bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion of Management Accounting Practices in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries*
Authors: JOSHI PREM LAL , BREMSER WAYNE G. , DESHMUKH ASHUTOSH , KUMAR RAJESH 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis study examines how management accounting practices (MAPs) have been adopted and diffused by publicly listed firms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The results of our survey show that the adoption rates for MAPs in the area of cost management and strategy are low while those in the area of performance measurement are moderate. Overall, the respondents favorably perceived their success in implementing MAPs. Power and politics, not economic (or cost–benefit) reasons, were considered to be the most influential reasons for nonadoption of MAPs. The results provide partial support to the view that there is a global convergence of management accounting system designs and ideas and also indicate that the role of cultural differences is diminishing over time.
Effect of the Probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on Presence of Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs Housed in an Animal Shelter
Authors: Bybee S.N. , Scorza A.V. , Lappin M.R. 
Published: June 2011

Background: Beneficial effects of probiotics have never been analyzed in an animal shelter.Hypothesis: Dogs and cats housed in an animal shelter and administered a probiotic are less likely to have diarrhea of ≥2 days duration than untreated controls.Animals: Two hundred and seventeen cats and 182 dogs.Methods: Double blinded and placebo controlled. Shelter dogs and cats were housed in 2 separate rooms for each species. For 4 weeks, animals in 1 room for each species was fed Enterococcus faecium SF68 while animals in the other room were fed a placebo. After a 1‐week washout period, the treatments by room were switched and the study continued an additional 4 weeks. A standardized fecal score system was applied to feces from each animal every day by a blinded individual. Feces of animals with and without diarrhea were evaluated for enteric parasites. Data were analyzed by a generalized linear mixed model using a binomial distribution with treatment being a fixed effect and the room being a random effect.Results: The percentage of cats with diarrhea ≥2 days was significantly lower (P= .0297) in the probiotic group (7.4%) when compared with the placebo group (20.7%). Statistical differences between groups of dogs were not detected but diarrhea was uncommon in both groups of dogs during the study.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Cats fed SF68 had fewer episodes of diarrhea of ≥2 days when compared with controls suggests the probiotic may have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Patients' experience of hospital pharmaceutical services
Authors: Wilcock Michael , Harding Geoffrey 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to investigate inpatients' and outpatients' need for information about medication, to what extent those needs were addressed and patient attitudes regarding pharmaceutical services.

Method
Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a sample of outpatients and inpatients in a UK district general hospital. Themes included satisfaction with information given about medication, potential confusion over medication prescribed by the general practitioner and by the hospital, access to a member of the pharmacy team and preferences on how information on medication should be given.

Key findings
Ninety-one outpatient and 126 inpatient questionnaires were available for analysis. All outpatients who responded acknowledged that they were told how long they might need to wait for their medicines to be dispensed, although approximately one-fifth felt they had to wait a long time. Nearly three-quarters of outpatients felt there was an opportunity to ask medication-related questions of the pharmacy team. Nearly three-quarters of inpatients reported they were encouraged to bring into any hospital any medication they were taking at home. Twenty-eight per cent of 95 inpatients reported that some of their existing medication was stopped while in hospital. For the inpatients who received information about new medication, this was explained to the patient verbally (76%) and both verbally and in writing (22%). Forty-two per cent of inpatients (and 36% of outpatients) expressed a preference to receive information about medication both verbally and in writing. Thirty-five (32%) of 110 inpatients were not aware that a pharmacy team had a presence on the ward.

