bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test objects and other epistemic things: a history of a nanoscale object
Authors: MODY CYRUS C.M. , LYNCH MICHAEL 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper follows the history of an object. The purpose of doing so is to come to terms with a distinctive kind of research object – which we are calling a ‘test object’ – as well as to chronicle a significant line of research and technology development associated with the broader nanoscience/nanotechnology movement. A test object is one of a family of epistemic things that makes up the material culture of laboratory science. Depending upon the case, it can have variable shadings of practical, mathematical and epistemic significance. Clear cases of test objects have highly regular and reproducible visible properties that can be used for testing instruments and training novices. The test object featured in this paper is the silicon (111) 7×7, a particular surface configuration (or, as it is often called, a ‘reconstruction’) of silicon atoms. Research on this object over a period of several decades has been closely bound up with the development of novel instruments for visualizing atomic structures. Despite having little direct commercial value, the Si(111) 7×7 also has been a focal object for the formation of a research community bridging industry and academia. It exhibits a complex structure that became a sustained focus of observation and modelling. Our study follows shifts in the epistemic status of the Si(111) 7×7, and uses it to re-examine familiar conceptions of representation and observation in the history, philosophy and social study of science.
Quantitative risk assessment to compare the risk of rabies entering the UK from Turkey via quarantine, the Pet Travel Scheme and the EU Pet Movement Policy
Authors: RAMNIAL V. , KOSMIDER R. , AYLAN O. , FREULING C. , MÜLLER T. , FOOKS A. R. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYRabies was eradicated from the UK in 1922 through strict controls of dog movement and investigation of every incident of disease. Amendments were made to the UK quarantine laws and the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) was subsequently introduced in 2000 for animals entering the UK from qualifying listed countries. European Regulation 998/2003 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals initiated the European Union Pet Movement Policy (EUPMP) in July 2004. The introduction of EUPMP harmonized the movement of pet animals within the EU (EUPMPlisted) but raised the possibility of domestic animals entering the UK from a non-EU state where rabies is endemic (EUPMPunlisted). A quantitative risk assessment was developed to estimate the risk of rabies entering the UK from Turkey via companion animals that are incubating the disease and enter through PETS or EUPMP compared to quarantine. Specifically, the risk was assessed by estimating the annual probability of rabies entering the UK and the number of years between rabies entries for each scheme. The model identified that the probability of rabies entering the UK via the three schemes is highly dependent on compliance. If 100% compliance is assumed, PETS and EUPMPunlisted(at the current level of importation) present a lower risk than quarantine, i.e. the number of years between rabies entry is more than 170 721 years for PETS and 60 163 years for EUPMPunlistedcompared to 41 851 years for quarantine (with 95% certainty). If less than 100% compliance is assumed, PETS and EUPMPunlisted(at the current level of importation) present a higher risk. In addition, EUPMPlistedand EUPMPunlisted(at an increased level of importation) present a higher risk than quarantine or PETS at 100% compliance and at an uncertain level of compliance.
A cost-utility analysis of antenatal screening to prevent congenital rubella syndrome
Authors: LUGNÉR A. K. , MOLLEMA L. , RUIJS W. L. M. , HAHNÉ S. J. M. 
Published: December 2009

SUMMARYIn low vaccination coverage regions (LVR) in The Netherlands people often reject participation in the National Immunization Programme for religious reasons. During a rubella epidemic in 2004–2005, 32 pregnant women were notified with rubella, and 11 babies were born with defects related to maternal infection. This study presents a cost-utility analysis of a screening and vaccination programme for rubella focusing on three scenarios: (1) screening non-vaccinated pregnant women in LVR; (2) screening all pregnant women in LVR; (3) screening all non-vaccinated pregnant women in The Netherlands (including pregnant first-generation non-Western immigrant women). Cost-utility was estimated over a 16-year period which included two rubella outbreaks. Observed complications from the 2004–2005 epidemic were used to estimate average cost savings and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained. The programme would be cost-effective (€1100/QALY gained) when assuming an acceptability of vaccination of 20% in women belonging to orthodox protestant risk groups.
NMR reveals pathway for ferric mineral precursors to the central cavity of ferritin
Authors: Turano Paola , Lalli Daniela , Felli Isabella C. , Theil Elizabeth C. , Bertini Ivano 
Published: December 2009

