bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Principles of Emergency Department Facility Design for Optimal Management of Mass-Casualty Incidents
Authors: Halpern Pinchas , Goldberg Scott A. , Keng Jimmy G. , Koenig Kristi L. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIntroductionThe Emergency Department (ED) is the triage, stabilization and disposition unit of the hospital during a mass-casualty incident (MCI). With most EDs already functioning at or over capacity, efficient management of an MCI requires optimization of all ED components. While the operational aspects of MCI management have been well described, the architectural/structural principles have not. Further, there are limited reports of the testing of ED design components in actual MCI events. The objective of this study is to outline the important infrastructural design components for optimization of ED response to an MCI, as developed, implemented, and repeatedly tested in one urban medical center.ReportIn the authors’ experience, the most important aspects of ED design for MCI have included external infrastructure and promoting rapid lockdown of the facility for security purposes; an ambulance bay permitting efficient vehicle flow and casualty discharge; strategic placement of the triage location; patient tracking techniques; planning adequate surge capacity for both patients and staff; sufficient command, control, communications, computers, and information; well-positioned and functional decontamination facilities; adequate, well-located and easily distributed medical supplies; and appropriately built and functioning essential services.DiscussionDesigning the ED to cope well with a large casualty surge during a disaster is not easy, and it may not be feasible for all EDs to implement all the necessary components. However, many of the components of an appropriate infrastructural design add minimal cost to the normal expenditures of building an ED.ConclusionThis study highlights the role of design and infrastructure in MCI preparedness in order to assist planners in improving their ED capabilities. Structural optimization calls for a paradigm shift in the concept of structural and operational ED design, but may be necessary in order to maximize surge capacity, department resilience, and patient and staff safety.Halpern P, Goldberg SA, Keng JG, Koenig KL. Principles of Emergency Department facility design for optimal management of mass-casualty incidents.Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(2):1-9.
Global patterns in overweight among children and mothers in less developed countries
Authors: Van Hook Jennifer , Altman Claire E , Balistreri Kelly S 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectivePast research has identified increases in national income and urbanization as key drivers of the global obesity epidemic. That work further identified educational attainment and urban residence as important moderators of the effects of national income. However, such work has tended to assume that children and adults respond in the same way to these factors. In the present paper, we evaluate how the socio-economic and country-level factors associated with obesity differ between children and their mothers.DesignWe modelled the associations between maternal education, country-level income and urban residence with mother's and children's weight status.SettingWe analysed ninety-five nationally representative health and nutrition surveys conducted between 1990 and 2008 from thirty-three less developed countries.SubjectsOur sample included children aged 2–4 years (n 253 442) and their mothers (n 228 655).ResultsConsistent with prior research, we found that mothers’ risk of overweight was positively associated with economic development, urban residence and maternal education. Additionally, economic development was associated with steeper increases in mothers’ risk of overweight among those with low (v. high) levels of education and among those living in rural (v. urban) areas. However, these associations were different for children. Child overweight was not associated with maternal education and urban residence, and negatively associated with national income.ConclusionsWe speculate that the distinctive patterns for children may arise from conditions in low- and middle-income developing countries that increase the risk of child underweight and poor nutrition.
Anaemia in pregnant women before and after the mandatory fortification of wheat and corn flours with iron
Authors: da Silva Cristina Lúcia , Saunders Cláudia , Szarfarc Sophia Cornbluth , Fujimori Elizabeth , da Veiga Glória Valéria 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the frequency of anaemia in pregnant women before and after the fortification of flours with Fe.DesignRetrospective study developed from secondary data obtained from medical records.SettingTwo health units in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.SubjectsSocio-economic, demographic, obstetric and Hb concentration data were collected of 778 pregnant women attending prenatal care. Two study groups were created: the first referred to the period before fortification (G1, n 391), including women whose parturition happened before June 2004; and the second referred to the period after fortification (G2, n 387), including women whose last menstrual cycle happened after June 2005. The Hb cut-off point adopted for anaemia diagnosis was <11·0 g/dl.ResultsIn linear regression models, when Hb concentration was expressed as a dependent variable, women in G2 presented Hb concentration 0·26 g/dl and 0·36 g/dl higher during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively, compared with G1. In logistic regression models where the dependent variable was anaemia during the second and third trimesters, it was verified that being a member of G2 was a protective factor against anaemia in the third trimester. Regarding the presence of anaemia at any gestational moment, it was verified that being a member of G2 represented a protective factor against anaemia during pregnancy.ConclusionsResults indicate the protective effect of the fortification of flours with Fe in the fight against gestational anaemia, contributing to prevention and control of this nutritional disorder among pregnant women.
