bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is it Old Wine in a New Bottle?: The Issues and Challenges of Distributed Team Training
Authors: Bergondy Maureen L. , Salas Eduardo 
Published: January 2012

Several important questions and challenges face the cognitive and training research communities to develop effective strategies for training large distributed teams. 1. Development of a conceptual framework or model of distributed team performance. Are there unique features of distributed teams? How do we represent the behavioral and cognitive aspects of these complex entities? 2. Challenges in developing effective strategies for large distributed teams. How to structure training opportunities to maximize the development of team skills/knowledge? 3. How to construct an effective distributed training environment? 4. How we approach performance measurement and feedback in distributed environment? What are the methodological, logistical, and technological challenges? The panel's objective is to raise important issues about distributed team training and to discuss what is new? what is different? and what we already know? We will discuss the challenges faced developing conceptual frameworks, team models, training strategies, training environments, and performance measurement for distributed teams.
Discovery of novel variants in genotyping arrays improves genotype retention and reduces ascertainment bias
Authors: Didion John P , Yang Hyuna , Sheppard Keith , Fu Chen-Ping , McMillan Leonard , de Villena Fernando Pardo-Manuel , Churchill Gary A 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundHigh-density genotyping arrays that measure hybridization of genomic DNA fragments to allele-specific oligonucleotide probes are widely used to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genetic studies, including human genome-wide association studies. Hybridization intensities are converted to genotype calls by clustering algorithms that assign each sample to a genotype class at each SNP. Data for SNP probes that do not conform to the expected pattern of clustering are often discarded, contributing to ascertainment bias and resulting in lost information - as much as 50% in a recent genome-wide association study in dogs.ResultsWe identified atypical patterns of hybridization intensities that were highly reproducible and demonstrated that these patterns represent genetic variants that were not accounted for in the design of the array platform. We characterized variable intensity oligonucleotide (VINO) probes that display such patterns and are found in all hybridization-based genotyping platforms, including those developed for human, dog, cattle, and mouse. When recognized and properly interpreted, VINOs recovered a substantial fraction of discarded probes and counteracted SNP ascertainment bias. We developed software (MouseDivGeno) that identifies VINOs and improves the accuracy of genotype calling. MouseDivGeno produced highly concordant genotype calls when compared with other methods but it uniquely identified more than 786000 VINOs in 351 mouse samples. We used whole-genome sequence from 14 mouse strains to confirm the presence of novel variants explaining 28000 VINOs in those strains. We also identified VINOs in human HapMap 3 samples, many of which were specific to an African population. Incorporating VINOs in phylogenetic analyses substantially improved the accuracy of aMusspecies tree and local haplotype assignment in laboratory mouse strains.ConclusionThe problems of ascertainment bias and missing information due to genotyping errors are widely recognized as limiting factors in genetic studies. We have conducted the first formal analysis of the effect of novel variants on genotyping arrays, and we have shown that these variants account for a large portion of miscalled and uncalled genotypes. Genetic studies will benefit from substantial improvements in the accuracy of their results by incorporating VINOs in their analyses.
Is increasing complexity of algorithms the price for higher accuracy? virtual comparison of three algorithms for tertiary level management of chronic cough in people living with HIV in a low-income country
Authors: Mukabatsinda Constance , Nguyen Jasmine , Bisig Bettina , Lynen Lutgarde , Coppens Yerma D , Asiimwe Anita , Van den Ende Jef 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
The algorithmic approach to guidelines has been introduced and promoted on a large scale since the 1970s. This study aims at comparing the performance of three algorithms for the management of chronic cough in patients with HIV infection, and at reassessing the current position of algorithmic guidelines in clinical decision making through an analysis of accuracy, harm and complexity.

Methods
Data were collected at the University Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) in a total of 201 HIV-positive hospitalised patients with chronic cough. We simulated management of each patient following the three algorithms. The first was locally tailored by clinicians from CHUK, the second and third were drawn from publications by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Semantic analysis techniques known as Clinical Algorithm Nosology were used to compare them in terms of complexity and similarity. For each of them, we assessed the sensitivity, delay to diagnosis and hypothetical harm of false positives and false negatives.

Results
The principal diagnoses were tuberculosis (21%) and pneumocystosis (19%). Sensitivity, representing the proportion of correct diagnoses made by each algorithm, was 95.7%, 88% and 70% for CHUK, MSF and WHO, respectively. Mean time to appropriate management was 1.86 days for CHUK and 3.46 for the MSF algorithm. The CHUK algorithm was the most complex, followed by MSF and WHO. Total harm was by far the highest for the WHO algorithm, followed by MSF and CHUK.

