bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of blocking developmental cell death on sexually dimorphic calbindin cell groups in the preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Authors: Gilmore Richard F , Varnum Megan M , Forger Nancy G 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Calbindin-D28 has been used as a marker for the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA). Males have a distinct cluster of calbindin-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the medial preoptic area (CALB-SDN) that is reduced or absent in females. However, it is not clear whether the sex difference is due to the absolute number of calbindin-ir cells or to cell position (that is, spread), and the cellular mechanisms underlying the sex difference are not known. We examined the number of cells in the CALB-SDN and surrounding regions of C57Bl/6 mice and used mice lacking the pro-death gene, Bax, to test the hypothesis that observed sex differences are due to cell death.

Methods
Experiment 1 compared the number of cells in the CALB-SDN and surrounding regions in adult males, females, and females injected with estradiol benzoate on the day of birth. In experiment 2, cell number in the CALB-SDN and adjacent regions were compared in wild-type and Bax knockout mice of both sexes. In addition, calbindin-ir cells were quantified within the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTp), a nearby region that is larger in males due to Bax-dependent cell death.

Results
Males had more cells in the CALB-SDN as well as in surrounding regions than did females, and estradiol treatment of females at birth masculinized both measures. Bax deletion had no effect on cell number in the CALB-SDN or surrounding regions but increased calbindin-ir cell number in the BNSTp.

Conclusions
The sex difference in the CALB-SDN of mice results from an estrogen-dependent difference in cell number with no evidence found for greater spread of cells in females. Blocking Bax-dependent cell death does not prevent sex differences in calbindin-ir cell number in the BNST or CALB-SDN but increases calbindin-ir cell number in the BNSTp of both sexes.
Recombinant bromelain production in Escherichia coli: process optimization in shake flask culture by response surface methodology
Authors: Muntari Bala , Amid Azura , Mel Maizirwan , Jami Mohammed S , Salleh Hamzah M 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Bromelain, a cysteine protease with various therapeutic and industrial applications, was expressed in Escherichia coli, BL21-AI clone, under different cultivation conditions (post-induction temperature, L-arabinose concentration and post-induction period). The optimized conditions by response surface methodology using face centered central composite design were 0.2% (w/v) L-arabinose, 8 hr and 25°C. The analysis of variance coupled with larger value of R2 (0.989) showed that the quadratic model used for the prediction was highly significant (p < 0.05). Under the optimized conditions, the model produced bromelain activity of 9.2 U/mg while validation experiments gave bromelain activity of 9.6 ± 0.02 U/mg at 0.15% (w/v) L-arabinose, 8 hr and 27°C. This study had innovatively developed cultivation conditions for better production of recombinant bromelain in shake flask culture.
Patient-care time allocation by nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the intensive care unit
Authors: Carpenter David L , Gregg Sara R , Owens Daniel S , Buchman Timothy G , Coopersmith Craig M 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants ("affiliates") is increasing significantly in the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite this, few data exist on how affiliates allocate their time in the ICU. The purpose of this study was to understand the allocation of affiliate time into patient-care and non-patient-care activity, further dividing the time devoted to patient care into billable service and equally important but nonbillable care.

Methods
We conducted a quasi experimental study in seven ICUs in an academic hospital and a hybrid academic/community hospital. After a period of self-reporting, a one-time monetary incentive of $2,500 was offered to 39 affiliates in each ICU in which every affiliate documented greater than 75% of their time devoted to patient care over a 6-month period in an effort to understand how affiliates allocated their time throughout a shift. Documentation included billable time (critical care, evaluation and management, procedures) and a new category ("zero charge time"), which facilitated record keeping of other patient-care activities.

