bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing creativity in an unhelpful climate
Authors: Elton Lewis 
Published: April 2007

The increasing audit culture of quality in universities based on simplistic quantitative performance indicators of quality is the enemy of creativity. Hence issues of quality assessment are important, particularly in the face of the traditionalism of university teaching and examining,
but in practice quality assessment has had little, if any, effect on this traditionalism. Instead it has led to a shift from unjustified total trust to equally unjustified total lack of trust and a corresponding shift from collegial to top down management. The latter is now so firmly entrenched
in universities that the first step towards the general introduction of a component of creativity into university curricula (isolated examples of creativity can readily be found) may well require an academic revolt.
There have been aspects of creativity in the most traditional curricula
even in the sciences for a long time, but really hopeful signs pointing to the introduction of aspects of creativity into whole curricula are in: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item>
The move from teacher-centred to student-centred learning</list-item> <list-item>
The
expression of this move in the form of problem-based and enquiry-based curricula</list-item> <list-item>
A move from positivist to interpretivist assessment and, in particular, assessment in general from unseen papers to portfolios</list-item> </list>
Ethics in a Pandemic: A Survey of the State Pandemic Influenza Plans
Authors: Thomas James C. , Dasgupta Nabarun , Martinot Amanda 
Published: April 2007

A pandemic of highly pathogenic influenza would threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands in the United States and confront governments and organizations, with ethical issues having wide-ranging implications. The Department of Health and Human Services and all states have published pandemic influenza plans. We analyzed the federal and state plans, available on the Internet, for evidence of ethical guidance as judged by the presence of ethical terms. The most striking finding was an absence of ethical language. Although some states acknowledged the need for ethical decisionmaking, very few prescribed how it should happen. If faced by a pandemic in the near future, we stand the risk of making many unjust and regrettable decisions.
Household Water Disinfection in Hurricane-Affected Communities of Louisiana: Implications for Disaster Preparedness for the General Public
Authors: Ram Pavani K. , Blanton Elizabeth , Klinghoffer Debra , Platek Mary , Piper Janet , Straif-Bourgeois Susanne , Bonner Matthew R. , Mintz Eric D. 
Published: April 2007

Objectives. Thousands of Louisiana residents were asked to boil water because of widespread disruptions in electricity and natural gas services after Hurricane Rita. We sought to assess awareness of boil water orders and familiarity with household water disinfection techniques other than boiling. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in randomly selected mobile home communities in Louisiana. Results. We interviewed 196 respondents from 8 communities, which had boil water orders instituted. Of 97 who were home while communities were still under orders to boil water, 30 (31%) were aware of the orders and, of those, 24 (80%) said the orders were active while they were living at home; of the 24, 10 (42%) reported boiling water. Overall, 163 (83%) respondents were aware of a method of water disinfection at the household level: boiling (78%), chlorination (27%), and filtration (25%); 87% had a container of chlorine bleach at home. Conclusions. Few hurricane-affected respondents were aware of boil water orders and of alternate water disinfection techniques. Most had access to chlorine and could have practiced household chlorination if disruption in natural gas and electricity made boiling impossible.
Public Health Investigation After the Discovery of Ricin in a South Carolina Postal Facility
Authors: Schier Joshua G. , Patel Manish M. , Belson Martin G. , Patel Amee , Schwartz Michael , Fitzpatrick Nicole , Drociuk Dan , Deitchman Scott , Meyer Richard , Litovitz Toby , Watson William A. , Rubin Carol H. , Kiefer Max 
Published: April 2007

Objectives. In October 2003, a package containing ricin and a note threatening to poison water supplies was discovered in a South Carolina postal facility, becoming the first potential chemical terrorism event involving ricin in the United States. We examined the comprehensive public health investigation that followed and discuss the lessons learned from it. Methods. An investigation consisting primarily of environmental sampling for ricin contamination, performance of health assessments on affected personnel, and local, regional, and national surveillance for ricin-associated illness. Results. Laboratory analysis of 75 environmental sampling specimens revealed no ricin contamination. Health assessments of 36 affected employees were completed. Local surveillance initially identified 3 suspected cases, and national surveillance identified 399 outliers during the 2-week period after the incident. No confirmed cases of ricin-associated illness were identified. Conclusions. A multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach is required for an effective public health response to a chemical threat such as ricin. The results of all of the described activities were used to determine that the facility was safe to reopen and that no public health threat existed.
