regions are characterised by long summer droughts that usually involve flow intermittency in low‐ to mid‐order streams. Flow intermittency implies flow cessation, drying and subsequent rewetting of the streambed, and affects both autotrophic and heterotrophic processes. The balance between these processes, as well as the balance in the use of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) may change because of the ongoing increase in stream flow intermittency caused by global change in many regions. It is therefore crucial to understand better the consequences of this phenomenon.2. Our two initial hypotheses were (i) that flow intermittency would impact more on autotrophic than on heterotrophic processes in stream biofilms owing to the higher water dependence of autotrophs, as well as differences in the water storage capacity of the stream biofilm compartments where autotrophic and heterotrophic processes mainly occur (surface cobbles versus hyporheic sediments) and (ii) that the C‐N‐P use by biofilms would change during the dry period (terrestrial phase) owing to the extreme water stress conditions. These hypotheses were tested by analysing the functional response of the main stream biofilms (epilithic, epipsammic and hyporheic) during flow cessation, desiccation and rewetting in a Mediterranean forested stream. The autotrophic response was characterised through changes in the photon yield, whereas the heterotrophic response was characterised by changes in the extracellular enzyme activities.3. Streambed desiccation had clear effects on the functioning of stream biofilms. Autotrophic biomass decreased by 80% with streambed desiccation, but recovered rapidly after flow resumption. Heterotrophs were more resistant to water stress, especially in the epipsammic and hyporheic biofilms where bacterial cell density decreased only by 20%.4. Extracellular enzyme activities remained relatively high, and the balance in the C‐N‐P use by biofilms changed during the dry period. The C and P breakdown capacities were maintained during dry conditions, especially in the epipsammic and hyporheic biofilms, but the degradation of N compounds sharply decreased. Elemental molar ratios (C:N and C:P) of the different biofilms also changed with streambed desiccation. C:P ratios increased from 80 to 300, while the C:N ratios increased from 10 to 16.5. Given the contrasting responses of autotrophic and heterotrophic processes in the different biofilms, our results suggest that the current increase in flow intermittency extent is likely to increase the relative importance of heterotrophic processes in stream ecosystems, as well as the relative contribution of the hyporheic biofilm to C‐N‐P use. Our results further suggest that the longer streams remain dry, the more the biofilm stoichiometry will change.
Carbon flux through fungi and bacteria into the forest soil animal food web as indicated by compound‐specific13Cfatty acid analysis
Authors: Pollierer Melanie M. , Dyckmans Jens , Scheu Stefan , Haubert Dominique 
Published: May 2012

Summary1.Soil food webs are compartmentalized and comprise major energy channels, such as the plant litter, fungal and bacterial channel. However, the relative contribution of basal resources to these channels for nutrition of higher trophic levels is largely unknown.2.The study took advantage of the Swiss Canopy Crane Project, where a mature temperate forest was labelled with13C‐depletedCO2. By exchanging leaf litter between the13CO2‐enriched area and an unlabelled control area, we were able to separate carbon fluxes originating from leaf litter and roots, respectively.3.Fatty acid (FA) composition and δ13Csignatures of individual FAs of basal resources and soil animals, including decomposers and predators, were analysed. Marker FAs allowed differentiation of the contribution of plant litter, fungi and bacteria to the nutrition of higher trophic levels.4.Our findings suggest that root‐derived carbon is of major importance for the soil animal food web and that it enters the soil animal food web mainly via feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi.5.In contrast to previous studies that emphasized the dominance of the fungal energy channel, significant amounts of bacterial FAs in each of the predator species studied indicate that the bacterial energy channel is considerably more important for the nutrition of higher trophic levels than previously assumed. The flux of energy along the two channels presumably contributes to food web stability.6.Compound‐specific13(CO2) FA analysis of basal resources and soil animals allowed the separation of energy fluxes originating from ectomycorrhizal vs. saprotrophic fungi, from bacteria feeding on leaf litter vs. bacteria feeding on root exudates, and from leaf litter itself, providing information on the partitioning of these different energy channels in unprecedented detail.
