bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size of the perivitelline space and incidence of polyspermy in rabbit and hamster oocytes
Authors: Yoshida Nao , Niimura Sueo 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPurposeThe size of the perivitelline space and the incidence of polyspermy were observed in ovulated and cultured oocytes from rabbits and hamsters with or without treatment by 4‐methylumbelliferone (MU), an inhibitor of hyaluronic acid (HA) synthase, in order to examine the relationship between the incidence of polyspermy and the size of the perivitelline space. The amount of HA in the medium with MU‐treated hamster oocytes was measured and compared with that in the medium with untreated oocytes.MethodsThe perivitelline space of oocytes with 1st polar bodies was measured by use of a micrometer under a microscope, and the incidence of polyspermy was observed in the oocytes after insemination. The amount of HA in the medium was examined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The distribution of cortical granules was observed by staining with FITC‐conjugated LCA.ResultsIn both rabbit and hamster, the mean size of the perivitelline space was significantly smaller and the incidence of polyspermy was significantly higher in the cultured and MU‐treated oocytes than in the ovulated and untreated oocytes. The mean amount of HA in the medium with MU‐treated oocytes (8.96 pg) was significantly smaller than that in the medium with untreated oocytes (21.77 pg). The distribution of cortical granules did not differ among the ovulated, cultured, and MU‐treated oocytes.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the size of the perivitelline space is closely related to the incidence of polyspermy, and that the oocyte itself synthesizes and secretes the HA involved in the enlargement of the perivitelline space.
Predictors of Outcome Following Hip Fracture Rehabilitation
Authors: Semel Jennifer , Gray Jennifer M. , Ahn Hyeong Jun , Nasr Hany , Chen John J. 
Published: September 2010

ObjectiveTo determine the potential predictors of functional outcome after hip fracture rehabilitation in a large acute inpatient rehabilitation facility.DesignRetrospective chart review study.SettingLarge acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital.ParticipantsPatients admitted with a primary admitting diagnosis of hip fracture (n = 753). Patients were excluded if their hip fracture was the result of high‐velocity trauma and if their stay was shorter than 48 hours (196 patients).MethodsIndependent variables included body mass index, gender, ethnicity, smoking history, alcohol consumption, past living situation, past ambulatory status, medical history, prealbumin level, medications that increase the risk of falling, and evidence of prior osteoporosis workup and treatment. These data were entered into a password‐encrypted database. Univariate analyses were carried out to evaluate the relationship between independent variables and main outcomes, and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the impact of medical history of diabetes adjusting for other covariates.Main Outcome MeasurementsDischarge location; length of rehabilitation hospital stay (LOS); Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gain, which is calculated as the FIMdischarge – FIMadmission; and length of stay efficiency (LOSE), which is calculated as the FIM gain divided by the LOS, and measures the rate of FIM change.ResultsPatients with diabetes had a worse LOSE (P = .0008). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that patients who have a medical history of diabetes have a 0.33 reduction of LOSE compared with other patients. Predictors of better LOSE included younger age (P < .001), fewer medications that predispose to falls (P < .0001), and independent ambulation before fracture (P = .0003).ConclusionWe have found several significant patient characteristics that portend a better functional outcome after hip fracture. These include younger age, female gender, absence of diabetes mellitus, independent prefracture ambulation, not living alone before fracture, and being prescribed fewer medications that predispose to falling during rehabilitation. On the contrary, one of our most interesting findings is that patients with diabetes made slower gains, had a longer LOS and were less likely to be discharged directly home from the acute rehabilitation facility. There are numerous factors that may contribute to this, and suggestions are made for future research.
The Extent of Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis in a Veterans Affairs Population Undergoing Vertebral Augmentation
Authors: Kasturi Gopi , Adler Robert A. 