Conclusions
Overall the majority of both in- and outpatients appeared to be receiving appropriate pharmaceutical services. There is a need to raise the profile of the pharmacy team in regards to provision of medication advice for inpatients. Consideration needs to be given to better provision of written information about medication for patients.
Recovering an emerging self: Exploring reflective function in recovery from adolescent‐onset psychosis
Authors: Braehler Christine , Schwannauer Matthias 
Published: June 2011

Objectives. This paper investigates (1) the processes involved in how young people with adolescent‐onset psychosis adapt to psychosis and (2) how processes of reflective function (RF) influence the adaptation process.Design. This study used a qualitative design to inductively construct hypotheses about processes of adaptation and to deductively explore the influence of RF on adaptation.Methods. Eight young people (aged 18–21) who had experienced clinically significant psychosis and attended a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) first‐episode psychosis service participated in two interviews: (1) grounded theory open interview; (2) Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Grounded theory methodology was used to investigate young people's experiences of adaptation to psychosis. Fonagy's manual of RF was used to identify passages with different levels of RF in the adaptation narratives and to assign an overall rating of RF with regard to attachment states of mind to AAI transcripts. Links between adaptation themes and RF were examined qualitatively across participants.Results. Two main themes relating to adaptation and adolescent individuation emerged. Moderate RF was linked to primarily positive adjustment and successful individuation following psychosis. Impaired RF was associated with unresolved adaptation and blocked individuation post‐psychosis.Conclusion. Level of RF appeared to moderate adaptation and individuation processes post‐psychosis and should be considered in the delivery of psychological therapies.
High Stability of Stx2 Phage in Food and under Food-Processing Conditions
Authors: Rode Tone Mari , Axelsson Lars , Granum Per Einar , Heir Even , Holck Askild , L'Abée-Lund Trine M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Bacteriophages (phages) carrying Shiga toxin genes constitute a major virulence attribute in enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC). Several EHEC outbreaks have been linked to food. The survival of such strains in different foods has received much attention, while the fate of the mobile Shiga toxin-converting phages (Stx phages) has been less studied. We have investigated the stability of an Stx phage in several food products and examined how storage, food processing, and disinfection influence the infectivity of phage particles. The study involved a recombinant Stx phage (Δ
stx::cat
) of an
E. coli
O103:H25 strain from a Norwegian outbreak in 2006. Temperature, matrix, and time were factors of major importance for the stability of phage particles. Phages stored at cooling temperatures (4°C) showed a dramatic reduction in stability compared to those stored at room temperature. The importance of the matrix was evident at higher temperatures (60°C). Phages in ground beef were below the detection level when heated to 60°C for more than 10 min, while phages in broth exposed to the same heating conditions showed a 5-log-higher stability. The phages tolerated desiccation poorly but were infective for a substantial period of time in solutions. Under moist conditions, they also had a high ability to tolerate exposure to several disinfectants. In a dry-fermented sausage model, phages were shown to infect
E. coli
in situ
. The results show that Stx phage particles can maintain their infectivity in foods and under food-processing conditions.
Efficient Inhibition of Germination of Coat-Deficient Bacterial Spores by Multivalent Metal Cations, Including Terbium (Tb
3+
)
Authors: Yi Xuan , Bond Colton , Sarker Mahfuzur R. , Setlow Peter 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Release of dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its fluorescence with terbium (Tb
3+
) allow rapid measurement of the germination and viability of spores of
Bacillus
and
Clostridium
species. However, germination of coat-deficient
Bacillus
spores was strongly inhibited by Tb
3+
and some other multivalent cations. Tb
3+
also inhibited germination of coat-deficient
Clostridium perfringens
spores.
Identification of Biofilm Matrix-Associated Proteins from an Acid Mine Drainage Microbial Community
Authors: Jiao Yongqin , D'haeseleer Patrik , Dill Brian D. , Shah Manesh , VerBerkmoes Nathan C. , Hettich Robert L. , Banfield Jillian F. , Thelen Michael P. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