Ground Water Stratification and Delivery of Nitrate to an Incised Stream under Varying Flow Conditions
Authors: Böhlke J. K. , O'Connell Michael E. , Prestegaard Karen L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGround water processes affecting seasonal variations of surface water nitrate concentrations were investigated in an incised first‐order stream in an agricultural watershed with a riparian forest in the coastal plain of Maryland. Aquifer characteristics including sediment stratigraphy, geochemistry, and hydraulic properties were examined in combination with chemical and isotopic analyses of ground water, macropore discharge, and stream water. The ground water flow system exhibits vertical stratification of hydraulic properties and redox conditions, with sub‐horizontal boundaries that extend beneath the field and adjacent riparian forest. Below the minimum water table position, ground water age gradients indicate low recharge rates (2–5 cm yr−1) and long residence times (years to decades), whereas the transient ground water wedge between the maximum and minimum water table positions has a relatively short residence time (months to years), partly because of an upward increase in hydraulic conductivity. Oxygen reduction and denitrification in recharging ground waters are coupled with pyrite oxidation near the minimum water table elevation in a mottled weathering zone in Tertiary marine glauconitic sediments. The incised stream had high nitrate concentrations during high flow conditions when much of the ground water was transmitted rapidly across the riparian zone in a shallow oxic aquifer wedge with abundant outflow macropores, and low nitrate concentrations during low flow conditions when the oxic wedge was smaller and stream discharge was dominated by upwelling from the deeper denitrified parts of the aquifer. Results from this and similar studies illustrate the importance of near‐stream geomorphology and subsurface geology as controls of riparian zone function and delivery of nitrate to streams in agricultural watersheds.
Confinement of polar optical phonons in quasi-one-dimensional Wurtzite GaN-based quantum well wires: propagating and half-space phonon modes
Authors: Zhang Li , Shi Jun-Jie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWith the aid of the macroscopic dielectric continuum and Loudon’s uniaxial crystal models, the propagating (PR) and half-space (HS) optical phonon modes and corresponding Fröhlich-like electron-phonon interaction Hamiltonians in a quasi-one-dimensionality (Q1D) wurtzite quantum well wire (QWW) structure are derived and studied. Numerical calculations on a wurtzite GaN/Al0.15Ga0.85N QWW are performed, and discussion is focused mainly on the dependence of the frequency dispersions of PR and HS modes on the free wave-number k z in the z-direction and on the azimuthal quantum number m. The calculated results show that, for given k z and m, there usually exist infinite branches of PR and HS modes in the high-frequency range, and only finite branches of HS modes in the low-frequency range in wurtzite QWW systems. The reducing behaviors of the PR modes to HS modes, and of the HS mode to interface phonon mode have been observed clearly in Q1D wurtzite heterostructures. Moreover, the dispersive properties of the PR and HS modes in Q1D QWWs have been compared with those in Q2D quantum well structures. The underlying physical reasons for these features have also been analyzed in depth.
An unusual cause of hypochromic, microcytic anemia detected on capsule endoscopy
Authors: Jovanovic Ivan , Martinov Jelena , Krstic Miodrag 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
We present you a case of a 79-year old man who was examined with capsule endoscopy for hypochromic microcytic anemia. During the examination multiple hookworms 5 to 10 mm long were visualized in distal ileum.
Control of antibiotic use by a unit-dose drug distribution system
Authors: Vasic Karin , Jovic Zorica , Pesic Gordana 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
The aim of the study was to test a new model of drug distribution known as unit-dose drug distribution including the effects of implementing this system on total drug consumption, especially in curbing antimicrobial use.
The study was carried out in the Department of Surgery at the University Clinical Center in Nis, Serbia. During the first six months of the study (comparative period), drugs were delivered directly from the pharmacy to the urology and orthopedic wards in the traditional way (ward stock system). During the next six months (study period), drugs were delivered directly from the pharmacy to the patients (unit-dose drug distribution system). Drug consumption was measured using the statistical unit defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 bed days according to the anatomical-therapeutic-chemical classification of drugs. Following implementation of the unit-dose drug distribution system, total drug consumption was reduced by 24.34% in the urology ward and by 21.43% in the orthopedic ward. During the comparative period, in the urology and orthopedic wards, systemic antiinfectives (group J) comprised 263.54 and 227.61 DDD/100 bed days or 43.05% and 25.52% of total drug consumption respectively, whereas, during the pilot study period this group of drugs comprised 191.63 and 173.52 DDD/100 bed days or 41.37% and 24.96% of total drug consumption respectively.
