bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shape Changes of Pt Nanoparticles Induced by Deposition on Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Giovanetti Lisandro J. , Ramallo‐López José M. , Foxe Michael , Jones Louis C. , Koebel Matthias M. , Somorjai Gabor A. , Craievich Aldo F. , Salmeron Miquel B. , Requejo Félix G. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPolyvinylpyrollidone (PVP)‐capped platinum nanoparticles (NPs) are found to change shape from spherical to flat when deposited on mesoporous silica substrates (SBA‐15). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses are used in these studies. The SAXS results indicate that, after deposition, the 2 nm NPs have an average gyration radius 22% larger than in solution, while the EXAFS measurements indicate a decrease in first neighbor co‐ordination number from 9.3 to 7.4. The deformation of these small capped NPs is attributed to interactions with the surface of the SBA‐15 support, as evidenced by X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES).
Patients Count on It: An Initiative to Reduce Incorrect Counts and Prevent Retained Surgical Items
Authors: Norton Elizabeth K. , Martin Cornelia , Micheli Anne J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRetained surgical items were the most frequently reported sentinel event in 2010, according to The Joint Commission. Perioperative nurse leaders at Children's Hospital Boston, a pediatric teaching hospital, conducted a quality improvement initiative to reduce or eliminate incorrect counts and count discrepancies, which increase the risk of an item being unintentionally retained after surgery. Work included educating the perioperative staff members, standardizing count practices, formally reviewing every reported count discrepancy with the nursing team, and reviewing and revising the count policy for prevention of retained surgical items. The initiative reduced the number of incorrect counts and count discrepancies by 50% between 2009 to 2010. These initiatives continue to be expanded, and the results have been sustained on an ongoing basis.
Clinical Issues—January 2012
Authors: Van Wicklin Sharon A. 
Published: December 2011

