bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transformations of runoff chemistry in the Arctic tundra, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Quinton W. L. , Pomeroy J. W. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe transformation of snowmelt water chemical composition during melt, elution and runoff in an Arctic tundra basin is investigated. The chemistry of the water flowing along pathways from the surface of melting snow to the 95·5 ha basin outlet is related to relevant hydrological processes. In so doing, this paper offers physically based explanations for the transformation of major ion concentrations and loads of runoff water associated with snowmelt and rainfall along hydrological pathways to the stream outlet. Late‐lying snowdrifts were found to influence the ion chemistry in adjacent reaches of the stream channel greatly. As the initial pulse of ion‐rich melt water drained from the snowdrift and was conveyed through hillslope flowpaths, the concentrations of most ions increased, and the duration of the peak ionic pulse lengthened. Over the first 3 m of overland flow, the concentrations of all ions except for NO$_{3}^{-}$ increased by one to two orders of magnitude, with the largest increase for K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. This was roughly equivalent to the concentration increase that resulted from percolation of relatively dilute water through 0·25 m of unsaturated soil. The Na+ and Cl− were the dominant ions in snowmelt water, whereas Ca2+ and Mg2+ dominated the hillslope runoff. On slopes below a large melting snowdrift, ion concentrations of melt water flowing in the saturated layer of the soil were very similar to the relatively dilute concentrations found in surface runoff. However, once the snowdrift ablated, ion concentrations of subsurface flow increased above parent melt‐water concentrations. Three seasonally characteristic hydrochemical regimes were identified in a stream reach adjacent to late‐lying snowdrifts. In the first two stages, the water chemistry in the stream channel strongly resembled the hillslope drainage water. In the third stage, in‐stream geochemical processes, including the weathering/ion exchange of Ca2+ and Mg2+, were the main control of streamwater chemistry. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reductive decolourization and total organic carbon reduction of the diazo dye CI Acid Black 24 by zero‐valent iron powder
Authors: Chang Ming‐Chin , Shu Hung‐Yee , Yu Hsin‐Hung , Sung Yi‐Chun 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn this study, wastewater contaminated by colour and total organic carbon from the diazo dye CI Acid Black 24 was successfully removed by reductive decolourization with zero‐valent iron powder. The effects on decolourization of experimental variables such as iron dosage, initial dye concentration, pH and dissolved oxygen level were evaluated. The best removal efficiencies for decolourization of 99.7% and total organic carbon of 57.4% were obtained with an initial dye concentration of 25.0 mg L−1 and iron dosage of 200.0 g L−1. Moreover, the decolourization rates followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetic equations with respect to dye concentration. The colour removal efficiency was simultaneously dependent on iron dosage and various initial dye concentrations, although the colour and total organic carbon removal efficiencies linearly increased with increased iron dosage, reaching a maximum at 100.0 g L−1. A contour plot was developed to illustrate the 3D relation of removal efficiencies with initial dye concentration and iron dosage. For wastewater with a concentration range from 25 to 100 mg L−1 CI Acid Black 24 the suggested ideal operation conditions are 100.0 g L−1 iron dosage, pH 2‐4, normal oxygen concentration of 5‐7 mg L−1 and reaction time of 30‐60 min. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Characteristics of patients with TEL‐AML1‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with single or multiple fusions
Authors: Al‐Sweedan Suleimman A. , Neglia Joseph P. , Steiner Marie E. , Bostrom Bruce C. , Casey Timothy , Hirsch Betsy A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe TEL‐AML1 fusion in precursor‐B ALL is generated by a cryptic 12;21 translocation that is detectable by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). It is generally considered a favorable prognostic indicator. Some TEL‐AML1+ ALL patients present at diagnosis with extra copies of the fusion, enumerated by FISH. The aim of the study was to determine whether additional copies of TEL‐AML1 have clinical significance.ProcedureCharts of all TEL‐AML1+ ALL patients at the UM and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota between 1996 and 2004 were reviewed.ResultsEight patients (7 males/1 female, mean age 46 months) with two or more TEL‐AML1 fusion signals and 24 with single TEL‐AML1 fusion signals (18 males/6 females, mean age 52 months) were identified. There was no statistically significant difference in age or gender between the two groups. Patients with double TEL‐AML1+ had a higher frequency of myeloid markers CD13 (P = 0.04) or CD33 (P = 0.003) than single TEL‐AML1+ patients. Single TEL‐AML1+ patients had higher WBC (P = 0.04) than double TEL‐AML1+ patients. A trend toward slower therapy response was seen in double TEL‐AML1+ patients versus single, (1 of 7 [14%] <5% marrow blasts on Day 7 vs. 13 of 23 [56%], P = 0.09). Double TEL‐AML1+ patients had a higher relapse rate (P = 0.09) than single TEL‐AML1+ patients.ConclusionsUtilizing FISH to distinguish subgroups of TEL‐AML1 fusion patients may have important prognostic implications. The presence of an extra fusion may portend poorer prognosis. A larger and longer‐term follow‐up study will be required to verify the possible clinical significance of the presence of multiple TEL‐AML1 fusions. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:510–514. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chitosan and N‐carboxymethylchitosan: I. The role of N‐carboxymethylation of chitosan in the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of its films
