bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in carbon and nitrogen of Chernozem soil along a cultivation chronosequence in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Wang Q. , Zhang L. , Li L. , Bai Y. , Cao J. , Han X. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryChanges in the carbon (C) stock of grassland soil in response to land use change will increase atmospheric CO2, and consequently affect the climate. In this study we investigated the effects of land use change on soil organic C (SOC) and nitrogen (N) along a cultivation chronosequence in the Xilin River Basin, China. The chronosequence consisted of an undisturbed meadow steppe, a 28‐year‐old cropland and a 42‐year‐old cropland (abbreviated as Steppe, Crop‐28 Y and Crop‐42Y, respectively). Crop‐28Y and Crop‐42Y were originally created on the meadow steppe in 1972 and 1958, respectively. The soil samples, in ten replications from three depth increments (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm), were collected, respectively, in the two cropland fields and the adjacent undisturbed steppe. Bulk density, SOC, total N and 2 m KCl‐extractable mineral N including ammonium and nitrate were measured. Our results showed that the greatest changes in the measurements occurred in the 0–10 cm soil depth. The SOC stock in the upper 30‐cm soil decreased by 9.83 Mg C ha−1 in Crop‐28Y and 21.87 Mg C ha−1 in Crop‐42Y, which indicated that approximately 10 and 25% of the original SOC of the steppe had been emitted over 28 and 42 years, respectively. Similarly, the total N lost was 0.66 Mg N ha−1 and 1.18 Mg N ha−1, corresponding to approximately 9% and 16%, respectively, of the original N at the same depth and cropping duration as those noted for SOC. The mineral N concentration in the soil of both the two croplands was greater than that in the steppe soil, and the ammonium‐N was less affected by cultivation than the nitrate‐N. The extent of these changes depended on soil depth and cropland age. These effects of cultivation were much greater in the top 10 cm of soil than in deeper soil, and also greater in Crop‐42Y than in Crop‐28Y. The findings are significant for assessing the C and N sequestration potential of the land use changes associated with grassland conversion, and suggest that improved management practices are needed to sequester SOC and total N in the cropped soil in a semi‐arid grassland.
Parent’s involvement in decisions when their child is admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction: study protocol
Authors: Smith Joanna , Cheater Francine , Chatwin John , Bekker Hilary 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTitle.  Parent’s involvement in decisions when their child is admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction: study protocol. Aim.  This paper outlines the protocol for a study aimed at exploring parent’s involvement during professional–parent interactions and decisions about their child’s care in the context of suspected shunt malfunction.Background.  Hydrocephalus is a long‐term condition treated primarily by the insertion of a shunt that diverts fluid from the brain to another body compartment. Shunts frequently malfunction, and parents of children with shunted hydrocephalus are responsible for recognizing and responding to shunt complications. Parents feel that interactions with professionals when they seek healthcare advice for their child do always not encourage active participation in care decisions.Methods.  The study design is based on qualitative methodologies: a combination of conversation analysis applied to consultation recordings of professional–parent interactions when a child is admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction, and semi‐structured follow‐up interviews with the same participants within 2 weeks of the consultation.Participants.  This is a prospective study and participants will be purposefully selected. Parents of children who have been admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction and healthcare professionals responsible for the initial assessment of the child will be invited to participate.Discussion.  The study will identify how decisions about a child’s care are negotiated between parents and healthcare professionals at key stages of the care pathway. In addition, examining interactions between healthcare professionals and parents may identify approaches that support or hinder parents in contributing to the decision‐making processes when they seek advice from healthcare professionals.