Conclusions
This study confirms our hypothesis that sensitivity and patient safety (i.e. less expected harm) are proportional to the complexity of algorithms, though increased complexity may make them difficult to use in practice.
Significance of CO2 donor on the production of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes ATCC 55618
Authors: Zou Wei , Zhu Li-Wen , Li Hong-Mei , Tang Ya-Jie 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Succinic acid is a building-block chemical which could be used as the precursor of many industrial products. The dissolved CO2 concentration in the fermentation broth could strongly regulate the metabolic flux of carbon and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase, which are the important committed steps for the biosynthesis of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes. Previous reports showed that succinic acid production could be promoted by regulating the supply of CO2 donor in the fermentation broth. Therefore, the effects of dissolved CO2 concentration and MgCO3 on the fermentation process should be investigated. In this article, we studied the impacts of gaseous CO2 partial pressure, dissolved CO2 concentration, and the addition amount of MgCO3 on succinic acid production by Actinobacillus succinogenes ATCC 55618. We also demonstrated that gaseous CO2 could be removed when MgCO3 was fully supplied.

Results
An effective CO2 quantitative mathematical model was developed to calculate the dissolved CO2 concentration in the fermentation broth. The highest succinic acid production of 61.92 g/L was obtained at 159.22 mM dissolved CO2 concentration, which was supplied by 40 g/L MgCO3 at the CO2 partial pressure of 101.33 kPa. When MgCO3 was used as the only CO2 donor, a maximal succinic acid production of 56.1 g/L was obtained, which was just decreased by 7.03% compared with that obtained under the supply of gaseous CO2 and MgCO3.

Conclusions
Besides the high dissolved CO2 concentration, the excessive addition of MgCO3 was beneficial to promote the succinic acid synthesis. This was the first report investigating the replaceable of gaseous CO2 in the fermentation of succinic acid. The results obtained in this study may be useful for reducing the cost of succinic acid fermentation process.
LogSpin: a simple, economical and fast method for RNA isolation from infected or healthy plants and other eukaryotic tissues
Authors: Yaffe Hila , Buxdorf Kobi , Shapira Illil , Ein-Gedi Shachaf , Moyal-Ben Zvi Michal , Fridman Eyal , Moshelion Menachem , Levy Maggie 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Rapid RNA extraction is commonly performed with commercial kits, which are very expensive and can involve toxic reagents. Most of these kits can be used with healthy plant tissues, but do not produce consistently high-quality RNA from necrotic fungus-infected tissues or fungal mycelium.

Findings
We report on the development of a rapid and relatively inexpensive method for total RNA extraction from plants and fungus-infected tissues, as well as from insects and fungi, based on guanidine hydrochloride buffer and common DNA extraction columns originally used for the extraction and purification of plasmids and cosmids.

Conclusions
The proposed method can be used reproducibly for RNA isolation from a variety of plant species. It can also be used with infected plant tissue and fungal mycelia, which are typically recalcitrant to standard nucleic acid extraction procedures.
The clinical value of routine whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in palliative care
Authors: Geitung Jonn Terje , Eikeland Joakim , Rosland Jan Henrik 
Published: January 2012

Background Whole-body MRI (WBMRI) has become an accessible method for detecting different types of pathologies both in the skeleton and the viscera, which may explain painful conditions, for example tumors and inflammation. Purpose To assess a possible value of using WBMRI in order to improve palliative care. Material and Methods Twenty patients (all eligible patients) admitted to the Department for Palliative Care were consecutively included in this study. They underwent a modified WBMRI, with fewer and shorter pulse sequences than in a standard WBMRI, to reduce patient stress. However, the patients' physicians were to exclude patients where little might be obtained and discomfort, distress, and pain could be induced. The treating physicians registered clinical utility directly after receiving the MRI report in a questionnaire. The registration was repeated after ended treatment. Results Eighty percent had new findings detected, and 40% of the patients had a change in treatment due to the MRI result, mainly changes in analgesics and/or radiation therapy. Conclusion The WBMRI helped the clinicians to improve treatment and a majority of the patients benefited from this. In eight patients the treatment was changed due to the results. The clinical value (utility) was indicated to be high.
Production of actinium, thorium and radium isotopes from natural thorium irradiated with protons up to 141 MeV
Authors: Ermolaev S. V. , Zhuikov B. L. , Kokhanyuk V.M. , Matushko V. L. , Kalmykov Stepan N. , Aliev Ramiz A. , Tananaev Ivan G. , Myasoedov Boris F. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Cross sections of 225Ac, 227Ac, 227Th and 228Th in thorium-232 targets irradiated with protons in the energy range 21–141 MeV have been measured. Based on these data, production yields of 225Ac and 223Ra in thick thorium targets have been calculated. It is possible to produce in proton energy range 60–140 MeV about 96 GBq (2.6 Ci) 225Ac per 10-d irradiation with 100 μA proton beam current and 10-d decay, and much higher amount of 223Ra. The impurities of 227Ac and 224Ra are important and need to be assessed for further medical applications.
Life Course Outcomes on Mental and Physical Health: The Impact of Foster Care on Adulthood
Authors: Zlotnick Cheryl , Tam Tammy W. , Soman Laurie A. 
Published: January 2012

