bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced practice nurses’ scope of practice: a qualitative study of advanced clinical competencies
Authors: Nieminen Anna‐Lena , Mannevaara Bodil , Fagerström Lisbeth 
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 661–670Advanced practice nurses’ scope of practice: a qualitative study of advanced clinical competenciesAim  To describe and explore Advanced Practice Nurses’ clinical competencies and how these are expressed in clinical practice.Background  Discussion concerning advanced clinical practice has been ongoing in the USA since the 1960s and in the UK since the late 1980s. Approximately 24 countries, excluding the USA, have implemented the role of Advance Practice Nurse (APN). In the Nordic countries, especially Sweden and Finland, APNs have been introduced in some organizations but their competency domains have not yet been clearly defined.Theoretical framework  The study’s theoretical framework emanates from Aristotle’s three‐dimensional view of knowledge that is epistêmê, technê, and phronesis.Methods  Between October 2005 and January 2006, focus group interviews of Clinical Nurse Specialists who provide expert functions in pediatric, internal medicine, and surgical units (n = 26) and APN students (n = 8) were conducted. The data material was analyzed using inductive content analysis.Findings  Grouped into five main themes, the study results indicate that APNs possess advanced level clinical competencies in: (A) assessment of patients’ caring needs and nursing care activities, (B) the caring relationship, (C) multi‐professional teamwork, (D) development of competence and nursing care, and (E) leadership in a learning and caring culture.Conclusion  Clinical competencies consist of advanced skills, which typify an expanding role that offers new possibilities for holistic patient care practice. APNs’ scope of practice is characterized by responsibility and competence in making autonomous judgments based on expanded clinical competence. On an advanced level, clinical competence consists not merely of advanced skills for assessing and meeting the needs of patients but also the creation of safe and trustful relationships with patients and collaboration with colleagues. APNs can realize advanced skills in their actions through their manner of knowing, doing, and being.
Vasculogenic stem cell mobilization and wound recruitment in diabetic patients: Increased cell number and intracellular regulatory protein content associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Thom Stephen R. , Milovanova Tatyana N. , Yang Ming , Bhopale Veena M. , Sorokina Elena M. , Uzun Günalp , Malay D. Scot , Troiano Michael A. , Hardy Kevin R. , Lambert David S. , Logue Christopher J. , Margolis David J. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTDiabetic patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapies (HBO2T) for refractory lower extremity neuropathic ulcers exhibit more than a twofold elevation (p=0.004) in circulating stem cells after treatments and the post‐HBO2T CD34+ cell population contains two‐ to threefold higher levels of hypoxia inducible factors‐1, ‐2, and ‐3, as well as thioredoxin‐1 (p<0.003), than cells present in blood before HBO2T. Skin margins obtained from 2‐day‐old abdominal wounds exhibit higher expression of CD133, CD34, hypoxia inducible factor‐1, and Trx‐1 vs. margins from refractory lower extremity wounds and expression of these proteins in all wounds is increased due to HBO2T (p<0.003). HBO2T is known to mobilize bone marrow stem cells by stimulating nitric oxide synthase. We found that nitric oxide synthase activity is acutely increased in patients' platelets following HBO2T and remains elevated for at least 20 hours. We conclude that HBO2T stimulates vasculogenic stem cell mobilization from bone marrow of diabetics and more cells are recruited to skin wounds.
Cellular sources and inducers of cytokines present in acute wound fluid
Authors: Grimstad Øystein , Sandanger Øystein , Ryan Liv , Otterdal Kari , Damaas Jan Kristian , Pukstad Brita , Espevik Terje 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAcute wounds contain many biological active molecules, including several cytokines and growth factors. However, the cellular sources of each molecule, as well as the stimuli inducing them, are poorly characterized. We quantified the levels of 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in acute wound fluid in a luminex‐based assay. The acute wound fluid contained particularly high levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8, as well as elevated levels of MCP‐1, IL‐1RA, PDGF, IP‐10, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α. Surprisingly, the amounts of IL‐1β and IL‐10 were relatively low. To characterize the cellular sources of these molecules, we analyzed supernatants from monocytes, neutrophils, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells stimulated with pro‐ and anti inflammatory cytokines, and different Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands. The different cell types showed overlapping but distinct patterns of production of signal molecules, as well as sensitivity to ligands. Among pro‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β was the most potent inducer of signal molecule production. Furthermore, keratinocytes and endothelial cells were in particular responsive to the Toll‐like receptor‐3 ligand polyI:C. New interactions between cytokines and growth factors were revealed, which may have important roles in wound healing, including IL‐1β‐induced IFN‐γ and IL‐10‐induced VEGF.