The Professionalism and Environmental Factors in the Workplace Questionnaire®: development and psychometric evaluation
Authors: Baumann Andrea , Kolotylo Camille 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTitle.  The Professionalism and Environmental Factors in the Workplace Questionnaire®: development and psychometric evaluation. Aim.  The aim of this paper is to describe the development and testing of a questionnaire intended to determine key professionalism attributes and key environmental attributes that influence the professionalism of nurses in their practice environments.Background.  Rapid changes in the healthcare sector and human resource shortages have had an impact on the stability of global work environments, making maintaining professionalism a challenge. The literature consists of descriptive research, opinion and theoretical papers.Method.  The Professionalism and Environmental Factors in the Workplace Questionnaire® was developed and tested from 2005 to 2007 in three phases: item generation, pretesting and pilot testing. Convenience sampling was used to obtain representative samples of the target population in the pretest and pilot test. Mailed survey methodology was used in the pretest and pilot test. Sample sizes for the pretest and pilot test were 46 and 848 respectively.Results.  Psychometric testing indicated preliminary instrument validity and reliability. Factor analysis resulted in stable factors that mirrored the conceptual basis of the questionnaire. The results summarize nurses’ ratings of professionalism and environmental attributes that play a role in their work lives.Conclusion.  The questionnaire helps nurses reflect on their practice and provides a starting point for discussion, planning and implementation of methods to support professionalism in practice and healthy work environments. It is internationally relevant because professionalism is a construct that transcends culture. Confirmatory factor analysis is needed to validate the results of this study. Testing with populations in different settings and additional validity and reliability testing will strengthen the questionnaire.
The physical environment as a fall risk factor in older adults: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional and cohort studies
Authors: Letts Lori , Moreland Julie , Richardson Julie , Coman Liliana , Edwards Mary , Ginis Kathleen Martin , Wilkins Seanne , Wishart Laurie 
Published: September 2009

Background/aim:  Evidence that the physical environment is a fall risk factor in older adults is inconsistent. The study evaluated and summarised evidence of the physical environment as a fall risk factor. Methods:  Eight databases (1985–2006) were searched. Investigators evaluated quality of two categories (cross‐sectional and cohort) of studies, extracted and analysed data. Results:  Cross‐sectional: falls occur in a variety of environments; gait aids were present in approximately 30% of falls. Cohort:  Home hazards increased fall risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.36) although not significantly. When only the high quality studies were included, the OR = 1.38 (95% CI: 1.03–1.87), which was statistically significant. Use of mobility aids significantly increased fall risk in community (OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.59–2.71) and institutional (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.66–1.89) settings. Conclusions:  Home hazards appear to be a significant risk factor in older community‐dwelling adults, although they may present the greatest risk for persons who fall repeatedly. Future research should examine relationships between mobility impairments, use of mobility aids and falls.
Variability in incubator humidity practices in the management of preterm infants
Authors: Sinclair Lynn , Crisp Jackie , Sinn John 
Published: September 2009

Aim:  To determine current practice and opinion in relation to incubator humidity use in the management of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) within the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN).Methods:  A survey was conducted in 26 NICU's in the ANZNN. A senior clinical nurse in each perinatal centre participated in a telephone survey that focused on local humidification practices and on the clinicians' views and experiences of humidity use.Results:  All centres routinely used supplemental humidity in the management of preterm infants. The majority of centres (77%) had written protocols to guide practice. Eighty‐eight per cent commenced humidity at a high level (relative humidity ≥ 80%). There was wide practice variation in the gestational age parameters determining humidification use (all gestational ages up to 37 weeks), duration of use (3–77 days), timing of initiation (admission to 72 h after birth) and weaning practices. Perceived benefits of humidification included improved thermoregulation, skin integrity, and fluid and electrolyte balance and reduced transepidermal water loss. Perceived risks included sepsis and hyperthermia.Conclusions:  Our study confirmed that incubator humidity is used routinely in the management of preterm infants in the ANZNN. Wide variation in humidification practices across NICUs reflects the paucity of research evidence. Perceived benefits and risks of humidity use were consistent with available literature. To optimise the care environment and provide an evidence base for practice further research is warranted.