Fruit and vegetable consumption among migrants in Switzerland
Authors: Volken Thomas , Rüesch Peter , Guggisberg Jürg 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relative risk of low daily fruit and vegetable consumption for six large migrant groups in Switzerland.DesignCross-sectional health survey carried out 2007 (Swiss Health Survey) and 2010 (Swiss Migrant Health Survey) in Switzerland. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate relative risk rates (RRR) of migrants relative to Swiss nationals.SettingData obtained from representative samples of Swiss and foreign nationals living in Switzerland.SubjectsA random sample (n14637) of the Portuguese, German, Italian, Turkish, Serbian, Kosovan and Swiss permanent resident adult population (17–64 years old) was interviewed.ResultsThe proportion of participants who adhered to the recommended fruit and vegetable consumption was below one-third in all study populations. Compared with Swiss nationals, the relative risk of low daily fruit and vegetable intake relative to recommended intake was higher in Turkish nationals (RRR = 2·92, 95 % CI 1·91, 4·48;P= 0·0000) and Kosovan nationals (RRR = 4·76, 95 % CI 3·01, 7·55;P= 0·0000). The respective relative risks of Portuguese, Serbian, German and Italian nationals were not significantly different from the Swiss reference group.ConclusionsInitiatives for the promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption should continue to address the population at large. At the same time, programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of migrants from Turkey and Kosovo should be considered.
Opportunities and constraints to legume diversification for sustainable maize production on smallholder farms in Malawi
Authors: Mhango Wezi G. , Snapp Sieglinde S. , Phiri George Y.K. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSustainable intensification of smallholder farms in Africa is highly dependent on enhancing biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Legume diversification of maize-based systems is a core example of sustainable intensification, with the food security of millions of farm families at stake. This study highlights the constraints and opportunities associated with the adoption of legumes by smallholder farmers in southern Africa. A two-part survey of households and farm fields (n=88) was conducted in the Ekwendeni watershed of northern Malawi. Participatory research and education activities have been underway for over a decade in this region, resulting in expanded uptake of a range of legume species as intercrops and in rotation with the staple maize crop. Farmer adoption has occurred to a varying extent for soybean (Glycine max), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and fish bean (Tephrosia vogelii). Farmers, working with the project valued pigeon pea and other legumes for soil fertility purposes to a greater extent than farmers not working with the project. Legumes were valued for a wide range of purposes beyond soil cover and fertility enhancement, notably for infant nutrition (at least for soybean), insect control, and vegetable and grain production for both market and home consumption. Literature values for BNF in tropical legumes range up to 170 kg N ha−1for grain and 300 kg N ha−1for green manure species; however, our field interviews illustrated the extent of constraints imposed by soil properties on smallholder fields in Malawi. The key edaphic constraints observed were very deficient to moderate phosphorus levels (range 4–142, average 33 mg kg−1), and moderately acid soils (range pH 5.1–7.9, average 6.2). The per farm hectarage devoted to legume production relative to maize production was also low (0.15 versus 0.35 ha), a surprising find in an area with demonstrated interest in novel legume species. Further, farmers showed a strong preference for legumes that produced edible grain, regardless of the associated nutrient removal in the harvested grain, and did not sow large areas to legume crops. These farm-level decisions act as constraints to BNF inputs in maize-based smallholder cropping systems. Overall, we found that legume productivity could be enhanced. We documented the value of policies and educational efforts that support farmers gaining access to high-quality seeds, amendments for phosphorus-deficient soils, and promotion of multipurpose legumes that build soils through leafy residues and roots, as well as providing grain for food security and sales.
