bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observations on the female reproductive cycles of captive Asian yellow pond turtles (Mauremys mutica) with radiography and ultrasonography
Authors: Cheng Yuan‐Yu , Chen Ting‐Yu , Yu Pin‐Huan , Chi Chau‐Hwa 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe annual reproductive cycle of 27 female Mauremys mutica was observed by radiography and ultrasonography from April 2006 to August 2007. Radiography was used to monitor clutch size and ultrasonography was used to monitor changes in the ovarian follicles. The follicles started to enlarge in September and became preovulatory in January. The mean maximum follicle diameter of ovulation was 18.30±1.44 mm, and ovulation occurred from March through August. Eggs were laid between April and August. Turtles entered latent period in early August and the maximum follicular size was at a low of 13.22±2.36 mm in late September. The vitellogenesis of the next reproductive cycle began in October. The 24 adult females laid 56 clutches containing a total of 227 eggs. Average clutch size was 4.05 eggs (range 1–8) and there were 2.33 clutches (range 1–4) per female. Egg shell images were first observed on the sixth or seventh day after ovulation. The oviductal period averaged 6.9 weeks (range 2–16 weeks) on the first clutch, 3.4 weeks (range 2–8 weeks) on the second, and 2.75 weeks (range 2–6 weeks) for the third. Radiography and ultrasonography are non‐invasive and convenient methods to evaluate the reproductive cycle of female M. mutica. They should be applicable to other turtles and should greatly enhance knowledge of reproductive physiology. Zoo Biol 29:50–58, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoelectric Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals/P3HT Bulk-Heterojunction Ordered in Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays
Authors: Švrček Vladimir , Turkevych Ivan , Kondo Michio 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
A silicon nanocrystals (Si-ncs) conjugated-polymer-based bulk-heterojunction represents a promising approach for low-cost hybrid solar cells. In this contribution, the bulk-heterojunction is based on Si-ncs prepared by electrochemical etching and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer. Photoelectric properties in parallel and vertical device-like configuration were investigated. Electronic interaction between the polymer and surfactant-free Si-ncs is achieved. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence and transport properties were studied and the ratio between the photo- and dark-conductivity of 1.7 was achieved at ambient conditions. Furthermore the porous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes’ template was used for vertical order of photosensitive Si-ncs/P3HT-based blend. The anodization of titanium foil in ethylene glycol-based electrolyte containing fluoride ions and subsequent thermal annealing were used to prepare anatase TiO2nanotube arrays. The arrays with nanotube inner diameter of 90 and 50 nm were used for vertical ordering of the Si-ncs/P3HT bulk-heterojunction.
Involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors in protease‐activated receptor‐2‐induced joint inflammation and nociception
Authors: Helyes Zs. , Sándor K. , Borbély É. , Tékus V. , Pintér E. , Elekes K. , Tóth D.M. , Szolcsányi J. , McDougall J.J. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTProtease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2) is a G‐protein‐coupled receptor activated through proteolytic cleavage. It is localized on epithelial, endothelial and inflammatory cells, as well as on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor‐expressing neurones. It plays an important role in inflammatory/nociceptive processes. Since there are few reports concerning PAR‐2 function in joints, the effects of intraarticular PAR‐2 activation on joint pain and inflammation were studied. Secondary hyperalgesia/allodynia, spontaneous weight distribution, swelling and inflammatory cytokine production were measured and the involvement of TRPV1 ion channels was investigated in rats and mice. Injection of the PAR‐2 receptor agonist SLIGRL‐NH2into the knee decreased touch sensitivity and weight bearing of the ipsilateral hindlimb in both species. Secondary mechanical allodynia/hyperalgesia and impaired weight distribution were significantly reduced by the TRPV1 antagonist SB366791 in rats and by the genetic deletion of this receptor in mice. PAR‐2 activation did not cause significant joint swelling, but increased IL‐1β concentration which was not influenced by the lack of the TRPV1 channel. For comparison, intraplantar SLIGRL‐NH2evoked similar primary mechanical hyperalgesia and impaired weight distribution in both WT and TRPV1 deficient mice, but oedema was smaller in the knockouts. The inactive peptide, LRGILS‐NH2, injected into either site did not induce any inflammatory or nociceptive changes. These data provide evidence for a significant role of TRPV1 receptors in secondary mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia and spontaneous pain induced by PAR‐2 receptor activation in the knee joint. Although intraplantar PAR‐2 activation‐induced oedema is also TRPV1 receptor‐mediated, primary mechanical hyperalgesia, impaired weight distribution and IL‐1β production are independent of this channel.
