bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of BRCA1/2 Mutation Prediction Models for Different Ethnicities and Genders: Experience in a Southern Chinese Cohort
Authors: Kwong Ava , Wong Connie H. N. , Suen Dacita T. K. , Co Michael , Kurian Allison W. , West Dee W. , Ford James M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundBRCA1/2 mutation prediction models (BRCAPRO, Myriad II, Couch, Shattuck‐Eidens, BOADICEA) are well established in western cohorts to estimate the probability of BRCA1/2 mutations. Results are conflicting in Asian populations. Most studies did not account for gender‐specific prediction. We evaluated the performance of these models in a Chinese cohort, including males, before BRCA1/2 mutation testing.MethodsThe five risk models were used to calculate the probability of BRCA mutations in probands with breast and ovarian cancers; 267 were non‐BRCA mutation carriers (247 females and 20 males) and 43 were BRCA mutation carriers (38 females and 5 males).ResultsMean BRCA prediction scores for all models were statistically better for carriers than noncarriers for females but not for males. BRCAPRO overestimated the numbers of female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers at thresholds ≥20% but underestimated if <20%. BRCAPRO and BOADICEA underestimated the number of male BRCA1/2 mutation carriers whilst Myriad II underestimated the number of both male and female carriers. In females, BRCAPRO showed similar discrimination, as measured by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) for BRCA1/2 combined mutation prediction to BOADICEA, but performed better than BOADICEA in BRCA1 mutation prediction (AUC 93% vs. 87%). BOADICEA had the best discrimination for BRCA1/2 combined mutation prediction (AUC 87%) in males.ConclusionsThe variation in model performance underscores the need for research on larger Asian cohorts as prediction models, and the possible need for customizing these models for different ethnic groups and genders.
Spatial and host‐plant partitioning between coexisting Bemisia tabaci cryptic species in Tunisia
Authors: Saleh Dounia , Laarif Asma , Clouet Cécile , Gauthier Nathalie 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a species complex including at least 24 morphologically indistinguishable species among which the Mediterranean (Med) and Middle East‐Asia Minor I (MEAMI) species containing the biotypes commonly known as Q and B, respectively. These B and Q biotypes (hereafter referred to as MEAMI and Med species) are the most invasive agricultural pests of the B. tabaci complex worldwide. The spread of MEAMI and more recently of Med species into regions already invaded by other B. tabaci populations has been frequently seen to lead to their displacement by Med species. In Tunisia, in contrast to usual observations in the Mediterranean basin, Med and MEAMI species have been seen to co‐occur in the main crop producing regions. Based on fine population genetics and field spatial distribution analyses, we found that the co‐existence of these two interacting species was based on habitat partitioning including spatial and host‐plant partitioning. Although they co‐occurred at larger spatial scales, they excluded one another at sample scale. We observed neither spatial overlapping nor hybridization between MEAMI and Med B. tabaci. Vegetable crops were the main hosts for MEAMI specimens while 99.1% of the B. tabaci collected on the ornamental, Lantana camara, were Med specimens. Different patterns of genetic diversity were observed between the two species, as well as among Med specimens sampled on the ornamental versus vegetables, with the highest genetic diversity found in Med B. tabaci sampled on L. camara. These findings lead us to focus our discussion on the role played by lantana, human pressure, and competition, in the spatial and genetic patterns observed in the whitefly B. tabaci.
Religious Networking Organizations and Social Justice: An Ethnographic Case Study
Authors: Todd Nathan R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe current study provides an innovative examination of how and why religious networking organizations work for social justice in their local community. Similar to a coalition or community coordinating council, religious networking organizations are formal organizations comprised of individuals from multiple religious congregations who consistently meet to organize around a common goal. Based on over a year and a half of ethnographic participation in two separate religious networking organizations focused on community betterment and social justice, this study reports on the purpose and structure of these organizations, how each used networking to create social capital, and how religion was integrated into the organizations’ social justice work. Findings contribute to the growing literature on social capital, empowering community settings, and the unique role of religious settings in promoting social justice. Implications for future research and practice also are discussed.
Genetic Counseling and the Ethical Issues Around Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing
Authors: Hawkins Alice K. , Ho Anita 
Published: January 2012

AbstractOver the last several years, direct to consumer (DTC) genetic testing has received increasing attention in the public, healthcare and academic realms. DTC genetic testing companies face considerable criticism and scepticism, particularly from the medical and genetic counseling community. This raises the question of what specific aspects of DTC genetic testing provoke concerns, and conversely, promises, for genetic counselors. This paper addresses this question by exploring DTC genetic testing through an ethical lens. By considering the fundamental ethical approaches influencing genetic counseling (the ethic of care and principle‐based ethics) we highlight the specific ethical concerns raised by DTC genetic testing companies. Ultimately, when considering the ethics of DTC testing in a genetic counseling context, we should think of it as a balancing act. We need careful and detailed consideration of the risks and troubling aspects of such testing, as well as the potentially beneficial direct and indirect impacts of the increased availability of DTC genetic testing. As a result it is essential that genetic counselors stay informed and involved in the ongoing debate about DTC genetic testing and DTC companies. Doing so will ensure that the ethical theories and principles fundamental to the profession of genetic counseling are promoted not just in traditional counseling sessions, but also on a broader level. Ultimately this will help ensure that the public enjoys the benefits of an increasingly genetic‐based healthcare system.
