bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AN EVALUATION OF THE RELATIVE QUALITY OF DIKE POOLS FOR BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE LOWER MISSOURI RIVER, USA
Authors: Poulton B. C. , Allert A. L. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTA habitat‐based aquatic macroinvertebrate study was initiated in the Lower Missouri River to evaluate relative quality and biological condition of dike pool habitats. Water‐quality and sediment‐quality parameters and macroinvertebrate assemblage structure were measured from depositional substrates at 18 sites. Sediment porewater was analysed for ammonia, sulphide, pH and oxidation–reduction potential. Whole sediments were analysed for particle‐size distribution, organic carbon and contaminants. Field water‐quality parameters were measured at subsurface and at the sediment–water interface. Pool area adjacent and downstream from each dike was estimated from aerial photography. Macroinvertebrate biotic condition scores were determined by integrating the following indicator response metrics: % of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), % of Oligochaeta worms, Shannon Diversity Index and total taxa richness. Regression models were developed for predicting macroinvertebrate scores based on individual water‐quality and sediment‐quality variables and a water/sediment‐quality score that integrated all variables. Macroinvertebrate scores generated significant determination coefficients with dike pool area (R2 = 0.56), oxidation–reduction potential (R2 = 0.81) and water/sediment‐quality score (R2 = 0.71). Dissolved oxygen saturation, oxidation–reduction potential and total ammonia in sediment porewater were most important in explaining variation in macroinvertebrate scores. The best two‐variable regression models included dike pool size + the water/sediment‐quality score (R2 = 0.84) and dike pool size + oxidation–reduction potential (R2 = 0.93). Results indicate that dike pool size and chemistry of sediments and overlying water can be used to evaluate dike pool quality and identify environmental conditions necessary for optimizing diversity and productivity of important aquatic macroinvertebrates. A combination of these variables could be utilized for measuring the success of habitat enhancement activities currently being implemented in this system. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional electron microscopy simulation with the CASINO Monte Carlo software
Authors: Demers Hendrix , Poirier‐Demers Nicolas , Couture Alexandre Réal , Joly Dany , Guilmain Marc , de Jonge Niels , Drouin Dominique 
Published: July 2011

AbstractMonte Carlo softwares are widely used to understand the capabilities of electron microscopes. To study more realistic applications with complex samples, 3D Monte Carlo softwares are needed. In this article, the development of the 3D version of CASINO is presented. The software feature a graphical user interface, an efficient (in relation to simulation time and memory use) 3D simulation model, accurate physic models for electron microscopy applications, and it is available freely to the scientific community at this website:www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/casino/index.html. It can be used to model backscattered, secondary, and transmitted electron signals as well as absorbed energy. The software features like scan points and shot noise allow the simulation and study of realistic experimental conditions. This software has an improved energy range for scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy applications. SCANNING 33:135–146, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and properties of carboxymethyl Pueraria thomsonii Benth. starch
Authors: Jiang Qianqian , Gao Wenyuan , Li Xia , Liu Zhen , Huang Luqi , Xiao Peigen 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAs a source of starch, Pueraria thomsonii Benth. was selected to synthesize carboxymethyl starch (CMS) with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide for the first time. The influence of the molar ratio of NaOH/AGU and MCA/AGU, reaction time, temperature, and water content of solvent on the degree of substitution and reaction efficiency were studied. IR spectrometry showed bands at 1609, 1420, and 1369 cm−1 due to –COO− symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration when starch was successfully substituted. The SEM results displayed that the granules were agglomerate, and curly wrinkles appeared upon carboxymethylation. XRD revealed that the crystallinity reduced from 41.45 to 5.91%. Furthermore, the 13C NMR spectra of the CMS showed a broad band at d = 178.85 ppm, which was assigned to the –CO carbon (C‐8) of the carboxymethyl group.
The solution of system of integral differential equations and its application in the theory of elasticity
Authors: Shavlakadze N. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA contact problem of the theory of elasticity of infinite compound and infinite orthotropic plates with an elastic semi‐infinite or finite inclusion of variable rigidity is considered. The problem is reduced to the system of integral differential equations with variable coefficient of singular operator. If such coefficient varies with power law we can manage to investigate the obtained equations, using the methods of analytical functions to get exact solutions and to establish behavior of unknown contact stresses at the ends of elastic inclusion. In some case using the method of orthogonal polynomials we obtain the dual infinite system of linear algebraic equations. We can manage to investigate the obtained system on the quasi‐regularity and the method of reduction for approximate solution is developed.
National Diet and Nutrition Survey: fat and fatty acid intake from the first year of the rolling programme and comparison with previous surveys
Authors: Pot Gerda K. , Prynne Celia J. , Roberts Caireen , Olson Ashley , Nicholson Sonja K. , Whitton Clare , Teucher Birgit , Bates Beverley , Henderson Helen , Pigott Sarah , Swan Gillian , Stephen Alison M. 
Published: July 2011