Authors: Miranda Maria Enoi Santos , Marcolla Catiana , Rodrígues Clóvis Antonio , Wilhelm Helena Maria , Sierakowski Maria Rita , Bresolin Tania Mari Bellé , de Freitas Rilton Alves 
Published: June 2006

AbstractChitosan (degree of deacetylation of 90.2%) and N‐carboxymethylchitosan (N‐CMCh) (degree of substitution of 18.5%) were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis in order to determine their thermal stability. Also, their films were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Both polymers showed a thermal degradation peak at Tm ∼ 250 °C, with Tonset and weight loss of 175 °C and 62% and 190 °C and 35% for chitosan and N‐CMCh, respectively. N‐CMCh showed a second thermal degradation peak at Tm = 600 °C, with an additional weight loss of 25%. Kinetic thermal analysis showed a slower process of degradation at 100 °C for N‐CMCh compared with chitosan, and an activation energy 13 times higher for the former, confirming the higher stability of N‐CMCh. Analysis of chitosan and N‐CMCh films showed that the latter support a high tension, with lower elasticity, and, as revealed by DMA, N‐CMCh has a more compact film structure, with a crossing arrangement of N‐CMCh fibers, as compared with the chitosan films which were determined from SEM analysis to have fibers in one direction only. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of a Novel Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Material using Ethylenebisformamide as the Plasticizer
Authors: Yang Jin‐hui , Yu Jiu‐gao , Ma Xiao‐fei 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn this paper, ethylenebisformamide was synthesized and used as a novel plasticizer for corn starch to prepare thermoplastic starch (EPTPS). FT‐IR spectra showed that the absorption bands of the C‐O groups of the starch molecules were shifted to lower wavenumbers, which indicated that a strong and stable hydrogen bond had been formed between ethylenebisformamide and starch. By scanning electron microscope (SEM) native individual corn starch granules were proved to transfer to a continuous phase. The crystallinity of native corn starch, GPTPS (glycerol plasticized corn starch) and EPTPS was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Water resistance of EPTPS was better than that of GPTPS. It decreased from 50.2% for GPTPS to 37.8% for EPTPS. The mechanical analysis showed that elongation at break increased markedly, being 260% for the EPTPS containing 35% (w/w) ethylenebisformamide. Thermal stability of GPTPSs and EPTPSs was also determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The glass transition temperature Tg, as measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), of EPTPS was higher than that of GPTPS.
Effects of forage composition and growing season on methane emission from sheep in the Inner Mongolia steppe of China
Authors: Wang Chengjie , Wang Shiping , Zhou He , Glindemann Thomas 
Published: June 2006

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of dietary composition on methane (CH4) production of sheep can help us to understand grassland degradation resulting in an increase of CH4 emission from ruminant livestock and its resulting significance affecting CH4 source/sink in the grazing ecosystem. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of forage composition in the diet of sheep in July and August on CH4 production by sheep in the Inner Mongolia steppe. The four diet treatments were: (1) Leymus chinensis and Cleistogenes squarrosa (LC), (2) Leymus chinensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa and concentrate supplementation (LCC), (3) Artemisia frigida and Cleistogenes squarrosa (AC), and (4) Artemisia frigida, Cleistogenes squarrosa and concentrate supplementation (ACC). CH4 production was significantly lower in July than in August (31.4 and 36.2 g per sheep‐unit per day, respectively). The daily average CH4 production per unit of digestive dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased by 10.9, 11.2 and 42.1% for the AC diet compared with the LC diet, respectively. Although concentrate supplementation in both the AC and LC diets increased total CH4 production per sheep per day, it improved sheep productivity and decreased CH4 production by 14.8, 12.5 and 14.8% per unit of DM, OM and NDF digested by the sheep, respectively. Our results suggested that in degraded grassland CH4 emission from sheep was increased and concentrate supplementation increased diet use efficiency. Sheep‐grazing ecosystem seems to be a source of CH4 when the stocking rate is over 0.5 sheep‐units ha−1 during the growing season in the Inner Mongolia steppe.
The ‘mother knows best’ principle: should soil insects be included in the preference–performance debate?