A Nurse‐led Approach to Developing and Implementing a Collaborative Count Policy
Authors: Norton Elizabeth K. , Micheli Anne J. , Gedney Jennifer , Felkerson Tiffin M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractDuring the 2007 meeting of the Child Health Corporation of America Operating Room Director's Forum, members identified two major discrepancies in surgical count policies among the member hospitals: variations for instrument counts in pediatrics and exceptions to radiographic verification when needle counts were incorrect. The group agreed to collaboratively develop a pediatric count policy based on directors' expertise and current literature to help improve count practices. The task force members reviewed the literature as well as count policies from 30 member hospitals to identify and combine best practices and to create a single, standardized count policy. The project exemplifies a successful nurse‐led, national group effort. The outcome is a policy that represents best practice in pediatrics and is a first step toward future opportunities to improve patient safety.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Prevention of Retained Surgical Items
Authors: Goldberg Judith L. , Feldman David L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractRetention of a surgical item is a preventable event that can result in patient injury. AORN's “Recommended practices for prevention of retained surgical items” emphasizes the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach for prevention. Procedures should include counts of soft goods, needles, miscellaneous items, and instruments, and efforts should be made to prevent retention of fragments of broken devices. If a count discrepancy occurs, the perioperative team should follow procedures to locate the missing item. Perioperative leaders may consider the use of adjunct technologies such as bar‐code scanning, radio‐frequency detection, and radio‐frequency identification. Ambulatory and hospital patient scenarios are included to exemplify appropriate strategies for preventing retained surgical items.
Expression of coat proteins changes during postnatal development in selected areas of the rat brain
Authors: Borgonovo Janina , Capella Pablo , Seltzer Alicia , Sosa Miguel A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIt is well known that clathrin‐mediated endocytosis is crucial for the normal functioning and integrity of neurons in the central nervous system. In this study we attempted to correlate the expression of coat proteins with development in different areas of rat brain. By Western blot, we studied the expression of AP‐2, GGA1 and GGA2 in striatum, cerebellum, brain stem, cerebral cortex and hippocampus of newborn rats and during post‐natal development; 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 or 150 days after birth. We observed that the expression of the α2 subunit of AP‐2 increased substantially between the 15th and 30th day after birth in all areas studied, excepting the cerebellum and cortex. On the other hand, the expression of the α1 subunit does not change significantly during the development in any of the areas under study. We also noted that the expression of the μ2 subunit did not follow the pattern of α2 during development. In general terms, the expression of GGA1 and GGA2 followed a similar pattern to that of AP‐2, although these proteins increased significantly in the cerebral cortex from the 15th day after birth. Moreover, presenilin‐1, a protein associated with aging and neurodegeneration, shows an expression pattern similar to coat proteins in the striatum and cortex. These results suggest that proteins that conform the intracellular transport machinery in the brain cells seems to accompany development, according to the maturation of the different brain areas.
Securitization, Social Identity, and Democratic Security: Nixon, India, and the Ties That Bind
Authors: Hayes Jarrod 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe Democratic Peace stands as one of the most coherent and recognizable programs of study in international relations. Yet despite the pages of research devoted to the subject and claims about its law-like nature, the democratic peace remains a highly contested finding. In large part, this contestation arises out of an enduring question: What exactly keeps democracies from fighting? Drawing on the securitization theory of the Copenhagen School as well as social psychology, this article claims that a critical mechanism of the democratic peace lies at the political junction between policymakers and the public. I argue that the democratic identity of the public, grounded in basic democratic norms essential for the function of any democracy at any time, plays an independent role in the construction of security and foreign policy in the United States. To test the argument, I examine the difficult case of the 1971 Bangladesh War, when President Richard Nixon sent theUSS Enterprisecarrier group to the Bay of Bengal. Analysis of public statements as well as administration documentation reveals that, while Nixon and national security advisor Henry Kissinger actively saw India as a threat to U.S. interests, they were constrained by their belief that the public would not accept a security argument with respect to a fellow democracy.