Ferritin is a multimeric nanocage protein that directs the reversible biomineralization of iron. At the catalytic ferroxidase site two iron(II) ions react with dioxygen to form diferric species. In order to study the pathway of iron(III) from the ferroxidase site to the central cavity a new NMR strategy was developed to manage the investigation of a system composed of 24 monomers of 20 kDa each. The strategy is based on
13
C-
13
C solution NOESY experiments combined with solid-state proton-driven
13
C-
13
C spin diffusion and 3D coherence transfer experiments. In this way, 75% of amino acids were recognized and 35% sequence-specific assigned. Paramagnetic broadening, induced by iron(III) species in solution
13
C-
13
C NOESY spectra, localized the iron within each subunit and traced the progression to the central cavity. Eight iron ions fill the 20-Å-long iron channel from the ferrous/dioxygen oxidoreductase site to the exit into the cavity, inside the four-helix bundle of each subunit, contrasting with short paths in models. Magnetic susceptibility data support the formation of ferric multimers in the iron channels. Multiple iron channel exits are near enough to facilitate high concentration of iron that can mineralize in the ferritin cavity, illustrating advantages of the multisubunit cage structure.
Acute Surgical Anemia Influences the Cardioprotective Effects of β-Blockade
Authors: Beattie W Scott , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Karkouti Keyvan , McCluskey Stuart , Tait Gordon , Mitsakakis Nicholas , Hare Gregory M. T. 
Published: December 2009

Background
Despite decreasing cardiac events, perioperative beta-blockade also increases perioperative stroke and mortality. Major bleeding and/or hypotension are independently associated with these outcomes. To investigate the hypothesis that beta-blockade limits the cardiac reserve to compensate for acute surgical anemia, the authors examined the relationship between cardiac events and acute surgical anemia in patients with and without beta-blockade.

Methods
The records of all noncardiac, nontransplant surgical patients between March 2005 and June 2006 were retrospectively retrieved. The primary outcome was a composite that comprised myocardial infarction, nonfatal cardiac arrest, and in-hospital mortality (major adverse cardiac event). The lowest recorded hemoglobin in the first 3 days defined nadir hemoglobin. Propensity scores estimating the probability of receiving a perioperative beta-blocker were used to match (1:1) patients who did or did not receive beta-blockers postoperatively. The relationship between nadir hemoglobin and major adverse cardiac event was then assessed.

Results
This analysis identified 4,387 patients in whom nadir hemoglobin could be calculated; 1,153 (26%) patients were administered beta-blockers within the first 24 h of surgery. Propensity scores created 827 matched pairs that were well balanced for all measured confounders. Major adverse cardiac event occurred in 54 (6.5%) beta-blocked patients and in 25 (3.0%) beta-blocker naive patients (relative risk 2.38; 95% CI 1.43-3.96; P = 0.0009). The restricted cubic spline relationship demonstrated that this difference was restricted to those patients in whom the hemoglobin decrease exceeded 35% of the baseline value.

