bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building Capacity for the Continuous Improvement of Health‐Promoting Schools
Authors: Hoyle Tena B. , Samek Beverly B. , Valois Robert F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:  There has been much educational verbosity over the past decade related to building capacity for effective schools. However, there seems to be a scarcity of clarification about what is meant by school capacity building or how to accomplish and sustain this process. This article describes the preexisting conditions and ongoing processes in Pueblo, Colorado School District 60 (Pueblo 60) that built capacity for the development and continuous improvement of health‐promoting schools.Methods:  Capacity building strategies and a program‐planning model for continuous improvement for health‐promoting schools were used that included: (a) visionary/effective leadership and management structures, (b) extensive internal and external supports, (c) development and allocation of adequate resources, (d) supportive policies and procedures, and (e) ongoing, embedded professional development.Results:  Pueblo 60 strategically developed an infrastructure through which they successfully delivered a wide array of health programs and services.Conclusions:  Through building organizational capacity at the school district and school level, additional school health programming can be developed and sustained.
Substance Use Behavior and Suicide Indicators Among Rural Middle School Students
Authors: Dunn Michael S. , Goodrow Bruce , Givens Connie , Austin Susan 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:  This study provides a descriptive profile of substance use behavior and the prevalence of suicide indicators (thought about, considered, and planned) among rural middle school students and examines the association between substance use and suicidal indicators among middle school students participating in the Coordinated School Health Program in a rural state.Methods:  During April and May 2004, 10,273 middle school students completed the middle school Youth Risk Behavior Survey.Results:  This study found that a large percentage of students had initiated substance use behavior, with the greatest number of students having tried cigarettes (40.9% females and 42.7% males), followed by alcohol use (37.2% females and 41.3% males). Additionally, suicidal ideation and behavior were prevalent. Significant associations were found between substance use and suicidal ideation and behavior among middle school students.Conclusions:  Prevention programs for adolescent suicide should be implemented during the middle school years and should focus on preventing substance use given its relationship to suicide.
HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE LATE CRETACEOUS GONGILA AND FIKA FORMATIONS, BORNU (CHAD) BASIN, NE NIGERIA
Authors: Alalade B. , Tyson R. V. 
Published: September 2010

The hydrocarbon potential of possible shale source rocks from the Late Cretaceous Gongila and Fika Formations of the Chad Basin of NE Nigeria is evaluated using an integration of organic geochemistry and palynofacies observations. Total organic carbon (TOC) values for about 170 cutting samples range between 0.5% and 1.5% and Rock‐Eval hydrogen indices (HI) are below 100 mgHC/gTOC, suggesting that the shales are organically lean and contain Type III/IV kerogen. Amorphous organic matter (AOM) dominates the kerogen assemblage (typically >80%) although its fluorescence does not show a significant correlation with measured HI. Atomic H/C ratios of a subset of the samples indicate higher quality oil‐ to gas‐prone organic matter (Type II‐III kerogens) and exhibit a significant correlation with the fluorescence of AOM (r2= 0.86). Rock‐Eval Tmax calibrated against AOM fluorescence, biomarker and aromatic hydrocarbon maturity data suggests a transition from immature (<435°C) to mature (>435°C) in the Fika Formation and mature to post‐mature (>470°C) in the Gongila Formation.The low TOC values in most of the shales samples limit their overall source rock potential. The immature to early mature upper part of the Fika Formation, in which about 10% of the samples have TOC values greater than 2.0%, has the best oil generating potential. Oil would have been generated if such intervals had become thermally mature. On the basis of the samples studied here, the basin has potential for mostly gaseous rather than liquid hydrocarbons.
Influences on nurses’ communications with older people at the end of life: perceptions and experiences of nurses working in palliative care and general medicine
Authors: Clarke Amanda , Ross Helen 
Published: September 2010

Aim.  This paper reports an exploratory study investigating nurses’ perceptions and experiences regarding listening and talking to dying older people about issues relating to the end of life.Background.  At the end of life, nurses need to be able to communicate with older people in an open and sensitive manner. Although studies highlight that many nurses feel ill‐prepared to respond when patients express their concerns and needs about the end of life, few consider nurses’ views of caring specifically for dying older people in acute medical settings.Methods.  Focus groups and interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of nurses, including students and support workers, on general medical and palliative care units (24 participants). These were recorded on mini‐disc, transcribed verbatim and offered to participants for comment and clarification. Guided by the principles of the constant comparative technique, transcripts were analysed for broad similarities and differences in the data and participants given the opportunity to comment on the findings. Following the study, a workshop comprising participants and experts in the field reviewed and discussed the implications of the findings for practice.Results.  Factors influencing nurses’ communication with older people at the end of life, included: nurses’ perceptions and experiences of talking and listening to older people; learning from other members of the multi‐professional team; environmental and organizational constraints such as time, privacy and the culture of care; and perceived differences between the values of nurses and those of doctors and patients’ families. All participants recognized the importance of communicating with older people at the end of life, but general medical nurses expressed the need for further support.Relevance to clinical practice.  Fostering a palliative care approach, through education and organizational culture that focuses on person‐centred care and multi‐professional teamwork in a supportive environment, is essential. This should ensure that nurses engage with older people in a meaningful way as they face the end of their lives.