In microbial communities, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), also called the extracellular matrix, provide the spatial organization and structural stability during biofilm development. One of the major components of EPS is protein, but it is not clear what specific functions these proteins contribute to the extracellular matrix or to microbial physiology. To investigate this in biofilms from an extremely acidic environment, we used shotgun proteomics analyses to identify proteins associated with EPS in biofilms at two developmental stages, designated DS1 and DS2. The proteome composition of the EPS was significantly different from that of the cell fraction, with more than 80% of the cellular proteins underrepresented or undetectable in EPS. In contrast, predicted periplasmic, outer membrane, and extracellular proteins were overrepresented by 3- to 7-fold in EPS. Also, EPS proteins were more basic by ∼2 pH units on average and about half the length. When categorized by predicted function, proteins involved in motility, defense, cell envelope, and unknown functions were enriched in EPS. Chaperones, such as histone-like DNA binding protein and cold shock protein, were overrepresented in EPS. Enzymes, such as protein peptidases, disulfide-isomerases, and those associated with cell wall and polysaccharide metabolism, were also detected. Two of these enzymes, identified as β-
N
-acetylhexosaminidase and cellulase, were confirmed in the EPS fraction by enzymatic activity assays. Compared to the differences between EPS and cellular fractions, the relative differences in the EPS proteomes between DS1 and DS2 were smaller and consistent with expected physiological changes during biofilm development.
Evidence for Host Cells as the Major Contributor of Lipids in the Intravacuolar Network of Toxoplasma-Infected Cells
Authors: Caffaro Carolina E. , Boothroyd John C. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

The intracellular parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
develops inside a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that derives from the host cell plasma membrane during invasion. Previous electron micrograph images have shown that the membrane of this vacuole undergoes an extraordinary remodeling with an extensive network of thin tubules and vesicles, the intravacuolar network (IVN), which fills the lumen of the PV. While dense granule proteins, secreted during and after invasion, are the main factors for the organization and tubulation of the network, little is known about the source of lipids used for this remodeling. By selectively labeling host cell or parasite membranes, we uncovered evidence that strongly supports the host cell as the primary, if not exclusive, source of lipids for parasite IVN remodeling. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy experiments revealed that lipids are surprisingly dynamic within the parasitophorous vacuole and are continuously exchanged or replenished by the host cell. The results presented here suggest a new model for development of the parasitophorous vacuole whereby the host provides a continuous stream of lipids to support the growth and maturation of the PVM and IVN.
Protein Arginine Methylation in Parasitic Protozoa
Authors: Fisk John C. , Read Laurie K. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Protozoa constitute the earliest branch of the eukaryotic lineage, and several groups of protozoans are serious parasites of humans and other animals. Better understanding of biochemical pathways that are either in common with or divergent from those of higher eukaryotes is integral in the defense against these parasites. In yeast and humans, the posttranslational methylation of arginine residues in proteins affects myriad cellular processes, including transcription, RNA processing, DNA replication and repair, and signal transduction. The protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) that catalyze these reactions, which are unique to the eukaryotic kingdom of organisms, first become evident in protozoa. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of arginine methylation in multiple species of parasitic protozoa, including
Trichomonas
,
Entamoeba
,
Toxoplasma
,
Plasmodium
, and
Trypanosoma
spp., and discuss how arginine methylation may play important and unique roles in each type of parasite. We mine available genomic and transcriptomic data to inventory the families of PRMTs in different parasites and the changes in their abundance during the life cycle. We further review the limited functional studies on the roles of arginine methylation in parasites, including epigenetic regulation in Apicomplexa and RNA processing in trypanosomes. Interestingly, each of the parasites considered herein has significantly differing sets of PRMTs, and we speculate on the importance of this diversity in aspects of parasite biology, such as differentiation and antigenic variation.
Genome Sequence of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, a Clinical Isolate from a Food-Borne Listeriosis Outbreak
Authors: Briers Yves , Klumpp Jochen , Schuppler Markus , Loessner Martin J. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
is an opportunistic food-borne pathogen and the causative agent of listeriosis in animals and humans. We present the genome sequence of
Listeria monocytogenes
Scott A, a widely distributed and frequently used serovar 4b clinical isolate from the 1983 listeriosis outbreak in Massachusetts.
Genome Sequence of the 17β-Estradiol-Utilizing Bacterium Sphingomonas Strain KC8
Authors: Hu Anyi , He Jibing , Chu Kung-Hui , Yu Chang-Ping 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Sphingomonas
strain KC8 is known for its ability to utilize 17
β
-estradiol, a natural estrogen and an environmental endocrine-disrupting compound, as the sole carbon and energy source. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the strain KC8 (4,074,265 bp, with a GC content of 63.7%) and major findings from its annotation.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Plant Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum Strain Po82
Authors: Xu Jin , Zheng Hua-jun , Liu Lei , Pan Zhe-chao , Prior Philippe , Tang Biao , Xu Jing-sheng , Zhang Hao , Tian Qian , Zhang Li-qing , Feng Jie 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Ralstonia solanacearum
strain Po82, a phylotype IIB/sequevar 4 strain, was found to be pathogenic to both solanaceous plants and banana. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Po82 and its comparison with seven published
R. solanacearum
genomes.
2010 i2b2/VA challenge on concepts, assertions, and relations in clinical text
Authors: Uzuner Özlem , South Brett R , Shen Shuying , DuVall Scott L 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The 2010 i2b2/VA Workshop on Natural Language Processing Challenges for Clinical Records presented three tasks: a concept extraction task focused on the extraction of medical concepts from patient reports; an assertion classification task focused on assigning assertion types for medical problem concepts; and a relation classification task focused on assigning relation types that hold between medical problems, tests, and treatments. i2b2 and the VA provided an annotated reference standard corpus for the three tasks. Using this reference standard, 22 systems were developed for concept extraction, 21 for assertion classification, and 16 for relation classification.
These systems showed that machine learning approaches could be augmented with rule-based systems to determine concepts, assertions, and relations. Depending on the task, the rule-based systems can either provide input for machine learning or post-process the output of machine learning. Ensembles of classifiers, information from unlabeled data, and external knowledge sources can help when the training data are inadequate.
A regionalised strategy for improving motor vehicle-related highway driver deaths using a weighted averages method
Authors: Kim Tad , Rivara Frederick P , Mozingo David W , Lottenberg Lawrence , Harris Zachary B , Casella George , Liu Huazhi , Moldawer Lyle L , Efron Philip A , Ang Darwin N 
Published: June 2011

