bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Inservice Training on Implementation of a Health Curriculum in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Cameron Helene 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThe effect of different types of inservice training on the degree of implementation of a fourth grade health curriculum in Nova Scotia, Canada, was investigated. Using a quasiexperimental, nonequivalent control group design with posttest only, teachers (N = 41) were assigned to one trial group and two comparison groups. The distal comparison group received no inservice training, the local comparison group received a single session, and the trial group received ongoing, inservice training. The Health Program Component Checklist developed for this study was used to measure implementation. Data were collected by personal interview. Based on the Mann‐Whitney U test, a significantly greater degree of implementation occurred in the trial group than in the proximal comparison group, but not the distal comparison group.
School Policy in COMMIT: A Promising Strategy to Reduce Smoking by Youth
Authors: Bowen Deborah J. , Kinne Susan , Orlandi Mario 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Organizational smoking policy has been identified as a potentially effective way to influence health behavior, particularly in worksites. Examining the elements of existing school smoking policies for both students and employees can provide insight into the potential effectiveness of these policies in changing young people's smoking behavior. This paper examines selected components of existing school smoking policies in a national sample of schools at all levels of education as part of the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation. Schools were questioned about their school smoking policies, related resources, and compliance. The data show much variation in the elements of school tobacco use policy to change smoking behavior. Existing policies in schools differ among grade levels, thus providing different messages about the appropriateness of smoking. Policies differ for students and adults, providing another opportunity for confusion about the messages that policy can deliver.In general, resources available to support existing policies are lacking. Many schools offer classes on knowledge of negative health effects of smoking but do not teach the psychosocial skills necessary to resist tobacco use. In its present forms, school policy has great potential for an effective tool for health promotion, but considerable reform is needed to overcome current barriers.
Consent for Adolescent Vaccination: Issues and Current Practices
Authors: Gordon Todd E. , Zook Eric G. , Averhoff Francisco M. , Williams Walter W. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: To identify and describe implementation of state‐level informed consent requirements for adolescent immunizations, current state regulations on informed consent and immunization services for children and adolescents were identified through the LEXIS‐NEXIS® legal data base. Regulations were coded for informed consent characteristics, consent exemptions, and current immunization requirements. State immunization program directors, project managers, and state hepatitis coordinators were surveyed to catalogue how regulations were implemented and document new policies or regulations under consideration.Parental consent for immunizations is standard practice in 43 states. Most states (n=34) require separate consent for each injection when more than one injection is required to complete a vaccination, but only for a limited number of medical procedures. Nine states allow adolescents to self‐consent for hepatitis B vaccination in sexually transmitted disease clinics and family planning clinics as part of the exemption for minors' receipt of sexual health services.Most states require consent for vaccination services provided to adolescents. Parental consent requirements are a potential barrier to vaccinating adolescents in some settings.
Asthma Knowledge, Roles, Functions, and Educational Needs of School Nurses
Authors: Calabrese Barbara J. , Nanda Joy P. , Huss Karen , Winkelstein Marilyn , Quartey Ruth I. , Rand Cynthia S. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTIn October 1997, 790 school nurses in Maryland and the District of Columbia were surveyed to determine their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about asthma. Results for 550 (70%) nurses indicated school nurses possess a generally appropriate level of knowledge concerning asthma, and most asthma myths have been replaced with knowledge. However, school nurses also have varied responsibilities that affect their ability to provide health education and support services to children with asthma at school. Little time is available for a proactive role. Concerns about the criteria and follow‐up for delegating medication administration within the school setting were reported. A lack of communication existed with parents about the child's asthma. Open communication between school nurses and the family is recommended to establish a partnership and improve asthma management outcomes. In addition, school policies and procedures should be updated to meet the demands of children with asthma.
Voices from the Field — A Qualitative Analysis of Classroom, School, District, and State Health Education Policies and Programs
Authors: Pateman Beth , Grunbaum Jo Anne , Kann Laura 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThis study provides a qualitative analysis of responses from classroom‐, school‐, district‐, and state‐level educators and administrators to open‐ended questions about school health education. These questions were posed as part of the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1994, and elicited a range of responses about the status of school health education programs and factors that facilitated and hindered the delivery of such programs. To improve school health education in the United States, respondents cited the need to increase the value and priority of health education in the school curriculum and advocated for 1) professional preparation in health education for persons teaching health‐related courses, 2) health education course curricula to address important and timely issues, 3) student testing in health education, 4) improved resources and support for health education, and 5) increased communication and collaboration within their schools and communities related to health education.
The Florida School Violence Policies and Programs Study
Authors: Weiler Robert M. , Dorman Steve M. , Pealer Lisa N. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThe Florida School Violence Policies and Programs Study (FSVPPS) assessed characteristics of violence prevention and control policies and education programs in Florida's 67 public school districts. Data were collected using the Florida School Violence Policies and Programs Questionnaire (FSVPPQ). Instruments used in the national School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) served as the framework for item development. A questionnaire designed to solicit information about violence policies and education programs was mailed to all 67 school districts in Florida during spring 1996. Sixty‐seven key informants were selected by asking district office personnel to identify the person with primary responsibility for violence prevention activities in their district. Fifty‐five school districts returned completed questionnaires, yielding a usable response rate of 82%. Respondents included personnel of superintendent rank, district administrators and directors, instructional specialists, principals, and “Safe & Drug Free Schools” coordinators. Participating school districts were evenly distributed geographically across Florida. The FSVPPS data reported in this paper include administrative and programmatic information about violence prevention education.
A General Algorithm for Univariate Stratification
Authors: Baillargeon Sophie , Rivest Louis‐Paul 
Published: October 2009