Hot topics in aging research: protein translation, 2009
Authors: Kennedy Brian K. , Kaeberlein Matt 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn the last few years, links between regulation of mRNA translation and aging have been firmly established in invertebrate model organisms. This year, a possible relationship between mRNA translation and aging in mammals has been established with the report that rapamycin increases lifespan in mice. Other significant findings have connected translation control with other known longevity pathways and provided fodder for mechanistic hypotheses. Here, we summarize advances in this emerging field and raise questions for future studies.
Understanding Humanity’s Damaged Future
Authors: Catton, Jr William R. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe notion that social facts can be caused only by other social facts is obsolete. Human societies today are affected by biogeochemical change. “Developed” human societies so overuse the finite planet they share with “underdeveloped” societies that the future of all is threatened.Medicine’s prosthesis concept becomes useful for sociology when extended beyond referring to devices for replacing lost body parts or restoring impaired sensory powers. If we regard all modern tools and machines as prosthetic devices, we see them enabling humans to act as giants—giving us colossal resource appetites and huge environmental impacts.Prosthetic apparatus (and familiar assumptions) previously useful are subject to obsolescence. But there is cultural lag. Conceptual habits restrict the way we see our world. The bubble of twentieth century experience obstructs our understanding of the future into which we giants are plummeting. To explain severe hardships ahead in the twenty‐first century, sociologists need to break out of our discipline’s traditional conceptual bubble. Twentieth century expectations have become misleading. The basis of past progress (a carrying capacity surplus) is gone, replaced by a carrying capacity deficit. Earth’s diminished carrying capacity will sustain fewer (dinosaur‐equivalent) Homo colossus than original Homo sapiens.
Oriented precipitates of quartz and amphibole in clinopyroxene of metabasites from the Greek Rhodope: a product of open system precipitation during eclogite–granulite–amphibolite transition
Authors: PROYER A. , KRENN K. , HOINKES G. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn metabasites from the high‐grade metamorphic Kimi Complex of the Greek Rhodope, lamellae of quartz and amphibole were observed together with either rutile or titanite precipitates in the cores of clinopyroxene that underwent a prolonged exhumation history from eclogite via granulite and amphibolite facies conditions. Lamellae are crystallographically oriented along clinopyroxene cleavage planes (010) and interpreted as the result of precipitation during a two‐step intracrystalline compositional adjustment from an omphacite‐ to a Ca‐Tschermak‐rich clinopyroxene and finally to diopside. Even though retrograde diffusion profiles develop in clinopyroxene, the diffusion rates of highly charged ions like Si4+, Al3+and Ti4+are too slow, so precipitates rich in Si4+ (quartz), Al3+(amphibole) and Ti4+(rutile or titanite) form as viable kinetic alternatives. These precipitation reactions are not possible isochemically, and additional exchange of ions with the matrix is required for precipitation to occur. This exchange of mainly rapidly diffusing low‐charge ions is postulated to proceed by bulk diffusion (self‐diffusion) and does not require special pathways or fluid, even though these may play an additional role during metamorphism. This hitherto undescribed process of precipitation made possible by diffusional exchange with the matrix through an intact host crystal lattice is termed here as ‘open system precipitation’ (OSP). No prior Ca‐Eskola‐rich (ultrahigh‐pressure, UHP) composition of omphacite is required to explain the observed precipitates. It is proposed that many precipitation phenomena that were hard to explain in a closed‐system scenario can now be explained more readily by OSP. Calculation of an original solid solution composition, as in an UHP phase, from precipitate and host mineral analyses becomes imprecise to the degree that bulk diffusion and hence OSP have been important.
Spinal cord infarction in a patient with metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer, receiving chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab
Authors: MASSELOS Katherine , BEGBIE Stephen , LEES Jennifer Nicole 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBevacizumab is an anti‐angiogenesis agent that has many applications in the current management of patients with cancer, including advanced non‐small cell lung cancer. Its value is however, not without side effects. We present the first reported case of spinal cord infarction in the setting of bevacizumab use in a 70‐year old woman with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer.