This MonthVenous thromboembolism prophylaxis in pediatric patientsKey words: pediatric patients, venous thromboembolism, prophylaxis.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surgical wound classification systemKey words: surgical wound, wound classification, clean wound, clean‐contaminated wound, contaminated wound, dirty infected wound.Using the Surgical Wound Classification Decision Tree toolKey words: surgical wound, wound classification, clean‐contaminated wound, contaminated wound.Using cotton surgical masksKey words: allergy, cotton surgical masks, fabric surgical masks, disposable surgical masks.Using povidone‐iodine solution for surgical skin antisepsis before thyroid proceduresKey words: povidone iodine, thyroid, surgical skin antisepsis.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Surgical Attire
Authors: Braswell Melanie L. , Spruce Lisa 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSurgical attire is intended to protect both patients and perioperative personnel. AORN published the “Recommended practices for surgical attire” to guide perioperative RNs in establishing protocols for selecting, wearing, and laundering surgical attire. Perioperative RNs should work with vendors and managers to ensure appropriate surgical attire is available, model the correct practices for donning and wearing surgical attire, and teach team members about evidence‐based practices. The recommendation that surgical attire not be home laundered is supported by evidence that perioperative nurses can share with their colleagues and managers to help support appropriate practices. Hospital and ambulatory surgery center scenarios have been included as examples of appropriate execution of these recommended practices.
New scanner data for brand marketers: How neuroscience can help better understand differences in brand preferences
Authors: Venkatraman Vinod , Clithero John A. , Fitzsimons Gavan J. , Huettel Scott A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA core goal for marketers is effective segmentation: partitioning a brand's or product's consumer base into distinct and meaningful groups with differing needs. Traditional segmentation data include factors like geographic location, demographics, and shopping history. Yet, research into the cognitive and affective processes underlying consumption decisions shows that these variables can improve the matching of consumers with products beyond traditional demographic and benefit approaches. We propose, using managing a brand as an example, that neuroscience provides a novel way to establish mappings between cognitive processes and traditional marketing data. An improved understanding of the neural mechanisms of decision making will enhance the ability of marketers to effectively market their products. Just as neuroscience can model potential influences on the decision process—including pricing, choice strategy, context, experience, and memory—it can also provide new insights into individual differences in consumption behavior and brand preferences. We outline such a research agenda for incorporating neuroscience data into future attempts to match consumers to brands.
Relationship Between Disability and Health‐Related Quality of Life and Caregiver Burden in Patients With Upper Limb Poststroke Spasticity
Authors: Doan Quan V. , Brashear Allison , Gillard Patrick J. , Varon Sepideh F. , Vandenburgh Amanda M. , Turkel Catherine C. , Elovic Elie P. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between disability and both health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and caregiver burden in patients with upper limb poststroke spasticity.DesignMulticenter open‐label study.SettingThirty‐five sites in North America.ParticipantsPatients (N = 279) with upper limb poststroke spasticity.MethodsPost hoc analyses of data from an open‐label study were performed to estimate HRQoL and caregiver burden at study baseline across levels of disability in 4 problem domains: hygiene, dressing, limb posture, and pain. Disability severity in these areas was determined by using the 4‐point Disability Assessment Scale rated by the physicians.Main Outcome MeasurementsHRQoL measured by the patient‐reported EuroQol 5 Dimensions questionnaire and the Stroke‐Adapted Sickness Impact Profile and caregiver burden.ResultsAt study baseline, increasing disability in the hygiene, dressing, and pain domains of the Disability Assessment Scale was associated with diminishing HRQoL scores (P < .002) measured by the EuroQol 5 Dimensions. By using the Stroke‐Adapted Sickness Impact Profile, greater disability scores in all problem domains were significantly associated with higher overall dysfunction scores (P ≤ .05). Within the physical dimension of the Stroke‐Adapted Sickness Impact Profile, significant associations also were observed in all domains. At baseline, caregiver burden was significantly related to increasing levels of hygiene and dressing domain severity (P ≤ .05). Caregiver assistance requirement increased from approximately 9.0‐28.2 hours per week in the hygiene domain and 3.3‐32.1 hours per week in the dressing domain as disability increased from “none” to “severe.”ConclusionsIn patients with upper limb poststroke spasticity, increasing disability in the hygiene, dressing, and pain domains of the Disability Assessment Scale were associated with diminishing HRQoL. Furthermore, these patients required caregiver assistance proportionally related to the severity of their disability in the hygiene and dressing domains.
Comparing Identification of Standardized and Regionally Valid Vowels
Authors: Wright Richard , Souza Pamela 
Published: December 2011

Purpose
In perception studies, it is common to use vowel stimuli from standardized recordings or synthetic stimuli created using values from well-known published research. Although the use of standardized stimuli is convenient, unconsidered dialect and regional accent differences may introduce confounding effects. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of regional accent variation on vowel identification.

Method
The authors analyzed formant values of 8 monophthong vowels produced by 12 talkers from the region where the research took place and compared them with standardized vowels. Fifteen listeners with normal hearing identified synthesized vowels presented in varying levels of noise and at varying spectral distances from the local-dialect values.

Results
Acoustically, local vowels differed from standardized vowels, and distance varied across vowels. Perceptually, there was a robust effect of accent similarity such that identification was reduced for vowels at greater distances from local values.

Conclusions
Researchers and clinicians should take care in choosing stimuli for perception experiments. It is recommended that regionally validated vowels be used instead of relying on standardized vowels in vowel perception tasks.
Effects of the Menstrual Cycle and Oral Contraception on Singers' Pitch Control
Authors: Lã Filipa M. B. , Sundberg Johan , Howard David M. , Sa-Couto Pedro , Freitas Adelaide 
Published: December 2011