Summary This paper presents a general algorithm for constructing strata in a population using X, a univariate stratification variable known for all the units in the population. Stratum h consists of all the units with an X value in the interval

[bh−1, bh)

. The stratum boundaries

{bh}

are obtained by minimizing the anticipated sample size for estimating the population total of a survey variable Y with a given level of precision. The stratification criterion allows the presence of a take‐none and of a take‐all stratum. The sample is allocated to the strata using a general rule that features proportional allocation, Neyman allocation, and power allocation as special cases. The optimization can take into account a stratum‐specific anticipated non‐response and a model for the relationship between the stratification variable X and the survey variable Y. A loglinear model with stratum‐specific mortality for Y given X is presented in detail. Two numerical algorithms for determining the optimal stratum boundaries, attributable to Sethi and Kozak, are compared in a numerical study. Several examples illustrate the stratified designs that can be constructed with the proposed methodology. All the calculations presented in this paper were carried out with stratification, an R package that will be available on CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network).
Thermal Stabilization of
Erwinia chrysanthemi
Pectin Methylesterase A for Application in a Sugar Beet Pulp Biorefinery
Authors: Chakiath Chacko , Lyons Margaret J. , Kozak Robert E. , Laufer Craig S. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Directed evolution approaches were used to construct a thermally stabilized variant of
Erwinia chrysanthemi
pectin methylesterase A. The final evolved enzyme has four amino acid substitutions that together confer a

T
m

value that is approximately 11°C greater than that of the wild-type enzyme, while maintaining near-wild-type kinetic properties. The specific activity, with saturating substrate, of the thermally stabilized enzyme is greater than that of the wild-type enzyme when both are operating at their respective optimal temperatures, 60°C and 50°C. The engineered enzyme may be useful for saccharification of biomass, such as sugar beet pulp, with relatively high pectin content. In particular, the engineered enzyme is able to function in biomass up to temperatures of 65°C without significant loss of activity. Specifically, the thermally stabilized enzyme facilitates the saccharification of sugar beet pulp by the commercial pectinase preparation Pectinex Ultra SPL. Added pectin methylesterase increases the initial rate of sugar production by approximately 50%.
Risk Assessment in Shellfish-Borne Outbreaks of Hepatitis A
Authors: Pintó Rosa M. , Costafreda M. Isabel , Bosch Albert 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
In the present work, we aimed at determining the relationship between the hepatitis A virus (HAV) numbers in imported frozen coquina clams involved in two hepatitis outbreaks, as well as the risk for human health. Due to HAV unculturability, a standardized TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-PCR controlling the virus/nucleic acid extraction and enzyme efficiencies was employed to figure the exposure dose for clams responsible for hepatitis cases. HAV numbers were then employed to figure the risk of infection based on a dose-response model for echovirus 12. The estimated risk of infection after consumption of lightly cooked clams matched actual attack rates. Our data show that prospective monitoring of bivalve samples may fail to prevent the occurrence of outbreaks, since HAV was detected in 44% of samples directly associated with cases but was undetectable in samples that were randomly collected from the importers and belonged to the same batches. A correlation was nevertheless observed between the prevalence of hepatitis A cases in the harvesting areas and positive HAV isolation in clams, which points to the need to identify and prevent hazards rather than relying on random sampling of finished products to ensure safety. However, when evidence shows that a critical limit of viral contamination has been exceeded in the potential sources of contamination discharging into the shellfish-growing beds, quantitative virological analysis addressing quality assurance and quality control requirements should be performed with the bivalves. This work provides the first evidence of accurate HAV levels in shellfish involved in outbreaks that could be of use for risk assessment purposes.
Effect of Linker Length and Dockerin Position on Conversion of a
Thermobifida fusca
Endoglucanase to the Cellulosomal Mode
Authors: Caspi Jonathan , Barak Yoav , Haimovitz Rachel , Irwin Diana , Lamed Raphael , Wilson David B. , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