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN METRIC SKULL CHARACTERS AMONG PROPOSED SUBPOPULATIONS AND STOCKS OF HARBOR PORPOISE, PHOCOENA PHOCOENA, IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC
Authors: Gao Anli , Gaskin D. E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA total of 433 skulls of harbor porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, were examined to evaluate geographical variation within the western North Atlantic, using analysis of covariance and discriminant analysis based on 45 measurements of skull components. The relationship between condylobasal length and body length was sigmoid in both sexes. Condylobasal length is generally less in adult males than in adult females.Despite some overlap, morphological differences between different regions and even adjacent local stocks could be recognized by ANCOVA and discriminant analysis. The percentage of correct classification by discriminant functions was 65.2% for the four regional samples: (1) North Canadian Atlantic (which includes Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland), (2) Bay of Fundy, (3) Gulf of Maine‐New York, and (4) Maryland‐South Carolina. It was 65.9% for the four local geographical areas (10s of km) within the Bay of Fundy; Quoddy‐region porpoises revealed a closer relationship with the southwestern Nova Scotia population than with other adjacent stocks. The results at this level imply that gene flow is restricted to some degree even among closely adjacent geographical units. Management of this species should aim, therefore, for conservation of a variety of local stocks.
DOES RADIO TAGGING AFFECT THE SURVIVAL OR REPRODUCTION OF SMALL CETACEANS? A TEST
Authors: Martin A. R. , Da Silva V. M. F. , Rothery P. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA long‐term study of botos (inia geoffrensis) in the Brazilian Amazon permitted the comparison of survival and reproduction between 51 adults fitted with radio transmitters and an equal number that were captured and handled in the same way but released without a transmitter. For both sexes combined, 47 radio tagged botos (92.2%) survived at least three years after release compared with 42 (82.4%) without radios, equating to annual survival of 97.3% and 93.6% respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. Eight of 15 closely monitored radio tagged females were lactating at capture, and all their calves weaned successfully. Two that were pregnant at capture subsequently gave birth. The mean number of calves per year born to these 15 females after first release was 0.172 (SD = 0.107) and to 17 non‐tagged was 0.174 (SD = 0.095), again a non‐significant difference. These results indicate that the anchoring of packages to the dorsal fin of dolphins can be accomplished with no measurable impact on their subsequent survival or reproductive output. However, botos may be unusually robust to handling, and this study should not be used to justify using similar techniques on other species without customary caution, diligence, and expert guidance.
Onion Cells After High Pressure and Thermal Processing: Comparison of Membrane Integrity Changes Using Different Analytical Methods and Impact on Tissue Texture
Authors: Gonzalez Maria E. , Anthon Gordon E. , Barrett Diane M. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Two different analytical methods were evaluated for their capacity to provide quantitative information on onion cell membrane permeability and integrity after high pressure and thermal processing and to study the impact of these processing treatments on cell compartmentalization and texture quality. To determine changes in cell membrane permeability and/or integrity the methodologies utilized were: (1) measurement of a biochemical product, pyruvate, formed as a result of membrane permeabilization followed by enzymatic activity and (2) leakage of electrolytes into solution. These results were compared to previously determined methods that quantified cell viability and 1H‐NMR T2 of onions. These methods allowed for the monitoring of changes in the plasma and tonoplast membranes after high pressure or thermal processing. High pressure treatments consisted of 5 min holding times at 50, 100, 200, 300, or 600 MPa. Thermal treatments consisted of 30 min water bath exposure to 40, 50, 60, 70, or 90 °C. There was strong agreement between the methods in the determination of the ranges of high pressure and temperature that induce changes in the integrity of the plasma and tonoplast membranes. Membrane rupture could clearly be identified at 300 MPa and above in high pressure treatments and at 60 °C and above in the thermal treatments. Membrane destabilization effects could already be visualized following the 200 MPa and 50 °C treatments. The texture of onions was influenced by the state of the membranes and was abruptly modified once membrane integrity was lost.Practical Application:  In this study, we used chemical, biochemical, and histological techniques to obtain information on cell membrane permeability and onion tissue integrity after high pressure and thermal processing. Because there was strong agreement between the various methods used, it is possible to implement something relatively simple, such as ion leakage, into routine quality assurance measurements to determine the severity of preservation methods and the shelf life of processed vegetables.
