bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
To boldly go where no volunteer has gone before: predicting volunteer activity to prioritize surveys at the landscape scale
Authors: Tulloch Ayesha I. T. , Mustin Karen , Possingham Hugh P. , Szabo Judit K. , Wilson Kerrie A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimTo identify the relationships between volunteer bird survey effort and motivations in order to prioritize investment in future surveying activities.LocationSouth‐west Western Australia, a global biodiversity hotspot.MethodsWe developed nine hypotheses for volunteer motivations to predict the probability of a bird survey being undertaken anywhere in the landscape using data from the New Atlas of Australian Birds. We then established three goals for surveying in the study region: (1) equal representation of surveys across the landscape, (2) surveys stratified by habitat type and (3) representation of surveys in protected areas. We developed a function to estimate the benefit of investing in professional surveys, given the probability of a volunteer survey taking place and the survey goal, and calculated the cost of meeting a surveying goal with and without accounting for the probability of cells not being surveyed by volunteers.ResultsA model combining the location of protected areas, location of previous records of threatened species and habitat diversity was the strongest predictor of the probability of a volunteer bird survey being conducted. Each surveying goal resulted in different areas being prioritized for future surveying, indicating the importance of setting clear objectives before undertaking broad‐scale monitoring or surveying activities. If our primary goal is stratified protected area representation in surveys, there are huge cost savings if only protected areas with a 70% predicted probability of not being surveyed by volunteers are selected for professional surveys.Main conclusionsProfessional sampling in survey gaps is required to reduce bias in volunteer‐collected datasets. Using models of volunteer behaviour, we can identify areas unlikely to be surveyed. If these areas are important for the project objective, then we can either provide incentives for volunteers or carry out professional surveying. These analyses are best carried out before data collection commences.
Effect of artificial gravity with exercise training on lung function during head‐down bed rest in humans
Authors: Guo Yinghua , Guo Na , Liu Changting , Wang Delong , Wang Junfeng , Sun Xiqing , Fan Shangchun , Wang Changyong , Yang Changbin , Zhang Yu , Lu Dongyuan , Yao Yongjie 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThere is evidence to suggest that microgravity/weightlessness can induce changes in lung physiology/function. We hypothesized that microgravity, induced by head‐down bed rest (HDBR), would induce changes in lung function and that exercise training with artificial gravity (AG) would prevent these changes from occurring. Twelve participants were randomly assigned to a control or AG exercise countermeasure (CM) group (n = 6 per group) and 96 h of 6° HDBR. Participants in the CM group were exposed to AG (alternating 2 min intervals of +1·0 and +2·0 G) for 30 min, twice daily, during which time ergometric exercise (40 W intensity) was performed. Pulse rate, oxygen saturation (SO2) and lung function were measured and compared between groups. The CM and control groups were similar in mean age, height and weight. There were no significant within or between group differences over time in pulse rate, SO2, vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, tidal volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory reserve volume, minute ventilation, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak expiratory flow, maximal expiratory flow in 25%, 50% and 75% vital capacity, forced inspiratory vital capacity, forced inspiratory volume in 1 s and maximal voluntary ventilation. Microgravity induced by 96 h of HDBR does not appear to affect lung function in humans. Further, AG with exercise training does not change lung function during 96 h of HDBR in humans.