We have been developing the cellulases of
Thermobifida fusca
as a model to explore the conversion from a free cellulase system to the cellulosomal mode. Three of the six
T. fusca
cellulases (endoglucanase Cel6A and exoglucanases Cel6B and Cel48A) have been converted in previous work by replacing their cellulose-binding modules (CBMs) with a dockerin, and the resultant recombinant “cellulosomized” enzymes were incorporated into chimeric scaffolding proteins that contained cohesin(s) together with a CBM. The activities of the resultant designer cellulosomes were compared with an equivalent mixture of wild-type enzymes. In the present work, a fourth
T. fusca
cellulase, Cel5A, was equipped with a dockerin and intervening linker segments of different lengths to assess their contribution to the overall activity of simple one- and two-enzyme designer cellulosome complexes. The results demonstrated that cellulose binding played a major role in the degradation of crystalline cellulosic substrates. The combination of the converted Cel5A endoglucanase with the converted Cel48A exoglucanase also exhibited a measurable proximity effect for the most recalcitrant cellulosic substrate (Avicel). The length of the linker between the catalytic module and the dockerin had little, if any, effect on the activity. However, positioning of the dockerin on the opposite (C-terminal) side of the enzyme, consistent with the usual position of dockerins on most cellulosomal enzymes, resulted in an enhanced synergistic response. These results promote the development of more complex multienzyme designer cellulosomes, which may eventually be applied for improved degradation of plant cell wall biomass.
2-Amino-3-(Oxirane-2,3-Dicarboxamido)-Propanoyl-Valine, an Effective Peptide Antibiotic from the Epiphyte
Pantoea agglomerans
48b/90
Authors: Sammer Ulrike F. , Völksch Beate , Möllmann Ute , Schmidtke Michaela , Spiteller Peter , Spiteller Michael , Spiteller Dieter 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

The epiphyte
Pantoea agglomerans
48b/90, which has been isolated from soybean leaves, belongs to the
Enterobacteriaceae
, as does the plant pathogen
Erwinia amylovora
, which causes fire blight on rosaceous plants such as apples and leads to severe economic losses. Since
P. agglomerans
efficiently antagonizes phytopathogenic bacteria, the
P. agglomerans
strain C9-1 is used as a biocontrol agent (BlightBan C9-1). Here we describe the bioassay-guided isolation of a peptide antibiotic that is highly active against the plant pathogen
E. amylovora
and pathovars of
Pseudomonas syringae
, and we elucidate its structure. Bioassay-guided fractionation using anion-exchange chromatography followed by hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography yielded the bioactive, highly polar antibiotic. The compound was identified as 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine by using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. This peptide was found to be produced by three of the nine
P. agglomerans
strains analyzed. Notably, the biocontrol strain
P. agglomerans
C9-1 also produces 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine. Previously, 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine has been characterized only from
Serratia plymuthica
. 2-Amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine has been shown to inhibit the growth of the human pathogen
Candida albicans
efficiently, but its involvement in the defense of epiphytes against phytopathogenic bacteria has not been investigated so far.
Novel Alkane Hydroxylase Gene (
alkB
) Diversity in Sediments Associated with Hydrocarbon Seeps in the Timor Sea, Australia
Authors: Wasmund Kenneth , Burns Kathryn A. , Kurtböke D. Ipek , Bourne David G. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Hydrocarbon seeps provide inputs of petroleum hydrocarbons to widespread areas of the Timor Sea. Alkanes constitute the largest proportion of chemical components found in crude oils, and therefore genes involved in the biodegradation of these compounds may act as bioindicators for this ecosystem's response to seepage. To assess alkane biodegradation potential, the diversity and distribution of alkane hydroxylase (
alkB
) genes in sediments of the Timor Sea were studied. Deduced AlkB protein sequences derived from clone libraries identified sequences only distantly related to previously identified AlkB sequences, suggesting that the Timor Sea maybe a rich reservoir for novel alkane hydroxylase enzymes. Most sequences clustered with AlkB sequences previously identified from marine
Gammaproteobacteria
though protein sequence identities averaged only 73% (with a range of 60% to 94% sequence identities). AlkB sequence diversity was lower in deep water (>400 m) samples off the continental slope than in shallow water (<100 m) samples on the continental shelf but not significantly different in response to levels of alkanes. Real-time PCR assays targeting Timor Sea
alkB
genes were designed and used to quantify
alkB
gene targets. No correlation was found between gene copy numbers and levels of hydrocarbons measured in sediments using sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, probably due to the very low levels of hydrocarbons found in most sediment samples. Interestingly, however, copy numbers of
alkB
genes increased substantially in sediments exposed directly to active seepage even though only low or undetectable concentrations of hydrocarbons were measured in these sediments in complementary geochemical analyses due to efficient biodegradation.
Stress-Responsive Systems Set Specific Limits to the Overproduction of Membrane Proteins in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Zweers Jessica C. , Wiegert Thomas , van Dijl Jan Maarten 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Essential membrane proteins are generally recognized as relevant potential drug targets due to their exposed localization in the cell envelope. Unfortunately, high-level production of membrane proteins for functional and structural analyses is often problematic. This is mainly due to their high overall hydrophobicity. To develop new concepts for membrane protein overproduction, we investigated whether the biogenesis of overproduced membrane proteins is affected by stress response-related proteolytic systems in the membrane. For this purpose, the well-established expression host
Bacillus subtilis
was used to overproduce eight essential membrane proteins from
B. subtilis
and
Staphylococcus aureus
. The results show that the σ
W
regulon (responding to cell envelope perturbations) and the CssRS two-component regulatory system (responding to unfolded exported proteins) set critical limits to membrane protein production in large quantities. The identified
sigW
or
cssRS
mutant
B. subtilis
strains with significantly improved capacity for membrane protein production are interesting candidate expression hosts for fundamental research and biotechnological applications. Importantly, our results pinpoint the interdependent expression and function of membrane-associated proteases as key parameters in bacterial membrane protein production.
Development and Application of a Bioluminescence-Based Test for Assimilable Organic Carbon in Reclaimed Waters
Authors: Weinrich Lauren A. , Giraldo Eugenio , LeChevallier Mark W. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Assimilable organic carbon (AOC) is an important parameter governing the growth of heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water. Despite the recognition that variations in treatment practices (e.g., disinfection, coagulation, selection of filter media, and watershed protection) can have dramatic impacts on AOC levels in drinking water, few water utilities routinely measure AOC levels because of the difficulty of the method. To simplify the method, the
Pseudomonas fluorescens
P-17 and
Spirillum
sp. strain NOX test bacteria were mutagenized by using
luxCDABE
operon fusion and inducible transposons to produce bioluminescent strains. The growth of these strains can easily be monitored with a programmable luminometer to determine the maximum cell yield via luminescence readings, and these values can be fitted to the classical Monod growth curve to determine bacterial growth kinetics and the maximum growth rate. Standard curves using acetate carbon (at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1,000 μg/liter) resulted in coefficients of determination (
r
2
) between luminescence units and acetate carbon levels of 0.95 for P-17 and 0.89 for NOX. The bioluminescence test was used to monitor reclaimed water, in which average AOC levels range between 150 and 1,400 μg/liter acetate carbon equivalents. Comparison of the conventional AOC assay and the bioluminescent assay produced an
r
2
of 0.92.
Hydrogen Production by
Geobacter
Species and a Mixed Consortium in a Microbial Electrolysis Cell
Authors: Call Douglas F. , Wagner Rachel C. , Logan Bruce E. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

