bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Hand Hygiene
Authors: Patrick Marcia , Van Wicklin Sharon A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article focuses on implementing the revised AORN “Recommended practices for hand hygiene in the perioperative setting.” The content of the document has been expanded and reorganized from the previous iteration and now includes specific activity statements about water temperature, water and soap dispensing controls, the type of dispensers to use, paper towel dispenser requirements, placement of soap and rub dispensers, and regulatory requirements for products and recommendations for hand hygiene practices. A successful hand hygiene program allows end users to have input into the selection and evaluation of products and should include educating personnel about proper hand hygiene, product composition and safety, and how and when to use specific products. Measures for competency evaluation and compliance monitoring include observations, quizzes, skills labs, electronic monitoring systems, handheld device applications, and data collection forms.
High-protein–low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy alters maternal plasma amino acid concentration and placental amino acid extraction but not fetal plasma amino acids in pigs
Authors: Metzler-Zebeli Barbara U. , Lang Iris S. , Görs Solvig , Brüssow Klaus-Peter , Hennig Ulf , Nürnberg Gerd , Rehfeldt Charlotte , Otten Winfried , Metges Cornelia C. 
Published: March 2012

A high protein–low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy can cause intra-uterine growth restriction. However, its impact during pregnancy on maternal, umbilical and fetal plasma amino acid (AA) profiles is unknown. A maternal high-protein (30 %)–low-carbohydrate (HP-LC) diet was compared with isoenergetic standard (12·1 % crude protein; ST) and low-protein (6·5 %)–high-carbohydrate (LP-HC) diets fed to nulliparous pregnant sows to examine changes in AA concentrations in maternal, venous and arterial umbilical and fetal plasma in mid and late pregnancy. At 64 and 94 days of pregnancy (dp), sows underwent Caesarean section, and maternal, umbilical and fetal plasma samples were collected. The HP-LC diet mainly affected maternal plasma AA concentrations. Plasma concentrations of Ile and Val were increased and those of Ala, Glu and Gly were decreased (P ≤ 0·05) in HP-LC compared with ST sows at 64 and 94 dp. The LP-HC diet decreased fetal plasma Glu concentration compared with the ST diet at 94 dp. Substantial AA catabolism was reflected by increased (P ≤ 0·05) maternal and fetal plasma urea concentrations with the HP-LC compared with the ST and LP-HC diets at 94 dp. Fractional placental extraction of Val was higher whereas those of Ala, Gln and Glu were lower in the HP-LC compared with the ST sows at 64 and 94 dp (P ≤ 0·05). Reduced fetal mass at 94 dp was accompanied by reduced fetal extraction of Lys and Pro in the HP-LC group (P ≤ 0·05). In conclusion, a maternal HP-LC diet during pregnancy altered maternal plasma composition of many AA and modified placental AA extraction to compensate for imbalanced maternal nutrient intake.
Algorithms for autonomous exploration and estimation in compliant environments
Authors: Goldman R. E. , Bajo A. , Simaan N. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYThis paper investigates algorithms for enabling surgical slave robots to autonomously explore shape and stiffness of surgical fields. The paper addresses methods for estimating shape and impedance parameters of tissue and methods for autonomously exploring perceived impedance during tool interaction inside a tissue cleft. A hybrid force-motion controller and a cycloidal motion path are proposed to address shape exploration. An adaptive exploration algorithm for segmentation of surface features and a predictor-corrector algorithm for exploration of deep features are introduced based on discrete impedance estimates. These estimates are derived from localized excitation of tissue coupled with simultaneous force measurements. Shape estimation is validated inex-vivobovine tissue and attains surface estimation errors of less than 2.5 mm with force sensing resolutions achievable with current technologies in minimally invasive surgical robots. The effect of scan patterns on the accuracy of the shape estimate is demonstrated by comparing the shape estimate of a Cartesian raster scan with overlapping cycloid scan pattern. It is shown that the latter pattern filters the shape estimation bias due to frictional drag forces. Surface impedance exploration is validated to successfully segment compliant environments on flexible inorganic models. Simulations and experiments show that the adaptive search algorithm reduces overall time requirements relative to the complexity of the underlying structures. Finally, autonomous exploration of deep features is demonstrated in an inorganic model andex-vivobovine tissue. It is shown that estimates of least constraint based on singular value decomposition of locally estimated tissue stiffness can generate motion to accurately follow a tissue cleft with a predictor-corrector algorithm employing alternating steps of position and admittance control. We believe that these results demonstrate the potential of these algorithms for enabling “smart” surgical devices capable of autonomous execution of intraoperative surgical plans.
