bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal perceptions of the infant: Relationship to maternal self‐efficacy during the first six weeks' postpartum
Authors: Fulton Janet M. , Mastergeorge Ann M. , Steele Joel S. , Hansen Robin L. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMothers' perceptions of their infants and their own levels of self‐efficacy contribute to developing maternal‐infant attunement. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the associations between maternal perceptions of their own infants relative to other infants and maternal self‐efficacy in a group of ethnically diverse, low‐income, first‐time mothers during the first six weeks postpartum. By employing a structural equation model approach, we explored relationships between the predictor (maternal neonatal perceptions) and dependent variable (maternal self‐efficacy). Changes in maternal perceptions of their own infants significantly contributed to self‐reported levels of self‐efficacy while controlling for concurrent self‐esteem. Maternal perceptions of her infant as less difficult than the average infant at six weeks postpartum predicted increased levels of maternal self‐reported self‐efficacy. The present study supports further exploration of the first six weeks postpartum as a sensitive period for targeting intervention and support, particularly for mothers and infants at highest risk.
Enhanced adsorption of Acid Red 88 by an excellent adsorbent prepared from alunite
Authors: Tunali Akar Sibel , Alp Tugba , Yilmazer Dilek 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Calcination significantly increased the adsorption performance of alunite for Acid Red 88.RESULTS: The adsorption properties of calcined alunite for Acid Red 88 were investigated. pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and ionic strength were found to influence the adsorption. Temperature did not significantly affect the process. Kinetic data obey a pseudo‐second‐order model, while intraparticle diffusion is not the only rate‐limiting step. The Langmuir isotherm well described the equilibrium data. The monolayer adsorption capacity of calcined alunite was found to be 832.81 mg g−1. It was successfully used for the removal of dye in continuous mode at a flow rate of 4.0 mL min−1. Co‐anions affected the adsorption capacity of calcined alunite but the presence of other organic compounds in the same medium did not significantly change the adsorption performance. Reusability studies showed that the calcined alunite can be reused four times. Electrostatic interaction, ion‐exchange and complexation were found to be effective mechanisms for the adsorption of Acid Red 88 by calcined alunite.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that calcined alunite has excellent adsorption performance and might be a very good adsorbent for Acid Red 88 as an abundant, economical and practical material. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Biochemical and morphological characterization of MAGI‐1 in neuronal tissue
Authors: Ito Hidenori , Morishita Rika , Sudo Kaori , Nishimura Yoshiaki V. , Inaguma Yutaka , Iwamoto Ikuko , Nagata Koh‐ichi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe membrane‐associated guanylate kinase with inverted organization (MAGI) proteins consist of three members, MAGI‐1, MAGI‐2 (also known as S‐SCAM), and MAGI‐3. Although MAGI‐2 has been analyzed and shown to interact with a variety of postsynaptic proteins, functional analyses and characterization of MAGI‐1 in neuronal tissues have been rare. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against MAGI‐1, anti‐MAGI‐1, and carried out biochemical and morphological analyses of MAGI‐1 in rat neuronal tissues. By Western blotting, a high level of MAGI‐1 was detected in nervous tissues, especially in olfactory bulb. Biochemical fractionation clarified that MAGI‐1 was relatively enriched in the synaptosomal vesicle and synaptic plasma membrane fractions, whereas MAGI‐2 and MAGI‐3 appeared to be in the synaptic plasma membrane and postsynaptic density fractions. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed diffuse distribution of MAGI‐1 in the cell body and processes of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons, whereas MAGI‐2 and MAGI‐3 were likely to be enriched at synapses. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that MAGI‐1 was expressed in Purkinje cells, in hypocampal neurons in CA1 region, in the glomerulus region of olfactory bulb, and at the dorsal root entry zone in embryonic rat spinal cord. These results suggest neuronal roles of MAGI‐1 different from those of MAGI‐2/3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of rainfall spells for urban water management
Authors: Chowdhury Rezaul K. , Beecham Simon 
Published: May 2012