Conclusions
beta-Blocked patients do not seem to tolerate surgical anemia when compared with patients who are naive to beta-blockers. Prospective studies are required to validate these findings.
Impact of Virtual Imaging Procedures on Treatment Strategies in Children With Hepatic Vascular Malformations
Authors: Fuchs Jörg , Warmann Steven W , Sieverding Ludger , Haber Hans P , Schäfer Jürgen , Seitz Guido , Hofbeck Michael , Bourquain Holger , Peitgen Heinz O 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:Virtual imaging procedures have only rarely been analyzed in pediatric populations. We evaluated the role of CT‐based virtual surgery planning in pediatric patients experiencing hepatic vascular malformations (HVM).Methods:We analyzed 12 children with complex hepatic vascular malformations. All of the children received multislice CT scans with contrast medium followed by virtual 3‐dimensional reconstructions using the software assistants MeVis LiverAnalyzer and MeVis LiverExplorer. The impact on treatment planning and the correspondence to clinical findings was assessed.Results:Highest accuracies of virtual data were found in cases of intrahepatic portocaval shunt and persistent ductus venosus. Here, virtual data revealed congenital vascular conditions, which were not always seen using standard imaging diagnostics. In some patients with portalvenous thrombosis, virtual imaging provided important contributions to determining the feasibility of different shunt procedures. However, in some patients experiencing portalvenous thrombosis or liver diffuse hemangioma, virtual methods were not as accurate as standard diagnostic procedures. Nevertheless, these tools facilitated simultaneous and continuous illustrations of the different vascular systems.Conclusions:Virtual imaging and planning procedures had an important impact on treatment strategies and outcomes in children with HVM. Their use as standard diagnostic tools in selected cases of HVM should be considered.
Infant Formula Supplementation With Long‐chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Has No Effect on Bayley Developmental Scores at 18 Months of Age—IPD Meta‐analysis of 4 Large Clinical Trials
Authors: Beyerlein Andreas , Hadders‐Algra Mijna , Kennedy Katherine , Fewtrell Mary , Singhal Atul , Rosenfeld Eva , Lucas Alan , Bouwstra Hylco , Koletzko Berthold , von Kries Rüdiger 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:To find out whether supplementation of formula milk by long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) affects neurodevelopment at 18 months of age in term or preterm infants by an individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis.Materials and Methods:Data of 870 children from 4 large randomised clinical trials for formula milk with and without LCPUFAs allowed for assessing the effect of LCPUFA with adjustment for potential confounders and extensive subgroup analysis on prematurity, LCPUFA source, and dosage. Any additional clinical trials examining the effect of LCPUFA supplementation on Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 18 months were regarded as relevant. Two relevant studies were identified by MEDLINE, but were not available to us. An IPD meta‐analysis was performed with subgroup analyses by preterm delivery, very low birth weight (<1500 g), trials with higher amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), and specific sources of LCPUFA. The sample size of 870 children was sufficient to detect clinically relevant differences in Bayley Scales even in subgroups.Results:There were no significant differences in mental or psychomotor developmental indexes between LCPUFA‐supplemented and control groups for all children or in subgroups. This was confirmed with adjustment for the possible confounders: sex, gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, and maternal smoking. The adjusted mean differences in mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index for all of the children were −0.8 (95% confidence interval −2.8 to 1.2) and −1.0 (−2.7 to 0.7), respectively.Conclusions:These data based on considerable sample size provide substantial evidence that LCPUFA supplementation of infant formula does not have a clinically meaningful effect on the neurodevelopment as assessed by Bayley scores at 18 months. Inclusion of all relevant data should not have led to differing conclusions except, possibly, for very‐low‐birth‐weight infants.
Budd‐Chiari Syndrome in Children: Experience With Therapeutic Radiological Intervention
Authors: Nagral Aabha , Hasija Rachana P , Marar Shaji , Nabi Fazal 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS) in children is not uncommon. Published literature on therapy for this condition is scarce. We therefore attempted radiological interventions in these patients to determine their efficacy and safety.Patients and Methods:Fourteen of 16 children with a median age of 22 months diagnosed as having BCS were subjected to an inferior vena cava/hepatic venogram with the aim to establish a normal antegrade flow in at least 1 hepatic vein (HV).Results:A normal antegrade flow in at least 1 of the HVs could be established in 11 children. Three patients had angioplasty of the HV (vein size ≤4 mm), 2 underwent HV stent placements (vein size ≥5 mm), and 6 had transjugular intrahepatic porta systemic shunt ([TIPSS] total occlusion of all 3 HVs or veno‐occlusive disease). The youngest child undergoing a successful stenting was 7 months of age and the child undergoing TIPSS was 3 years of age. One patient had reversal of fulminant liver failure following a successful TIPSS. Postprocedure, 2 patients developed reversible encephalopathy and 1 had a neck hematoma. There was no procedure‐related mortality. The procedure was successful in both patients with stenting (100%), 5 of the 6 patients with TIPSS (80%), and only 1 of the 4 patients (25%) with angioplasty. The median follow‐up was 31 months.Conclusions:Radiological therapeutic intervention is feasible and safe in children with BCS. The overall results of stenting/TIPSS are better than with angioplasty; however, long‐term results of these interventions need to be evaluated.
Rising Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Children: A 12‐year Study
Authors: Malaty Hoda M , Fan Xiaolin , Opekun Antone R , Thibodeaux Carolyn , Ferry George D 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Data suggest an increase in the incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined the trend of the incidence of IBD in children.Patients and Methods:A retrospective investigation was conducted on a cohort of children diagnosed with IBD between 1991 and 2002 who were registered in the IBD center at Texas Children's Hospital. The diagnosis of IBD was based on clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and histological examinations.Results:There were 272 children eligible for the analysis; 56% diagnosed with Crohn disease (CD), 22% with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 22% with indeterminate colitis. The male‐to‐female ratio was 1.2:1 in CD, 0.6:1 in UC, and 0.8:1 in indeterminate colitis. From 1991 to 2002, the incidence rate has doubled from 1.1/100,000/year (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–1.36) to 2.4/1001,000/year (95% CI 2.10–2.77). This trend was valid for CD but not for UC. Whites had higher incidence rate of IBD than African Americans or Hispanics: 4.15/100,000/year (95% CI 3.48–4.82) versus 1.83/100,000/year (95% CI 1.14–2.51), and 0.61/100,000/year (95% CI 0.33–0.89), respectively. African Americans were predominantly diagnosed with CD.Conclusions:The results demonstrate the rising incidence of IBD among children with evidence of more CD than UC. Recognition of these results will have important implications for diagnosis and management of IBD in children.
Four Darwinian themes on the origin, evolution and preservation of island life
Authors: Lomolino Mark V. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractCharles Darwin’s observations and insights continue to inspire nearly all scientists who are captivated by both the marvels and the perils of island life. Here I feature four themes inspired by Darwin’s singular insights: themes that may continue to provide valuable lessons for understanding the ecological and evolutionary development of insular biotas, and for conserving the natural character and evolutionary potential of all species restricted to isolated ecosystems (natural or anthropogenic).
Hospice nurses and genetics: implications for end‐of‐life care
Authors: Metcalfe Alison , Pumphrey Rachel , Clifford Collette 
Published: December 2009