A hydrogen utilizing exoelectrogenic bacterium (
Geobacter sulfurreducens
) was compared to both a nonhydrogen oxidizer (
Geobacter metallireducens
) and a mixed consortium in order to compare the hydrogen production rates and hydrogen recoveries of pure and mixed cultures in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). At an applied voltage of 0.7 V, both
G. sulfurreducens
and the mixed culture generated similar current densities (ca. 160 A/m
3
), resulting in hydrogen production rates of ca. 1.9 m
3
H
2
/m
3
/day, whereas
G. metallireducens
exhibited lower current densities and production rates of 110 ± 7 A/m
3
and 1.3 ± 0.1 m
3
H
2
/m
3
/day, respectively. Before methane was detected in the mixed-culture MEC, the mixed consortium achieved the highest overall energy recovery (relative to both electricity and substrate energy inputs) of 82% ± 8% compared to
G. sulfurreducens
(77% ± 2%) and
G. metallireducens
(78% ± 5%), due to the higher coulombic efficiency of the mixed consortium. At an applied voltage of 0.4 V, methane production increased in the mixed-culture MEC and, as a result, the hydrogen recovery decreased and the overall energy recovery dropped to 38% ± 16% compared to 80% ± 5% for
G. sulfurreducens
and 76% ± 0% for
G. metallireducens
. Internal hydrogen recycling was confirmed since the mixed culture generated a stable current density of 31 ± 0 A/m
3
when fed hydrogen gas, whereas
G. sulfurreducens
exhibited a steady decrease in current production. Community analysis suggested that
G. sulfurreducens
was predominant in the mixed-culture MEC (72% of clones) despite its relative absence in the mixed-culture inoculum obtained from a microbial fuel cell reactor (2% of clones). These results demonstrate that
Geobacter
species are capable of obtaining similar hydrogen production rates and energy recoveries as mixed cultures in an MEC and that high coulombic efficiencies in mixed culture MECs can be attributed in part to the recycling of hydrogen into current.