Baseline B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide: A Gender‐Specific Predictor of Procedure‐Outcome in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation
Authors: MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , MOHANTY PRASANT , DI BIASE LUIGI , RONG BAI , BURKHARDT DAVID , GALLINGHOUSE JOSEPH G. , HORTON RODNEY , SANCHEZ JAVIER E. , BAILEY SHANE , ZAGRODZKY JASON , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: March 2011

Baseline BNP Predicts Ablation Outcome in Male AF Patients. Background: Close association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been demonstrated by several studies. Important gender differences exist in AF patients including a higher plasma BNP level in women. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the relationship between AF and BNP separately in men and women.
Objective: This study examined possible gender‐specific role of BNP in predicting procedure outcome in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.
Method: The study population included 568 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 10, male 73%, paroxysmal 25%, persistent 38%, and long‐standing persistent AF 37%) undergoing AF ablation, who had structurally normal heart and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥45%. Baseline BNP was measured in all. Patients were grouped into “normal” and “high” BNP based on gender‐specific cut‐off values (<50 and ≥50 pg/mL in males, <100 and ≥ 100 pg/mL in females).
Result: Baseline BNP was significantly higher among women than men (126 ± 112 versus 87 ± 99, P = 0.009). At 12 ± 6 month follow‐up, 304 of 414 (73%) males and 98 of 154 (64%) females were AF/atrial tachycardia‐free off antiarrhythmic drugs (log‐rank P = 0.018). In multivariable analysis, BNP remained an independent predictor of AF recurrence (BNP ≥ 50: hazard ratio [HR] 2.54, P = 0.006) in males. No such association was observed among females (BNP ≥ 100: HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.43–1.42; P = 0.426).
Conclusion: Baseline BNP was found to be an independent predictor of AF recurrence in male patients undergoing ablation. This correlation between BNP and AF recurrence was not observed in females. Thus, BNP plays a gender‐specific prognostic role in AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 858‐865, August 2011)
Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characterization of the ovarian surface epithelium of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: RODLER Daniela , SINOWATZ Fred 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTContrary to humans, most ovarian tumors in other species do not arise from the ovarian surface epithelium but are of follicular‐, stromal‐ or germ‐cell origin. One of the few species where ovarian cancer arises from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is chicken (Gallus domesticus). Little is known about the morphology of the OSE in other avian species. In our study we analyzed the OSE morphology of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using ultrastructural and histochemical techniques. Carbohydrate residues have been studied by using a panel of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled lectins. Japanese quails are commonly used animal models in biomedical research as their housing is comparatively inexpensive and they show a short generation interval. Our ultrastructural and histochemical results demonstrate that the quail ovarian surface epithelium shows characteristic features which resemble the epithelia of both chicken and human. Additionally, the ovarian surface epithelium of the Japanese quail contains cytokeratin as well as vimentin intermediate filaments in their cytoplasm. Therewith and among other parts the quail OSE shows many characteristic features also seen in those of humans, which may qualify quail's ovary as a potential animal model for human ovarian carcinomas.