PurposeDifficulties with intonation and vibrato control during the menstrual cycle have been reported by singers; however, this phenomenon has not yet been systematically investigated.MethodA double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing effects of the menstrual cycle and use of a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on pitch control in singing is presented. Audio-electrolaryngograph recordings were made and blood samples were taken from 9 singers in each of the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle both under the placebo and the OCP conditions for a total of 6 months. Participants sang an exercise consisting of an ascending octave followed by a descending major triad, starting on pitches F4 and B4. Pitch control was assessed in terms of the octave’s deviations from pure intonation and of the vibrato rate and extent.ResultsSignificant differences were found between the 3 phases of the cycle regarding octave size only for pitch F5 during OCP use. Significant vibrato rate differences between placebo and OCP conditions were found only for pitch F5.ConclusionOCP use may have an effect on pitch control in singers. Possible explanations point to a complex interaction between hormonal milieu and pitch control, enhancing the need for longitudinal studies.
Auditory Long Latency Responses to Tonal and Speech Stimuli
Authors: Swink Shannon , Stuart Andrew 
Published: December 2011

Purpose
The effects of type of stimuli (i.e., nonspeech vs. speech), speech (i.e., natural vs. synthetic), gender of speaker and listener, speaker (i.e., self vs. other), and frequency alteration in self-produced speech on the late auditory cortical evoked potential were examined.

Method

Young adult men (
n
= 15) and women (
n
= 15), all with normal hearing, participated. P1–N1–P2 components were evoked with the following stimuli: 723-Hz tone bursts; naturally produced male and female /a/ tokens; synthetic male and female /a/ tokens; an /a/ token self-produced by each participant; and the same /a/ token produced by the participant but with a shift in frequency.

Results

In general, P1–N1–P2 component latencies were significantly shorter when evoked with the tonal stimulus versus speech stimuli and natural versus synthetic speech (
p
< .05). Women had significantly shorter latencies for only the P2 component (
p
< .05). For the tonal versus speech stimuli, P1 amplitudes were significantly smaller, and N1 and P2 amplitudes were significantly larger (
p
< .05). There was no significant effect of gender on the P1, N1, or P2 amplitude (
p
> .05).

Conclusion
These findings are consistent with the notion that spectrotemporal characteristics of nonspeech and speech stimuli affect P1–N1–P2 latency and amplitude components.
New Measures of Masked Text Recognition in Relation to Speech-in-Noise Perception and Their Associations With Age and Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Besser Jana , Zekveld Adriana A. , Kramer Sophia E. , Rönnberg Jerker , Festen Joost M. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose
In this research, the authors aimed to increase the analogy between Text Reception Threshold (TRT; Zekveld, George, Kramer, Goverts, & Houtgast, 2007) and Speech Reception Threshold (SRT; Plomp & Mimpen, 1979) and to examine the TRT’s value in estimating cognitive abilities that are important for speech comprehension in noise.

Method

The authors administered 5 TRT versions, SRT tests in stationary (SRT
STAT
) and modulated (SRT
MOD
) noise, and 2 cognitive tests: a reading span (RSpan) test for working memory capacity and a letter–digit substitution test for information-processing speed. Fifty-five adults with normal hearing (18–78 years,
M
= 44 years) participated. The authors examined mutual associations of the tests and their predictive value for the SRTs with correlation and linear regression analyses.

Results

SRTs and TRTs were well associated, also when controlling for age. Correlations for the SRT
STAT
were generally lower than for the SRT
MOD.
The cognitive tests were correlated to the SRTs only when age was not controlled for. Age and the TRTs were the only significant predictors of SRT
MOD
. SRT
STAT
was predicted by level of education and some of the TRT versions.

Conclusions
TRTs and SRTs are robustly associated, nearly independent of age. The association between SRTs and RSpan is largely age dependent. The TRT test and the RSpan test measure different nonauditory components of linguistic processing relevant for speech perception in noise.
Nonplanar peptide bonds in proteins are common and conserved but not biased toward active sites
Authors: Berkholz Donald S. , Driggers Camden M. , Shapovalov Maxim V. , Dunbrack Roland L. , Karplus P. Andrew 
Published: December 2011