The unit-dose distribution system of drugs in hospitals leads to a control of drug consumption and substantial savings. Also, the pharmacist-physician interaction began to emerge as an important factor as a direct result of the changes in the drug distribution system.
Microstructural evaluation of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based hydrogels obtained by freezing‐thawing technique: Thermal analysis and positron annihilation
Authors: Paranhos Caio M. , Soares Bluma G. , Oliveira Renata N. , Pessan Luiz A. , de Freitas Daniela S. , Windmöller Dario , Machado José C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this work, semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (s‐IPN) hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with different contents of water‐soluble sulfonated polyester (PES) were obtained by freezing and thawing cycles. The samples were characterized by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PALS was used to determine the average free volume radius through lifetime measures of the ortho‐positronium (o‐Ps). Degree of crystallinity of the PVA/PES hydrogels was evaluated using the melting enthalpy ratios between the samples and the 100% crystalline PVA. The results show that an increase on the PES content leads to a decrease on the degree of crystallinity of the samples, reflecting an increase on the lifetimes (τ3). These structural changes could be interpreted as a result of different polymer‐polymer interactions between PVA and PES in the hydrogels. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Preparation and characterization of HAP/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites
Authors: Sreedhar B. , Aparna Y. , Sairam M. , Hebalkar Neha 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNanocomposites of modified chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) with hydroxyapatite (HAP) have been prepared by coprecipitation technique. Totally three nanocomposites containing 80/20, 50/50, and 20/80 of HAP/CMCh have been prepared and were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Modified chitosan, CMCh, which is water soluble can be used for drug delivery application. TEM micrographs of the nanocomposites revealed the formation of small HAP crystallites of about 230 nm in length and 30 nm in width that are aggregated to form elliptical shapes or morphology. TGA thermograms showed that the thermal stability of the CMCh increased with incorporation of HAP. FTIR, XRD, and XPS analysis of CMCh/HAP nanocomposites showed the peaks corresponding to CMCh as well as HAP and confirm the formation of HAP/CMCh nanocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Mechanical characterization of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polypropylene blends
Authors: Baldi Francesco , Bignotti Fabio , Fina Alberto , Tabuani Daniela , Riccò Theonis 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPolypropylene blends with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) bearing different alkyl groups were investigated to elucidate the effect of the alkyl group length on the mechanical behavior of the blends. In particular, blends of polypropylene (PP) with either octamethyl‐POSS, octaisobutyl‐POSS, or isooctyl‐POSS were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry evidenced only minor changes in the degree of crystallinity compared to neat PP. Uniaxial tensile tests showed that the incorporation of octamethyl‐POSS induces an increase in Young's modulus and a reduction of the yield strength in comparison with unfilled PP. By contrast, upon the incorporation of octaisobutyl‐POSS and isooctyl‐POSS, both Young's modulus and the yield strength were found to decrease by increasing the POSS content. It is suggested that POSS behave as particles having a siliceous hard‐core surrounded by a hydrocarbon soft‐shell, which limits the stress transfer from the matrix to the core in dependence on the length of the alkyl groups. Finally, the essential work of fracture method was employed to study the fracture behavior of octamethyl‐POSS/PP blends, with different POSS contents (0, 3, and 10 wt %). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Poly(ether amide) segmented block copolymers with adipic acid based tetraamide segments
Authors: Biemond G. J. E. , Feijen J. , Gaymans R. J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPoly(tetramethylene oxide)‐based poly(ether ester amide)s with monodisperse tetraamide segments were synthesized. The tetraamide segment was based on adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and hexamethylenediamine. The synthesis method of the copolymers and the influence of the tetraamide concentration, which was varied between 3 and 44 wt %, were studied. The copolymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and temperature‐dependent Fourier transform infrared, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The monodisperse tetraamide segments crystallized fast, forming crystalline ribbons with high aspect ratios, and the crystallinity of the tetraamide segments in the copolymers was typically 90%. The glass‐transition temperature of the poly(tetramethylene oxide) phase was low (−65 to −70°C), and the modulus in the plateau region of the copolymers was virtually temperature‐independent. With increasing content of crystallizable amide segments in the copolymer, the storage modulus at room temperature increased from 1 to 102 MPa. This strong increase in the modulus with the tetraamide content could be approximated with a model for fiber‐reinforced polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Residential living at rural community colleges
Authors: Moeck Pat G. , Hardy David E. , Katsinas Stephen G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAlthough most community colleges do not have on‐campus housing, many rural two‐year colleges do. Relying on federal institutional survey data, this chapter discusses issues related to the operation of residence halls and implications for both students and rural community college leaders. The chapter concludes with recommendations for policy and practice.