ObjectiveThe state of Florida has some of the most dangerous highways in the USA. In 2006, Florida averaged 1.65 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles travelled (VMT) compared with the national average of 1.42. A study was undertaken to find a method of identifying counties that contributed to the most driver fatalities after a motor vehicle collision (MVC). By regionalising interventions unique to this subset of counties, the use of resources would have the greatest potential of improving statewide driver death.MethodsThe Florida Highway Safety Motor Vehicle database 2000–2006 was used to calculate driver VMT-weighted deaths by county. A total of 3 468 326 motor vehicle crashes were evaluated. Counties that had driver death rates higher than the state average were sorted by a weighted averages method. Multivariate regression was used to calculate the likelihood of death for various risk factors.ResultsVMT-weighted death rates identified 12 out of 67 counties that contributed up to 50% of overall driver fatalities. These counties were primarily clustered in central and south Florida. The strongest independent risk factors for driver death attributable to MVC in these high-risk counties were alcohol/drug use, rural roads, speed limit ≥45 mph, adverse weather conditions, divided highways, vehicle type, vehicle defects and roadway location.ConclusionsUsing the weighted averages method, a small subset of counties contributing to the majority of statewide driver fatalities was identified. Regionalised interventions on specific risk factors in these counties may have the greatest impact on reducing driver-related MVC fatalities.
What does ‘respect for persons’ require? Attitudes and reported practices of genetics researchers in informing research participants about research
Authors: Miller Fiona Alice , Hayeems Robin Zoe , Li Li , Bytautas Jessica Peace 
Published: June 2011