Small mammals: paratenic hosts for species ofToxocarain eastern Slovakia
Authors: Antolová D. , Reiterová K. , Stanko M. , Zalesny G. , Fričová J. , Dvorožňáková E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractToxocaraspp., an aetiological agent of a serious helminthozoonosis, is a common roundworm of domestic and wild carnivores worldwide. The study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence ofToxocarain small mammals from different localities in eastern Slovakia. Anti-Toxocaraantibodies were detected in 6.4% out of 2140 examined animals trapped in eastern Slovakia. Due to their high density and observed high seroprevalence of toxocariasis,Apodemus agrarius,A. flavicollis,Myodes glareolusandMus spicilegus(10.9, 4.2, 3.6 and 11.2%, respectively) represent important sources of the infection. A significant correlation between type of food andToxocarapositivity was detected: granivores (7.2%) and invertebratophages (7.1%) were positive more frequently than herbivores (2.1%). In the years monitored, cyclic changes of seroprevalence were observed. A higher prevalence of antibodies in the spring was followed by a decrease in summer. In autumn, seroprevalence started to rise and stayed at a similar level through the winter. Seroprevalence of the examined animals confirms their contact withToxocaraspp. and demonstrates the presence of the aetiological agent in the monitored locality. Areas with a high prevalence of infected animals present constant infectious pressure on definitive hosts, thus also increasing infection risk for humans and paratenic hosts. The study confirmed the contact of small mammals withToxocaraspp. and demonstrated the presence and circulation of an aetiological agent in the localities monitored in eastern Slovakia.
Optimising endoscopic stapling of pharyngeal pouches
Authors: Moore A , Vijendren A , Rajagopal R , Spraggs P 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:Endoscopic hypopharyngeal diverticulotomy is now largely performed using an endoscopic stapling device. A poorly applied endoscopic stapling device can result in incomplete division of the cricopharyngeal bar, necessitating the application of a second set of staples. Applying more than one set of staples is associated with an increased risk of complications and greater cost. Small pharyngeal pouches are difficult to staple because of difficulties engaging the stapling device over the cricopharyngeal bar.Method:Two pairs of oesophageal forceps are used in conjunction with a 0 degree Hopkins rod to optimise the endoscopic stapling of small and large pharyngeal pouches.Results and conclusion:Applying grasping forceps to the cricopharyngeal bar improves the accuracy of the stapling procedure, thus reducing the morbidity and cost associated with multiple staple applications.
Low Juvenile Pinto Abalone Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana Abundance in the San Juan Archipelago, Washington State
Authors: Bouma Joshua V. , Rothaus Don P. , Straus Kristina M. , Vadopalas Brent , Friedman Carolyn S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo investigate contemporary pinto abalone Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana recruitment events and juvenile abundance, 66 abalone recruitment modules (ARMs) were deployed at two depths and three sites in the San Juan Archipelago (Washington State) that were historically inhabited by substantial abalone populations. Based on published studies from California and British Columbia, ARMs are proven tools for surveying juvenile pinto abalone abundance. Abalone recruitment modules provide complex habitat and protection from predation. The ARMs were surveyed in situ for juvenile abalone abundance six times over the course of 26 months. Only eight abalones were observed, including three juveniles that were less than 50 mm (shell length). The mean density of juvenile abalones inhabiting the ARMs across all three sites during the 2006 surveys was 0.012/m2. The absence of juvenile abalones within the ARMs, combined with sharp regional declines in adult pinto abalone abundance, suggests limited local recruitment of this species, which is currently designated as threatened in Canada and as a species of concern in the USA.
Influence of Turbidity on the Foraging of Largemouth Bass
Authors: Huenemann Thad W. , Dibble Eric D. , Fleming Jonathan P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWater turbidity has the capacity to influence fish foraging success and behavior. The largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides is a popular sport fish in the southeastern United States that is primarily a visual predator. The high turbidity in many systems can be attributed to sediment loading from agricultural lands, and it can reduce the availability of light in the water column and have direct impacts on largemouth bass foraging success. We investigated the effect of different turbidity levels (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 nephelometric turbidity units [NTU]) on largemouth bass foraging in aquaria by testing the hypothesis that turbidity has no effect on the time required to locate tethered prey (fathead minnow Pimephales promelas and golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas) or ultimate capture success. The percentages of prey captured that were derived from aggregated data in multiple trials at the different treatment levels differed significantly. One‐hundred percent of the largemouth bass in the 0‐NTU treatments captured the prey. Conversely, only 15% of the largemouth bass in the 250‐NTU treatments captured the prey throughout all trials. The average time taken to capture the prey also was significantly different between treatment combinations, with time to interaction increasing as turbidity increased. The results from this study suggest that greater turbidity levels reduce the ability of largemouth bass to capture prey and increase the time taken to locate and interact with prey. Thus, turbidity may impact individual fitness and management strategies.