The planarity of peptide bonds is an assumption that underlies decades of theoretical modeling of proteins. Peptide bonds strongly deviating from planarity are considered very rare features of protein structure that occur for functional reasons. Here, empirical analyses of atomic-resolution protein structures reveal that
trans
peptide groups can vary by more than 25° from planarity and that the true extent of nonplanarity is underestimated even in 1.2 Å resolution structures. Analyses as a function of the
φ
,
ψ
-backbone dihedral angles show that the expected value deviates by ± 8° from planar as a systematic function of conformation, but that the large majority of variation in planarity depends on tertiary effects. Furthermore, we show that those peptide bonds in proteins that are most nonplanar, deviating by over 20° from planarity, are not strongly associated with active sites. Instead, highly nonplanar peptides are simply integral components of protein structure related to local and tertiary structural features that tend to be conserved among homologs. To account for the systematic
φ
,
ψ
-dependent component of nonplanarity, we present a conformation-dependent library that can be used in crystallographic refinement and predictive protein modeling.
CLARE: Cracking the LAnguage of Regulatory Elements
Authors: Taher Leila , Narlikar Leelavati , Ovcharenko Ivan 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Summary: CLARE is a computational method designed to reveal sequence encryption of tissue-specific regulatory elements. Starting with a set of regulatory elements known to be active in a particular tissue/process, it learns the sequence code of the input set and builds a predictive model from features specific to those elements. The resulting model can then be applied to user-supplied genomic regions to identify novel candidate regulatory elements. CLARE's model also provides a detailed analysis of transcription factors that most likely bind to the elements, making it an invaluable tool for understanding mechanisms of tissue-specific gene regulation.
Availability: CLARE is freely accessible at http://clare.dcode.org/.
Contact: taherl@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; ovcharen@nih.gov
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
LaTcOm: a web server for visualizing rare codon clusters in coding sequences
Authors: Theodosiou Athina , Promponas Vasilis J. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Summary: We present LaTcOm, a new web tool, which offers several alternative methods for ‘rare codon cluster’ (RCC) identification from a single and simple graphical user interface. In the current version, three RCC detection schemes are implemented: the recently described %MinMax algorithm and a simplified sliding window approach, along with a novel modification of a linear-time algorithm for the detection of maximally scoring subsequences tailored to the RCC detection problem. Among a number of user tunable parameters, several codon-based scales relevant for RCC detection are available, including tRNA abundance values from Escherichia coli and several codon usage tables from a selection of genomes. Furthermore, useful scale transformations may be performed upon user request (e.g. linear, sigmoid). Users may choose to visualize RCC positions within the submitted sequences either with graphical representations or in textual form for further processing.
Availability: LaTcOm is freely available online at the URL http://troodos.biol.ucy.ac.cy/latcom.html.
Contact: vprobon@ucy.ac.cy
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effect of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate on Gastrointestinal Motility in Children
Authors: Gomez Roberto , Fernandez Sergio , Aspirot Ann , Punati Jaya , Skaggs Beth , Mousa Hayat , Di Lorenzo Carlo 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAim:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of amoxicillin/clavulanate (A/C) on gastrointestinal motility.Methods:Twenty consecutive pediatric patients referred for antroduodenal manometry received 20 mg/kg of A/C into the small bowel lumen. In 10 patients (group A), A/C was given 1 hour after and in 10 (group B), 1 hour before ingestion of a meal. Characteristics of the migrating motor complex, including presence, frequency, amplitude, and propagation of duodenal phase III and phase I duration and phase II motility index (MI), were evaluated 30 minutes before and after A/C administration.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in age and sex between the 2 groups. Manometry studies were considered normal in 8 patients in each group. In group A, 2 patients developed duodenal phase III after receiving A/C, and no significant difference was found in the MI before and after the drug administration. In group B, 9 patients developed duodenal phase III (P < 0.05 vs group A). All phase III occurred within a few minutes from the medication administration. Most duodenal phase III contractions were preceded by an antral component during fasting but never after the medication was administered in either of the 2 groups (P < 0.001 vs fasting). In group B, the duration of duodenal phase I was shorter after drug administration (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in duodenal phase II MI before and after A/C administration for the 2 study groups.Conclusions:In children, administration of A/C directly into the small bowel before a meal induces phase III‐type contractions in the duodenum, with characteristics similar to those present in the fasting state. These data suggest the possible use of A/C as a prokinetic agent. Further studies are needed to clarify its specific mechanism of action and the group of patients most likely to benefit from its use.