Persistent electrocution mortality of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus over 28 years in East Africa
Authors: ANGELOV IVAYLO , HASHIM IBRAHIM , OPPEL STEFFEN 
Published: March 2012

SummaryElectrocution on poorly designed power poles is increasingly shown to pose a threat for the populations of many large raptors. Here we document that a power line in Sudan continues to cause mortality of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus, a problem that was first identified in 1984. We suggest that this power line may have caused the death of sufficient Egyptian Vultures to partially explain population declines in the Middle East, from where the electrocuted birds may originate. This report highlights the urgent need to plan and retro-fit power lines in Africa with non-lethal support structures.
A FULL NT-STEP INFEASIBLE INTERIOR-POINT ALGORITHM FOR SEMIDEFINITE OPTIMIZATION BASED ON A SELF-REGULAR PROXIMITY
Authors: KHEIRFAM B. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe introduce a full NT-step infeasible interior-point algorithm for semidefinite optimization based on a self-regular function to provide the feasibility step and to measure proximity to the central path. The result of polynomial complexity coincides with the best known iteration bound for infeasible interior-point methods.
Uncertainties in relative atmospheric angular momentum computed from zonal winds in reanalysis data
Authors: Lehmann Elfrun , Névir Peter 
Published: March 2012

Numerous fields of computational Earth system research require a precise account of variations in the relative atmospheric angular momentum (AAM). Since zonal winds from reanalysis data sets of ERA‐40 (ECMWF) and NCEP1 (NCEP/NCAR) are frequently used to compute relative AAM estimates it is critically important to understand uncertainties in these data products. Here, we discuss the varying degree of structural and internal uncertainties associated with ERA‐40 and NCEP1 zonal wind data in the tropical Pacific troposphere and lower stratosphere. We assess these uncertainties by quantifying differences in relative AAM computed from reanalyses wind data (1958–2000), that are subsequently compared to a 10‐year record of radiosonde observations carried out in the tropical Pacific where reanalyses data differ most. While our analysis suggests that in general differences between reanalysis data and observed tropical winds in the Pacific are not significantly different from each other, we found varying degrees of discrepancies at each radiosonde site. Zonal winds in NCEP1 data (RMS = 1.84 ms−1) reproduce less bias in tropospheric easterly winds than ERA‐40 (RMS = 3 ms−1), while for the lower stratosphere ERA‐40 data fit better westerly winds (RMS = 3.95 ms−1) than NCEP1 (RMS = 5.03 ms−1). Anomalies in zonal tropical wind fields can be induced by large mountain and friction torques that efficiently affect Earth's rotation rate. Hence, a precise account of the wind term in reanalysis data directly determines the accuracy of computed estimates of relative AAM.
Tamoxifen Loaded Auto-Assembled Nanoparticles for Oral Delivery: Cytotoxicity and Permeability Studies
Authors: Barbieri S. , Sonvico F. , Bouchemal K. , Ponchel G. , Colombo P. 
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this study was to characterise and study on cell cultures chitosan/lecithin nanoparticles loaded with tamoxifen (TAM-NCL). The mucoadhesion and the permeation through excised rat intestinal mucosa of the nanoparticles was also investigated.