Aim.  The overall aim of this study is to determine hospice nurses’ perception of the importance of genetics to hospice care provision and their personal level of confidence in carrying out genetics‐related activities within an end‐of‐life care context.Background.  Hospices nurses regularly care for patients and their families affected by inherited genetic conditions (e.g. some cancers). Therefore, nurses need knowledge and awareness of the implications of genetic conditions and confidence in their abilities to provide appropriate care and support for patients and families.Design.  Survey.Method.  Questionnaires were sent to a stratified sample of hospice nurses (n = 1149) in England and Wales. Using Likert scales, nurses were asked to rate the importance of and their confidence in undertaking a range of scenario‐based activities that accompany caring for a patient and family affected by a genetic condition in the hospice setting. Open questions invited comments on their experiences of nursing patient/family in similar situations. Follow‐up telephone interviews were carried out with hospice nurse educators to explore emerging issues.Results.  Response rate was 29% (n = 328). Hospice nurses felt that all aspects of genetics‐related care were ‘very important’ to hospice care, but lacked confidence in their ability to carry out the activities. Many respondents had not considered the relevance of genetics to hospice‐care prior to completing the questionnaire but now considered it essential to end‐of‐life care even if they were not confident to provide it.Conclusion.  Hospice nurses’ need genetics education focusing on the psychosocial implications of caring for patients and families affected by genetic conditions to enable them to provide the complex care and support in face of the difficult issues that arise in practice.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study highlights the genetics education needs of hospice nurses in providing end‐of life care for patients and their families affected by inherited genetic conditions.
An exploration of the continuing professional development needs of nurse independent prescribers and nurse supplementary prescribers who prescribe medicines for patients with diabetes
Authors: Carey Nicola , Courtenay Molly 
Published: December 2009