Holocene evolution of mud depocentres on a high-energy, low-accumulation shelf (NW Iberia)
Authors: Lantzsch Hendrik , Hanebuth Till J.J. , Bender Vera B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe high-energy, low-accumulation NW Iberian shelf features three confined Holocene mud depocentres. Here, we show that the evolution of such depocentres follows successive steps. The flooding of inner shelf zones and river catchment areas by the late deglacial sea-level rise provided the precondition for shelf mud deposition. Following this, the Holocene deceleration of the sea-level rise caused a rapid refill of the accommodation space within river valleys. Subsequently, the export of major amounts of fines was initiated. The initial onset and loci of shelf mud deposition were related to deposition-favouring conditions in mid-shelf position or to the presence of morphological highs, which act as sediment traps by providing protection against stronger hydrodynamic energy. The detailed reconstruction of the Holocene depocentre evolution shows for the first time that the expansion of such shelf mud deposits cannot only occur by linear growth off the associated sediment source. Rather, they might develop around centres that are fully disconnected from the source of original sediment supply, and expand later into specific directions. Based on these differences and on the connection of the individual mud depocentres to the material source we propose a conceptual subdivision of the group “mid-shelf mud depocentres”.
The effect of dairy foods on CHD: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Gibson Robert A. , Makrides Maria , Smithers Lisa G. , Voevodin Melanie , Sinclair Andrew J. 
Published: August 2009

There is interest in the degree to which fats in dairy foods contribute to CHD. We undertook a systematic review to investigate the effect of dairy consumption on CHD using prospective cohort studies. A systematic search of electronic databases identified studies relating dairy food intake in adulthood to episodes or death from CHD, IHD and myocardial infarction. Included studies were assessed for quality based on study methodology, validity of dietary assessment, success of follow-up, standardised assessment of CHD, IHD or myocardial infarction end points and appropriateness of statistical adjustment. Data from twelve cohorts involving >280 000 subjects were included. Most studies had follow-up of >80 %, adjusted statistically for three or more confounders and used standard criteria to determine end points. About half the studies used a validated FFQ, administered the FFQ more than once or had follow-up of >20 years. Fewer than half the studies involved subjects representative of the general population. Four of the twelve cohorts found no association between dairy intake and CHD. Eight studies reported varying relationships between different dairy foods and CHD or differential associations based on race, sex or over time. Although dairy foods contribute to the SFA composition of the diet, this systematic review could find no consistent evidence that dairy food consumption is associated with a higher risk of CHD. This could be due to the limited sensitivity of the dietary assessment methods to detect an effect of a single food in a mixed diet on complex clinical outcomes.
