bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Professional Education for Carers of Those with Eating Disorders
Authors: Haltom Cris , Ribeiro Rebecca , Potter Nancy 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis paper describes the effectiveness of a 6‐hour education programme to provide skills, knowledge and support to carers about how to best support patients with eating disorders. Based on a philosophy of mutual and ongoing support and learning, this programme brought together community groups of professionals, carers and advocates to present and participate in the programme. Pretest and post‐test measures of the programme's effectiveness were administered to 81 participants (N = 81) across multiple‐programme presentations in different locations in the USA. A paired form of analysis showed significant effect sizes on carers' knowledge, skill and understanding of eating disorders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Mercury distribution in the soil–plant–air system at the Wanshan mercury mining district in Guizhou, Southwest China
Authors: Wang Jianxu , Feng Xinbin , Anderson Christopher W.N , Zhu Wei , Yin Runsheng , Wang Heng 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The level of mercury bioaccumulation in wild plants; the distribution of bioavailable Hg, elemental Hg, and total Hg in soil; and the concentration of total gaseous Hg (TGM) in ambient air was studied at three different mining sites (SiKeng [SK], WuKeng [WK], and GouXi [GX]) in the Wanshan mercury mining district of China. Results of the present study showed that the distribution of soil total Hg, elemental Hg, bioavailable Hg, and TGM varies across the three mining sites. Higher soil total Hg (29.4–1,972.3 mg/kg) and elemental Hg (19.03–443.8 mg/kg) concentrations were recorded for plots SK and WK than for plot GX. Bioavailable Hg was lower at plot SK and GX (SK, 3–12 ng/g; GX, 9–14 ng/g) than at plot WK (11–1,063 ng/g), although the TGM concentration in the ambient air was significantly higher for plot GX (52,723 ng/m3) relative to WK (106 ng/m3) and SK (43 ng/m3). Mercury in sampled herbage was elevated and ranged from 0.8 to 4.75 mg/kg (SK), from 2.17 to 34.38 mg/kg (WK), and from 47.45 to 136.5 mg/kg (GX). Many of the sampled plants are used as fodder or for medicinal purposes. High shoot Hg concentrations may therefore pose an unacceptable human health risk. Statistical analysis of the recorded data showed that the Hg concentration in plant shoots was positively correlated with TGM and that the Hg concentration in roots was positively correlated with the bioavailable Hg concentration in the soil. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in the present study was defined with reference to the concentration of bioavailable Hg in the soil (Hg[root]/Hg[bioavail]). Three plant species, Macleaya cordata L., Achillea millefolium L., and Pteris vittata L., showed enhanced accumulation of Hg and therefore may have potential for use in the phytoremediation of soils of the Wanshan mining area. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2725–2731. © 2011 SETAC
Toxicology rewrites its history and rethinks its future: Giving equal focus to both harmful and beneficial effects
Authors: Calabrese Edward J 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
This paper assesses how medicine adopted the threshold dose–response to evaluate health effects of drugs and chemicals throughout the 20th century to the present. Homeopathy first adopted the biphasic dose–response, making it an explanatory principle. Medicine used its influence to discredit the biphasic dose–response model to harm homeopathy and to promote its alternative, the threshold dose–response. However, it failed to validate the capacity of its model to make accurate predictions in the low-dose zone. Recent attempts to validate the threshold dose–response indicate that it poorly predicts responses below the threshold. The long marginalized biphasic/hormetic dose–response model made accurate predictions in these validation studies. The failure to accept the possibility of the hormetic-biphasic dose–response during toxicology's dose–response concept formative period, while adopting the threshold model, and later the linear no-threshold model for carcinogens, led toxicology to adopt a hazard assessment process that involved testing only a few very high doses. This created the framework that toxicology was a discipline that only studied harmful responses, ignoring the possibility of benefit at low doses by the induction of adaptive mechanisms. Toxicology needs to assess the entire dose–response continuum, incorporating both harmful and beneficial effects into the risk assessment process. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2658–2673. © 2011 SETAC
Joint toxicity of a pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin, and a heavy metal, lead, to the benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus
Authors: Mehler W. Tyler , Du Juan , Lydy Michael J , You Jing 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Insecticides and heavy metals are frequently detected in the environment, but few studies have assessed the joint toxicity of organic and inorganic contaminants. Joint toxicity of a pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin, and a heavy metal, Pb2+, was evaluated in the present study. An antagonistic toxic response was observed when the benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus was simultaneously exposed to the two contaminants in both water and sediment exposures. Pre-exposure bioassays with midges were also conducted, and toxicity of cypermethrin was significantly reduced for midges that were pre-exposed to Pb2+. In addition, the impact of Pb2+ on the bioavailability of cypermethrin to midges was measured using Tenax extraction. No significant difference was noted in the amount of Tenax-extractable cypermethrin when different amounts of Pb2+ were added to sediment. Results suggested that altered organism sensitivity may contribute to the observed antagonistic interaction between cypermethrin and Pb2+, whereas the influence of changes in toxicokinetic processes such as uptake, biotransformation, and elimination on the joint toxicity should be further studied. Finally, the decreased toxicity of cypermethrin when simultaneously applied with Pb2+ may be one reason for the overestimation of sediment toxicity by cypermethrin alone in field-collected sediment. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2838–2845. © 2011 SETAC
Neural mechanisms underlying freedom to choose an object
Authors: Thimm Markus , Weidner Ralph , Fink Gereon R. , Sturm Walter 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPrevious brain imaging studies identified the neural networks underlying free choice of self‐initiated actions. In contrast, the neural mechanisms underlying free choice of external objects remain to be elucidated. In this event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging study, participants had to choose one out of two different single‐colored target squares presented at two of three possible locations. In 50% of the trials the choice was either free or specified, which was indicated by a preceding cue. In order to disentangle processes associated with object choice from those related to motor responses, object‐response mapping was orthogonally varied. Processes related to the freedom of choice were isolated by means of an adaptive algorithm: based on the subjects individual choices in the free trials, specified trials were continuously generated in a way that matched the free trials in all aspects but the freedom to choose the object. Comparing free and specified trials revealed enhanced neural activity of a bilateral symmetrical network including the dorsolateral prefrontal, medial frontal, and medial parietal cortex. This network overlaps with that shown previously to be associated with free motor selection. It includes the pre‐supplementary motor area (pre‐SMA), suggesting that this area is rather associated with a supramodal function of initiating choice than with a specific motor function. Neural activity specifically associated with the freedom to choose an object was found bilaterally in the lateral superior parietal cortex. A psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis showed increased functional connectivity of this area with bilateral areas of the extrastriate visual cortex. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CHARACTERISATION OF PRODUCTIVITY LIMITATION OF SALT‐AFFECTED LANDS IN DIFFERENT CLIMATIC REGIONS OF EUROPE USING REMOTE SENSING DERIVED PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS
Authors: Ivits E. , Cherlet M. , Tóth T. , Lewińska K. E. , Tóth G. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTSoil salinity is a global issue and one of the major causes of land degradation. The large scale monitoring of salt‐affected areas is therefore very important to shed light on necessary rehabilitation measures and to avoid further land degradation. We address the productivity limitation of salt‐affected soils across the European continent by the usage of soil maps and high temporal resolution time series of satellite images derived from the SPOT vegetation sensor. Using the yearly dynamism of the vegetation signal derived from the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, we decomposed the spectral curve into its base fraction and seasonal dynamism fractions next to an index approximating gross primary productivity. We observe gross primary productivity, base fraction and seasonal dynamism productivity differences of saline, sodic and not salt‐affected soils under croplands and grasslands in four major climatic zones of the European continent. Analysis of variance models and post hoc tests of mean productivity values indicate significant productivity differences between the observed salt‐affected and salt free areas, between management levels of soils as well as between the saline and sodic character of the land. The analysis gives insight into the limiting effect of climate in relation to the productivity of salt‐affected soils. The proposed indicators are applicable on the global level, are objective and readily repeatable with yearly updates, thus, might contribute to the global operational monitoring and assessment of degraded lands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Films of Highly Disperse Electrodeposited Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Santos Catherine M. , Tria Maria Celeste R. , Vergara Regina Aileen May V. , Cui Karina Milagros , Pernites Roderick , Advincula Rigoberto C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe electrodeposition of polymer nanocomposite thin films of PVK–GO is demonstrated. Highly exfoliated and stable graphene oxide (GO) solutions are prepared by incorporating poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) through mixing. Enhanced stability up to 30 d is observed in both aqueous and organic solvents. TGA, XRD, FTIR, and UV‐vis measurements confirm nanocomposite formation. CV enables electrodeposition of the films. The presence of GO on the PVK–GO surface is confirmed by the appearance of the C=O and OH stretching vibrations, attributed to the carboxylic and hydroxyl groups of GO. AFM measurements show homogeneous and well‐defined film morphology.