TAM-NCL were prepared by injection of methanol solution of lecithin and TAM in a chitosan solution. Cytotoxicity was investigated by MTT test using CaCo-2 and MCF-7 cells at different times and using different concentrations of TAM-NCL. The permeation studies through rat intestinal mucosa were performed in ex-vivo experiments using the Ussing chambers.
The TAM-NCL cytotoxicity experiments towards MCF-7 cells showed that only after 24 or 48 h cells viability was reduced. This is in accordance with previous drug release data in which the release of TAM from nanoparticles occurred only when enzymes degraded nanoparticle components.
Concerning the permeation trough the intestinal wall, nanoparticles slightly increased tamoxifen permeation compared to a control suspension of tamoxifen. However using enzymes able to degrade specifically the components of the nanoparticles (i.e. lipase contained in pancreatin) the tamoxifen flux trough the intestinal mucosa increased significantly. This increase was negated if a dialysis membrane is interposed as a barrier separating the nanoparticles from the mucosal surface. The permeation experiments on rat intestinal tissue showed then that mucoadhesion and enzymatic degradation of nanocarriers are required to increase the drug flux through the rat intestinal mucosa when chitosan/lecithin nanoparticles are employed as drug delivery system.
La radioprotection en orthodontie : données
utiles
Authors: Foucart Jean-Michel , Felizardo Rufino , Pizelle Christophe 
Published: March 2012

Depuis ces 30 dernières années, l’imagerie est au cœur des révolutions médicales. Elle
permet un diagnostic fiable et précis à l’origine d’une prise en charge individuelle, mais
aussi de suivre les évolutions liées au traitement. L’orthodontie a naturellement
bénéficié des innovations en imagerie médicale. Parallèlement, la connaissance des risques
liés à l’utilisation des rayonnements ionisants a progressé et l’utilisation de ces
derniers repose sur le principe « ALARA » : « Aussi bas qu’il est raisonnablement
possible » (« As Low As Reasonably Achievable »). Si ce principe est
inscrit dans les différentes législations nationales et européennes, la connaissance de
son origine scientifique permet une utilisation quotidienne des rayons X.
Edge-carboxylated graphene nanosheets via ball milling
Authors: Jeon In-Yup , Shin Yeon-Ran , Sohn Gyung-Joo , Choi Hyun-Jung , Bae Seo-Yoon , Mahmood Javeed , Jung Sun-Min , Seo Jeong-Min , Kim Min-Jung , Wook Chang Dong , Dai Liming , Baek Jong-Beom 
Published: March 2012

Low-cost, high-yield production of graphene nanosheets (GNs) is essential for practical applications. We have achieved high yield of edge-selectively carboxylated graphite (ECG) by a simple ball milling of pristine graphite in the presence of dry ice. The resultant ECG is highly dispersable in various solvents to self-exfoliate into single- and few-layer (≤ 5 layers) GNs. These stable ECG (or GN) dispersions have been used for solution processing, coupled with thermal decarboxylation, to produce large-area GN films for many potential applications ranging from electronic materials to chemical catalysts. The electrical conductivity of a thermally decarboxylated ECG film was found to be as high as 1214 S/cm, which is superior to its GO counterparts. Ball milling can thus provide simple, but efficient and versatile, and eco-friendly (CO
2
-capturing) approaches to low-cost mass production of high-quality GNs for applications where GOs have been exploited and beyond.