Published: September 2010

ObjectiveTo investigate whether patients with vertebral fracture who underwent an augmentation procedure had pre‐ or postaugmentation osteoporosis evaluation and treatment.DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingAn academic, tertiary Veterans Affairs Medical Center with an active osteoporosis program, easy access to bone density testing by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA), few barriers to treatment, and an excellent electronic medical record.PatientsAfter patients who underwent vertebroplasty for a traumatic or pathologic fracture were excluded, 40 patients were identified who had the procedure during a 1.5‐year period. Most patients were older white men.MethodsAssessment of which patients had evaluation of underlying bone disease (with DEXA and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels) and whether it was treated (with pharmacologic therapy).ResultsAbout 75% had a DEXA, but only half had the DEXA before the augmentation procedure. Fifty‐five percent had the diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia in the electronic record, and 60% had a serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level usually before the procedure. Those patients who were referred to a metabolic bone clinic were more likely to have diagnostic tests and therapy.ConclusionsAs with hip fracture, low‐trauma vertebral fracture treated by an augmentation procedure should lead to osteoporosis evaluation and therapy.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Cortical and Subcortical Interfacing via Retinal Pathways
Authors: Zelinsky Deborah G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMost patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have visual and nonvisual retinal signal processing problems with concomitant dysfunctional sensory systems integration. These dysfunctions often include problems of spatial orientation, motor planning, and motor control. They are generally not visible on diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion spectrum magnetic resonance imaging, or functional magnetic resonance imaging and are not discernible by neuro‐ophthalmological, standard optometric, or ophthalmological testing. In contrast, the neuro‐optometrist, while examining the TBI patient's conscious cortical processing, puts great emphasis on unconscious ambient processing to assess the patient's ability to tolerate and adapt to environmental changes beneath conscious awareness. This often overlooked, yet potentially critical, information from both subcortical and cortical components of the visual system, sometimes combined with other sensory signals, is used to evaluate and treat patients with processing dysfunctions.
Vegetation and environmental conditions in the Doñana Natural Park coastal area (SW Iberia) at the beginning of the last glacial cycle
Authors: Morales-Molino César , Postigo-Mijarra José María , García-Antón Mercedes , Zazo Cari 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDetailed reconstructions of the vegetation of Iberia during the last glacial inception are rare due to the limited number of terrestrial sites recording this period. Active retreat of El Asperillo cliff, located on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Iberia, has exposed a fossil organic level dating back to one of the early stades of the last glacial cycle. Pollen and macrofossil analyses from this site show that the Doñana area was covered mainly by steppic vegetation; temperate trees survived the coldest periods, albeit in reduced numbers. Mediterranean taxa are extremely reduced, in contrast with other dry areas of southern Iberia over this time span. This vegetation suggests cold and arid climatic conditions, in accordance with paleoclimatic reconstructions based on several Atlantic marine cores.
ONλ-STRICT IDEALS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: ABRAHAMSEN TROND A. , NYGAARD OLAV 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe define and studyλ-strict ideals in Banach spaces, which forλ=1 means strict ideals. Strict u-ideals in their biduals are known to have the unique ideal property; we prove that so also doλ-strict u-ideals in their biduals, at least forλ>1/2. An open question, posed by Godefroyet al. [‘Unconditional ideals in Banach spaces’,Studia Math.104(1993), 13–59] is whether the Banach spaceXis a u-ideal in Ba(X), the Baire-one functions inX**, exactly whenκu(X)=1; we prove that ifκu(X)=1 thenXis a strict u-ideal in Ba (X) , and we establish the converse in the separable case.
The biological precedents for medieval impetus theory and its Aristotelian character
Authors: FRITSCHE JOHANNES 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWhile the impetus theory is often regarded as a non-Aristotelian theory that could not have emerged within the development of Aristotelianism, I argue that it is essentially Aristotelian. Given the state of the theories of body, movement and sexual reproduction and the development of the theory of the four elements in the Latin West at the end of the thirteenth century, the impetus theory was probably developed as an application to projectiles of Aristotle's theories of the male semen and of family resemblance. In addition, the impetus theory was even a convenient expedient to simplify the Aristotelian theory of movement and prevent it from drifting into non-Aristotelian territory.
Reproductive biology of the endemic skatePsammobatis lentiginosain the San Matías Gulf (south-western Atlantic)
Authors: Perier Raquel , Estalles Marilú , Coller Marina , Di Giacomo Edgardo E. 
Published: September 2010

The reproductive biology ofPsammobatis lentiginosawas studied in San Matías Gulf (Patagonia, south-west Atlantic). A total of 1033 skates was analysed, total length ranged from 17 to 52 cm for females and from 13 to 55 cm for males. Total length–total weights relationships differed between sexes, with TW = 0.005 × TL3.02for females and TW = 0.005 × TL2.97for males. The overall sex-ratio was 1:1. In females, the L50%was 41.06 cm, in males the L50%was 41.38 cm. The mean number of yolked oocytes per skate was 4.22 (±2.41). The mean number of yolked oocytes and the length of the female were linearly related. The diameter maximum of yolked oocytes was 24 mm. The species exhibited a continuous reproductive cycle throughout the year, with a peak of egg-case production during autumn that was synchronous with maximum values of the epididymis and uterus indices. This is the first record of a reproductive aggregation forP. lentiginosain San Matías Gulf, North Patagonia. This finding together with its continuous presence around the year, suggest that this area is the main distribution area ofP. lentiginosain the south-west Atlantic.