Larval legs of mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori are prototypes for the adult legs
Authors: Singh Amit , Kango‐Singh Madhuri , Parthasarathy R. , Gopinathan K.P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMorphological diversity of leg appendages is one of the hallmarks of developmental evolution. Limbs in insects may develop either from their embryonic prototypes or from imaginal discs harbored inside the larva. Bombyx mori (B. mori), a Lepidopteran insect, develops adult wings from larval wing imaginal discs. However, it has been debated whether the adult legs of B. mori arise from imaginal discs or from the larval legs. Here we addressed how the larval legs relate to their adult counterparts. We present the morphological landmarks during early leg development. We used expression of developmental genes like Distalless and extradenticle to mark leg primordia. Finally, we employed classical excision approach to develop a fate map of the adult leg. Excision and ablation of thoracic legs along proximo‐distal axis at various times during larval development resulted in the loss of corresponding adult leg segments. Our data suggest that B. mori legs develop from larval appendages rather than leg imaginal discs. genesis 45:169–176, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Double‐inducible gene activation system for caspase 3 and 9 in epidermis
Authors: Shah Viraj R. , Koster Maranke I. , Roop Dennis R. , Spencer David M. , Wei Lei , Li Qi , Schwartz Robert J. , Chang Jiang 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExpression of genes with tight and precise temporal and spatial control is desired in a wide variety of applications ranging from cultured cells and transgenic animals to gene therapy. While current inducible systems, such as RU486 and chemical inducers of dimerization (CID), have improved earlier inducible models (Gossen et al., 1995, Science. 268:1766–1769; Wang et al., 1994, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:8180–8184), no single system is perfect at present. One potential drawback of these systems is leakage of transgene expression, causing limitations of each system. We have developed an inducible model containing both RU486 and CID systems, which in addition to inducing caspase activation, has potential applicability specifically to other genes encoding proteins that require a dimerization event for activation. This Double‐Inducible Gene Activation System generates two barriers for the target gene expression and protein activation thereby minimizing leakage. genesis 45:194–199, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eomes::GFP—a tool for live imaging cells of the trophoblast, primitive streak, and telencephalon in the mouse embryo
Authors: Kwon Gloria S. , Hadjantonakis Anna‐Katerina 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExpression of T‐box family member Eomesodermin (Tbr2) is spatiotemporally restricted in the mouse embryo; initially expressed in extraembryonic lineages in the sequential progression from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst, its derivatives the extraembryonic ectoderm, and thereafter the chorion, in addition to the visceral endoderm and primitive streak at gastrula stages, and the telencephalon at later stages. We describe the spatiotemporal expression of GFP in embryos of a Tg(Eomes::GFP) BAC transgenic strain, and have compared it with the localization of endogenous Eomes transcripts and protein. Our analysis reveals the following: (1) robust easily visualized reporter expression in live hemizygous transgenic embryos, (2) increased levels of expression in live homozygous transgenic embryos that are compatible with embryo viability, and (3) a close correlation between endogenous Eomes and GFP reporter expression in BAC transgenic embryos. These features establish the Tg(Eomes::GFP) BAC transgenic strain as a novel reagent for both live imaging and the isolation of Eomes expressing cells from specific locations within the embryo. genesis 45:208–217, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased bone mass in male and female mice following tamoxifen administration
Authors: Starnes L.M. , Downey C.M. , Boyd S.K. , Jirik F.R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTamoxifen is capable of preserving bone mass in gonadectomized rodents as well as intact female mice; however, a detailed 3D quantitative analysis of the structural changes produced in the growing skeleton of intact mice of both genders by this agent is lacking. Employing quantitative microcomputed tomography (μCT), we assessed the effects of 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) on the femora of C57BL/6J mice administered this agent either for 12 (males and females) or 2 (females) weeks. In mice of either gender, but especially in females, 12 weeks of OHT exposure led to dramatic increases in both cortical and trabecular bone. Females exposed to OHT for either 2 or 12 weeks demonstrated significantly increased cortical wall thickness, trabecular bone volume, connectivity, and number, as well as decreased trabecular separation. Significant increases in several of these parameters were also evident in males after 12 weeks of OHT administration. In view of the expanding use of OHT to induce Cre‐mediated recombination events, our findings suggest that care should be exercised when interpreting the skeletal phenotypes of mice exposed this agent, particularly in situations where the effects of OHT might synergize with the phenotypic outcome of a specific genetic alteration. genesis 45:229–235, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.