Ankle muscle activation in people with haemophilia
Authors: Kurz E. , Anders C. , Herbsleb M. , Puta C. , Czepa D. , Hilberg T. 
Published: May 2012

SummarySince normative surface EMG (SEMG) values for muscles acting at the knee joint are available for people with haemophilia, increasing interest is noticeable for other joints affected by haemophilic arthropathy. Adequate activity of shank muscles is an important key for appropriate postural control. The aim of this study was to determine differences in muscle activation patterns of lower leg muscles between people with and without haemophilia during upright standing. SEMG of tibialis anterior (TA), fibularis longus (FL), lateral (LG) and medial (MG) heads of gastrocnemius, and soleus (SO) muscles of both sides were recorded in 25 haemophilic patients (H) and 25 non‐haemophilic control subjects (C) while standing on even ground. The Gilbert‐Score was used to assign sides to major (H‐MA) and minor (H‐MI) affected ankle joints in H. To normalize the SEMG amplitudes, amplitude ratios (percentage of cumulated activity) were calculated. Compared to controls, TA ratios showed higher and MG reduced levels in both H groups (P < 0.01). In the H‐MA subgroup of H, FL also joined the TA behaviour whereas SO had similar activation direction as MG. Although possible descending influences from the knee joints cannot be excluded, this can be interpreted as a compensational mechanism due to the severity of the orthopaedic status of the ankle, which with increasing heaviness is accompanied by reduced plantar flexion capability. However, ankle joint integrity appears to be reduced in H, with TA and MG seeming to play key roles for neuromuscular control of upright posture.
Effect of a self‐help program for mothers of hemophilic children in Korea
Authors: Kang H. S. , Kim W. O. , Jeong Y. , Kim S. Y. , Yoo K. Y. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMothers of hemophilic children are under stressful situations because of the characteristics of disease and inheritance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the self‐help group program for the mothers of hemophilic children. Fifty one mothers of hemophilic children were participated. The experiment group (n = 24) participated in the self‐help group program for 5 weeks, while the control group (n = 27) received a self‐help booklet only. Knowledge, self‐efficacy, depression, parenting stress, and quality of life were evaluated using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using χ2‐test, t‐test, and analysis of covariance (ancova). The experiment and control groups were homogeneous in general characteristics and depending variables except knowledge (P < 0.05; P > 0.05, respectively). Knowledge, self‐efficacy, and quality of life in the experiment group were increased after the program (P < 0.001). Especially, the knowledge in the experiment group was lower than the control group in pretest, but higher in the posttest (P < 0.001). Depression and parenting stress were reduced in the experiment group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). It is suggestive that the self‐help group program can be a useful opportunity for mothers of hemophilic children to improve knowledge and self‐efficay of child care and quality of life of themselves; to decrease depression and parenting stress. Extended application of the program to fathers or all family members may be needed to investigate in the future.
Evaluation of a novel flow chamber system to assess clot formation in factor VIII‐deficient mouse and anti‐factor IXa‐treated human blood
Authors: Ogawa S. , Szlam F. , Dunn A. L. , Bolliger D. , Ohnishi T. , Hosokawa K. , Tanaka K. A. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryBlood flow properties play important roles in the regulation and formation of thrombus. To evaluate the influence of blood flow on thrombus formation in haemophilia, whole blood samples were obtained from FVIII‐deficient (FVIII−/−) and wild‐type (FVIII+/+) mice (n = 6 respectively), and from six human volunteers. Anti‐FIXa aptamer was added to human blood to model acquired haemophilia B. Recalcified whole blood samples containing corn trypsin inhibitor and danaproid were perfused over the microchip coated with collagen and tissue thromboplastin at shear rates of 1100 and 110 s−1. Thrombus formation in the capillary was quantified by monitoring flow pressure changes. The intervals to 5 kPa (T5) and 40 k Pa (T40) reflect the onset and growth of thrombus formation respectively. Furthermore, fibrin and platelets in thrombi were quantified by immunostaining. T5 at both shear rates were similar in FVIII−/− and FVIII+/+ mice. T40 of FVIII−/− mice (1569 ± 565 s) was significantly delayed compared with FVIII+/+ mice (339 ± 78 s) at 110 s−1 (P < 0.05), but not at 1100 s−1. The delay was normalized by adding human FVIII (2 IU mL−1). Similarly, adding anti‐FIXa aptamer to human blood prolonged T40 at 110 s−1 (P < 0.01), but not at 1100 s−1. Impaired production of fibrin due to anti‐FIXa aptamer at 110 s−1 was shown in the immunostained thrombus. Our perfusion experiments demonstrated that shear rates influence thrombus formation patterns in haemophilia, and that reduced activity of intrinsic tenase (FIXa‐FVIIIa) becomes evident under venous shear rates.