Diet and deprivation in pregnancy
Authors: Haggarty Paul , Campbell Doris M. , Duthie Susan , Andrews Katherine , Hoad Gwen , Piyathilake Chandrika , McNeill Geraldine 
Published: August 2009

Deprivation is associated with poor pregnancy outcome but the role of nutrition as a mediating factor is not well understood. We carried out a prospective cohort study of 1461 singleton pregnancies in Aberdeen, UK during 2000–6. We measured nutrient intake and supplement use, B vitamin and homocysteine status, birth weight, gestational age, neonatal treatment and socio-economic deprivation status. Women in the most deprived deciles were approximately 6 years younger and half as likely to take folic acid supplements periconceptually as the least deprived mothers. Deprivation was associated with low blood folate, high homocysteine and diets low in protein, fibre and many of the vitamins and minerals. The diets of the more deprived women were also characterised by low intakes of fruit, vegetables and oily fish and higher intakes of processed meat, fried potatoes, crisps and snacks. Deprivation was related to preterm birth (OR 1·14 (95 % CI 1·03, 1·25); P = 0·009) and whether the baby required neonatal treatment (OR 1·07 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·14); P = 0·028). Low birth weight was more common in women consuming diets low in vitamin C (OR 0·79 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·97); P = 0·028), riboflavin (OR 0·77 (95 % CI 0·63, 0·93); P = 0·008), pantothenic acid (OR 0·79 (95 % CI 0·65, 0·97); P = 0·023) and sugars (OR 0·78 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·96); P = 0·017) even after adjustment for deprivation index, smoking, marital status and parity. Deprivation in pregnancy is associated with diets poor in specific nutrients and poor diet appears to contribute to inequalities in pregnancy outcome. Improving the nutrient intake of disadvantaged women of childbearing age may potentially improve pregnancy outcome.
Ultrahigh-density deuterium of Rydberg matter clusters for inertial confinement fusion targets
Authors: Holmlid L. , Hora H. , Miley G. , Yang X. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractClusters of condensed deuterium of densities up to 1029cm−3in pores in solid oxide crystals were confirmed from time-of-flight mass spectrometry measurements. Based on these facts, a schematic outline and possible conclusions of expectable generalizations are presented, which may lead to a simplification of laser driven fusion energy including new techniques for preparation of targets for application in experiments of the NIF type, but also for modified fast igniter experiments using proton or electron beams or side-on ignition of low compressed solid fusion fuel.
Recent clinical trials in diabetes – implications for managing older patients
Authors: Hawthorne GC , Yarnall AJ 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes is set to increase, and with it the complications associated with diabetes. Since 2007 there have been a number of significant trials that may change the way we think about treating people with diabetes, especially our older patients. These trials include the Steno-2 trial, UKPDS legacy trial, ADVANCE, ACCORD and VADT. These trials are reviewed in detail in this article, including the implications for the patients we treat. Recent work assessing the effect of HbA1c on cognitive function and the effects of hypoglycaemia are also discussed. We conclude with suggestions for targets for glycated haemoglobin level based on NICE guidance.
Handling of water and electrolytes in the healthy old
Authors: Alvarez Gregori Joaquin-A. , Macías Núñez Juan-F. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThis paper reviews the handling of water and electrolytes by the ageing kidney and the clinical consequences in everyday clinical practice. Normal physiology in the adult kidney is discussed, followed by description of the main physiological changes (adaption) that occur as the kidney ages. Clearly, successful management of the elderly patient requires a knowledge of these changes, which result in: (i) increased tendency for volume depletion and dehydration; (ii) decreased ability to tolerate a volume load; (iii) increased propensity for potassium disturbances (hypo- and hyperkalaemia); (iv) diminished production of renin and blunted physiological response to the effects of aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone; (v) increased tendency to lower levels of phosphate; and (vi) tendency for the development of hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia. A brief review of the role of extracellular fluid volume depletion and other factors contributing to acute renal failure in elderly patients is also presented.
Abuse of people with dementia
Authors: Selwood Amber , Cooper Claudia 
Published: August 2009

SummaryPeople with dementia are particularly vulnerable to abuse. It is inherently difficult to study as it is a hidden offence, perpetrated against vulnerable people with memory impairment, by those on whom they depend. In the general population, 6% of older people have experienced abuse in the last month and this rises to approximately 25% in vulnerable populations such as people with dementia. We know that various factors in the carer and the care recipient can predispose to a higher rate of abuse and this knowledge can be harnessed to try and improve prevention. There are also valid and reliable scales available to help detect abuse in vulnerable older adults. All health and social care professionals have a responsibility to act on any suspicion or evidence of significant abuse or neglect in order to ensure that appropriate management is taken.