The vertical distribution of iron stable isotopes in the North Atlantic near Bermuda
Authors: John Seth G. , Adkins Jess 
Published: May 2012

Seawater dissolved iron isotope ratios (δ56Fe) have been measured in the North Atlantic near Bermuda. In a full‐depth profile, seawater dissolvedδ56Fe is isotopically heavy compared to crustal values throughout the water column (δ56FeIRMM‐014 = +0.30‰ to +0.71‰). Iron isotope ratios are relatively homogenous in the upper water column (between +0.30‰ to +0.45‰ above 1500 m), and δ56Fe increases below this to a maximum of +0.71‰ at 2500 m, decreasing again to +0.35‰ at 4200 m. The δ56Fe profile is very different from the iron concentration profile; in the upper water column [Fe] is variable while δ56Fe is relatively constant, and in the deeper water column δ56Fe varies while [Fe] remains relatively constant. The δ56Fe profile is also not well correlated with other hydrographic tracers in the North Atlantic such as temperature, salinity, or the concentrations of oxygen, phosphate, silica, and CFC‐11. The dissimilarity betweenδ56Fe profiles and profiles of [Fe] and other hydrographic tracers shows that Fe isotope ratios provide a unique sort of information about ocean chemistry, and they suggest that Fe isotopes may therefore be a valuable new tool for tracing the global sources, sinks, and biogeochemical cycling of Fe.
The role of shelf nutrients on glacial‐interglacial CO2: A negative feedback
Authors: Ushie Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Katsumi 
Published: May 2012

In the past 800 thousand years and before industrialization, the largest variations in atmospheric CO2 concentration (pCO2) occurred in connection with the glacial cycles that characterized Earth's climate over this period. One curious feature of at least the last four glacial‐interglacial cycles is that atmospheric pCO2 reached about the same upper limit of 280 ppm during peak interglacial periods and about the same lower limit of 180 ppm during peak glacial periods. Here, we show using a numerical model of earth system that enhanced shelf sediment weathering during glacial sea level lowstands tends to raise pCO2 even after carbonate compensation and thus stabilize pCO2 from further reduction. This is because not all nutrients from weathering will be utilized by biology but more importantly because the spatial distributions of carbon and phosphorus from weathering become decoupled in such a way that carbon is preferentially stored in the upper ocean and phosphorus in the deep ocean. In addition, the C:P ratios in continental margin sediments are generally much higher than the Redfield ratio due to preferential remineralization of phosphorus in shelf sediment diagenesis. When these factors are accounted for in our model, the input of organic matter, which corresponds to the observed negative shift in ocean δ13C during glacial periods, raises pCO2 by approximately 14 ppm. The same mechanisms operating in the opposite directions during interglacial highstand tend to lower pCO2 and stabilize it from further increase. The impact of sea level‐driven continental shelf exposure and submersion of CO2 is therefore a negative feedback that may have contributed to limiting the variation of Pleistocene pCO2 to the observed 100 ppm range.
Potential role of inorganic polyphosphate in the cycling of phosphorus within the hypoxic water column of Effingham Inlet, British Columbia
Authors: Diaz Julia M. , Ingall Ellery D. , Snow Samuel D. , Benitez‐Nelson Claudia R. , Taillefert Martial , Brandes Jay A. 