Metachronous bilateral primary low‐grade mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue non‐Hodgkins lymphoma of the breast
Authors: YILMAZ M Helene , MILLAR Ewan KA , THEOCHAROUS Con , GRAHAM Peter H 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe report the rare occurrence of bilateral low‐grade MALT lymphoma of the breast in a 73 year old female. The clinical, pathological and treatment details are discussed, with a review of the literature.
Comparison of radiologically inserted arm ports versus surgically placed chest ports for chemotherapy
Authors: WEICKHARDT Andrew , JOSEPH Timothy , SHEA Susan , ARHANGHELSCHI Dan , LOWE Andrew , HAMILTON Kate , CHONG Geoff 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim:  Central venous access ports (CVAP) are often required to deliver chemotherapy to cancer patients. Arm‐sited CVAP are an alternative to traditional chest‐sited CVAP, but their durability and complication rates have not been thoroughly compared.Methods:  A retrospective analysis at a single institution was conducted of all patients who had a chest port inserted for chemotherapy over a 30‐month period and compared to patients who had an arm port inserted over a subsequent 30‐month period. The minimum follow‐up period in patients who did not die from cancer was 6 months. The primary endpoint was successful use of the port, defined as a patient completing chemotherapy without a complication prompting removal of the port.Results:  The success rate was not significantly different between arm port (92 patients) or chest port (49 patients) groups (88 vs 92%). There were no significant differences between infective or thrombotic complications in the two groups.Conclusion:  Arm CVAP were found to be equivalent in durability and complications compared to chest CVAP for chemotherapy administration at a regional oncology unit.
COMPARISON OF ATTRIBUTE LIKING AND JAR SCALES TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF SENSORY ATTRIBUTES OF MILK DESSERTS
Authors: ARES GASTÓN , BARREIRO CECILIA , GIMÉNEZ ANA 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT Just‐about‐right (JAR) scales and attribute liking questions are usually used to study consumer perception of the sensory characteristics of food products. The aim of the present work was to compare the performance of attribute liking and JAR scales to evaluate consumers' perceived adequacy of flavor and texture of milk puddings. Two groups of consumers were asked to evaluate eight milk desserts using (1) overall liking followed by attribute liking for texture and flavor and (2) overall liking followed by JAR scales for thickness, creaminess, sweetness and vanilla flavor. Overall liking scores were significantly different when JAR scales or attribute liking questions were considered. Texture, flavor and overall liking scores were highly correlated to each other, providing the same information. JAR scales correlated better with the intensity of sensory attributes evaluated by a trained sensory panel, being JAR percentages a reliable tool to study the adequacy of sensory attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSResults from the present work showed that consumers might not be able to independently evaluate their liking of different sensory attributes of a product. For this reason, the use of attribute liking questions for studying the adequacy of sensory attributes in complex products would not be recommended. JAR scales were better indicators of the adequacy of sensory attributes. Consumers were able to independently evaluate texture and flavor attributes using JAR scales. However, the influence of JAR scales on overall liking scores should be taken into account when including these scales on consumer studies.
Evaluating the Strength of School Tobacco Policies: The Development of a Practical Rating System
Authors: Boyce Jennifer C. , Mueller Nancy B. , Hogan‐Watts Melissa , Luke Douglas A. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: School tobacco control policies vary widely in their strength, extensiveness, and enforcement. Currently, no standardized method exists to assess the comprehensiveness of school tobacco policies. The purpose of this study was to develop a new practical rating system for school tobacco policies, assess its reliability, and present preliminary validation data.METHODS: This study presents the systematic development of a rating system to assess the strength of school tobacco policies. Based on the empirical literature and the expertise of an advisory panel consisting of educational leaders and tobacco control advocates and practitioners, a “gold standard” school tobacco policy was developed and guided the content of the 40‐point rating system. The 4 domains of the School Tobacco Policy Index were: Tobacco‐free environment (14 points), Enforcement (12 points), Prevention and treatment services (6 points), and Policy organization (8 points).RESULTS: The Index was pilot‐tested using 95 Missouri public school district tobacco policies and proved to be highly reliable among coders. The evaluated policies varied greatly between school districts, with the lowest total policy score of φ and the highest score of 21. School district policy scores were significantly related to a number of county‐level tobacco policy characteristics, including support for a tobacco excise tax increase.CONCLUSIONS: The Index is a user‐friendly, practical tool for tobacco control professionals and educators, providing them with the ability to easily evaluate their own school policies. Their evaluation efforts will be useful in strengthening existing policies and developing new comprehensive policies to protect the health of students, staff, administrators, and visitors.