The effects of low‐dose epinephrine infusion on spleen size, central and hepatic circulation and circulating platelets
Authors: Bakovic Darija , Pivac Nediljko , Eterovic Davor , Breskovic Toni , Zubin Petra , Obad Ante , Dujic Zeljko 
Published: August 2012

SummaryIn several conditions associated with adrenergic stimulation, an increase in peripheral count of larger platelets has been observed, but the mechanism remained elusive. Larger platelets have greater prothrombotic potential and increase the risk of acute thrombotic events. The human spleen retains one‐third of total body platelets, with mean volume (MPV) about 20% greater than that of circulating platelets. We aimed to answer whether low‐dose epinephrine infusion results in spleen contraction and MPV increase. We undertook the continuous ultrasonic measurements of spleen volume, hepatic and central circulation with concurrent blood sampling in response to intravenous infusion of epinephrine (6 min of 0·06 µg kg−1 per min, followed by 3 min of 0·12 µg kg−1 per min) in nine healthy young subjects. The spleen volume started to decrease immediately after the onset of infusion, in the presence of substantial decreases in peripheral resistance and mean blood pressure and increases in heart rate and cardiac output. The majority of spleen emptying, approximately 25%, (95% CI 71·3–299·7) was observed 1 min after infusion onset, the hepatic vein flow peaked at the end of infusion for 28·4% (95% CI 1074·6–407·9), while increases in platelet count for approximately 31% (95% CI 187·8–314·8) and MPV for 4·4% (95% CI 7·3–10·9) lagged until 1 min after infusion cessation. We suggest that spleen is a dynamic reservoir of large platelets, which are mobilized even by low‐dose epinephrine infusion in conditions of decreased blood pressure.
Elevations of local intravascular pressures release vasoactive substances in humans
Authors: Gustafsson T. , Kölegård R. , Sundblad P. , Norman B. , Eiken O. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe wall stiffness of arteries and arterioles adapts to the long‐term demands imposed by local intravascular pressure. We investigated whether substances capable of inducing acute and long‐term effects on arterial wall stiffness are released locally into the bloodstream in response to an acute marked increase in local intravascular pressure in the blood vessels of the human arm. Experiments were performed on ten subjects positioned in a pressure chamber with one arm extended through a hole in the chamber door and kept at normal atmospheric pressure. Intravascular pressure was increased in the arm, by a stepwise increase in chamber pressure up to +150 mmHg. Diameter and flow were measured in the brachial artery by Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples were drawn simultaneously from both arms before, during, immediately after and 2 h after the release of the chamber pressure. Plasma levels of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) and angiotensin II (Ang‐II) were measured. Elevation of chamber pressure by 150 mmHg increased local arterial distending pressure to about 220–260 mmHg, resulting in an increase in brachial artery diameter of 9% and flow of 246%. The pressure stimulus increased the plasma levels of ET‐1 and Ang‐II, but not of VEGF‐A or FGF‐2 in the test arm. The local release of the vasoconstrictors ET‐1 and Ang‐II in response to markedly increased distending pressure may reflect one mechanism behind adaptation to acute and long‐term changes in intravascular pressure.
Reporting CAHPS and HEDIS Data by Race/Ethnicity for Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Martino Steven C. , Weinick Robin M. , Kanouse David E. , Brown Julie A. , Haviland Amelia M. , Goldstein Elizabeth , Adams John L. , Hambarsoomian Katrin , Klein David J. , Elliott Marc N. 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo produce reliable and informative health plan performance data by race/ethnicity for the Medicare beneficiary population and to consider appropriate presentation strategies.Data SourcesPatient experience data from the 2008–2009 Medicare Advantage (MA) and fee‐for‐service (FFS) CAHPS surveys and 2008–2009 HEDIS data (MA beneficiaries only).Study DesignMixed effects linear (and binomial) regression models estimated the reliability and statistical informativeness of CAHPS (HEDIS) measures.Principal FindingsSeven CAHPS and seven HEDIS measures were reliable and informative for four racial/ethnic subgroups—Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders—at sample sizes of 100 beneficiaries (200 for prescription drug plans). Although many plans lacked adequate sample size for reporting group‐specific data, reportable plans contained a large majority of beneficiaries from each of the four racial/ethnic groups.ConclusionsStatistically reliable and valid information on health plan performance can be reported by race/ethnicity. Many beneficiaries may have difficulty understanding such reports, however, even with careful guidance. Thus, it is recommended that health plan performance data by subgroups be reported as supplemental data and only for plans meeting sample size requirements.