Enhancement of the actuation performance of dielectric triblock copolymers modified with additives
Authors: Jang Yeonju , Hirai Toshihiro , Ueki Takamitsu , Kato Toshinori 
Published: September 2011

AbstractTo enhance actuation performance without prestrain, an elastomeric acrylic triblock copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate), was modified with two kinds of additives, oligomeric poly(n‐butyl acrylate) and the plasticizer dibutyl sebacate. An actuator modified with those additives showed about 6% strain, whereas the unmodified actuator showed only 1% strain for the same applied electric field without prestrain. In addition, actuation was attained at lower critical electric field strength (625 and 1000 V mm−1 for modified and unmodified actuators, respectively). Upon increasing the amounts of the additives, the electrically induced actuation velocity and degree of deformation increased. These results are explained by the dielectric and mechanical properties of the elastomers. The dielectric constants for elastomers modified with dibutyl sebacate were larger than those for elastomers modified with oligomeric poly(n‐butyl acrylate). The initial tensile stresses of both of the modified elastomers were much smaller than that of unmodified elastomer. The results provide a route to enhancing actuation performance of dielectric elastomers without prestrain. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Determining the non‐inferiority margin for patient reported outcomes
Authors: Gerlinger Christoph , Schmelter Thomas 
Published: September 2011

One of the cornerstones of any non‐inferiority trial is the choice of the non‐inferiority margin delta. This threshold of clinical relevance is very difficult to determine, and in practice, delta is often “negotiated” between the sponsor of the trial and the regulatory agencies. However, for patient reported, or more precisely patient observed outcomes, the patients' minimal clinically important difference (MCID) can be determined empirically by relating the treatment effect, for example, a change on a 100‐mm visual analogue scale, to the patient's satisfaction with the change. This MCID can then be used to define delta.We used an anchor‐based approach with non‐parametric discriminant analysis and ROC analysis and a distribution‐based approach with Norman's half standard deviation rule to determine delta in three examples endometriosis‐related pelvic pain measured on a 100‐mm visual analogue scale, facial acne measured by lesion counts, and hot flush counts.For each of these examples, all three methods yielded quite similar results. In two of the cases, the empirically derived MCIDs were smaller or similar of deltas used before in non‐inferiority trials, and in the third case, the empirically derived MCID was used to derive a responder definition that was accepted by the FDA.In conclusion, for patient‐observed endpoints, the delta can be derived empirically. In our view, this is a better approach than that of asking the clinician for a “nice round number” for delta, such as 10, 50%, π, e, or i. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Under what conditions does embedded convection enhance orographic precipitation?