Results
At baseline, no ICUs had documentation of 75% patient-care time by all of its affiliates. In the 6 months in which reporting was tied to a group incentive, six of seven ICUs had every affiliate document greater than 75% of their time. Individual time documentation increased from 53% to 84%. Zero-charge time accounted for an average of 21% of each shift. The most common reason was rounding, which accounted for nearly half of all zero-charge time. Sign out, chart review, and teaching were the next most common zero-charge activities. Documentation of time spent on billable activities also increased from 53% of an affiliate's shift to 63%. Time documentation was similar regardless of during which shift an affiliate worked.

Conclusions
Approximately two thirds of an affiliate's shift is spent providing billable services to patients. Greater than 20% of each shift is spent providing equally important but not reimbursable patient care. Understanding how affiliates spend their time and what proportion of time is spent in billable activities can be used to plan the financial impact of staffing ICUs with affiliates.
Assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using an ultrasonic stethoscope in critically ill patients
Authors: Amiel Jean-Bernard , Grümann Ana , Lhéritier Gwenaëlle , Clavel Marc , François Bruno , Pichon Nicolas , Dugard Anthony , Marin Benoît , Vignon Philippe 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Assessment of cardiac function is key in the management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients and frequently relies on the use of standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). A commercially available new generation ultrasound system with two-dimensional imaging capability, which has roughly the size of a mobile phone, is adequately suited to extend the physical examination. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the additional value of this new miniaturized device used as an ultrasonic stethoscope (US) for the determination of left ventricular (LV) systolic function, when compared to conventional clinical assessment by experienced intensivists. The secondary endpoint was to validate the US against TTE for the semi-quantitative assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in ICU patients.

Methods
In this single-center prospective descriptive study, LVEF was independently assessed clinically by the attending physician and echocardiographically by two experienced intensivists trained in critical care echocardiography who used the US (size: 135 × 73 × 28 mm; weight: 390 g) and TTE. LVEF was visually estimated semi-quantitatively and classified in one of the following categories: increased (LVEF > 75%), normal (LVEF: 50 to 75%), moderately reduced (LVEF: 30 to 49%), or severely reduced (LVEF < 30%). Biplane LVEF measured using the Simpson's rule on TTE loops by an independent investigator was used as reference.

Results
A total of 94 consecutive patients were studied (age: 60 ± 17 years; simplified acute physiologic score 2: 41 ± 15), 63 being mechanically ventilated and 36 receiving vasopressors and/or inotropes. Diagnostic concordance between the clinically estimated LVEF and biplane LVEF was poor (Kappa: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.49) and only slightly improved by the knowledge of a previously determined LVEF value (Kappa: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.66). In contrast, the diagnostic agreement was good between visually assessed LVEF using the US and TTE (Kappa: 0.75; CI 95%: 0.63 to 0.87) and between LVEF assessed on-line and biplane LVEF, regardless of the system used (Kappa: 0.75; CI 95%: 0.64 to 0.87 and Kappa: 0.70; CI 95%: 0.59 to 0.82, respectively).

Conclusions
In ICU patients, the extension of physical examination using an US improves the ability of trained intensivists to determine LVEF at bedside. With trained operators, the semi-quantitative assessment of LVEF using the US is accurate when compared to standard TTE.
HLH-29 regulates ovulation in C. elegans by targeting genes in the inositol triphosphate signaling pathway
Authors: White Ana , Fearon Abegail , Johnson Casonya M. 
Published: February 2012

Summary
The reproductive cycle in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans depends in part on the ability of the mature oocyte to ovulate into the spermatheca, fuse with the sperm during fertilization, and then exit the spermatheca as a fertilized egg. This cycle requires the integration of signals between the germ cells and the somatic gonad and relies heavily on the precise control of inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate (IP3)levels. The HLH-29 protein, one of five Hairy/Enhancer of Split (HES) homologs in C. elegans, was previously shown to affect development of the somatic gonad. Here we show that HLH-29 expression in the adult spermatheca is strongly localized to the distal spermatheca valve and to the spermatheca-uterine valve, and that loss of hlh-29 activity interferes with oocyte entry into and egg exit from the spermatheca. We show that HLH-29 can regulate the transcriptional activity of the IP3 signaling pathway genes ppk-1, ipp-5, and plc-1 and provide evidence that hlh-29 acts in a genetic pathway with each of these genes. We propose that the HES-like protein HLH-29 acts in the spermatheca of larval and adult animals to effectively increase IP3 levels during the reproductive cycle.
Step back from the patient: Reduction of radiation dose to the operator by the systematic use of an automatic power injector for contrast media in an interventional angiography suite
Authors: Larsen Anne Sofie F , Østerås Bjørn Helge 
Published: February 2012