Fair Value Accounting and Managers' Hedging Decisions
Authors: CHEN WEI , TAN HUN‐TONG , WANG ELAINE YING 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTWe conduct two experiments with experienced accountants to investigate how fair value accounting affects managers’ real economic decisions. In experiment 1, we find that participants are more likely to make suboptimal decisions (e.g., forgo economically sound hedging opportunities) when both the economic and fair value accounting impact information is presented than when only the economic impact information is presented, or when both the economic and historical cost accounting impact information is presented. This adverse effect of fair value accounting is more likely when the price volatility of the hedged asset is higher, which is a situation where, paradoxically, hedging is more beneficial. We find that the effect is mediated by participants’ relative considerations of economic factors versus accounting factors (e.g., earnings volatility). Experiment 2 shows that enhancing salience of economic information or separately presenting net income not from fair value remeasurements reduces the adverse effect of fair value accounting. Our findings are informative to standard setters in their debate on the efficacy of fair value accounting.
Novel pyrazole compounds for pharmacological discrimination between receptor‐operated and store‐operated Ca2+ entry pathways
Authors: Schleifer H , Doleschal B , Lichtenegger M , Oppenrieder R , Derler I , Frischauf I , Glasnov TN , Kappe CO , Romanin C , Groschner K 
Published: August 2012

Background and purposePyrazole derivatives have recently been suggested as selective blockers of transient receptor potential cation (TRPC) channels but their ability to distinguish between the TRPC and Orai pore complexes is ill‐defined. This study was designed to characterize a series of pyrazole derivatives in terms of TRPC/Orai selectivity and to delineate consequences of selective suppression of these pathways for mast cell activation.Experimental approachPyrazoles were generated by microwave‐assisted synthesis and tested for effects on Ca2+ entry by Fura‐2 imaging and membrane currents by patch‐clamp recording. Experiments were performed in HEK293 cells overexpressing TRPC3 and in RBL‐2H3 mast cells, which express classical store‐operated Ca2+ entry mediated by Orai channels. The consequences of inhibitory effects on Ca2+ signalling in RBL‐2H3 cells were investigated at the level of both degranulation and nuclear factor of activated T‐cells activation.Key ResultsPyr3, a previously suggested selective inhibitor of TRPC3, inhibited Orai1‐ and TRPC3‐mediated Ca2+ entry and currents as well as mast cell activation with similar potency. By contrast, Pyr6 exhibited a 37‐fold higher potency to inhibit Orai1‐mediated Ca2+ entry as compared with TRPC3‐mediated Ca2+ entry and potently suppressed mast cell activation. The novel pyrazole Pyr10 displayed substantial selectivity for TRPC3‐mediated responses (18‐fold) and the selective block of TRPC3 channels by Pyr10 barely affected mast cell activation.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe pyrazole derivatives Pyr6 and Pyr10 are able to distinguish between TRPC and Orai‐mediated Ca2+ entry and may serve as useful tools for the analysis of cellular functions of the underlying Ca2+ channels.
α‐lipoic acid prevents non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in OLETF rats
Authors: Jung Tae Sik , Kim Soo Kyoung , Shin Hyun Joo , Jeon Byeong Tak , Hahm Jong Ryeal , Roh Gu Seob 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundInsulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation and innate immune system activation contribute to the development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through steatosis and inflammation in the liver. The powerful antioxidant α‐lipoic acid (ALA) has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and suppress inflammatory responses. This study explores how ALA administration protects against NAFLD.MethodsOtsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were divided into two groups (treated with 200 mg/kg/day of ALA or untreated) at 12 weeks of age and sacrificed at 28 weeks of age.ResultsSerum levels of insulin, free fatty acids, total cholesterol, triglyceride, leptin, IL‐6 and blood glucose were decreased in ALA‐treated rats. Serum adiponectin levels were higher in ALA‐treated rats. ALA treatment decreased the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 and acetyl CoA carboxylase, and increased glucose transporter‐4 expression in the livers of OLETF rats. Expression of the antioxidant enzymes heme oxygenase‐1 and Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase was increased in the livers of ALA‐treated rats. The lipid peroxidation marker 4‐hydroxynonenal was decreased in the liver of ALA‐treated rats. Proteins associated with innate immune activation (Toll‐like receptor‐4 and high‐mobility group protein box‐1) and inflammatory markers (vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, and cyclooxygenase‐2) were decreased in the livers of ALA‐treated rats.ConclusionsChronic ALA supplementation prevents NAFLD through multiple mechanisms by reducing steatosis, oxidative stress, immune activation and inflammation in the liver.
