bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving primary care in Australia through the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program: a quality improvement report
Authors: Knight Andrew W , Caesar Claire , Ford Dale , Coughlin Alison , Frick Colin 
Published: July 2012

ProblemEffective and affordable health systems have good primary care. Access, equity, care of chronic conditions and quality are key priorities in primary care in Australia.DesignA large-scale quality improvement collaborative addressing diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), access, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patient self-management, Aboriginal health and diabetes prevention.SettingGeneral practices and Aboriginal medical services across Australia.Key Measures for ImprovementSample measures are reported.Strategy for ChangeThe Improvement Foundation (Australia) adapted collaborative strategies used in the UK. Health service teams attended three workshops, separated by activity periods and followed by 12 months of further work. Teams were supported by local collaborative program managers to make changes and report measures. Services received feedback about improvement compared with their wave.Effects of Change1185 health services participated in 13 waves between 2005 and 2011. 83% of Australian divisions of general practice participated, and 262 support staff received quality improvement training. Key measures show improvement in all topics except access. 397 111 patients were on the disease registers of participating health services.Lessons learntThe collaborative methodology is transferable to primary care in Australia. Results may reflect improved data recording and disease coding, as well as changes in clinical care. Team dynamics and local support are important success factors. Collaboratives are a useful tool in a program of clinical quality improvement. The APCC will work with the new primary healthcare organisations which are part of health reforms in Australia to improve data reporting, improve diabetes care and entrench quality improvement in the emerging environment.
Interruption handling strategies during paediatric medication administration
Authors: Colligan Lacey , Bass Ellen J 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundInterruptions are a part of many hospital settings. During medication administration, interruptions have been shown to lead to medication errors. Understanding interruption management strategies during medical management could lead to the design of interventions to reduce and mitigate related errors.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with paediatric nurses in an in-patient setting were used to identify types of interruptions, strategies for safe medication administration and interruption management, as well as factors influencing the interruption management strategy choice. Nurses also worked through use cases and provided verbal protocols about their strategies. To confirm and refine a framework for interruption handling, on-the-job observations were also conducted.ResultsFour case studies of medication administration highlight four interruption handling strategies. Three allow the interruption: 1) the primary task is suspended so that the higher priority secondary task may be engaged immediately; 2) multi-task by dividing attention between the primary and secondary tasks; and 3) mediating the interruption with an action that supports resumption of the primary task. The fourth blocks the interruption, keeping attention on the primary task (blocking). Interviews and on-the-job observation suggest that nurses dynamically assess the primary and (interrupting) secondary tasks. They prioritise task execution based on both risk and workflow efficiency assessments. Specific interruption handling depends on both task and experience related factors.ConclusionsPaediatric nurses have developed sophisticated strategies to manage interruptions and maintain patient safety and work efficiency during medication administration. To support a more resilient healthcare system, interruption management strategies should be supported through process, task support tools and education.
Adverse drug events caused by serious medication administration errors
Authors: Kale Abhivyakti , Keohane Carol A , Maviglia Saverio , Gandhi Tejal K , Poon Eric G 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveTo determine how often serious or life-threatening medication administration errors with the potential to cause harm (potential adverse drug events) result in actual harm (adverse drug events (ADEs)) in the hospital setting.DesignRetrospective chart review of clinical events following observed medication administration errors.BackgroundMedication errors are common at the medication administration stage for inpatients. While many errors can cause harm, it is unclear exactly how often.MethodsIn a previous study where 14 041 medication administrations were directly observed, 1271 medication administration errors were discovered, of which 133 had the potential to cause serious or life-threatening harm and were considered serious or life-threatening potential adverse drug events. As a follow-up, clinical reviewers conducted detailed chart review of serious or life-threatening potential ADEs to determine if they caused an ADE. Reviewers assessed severity of the ADE and attribution to the error.ResultsTen (7.5% (95% CI 6.98 to 8.01)) actual ADEs resulted from the 133 serious and life-threatening potential ADEs, of which 6 resulted in significant, three in serious, and one life threatening injury. Therefore 4 (3% (95% CI 2.12 to 3.6)) of serious or life threatening potential ADEs led to serious or life threatening ADEs. Half of the ADEs were caused by dosage or monitoring errors for anti-hypertensives.ConclusionsUnintercepted potential ADEs at the medication administration stage can cause serious patient harm. At hospitals where 6 million doses are administered per year, about 4000 preventable ADEs would be attributable to medication administration errors annually.