Background During arterial interventional procedures, power injectors allow the operator to step back from the patient or exit the angiography suite during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) acquisitions. Increasing the distance to the radiation source reduces exposure to the operator and staff. Purpose To systematically investigate the effect of increasing the distance between the radiation source and the operator during DSA acquisitions in a daily clinical setting, regarding radiation exposure to the operator and patient, as well as the duration of the procedure using a power injector to deliver contrast media. Material and Methods Patients scheduled for arterial interventional procedures in the pelvis or lower extremities were consecutively included. In phase one (duration 6 weeks, 44 patients) contrast media were injected manually. In phase two (duration until the total dose area product [DAP] was equal to phase 1, 41 patients) the operator used a power injector and exited the suite whenever possible. Patient, procedure, and examination data were recorded. Collective dose to the operator's collar, lead apron, and hands was recorded using thermo luminescent dosimetry (TLD). Results Our results showed a dose reduction of 50% to the operator's hands, lead apron, and thyroid collar when using a power injector during DSA, with no significant increase in DAP or procedure time when performing pelvic procedures. For lower extremity procedures there was a small but significant increase in procedure time and DAP. Pelvic procedures yielded substantially higher DAP than lower extremity procedures during both phases. Conclusion Utilization of a power injector, thus allowing the operator to step back from the patient, facilitates a radiation dose reduction to the operator of approximately 50% with no significant increase in patient dose or procedure time during pelvic procedures.
Fabrication and Characteristics of Ferroelectric/Fluorescent Oxide Structures for Ferroelectrically Controlled Emission Devices
Authors: Aizawa Koji , Hashimoto Naoya , Inagaki Hiroyuki , Oshiro Hironori , Horibe Hideo , Tokunaga Yoshiaki 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe crystallinity, electrical, and optical properties of the ferroelectric/fluorescent oxide structures using sol-gel-derived (Ba0.6Sr0.4)TiO3 (BST) and (Sr0.8Eu0.2)Bi2.2Ta2O9 (Eu-SBT) grown on STO(110) single crystal substrates were introduced for the first time. In the present structures, the SBT films partly included a (116)-oriented Eu-SBT crystallite. The polarization vs. voltage characteristics of the BST/Eu-SBT structures showed the hysteresis loop caused by spontaneous polarization reversal, and then several emission peaks from Eu3+ ion were observed in a photoluminescence spectrum of a present BST/Eu-SBT structure.
Surface Study of Vitreous Carbon Obtained from Glassy Carbon Powder
Authors: Dondeo F. , Damiao A. J. , Miyakawa W. , Nascimento F. , Fernandes L. , Oishi S. , Botelho E. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThis work presents a surface study of monolithic vitreous (or glassy) carbon - MVC - obtained from vitreous carbon powder. Defective MVC pieces are crushed in a ball mill and size classified by sifting. The MVC powder is mixed with furfuryl-alcohol resin and compacted in a mould using a hydraulic press. Samples with different powder granulometries are produced in this way and carbonized in a furnace under nitrogen atmosphere. Complete carbonization of the “powder” is achieved in only one day and losses due to breakage of the pieces is less than 5%. These results compare very favorably with respect to traditional MVC production methods where full carbonization may require up to seven days and losses due to breakage can be as high as 70%. After carbonization, samples are sanded and polished. Surface roughness and microstructure are characterized by light microscopy. Porosity is quantified from micrographs using ImageJ software and nanometric height variations are measured by atomic force microscopy.
Synthesis and Characterization of Glass and Glass-Ceramic Materials of the System SiO2-Fe2O3-BaO-Al2O3