Temporal and Ontogenetic Variability in Trophic Role of Four Groundfish Species—Walleye Pollock, Pacific Cod, Arrowtooth Flounder, and Pacific Halibut—around Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Marsh Jennifer M. , Hillgruber Nicola , Foy Robert J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractChanges in trophic position estimates of commercial fishery catches are used as an ecosystem‐based indicator for sustainability, but often these estimates do not incorporate species‐specific seasonal feeding dynamics and ontogenetic diet changes. Using stable isotope analysis, we obtained a fine‐scale resolution of ontogenetic and temporal (interannual and seasonal) variations in the trophic roles of four commercially and ecologically important groundfish species in the Gulf of Alaska: walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias, and Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis. For each groundfish taxon, the nitrogen stable isotope signature (δ15N) increased with total length. In contrast, the lipid‐normalized carbon stable isotope signature (δ13C′) significantly varied with size‐class only for walleye pollock. There were species‐specific differences in trophic position; adult Pacific cod fed at the highest trophic position, and walleye pollock fed at the lowest trophic position. Walleye pollock also had the lowest δ13C′, indicating a mainly pelagic diet, while Pacific halibut and Pacific cod had the highest δ13C′, indicating a mostly benthic diet. Interannual differences in trophic position were detected for each species. Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, and Pacific halibut fed at a significantly lower trophic position in 2003 than in 2001, 2002, or 2004. All species had a significantly lower average δ13C′ (i.e., a more benthic diet) in 2001 and a higher average δ13C′ (a more pelagic diet) in 2003. Pacific cod, Pacific halibut, and walleye pollock had a significantly more pelagic diet in the summer. Walleye pollock, arrowtooth flounder, and Pacific halibut showed a significantly more benthic diet in the fall, which probably corresponded with their seasonal migrations. Temporal variations in stable isotope signatures were observed but were relatively small (<1.25‰). Length‐based ontogenetic diet shifts, however, were much larger (up to 6‰) and must be considered when trophic position is used as an ecosystem indicator of sustainability.
Effects of Feeding Rate and Frequency on Production Characteristics of Pond-Raised Hybrid Catfish
Authors: Li Menghe H , Robinson Edwin H , Oberle Daniel F , Lucas Penelope M 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The present study examined the effects of various daily feeding rates and feeding every other day on the growth, net yield, feed conversion ratio, and size distribution of hybrid catfish (female channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male blue catfish I. furcatus) in production ponds. Hybrid catfish fingerlings (average size, 45 g) were stocked into 0.04-ha ponds at a density of 14,826 fish/ha. Initially, all fish were fed to apparent satiation until feed consumption reached predetermined levels. Thereafter, the daily feeding rates for fish in the restricted feeding group were no more than 112, 135, or 168 kg·ha−1·d−1. Fish in the every-other-day feeding group were fed to apparent satiation daily until they reached about 0.23 kg and every other day to satiation thereafter. The results from the present study show that feeding every other day significantly reduces the weight gain and net yield of hybrid catfish but improves the feed conversion ratio. Partial budget analysis indicates that feeding hybrid catfish every other day is not economical at recent feed and fish prices. There were no significant differences in net yield, weight gain, and percentage of market-size fish among fish fed daily at various rates. Fish fed daily at no more than 112 and 135 kg/ha had significantly lower feed conversion ratios than fish fed daily to satiation. Simple regression analysis indicates that the weight gain, net yield, feed conversion ratio, and percentage of market-size fish increased linearly as the total amount of feed fed increased in fish fed daily. The results also show that the feed restriction used in the present study does not affect the size distribution of hybrid catfish.
First observation of diffusion‐limited plant root phosphorus uptake from nutrient solution
Authors: SANTNER JAKOB , SMOLDERS ERIK , WENZEL WALTER W. , DEGRYSE FIEN 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTDiffusion towards the root surface has recently been shown to control the uptake of metal ions from solutions. The uptake flux of phosphorus (P) from solutions often approaches the maximal diffusion flux at low external concentrations, suggesting diffusion‐controlled uptake also for P. Potential diffusion limitation in P uptake from nutrient solutions was investigated by measuring P uptake of Brassica napus from solutions using P‐loaded Al2O3 nanoparticles as mobile P buffer. At constant, low free phosphate concentration, plant P uptake increased up to eightfold and that of passive, diffusion‐based samplers up to 40‐fold. This study represents the first experimental evidence of diffusion‐limited P uptake by plant roots from nutrient solution. The Michaelis constant of the free phosphate ion obtained in unbuffered solutions (Km = 10.4 µmol L−1) was 20‐fold larger than in the buffered system (Km∼0.5 µmol L−1), indicating that Kms determined in unbuffered solutions do not represent the transporter affinity. Increases in the P uptake efficiency of plants by increasing the carrier affinity are therefore unlikely, while increased root surface area or exudation of P‐solubilizing compounds are more likely to enhance P uptake. Furthermore, our results highlight the important role natural nanoparticles may have in plant P nutrition.