High saturated fat intake is an established risk factor for several chronic diseases. The objective of the present study is to report dietary intakes and main food sources of fat and fatty acids (FA) from the first year of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme in the UK. Dietary data were collected using 4 d estimated food diaries (n896) and compared with dietary reference values (DRV) and previous NDNS results. Total fat provided 34–36 % food energy (FE) across all age groups, which was similar to previous surveys for adults. Men (19–64 years) and older girls (11–18 years) had mean intakes just above the DRV, while all other groups had mean total fat intakes of < 35 % FE. SFA intakes were lower compared with previous surveys, ranging from 13 to 15 % FE, but still above the DRV. Mean MUFA intakes were 12·5 % FE for adults and children aged 4–18 years and all were below the DRV. Meann-3 PUFA intake represented 0·7–1·1 % FE. Compared with previous survey data, the direction of change forn-3 PUFA was upwards for all age groups, although the differences in absolute terms were very small.Trans-FA intakes were lower than in previous NDNS and were less than 2 g/d for all age groups, representing 0·8 % FE and lower than the DRV in all age groups. In conclusion, dietary intake of fat and FA is moving towards recommended levels for the UK population. However, there remains room for considerable further improvement.
Prebiotic fibres dose-dependently increase satiety hormones and alter Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in lean and obese JCR:LA-cp rats
Authors: Parnell Jill A. , Reimer Raylene A. 
Published: July 2011

