bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistence and local extinction of lion prides in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Authors: Kissui Bernard M. , Mosser Anna , Packer Craig 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAfrican lions (Panthera leo) live in social groups (prides) that exhibit group territorial behavior. Pride persistence is expected to depend on its ability to compete against neighboring prides as well as on average rates of reproduction and survival, thus providing a meaningful measure of intergenerational reproductive success. We used Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to select the best approximating models explaining how demographic variables influenced pride persistence during a 30‐year period in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, and identified landscape factors affecting those demographic variables. Pride persistence to 10 years depended on adult female density (pride size) and cub productivity (the ultimate source of new females). Average age of adult females had a weakly positive influence on pride persistence, while the effect of female mortality was weakly negative. Adult female mortality increased with disease epidemics and in territories with high human disturbance. Cub productivity was highest in territories closest to rivers and only slightly higher near swamps, and also high in areas of higher vegetative cover and high human use. No landscape variable significantly affected female density. The growth and population size of the Crater lions was closely linked to demographic performance of individual prides, while territorial behavior played a key role in mediating the interactive effects of landscape and demography.
Preparation of Fe3O4Spherical Nanoporous Particles Facilitated by Polyethylene Glycol 4000
Authors: Wang Li-Li , Jiang Ji-Sen 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Much interest has been attracted to the magnetic materials with porous structure because of their unique properties and potential applications. In this report, Fe3O4nanoporous particles assembled from small Fe3O4nanoparticles have been prepared by thermal decomposition of iron acetylacetonate in the presence of polyethylene glycol 4000. The size of the spherical nanoporous particles is 100–200 nm. Surface area measurement shows that these Fe3O4nanoporous particles have a high surface area of 87.5 m2/g. Magnetization measurement and Mössbauer spectrum indicate that these particles are nearly superparamagnetic at room temperature. It is found that the morphology of the products is greatly influenced by polyethylene glycol concentration and the polymerization degree of polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol molecules are believed to facilitate the formation of the spherical assembly.
Carbon footprinting of lamb and beef production systems: insights from an empirical analysis of farms in Wales, UK
Authors: EDWARDS-JONES G. , PLASSMANN K. , HARRIS I. M. 
Published: September 2009

SUMMARYCarbon footprinting is an increasingly important method of communicating the climate change impacts of food production to stakeholders. Few studies utilize empirical data collected from farms to calculate the carbon footprints of lamb and beef. Data from two farms in Wales, UK, were employed to undertake such an analysis for two system boundaries.Within a system boundary that considers the embodied greenhouse gases (GHGs) in inputs and on-farm emissions, producing 1 kg of lamb releases 1·3–4·4 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight (case study farm 1) and 1·5–4·7 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight (case study farm 2). The production of beef releases 1·5–5·3 and 1·4–4·4 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight.Within a wider system boundary that also includes GHG emissions from animals and farm soils, lamb released 8·1–31·7 and 20·3–143·5 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight on the two case study farms, and beef released 9·7–38·1 and 18·8–132·6 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight. The difference in emissions for this system boundary relates to nitrous oxides emitted from the organic soils on case study farm 2.These values overlap with nearly all other studies of GHG emissions from lamb and beef production. No direct comparisons between studies are possible due to substantial differences in the methodological approaches adopted.
Adult Laryngeal Rhabdomyosarcoma: is aggressive treatment justified in all cases? A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Papacharalampous G X , Manolopoulos L , Korres S , Dicoglou C , Bibas A 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:Adult laryngeal rhabdomyosarcomas are rare tumours commonly treated by laryngectomy.Case report:We present a case of subglottic laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma in an elderly woman, treated by endoscopic resection.Conclusion:Despite the fact that this tumour is traditionally treated aggressively, this approach is not supported by the literature. Due to the varying biological behaviour of this tumour in adults, we believe that conservative surgical procedures or combination therapies should be preferred, rather than total laryngectomy.
How common are common mental disorders? Evidence that lifetime prevalence rates are doubled by prospectiveversusretrospective ascertainment
Authors: Moffitt T. E. , Caspi A. , Taylor A. , Kokaua J. , Milne B. J. , Polanczyk G. , Poulton R. 