Published: May 2012

The upper basin of Effingham Inlet possesses permanently anoxic bottom waters, with a water column redox transition zone typically occurring at least 40 m above the sediment‐water interface. During our sampling campaign in April and July 2007, this redox transition zone was associated with sharp peaks in a variety of parameters, including soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total particulate phosphorus (TPP). Based on sequential extraction results, TPP maxima exhibited preferential accumulation of an operationally defined class of loosely adsorbed organic phosphorus (P), which may contain a substantial fraction of polyphosphate (poly‐P). This poly‐P may furthermore be involved in the redox‐dependent remobilization of SRP. For example, direct fluorometric analysis of poly‐P content revealed that particulate inorganic poly‐P was present at concentrations ranging from 1 to 9 nM P within and several meters above the TPP maximum. Below the depth of 1% oxygen saturation, however, particulate inorganic poly‐P was undetectable (<0.8 nM in situ). Assuming this concentration profile reflects the remineralization of inorganic poly‐P to SRP across the redox transition, inorganic poly‐P degradation accounted for as much as 4 ± 3% (average ± standard deviation) to 9 ± 8% of the vertical turbulent diffusive SRP flux. This finding is a conservative estimate due in part to sample storage effects associated with our analysis of poly‐P content. By comparison, iron‐linked P cycling accounted for at most 65 ± 33% of the diffusive SRP flux, leaving ∼25% unaccounted for. Thus, while redox‐sensitive poly‐P remineralization in Effingham Inlet appears modest based on our direct conservative estimate, it may be higher from a mass balance viewpoint. Poly‐P cycling may therefore be an overlooked mechanism for the redox‐sensitive cycling of P in some hypoxic/anoxic boundaries, especially iron‐poor marine oxygen minimum zones.
The proteomic future: where mass spectrometry should be taking us
Authors: Thelen Jay J. , Miernyk Ján A. 
Published: May 2012

A newcomer to the -omics era, proteomics, is a broad instrument-intensive research area that has advanced rapidly since its inception less than 20 years ago. Although the ‘wet-bench’ aspects of proteomics have undergone a renaissance with the improvement in protein and peptide separation techniques, including various improvements in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and gel-free or off-gel protein focusing, it has been the seminal advances in MS that have led to the ascension of this field. Recent improvements in sensitivity, mass accuracy and fragmentation have led to achievements previously only dreamed of, including whole-proteome identification, and quantification and extensive mapping of specific PTMs (post-translational modifications). With such capabilities at present, one might conclude that proteomics has already reached its zenith; however, ‘capability’ indicates that the envisioned goals have not yet been achieved. In the present review we focus on what we perceive as the areas requiring more attention to achieve the improvements in workflow and instrumentation that will bridge the gap between capability and achievement for at least most proteomes and PTMs. Additionally, it is essential that we extend our ability to understand protein structures, interactions and localizations. Towards these ends, we briefly focus on selected methods and research areas where we anticipate the next wave of proteomic advances.
First Report of Ascochyta rabiei Causing Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea in Argentina
Authors: Viotti G. , Carmona M. A. , Scandiani M. , Formento A. N. , Luque A. 