Objective. We compared the prevalence rates of mental health and physical health problems between adults with histories of childhood foster care and those without. Methods. We used 2003–2005 California Health Interview Survey data (n = 70 456) to test our hypothesis that adults with childhood histories of foster care will report higher rates of mental and physical health concerns, including those that affect the ability to work, than will those without. Results. Adults with a history of childhood foster care had more than twice the odds of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance because they were unable to work owing to mental or physical health problems for the past year, even after stratifying by age and adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Conclusions. Childhood foster care may be a sentinel event, signaling the increased risk of adulthood mental and physical health problems. A mental and physical health care delivery program that includes screening and treatment and ensures follow-up for children and youths who have had contact with the foster care system may decrease these individuals’ disproportionately high prevalence of poor outcomes throughout their adulthood.
Dual Loyalty in Prison Health Care
Authors: Pont Jörg , Stöver Heino , Wolff Hans 
Published: January 2012

Despite the dissemination of principles of medical ethics in prisons, formulated and advocated by numerous international organizations, health care professionals in prisons all over the world continue to infringe these principles because of perceived or real dual loyalty to patients and prison authorities. Health care professionals and nonmedical prison staff need greater awareness of and training in medical ethics and prisoner human rights. All parties should accept integration of prison health services with public health services. Health care workers in prison should act exclusively as caregivers, and medical tasks required by the prosecution, court, or security system should be carried out by medical professionals not involved in the care of prisoners.
Informed Consent and Cluster-Randomized Trials
Authors: Sim Julius , Dawson Angus 
Published: January 2012

We argue that cluster-randomized trials are an important methodology, essential to the evaluation of many public health interventions. However, in the case of at least some cluster-randomized trials, it is not possible, or is incompatible with the aims of the study, to obtain individual informed consent. This should not necessarily be seen as an impediment to ethical approval, providing that sufficient justification is given for this omission. We further argue that it should be the institutional review board’s task to evaluate whether the protocol is sufficiently justified to proceed without consent and that this is preferable to any reliance on community consent or other means of proxy consent.
A 2-Phase Labeling and Choice Architecture Intervention to Improve Healthy Food and Beverage Choices
Authors: Thorndike Anne N. , Sonnenberg Lillian , Riis Jason , Barraclough Susan , Levy Douglas E. 
Published: January 2012

Objectives. We assessed whether a 2-phase labeling and choice architecture intervention would increase sales of healthy food and beverages in a large hospital cafeteria. Methods. Phase 1 was a 3-month color-coded labeling intervention (red = unhealthy, yellow = less healthy, green = healthy). Phase 2 added a 3-month choice architecture intervention that increased the visibility and convenience of some green items. We compared relative changes in 3-month sales from baseline to phase 1 and from phase 1 to phase 2. Results. At baseline (977 793 items, including 199 513 beverages), 24.9% of sales were red and 42.2% were green. Sales of red items decreased in both phases (P < .001), and green items increased in phase 1 (P < .001). The largest changes occurred among beverages. Red beverages decreased 16.5% during phase 1 (P < .001) and further decreased 11.4% in phase 2 (P < .001). Green beverages increased 9.6% in phase 1 (P < .001) and further increased 4.0% in phase 2 (P < .001). Bottled water increased 25.8% during phase 2 (P < .001) but did not increase at 2 on-site comparison cafeterias (P < .001). Conclusions. A color-coded labeling intervention improved sales of healthy items and was enhanced by a choice architecture intervention.
Maternal Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and the Risk of Undernutrition Among Children Younger Than 5 Years in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mosiur , Poudel Krishna C. , Yasuoka Junko , Otsuka Keiko , Yoshikawa Kayoko , Jimba Masamine 
Published: January 2012