Whole‐cell biosensors for detection of heavy metal ions in environmental samples based on metallothionein promoters from Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Amaro Francisco , Turkewitz Aaron P. , Martín‐González Ana , Gutiérrez Juan‐Carlos 
Published: March 2011

SummaryHeavy metals are among the most serious pollutants, and thus there is a need to develop sensitive and rapid biomonitoring methods for heavy metals in the environment. Critical parameters such as bioavailability, toxicity and genotoxicity cannot be tested using chemical analysis, but only can be assayed using living cells. A whole‐cell biosensor uses the whole cell as a single reporter incorporating both bioreceptor and transducer elements. In the present paper, we report results with two gene constructs using the Tetrahymena thermophila MTT1 and MTT5 metallothionein promoters linked with the eukaryotic luciferase gene as a reporter. This is the first report of a ciliated protozoan used as a heavy metal whole‐cell biosensor. T. thermophila transformed strains were created as heavy metal whole‐cell biosensors, and turn on bioassays were designed to detect, in about 2 h, the bioavailable heavy metals in polluted soil or aquatic samples. Validation of these whole‐cell biosensors was carried out using both artificial and natural samples, including methods for detecting false positives and negatives. Comparison with other published cell biosensors indicates that the Tetrahymena metallothionein promoter‐based biosensors appear to be the most sensitive eukaryotic metal biosensors and compare favourably with some prokaryotic biosensors as well.
DOI‐based reconstruction algorithms for a compact breast PET scanner
Authors: Champley Kyle M. , MacDonald Lawrence R. , Lewellen Thomas K. , Miyaoka Robert S. , Kinahan Paul E. 
Published: March 2011

Purpose:The authors discuss the design and evaluate the performance of combined event estimation and image reconstruction algorithms designed for a proposed high‐resolution rectangular breast PET scanner (PETX). The PETX scanner will be capable of measuring the depth of interaction by utilizing detector modules composed of depth‐of‐interaction microcrystal element (dMiCE) crystal pairs. This design allows a unique combination of event estimation and fast projection methods.Methods:The authors implemented a Monte Carlo simulator to model the PETX system using only true coincident events. The performance of the dMiCE crystal pairs was determined experimentally over a range of depths of interaction. This distribution was used to simulate the noisy dMiCE detector signals and to estimate the line of response for each decay. Three different statistical methods were implemented to determine photon event positioning. Images were reconstructed from these line of response estimators with the exact planogram frequency distance rebinning algorithm, which is an exact analytical reconstruction algorithm for planar systems. Reconstructed images were analyzed with contrast, noise, and spatial resolution metrics.Results:The authors' simulations demonstrate the ability for the PETX system to produce quantitatively accurate images from true coincident events with a contrast recovery coefficient of greater than 0.8 for 5 mm spheres at the axial center of the scanner and a spatial resolution (FWHM) of 3 mm throughout most of the imaging field of view.Conclusions:The authors' proposed positioning and reconstruction algorithms for the PETX system show the potential for creating high‐quality, high‐resolution, and quantitatively accurate images within a clinically feasible reconstruction time.
Techniques to improve the accuracy of noise power spectrum measurements in digital x‐ray imaging based on background trends removal
Authors: Zhou Zhongxing , Gao Feng , Zhao Huijuan , Zhang Lixin 
Published: March 2011

Purpose:Noise characterization through estimation of the noise power spectrum (NPS) is a central component of the evaluation of digital x‐ray systems. Extensive works have been conducted to achieve accurate and precise measurement of NPS. One approach to improve the accuracy of the NPS measurement is to reduce the statistical variance of the NPS results by involving more data samples. However, this method is based on the assumption that the noise in a radiographic image is arising from stochastic processes. In the practical data, the artifactuals always superimpose on the stochastic noise as low‐frequency background trends and prevent us from achieving accurate NPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate an appropriate background detrending technique to improve the accuracy of NPS estimation for digital x‐ray systems.Methods:In order to achieve the optimal background detrending technique for NPS estimate, four methods for artifactuals removal were quantitatively studied and compared: (1) Subtraction of a low‐pass‐filtered version of the image, (2) subtraction of a 2‐D first‐order fit to the image, (3) subtraction of a 2‐D second‐order polynomial fit to the image, and (4) subtracting two uniform exposure images. In addition, background trend removal was separately applied within original region of interest or its partitioned sub‐blocks for all four methods. The performance of background detrending techniques was compared according to the statistical variance of the NPS results and low‐frequency systematic rise suppression.Results:Among four methods, subtraction of a 2‐D second‐order polynomial fit to the image was most effective in low‐frequency systematic rise suppression and variances reduction for NPS estimate according to the authors' digital x‐ray system. Subtraction of a low‐pass‐filtered version of the image led to NPS variance increment above low‐frequency components because of the side lobe effects of frequency response of the boxcar filtering function. Subtracting two uniform exposure images obtained the worst result on the smoothness of NPS curve, although it was effective in low‐frequency systematic rise suppression. Subtraction of a 2‐D first‐order fit to the image was also identified effective for background detrending, but it was worse than subtraction of a 2‐D second‐order polynomial fit to the image according to the authors' digital x‐ray system.Conclusions:As a result of this study, the authors verified that it is necessary and feasible to get better NPS estimate by appropriate background trend removal. Subtraction of a 2‐D second‐order polynomial fit to the image was the most appropriate technique for background detrending without consideration of processing time.