Background.  Nurse Independent and Nurse Supplementary Prescribing has extended the role that nurses in the UK have in the management of care for patients with diabetes. Concerns surround nurses’ pharmacological knowledge and provision of continuing professional development to meet the needs of nurse prescribers.Aim.  To examine the continuing professional development needs of nurses who prescribe medicines to patients with diabetes.Design.  A questionnaire survey.Methods.  The NMC database was used to randomly select and distribute questionnaires to 1992 registered Nurse Independent/Nurse Supplementary Prescribers. One thousand and four hundred questionnaires were returned. Medicines for patients with diabetes were prescribed by 439 respondents. This paper reports on the findings of these 439 nurses.Results.  The majority (63%) of nurses worked in general practice. Over 80% reported continuing professional development was available and that they had accessed it to support their prescribing role. Over 40% of nurses had continuing professional development needs in the areas of prescribing policy, pharmacology for diabetes and the management and treatment of diabetes related conditions. Senior nurses reported fewer continuing professional development needs.Conclusion.  Access and provision of continuing professional development for nurse prescribers has improved since the initial implementation of nurse prescribing. However, nurse’s pharmacological knowledge and the provision of continuing professional development continue to be an area of concern which warrant further investigation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Previous concerns have been identified about the provision of continuing professional development to meet the needs of nurse prescribers. Pharmacological knowledge is still the greatest continuing professional development requirement of nurses who prescribe for patients with diabetes. Education providers may wish to consider developing the content of continuing professional development programmes to meet these needs.
The quality of home care nurses’ documentation in new electronic patient records
Authors: Gjevjon Edith R , Hellesø Ragnhild 
Published: December 2009

Aims.  The present study explores how community nurses addressed patient care in the EPR and the comprehensiveness of their documentation.Background.  The need for comprehensive nursing documentation in home health care is considerable and quality is regarded as a prerequisite for continuity of care. Documentation according to the nursing process is considered to be of good quality due to its logical structure. Nurses in home health care face different challenges than nurses in institutionalised care because of long‐term patient situations and a focus on chronic illness rather than acute disease.Design.  Retrospective study.Method.  The study was performed on a sample of 91 patient records. Data were analysed in three phases: (1) systematising the unstructured text, (2) structuring the text according to the nursing process and (3) assessing the comprehensiveness using a validated instrument.Results.  The home care nurses documented patient care chronologically along a time axis rather than using a logical structure according to the nursing process. The documentation reflected today’s overall emphasis on patient participation, as more than 70% of the notes on nursing status were connected to subjective nursing status. Paradoxically, the nurses showed a lack of attention to the patients’ ability to communicate. Only two of 264 documented nursing diagnoses were connected to communication. The comprehensiveness of the documentation, however, was incomplete.Conclusions.  Home health care nurses are attentive to patient participation but fail to address patients’ needs with regard to communication. The documentation is incomplete when assessed according to the steps of the nursing process. A question that arises is whether the nursing process may be a limitation for the quality of the nursing documentation.Relevance to clinical practice.  The study contributes to identifying areas of improvement in documentation by nurses in home health care.