A New Method to Quantify the Application Thickness of Sunscreen on Skin
Authors: Bauer Ulrike , O’Brien Dominique S. , Kimlin Michael G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractProper application of sunscreen is essential as an effective public health strategy for skin cancer prevention. Insufficient application is common among sunbathers, results in decreased sun protection and may therefore lead to increased UV damage of the skin. However, no objective measure of sunscreen application thickness (SAT) is currently available for field‐based use. We present a method to detect SAT on human skin for determining the amount of sunscreen applied and thus enabling comparisons to manufacturer recommendations. Using a skin swabbing method and subsequent spectrophotometric analysis, we were able to determine SAT on human skin. A swabbing method was used to derive SAT on skin (in mg sunscreen per cm2 of skin area) through the concentration–absorption relationship of sunscreen determined in laboratory experiments. Analysis differentiated SATs between 0.25 and 4 mg cm−2 and showed a small but significant decrease in concentration over time postapplication. A field study was performed, in which the heterogeneity of sunscreen application could be investigated. The proposed method is a low cost, noninvasive method for the determination of SAT on skin and it can be used as a valid tool in field‐ and population‐based studies.
Correlation of serum biomarkers with clinical severity and mucosal inflammation in Chinese ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: LOK Ka Ho , NG Chi Ho , HUNG Hiu Gong , LI Kam Fu , LI Kin Kong , SZETO Ming Leung 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE:  Serum biomarkers are commonly used for diagnosing and monitoring the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, their role in predicting active mucosal inflammation on Chinese patients is unknown. Our aim was to determine the sensitivity and correlation of these biomarkers with clinical severity and mucosal inflammation.METHODS:  Patients who had been newly diagnosed or who had developed a clinical relapse were identified. Active mucosal inflammation was confirmed by colonoscopy and histology. Those patients who had routine serum biomarkers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], white cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count and albumin) checked within 14 days of the index colonoscopy were recruited for a retrospective analysis. The disease severity was graded clinically and the positive rate of each marker was determined. The correlation of these markers with the clinical severity and extent of colitis were assessed by the Mann–Whitney U‐test or the Kruskal–Wallis test. For the categorical variable, χ2 or the Fisher's exact test were adopted.RESULTS:  From January 2001 to December 2006, 49 Chinese UC patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 78 acute mucosal inflammatory episodes (24 at diagnosis and 54 clinical relapses). Abnormal CRP, ESR, white cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count and albumin occurred in 42.3%, 55.1%, 23.1%, 21.8%, 32.1% and 25.6% of these mucosal inflammatory episodes, respectively. For the severity of the clinical disease, all serum biomarkers demonstrated a good correlation with the severity grading. On the other hand, the serum biomarkers correlated well with endoscopic extensive colitis but not with proctitis or left‐sided colitis.CONCLUSION:  Routine serum biomarkers are not sensitive in predicting mucosal inflammation. However, they are helpful in identifying patients with extensive colitis or clinically severe disease.
Clinical features of colorectal cancer in Iran: A 15‐year review
Authors: FOROUTAN Mojgan , RAHIMI Navid , TABATABAEIFAR Morteza , DARVISHI Mahmood , HASHEMI M , HOSSEIN‐PANAH Farhad , ZALI Mohammad Reza 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE:  The increasing frequency of colorectal cancer in Asian countries, which have traditionally had a lower incidence than populations in developed countries, and a lower age of onset in Iran led us to perform a study on patients with colorectal cancer to investigate the clinical features of colorectal cancer in Iranians.METHODS:  We studied 977 consecutive cases of colorectal cancer in terms of age, gender, and anatomic location during a 15‐year period (1989–2004). The patients were hospitalized in three referral hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti Medical University in Tehran, Iran. Related data were extracted from the patients’ medical records and processed using SPSS ver. 12. Most of our patients (251 cases or 25.6%) were between 60 and 69 years of age. We recorded 534 men (54.3%) and 443 women (45.7%). A total of 36% of patients were between 40 and 59 years and 306 patients (31.32%) had rectal cancer.RESULTS:  The highest frequency of colorectal cancer in our study belonged to an age group a decade younger than the range mentioned in the literature for populations in developed societies.CONCLUSION:  Regarding similar studies, it seems reasonable to adopt screening a decade earlier for Iranian patients.
Prestations de maladie et d'invalidité: quels sont les déterminants de la convergence des politiques?