Understanding the effects of multiple sources of seasonality on the risk of pathogen spread to vineyards: vector pressure, natural infectivity, and host recovery
Authors: Gruber B. R. , Daugherty M. P. 
Published: March 2012

Seasonality plays an important role in the dynamics of infectious disease. For vector‐borne pathogens, the effects of seasonality may be manifested in the variability in vector abundance, vector infectiousness, and host‐infection dynamics over the year. The relative importance of multiple sources of seasonality on the spread of a plant pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, into vineyards was explored. Observed seasonal population densities of the primary leafhopper vector, Graphocephala atropunctata, from 8 years of surveys in northern California were incorporated into a model of primary spread to estimate the risk of pathogen infection under different scenarios regarding seasonality in vector natural infectivity (i.e. constant or increasing over the season) and grapevine recovery from infection (i.e. none or seasonal recovery). The extent to which local climatic conditions affect risk estimates via differences in vector abundance was investigated. Seasonal natural infectivity, seasonal recovery, and especially the combination, reduced (up to 8‐fold on average) within‐season and cumulative yearly estimates of pathogen spread. Estimated risk of infection also differed greatly among years due to large differences in vector abundance, with wet and moderate winter and spring conditions favouring higher G. atropunctata abundance. Seasonal variation of the pathogen–vector interaction may play an important role in the dynamics of disease in vineyards, reducing the potential prevalence from what it could be in their absence. Moreover, climate, by affecting sharpshooter leafhopper abundance or activity, may influence Pierce’s disease dynamics.
Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is present at high concentrations in the lungs of children and varies with age and the pattern of lung inflammation
Authors: YERKOVICH STEPHANIE T. , CHANG ANNE B. , CARROLL MELANIE L. , PETSKY HELEN L. , SCRIVENER GRETA , UPHAM JOHN W. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) plays an important role in inflammation. Few studies have looked at sRAGE levels in human lungs, and there is no information in children. Therefore, this study aimed to compare bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma sRAGE concentrations in children in relation to age and inflammation.Methods:  BAL was performed in 76 children, and BALF and plasma sRAGE levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  sRAGE levels were fourfold higher in BALF than in plasma (P < 0.001). BALF sRAGE was inversely proportional to age (r = −0.333, P = 0.008) and serum immunoglobulin A (r = −0.283, P = 0.028). Plasma sRAGE showed a positive correlation to the percentage of BAL macrophages and negative correlation to the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified that the percentage of BAL lymphocytes and neutrophils were significant independent predictors of plasma sRAGE levels, while age and the percentage of BAL macrophages independently predicted BALF sRAGE levels.Conclusions:  In children, sRAGE is present at higher concentrations in the lung compared with blood. It appears that sRAGE varies with age, and hence future studies of sRAGE in paediatric lung disease require age matching. The significant relationship between sRAGE and lung inflammation warrants further research.
How to write research papers and grants: 2011 Asian Pacific Society for Respirology Annual Scientific Meeting Postgraduate Session
Authors: EASTWOOD PETER R. , NAUGHTON MATTHEW T. , CALVERLEY PETER , ZENG GUANGQIAO , BEASLEY RICHARD , ROBINSON BRUCE , LEE Y.C. GARY 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis review article summarizes the content of a series of interrelated workshop presentations from the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology held in Shanghai in November, 2011. The article describes tips and strategies for writing research papers and research grant applications and includes discussion of: the role of pulmonologists in research; the debates around the use of the journal impact factor; tips for writing manuscripts and publishing research in high‐impact journals; how journals assess manuscripts and the most common reasons editors reject manuscripts; how to write grant applications and what grant panels look for in successful proposals; and how to undertake research in resource‐limited countries.