Exploration of Iranian intensive care nurses' experience of end‐of‐life care: a qualitative study*
Authors: Valiee Sina , Negarandeh Reza , Dehghan Nayeri Nahid 
Published: August 2012

Background: A challenge for intensive care nurses is providing the best possible care to patients in an end‐of‐life stage. The fact that some patients will die despite the efforts of the health care team can affect the psychological state of the nurses and families. Lack of attention to such an issue can bring about unpleasant consequences for both patients and nurses.Aim: Using a qualitative design, the aim is this article explores the experiences of intensive care nurses providing care for end‐of‐life patients.Methods: The data were collected through in‐depth interviews with a purposive sample of 10 nurses working at intensive care units (ICUs). Interviews were transcribed and finally analysed through the conventional content analysis.Findings: Two themes emerged out of the experience of providing care to the end‐of‐life patients. The findings revealed that for Iranian intensive care nurses providing care to such patients was accompanied by emotional burden and values and beliefs.Conclusion: The results of the study have increased the current knowledge over the experience of providing care to end‐of‐life patients at ICUs. It also has revealed the need for providing the nurses with psychological support, accommodating the possibility for offering a complete care, attending to and managing the conditions of the patient and their families and engaging nurses in decision making about end‐of‐life patients.Relevance to practice: Managers ought to provide specialized units for providing care to end‐of‐life patients. Nurses working on these units will require emotional support.
Assessment of a training programme for the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Jam Gatell M Rosa , Santé Roig Montserrat , Hernández Vian Óscar , Carrillo Santín Esther , Turégano Duaso Concepción , Fernández Moreno Inmaculada , Vallés Daunis Jordi 
Published: August 2012

Background: Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). Most published studies have analysed nurses' theoretical knowledge about a specific procedure; however, the transfer of this knowledge to the practice has received little attention.Aim: To assess the impact of training session on nurses' knowledge regarding VAP, compliance with VAP preventive measures, VAP incidence and determining whether nursing workload affects compliance.Method: A prospective, quasiexperimental, pre‐ and post‐study of the nursing team in a 16‐bed medical/surgical ICU. Pre‐intervention phase: a questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge of VAP prevention measures, direct observation and review of clinical records to assess compliance. Intervention phase: eight training sessions for nurses. The post‐intervention phase mirrored the pre‐intervention phase.Findings: Nurses answered more questions correctly on the post‐intervention questionnaire than on the pre‐intervention (17·87 ± 2·69 versus 15·91 ± 2·68, p = 0·002). Compliance with the following measures was better during the post‐intervention period (p = 0·001): use of the smallest possible nasogastric tube, controlled aspiration of subglottic secretions and endotracheal tube cuff pressure, use of oral chlorhexidine and recording the endotracheal tube fixation number. VAP incidence remained unchanged throughout the study. However, a trend towards lower incidence of late (>4 days after intubation) VAP was observed (4·6 versus 3·1 episodes/1000 ventilation days, p = 0·37).Conclusion: The programme improved both knowledge of and compliance with VAP preventive measures, although improved knowledge did not always result in improved compliance.
Trends and recurrence of placenta praevia: A population‐based study
Authors: Roberts Christine L. , Algert Charles S. , Warrendorf Janna , Olive Emily C. , Morris Jonathan M. , Ford Jane B. 