Stereoselective benzylic hydroxylation of ethylbenzene and propylbenzene using the mycelia of Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1783 and MTCC-1884
Authors: Yadav Saroj , Yadav R.S.S. , Yadav K.D.S. 
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to provide syntheses of optically pure (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol from ethylbenzene and propylbenzene, respectively, using the fungal mycelia of new fungal species, namely Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1783 and Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1884, as catalysts. The mycelia of A. flavus MTCC- 1783 and A. flavus MTCC-1884 were prepared by growing the fungal strains in liquid culture medium containing ethylmethylketone as the sole carbon source. The mycelia were suspended in potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0. The suspensions of mycelia were used for the transformations of ethylbenzene and propylbenzene. Ethylbenzene and propylbenzene were converted to (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol, in 100% and 99% ee, respectively. The mycelia of A. flavus MTCC-1783 and A. flavus MTCC-1884 can be used for the preparation of (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol in 100% and 99% ee, respectively, from ethylbenzene and propylbenzene, respectively. The studies report convenient methods for the syntheses of optically pure isomers, (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol, which are important chiral building blocks in the preparations of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The reactions are ecofriendly, occur at 30 °C, and the time required was 24 h.
On formalizing EMF modeling operations with graph transformations
Authors: Brosch Petra , Gabmeyer Sebastian , Kappel Gerti , Seidl Martina 
Published: July 2012

The development of software in accordance with the model-driven engineering paradigm places model transformations at a central position. Desirable yet contradicting properties of model transformations are user-friendliness as offered by-demonstration approaches and formal conciseness as provided by algebraic graph transformations which is indispensable for verification tasks.
In this paper, we show how to unite the properties of the two different approaches. We employ the state-of-the-art by-demonstration environment Emo to prototype graph transformations by embedding the operations obtained from Emo in the formal framework of graph transformation theory.
Extended scheduler for efficient frequency scaling in virtualized systems
Authors: Kamga Christine Mayap , Tran Giang Son , Broto Laurent 
Published: July 2012

Nowadays, virtualization is present in almost all computing infrastructures. Thanks to server consolidation and VM migration, virtualization helps in power reduction. However, modern powerful computers with higher processor frequency, multiple cores and multiple CPUs constitute the main factor contributing to the continuous increase of energy consumption. In this context, energy management takes a critical importance. A hardware technology, called Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), serves to dynamically modify the processor frequency (according to the CPU needs) in order to achieve less energy consumption. However, lowering frequency also generates poor virtual machine (VM) performance.
In this paper, we propose a solution consisting of an extended VM scheduler and DVFS, and report some experiments based on this proposal. This enhanced scheduler, according to VM CPU load, dynamically scales processor frequency in order to save energy. The idea is to adapt the current VM scheduler to analyze CPU load, and modify the current processor frequency to the lowest possible, but still support the guaranteed VM performance. The algorithm is designed and simulated on a web server as the sample application and Xen as the virtualization platform. Test results and performance evaluations prove our design and implementation.
The Use of Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR for 5′ and 3′ Portions of ALK Transcripts to Detect ALK Rearrangements in Lung Cancers
Authors: Wang Rui , Pan Yunjian , Li Chenguang , Hu Haichuan , Zhang Yang , Li Hang , Luo Xiaoyang , Zhang Jie , Fang Zhaoyuan , Li Yuan , Shen Lei , Ji Hongbin , Garfield David , Sun Yihua , Chen Haiquan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Approximately 3% to 7% of non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harbor an ALK fusion gene, thus defining a tumor group that may be responsive to targeted therapy. The breakpoint in ALK consistently occurs at exon 20 and EML4 or other fusion partners, thus driving a strong expression of ALK kinase domain and resulting in an unbalanced expression in 5′ and 3′ portions of ALK transcripts. We have developed a rapid and accurate method by simultaneously detecting the expression in 5′ and 3′ portions of ALK mRNA.
Experimental Design: Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to examine expression levels of the 5′ and 3′ portions of ALK transcripts in177 NSCLCs, in which EGFR, KRAS, HER2, and BRAF mutations were absent. If unbalanced ALK mRNA expression was seen, ALK rearrangement was assumed to exist. ALK FISH was used to confirm the accuracy of qRT-PCR. RT-PCR and 5′ RACE coupling sequencing identified the fusion variants.
Results: Real-time RT-PCR showed excellent sensitivity and specificity (100% and 100%, respectively) for detection of ALK rearrangements in resected specimens. In addition, six novel ALK fusion variants were identified, including one KIF5B-ALK (E17;A20) and five EML4-ALK variants (E6a;A19, E6a/b ins 18;A20, E17b ins 39;A20, E10a/b, E13;A20, and E17 ins 65;A20).