Published: May 2012

In November 2011, lesions similar to those reported for Ascochyta blight (1) were observed on Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea) plants growing in three commercial fields located at Río Primero and Río Segundo (Cordoba Province) and Lobería (Buenos Aires Province), Argentina. Disease incidence (percentage of plants affected) was 100% in all fields surveyed. Plants showed leaves, petioles, stems, and pods with brown lesions. Symptoms on leaves and pods were circular to oval (2 to 14 mm) while in the stems the lesions were elongated (2 to 30 mm). Seeds appeared small and shriveled with brown discoloration. Morphology of the fungi was examined on infected tissues. Numerous black pycnidia measuring 94.6 to 217.9 μm (145.9 ± 28.8 μm), arranged in concentric rings, were observed within of all the lesions. Conidia were predominantly aseptate, straight, hyaline with blunt ends, and measured 9.3 to 12.9 (11.3 ± 1.12) × 3.3 to 5.0 μm (4.2 ± 0.51). Morphological characteristics of the pathogen were similar to those described for Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labrousse (teleomorph Didymella rabiei (Kovacheski) v. Arx (= Mycosphaerella rabiei Kovacheski)) (2). Fungus from infected leaf tissues was isolated on potato dextrose agar. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on seedlings of the susceptible cultivar by spraying leaves of each of 100 seedling plants with 10 ml of a conidial suspension (2 × 104 conidia/ml) of the isolated pathogen with a handheld atomizer. Plants were covered with plastic bags and placed in a growing chamber at 20 to 25°C for 3 days. The plastic bags were removed and the plants were maintained in high humidity at the same temperature. Noninoculated plants were used as controls. After 5 days, all inoculated plants showed typical symptoms. Foliar and stem lesions symptoms were similar to those originally observed in the field. Control plants remained healthy. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by isolating A. rabiei from inoculated plants. The colonies and the morphology of conidia were the same as those of the original isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. rabiei infecting chickpeas in Argentina. The outbreak of Ascochyta blight in Argentina is of concern because of its severity and the possibility that the pathogen was introduced on seed. This report underscores the need for further research on effective management programs for Ascochyta blight. References: (1) B. Bayaa and W. Chen. Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2011. (2) E. Punithalingam and P. Holliday. Page 337 in: CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1972.
Effects of polymorphisms in the porcine microRNA MIR206/MIR133B cluster on muscle fiber and meat quality traits
Authors: Lee Jun‐Seong , Kim Jun‐Mo , Lim Kyu‐Sang , Hong Jae‐Sang , Hong Ki‐Chang , Lee Young Sik 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMicroRNAs are a class of small non‐coding RNA molecules that repress gene expression primarily at the post‐transcriptional level. Genetic variations in microRNA genes may contribute to phenotypic differences by altering the expression of microRNAs and their targets. Here, we identified 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomic region of the porcine
MIR206
/
MIR133B
cluster, 10 and 2 of which were associated with
MIR206
and
MIR133B
respectively. All 12 SNPs were located within primary microRNAs. Allele frequency determination in different pig breeds (Berkshire, n = 153; Landrace, n = 125; Yorkshire, n = 173) and association studies of muscle fiber characteristics, lean meat production and meat quality traits were performed on the
MIR206
and
MIR133B SNPs. The
MIR206 SNPs were associated with the percentage of type IIa and IIb fibers for muscle fiber area composition, meat quality traits including drip loss and lightness, and backfat thickness, a parameter of lean meat production. In addition, we found significant association of the
MIR133B SNPs with total muscle fiber number, loin eye area, and muscle pH. Furthermore, these SNPs significantly affected the levels of mature
MIR206
and
MIR133B
, respectively, primarily by regulating the processing of primary microRNAs into precursor microRNAs. Interestingly, altered
MIR206
levels correlated with phenotypic variability among genotypes of the
MIR206 SNP. Our data suggest that polymorphisms in the porcine
MIR206
/
MIR133B
cluster are a genetic factor affecting muscle and meat quality traits.
Detection of copy number variants in the horse genome and examination of their association with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy
Authors: Dupuis M.C. , Zhang Z. , Durkin K. , Charlier C. , Lekeux P. , Georges M. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryWe used the data from a recently performed genome‐wide association study using the Illumina Equine SNP50 beadchip for the detection of copy number variants (CNVs) and examined their association with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), an important equine upper airway disease compromising performance. A total of 2797 CNVs were detected for 477 horses, covering 229 kb and seven SNPs on average. Overlapping CNVs were merged to define 478 CNV regions (CNVRs). CNVRs, particularly deletions, were shown to be significantly depleted in genes. Fifty‐two of the 67 common CNVRs (frequency ≥ 1%) were validated by association mapping, Mendelian inheritance, and/or Mendelian inconsistencies. None of the 67 common CNVRs were significantly associated with RLN when accounting for multiple testing. However, a duplication on chromosome 10 was detected in 10 cases (representing three breeds) and two unphenotyped parents but in none of the controls. The duplication was embedded in an 8‐Mb haplotype shared across breeds.