Contributions of Electron Microscopy to Understand Secretion of Immune Mediators by Human Eosinophils
Authors: Melo Rossana C.N. , Dvorak Ann M. , Weller Peter F. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMechanisms governing secretion of proteins underlie the biologic activities and functions of human eosinophils, leukocytes of the innate immune system, involved in allergic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory responses. In response to varied stimuli, eosinophils are recruited from the circulation into inflammatory foci, where they modulate immune responses through the release of granule-derived products. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the only technique that can clearly identify and distinguish between different modes of cell secretion. In this review, we highlight the advances in understanding mechanisms of eosinophil secretion, based on TEM findings, that have been made over the past years and that have provided unprecedented insights into the functional capabilities of these cells.
A NOTE ON PERIODIC SOLUTIONS OF A FORCED LIÉNARD-TYPE EQUATION
Authors: ZHANG LIE-HUI , WANG YONG 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCriteria for guaranteeing the existence, uniqueness and asymptotic stability (in the sense of Liapunov) of periodic solutions of a forced Liénard-type equation under certain assumptions are presented. These criteria are obtained by application of the Manásevich–Mawhin continuation theorem, Floquet theory, Liapunov stability theory and some analysis techniques. An example is provided to demonstrate the applicability of our results.
End-of-life care in the oldest old
Authors: Bravell Marie Ernsth , Malmberg Bo , Berg Stig 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to describe the last year of life of a sample of the oldest old, focusing on care trajectories, health, social networks, and function in daily life activities.Method:Data originated from the NONA study, a longitudinal study of 193 individuals among the oldest old living in a Swedish municipality. During this longitudinal study, 109 participants died. Approximately one month after their death, a relative was asked to participate in a telephone interview concerning their relative's last year of life. One hundred two relatives agreed to participate.Results:Most of the elderly in this sample of the oldest old (74.5%) died at an institution and the relatives were mostly satisfied with the end-of-life care. The oldest old relatives estimated that the health steadily declined during the last year of life, and that there was a decline in performing of daily life activities. They also estimated that those dying in institutions had fewer social contacts than those dying in a hospital or at home.Significance of results:Care at end of life for the oldest old is challenged by problems with progressive declines in ability to perform activities of daily living and health. The findings also highlight the need to support social networks at eldercare institutions.
Exploring the therapeutic value of hope in palliative nursing
Authors: Alidina Karimah , Tettero Ildico 
Published: September 2010

AbstractHope is a multi-dimensional concept that is integral to a dying person's needs. It is an essential resource that assists individuals with a life-threatening illness to cope during times of intense physical and psychological distress. The objective of this article is to explore and analyze the therapeutic value of hope. The phenomenon of hope will be explored through the analysis and application of Dufault and Martocchio's Multidimensional Model of Hope (MMH) to a clinical scenario. Factors determining hope in cancer patients as well as interventions that can foster hope in dying patients will be identified. Discussion includes examination of literature gaps, relevance to nursing practice, and practical strategies to engender hope and thereby enhance quality of life (QOL) in advanced cancer patients.
Patients' participation in end-of-life care: Relations to different variables as documented in the patients' records
Authors: Lindström Irma , Gaston-Johansson Fannie , Danielson Ella 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective:Patients' participation in care is crucial for assuring patients a high quality of care based on values such as autonomy. The patients are supposed to be actively involved in care and treatment, even though these situations are complex, as in the context of end-of-life-care. The aim in this study was to identify demographic and health-related variables‘ relation to patients’ participation during the last three months in life as documented in patients' records.Method:The population in the present study consists of 229 patients from 49 municipalities in a county in Sweden. Data were collected from all available documentation about deceased patients who were ≥18 years of age at the time of death and who had received healthcare services during the last 3 months of their life.Results:This article demonstrates patients' participation in end-of-life care as it was noted in the patients' documentation. Demographic variables such as age, gender, and residence did not differ between those who participated and those who did not. Patients with dementia and disorientation were separated from those who were not disoriented. There was no information about the wishes of the patients with dementia and disorientation and they were not described as participating in care and treatment. Cognitive intact patients were participating significant more often. These patients had also more symptom describes in the records. These results can indicate that a patient's participation depends upon either the patient's cognitive capability or the healthcare professionals' competence to communicate and provide adequate documentation regarding patients' participation at end-of-life. The documentation about the participation of patients with cognitive dysfunction is poor and needs further investigation, to achieve the goal of dignified end-of-life care for all patients.Significance of results:The results of the presents study call attention to the importance of finding innovative solutions to make patients with cognitive dysfunction involved in their care and treatment at end-of-life. Improvement of documentation showing patients' involvement in care is necessary, as is a discussion of how healthcare professionals can assure patients a high quality of care at end-of-life even if patients voices are not heard.