Virtual simulation and treatment verification–merits and demerits: experience at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Pakistan
Authors: Tunio Mutahir , Rafi Mansoor , Maqbool Aamir , Haque Asdarul 
Published: August 2009

Background: The rapid changes in practice of radiotherapy have taken place over the past 5 years in Pakistan. With advent of computed tomography simulator, and multileaf collimators–assisted linear accelerators and electronic portal imaging system, few centres in Pakistan have switched from conventional radiotherapy to modern computer-based technology. Our hospital is first centre in Pakistan which is using virtual simulation since March 2006. We present our experience with list of merits and demerits.Design: Retrospective study.Patient collection: Medical records of all patients who received radiotherapy in our centre were reviewed. Parameters included were type of malignancy, type radiotherapy (curative/palliative), simulation and planning process time and the displacement of the beam-axis from the planning isocentre in clinical situations during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy using electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Data were collected on written proforma. Percentages, frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated using SPSS version 17.0.Results: A total of 289 patients were treated from March 2006 to November 2008. Transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder was most common malignancy seen (42.4%) followed by prostate (28.62%) and renal cell carcinoma (14.14%). Of these 34.26% patients were treated on curative basis. The virtual simulation process could be completed in an average time of 5 min (SD 3.5). Under many cases, the treatment portals could be designed and the patient marked in one session. The displacements were recorded for 43 portals for early prostate cancer using an EPID system. The mean displacement was found 2.44 ± 0.8 mm in x (transverse), y (craniocaudal), and z (anteroposterior) directions during treatment. Standard deviation (SD) was 0.87 (90% CI 2.21–2.66). Average number of portals taken was 10 (6–27) per treatment session.Conclusion: Computer-based simulation and treatment over conventional methods is appropriate for curative patients, achieving more accurate tumour localisation, sparing normal organs at risk, reduced field sizes and a film free environment; however efforts are required to achieve maximum immobilisation during treatment.
Clinical oral examinations: assessment of competence in radiation therapy
Authors: Leech Michelle , Craig A. , Poole C. , Broderick M. , Ni Chuinneagain S. , Coffey M. , Byrne J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMatching assessment strategies to learning outcomes in radiation therapy education is of the utmost importance. Assessing clinical competence requires that ‘competence’ be clearly defined prior to the start of any clinical programme. In this article, we report on our experience in using clinical oral examinations in assessing competence in second year undergraduate radiation therapy students. The shortcomings of clinical oral examinations such as ‘leaking’ of the agenda are addressed and more positive attributes, such as increased collaboration between academic and clinical radiation therapists are discussed.
Palliative radiotherapy: modelling and evaluating the impact of factors in the treatment times and workload of orthovoltage units–a pilot study
Authors: Donaghey S.L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPatients treated with palliative intent present a complex issue for radiotherapy departments in terms of their specific care needs, treatment times, and the productivity of orthovoltage resources. This study seeks to evaluate and quantify patient-related factors, treatment times, and to assess tools and data for future utilisation by radiotherapy departments. A modified Basic Treatment Equivalent (BTE) methodology was chosen, with stopwatch timings taken of treatments on orthovoltage units, over a 4-week period at two radiotherapy departments. Data collected included patient-related, treatment and equipment factors to assess their relative or specific effects on treatment times. Analysis considered the differences in data sets, significance and correlation. Forty-three fractions of treatment were recorded, across a range of treatment sites. The number of fields and delivery of first fractions/plan and treat episodes were found to result in significant differences in treatment time. The use of equipment, age and performance status were not found to be influential. Pain and skin viability symptoms had the greatest impact on treatment times–with these themselves being influenced by the impact of number of fields treated and first fractions. A full study should now be undertaken with a view to design a new equivalence model for the effective assessment of orthovoltage productivity.