Published: September 2009

BackgroundMost information about the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders comes from retrospective surveys, but how much these surveys have undercounted due to recall failure is unknown. We compared results from a prospective study with those from retrospective studies.MethodThe representative 1972–1973 Dunedin New Zealand birth cohort (n=1037) was followed to age 32 years with 96% retention, and compared to the national New Zealand Mental Health Survey (NZMHS) and two US National Comorbidity Surveys (NCS and NCS-R). Measures were research diagnoses of anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence and cannabis dependence from ages 18 to 32 years.ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime disorder to age 32 was approximately doubled in prospective as compared to retrospective data for all four disorder types. Moreover, across disorders, prospective measurement yielded a mean past-year-to-lifetime ratio of 38% whereas retrospective measurement yielded higher mean past-year-to-lifetime ratios of 57% (NZMHS, NCS-R) and 65% (NCS).ConclusionsProspective longitudinal studies complement retrospective surveys by providing unique information about lifetime prevalence. The experience of at least one episode of DSM-defined disorder during a lifetime may be far more common in the population than previously thought. Research should ask what this means for etiological theory, construct validity of the DSM approach, public perception of stigma, estimates of the burden of disease and public health policy.
Mothers' conceptualizations of parent-child relationships: Relation to mother-child interaction and child behavior problems
Authors: Crowell Judith A. , O'Connor Elizabeth , Wollmers Gretchen , Sprafkin Joyce , Rao Uma 
Published: September 2009

AbstractKnowledge of parental state of mind with respect to parent-child attachment relationships may provide insight into etiology or maintenance of problematic parent-child interactions and development of child psychopathology. Forty-nine mothers and their behaviorally disturbed children, aged 5 to 11 years, were assessed in a child psychiatry clinic. Mothers and children were observed in a semistructured interaction consisting of free play, three tasks, separation, and reunion. Mothers were scored on supportiveness, helpfulness, organization, and so forth. Children were rated on relationship behaviors with mother, task behaviors, activity level, and so forth. Parents and teachers completed rating scales of child aggression and oppositionality, inattention and hyperactivity, and competence. Children rated themselves on feelings of depression and anxiety. Mothers were given the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985) and were classified as secure, dismissing, or preoccupied in state of mind with respect to attachment. Mothers classified as secure were supportive and well organized with their children. Mothers classified as insecure were unsupportive and cool. The secure classification was associated with the children reporting low levels of anxiety and depression, being described as competent and relatively low in symptomatology. The dismissing classification was associated with oppositional and aggressive symptoms in the children, greater symptomatology overall, and child self-reports of distress. Maternal attachment classification appears to contribute to understanding of the development of psychopathology in children and its type and severity.
Attachment organization and familial overinvolvement for adults with serious psychopathological disorders
Authors: Dozier Mary , Stevenson Andrea L. , Lee Spring W. , Velligan Dawn I. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractForty adults with serious psychopathological disorders were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Attachment strategies were assessed using Kobak's (1989) Q-sort method, which yields scores along the two dimensions of security/anxiety and repression/preoccupation. Expressed emotion was rated for a close family member based on the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). In addition, premorbid competence was assessed, and subjects completed a psychiatric symptom inventory. Subjects who used more extreme secondary attachment strategies (whether preoccupied or repressing) were more likely to have family members who were overinvolving. Symptom inventories revealed greater symptom reporting by individuals who relied more on preoccupied than on repressing strategies and by individuals who were in high expressed emotion families. Higher levels of premorbid competence were associated with more secure attachment strategies. These findings are consistent with a transactional model of relationships whereby the attachment strategies of these adults affect the involvement of their family members, which in turn further perpetuate behaviors associated with their attachment strategies.
The transmission of mother-child boundary disturbances across three generations
Authors: Jacobvitz Deborah B. , Morgan Elizabeth , Kretchmar Molly D. , Morgan Yvonne 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAttachment theory and family systems perspectives were used to explore the intergenerational origins of an overinvolved, symbiotic parenting pattern that hampers children's emerging autonomy. Consistent with principles of developmental psychopathology, the same underlying relationship disturbance was expected to manifest differently at different times in the developmental process. Specifically, links among maternal intrusiveness during infancy, overprotection during childhood, and mother-child role-reversal during young adulthood were explored. Forty-nine maternal grandmothers, mothers, and firstborn infants were visited in the mothers' homes when the infants were 6 and 9 months old. Grandmothers' memories of overprotection were related to observational ratings of high boundary dissolution and low positive affectivity with the mothers. No significant relationships were found between mothers' past and current relationships with the grandmothers. Yet, mothers' memories of overprotection during childhood or their current participation in unaffectionate, enmeshed, and role-reversed relationships with their mothers forecast their intrusive care with their own infants. Moreover, mothers' memories of overprotection related to their beliefs that others cannot be trusted and these beliefs were related, in turn, to observations of their intrusive care at 9 months. The implications of understanding the origins of maternal intrusiveness for developing prevention programs are discussed.
Are fish eaters healthier and do they consume less health-care resources?