Methotrexate Modulates Tight Junctions Through NF‐κB, MEK, and JNK Pathways
Authors: Beutheu Youmba Stéphanie , Belmonte Liliana , Galas Ludovic , Boukhettala Nabile , Bôle‐Feysot Christine , Déchelotte Pierre , Coëffier Moïse 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:Chemotherapy often induces intestinal mucositis, which is associated with an increase in intestinal permeability; however, underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Thus, we aimed to study the regulation of 3 tight junction (TJ) proteins, claudin‐1, occludin, and zonula occludens‐1, after anticancer treatment.Methods:Methotrexate (MTX) was subcutaneously injected for 3 consecutive days in Sprague‐Dawley rats to induce intestinal mucositis and was applied on Caco‐2 cell monolayers. TJ protein expression and cellular distribution were studied by Western blot and microscopy, respectively. In Caco‐2 cells, the paracellular permeability was evaluated by both transepithelial electrical resistance and flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐dextran marker. Cytokine production and signaling pathways were also assessed.Results:In MTX‐treated rats, the cellular distribution of the 3 TJ proteins was altered and claudin‐1 and occludin expression was reduced during the acute phase of mucositis compared with controls. During the recovery phase, these parameters were restored. In vitro, MTX treatment led to an increase in proinflammatory cytokine production at the apical side but did not affect Caco‐2 cell apoptosis and necrosis. Increase in paracellular permeability was associated with altered occludin and zonula occludens‐1 expression and cellular distribution. All of these alterations were prevented by MEK1 and 2, JNK, and NF‐κB inhibitors.Conclusions:MTX treatment induced an increase in intestinal permeability partially related to alteration of TJs protein expression and cellular distribution that may be mediated by MAPK and NF‐κB pathways. These are potential targets to limit the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
Factors Associated With Nonadherence to Thiopurines in Adolescent and Adult Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Kamperidis N. , Goodhand J.R. , Chowdhury F.A. , Koodun Y. , Direzke N.C. , Naik S. , Sanderson I.R. , Croft N.M. , Langmead F.L. , Irving P.M. , Rampton D.S. , Lindsay J.O. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:We hypothesised that nonadherence to thiopurines is more common in adolescents than in adults with inflammatory bowel disease.Methods:We sought factors associated with thiopurine nonadherence defined by thiopurine metabolite levels.Results:Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that adolescents (odds ratio [OR] 4.6 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–11.5]; P < 0.01) compared with adults, patients with Crohn disease (OR 3.3 [CI 1.1–10.5] P = 0.04) compared with ulcerative colitis, and patients living in more socially deprived areas (OR 1.03 [CI 1.0–1.1] P = 0.02) were more likely to be nonadherent to thiopurines.Conclusions:Adolescents are more frequently nonadherent than adults: prospective studies are required to determine the reasons for nonadherence in adolescents.
A Data-Driven Integrative Model of Sepal Primordium Polarity in Arabidopsis
Authors: La Rota Camilo , Chopard Jérôme , Das Pradeep , Paindavoine Sandrine , Rozier Frédérique , Farcot Etienne , Godin Christophe , Traas Jan , Monéger Françoise 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Flower patterning is determined by a complex molecular network but how this network functions remains to be elucidated. Here, we develop an integrative modeling approach that assembles heterogeneous data into a biologically coherent model to allow predictions to be made and inconsistencies among the data to be found. We use this approach to study the network underlying sepal development in the young flower of Arabidopsis thaliana. We constructed a digital atlas of gene expression and used it to build a dynamical molecular regulatory network model of sepal primordium development. This led to the construction of a coherent molecular network model for lateral organ polarity that fully recapitulates expression and interaction data. Our model predicts the existence of three novel pathways involving the HD-ZIP III genes and both cytokinin and ARGONAUTE family members. In addition, our model provides predictions on molecular interactions. In a broader context, this approach allows the extraction of biological knowledge from diverse types of data and can be used to study developmental processes in any multicellular organism.