Radiation therapists and the Internet: a perspective from Australia
Authors: Shanahan Madeleine 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe Internet is an important information source for health practitioners; yet little is known of how radiation therapists (RTs) are currently using this vast information resource for their professional learning. In 2007, a four-page postal survey was sent to a random sample of 1,142 Medical Radiation Science practitioners with a response rate of 32.8%, which included 76 RTs. This paper reports and analyses the questionnaire responses from RTs on the use of the Internet to update their professional knowledge and issues affecting accessibility to the Internet in the workplace. This research provides an initial data set on the professional use of Internet-based tools and resources by Australian RTs. It has been shown that the Internet is an important information source widely used by RTs as they search the Internet (89%), access specific web pages (85%), use e-mail (84%) and listservs (49%) to update their professional knowledge. Although all RTs reported Internet access within their workplace, a number of factors have been identified which at present limit accessibility of current quality health and medical information through the Internet to RTs. A large number of RTs were unaware of Internet-based resources, such as Cochrane Library (48%) and GoogleScholar (42%), which support evidence-based practice (EBP) and research. RTs in teaching environments had greater access to computers with Internet access than their colleagues in non-teaching environments (p = 0.044). More RTs in the private sector (22%) reported they had ‘no’ access to the Internet in their workplace than their public sector colleagues (4%, p = 0.037). In addition, RTs in metropolitan workplaces had greater access to protected time during work hours for professional reading or study than their non-metropolitan colleagues (p = 0.000). These issues of non-uniformity of resources across workplaces and knowledge gaps within the profession must be addressed so that all RTs can avail themselves of high quality resources available through the Internet that support them in implementing EBP and meeting the mandatory requirement of updating their professional knowledge.
Using lidar remote sensing and support vector machines to classify fire disturbance legacies in a Florida oak scrub landscape
Authors: Angelo James , Duncan Brean , Weishampel John 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Background/Question/Methods
Ecologists have long emphasized the reciprocal interactions between spatial pattern and ecological processes in the creation of landscape mosaics. While an enormous amount of recent research has focused on the quantification of spatial patterns, efforts to infer process from pattern have been hindered by the presence of multi-scale, often confounding, drivers of pattern in many landscapes. At the mesoscale, Holling’s extended keystone hypothesis posits that spatially contagious disturbances such as fire are the dominant pattern-generating processes. To test this hypothesis, we used fire history data and discrete, small-footprint lidar remote sensing acquired over a 22 sq. km landscape of oak scrub in the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge area on the east-central coast of Florida. We binned the lidar return data into 1 m vertical height intervals for each 5 m x 5 m horizontal cell. Since community structure tends to recover by 7 years post-fire, we tested for significant differences between recently-burned (< 7 years) and unburned (≥ 7 years) patches with multivariate analysis of variance. To predict the burn status of each cell, we then used distribution-free, nonlinear support vector machine (SVM) classifiers, which have proven to be highly accurate for complex pattern recognition problems.

Results/Conclusions
We detected statistically significant differences in vegetation structure between burned and unburned patches for all of the dominant land cover types (upland non-forested, upland forested, wetland hardwood forest, and non-forested wetlands) in the study area. Initially, we obtained a predicted error rate of approximately 34% from the SVM classifier; by averaging the binned lidar data over a moving window of increasing size, however, we achieved substantial reductions in the predicted error rate for the SVM classifier. The optimal window size of 100 m x 100 m yielded a predicted misclassification rate of approximately 3%, an order of magnitude lower than the error rate obtained on the same data using a logistic regression classifier. These results suggest that, as predicted by the extended keystone hypothesis, fire disturbance is a dominant pattern-generating process at the patch scale in this oak scrub landscape. Furthermore, these results indicate that it is possible to use vertical vegetation structure, as represented by the binned lidar data, to predict burn status with a high level of accuracy. While our study employed a simple binary classification scheme, future research will focus on using SVM regression techniques to predict burn status with finer-grained classes of time since fire.