Authors: Cannon Dirk J. , Kirshbaum Daniel J. , Gray Suzanne L. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIdealised convection‐permitting simulations are used to quantify the impact of embedded convection on the precipitation generated by moist flow over midlatitude mountain ridges. A broad range of mountain dimensions and moist stabilities are considered to encompass a spectrum of physically plausible flows. The simulations reveal that convection only enhances orographic precipitation in cap clouds that are otherwise unable to efficiently convert cloud condensate into precipitate. For tall and wide mountains (e.g. the Washington Cascades or the southern Andes), precipitate forms efficiently through vapour deposition and collection, even in the absence of embedded convection. When embedded convection develops in such clouds, it produces competing effects (enhanced condensation in updraughts and enhanced evaporation through turbulent mixing and compensating subsidence) that cancel to yield little net change in precipitation. By contrast, convection strongly enhances precipitation over short and narrow mountains (e.g. the UK Pennines or the Oregon Coastal Range) where precipitation formation is otherwise highly inefficient. Although cancellation between increased condensation and evaporation still occurs, the enhanced precipitation formation within the convective updraughts leads to a net increase in precipitation efficiency. The simulations are physically interpreted through non‐dimensional diagnostics and relevant time‐scales that govern advective, microphysical, and convective processes. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Slit versus Non‐slit Mesh Placement in Total Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair
Authors: Domniz Noam , Perry Zvi Howard , Lantsberg Leonid , Avinoach Eliezer , Mizrahi Solly , Kirshtein Boris 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe goal of the present research was to study patients who underwent laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair using slit and non‐slit mesh placement.MethodsPatients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in our hospital between 2005 and 2009 were interviewed and examined. Surgery outcome, hernia recurrence, postoperative pain and time to return to normal physical activities, and surgery satisfaction were compared.ResultsDuring the study period 389 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic groin hernia repair: 387 by the total extraperitoneal (TEP) approach and 2 by the TAPP approach. Six of the TEP patients were converted to TAPP. Eighty‐seven patients in the TEP group had slit mesh placement and 300 had non‐slit mesh placement. Mean follow‐up was 36 months (range: 6–66 months). At follow‐up, 387 patients responded to a request for interview and 277 were examined. The overall recurrence rate was 4.7%, the incidence of constant postoperative pain was 1.3%, the presence of permanent testicular pain was 2.8%, and patient satisfaction with the surgery was 94.5%. A significantly lower recurrence rate was found in the slit mesh group than in the non‐slit group (0.6% versus 5.9%; p < 0.003). There was no difference in the length of time until return to normal activities, patient satisfaction, and postoperative pain between the groups. Surgery time and the occurrence of testicular pain were significantly greater in the anatomic group.ConclusionsTotal extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with slit mesh placement is a safe technique with a very low recurrence rate and is superior to non‐slit mesh positioning.
Maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy and fetal growth in Japan: the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study
Authors: Okubo Hitomi , Miyake Yoshihiro , Sasaki Satoshi , Tanaka Keiko , Murakami Kentaro , Hirota Yoshio ,   Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study Group
Published: September 2011

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy is an important determinant of fetal growth. Although the effects of several nutrients and foods have been well examined, little is known about the relationship of overall maternal diet in pregnancy to fetal growth, particularly in non-Western populations. We prospectively examined the relationship of maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy to neonatal anthropometric measurements at birth and risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth among 803 Japanese women with live-born, singleton, term deliveries. Maternal diet in pregnancy was assessed using a validated, self-administered diet history questionnaire. Dietary patterns from thirty-three predefined food groups (g/4184 kJ) were extracted by cluster analysis. The following three dietary patterns were identified: the ‘meat and eggs’ (n 326), ‘wheat products’, with a relatively high intake of bread, confectioneries and soft drinks (n 303), and ‘rice, fish and vegetables’ (n 174) patterns. After adjustment for potential confounders, women in the ‘wheat products’ pattern had infants with the significantly lowest birth weight (P = 0·045) and head circumference (P = 0·036) among those in the three dietary patterns. Compared with women in the ‘rice, fish and vegetables’ pattern, women in the ‘wheat products’ pattern had higher odds of having a SGA infant for weight (multivariate OR 5·2, 95 % CI 1·1, 24·4), but this was not the case for birth length or head circumference. These results suggest that a diet high in bread, confectioneries, and soft drinks and low in fish and vegetables during pregnancy might be associated with a small birth weight and an increased risk of having a SGA infant.