AbstractRainfall events and inter‐event spell properties were analysed in this study using observed daily rainfall sequences for Adelaide and Melbourne in Australia. First and higher order transitional probabilities of dry and wet days were also estimated. Various statistical moments of spells were estimated and compared between Adelaide and Melbourne. Six theoretical distributions were fitted to the dry and wet spells. These were geometric, compound geometric, generalized Pareto, logarithmic series, Polya and truncated negative binomial distributions. The probability of longer dry spells was found to be higher in Adelaide than in Melbourne. Mean dry spell length was found to be highest in summer, where 7 days and 5.5 days were observed in February in Adelaide and Melbourne respectively. Mean wet spell length was observed to be longer in Adelaide than in Melbourne during autumn and winter. The study revealed that dry and wet spells in Adelaide and Melbourne are best fitted by geometric and compound geometric distributions. The Polya distribution was also found to fit the Melbourne dry spell lengths and Adelaide wet spell lengths. The Implications of dry spell properties for urban water management (for example water sensitive urban design) are also discussed. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Varying sediment sources (Hudson Strait, Cumberland Sound, Baffin Bay) to the NW Labrador Sea slope between and during Heinrich events 0 to 4
Authors: Andrews J. T. , Barber D. C. , Jennings A. E. , Eberl D. D. , Maclean B. , Kirby M. E. , Stoner J. S. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCore HU97048‐007PC was recovered from the continental Labrador Sea slope at a water depth of 945 m, 250 km seaward from the mouth of Cumberland Sound, and 400 km north of Hudson Strait. Cumberland Sound is a structural trough partly floored by Cretaceous mudstones and Paleozoic carbonates. The record extends from ∼10 to 58 ka. On‐board logging revealed a complex series of lithofacies, including buff‐colored detrital carbonate‐rich sediments [Heinrich (H)‐events] frequently bracketed by black facies. We investigate the provenance of these facies using quantitative X‐ray diffraction on drill‐core samples from Paleozoic and Cretaceous bedrock from the SE Baffin Island Shelf, and on the < 2‐mm sediment fraction in a transect of five cores from Cumberland Sound to the NW Labrador Sea. A sediment unmixing program was used to discriminate between sediment sources, which included dolomite‐rich sediments from Baffin Bay, calcite‐rich sediments from Hudson Strait and discrete sources from Cumberland Sound. Results indicated that the bulk of the sediment was derived from Cumberland Sound, but Baffin Bay contributed to sediments coeval with H‐0 (Younger Dryas), whereas Hudson Strait was the source during H‐events 1–4. Contributions from the Cretaceous outcrops within Cumberland Sound bracket H‐events, thus both leading and lagging Hudson Strait‐sourced H‐events. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Value of general surgical risk models for predicting postoperative liver failure and mortality following liver surgery
Authors: Haga Yoshio , Ikejiri Koji , Takeuchi Hitoshi , Ikenaga Masakazu , Wada Yasuo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study evaluated the ability of general surgical models to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in liver surgery.MethodsThe postoperative course and mortality rates predicted by general surgical models were investigated in 960 patients who underwent hepatectomy or ablation therapy for primary or metastatic liver carcinoma.ResultsThe area under the receiver operative characteristic curve (95% confidence intervals) for detecting postoperative liver failure was 0.89 (0.84–0.94), 0.85 (0.78–0.92), and 0.78 (0.72–0.85) for the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E‐PASS) model, the modified E‐PASS (mE‐PASS) model, and the Portsmouth Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (P‐POSSUM) model, respectively, and those for detecting in‐hospital mortality were 0.85 (0.76–0.93), 0.85 (0.78–0.92), and 0.79 (0.71–0.87), respectively. Nevertheless, all of the models overpredicted the overall mortality rate (by 2.3‐fold for E‐PASS, 2.3‐fold for mE‐PASS, and 2.9‐fold for P‐POSSUM).ConclusionsThe general surgical risk models demonstrated high discriminatory power for predicting postoperative outcomes in liver surgery, but overpredicted the overall mortality rate by more than twofold. Therefore, these models should be refined to make them more suitable for predicting liver surgery outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:898–904. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative Analysis of Five Kudinosides in the Large‐leaved Kudingcha and Related Species from the Genus Ilex by UPLC–ELSD
Authors: Li Li , Peng Yong , Ma Guizhi , He Congfen , Feng Yuxiong , Lei Qifang , Xiao Peigen 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe large‐leaved Kudingcha from the genus Ilex, which is used as a traditional Chinese tea, contains several characteristic triterpenoid saponins that can be subjected to quality control evaluation.