Jagged2 acts as a Delta-like Notch ligand during early hematopoietic cell fate decisions
Authors: Van de Walle Inge , De Smet Greet , Gärtner Martina , De Smedt Magda , Waegemans Els , Vandekerckhove Bart , Leclercq Georges , Plum Jean , Aster Jon C. , Bernstein Irwin D. , Guidos Cynthia J. , Kyewski Bruno , Taghon Tom 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNotch signaling critically mediates various hematopoietic lineage decisions and is induced in mammals by Notch ligands that are classified into 2 families, Delta-like (Delta-like-1, -3 and -4) and Jagged (Jagged1 and Jagged2), based on structural homology with both Drosophila ligands Delta and Serrate, respectively. Because the functional differences between mammalian Notch ligands were still unclear, we have investigated their influence on early human hematopoiesis and show that Jagged2 affects hematopoietic lineage decisions very similarly as Delta-like-1 and -4, but very different from Jagged1. OP9 coculture experiments revealed that Jagged2, like Delta-like ligands, induces T-lineage differentiation and inhibits B-cell and myeloid development. However, dose-dependent Notch activation studies, gene expression analysis, and promoter activation assays indicated that Jagged2 is a weaker Notch1-activator compared with the Delta-like ligands, revealing a Notch1 specific signal strength hierarchy for mammalian Notch ligands. Strikingly, Lunatic-Fringe– mediated glycosylation of Notch1 potentiated Notch signaling through Delta-like ligands and also Jagged2, in contrast to Jagged1. Thus, our results reveal a unique role for Jagged1 in preventing the induction of T-lineage differentiation in hematopoietic stem cells and show an unexpected functional similarity between Jagged2 and the Delta-like ligands.
Dynamic Light Scattering Study of the Inhibiting Effect on Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Kamiya Natsumi , Tsunomori Fumiaki , Kagi Hiroyuki , Notsu Kenji 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
This study reports the first application of dynamic light scattering to observations of crystal growth of calcium carbonate from a supersaturated solution. Crystal size distributions around the critical nucleus radius (≈2 nm at Ω = 18) were measured in La-free and 5 µM La-doped conditions. In the former, the intensity of scattered light increased smoothly and particle size increased with time. In the case of La-doped condition, the total scattering volume of particles was smaller, and grew very slowly compared with the La-free condition. These results show that the inhibiting effect of La3+ on calcium carbonate occurred from the initial stage of crystal growth.
CVD of Alternated MCD and NCD Films on Cemented Carbide Inserts
Authors: Campos Raonei Alves , Contin Andre , Trava-Airoldi Vladimir Jesus , Barquete Danilo Maciel , Corat Evaldo José 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond coating of cemented carbide cutting tools has been an alternative to increase tool-life. Experiments have shown that residual stresses produced during films growth on cemented carbide inserts significantly increases with increasing film thickness of up to 20 μm and usually leads to film delamination. In this work alternated micro- and nanocrystalline CVD diamond films have been used to relax interface stresses and to increase diamond coatings performance. Cemented carbide inserts have been submitted to a boronizing thermal diffusion treatment prior to CVD diamond films growth. After reactive heat treatment samples were submitted to subsequently chemical etching in acid and alkaline solution. The diamond films deposition was performed using hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) reactor with different gas concentrations for microcrystalline diamond (MCD) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films growth. As a result, we present the improvement of diamond films adherence on cemented carbide inserts, evaluated by indentation and machining tests. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X ray for qualitative analysis of diamond films. X-ray diffraction was used for phases identification after boronizing process. Diamond film compressive residual stresses were analyzed by Raman scattering spectroscopy.