Authors: JOHNSON SCOTT N. , BIRCH A. NICHOLAS E. , GREGORY PETER J. , MURRAY PHILIP J. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract 1. Few entomological studies include soil‐dwelling insects in mainstream ecological theory, for example the preference–performance debate. The preference–performance hypothesis predicts that when insect herbivores have offspring with limited capacity to relocate in relation to a host plant, there is a strong selection pressure for the adult to oviposit on plants that will maximise offspring performance.2. This paper discusses the proposition that insect herbivores that live above ground, but have soil‐dwelling offspring, should be included in the preference–performance debate. Twelve relevant studies were reviewed to assess the potential for including soil insects in this framework, before presenting a preliminary case study using the clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) and its host plant, white clover (Trifolium repens).3. Maternal S. lepidus preferentially oviposited on T. repens plants that had rhizobial root nodules (which enhance offspring performance) rather than T. repens plants without nodules, despite plants having similar foliar nutritional quality. This suggests that adult behaviour above ground was influenced by below‐ground host‐plant quality.4. A conceptual model is presented to describe how information about the suitability for offspring below ground could underpin oviposition behaviour of parental insects living above ground, via plant‐ and soil‐mediated semiochemicals. These interactions between genetically related, but spatially separated, insect herbivores raise important evolutionary questions such as how induced plant responses above ground affect offspring living below ground and vice versa.
Academic performance in nursing students: influence of part‐time employment, age and ethnicity
Authors: Salamonson Yenna , Andrew Sharon 
Published: June 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study examining the influence of age, ethnicity and part‐time employment on nursing students’ academic performance for second year pathophysiology and nursing practice subjects.Background.  Age and ethnicity are known to be significant predictors of academic achievement among nursing students. The endemic nursing shortage has increased the impetus to diversify, resulting in more mature‐age students and students from diverse ethnic and cultural groups in nursing programmes. There is increasing pressure for nursing students to participate in part‐time employment whilst undertaking higher education, and this may affect their academic performance.Methods.  A prospective, quantitative survey design was used to collect data from a regional university in Australia over a 2‐year period from 2001 to 2002. A total of 267 nursing students were included in the study.Findings.  More than three‐quarters (78%) of second year students were participating in paid employment, with the majority in nursing‐related jobs. Of those working, half did so more than 16 hours per week during the semester. Students who were not in paid employment had the highest academic achievements in both pathophysiology and nursing practice. Age was positively related with academic performance, but hours of part‐time employment and ethnicity were negatively associated with academic performance, with the amount of time spent in paid employment being the strongest predictor of academic performance in both pathophysiology and nursing practice.Conclusion.  Working more than 16 hours per week had a detrimental impact on the academic performance of nursing students. More importantly, this study shows that nursing‐related employment is not advantageous to students’ academic performance, even for a nursing practice‐based subject. If the current practice of employing nursing students in clinical settings is to continue, this experience needs to be aligned to the academic curriculum if it is to be beneficial to students’ knowledge and skill acquisition.
Transition: a literature review
Authors: Kralik Debbie , Visentin Kate , Van Loon Antonia 
Published: June 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a comprehensive literature review exploring how the term ‘transition’ has been used in the health literature.Background.  The meaning of transition has varied with the context in which the term has been used. The last 3 decades have seen altered understandings in the concept of transition in the social science and health disciplines, with nurses contributing to more recent understandings of the transition process as it relates to life and health.Method.  The CINAHL, Medline, Sociofile and Psychlit databases were accessed and papers published between 1994 and 2004 were retrieved to answer the questions ‘How is the word transition used?’ and ‘What is the concept of transition informing?’ Transition theoretical frameworks were also explored.Findings.  Widespread use of the word ‘transition’ suggests that it is an important concept. Transitional definitions alter according to the disciplinary focus, but most agree that transition involves people's responses during a passage of change. Transition occurs over time and entails change and adaptation, for example developmental, personal, relational, situational, societal or environmental change, but not all change engages transition. Reconstruction of a valued self‐identity is essential to transition. Time is an essential element in transition and therefore longitudinal studies are required to explore the initial phase, midcourse experience and outcome of the transition experience.Conclusion.  Transition is the way people respond to change over time. People undergo transition when they need to adapt to new situations or circumstances in order to incorporate the change event into their lives. Transition is a concept that is important to nursing; however, to further develop understandings, research must extend beyond single events or single responses. Longitudinal comparative and longitudinal cross‐sectional inquiries are required to further develop the concept.