Tolerance and safety evaluation ofN,N-dimethylglycine, a naturally occurring organic compound, as a feed additive in broiler diets
Authors: Kalmar Isabelle D. , Verstegen Martin W. A. , Maenner Klaus , Zentek Jurgen , Meulemans Godelieve , Janssens Geert P. J. 
Published: September 2011

N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG) is a tertiary amino acid that naturally occurs as an intermediate metabolite in choline-to-glycine metabolism. The objective of the present trial was to evaluate tolerance, safety and bioaccumulation of dietary DMG in broilers when supplemented at 1 g and 10 g Na-DMG/kg. A feeding trial was conducted using 480 1-d-old broiler chicks that were randomly allocated to twenty-four pens and fed one of three test diets added with 0, 1 or 10 g Na-DMG/kg during a 39 d growth period. Production performance was recorded to assess tolerance and efficacy of the supplement. At the end of the trial, toxicity was evaluated by means of haematology, plasma biochemistry and histopathology of liver, kidney and heart (n12), whereas bioaccumulation was assessed on breast meat, liver, blood, kidney and adipose tissue (n8). Carcass traits were similar between the control and 1 g Na-DMG/kg feed groups (P>0·05), but the feed:gain ratio was significantly improved at 1 g Na-DMG/kg feed compared with the control or the 10-fold dose (P = 0·008). Histological examinations showed no pathological effects and results of haematology and plasma biochemistry revealed similar values between the test groups (P>0·05). Bioaccumulation occurred at the 10-fold dose, but the resulting DMG content in breast meat was comparable with, for instance, wheat bran and much lower than uncooked spinach. In conclusion, DMG at 1 g Na-DMG/kg improved the feed:gain ratio in broilers without DMG being accumulated in consumer parts. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with DMG up to 10 g Na-DMG/kg did not induce toxicity or impaired performance in broilers.
Attitudes to Work and Commerce in the Late Italian Renaissance: A Comparison between Tomaso Garzoni's La Piazza Universale and Leonardo Fioravanti's Dello Specchio Di Scientia Universale
Authors: Mocarelli Luca 
Published: September 2011

SummaryThis article compares two highly successful treatises written in the second half of the fifteenth century: Tomaso Garzoni's La piazza universale di tutte le professioni del mondo [The Universal Workplace of All the Professions in the World], and Leonardo Fioravanti's Dello specchio di scientia universale [On the Mirror of Universal Knowledge]. It examines how each of these books presented and considered commercial activities such as the manufacture and trading of silk and wool – which were of great importance to the Italian economy of the day – and other more humble occupations. This is an interesting comparison since Garzoni and Fioravanti personified two very different spirits of the Renaissance. The former was a learned man, anxious to construct a moralistic-literary monument, complete in every detail, while the latter was a great observer, intent on making full use of every kind of knowledge, even that which seemed lowly and contemptible.
Work Ethics and Work Valuations in a Period of Commercialization: Ming China, 1500–1644
Authors: Moll-Murata Christine 
Published: September 2011

SummaryIn global terms, Ming China was one of the largest of the economies and political entities that saw increasing integration. Between 1500 and 1650 it experienced a phase of commercialization that influenced perceptions and valuations of work in various ways. Taking a multi-layered approach, this study explores Confucian tenets that made a distinction between mental and physical work, and between four main occupational groups. It discusses earlier Buddhist perspectives on work which were still valid during the Ming period. Further, the legal regulations concerning work in the Ming penal code and the valuations of work and particular occupations in a contemporary literary source, a carpenter's handbook, and an agricultural guide are probed for direct and indirect evidence of the commodification of work in cities and in the countryside, and of gendered division of labour. A consideration of the usefulness of work songs for studying the self-expression of workers concludes the essay.