Conclusions: Real-time RT-PCR is a rapid and accurate method for diagnosing ALK-rearranged lung cancers. Coupling of 5′ RACE to this method should further facilitate rapid identification of novel ALK fusion genes. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4725–32. ©2012 AACR.
A Spatiotemporal Correlation Technique to Improve Satellite Rainfall Accumulation
Authors: Petković Veljko , Kummerow Christian D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA spatiotemporal correlation technique has been developed to combine satellite rainfall measurements using the spatial and temporal correlation of the rainfall fields to overcome problems of limited and infrequent measurements while accounting for the measurement accuracies. The relationship between the temporal and spatial correlation of the rainfall field is exploited to provide information about rainfall beyond instantaneous measurements. The technique is developed using synthetic radar data. Nine months of Operational Program for the Exchange of Weather Radar (OPERA) data are used on grid sizes of 100, 248, and 500 km with pixel resolutions of 8, 12, and 24 km to simulate satellite fields of view and are then applied to the real satellite data over the Southwest to calculate 3-h rainfall accumulations. The results are compared with the simple averaging technique, which takes a simple mean of the measurements as a constant rainfall rate over the entire accumulation period. Using synthetic data, depending on the time separation of the measurements and their accuracy, a spatiotemporal correlation technique has shown the potential to yield improvements of up to 40% in absolute error and up to 25% in root-mean-square error when compared with the simple averaging technique. When applied to the real satellite data over the Southeast, the technique showed much less skill (general improvement of only 2%–6%).
The Minimum Wind Speed for Sustainable Turbulence in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer
Authors: Van de Wiel B. J. H. , Moene A. F. , Jonker H. J. J. , Baas P. , Basu S. , Donda J. M. M. , Sun J. , Holtslag A. A. M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe collapse of turbulence in the nocturnal boundary layer is studied by means of a simple bulk model that describes the basic physical interactions in the surface energy balance. It is shown that for a given mechanical forcing, the amount of turbulent heat that can be transported downward is limited to a certain maximum. In the case of weak winds and clear skies, this maximum can be significantly smaller than the net radiative loss minus soil heat transport. In the case when the surface has low heat capacity, this imbalance generates rapid surface cooling that further suppresses the turbulent heat transport, so that eventually turbulence largely ceases (positive feedback mechanism). The model predicts the minimum wind speed for sustainable turbulence for the so-called crossing level. At this level, some decameters above the surface, the wind is relatively stationary compared to lower and higher levels. The critical speed is predicted in the range of about 5–7 m s−1, depending on radiative forcing and surface properties, and is in agreement with observations at Cabauw. The critical value appears not very sensitive to model details or to the exact values of the input parameters. Finally, results are interpreted in terms of external forcings, such as geostrophic wind. As it is generally larger than the speed at crossing height, a 5 m s−1 geostrophic wind may be considered as the typical limit below which sustainable, continuous turbulence under clear-sky conditions is unlikely to exist. Below this threshold emergence of the very stable nocturnal boundary layer is anticipated.
Modulation of Atmospheric Response to North Pacific SST Anomalies under Global Warming: A Statistical Assessment
Authors: Gan Bolan , Wu Lixin 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
In this study the modulation of ocean-to-atmosphere feedback over the North Pacific in early winter from global warming is investigated based on both the observations and multiple climate model simulations from a statistical perspective. It is demonstrated that the basin-scale atmospheric circulation displays an equivalent barotropic ridge in response to warm SST anomalies in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) region. This warm SST–ridge response in early winter can be enhanced significantly by global warming, indicating a strengthening of air–sea coupling over the North Pacific. This enhancement is likely associated with the intensification of storm tracks and, in turn, the amplification of atmospheric transient eddy feedback in a warm climate, although the secular trend of enhanced storm-track activity over the North Pacific is suggested to be biased in reanalysis product.