Towards a nursing minimum data set for Ireland: making Irish nursing visible
Authors: Butler Michelle , Treacy Margaret , Scott Anne , Hyde Abbey , Mac Neela Pádraig , Irving Kate , Byrne Anne , Drennan Jonathan 
Published: June 2006

Aim. The aim of this study was to identify patient problems, nursing interventions and nursing outcomes to be included in a nursing minimum data set for Ireland.Background. In 2002, a research programme funded by the Irish Health Research Board, was established to develop and test a nursing minimum data set to capture the nursing contribution to patient care in Ireland. A nursing minimum data set is comprised of the smallest number of information items required to capture the range of patient problems, nursing interventions and nursing outcomes recorded by nurses on a regular basis. Nursing minimum data sets have been developed in several countries for a range of applications such as workforce planning, financing nursing care, examining patient profiles and forecasting trends in nursing diagnoses.Method. Eleven focus groups were conducted with 59 registered general nurses to explore their conceptualizations of patient problems, nursing interventions and nursing outcomes. In addition, data relating to nurses’ recordings of patient problems, nursing interventions and nursing outcomes were collected from a sample of 45 sets nursing records. The research took place between January 2003 and April 2004.Findings. A range of patient problems, nursing interventions and outcomes were identified that were similar to those found in existing nursing minimum data sets. However, several new items and categories of items were also identified, justifying the empirical approach taken to generate the initial list of items. Data from nursing records supported several points raised in focus groups and also highlighted some inconsistencies between nurses’ perceptions and recordings of what they do.Conclusion. Our research identified several new types of indirect interventions and managing/organizing activities in addition to items found in existing nursing minimum data sets. The importance of these aspects of the nursing contribution to patient care will be tested further in the development of the Irish nursing minimum data set.
Do written education materials that use content and design principles improve older people's knowledge?
Authors: McKenna Kryss , Scott Judy 
Published: June 2006

Background/Aim:  Information may inform and empower clients to engage in their health care. Information can be provided in written form, but it is only effective if it can be read and understood by clients. This study examined whether the knowledge acquisition of participants aged 65 years and older improved more after reading leaflets revised according to content and design principles compared to the leaflets in their original form. Methods:  Seven participant pairs (mean age was 74 years, 79% were women), matched according to reading ability, read either the original or the revised versions of four leaflets used by occupational therapists with older clients. Knowledge before and after reading the leaflets was measured using true/false tests developed for each leaflet. Results:  After adjusting for differences in baseline knowledge scores, participants who read the revised leaflets acquired 55.3% more knowledge than those who read the original leaflets. All but one participant preferred the revised versions of the leaflets. Conclusions:  Simply written and clearly presented written education materials may improve clients’ understanding of the content. Further research is needed to determine if one or a combination of the content and design principles used to revise the leaflets is effective in increasing clients’ knowledge.
Urodynamic studies in the evaluation of young men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: TOH KHAI‐LEE , NG CHEE‐KWAN 
Published: June 2006

Aim:  To evaluate the usefulness of urodynamic study in young men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Methods:  We reviewed the charts of 50 men with LUTS aged 50 years and below. Those with neurological diseases, urethral trauma or strictures were excluded. All underwent multichannel urodynamic studies (UDS). The pre‐ and post‐UDS diagnoses and treatment modalities were compared.Results:  Mean age was 38.1 years (17–49). The main pre‐UDS diagnoses included prostatitis in seven (14%), overactive bladder in seventeen (34%) and benign prostatic hyperplasia in nine (18%). Pre‐UDS management ranged from anticholingeric agents for thirteen (26%), α‐adrenergic antagonists for nine (18%), antibiotics for six (12%). Abnormal UDS were noted in 36 (72%), including detrusor overactivity in 9 (18%), detrusor underactivity/acontractility in 5 (10%) and bladder outlet obstruction in 21 (42%). Fourteen (28%) had primary bladder neck dysfunction and five (10%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia. Post‐UDS management included anticholingeric agents for ten (26%), α‐adrenergic antagonists for seventeen (34%), catheterization for four (10%), behavioral therapy for three (6%), surgery for three (6%). None were prescribed antibiotics.Following UDS, the diagnosis had to be updated in 40 (80%) and concomitant change in management was required in 34 (68%).Conclusion:  Young men presenting with LUTS have different underlying etiologies. Clinical diagnosis and treatment are often empiric and inaccurate. Urodynamic study is useful in the evaluation of this group of patients as it aids in arriving at an accurate diagnosis and guides treatment therapy.
Perforating ocular injury by Taser
Authors: Chen Sandy L , Richard Christen K , Murthy Raghu C , Lauer Andreas K 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis report describes the features, treatment and outcome of globe perforation by a Taser dart electrode in a 21‐year‐old man. The Taser electrode caused mechanical iris, lens and retinal injury and consequent retinal detachment as result of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The effect of electrical stimulation on ocular tissues is unknown. After the scleral and corneal wounds, traumatic cataract and retinal tear were repaired, the patient regained a visual acuity of 6/18. Nine months later a retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy was discovered. The Taser may cause globe perforation and posterior segment injury. Understanding the barbed configuration of the dart electrode is important when extricating this device. Visual recovery is possible despite electric discharge of the Taser and suggests that the mechanism of ocular injury is largely mechanical.