There is a growing interest in modulating gut microbiota with diet in the context of obesity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of prebiotics (inulin and oligofructose) on gut satiety hormones, energy expenditure, gastric emptying and gut microbiota. Male lean and obese JCR:LA-cp rats were randomised to either of the following: lean 0 % fibre (LC), lean 10 % fibre (LF), lean 20 % fibre (LHF), obese 0 % fibre (OC), obese 10 % fibre (OF) or obese 20 % fibre (OHF). Body composition, gastric emptying, energy expenditure, plasma satiety hormone concentrations and gut microbiota (using quantitative PCR) were measured. Caecal proglucagon and peptide YY mRNA levels were up-regulated 2-fold in the LF, OF and OHF groups and 3-fold in the LHF group. GhrelinO-acyltransferase mRNA levels were higher in obesev.lean rats and decreased in the OHF group. Plasma ghrelin response was attenuated in the LHF group. Microbial species measured in the Bacteroidetes division decreased, whereas those in the Firmicutes increased in obesev.lean rats and improved with prebiotic intake.BifidobacteriumandLactobacillusincreased in the OHFv.OC group.Bacteroidesand total bacteria negatively correlated with percentage of body fat and body weight. Enterobacteriaceae increased in conjunction with glucose area under the curve (AUC) and glucagon-like peptide-1 AUC.Bacteroidesand total bacteria correlated positively with ghrelin AUC yet negatively with insulin AUC and energy intake (P < 0·05). Several of the mechanisms through which prebiotics act (food intake, satiety hormones and alterations in gut microbiota) are regulated in a dose-dependent manner. The combined effects of prebiotics may have therapeutic potential for obesity.
Hybridization experiments indicate incomplete reproductive isolating mechanism between Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica
Authors: ITAGAKI T. , ICHINOMIYA M. , FUKUDA K. , FUSYUKU S. , CARMONA C. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYExperiments on hybridization between Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica were carried out to clarify whether a reproductive isolating mechanism appears between the two Fasciola species. Molecular evidence for hybridization was based on the DNA sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region in nuclear ribosomal DNA, which differs between the species. The results suggested that there were not pre-mating but post-mating isolating mechanisms between the two species. However, viable adults of the hybrids F1 and F2 were produced from both parental F. hepatica and F. gigantica. The hybrids inherited phenotypic characteristics such as ratio of body length and width and infectivity to rats from parental Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. These findings suggest that reproductive isolation is incomplete between Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Adults of the hybrids F1 and F2 were completely different in mode of reproduction from aspermic Fasciola forms that occur in Asia and seem to be offspring originated from hybridization between F. hepatica and F. gigantica and to reproduce parthenogenetically.
Barriers to the Supply of Non-Government Disability Services in China
Authors: FISHER KAREN R. , LI JING , FAN LEI 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn the last five years, the Chinese government has begun to encourage the development of non-government organisations (NGO) to increase the supply of social support. Although changes in the NGO sector in China are well researched, questions remain about the barriers to increasing the supply of social services from registered NGOs. We use Mattei's managerial and democratic accountability framework to examine empirical data about the relationship between the way NGO disability services in Beijing are organised and barriers to improving the type, quantity and quality of their social services. Barriers include limited NGO management capacity and underdeveloped government relations. When viewed through the multidimensional accountability framework, the barriers are not surprising. The NGOs' understanding and application of accountability processes are rudimentary. We conclude that government policy to encourage the development of accountability practices of NGOs in China will be critical if it needs NGOs to supply quality social services.
USA300 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (USA300 MRSA) colonization and the risk of MRSA infection in residents of extended-care facilities
Authors: SHURLAND S. M. , STINE O. C. , VENEZIA R. A. , ZHAN M. , FURUNO J. P. , MILLER R. R. , ROGHMANN M.-C. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYTo examine the pathogenesis of USA300 MRSA infection in long-term care residents, we performed a retrospective cohort study of 1691 adult residents of two extended-care facilities from 2003 to 2007 to assess whether the risk of subsequent MRSA infection is higher in USA300 MRSA-colonized residents compared to non-colonized residents or non-USA300 MRSA colonized residents. Six per cent of residents were colonized with USA300 MRSA; 12% of residents were colonized with non-USA300 MRSA; and 101 residents developed MRSA infection. The risk of infection was twofold higher in residents colonized with USA300 MRSA compared to residents not colonized with MRSA [adjusted hazard ratio 2·3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·1–4·5]. The risk of infection in USA300 MRSA-colonized residents was similar to USA300 MRSA non-colonized residents (relative risk 1·1, 95% CI 0·5–2·3). Our findings show that colonization with USA300 MRSA increases the risk of MRSA infection suggesting a similar pathogenesis.
Variant calling comparison CASAVA1.8 and GATK
Authors: Bauer Denis 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis work aims at addressing the question of whether the new CASAVA1.8, which boasts improvements such as local realignments of reads, is at par with the well accepted pipeline of BWA mapping, duplicate removal, local realignment, re-calibration and variant calling using GATK. We therefore compare the two methods on chromosome 21 of a Yoruba trio and compare the results to the genotype identified by the 1000 genomes project.We find that the mapping performance is the same for CASAVA1.8 and the academic pipeline, resulting in a mean coverage of about 22. CASAVA1.8 and GATK both call about 70.000 SNPs per individual of which 80% overlap between CASAVA1.8, GATK and the 1000 genomes project. This stands in contrast to the indel calling performance where CASAVA1.8 calls about 12,000 indels while GATK calls 16,000. Furthermore, CASAVA1.8 has a higher Mendelian error rate and frequently more than one alternative allele per locus indicating a non-optimal alignment.We conclude that CASAVA1.8 has come a long way and can be considered a mature SNP calling approach. However, CASAVA1.8 does not deliver the same quality in the indel calling set compared to the newly incorporated Dindel-algorithm of GATK. It hence remains the best practice to use CASAVA1.8 for producing fastq files and switch at this stage to the academic tools for mapping, alignment improvement and variant calling.
In-silico Predictive Mutagenicity Model Generation Using Supervised Learning Approaches
Authors: Passi Anurag , Seal Abhik ,   OSDD Consortium, Jaleel UC Abdul 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWith the advent of High Throughput Screening techniques, it is feasible to filter possible leads from a mammoth chemical space that can act against a particular target and inhibit its action. Virtual screening complements the in-vitro assays which are costly and time consuming. This process is used to sort biologically active molecules by utilizing the structural and chemical information of the compounds and the target proteins in order to screen potential hits. Various data mining and machine learning tools utilize Molecular Descriptors through the knowledge discovery process using classifier algorithms that classify the potentially active hits for the drug development process.
OntoCAT - an integrated programming toolkit for common ontology application tasks
Authors: Adamusiak Tomasz , Kurbatova Natalja , Swertz Morris , Parkinson Helen 
Published: July 2011

AbstractOntoCAT provides high level abstraction for interacting with ontology resources including local ontology files in standard OWL and OBO formats (via OWL API) and public ontology repositories: EBI Ontology Lookup Service (OLS) and NCBO BioPortal. Each resource is wrapped behind easy to learn Java, Bioconductor/R and REST web service commands enabling reuse and integration of ontology software efforts despite variation in technologies.
The Prevalence of Health Care–Associated Infection in Older People in Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Cairns Shona , Reilly Jacqui , Stewart Sally , Tolson Debbie , Godwin Jon , Knight Paul 
Published: July 2011