Formation and Structure of Epitaxial NiSi2 and CoSi2
Authors: Chen L. J. , Mayer J. W. , Tu K. N. 
Published: March 2011

Transmission electron microscopy has been applied to study the formation and structure of epitaxial NiSi2 and CoSi2 thin films on silicon. Bright field and dark field imaging reveal the interface planes of faceted silicides through the strain contrast, analogous to the contrast of the precipitate-matrix interface of coherent or semicoherent precipitates. Superlattice dark field imaging depicts the distribution of twin-related and epitaxial silicides in these systems. { 111 } interfaces were found to be more prominent than {001} interfaces. Twin-related silicides were observed to cover more area on the substrate silicon than epitaxial silicides did.In situ annealing of nickel and cobalt thin films on silicon provides a unique means of investigation of the transformation from polycrystalline to epitaxial silicides. The NiSi2 transformation was found to be very rapid at 820°C, whereas the CoSi2 transformation appeared to be very sluggish. Furnace annealing confirmed that only a small fraction of CoSi2 transforms to epitaxial CoSi2 after annealing at 850°C for 4h.Diffraction contrast analysis has been applied to interfacial dislocations of epitaxial NiSi2/Si and CoSi2/Si systems. The dislocations were found to be of edge type with ⅙<112> and ½<110> Burgers' vectors. The average spacings are close to their respective theoretically predicted values.
Oxide Barriers to the Formation of Refractory Silicides
Authors: Silversmith D. J. , Rathman D. D. , Mountain R. W. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAn investigation of the formation of refractory metal (tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum) silicides by reaction of the metal with crystalline and polycrystalline silicon at temperatures above 900°C indicates that WSi2 formation can be inhibited by certain processing techniques. These techniques utilize the growth of an SiO2 diffusion barrier about 20 Å thick on crystalline silicon and the deposition of tungsten films in vacuum ambients that will ensure oxygen incorporation (P ≥ 2 × 10−7 Torr). The reactivity of vacuum-deposited tungsten films results in the formation of an isolating oxide between the deposited silicon and tungsten films and the maintenance of the stability of the SiO2 diffusion barrier between tungsten films and a crystalline silicon substrate. This barrier is effective up to 1050°C in hydrogen ambients containing 15–20 ppm H2O. These procedures, however, are ineffective in preventing the formation of MoSi2 or TaSi2 at or above 900°C. A possible explanation for these results is that the tungsten film contains some level of oxygen due to the gettering of residual oxygen in the vacuum. In addition, the outgassing of the silicon source may enhance the level of oxygen at the evaporated W-Si interface. When the composite layer is annealed at high temperatures in a hydrogen ambient, the oxygen diffuses readily out of the bulk of the tungsten film to the interface, probably forming Sio2 which is more stable than WO3.The resulting thin SiO2 film has sufficient integrity to prevent silicon diffusion into the tungsten, thereby preventing WSi2 formation. This property of tungsten makes it inherently useful for buried-metal films in silicon devices.
Atomistic Simulation of Low-Energy Beam Deposition
Authors: Dodson Brian W. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTLow-energy (50 eV) homoepitaxial beam deposition of silicon is simulated using many-body silicon potentials and molecular dynamics techniques. Results are presented for the case of a 50 eV neutral silicon beam incident on the (2×1) dimer reconstructed Si(100) surface. The beam is aligned along (110) symmetry directions, which are the most natural channeling directions in the silicon lattice. Roughly 10% of the incident beam atoms are scattered from the surface with a small fraction of their initial energy. About half of the incident atoms penetrate the lattice, but scatter strongly and come to rest within 10–15Å of the surface. The remainder are steered accurately into the bulk (110) channels, where they penetrate some 30–100 Å into the lattice. Those atoms which do not undergo bulk channeling cause considerable lattice damage to the near-surface (depth ≥10Å) region.