Habitat Selection and Movement of Naturally Occurring Pallid Sturgeon in the Mississippi River
Authors: Koch Brian , Brooks Ronald C. , Oliver Amanda , Herzog David , Garvey James E. , Hrabik Robert , Colombo Robert , Phelps Quinton , Spier Timothy 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is a U.S. federally endangered species that occurs in the 320‐km middle Mississippi River (MMR). Historic in‐channel island habitat has vanished, and the extent of the population's range within the MMR is unknown. We surgically implanted ultrasonic transmitters in 88 adult pallid sturgeon (>600 mm fork length; mean = 791 mm) during 2002–2005 and used boat‐mounted hydrophones to quantify their seasonal use of major MMR habitat features (wing dikes, side channels, island side channel tips, tributaries, and main channel; total of 8,629 river kilometers monitored). Distance from habitat features (gravel bars, wing dikes, and island side channels) was quantified during spring, a period considered to be critical for many fish species. We quantified maximum seasonal movement of each fish in the entire MMR with stationary data‐logging hydrophones during 2004–2006. Combining data across years and seasons, we found that pallid sturgeon selected the tips of wing dikes over other habitat features. However, during spring pallid sturgeon moved from the tips of wing dikes to within about 100 m of known gravel bars. Maximum distance moved by pallid sturgeon varied the most in spring relative to other seasons. One pallid sturgeon moved through the entire study reach, and a few individuals left the MMR for the Missouri River or the lower Mississippi River. Unique flow and substrate characteristics of wing dikes probably emulated missing habitat complexity (i.e., in‐channel islands, deep scour holes, and sand bars). Other habitats such as gravel bars may be important during spring, although their contributions to reproduction, foraging, and survival of pallid sturgeon are unknown. The range of this pallid sturgeon population extends beyond the entire stretch of the MMR into other river basins; thus, the population requires rangewide management.
Comparative Cost Analysis of Hybrid Striped Bass Fingerling Production in Ponds and Tanks
Authors: Eklund Patty , Engle Carole , Ludwig Gerald 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Year-round production of hybrid striped bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) fingerlings would allow food fish growers to sell their product throughout the year, which would improve the consistency of market supply and cash flow for the farm. However, pond production of fingerlings is seasonal and precludes year-round supply. Tank culture methods have been developed to produce hybrid striped bass fingerlings indoors throughout the year, but the associated costs have not been estimated or compared with pond production costs. Economic engineering techniques were used to estimate production costs for phase I hybrid striped bass fingerlings in ponds (0.4, 1.2, or 2.4 ha) and tanks (945, 2,457, or 5,670 L) for production scales of 50,000, 100,000, 250,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, or 2,000,000 fingerlings per year. The results demonstrated that there are economies of scale in terms of the volume of production and the size of the production unit. Overall, pond production per 1,000 fingerlings was substantially less expensive than tank production, even accounting for the increased number of annual production cycles in tanks. Production costs were sensitive to survival rates and can be reduced by 7–14% and 5–11% for each 5% improvement in survival in ponds and tanks, respectively. Substituting microcyst brine shrimp for rotifers Artemia spp. in the diet may have the potential to reduce the tank costs of producing hybrid striped bass depending on fingerling survival beyond 14 d posthatch. Additional research is needed to improve overall fingerling survival both during the early fry rearing stage and after training to dry feed.
Performance of Spring Chinook Salmon Reared in Acclimation Ponds for Two and Four Months before Release
Authors: Clarke Lance R , Cameron William A , Carmichael Richard W 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Seasonal temperature cues may play an important role in the parr–smolt transformation of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., but salmon reared in groundwater-supplied hatcheries with seasonally stable water temperatures do not experience these cues. In this study, conducted over six release years, hatchery spring Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha that were initially reared in a groundwater-supplied hatchery were transferred to acclimation ponds supplied with surface water either in November (November transfer [NT]) or January (January transfer [JT]) for rearing at ambient water temperatures prior to release into the Umatilla River, Oregon, in early March. After stream release, we monitored out-migration travel times and survival to John Day Dam (JDD) by using passive integrated transponder tags in a subsample of each release group. Across all release groups, median travel time was slower for NT groups (51 d) than for JT groups (46 d); significant differences were observed in five of six release years. Average survival probabilities were 15% higher for NT groups than for JT groups, although this difference was not significant. We used recoveries of coded wire tags to estimate smolt-to-adult survival (SAS) and straying for NT and JT groups. Average SAS over the study was 27% higher for NT groups (0.76%) than for JT groups (0.60%), but straying was minimal for both types of release group. We found no significant linear relationship between SAS and travel time or survival to JDD. Adult returns of NT groups had a slightly older age distribution than those of JT groups. Our results suggest that for salmon juveniles reared in groundwater-supplied hatcheries, providing an overwinter period of exposure to ambient water temperatures should optimize postrelease survival. We also discuss some risks and benefits to winter rearing in acclimation ponds for managers that are considering this approach.