Objective.To determine the prevalence of health care-associated infection (HAI) in older people in acute care hospitals, detailing the specific types of HAI and specialties in which these are most prevalent.Design.Secondary analysis of the Scottish National Healthcare Associated Infection Prevalence Survey data set.Patients and Setting.All inpatients in acute care (n = 11,090) in all acute care hospitals in Scotland (n = 45).Results.The study found a linear relationship between prevalence of HAI and increasing age (P<.0001) in hospital inpatients in Scotland. Urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal infections represented the largest burden of HAI in the 75–84- and over-85-year age groups, and surgical-site infections represented the largest burden in inpatients under 75 years of age. The prevalence of urinary catheterization was higher in each of the over-65 age groups (P<.0001). Importantly, this study reveals that a high prevalence of HAI in inpatients over the age of 65 years is found across a range of specialties within acute hospital care. An increased prevalence of HAI was observed in medical, orthopedic, and surgical specialties.Conclusions.HAI is an important outcome indicator of acute inpatient hospital care, and our analysis demonstrates that HAI prevalence increases linearly with increasing age (P<.0001). Focusing interventions on preventing urinary tract infection and gastrointestinal infections would have the biggest public health benefit. To ensure patient safety, the importance of age as a risk factor for HAI cannot be overemphasized to those working in all areas of acute care.
Good care in group home living for people with dementia. Experiences of residents, family and nursing staff
Authors: van Zadelhoff Ezra , Verbeek Hilde , Widdershoven Guy , van Rossum Erik , Abma Tineke 
Published: July 2011

Aims and objectives:  To investigate experiences of residents, their family caregivers and nursing staff in group living homes for older people with dementia and their perception of the care process.Background:  Traditional nursing homes for people with dementia have several shortcomings related to depersonalisation, passivity, loss of skills and use of physical restraints. Group living homes are seen as an alternative to regular nursing homes, but experiences with this new care setting have rarely been investigated.Design:  The study followed a naturalistic design. Qualitative data were collected over a period of 6 months in two group living homes located in the southern part of the Netherlands.Methods:  Systematic participatory observations were carried out during daily life, care and activities in both homes. In addition, semi‐structured interviews were held with residents, their family and nursing staff. These data were inductively analysed and related to Tronto’s care ethical framework.Results:  According to all parties, group living homes create structural opportunities for individualised care and attention to the residents’ personal needs. The increased attentiveness and responsiveness for residents’ well‐being was seen as a sign of good care and fits with the phases of caring about and receiving care of Tronto’s care ethical model. However, tensions occurred relating to the phases of taking responsibility and carrying out care. Not all residents and family members want or are able to take responsibility and perform self‐care.Conclusions:  Group living homes create conditions for good care and stimulate attentiveness and responsiveness. Tensions in these homes may relate to the new division of responsibilities and tasks.Relevance to clinical practice:  Values of attention to needs and responsiveness are of high importance for nursing staff to provide good care for people with dementia in a nursing home setting.
Non‐medical prescribing: audit, practice and views
Authors: GUMBER R. , KHOOSAL D. , GAJEBASIA N. 
Published: July 2011

Accessible summary
Prescribing by nurses and pharmacists (termed ‘non‐medical prescribing’) was implemented nationally to provide a quicker service for patients. We wished to determine whether prescribing nurses and pharmacists within one UK mental health service adhered to the Department of Health's UK Standards which were produced to ensure that safe practices were in place. We also wished to obtain the views and experiences of local non‐medical prescribers about their work as this had not previously been elicited. To do this, data were collected using an anonymized questionnaire.
We found that 75% of our prescribers met the UK Standards. In all, 25% of non‐medical prescribers reported that regular supervision was not taking place. Non‐medical prescribers believed that non‐medical prescribing had benefited psychiatric patients. Some non‐medical prescribers expressed concern about lack of training and supervision. Non‐medical prescribers reported that they appreciated the availability of psychiatrists for support when necessary even though some disagreement occasionally arose.
If the results we obtained are replicated in other Mental Health Trusts, it would appear that non‐medical prescribing could represent safe clinical practice provided there is strict adherence to UK Standards. This could encourage an increased uptake of non‐medical prescribing particularly in speciality areas such as substance misuse and old age psychiatry or in those parts of the country where there is a shortage of psychiatrists. Psychiatric nurses are well placed to do this as they are the largest group of staff providing care in this discipline.
AbstractNon‐medical prescribing is increasingly utilized in clinical care and UK Standards have been produced for this. This study was undertaken to investigate compliance with these standards which were adopted by one mental health service and to review whether any changes were necessary to existing arrangements monitoring this compliance. A questionnaire was distributed to all 24 non‐medical prescribers from one UK Mental Health Trust. Participants were asked to respond to questions about demographic data and prescribing practices. We also asked them to rate their experience on a 5‐point scale. In all, 83% of non‐medical prescribers responded. The UK Standards were met even though there was a shortfall in the uptake of training and supervision. Non‐medical prescribers from the Community Drug Team and Older People's Service prescribed a narrow range of speciality drugs than any other category of drugs, but prescribed more often. UK Standards were met by the majority of non‐medical prescribers. However, concerns were noted about a shortfall in training, supervision and experience of some non‐medical prescribers. Conflict with psychiatrists was reported but their availability for support when necessary was valued. Non‐medical prescribers believed that their input with non‐medical prescribing had benefited patients.