Authors: Pánuco-Valdés O.I. , López-Cuevas J. , Rodríguez-Galicia J.L. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe effect of mechanical activation on the crystallization of glasses of the system SiO2-Fe2O3-BaO-Al2O3 is investigated. The ceramic-glasses are synthesized from silica and iron-rich Ferro-Titanium-Zirconiferous (FTZ) sands available in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. The parent glass is subjected to mechanical activation in a high-energy attrition mill during 4 or 8h. Then, both milled and non-milled glasses are subjected to a thermal crystallization treatment at temperatures of 900 or 1000ºC during 2 or 5h. It is found that, in the case of the thermal treatment carried out at 900°C/5h, an increment in the time employed for both the mechanical activation and the crystallization treatment enhanced the crystallization of the parent glasses and produced an increase in the compressive strength of the synthesized glass-ceramics.
Study of the Macrosegregation of Silicon in Steels for Electrical Applications
Authors: Aranda Villada V. A. , García Hinojosa J. A. , Cruz Mejía H. , Balandra Aranzueta A. A. , González F M. G. , Houbaert Y. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTMacrosegregation is harmful to the material properties (strength, corrosion resistance, etc.) and it must be avoided or eliminated from castings. In this work, macrosegregation behavior is evaluated in terms of silicon concentration in cast ingots of steels with 0.5, 1.5 and 3 wt% Si. The dimensions of the castings are 25x30x12.5 cm. The Si segregation profiles are evaluated in three zones: upper, middle and bottom of each ingot. The characterization is carried out by energy dispersive spectrometry in at least 10 positions of each zone of the ingot. Silicon analysis is evaluated from the surface to the centre of each ingot. The experimental results are compared with predictions using an Experimental Segregation Index (ESI) and the Scheil Segregation Index (SSI). The experimental results show a strong deviation from the profiles predicted by the Scheil model. The evaluation of the degree of segregation by "ESI" indicates little variation of silicon from the surface to the center of the ingot showing a uniform distribution across the ingot analyzed.
Effects of Al3Ti and (Al,Ni)3Ti Addition on the Sintering of TiB2
Authors: Yoshida Masashi 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTTitanium diboride has been sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS). With the addition of tetragonal Al3Ti or cubic (Al,Ni)3Ti, the Vickers hardness, Hv, of TiB2 increases up to as high as 2000 by the sintering at 1273K, while that of the sample sintered without additives is as low as 20. Such a remarkable improvement is caused by the improvement of direct link between TiB2 grains in addition to the effect that Al3Ti or (Al,Ni)3Ti fills in the space between TiB2 grains and act as a binder.
Rheology behavior of lubricants and its effect on the quality surface of aluminum and copper cold-drawn wires
Authors: Cortes Rodríguez R. , Garza García R. , Pérez Patiño J. , Reyes Melo E. , López Cuellar E. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe roll of lubricants in the cold-drawn process is very important to obtain a good quality on the surface of aluminum and copper wires. The viscosity of a lubricant is closely related to its ability to reduce friction. When the viscosity of a lubricant is too low, the lubricated component will have inadequate protection and will therefore be subject to excessive wear. When the viscosity of the lubricant is too high, the lubricated component will expend additional energy to complete its task. In this work, the rheology behavior of traditional lubricants for the cold drawn of Al and Cu is determined from experimental data of viscosity Vs shear rate. To evaluate the efficiency of each lubricant, the roughness surface of each wire is measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In this way a minimum of roughness in wires corresponds to the viscosity required for each cold-drawn process. It is known that different lubricants are used for the cold drawn of Al and Cu. In this work, a new lubricant developed with the aim to be used in both process is characterized by FTIR, rheometer analysis and AFM. Results have indicated that, this new lubricant with a low viscosity that promotes a lower energy process, also decreases the roughness of Al and Cu wires compared with conventional lubricants, i.e.it has an important influence in the quality of the wires surface. This means that this new lubricant could be used during the process of both metals without making important changes, which means low operations costs and flexibility for the manufacturing plant.