Authors: Prinz Christopher , Tompson William 
Published: September 2010

RésuméDans cet article, nous étudions les raisons de l'apparente convergence des politiques de maladie et d'invalidité des différents pays membres de l'OCDE. Nous nous demandons si et dans quelle mesure la convergence des politiques devrait être considérée comme un produit de l'apprentissage des politiques. Nous concluons que cette convergence résulte davantage d'une imitation des politiques que d'un apprentissage et qu'il est plus probable que cet apprentissage (sur la base des erreurs passées) ait lieu au sein des pays que d'un pays à l'autre. Avec les preuves limitées dont ils disposent sur ce qui «fonctionne vraiment» dans les politiques pour une sécurité du revenu suffisante et pour la participation au marché du travail, les gouvernements se tournent vers l'étranger ou vers des organismes tels que l'OCDE afin de trouver d'éventuels modèles et des idées à l'appui d'une réforme. Mais la traduction de ces idées en politiques réalistes exige une grande sensibilité au contexte institutionnel et politico‐économique — et en particulier au rôle des partenaires sociaux et à la nature des politiques en vigueur. Pour la mise en œuvre des nouvelles politiques, cet apprentissage contextuel peut s'avérer crucial.
Medicaid Costs Associated with the Hospitalization of Young Children for Restorative Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Kanellis Michael J. , Damiano Peter C. , Momany Elizabeth T. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract Objective: This paper examines the cost to the Iowa Medicaid program of hospitalizing young children for restorative dental care under general anesthesia, and describes the dental services received in this setting. Methods: Medicaid dental claims for young children receiving restorative dental care under general anesthesia during fiscal year 1994 were matched with corresponding hospital and anesthesia claims. Results: The total cost to the Medicaid program of treating a child in the hospital under general anesthesia was $2,009 per case. Less than 2 percent of Medicaid‐enrolled children under 6 years of age who received any dental service accounted for 25 percent of all dollars spent on dental services for this age group, including hospital and anesthesia care. The most frequent type of procedure was stainless steel crowns (SSCs), with an average of almost six per case. Conclusions: Early identification, prevention, and intervention are critically important to prevent the costly treatment of children with ECC in hospital operating rooms.
The Geodemographic Distribution of Caries Experience in Neighboring Fluoridated and Nonfluoridated Populations
Authors: Tickle Martin , Milsom Keith M. , Jenner Tony M. , Blinkhom Anthony S. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract Objective: This study compares the geodemographic distribution of caries experience in neighboring fluoridated and nonfluoridated populations. Methods: All 5‐year‐old children living in fluoridated (N=1,422) and nonfluoridated (H=4,779) areas of Cheshire, UK, were examined by trained and calibrated examiners. The Target Market level of the Super Profiles geodemographic classification was used to produce market penetration ranking reports for caries experience. The same area types were compared in fluoridated and nonfluoridated populations. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients were generated from the outputs of the penetration rankings. Results: There was a 12.4 percent difference in prevalence and a 29.4 percent difference in dmft between fluoridated (dmft>0=32.4%, dmft‐1.01) and nonfluoridated (dmft>0=37.0%, dmft=1.43) areas. The area types at the top of both penetration rankings were deprived in nature and those at the bottom were affluent. The Gini coefficients in each area were 22.7 and 23.7percent. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that water fluoridation is effective at preventing dental disease after controlling for confounding factors, in both populations the majority of disease was not confined to a smalt number of deprived area types. This undermines the contention that a targeted approach to caries prevention is a practical option.
Seasonal Variation in Fluoride Intake: the Iowa Fluoride Study
Authors: Broffitt Barbara , Levy Steven M. , Warren John J. , Heller Keith E. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although patterns of fluid intake change seasonally, little is known about how fluoride intake varies by season. Since even short‐term increases in fluoride intake could potentially lead to more dental fluorosis, it is valuable to assess the degree of seasonal variation to determine if it increases fluoride intake to levels that could be considered a concern in young children. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed periodically to participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study beginning at 6 weeks of age and continuing for a number of years. Parents recorded the date; child's weight; estimates of the amounts of water and other beverages that their child consumed per week; the type and amount of any fluoride supplements used; and the type, amount, and frequency of dentifrice used, with an estimate of the proportion of dentifrice that was swallowed. Documented water fluoride levels from municipal sources and assay of individual sources were linked to water intake amounts. Total fluoride intake per kg body weight was estimated from water, other beverages, fluoride supplements, and ingested dentifrice. Generalized linear models compared temperature‐related and seasonal effects after adjusting for the child's age. Results: Separate analyses for ages 0–12 months and 12–72 months showed different results. Children younger than 12 months of age did not exhibit significant seasonal or temperature‐related variation in any of the components of fluoride intake. Children aged 12–72 months had higher fluoride intake (mg F/kg bw) from beverages in summer (P <.05), and fluoride intake from beverages increased with monthly temperature (P <.001). Conclusions: Fluoride intake from beverages for children aged 12–72 months is slightly higher in the summer and increases with mean monthly temperature. Fluoride intake from supplements and dentifrice did not change significantly with either season or temperature.