Seasonal Predictions of Tropical Cyclones Using a 25-km-Resolution General Circulation Model
Authors: Chen Jan-Huey , Lin Shian-Jiann 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Retrospective seasonal predictions of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the three major ocean basins of the Northern Hemisphere are performed from 1990 to 2010 using the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory High-Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM) at 25-km resolution. Atmospheric states are initialized for each forecast, with the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) “persisted” from that at the starting time during the 5-month forecast period (July–November). Using a five-member ensemble, it is shown that the storm counts of both tropical storm (TS) and hurricane categories are highly predictable in the North Atlantic basin during the 21-yr period. The correlations between the 21-yr observed and model predicted storm counts are 0.88 and 0.89 for hurricanes and TSs, respectively. The prediction in the eastern North Pacific is skillful, but it is not as outstanding as that in the North Atlantic. The persistent SSTA assumption appears to be less robust for the western North Pacific, contributing to less skillful predictions in that region. The relative skill in the prediction of storm counts is shown to be consistent with the quality of the predicted large-scale environment in the three major basins. It is shown that intensity distribution of TCs can be captured well by the model if the central sea level pressure is used as the threshold variable instead of the commonly used 10-m wind speed. This demonstrates the feasibility of using the 25-km-resolution HiRAM, a general circulation model designed initially for long-term climate simulations, to study the impacts of climate change on the intensity distribution of TCs.
Combining CMORPH and Rain Gauges Observations over the Rio Negro Basin
Authors: De Vera Alejandra , Terra Rafael 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Several algorithms that combine daily precipitation surface data and satellite Climate Prediction Center Morphing Technique (CMORPH) estimations were implemented and tested for the Rio Negro basin in northeastern Uruguay. Bias removal of satellite data through quantile matching—which requires historical data on nearby rain gauges—produces an unbiased estimate whose skill, as measured by the probability of detection (POD), is better than that obtained from surface observations for distances larger than approximately 50 km, which is twice the network characteristic distance between gauges of 23 km. Adjustment of satellite estimate using spatial interpolation of CMORPH deviations evaluated at nearby points—which requires simultaneous neighboring surface observations—eliminates biases to a large degree. Moreover, it shows higher POD skill than using only surface data for the entire range of distances and daily precipitation thresholds and for both seasons (cold and warm). The skill improvement attained, though, is small when the network density is as high as in the present study. However, these results suggest a promising scenario for the combined use of surface data and satellite retrievals as the latter continues to improve over time, both in resolution—spatial and temporal—and skill.
Examination of Analysis and Forecast Errors of High-Resolution Assimilation, Bias Removal, and Digital Filter Initialization with an Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Ancell Brian C. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Mesoscale atmospheric data assimilation is becoming an integral part of numerical weather prediction. Modern computational resources now allow assimilation and subsequent forecasting experiments ranging from resolutions of tens of kilometers over regional domains to smaller grids that employ storm-scale assimilation. To assess the value of the high-resolution capabilities involved with assimilation and forecasting at different scales, analyses and forecasts must be carefully evaluated to understand 1) whether analysis benefits gained at finer scales persist into the forecast relative to downscaled runs begun from lower-resolution analyses, 2) how the positive analysis effects of bias removal evolve into the forecast, and 3) how digital filter initialization affects analyses and forecasts. This study applies a 36- and 4-km ensemble Kalman filter over 112 assimilation cycles to address these important issues, which could all be relevant to a variety of short-term, high-resolution, real-time forecasting applications.
It is found that with regard to surface wind and temperature, analysis improvements gained at higher resolution persist throughout the 12-h forecast window relative to downscaled, high-resolution forecasts begun from analyses on the coarser grid. Aloft, however, no forecast improvements were found with the high-resolution analysis/forecast runs. Surface wind and temperature bias removal, while clearly improving surface analyses, degraded surface forecasts and showed little forecast influence aloft. Digital filter initialization degraded temperature analyses with or without bias removal, degraded wind analyses when bias removal was used, but improved wind analyses when bias removal was absent. No forecast improvements were found with digital filter initialization. The consequences of these results with regard to operational assimilation/forecasting systems on nested grids are discussed.
Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Jia Hongxia , Wang Bin , Yu Lili , Jiang Zhaoshun 
Published: July 2012

Introduction: Epidemiological studies investigating the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) produced inconsistent results. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between I/D polymorphism and PCOS, we conducted the current meta-analysis. Materials and methods: PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI were searched for eligible publications up to 1 February 2012. The association was evaluated under different genetic models. Results: Six studies with 1451 cases and 773 controls were finally included in our meta-analysis. The results showed that no significant association between I/D polymorphism and PCOS was observed in the overall population. However, in subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, significant association was observed in Caucasians (OR = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.00–2.19 for D vs. I; OR = 1.61, 95% CI, 1.14–2.27 for DD vs. II; OR = 1.43, 95% CI, 1.04–1.97 for DD and DI vs. II), but not in Asians. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested that the ACE I/D polymorphism was associated with increased risk of PCOS in Caucasians, but not in Asians. However, considering that the conclusions were based on a relatively small sample size, larger studies involving various ethnic populations should be warranted in future studies to validate our findings.