Experimental Study on Mixing in Gas-Stirred Ladles with and without the Slag Phase through a Water Physical Model
Authors: Amaro-Villeda Adrián M. , González Bello Jorge A. , Ramírez-Argáez. Marco A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTA 1/6th gas–stirred water physical model of a 140 ton steel ladle is used to evaluate mixing in air–water and air–water–oil systems to model argon–steel and argon–steel–slag systems respectively. Thickness of the slag layer is kept constant at 0.004 m. The effect of the gas flow rate (7, 17, and 37 l/min), plug position (0, 1/3, ½, and 2/3 of the ladle radius, R), and number of plugs (1, 2, and 3) on mixing time is also analyzed in this work. Gas is injected at the bottom of the ladle under several plug configurations varying both position and number of plugs. Chemical uniformity of 95% is selected as mixing criterion. Mixing times are experimentally determined when a tracer is suddenly injected into the ladle and the model is instrumented with a pH meter to track the time evolution of the tracer concentration (NaOH 1 M solution) in a given location inside the ladle. Process conditions for best mixing in both water–gas and water-gas–slag systems are: a single plug located at 2/3 of the ladle radius with a gas flow rate of 17 l/min.
Retinopathy Associated with Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon-α2b in a Patient with Resected Melanoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Monzon Jose G. , Hammad Nazik , Stevens Samuel D. , Dancey Janet 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Interferon is the only accepted adjuvant treatment for patients with melanoma; hence, oncologists should be aware of the possibility of retinal abnormalities resulting from its use. Interferon-associated retinopathy in patients being treated for resected melanoma is a rare phenomenon with a proposed immunological basis. Patients are usually asymptomatic or have mild visual impairments, with cotton wool infarcts and hemorrhages. These symptoms and signs usually resolve with the discontinuation of interferon, but in a few severe presentations the visual impairments and retinal changes can be irreversible.
Systematic Approach Used to Optimize Frac-Pack Completions in Multilayer and Low Stress Contrast Environment Encountered in the Usan Field
Authors: Prada M. , Hernandez J. , Bouget R. , Green S. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The Usan deepwater field, located approximately 100km south of Port Harcourt, has multiple oil bearing turbidite sand bodies of varying thickness and permeabilities separated by thin and massive shale intervals making difficult the selection of completion intervals. Fracture height confinement is challenging due to the small stress contrast between the sand bodies and the bounding shales, and variability of stress field in a very compartmentalized environment. Frac pack completions in this deepwater field were designed and executed to fulfill four main drivers:
Ensure sand control completion integrity and long term reliability Deliver wells with low skin and good wellbore-fracture connectivity along entire completion interval Maximize reserves by increasing number of sand bodies connected by frac packs Reduce capital expenditure and installation risk by minimizing number of frac pack jobs
This paper illustrates the systematic approach used to optimize the frac pack completions in the Usan field by improving each of the following areas:
· Completion brine formulation to minimize emulsion and clay instability problems · Perforation interval to maximize reservoir exposure without compromising frac pack quality Frac pack fluid testing to ensure low formation damage and stability at wellbore conditions Frac pack model calibration to improve fracture height coverage and confinement, and net pressure built after tip screen-out (TSO) Frac pack sensitivity analysis using two simulators accounting for uncertainty of input data and numerical modeling Post job analysis integrating surface and downhole data Well flow backs to evaluate initial completion integrity and performance
Actual field data from several wells are used to illustrate the evolution of the frac pack completions in the Usan project. The main challenges, lessons learned and improvement opportunities captured during the first two years of the Usan completions campaign are also discussed in detail.