Objectives. We examined the association between maternal experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the risk of undernutrition among children younger than 5 years in Bangladesh. Methods. We used data from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey. Our analyses were based on the responses of 1851 married women living with at least 1 child younger than 5 years. Exposure was determined from maternal reports of physical and sexual IPV. Outcomes included underweight, stunting, and wasting. Results. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents had experienced IPV in the year preceding the survey. Maternal experience of any physical or sexual IPV was associated with an increased risk of stunting (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23, 2.08) and underweight (AOR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.71) but was not significantly associated with wasting (AOR = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.78, 1.49). Conclusions. The association between maternal exposure to physical or sexual IPV and child underweight and stunting suggests that partner violence plays a significant role in compromising child health by impairing child nutrition. Our findings reinforce the evidence that improving child nutrition is an additional reason to strengthen efforts to protect women from physical and sexual IPV.
Use of Design Effects and Sample Weights in Complex Health Survey Data: A Review of Published Articles Using Data From 3 Commonly Used Adolescent Health Surveys
Authors: Bell Bethany A. , Onwuegbuzie Anthony J. , Ferron John M. , Jiao Qun G. , Hibbard Susan T. , Kromrey Jeffrey D. 
Published: January 2012

Objectives. We assessed how frequently researchers reported the use of statistical techniques that take into account the complex sampling structure of survey data and sample weights in published peer-reviewed articles using data from 3 commonly used adolescent health surveys. Methods. We performed a systematic review of 1003 published empirical research articles from 1995 to 2010 that used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 765), Monitoring the Future (n = 146), or Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (n = 92) indexed in ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Results. Across the data sources, 60% of articles reported accounting for design effects and 61% reported using sample weights. However, the frequency and clarity of reporting varied across databases, publication year, author affiliation with the data, and journal. Conclusions. Given the statistical bias that occurs when design effects of complex data are not incorporated or sample weights are omitted, this study calls for improvement in the dissemination of research findings based on complex sample data. Authors, editors, and reviewers need to work together to improve the transparency of published findings using complex sample data.
Current Considerations About the Elderly and Firearms
Authors: Mertens Brian , Sorenson Susan B. 
Published: January 2012

In the United States, more than 17 million people aged 65 years or older own a firearm. They have the highest rate of suicide by a firearm, and recent data suggest that a disproportionate number apply to carry a concealed weapon. At least one new handgun has been designed and marketed for older people. Memory, thinking, and judgment as well as physical and behavioral competence issues related to an elderly person's safe operation of a motor vehicle apply to firearms, too. Gun availability can pose a particular risk to those with dementia and to their caretakers. The elderly constitute a substantial and rapidly growing population and market segment for whom the public health implications of firearm production, promotion, access, ownership, and use merit consideration.
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Adults With and Without Functional Limitations
Authors: Thompson William W. , Zack Matthew M. , Krahn Gloria L. , Andresen Elena M. , Barile John P. 
Published: January 2012

Objectives. We examined factors that influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among individuals aged 50 years and older with and without functional limitations. Methods. We analyzed data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to assess associations among demographic characteristics, health care access and utilization indicators, modifiable health behaviors, and HRQOL characterized by recent physically and mentally unhealthy days in those with and those without functional limitations. We defined functional limitations as activity limitations owing to physical, mental, or emotional health or as the need for special equipment because of health. Results. Age, medical care costs, leisure-time physical activity, and smoking were strongly associated with both physically and mentally unhealthy days among those with functional limitations. Among those without functional limitations, the direction of the effects was similar, but the size of the effects was substantially smaller. Conclusions. The availability of lower cost medical care, increasing leisure-time physical activity, and reducing rates of cigarette smoking will improve population HRQOL among older adults with and without functional limitations. These factors provide valuable information for determining future public health priorities.
Natural IgM in Immune Equilibrium and Harnessing Their Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Kaveri Srini V. , Silverman Gregg J. , Bayry Jagadeesh 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Natural IgM Abs are the constitutively secreted products of B1 cells (CD5+ in mice and CD20+CD27+CD43+CD70− in humans) that have important and diverse roles in health and disease. Whereas the role of natural IgM as the first line of defense for protection against invading microbes has been extensively investigated, more recent reports have highlighted their potential roles in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis via clearance of apoptotic and altered cells through complement-dependent mechanisms, inhibition of inflammation, removal of misfolded proteins, and regulation of pathogenic autoreactive IgG Abs and autoantibody-producing B cells. These observations have provided the theoretical underpinnings for efforts that currently seek to harness the untapped therapeutic potential of natural IgM either by boosting in vivo natural IgM production or via therapeutic infusions of monoclonal and polyclonal IgM preparations.