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a rapid method incorporating reverse‐phase ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (UPLC–ELSD) for the simultaneous determination of the five triterpenoid saponins kudinoside L (1), kudinoside C (2), kudinoside A (3), kudinoside F (4) and kudinoside D (5) in several species of the large‐leaved Kudingcha from the genus Ilex and ‘Yerba Mate’ (Ilex paraguariensis).MethodologyThe five compounds were separated using a water–acetonitrile mobile phase with a Waters Acquity BEH C18‐column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm).ResultsSeparation took 13 min with detection and quantification limits ranging from 12.5 to 29.8 ng and 41.3 to 98.2 ng, respectively. The method was validated according to the regulatory guidelines with respect to precision, stability, repeatability and recovery. The triterpenoid saponins showed a good regression relationship (r2 > 0.999) within the test ranges, and the recovery of the method was in the 95–105% range.ConclusionThe present method can be used successfully for the quality control of the large‐leaved Kudingcha. The different Ilex species showed differences in distribution of the five triterpenoids. Ilex kudingcha, which makes up the major species of the large‐leaved Kudingcha, contains the maximum amount of triterpenoid saponins. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleation effect of clay on crystallization of polypropylene under carbon dioxide
Authors: Oda Takafumi , Kono Fumiya , Saito Hiromu 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe investigated the crystallization growth of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/clay phase‐separated microcomposites under carbon dioxide (CO2) by in situ observation with a specially designed high‐pressure visualized cell. The number density of the spherulite was larger and the size of the spherulite filled in the whole space was smaller in the PP/clay microcomposites than those in the neat PP, indicating nucleation effect of clay on the crystallization of PP. The increase of the number density of the spherulite by addition of clay was much larger under CO2 than that under air at ambient pressure, suggesting that the nucleation effect of clay is enhanced under CO2. Microscopic observation and small angle X‐ray scattering measurement revealed that lamellae grow from the surface of the clay tactoids, and the lamellae and lamellar stacks arrange irregularly due to the growth of lamellae from the irregular shaped clay in different directions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Secure multicast key protocol for electronic mail systems with providing perfect forward secrecy
Authors: Chen Hsing‐Chung 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTElectronic mail (e‐mail) systems are widely used in the Internet. A user usually needs to send an e‐mail to a group of users. In this paper, a secure multicast key protocol for e‐mail systems with providing perfect forward secrecy is proposed to ensure confidentiality and authentication of this kind of e‐mail system. The protocol employs the Chinese Remainder Theorem, RSA public key cryptosystems, and one‐way hash functions. The protocol can save redundant key materials used for the e‐mails. Via the security analysis, the protocol can satisfy the security requirements. In addition, we analyze the computation complexity of the protocol. The result showed that the protocol can save the computation cost for each e‐mail sender. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective validation of fetal weight estimation using fractional limb volume
Authors: Lee W. , Deter R. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar H. , Yeo L. , Romero R. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo prospectively validate the use of fractional limb volume measurements for estimated fetal weight (EFW) during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and to summarize the medical literature regarding application of fractional limb volume for fetal weight estimation.MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐four women prospectively underwent three‐dimensional ultrasonography within 4 days of delivery. Birth weights (BWs) ranged from 390 to 5426 g. Fetal measurements were extracted using volume datasets for biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, femur diaphysis length, fractional arm volume and fractional thigh volume. Fractional limb volumes were manually traced from a central portion of the humerus or femur diaphysis. Mean percentage differences and SDs of the percentage differences were calculated for EFW. The proportion of newborns with EFW within 5 or 10% of BW were compared with an estimate obtained using a Hadlock formula that was modified using model coefficients from the same local population sample.ResultsUltrasound scans were performed between 21.7 and 42 weeks' menstrual age. Optimal model performance (1.9 ± 6.6%) resulted from using a combination of biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and fractional thigh volume. The precision of this model was superior to results obtained using a modified Hadlock model (1.1 ± 8.4%), although accuracy of these predictions was slightly decreased for female infants. For all fetuses, the prediction model that incorporated fractional thigh volume correctly classified a greater proportion of EFW within 5% (55.1 vs 43.7%; P = 0.03) or 10% (86.5 vs 75.9%; P < 0.05) of BW when compared with the modified Hadlock model.ConclusionsFractional thigh volume can be added to two‐dimensional sonographic measurements of the head and trunk to improve the precision of fetal weight estimation. This approach permits the inclusion of soft tissue development as part of a weight estimation procedure for the assessment of generalized fetal nutritional status.