Low‐level laser therapy for pain relief after episiotomy: a double‐blind randomised clinical trial
Authors: Santos Jaqueline de O , de Oliveira Sonia MJV , da Silva Flora MB , Nobre Moacyr RC , Osava Ruth H , Riesco Maria LG 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate the effectiveness of a low‐level laser therapy for pain relief in the perineum following episiotomy during childbirth.Background.  Laser irradiation is a painless and non‐invasive therapy for perineal pain treatment and its effects have been investigated in several studies, with no clear conclusion on its effectiveness.Design.  A double‐blind randomised controlled clinical trial.Method.  One hundred and fourteen women who underwent right mediolateral episiotomies during vaginal birth in an in‐hospital birthing centre in São Paulo, Brazil and reported pain ≥3 on a numeric scale (0–10) were randomised into three groups of 38 women each: two experimental groups (treated with red and infrared laser) and a control group. The experimental groups were treated with laser applied at three points directly on the episiotomy after suturing in a single session between 6–56 hours postpartum. We used a diode laser with wavelengths of 660 nm (red laser) and 780 nm (infrared laser). The control group participants underwent all laser procedures, excluding the emission of irradiation. The participants and the pain scores evaluator were blinded to the type of intervention. The perineal pain scores were assessed at three time points: before, immediately after and 30 minutes after low‐level laser therapy.Results.  The comparison of perineal pain between the three groups showed no significant differences in the three evaluations (p =  0·445), indicating that the results obtained in the groups treated with low‐level laser therapy were equivalent to the control group.Conclusions.  Low‐level laser therapy did not decrease the intensity of perineal pain reported by women who underwent right mediolateral episiotomy.Relevance to clinical practice.  The effect of laser in perineal pain relief was not demonstrated in this study. The dosage may not have been sufficient to provide relief from perineal pain after episiotomy during a vaginal birth.
Characteristics of hypertension‐related factors in female home caregivers in Japan—comparison with general community non‐caregivers
Authors: Hoshino Junko , Hori Yoko , Kondo Takaaki , Tamakoshi Koji , Toyoshima Hideaki , Sakakibara Hisataka 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine the characteristics of hypertension‐related factors in female family caregivers in Japan who provide care in the home, in comparison with general community non‐caregivers.Background.  Hypertension is more frequently encountered in female caregivers than in non‐caregivers. Lifestyle factors including sleep and eating habits differ in Japanese female caregivers and the general population. Therefore, hypertension‐related factors in caregivers may also differ from those in the general population.Design.  A cross‐sectional study.Methods.  The subjects were 150 female caregivers (aged 62·4, SD 12·2 years) who provided home care for persons with physical impairments and/or dementia and 154 female controls (aged 62·7, SD 2·2 years) who did not provide home care. Persons with a history of ischaemic heart disease or cerebral stroke were excluded. Subjects were examined using a self‐reporting questionnaire that included a food frequency questionnaire and the tri‐axial coping scale. Urine examinations and blood pressure measurements were also done. Logistic regression analysis was conducted for each group with the same variables as explanatory variables.Results.  Hypertension was present in 46·7% of caregivers and 34·4% of controls (p < 0·05). Menopause was a factor related to hypertension in both the caregivers and controls. In the caregiver group, hypertension was associated with the estimated 24‐h Na excretion in urine and the carbohydrate‐energy ratio for nutriti. BMI was associated with hypertension in the control group, but not in the caregiver group.Conclusions.  Hypertension was associated with nutritional factors, such as greater Na excretion in urine and higher carbohydrate energy ratio, in Japanese female caregivers and with obesity in non‐caregivers.Relevance to clinical practice.  To prevent hypertension, it is necessary to carefully monitor salt intake and nutritional balance in female caregivers in Japan.