Authors: Hostenkamp Gisela , Sørensen Jan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectiveRegular dietary intake of fish is associated with reduced risk of developing cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, and may improve general well-being. If fish eaters are healthier, they may use fewer health-care resources. The present study aimed to describe the reported intake of fish and fish products in a Danish general population, and to investigate whether fish consumption is associated with generic measures of self-reported health and consumption of health-care resources.DesignData on eating patterns and health status for 3422 Danish adults were obtained by telephone interview in the Funen County Health Survey. These data were merged with individual-level register data on health-care utilisation. Survey respondents were categorised into those consuming fish at least once weekly (fish eaters) and those consuming fish less frequently (non-fish eaters).ResultsPeople who reported eating fish twice monthly or once weekly had significantly better overall self-reported health than those who rarely eat fish, even after adjustment for age, gender, social characteristics and lifestyle factors. Fish eaters did not have significantly lower aggregated health-care costs, although their hospital utilisation was significantly lower than that for non-fish eaters.ConclusionsModerate fish consumption was associated with better self-reported general health even after controlling for possible confounding variables. Overall, fish eaters appeared to use the same amount of health-care resources as non-eaters, although fish eaters used more medicine but were less likely to be admitted to a hospital.
Equity in Irish health care financing: measurement issues
Authors: Smith Samantha 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper employs widely used analytic techniques for measuring equity in health care financing to update Irish results from previous analysis based on data from the late 1980s. Kakwani indices are calculated using household survey data from 1987/88 to 2004/05. Results indicate a marginally progressive financing system overall. However, interpretation of the results for the private sources of health financing is complicated. This problem is not unique to Ireland but it is argued that it may be relatively more important in the context of a complex health financing system, illustrated in this paper by the Irish system. Alternative options for improving the analysis of equity in health care financing are discussed.
Investigation of the Adsorption Characteristics of Antimony, Cadmium, and Lead by Nano- and Microparticle Titania
Authors: Zia Jared , Amarasiriwardena Dula , Xing Baoshan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe utilization of nanotechnology is expected to rise greatly within the next decade. The increasing ubiquity of nanotechnology, coupled with the fact that the toxicity of a nanomaterial is partially dependent on its adsorbed components, emphasizes the general importance, and environmental significance, of nanomaterial adsorption studies. Using nanoparticle titania (and microparticle titania for comparison), a series of adsorption experiments were performed. The antimony, lead, and cadmium adsorption capacity of nanoparticle titania was compared to that of microparticle titania. During a typical adsorption experiment, a known amount of nanomaterial was shaken with a solution containing a known concentration of antimony, lead, and cadmium. Following an equilibration period, the solutions were filtered, centrifuged, and analyzed using either inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), or inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The effect of light and adsorption on antimony speciation was also investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in conjunction with ICP-MS. Adsorption experiments indicate that nanoparticle titania has a higher adsorption affinity for antimony, cadmium, and lead species when compared to microparticle titania. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm plots were created, and it was determined that both isotherms provided a good fit for the data. Results of the antimony speciation studies indicate that Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) and adsorbed by microparticle titania; Sb(III) oxidation cannot be confirmed when nanoparticle titania is used as the adsorbent, as complete antimony adsorption always occurred at the concentrations studied. The presence of ambient light had only a small effect on adsorption and oxidation; antimony adsorption by microparticle titania was more complete in the absence of light.
Effect of Preoperative Shampoos with Chlorhexidine or lodophor on Emergence of Resident Scalp Flora in Neurosurgery
Authors: Leclair Jeanne M. , Winston Ken R. , Sullivan Bernadette F. , O'Connell Janet M. , Harrington Stella M. , Goldmann Donald A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWound contamination with endogenous bacterial scalp flora plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postoperative neurosurgical infections. To assess the effect of preoperative antiseptic shampoos on the emergence of resident scalp flora during surgery and subsequent wound contamination, we randomized 151 neurosurgical procedures into four study groups: group A—preoperative shampoos with chlorhexidine, surgical scalp preparation with chlorhexidine; group B-no shampoos, surgical preparation with chlorhexidine; group C-shampoos with iodophor, surgical preparation with iodophor; group D-no shampoos, surgical preparation with iodophor. Quantitative cultures of the scalp were obtained preoperatively and at the end of surgery, and qualitative wound cultures were taken prior to wound closure. Group A had the lowest concentration of bacteria on the scalp both preoperatively and postoperatively (median range = 30 [0-5.7 × 105] and 0 [0-2.5 x 103] respectively). Group A also had significantly fewer positive postoperative scalp cultures (29%) than groups B (51%), C (58%), and D (53%) (P<0.05), as well as fewer positive wound cultures (20% v 25%, 42%, and 30% respectively). A density of bacteria on the scalp of > 102/4cm2 best predicted the presence of bacteria in the wound. Repeated preoperative shampoos with chlorhexidine reduce intraoperative emergence of resident skin flora and subsequent contamination of the wound.