BackgroundIt has been suggested that researchers are obliged to offer summary findings to research participants to demonstrate respect for persons, and that this may increase public trust in, and awareness of, the research enterprise. Yet little research explores researchers' attitudes and practices regarding the range of initiatives that might serve these ends.MethodsResults of an international survey of 785 eligible authors of genetics research studies in autism or cystic fibrosis are reported.ResultsOf 343 researchers who completed the survey (44% response rate), the majority agreed that their team should (i) inform participants of summary findings (90.7%) and (ii) ensure they gain an awareness of developments in the field (86.9%). Additionally, the majority reported that in practice, their team (i) informs participants of summary findings (69.4%) and (ii) provides other types of relevant non-results information (eg, state of science in the field, opportunities for research participation) (67.9%).ConclusionResearchers endorsed the obligation of communicating with research participants by providing summary findings and other research-related information in equal measure. In light of these findings, it is suggested that while the provision of summary results may contribute to efforts to discharge the obligation of respect for persons, it may be neither a necessary nor a sufficient means to this end.
Efficacy of endovascular surgery for ruptured aneurysms with vasospasm of the parent artery
Authors: Kurata Akira , Suzuki Sachio , Iwamoto Kazuhisa , Inukai Madoka , Nakahara Kuniaki , Satou Kimitoshi , Niki June , Sasaki Makoto , Fujii Kiyotaka , Kan Shiichi , Kitahara Takao 
Published: June 2011

IntroductionIn the presence of vasospasm it is recommended that surgical clipping for a ruptured aneurysm should be delayed until it disappears, but this may be associated with re-rupture of the aneurysm resulting in a poor outcome. The indications for endovascular coil embolization in such cases are discussed.MethodsSince November 2002, endovascular coil embolization has been used in 18 consecutive patients with ruptured aneurysm with vasospasm of the parent artery ranging from 2 to 28 days (mean 9 days) after the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage. After successful obliteration of the aneurysm, a microcatheter preceded by a guidewire was introduced into the peripheral vessels with vasospasm of the A2 or M2 portions in order to release the vasospasm mechanically.ResultsEndovascular procedures were performed successfully in all but one of the cases (94%), resulting in complete occlusion in 14 of 17 patients and mild dilation of the vasospasm in all 17 patients without technical complications or re-rupture of the aneurysm. In the one case of failure because of a tortuous artery, surgical clipping was performed after disappearance of the vasospasm. Cerebral infarction occurred in four patients, but only one correlated with the distribution of catheterization and the neurological deficits had completely disappeared 3 months after the onset.ConclusionCatheterization of parent vessels in cases of vasospasm is safe for coiling and also mechanically releases vasospasm. Vasospasm of M2 and A2 segments can be treated with microcatheterization only.
Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells by Cytokine Networks: Attacking Cancer's Inflammatory Roots
Authors: Korkaya Hasan , Liu Suling , Wicha Max S. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
There is substantial evidence that many human cancers are driven by a subpopulation of cells that display stem cell properties. These cancer stem cells (CSC) may also contribute to metastasis and treatment resistance. Furthermore, just as normal stem cells are regulated by their microenvironment, or niche, CSCs interact with and in turn are regulated by cells in the tumor microenvironment. These interactions involve inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-8, which in turn activate Stat3/NF-κB pathways in both tumor and stromal cells. Activation of these pathways stimulates further cytokine production, generating positive feedback loops that in turn drive CSC self-renewal. These cytokine loops and the pathways they regulate resemble those activated during chronic inflammation and wound healing, and may contribute to the known link between inflammation and cancer. Inhibitors of these cytokines and their receptors have been developed as anti-inflammatory agents. By blocking signals from the tumor microenvironment, these agents have the potential to target CSCs. Future clinical trials using these compounds will be needed to determine whether targeting the CSC population has clinical benefit. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6125–9. ©2011 AACR.