Evaluating physical functioning as part of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach in treatment of people suffering from chronic pain
Authors: Dysvik Elin , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Furnes Bodil 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate physical functioning in a nurse‐led integrated physiotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach in treatment of people suffering from chronic pain.Background.  Inter‐professional working and physical activity supervision is described as important components of successful rehabilitation and is often included in approaches to chronic pain.Design.  A quasi‐experimental nonrandomised controlled design was used.Method.  A consecutive sample of 117 outpatients from a rehabilitation unit at a university hospital was included in this intervention study. The effects of an 8‐week multidisciplinary programme, including 6 and 12 month follow‐up, was examined with measures including health‐related quality of life (HRQL), pain perception, pain stages of change and physical functioning. To broaden our understanding qualitative data from three physiotherapists involved were collected.Results.  Improvements in physical functioning status during the programme were positively related to improvements in stages of change, pain interference (PI) and severity (PS) and HRQL. Qualitative data support these findings.Conclusions.  Findings suggest that our pain management intervention, that includes physical activity designed to help patients to live a healthier life, can have a clinically assessable impact on reducing PI and PS, improving physical functioning and HRQL.Relevance to clinical practice.  Training in CBT approaches and inter‐professional working in chronic pain may extend the skills of nurses and physiotherapists to improve physical functioning among a group of patients for whom traditional medicine has little to offer.
Can simulation replace part of clinical time? Two parallel randomised controlled trials
Authors: Watson Kathryn , Wright Anthony , Morris Norman , McMeeken Joan , Rivett Darren , Blackstock Felicity , Jones Anne , Haines Terry , O’Connor Vivienne , Watson Geoffrey , Peterson Raymond , Jull Gwendolen 
Published: May 2012

Medical Education 2012Context  Education in simulated learning environments (SLEs) has grown rapidly across health care professions, yet no substantive randomised controlled trial (RCT) has investigated whether SLEs can, in part, substitute for traditional clinical education.Methods  Participants were physiotherapy students (RCT 1, n = 192; RCT 2, n = 178) from six Australian universities undertaking clinical education in an ambulatory care setting with patients with musculoskeletal disorders. A simulated learning programme was developed as a replica for clinical education in musculoskeletal practice to replace 1 week of a 4‐week clinical education placement. Two SLE models were designed. Model 1 provided 1 week in the SLE, followed by 3 weeks in clinical immersion; Model 2 offered training in the SLE in parallel with clinical immersion during the first 2 weeks of the 4‐week placement. Two single‐blind, multicentre RCTs (RCT 1, Model 1; RCT 2, Model 2) were conducted using a non‐inferiority design to determine if the clinical competencies of students part‐educated in SLEs would be any worse than those of students educated fully in traditional clinical immersion. The RCTs were conducted simultaneously, but independently. Within each RCT, students were stratified on academic score and randomised to either the SLE group or the control (‘Traditional’) group, which undertook 4 weeks of traditional clinical immersion. The primary outcome measure was a blinded assessment of student competency conducted over two clinical examinations at week 4 using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) tool.Results  Students’ achievement of clinical competencies was no worse in the SLE groups than in the Traditional groups in either RCT (Margin [Δ] ≥ 0.4 difference on APP score; RCT 1: 95% CI − 0.07 to 0.17; RCT 2: 95% CI − 0.11 to 0.16).Conclusions  These RCTs provide evidence that clinical education in an SLE can in part (25%) replace clinical time with real patients without compromising students’ attainment of the professional competencies required to practise.