Molecular and Epidemiologic Study of Multiresistant Serratia marcescens Infections in a Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Unit
Authors: Simor Andrew E. , Ramage Lee , Wilcox Lindsay , Bull Shelley B. , Bialkowska-Hobrzanska Hanna 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBetween March 1984 and February 1986, ten patients admitted to a spinal cord injury/stroke rehabilitation unit became bacteriuric with a strain of Serratia marcescens resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, ticarcillin, cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, and tobramycin. All the patients were catheterized, and in most, bacteriuria was asymptomatic. The organism was also recovered from their hospital environment (sinks, toilets, urine-collecting basins). Analysis of total plasmid content of multiresistant isolates revealed the presence of two plasmids (7 kilobase, 25.5 kilobase), not found in aminoglycoside susceptible strains of Serratia marcescens. Restriction endonuclease analysis and Southern hybridization (DNA probe: 25.5 kilobase plasmid) verified that these plasmids were identical. The 25.5 kilobase plasmid was purified, introduced by transformation into an Escherichia coli strain C recipient, and was found to mediate resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin. The emergence of multiresistant Serratia marcescens coincided with an increase in antibiotic usage on the ward. The reservoir seemed to be the urinary tracts of asymptomatic catheterized patients and their contaminated hospital environment.
A Causal Link Between Handwashing and Risk of Infection? Examination of the Evidence
Authors: Larson Elaine 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTo examine evidence of a causal link between handwashing and risk of infection, a review of published literature from 1879 through 1986 was conducted. In the 107 years studied, 423 articles specifically related to handwashing were found. Articles were categorized as studies to evaluate products (50.8%), review articles (29.1%), behavioral studies (10.9%), methodologie studies (2.8%), studies linking handwashing to infection and other (3.1%). There was an increase in the proportion of handwashing articles published in the 1980s with the rate (9.4/105 citations/year) being almost double that of any other period studied. Nonexperimental and experimental studies related to handwashing were reviewed and evidence for a causal association evaluated. Except for specificity, all the elements for causality, including temporality, strength, plausibility, consistency of the association, and dose response were present. It was therefore concluded that emphasis on handwashing as a primary infection control measure has not been misplaced and should continue.
Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pediatric Nurses: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Flowers R.H. , Torner James C. , Farr Barry M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA meta-analysis of six controlled studies was performed to evaluate the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among pediatric nurses. The pooled risk ratio for CMV infection in pediatric nurses using cumulative incidence data was statistically significant (risk ratio [RR] 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33 - 5.52), but person-year analysis taking account of follow-up periods demonstrated a trend toward increased risk that failed to reach statistical significance (RR 1.8; 95% CI 0.88 - 3.55). Despite pooling, there was low statistical power for comparing person-year rates. The studies included in this analysis failed to provide data on several potential confounding variables. We conclude that studies published prior to the widespread adoption of universal precautions suggest that pediatric nurses may have been at increased risk for CMV infection due to occupational exposure, but inadequate design and sample size of the studies prevent a definitive conclusion. Well-designed, controlled studies are still needed to define the occupational risk of CMV infection.
An Outbreak of Salmonella Gastroenteritis in an Urban Jail
Authors: Alcabes Philip , O'Sullivan Barbara , Nadal Evan , Mouzon Marcia 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAn outbreak of gastroenteritis in New York City's largest jail involved 145 cases over a two-month period. The outbreak was unusual in that two Salmonella strains (serogroups B and D) were involved. Management of the outbreak involved screening kitchen workers by culture of stool samples, and education regarding personal hygiene. Obstacles to investigation and management of the outbreak arose out of the special nature of the jail environment; these included jurisdictional problems and high turnover of the inmate population.
Prevention of Nosocomial Transmission of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a Newborn Nursery
Authors: Snydman David R. , Greer Cynthia , Meissner H. Cody , Mcintosh Kenneth 
Published: September 2009

AbstractDuring three winter seasons prior to 1984-1985 the special care nursery at New England Medical Center experienced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics that required closure of the unit. Prior to and during the 1984-1985 winter season, several measures were taken to prevent recurrent nosocomial RSV transmission. In the winters of 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 there were 26 introductions of community-acquired RSV with no transmission of nosocomial cases during 1,688 patient days at risk as compared with 1983-1984 when there were seven cases of nosocomial RSV following six introductions of RSV during 875 patient days at risk (rate = 8 per 1,000 patient days) (P = 0.0016). The institution of many infection control measures including active surveillance, cohorting infected patients, a strict winter visiting policy, and gowning, gloving, and applying mask on contact, was associated with the successful prevention of nosocomial transmission of RSV in this nursery setting.