Published: August 2012

We determined recent trends and recurrence rates of placenta praevia in 790,366 deliveries in NSW. From 2001 to 2009, the rate of placenta praevia increased by 26%, from 0. 69% to 0. 87% (trend P < 0.001). The placenta praevia recurrence rate in a second birth was 4.8%. Two‐thirds of the increase in placenta praevia was accounted for by trends in known risk factors, and the unexplained portion may reflect changes in unidentified risk factors or in the threshold for placenta praevia diagnosis.
Trade‐Offs between Cattle Production and Bird Conservation in an Agricultural Frontier of the Gran Chaco of Argentina
Authors: Mastrangelo Matias E. , Gavin Michael C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIntensification of food production in tropical landscapes in the absence of land‐use planning can pose a major threat to biological diversity. Decisions on whether to spatially integrate or segregate lands for production and conservation depend in part on the functional relations between biological diversity and agricultural productivity. We measured diversity, density, and species composition of birds along a gradient of production intensification on an agricultural frontier of the Argentine Chaco, where dry tropical forests are cleared for cattle production. Bird species diversity in intact forests was higher than in any type of cattle‐production system. Bird species richness decreased nonlinearly as cattle yield increased. Intermediate‐intensity silvopastoral systems, those in which forest understory is selectively cleared to grow pastures of non‐native plants beneath the tree canopy, produced 80% of the mean cattle yield obtained in pastures on cleared areas and were occupied by 70–90% of the number of bird species present in the nearest forest fragments. Densities of >50% of bird species were significantly lower in open pastures than in silvopastoral systems. Therefore, intermediate‐intensity silvopastoral systems may have the greatest potential to sustain cattle yield and conserve a large percentage of bird species. However, compared with low‐intensity production systems, in which forest structure and extent were intact, intermediate‐intensity silvopastoral systems supported significantly fewer forest‐restricted bird species and fewer frugivorous birds. These data suggest that the integration of production and conservation through intermediate‐intensity silvopastoral systems combined with the protection of forest fragments may be required to maintain cattle yield, bird diversity, and conservation of forest‐restricted species in this agricultural frontier.Compromisos entre la Producción de Ganado y la Conservación de Aves en una Frontera Agrícola del Gran Chaco de Argentina
Evaluation of Two Fatigability Severity Measures in Elderly Adults
Authors: Schnelle John F. , Buchowski Maciej S. , Ikizler Talat A. , Durkin Daniel W. , Beuscher Linda , Simmons Sandra F. 
Published: August 2012

ObjectivesTo document the stability, concurrent validity, and clinical correlates of two fatigability severity measures as recommended by the American Geriatrics Society.DesignDescriptive, cross‐sectional.SettingTwo independent living and one community senior centers.ParticipantsForty‐three participants, with an average age 85 ± 6.MeasurementsPerceived fatigability severity was quantified by directly asking participants to report change in energy after a standardized 10‐minute walk at a self‐selected pace. Performance fatigability severity was defined as a ratio of change in walking speed to total distance walked. The walk test was repeated within 2 weeks to assess stability. Total daily physical activity (PA) was measured over 7 consecutive days using a waist‐worn accelerometer. Frailty was measured using the Vulnerable Elders Survey interview scale, and gait speed was measured using a standardized 25‐feet walk test.ResultsThe perceived and performance fatigability severity measures were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.94, P < .001) and stable over two assessments (r = 0.82 and 0.85, P < .001). Both fatigability severity measures were significantly correlated with PA level (r = −0.42 and r = −0.44, respectively, P = .02), frailty (r = 0.47 and 0.53, respectively, P = .001) and gait speed (r = −0.45, P = .003 and r = −0.54, P = .001, respectively).ConclusionThe methodology described in this study permits the calculation of two highly correlated fatigability severity scores, which summarize the relationship between a person's change in self‐reported tiredness or change in physical performance and concurrently measured PA. The fatigability severity scores are reproducible and correlated with clinical measures predictive of decline. The methods used to quantify fatigability severity can be implemented during a brief assessment (<15 minutes) and should be useful in the design and evaluation of interventions to increase PA in older adults at risk of functional decline.