PAR: a PARallel and distributed job crusher
Authors: Berenger Francois , Coti Camille , Zhang Kam Y. J. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Summary: Bioinformaticians are tackling increasingly computation-intensive tasks. In the meantime, workstations are shifting towards multi-core architectures and even massively multi-core may be the norm soon. Bag-of-Tasks (BoT) applications are commonly encountered in bioinformatics. They consist of a large number of independent computation-intensive tasks. This note introduces PAR, a scalable, dynamic, parallel and distributed execution engine for Bag-of-Tasks. PAR is aimed at multi-core architectures and small clusters. Accelerations obtained thanks to PAR on two different applications are shown.
Availability: PAR is released under the GNU General Public License version three and can be freely downloaded (http://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/par/par.tgz).
Contact: berenger@riken.jp
Carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals of Camelina sativa seed
Authors: Zubr J. 
Published: September 2010

PurposeProduction of oil from Camelina sativa seed (CS) by pressing yields a by‐product in the form of press cakes (PC). The PC were traditionally used as ingredient in fodder for animals. This paper aims to estimate the nutritional value of CS and PC with regard to exploitation in human nutrition.Design/methodology/approachSeed samples for analyses were collected from remote locations in Europe and in Scandinavia. The analyses of CS for the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals were carried out using advanced analytical technology. With few exceptions, standard analytical methods were used.FindingsThe analyses quantified the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals of CS. The mean content of glucose was 0.42 per cent, fructose 0.04 per cent, sucrose 5.5 per cent, raffinose 0.64 per cent, stachyose 0.36 per cent, starch 1.21 per cent, pectin 0.96 per cent, mucilage 6.7 per cent, crude fibre 12.8 per cent and lignin was 7.4 per cent. The analyses for vitamins were restricted to water soluble vitamins of B series. The content of thiamin (B1) was 18.8  μg/g, riboflavin (B2) 4.4  μg/g, niacin (B3) 194  μg/g, pantothenic acid (B5) 11.3  μg/g, pyridoxine (B6) 1.9  μg/g, biotin (B7) 1.0  μg/g and folate (B9) 3.2  μg/g. Analyses for selected minerals disclosed the content of calcium (Ca) 1.0 per cent, magnesium (Mg) 0.51 per cent, sodium (Na) 0.06 per cent, potassium (K) 1.6 per cent, chlorine (Cl) 0.04 per cent, phosphorus (P) 1.4 per cent, sulphur (S) 0.24 per cent, iron (Fe) 329  μg/g, copper (Cu) 9.9  μg/g, manganese (Mn) 40  μg/g, nickel (Ni) 1.9  μg/g and zinc (Zn) 69  μg/g.Originality/valueThe available scientific documentation does not provide information concerning analyses of CS for the content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The present investigation reveals the quantitative contribution of these substances to the total nutritional value of CS. Chemical characteristics and the role of the respective substances in metabolism are briefly reviewed.
Islamic challenges to HR in modern organizations
Authors: Ali Abbas J. 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThis research is designed to answer questions: do Islamic teachings offer relevant perspectives on human resource (HR) issues? Are the treatments of HR issues in Islam compatible with evolving organizational concepts? Do current HR practices in countries with Muslim majority (CMM) resemble Islamic prescriptions? It aims to address these and other questions in line with early Islamic instructions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper surveys Islamic texts and treaties. It then compares Islamic instruction to what prevails in Christianity and Judaism.FindingsIslamic prescriptions view the interests of employees and employers as complementary. Workers are treated as the creators of value in the marketplace and by necessity the primary force for economic growth and prosperity. It is argued that the application of the philosophy of ehsan in the workplace offers a useful framework for positively safeguarding societal concerns.Practical implicationsThis paper offers practitioners and researchers various avenues on how to address the issues of HR in Islamic societies. In contrasting Islamic and Western HR foundations, the paper identifies certain minefields.Originality/valueThis paper offers a unique insight on the nature of HR instruction and policies. In this paper, it is argued that Islamic prescriptions on HR, if internalized, may guard against violating human dignity and ensure a fine balance between organizational and societal interests.