Prognostic value of a hernia sac in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Spaggiari E. , Stirnemann J. , Bernard J.‐P. , De Saint Blanquat L. , Beaudoin S. , Ville Y. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic value of a hernia sac in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).MethodsOur database was searched to identify all consecutive cases of CDH referred to our fetal medicine unit between January 2004 and August 2011. Presence or absence of a hernia sac was assessed in liveborn cases using surgery or postnatal autopsy reports. We studied the correlation between the presence of a hernia sac and prenatal findings and perinatal morbidity and mortality.ResultsOver the study period, there were 70 cases with isolated CDH born alive in which either a surgery or autopsy report was available. Neonatal death, either preoperative or postoperative, occurred in 1/18 (5.6%) infants with a hernia sac and in 17/52 (32.7%) cases without a hernia sac
(P = 0.03). Patients with a hernia sac had a significantly higher observed to expected pulmonary volume on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (51.9 vs 39.3%, P = 0.01). Neonatal morbidity in surviving infants was lower in the group with a hernia sac, although not significantly.ConclusionThe presence of a hernia sac is associated with a higher pulmonary volume and a better overall prognosis for CDH. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learning process for performing and analyzing 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound imaging and interobserver reliability study
Authors: Siafarikas F. , Stær‐Jensen J. , Brækken I. H. , Bø K. , Engh M. Ellström 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate the learning process for acquiring three‐ and four‐dimensional (3D/4D) transperineal ultrasound volumes of the levator hiatus (LH) dimensions at rest, during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction and on Valsalva maneuver, and for analyzing the ultrasound volumes, as well as to perform an interobserver reliability study between two independent ultrasound examiners.MethodsThis was a prospective study including 22 women. We monitored the learning process of an inexperienced examiner (IE) performing 3D/4D transperineal ultrasonography and analyzing the volumes. The examination included acquiring volumes during three PFM contractions and three Valsalva maneuvers. LH dimensions were determined in the axial plane. The learning process was documented by estimating agreement between the IE and an experienced examiner (E) using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Agreement was calculated in blocks of 10 ultrasound examinations and analyzed volumes. After the learning process was complete the interobserver reliability for the technique was calculated between these two independent examiners.ResultsFor offline analysis of the first 10 ultrasound volumes obtained by E, good to very good agreement between E and IE was achieved for all LH measurements except for the left and right levator–urethra gap and pubic arc. For the next 10 analyzed volumes, agreement improved for all LH measurements. Volumes that had been obtained by IE and E were then re‐evaluated by IE, and good to very good agreement was found for all LH measurements indicating consistency in volume acquisition. The interobserver reliability study showed excellent ICC values (ICC, 0.81–0.97) for all LH measurements except the pubic arc (ICC = 0.67).Conclusion3D/4D transperineal ultrasound is a reliable technique that can be learned in a short period of time. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability of fetal thymus measurement in prediction of 22q11.2 deletion: a retrospective study using four‐dimensional spatiotemporal image correlation volumes
Authors: Bataeva R. , Bellsham‐Revell H. , Zidere V. , Allan L. D. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate the thymic–thoracic ratio (TT‐ratio) method in assessment of the fetal thymus in normal fetuses and in those with cardiac abnormalities, in the presence or absence of 22q11.2 deletion.MethodDatabase records were reviewed for cases of conotruncal and arch abnormalities found on fetal echocardiography between January 2007 and September 2011. The 22q11.2 deletion status was retrieved and cases in which this was not known were excluded from the analysis, as were fetuses with aneuploidy or other genetic disorders. An additional 55 normal fetuses were analyzed as a control group. The TT‐ratio was measured retrospectively using stored spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume datasets.ResultsSixty‐nine fetuses with relevant cardiac diagnoses were identified and, of these, 18 (26%) had 22q11.2 deletion. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 22 weeks. Significant pairwise differences, but also overlap, were observed between all three groups (i.e. fetuses with heart defects with and without the 22q11.2 deletion and controls). The mean TT‐ratio was 0.44 in our normal control group and was significantly smaller in fetuses with 22q11.2 deletion, corresponding to previously published data. However, the mean TT‐ratio in the group with conotruncal anomalies but without the 22q11.2 deletion was also smaller than that in controls, in contrast to previously published data. The TT‐ratio was above the normal mean, regardless of fetal karyotype, in all cases of interrupted aortic arch.ConclusionThe TT‐ratio method is a feasible and potentially useful tool during detailed fetal heart assessment. However, the absolute measurement is not reliable for prediction of 22q11.2 deletion and the obtained results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Fetal karyotyping should be recommended in cases with conotruncal heart abnormalities, irrespective of the TT‐ratio.
Estimating Smoking-Attributable Mortality in the United States
Authors: Fenelon Andrew , Preston Samuel H. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Tobacco use is the largest single cause of premature death in the developed world. Two methods of estimating the number of deaths attributable to smoking use mortality from lung cancer as an indicator of the damage from smoking. We reestimate the coefficients of one of these, the Preston/Glei/Wilmoth model, using recent data from U.S. states. We calculate smoking-attributable fractions for the 50 states and the United States as a whole in 2004, and estimate the contribution of smoking to the high adult mortality of the southern states. We estimate that 21% of deaths among men and 17% among women were attributable to smoking in 2004. Across states, attributable fractions range from 11% to 30% among men and from 7% to 23% among women. Smoking-related mortality also explains as much as 60% of the mortality disadvantage of southern states compared with other regions. At the national level, our estimates are in close agreement with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Preston/Glei/Wilmoth, particularly for men, although we find greater variability by state than does CDC. We suggest that our coefficients are suitable for calculating smoking-attributable mortality in contexts with relatively mature epidemics of cigarette smoking.
Omega 3 fatty acids, gestation and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Larqué Elvira , Gil-Sánchez Alfonso , Prieto-Sánchez María Teresa , Koletzko Berthold 
Published: May 2012

Pregnancy is associated with a reduction in maternal serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) percentage and its possible depletion in the maternal store. Since the synthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in the fetus and placenta is low, both the maternal LCPUFA status and placental function are critical for their supply to the fetus. Maternal supplementation with DHA up to 1 g/d or 2·7 g n-3 LCPUFA did not have any harmful effect. DHA supplementation in large studies slightly the enhanced length of gestation (by about 2 days), which may increase the birth weight by about 50 g at delivery. However no advice can be given on their general using to avoid preterm deliveries in low or high risk pregnancies. Several studies, but not all, reported improvements of the offspring in some neurodevelopmental tests as a result of DHA supplementation during gestation, or, at least, positive relationships between maternal or cord serum DHA percentages and cognitive skills in young children. The effect seems more evident in children with low DHA proportions, which raises the question of how to identify those mothers who might have a poor DHA status and who could benefit from such supplementation. Most studies on the effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy on maternal depression were judged to be of low-to-moderate quality, mainly due to small sample sizes and failure to adhere to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. In contrast, the effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on reducing allergic diseases in offspring are promising.