Embryonic and larval development of garpike from the Adriatic Sea
Authors: DULČIĆ Jakov , BAŽDARIĆ Branimir , GRUBIŠIĆ Leon , TUTMAN Pero , DRAGIČEVIĆ Branko 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAlthough information about embryonic and larval development of garpike, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761), is present in the published literature, the bulk of research concerns garpike from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. The present work describes the embryonic and larval development of garpike, Belone belone, from the Adriatic Sea, and methods used for incubation of fertilized eggs in aquarium conditions. Because garpike is, as suggested by some authors, divided into subspecies, we conclude that some differences in embryonic development could also be expected. In the present study, eggs were fertilized using the dry fertilization method and were incubated in a tank equipped with aeration and constant sea water flow. Salinity and content of dissolved oxygen were constant, and the temperature varied between 19.4 and 22.3°C. Eggs were spherical, measuring 3071.9 ± 75.73 μm in diameter. Yolk sacs were homogeneous and did not contain oil globules. The first larvae hatched 329 h and 47 min after fertilization. Absorption of the yolk sac occurred 17 h – 48 h after hatching and the total length of newly hatched larvae was 9.78 mm. The peculiarities observed in the embryonic and early larval development are evidence of an exceptional plasticity and adaptive potential, which could be considered as helpful features in extending the natural range of occurrence of this species.
Production of asexual and sexual offspring in the triploid sexual planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis
Authors: KOBAYASHI Kazuya , ARIOKA Sachiko , HOSHI Motonori , MATSUMOTO Midori 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCertain freshwater planarians reproduce asexually as well as sexually, and their chromosomal ploidies include polyploidy, aneuploidy and mixoploidy. Previously, we successfully performed an experiment in which a clonal population produced by asexual reproduction of the Dugesia ryukyuensis (OH strain) switched to the sexual mode of reproduction. Worms of this strain are triploid with a pericentric inversion on Chromosome 4. The worms were switched to sexual reproduction after being fed with sexually mature Bdellocephala brunnea, which is a sexually reproducing species. The resulting sexualized OH strain produced cocoons filled with several eggs. Two putative factors, Mendelian factor(s) and chromosomal control(s), have been proposed as determining the reproductive mode. The present study demonstrated that inbreeding of the resultant sexualized worms produced the following four types of offspring through sexual reproduction: diploid asexual worms, triploid asexual worms, diploid sexual worms and triploid sexual worms. The chromosomal mutation on Chromosome 4 was inherited by these offspring independent of their reproductive mode. These results provide two important pieces of information: (i) the putative genetic factor was not necessarily inherited in a Mendelian fashion; and (ii) the reproductive mode is not regulated by chromosomal changes such as polyploidy or chromosomal mutations. This suggests that asexuality in D. ryukyuensis is regulated by an unknown factor(s) other than a Mendelian factor or a chromosomal control.
Statistical Assessment of Variability of Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis Applied to Complex Microbial Communities
Authors: Rossi Pierre , Gillet François , Rohrbach Emmanuelle , Diaby Nouhou , Holliger Christof 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT
The variability of terminal restriction fragment polymorphism analysis applied to complex microbial communities was assessed statistically. Recent technological improvements were implemented in the successive steps of the procedure, resulting in a standardized procedure which provided a high level of reproducibility.