bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Competency‐Based Approach to Public Health Nursing Performance Appraisal
Authors: Kalb Kate Bracy , Cherry Nancy M. , Kauzloric Jayne , Brender Annette , Green Kathy , Miyagawa LeaAnn , Shinoda‐Mettler Anne 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To integrate public health nursing (PHN) competencies into a comprehensive performance review instrument for nurses at multiple practice levels in an urban public health department.Design: Based on thorough review of PHN competency literature, the tool evaluates performance for 5 nursing practice classifications (Staff RN, Public Health Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Supervisor) in eight PHN domains (assessment, policy development/program planning, evaluation, communication, cultural competency, partnership/collaboration, disease prevention/health promotion, leadership/systems thinking).Sample: Tool was piloted with over 50 nurses from PHN workforce (n>400) of Public Health‐Seattle & King County (Washington).Method: Pilot testing includes all components of the performance appraisal system: Public Health Competency Grid, statement of general workplace expectations, Nursing Performance Appraisal Tool, and supporting documents defining performance elements by job classification.Results: Supervisors find the tool easy to use and report that it provides opportunity for real communication between employee and supervisor. Nurses at all practice levels report that it effectively describes/evaluates their practice.Conclusions: This tool is an efficient performance appraisal instrument providing meaningful feedback to nursing employees within a framework of PHN competencies. Adopting such tools in PHN practice can help nurses to better understand their role in population‐based public health efforts.
Guiding Mothers' Management of Health Problems of Very Low Birth‐Weight Infants
Authors: Pridham Karen A. , Krolikowski Mary M. , Limbo Rana K. , Paradowski Jill , Rudd Nancy , Meurer John R. , Uttech Ann , Henriques Jeffrey B. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT Objective:Explore the feasibility, usefulness, and outcomes of a pilot program to support mothers in developing competencies for managing health problems of their very low birth‐weight (VLBW) infants in partnership with the primary care clinician (PCC).Design:In a randomized study, mothers who received guided participation (GP) and printed guidelines for managing VLBW infant health problems were compared with mothers who received only the guidelines and standard care (GL group).Sample:All mothers (GP=20; GL=11) were at least 18 years old and English speaking. Infants were all VLBW (≤1,500 g).Intervention:GP began during the infant's neonatal intensive care unit stay and continued with public health nurses (PHNs) and a family service clinician through the infant's first 4 postterm months.Measurements:Intervention feasibility and usefulness were assessed with maternal and clinician feedback. Outcomes included maternal and clinician appraisal of mothers' use of clinical resources and mothers' perceptions of primary‐care quality and the family‐PCC relationship.Results:Intervention feasibility and usefulness were supported. GP and GL groups did not differ significantly on outcomes.Conclusions:Findings indicate a longer intervention period, GP organized by infant problem episodes, and enhancement of the PHN role in the context of interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration.
Perceptions of Effectiveness of Nurse‐Managed Clinics: A Cross‐Cultural Study
Authors: Krothe Joyce Splann , Clendon Jill M. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT
Objective: To study perceptions of the effectiveness of two nurse‐managed clinics (NMCs), one in the United States and the other in New Zealand.Design: Cross‐cultural evaluation study utilizing qualitative methodology; two rounds of in‐depth interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for themes.Sample: Data were initially collected from 21 participants. Sixteen of the original participants participated in a second interview.Intervention: The first round of interviews and provisional data analysis were conducted in the respective NMCs; joint data analysis to identify themes and develop a preliminary joint report of findings followed. Sixteen participants responded to the provisional report; additional data analysis resulted in the final report of findings.Results: Analysis of the data yielded three categories: the NMC milieu affects perceived effectiveness; perceptions are shaped by contrasting with past experiences; and the level of care affects personal health care decisions.Conclusions: The milieu created in the NMC enhances perceptions of effectiveness and responsibility for personal health care. Further research related to effectiveness of NMC models of care and client outcomes is needed. Qualitative methodology is recommended for cross‐cultural research.
Education, Cognitive Test Scores, and Black‐White Differences in Dementia Risk
Authors: Shadlen Marie‐Florence , Siscovick David , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Dulberg Corinne , Kuller Lewis H. , Jackson Sharon 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To compare dementia risks of elderly black and white subjects and to determine whether differences in education and cognitive test scores contribute to the inconsistency in reported differences between these groups.DESIGN: Longitudinal, 6‐year follow‐up.PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand seven hundred eighty‐six older black and white subjects in the Cardiovascular Health Study.MEASUREMENTS: Age, education (>10 years vs ≤10 years), Modified Mini‐Mental State Examination score (3MS, ≤85 vs >85). Potential confounders were sex, depression, apolipoprotein E4 genotype, vascular disease, and baseline magnetic resonance imaging changes.RESULTS: White subjects with low education and black subjects with high education had twice the risk of dementia of white subjects with high education (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.5–2.4 and 95% CI=1.4–2.7); black subjects with low education had five times the risk of dementia (95% CI=3.4–7.7). Likewise, for subjects with low 3MSE scores, black subjects had 6.7 times the risk of dementia (95% CI=4.7–9.7) and white subjects had 2.7 times the risk of dementia (95% CI=2.2–3.5) as white subjects with high 3MSE scores. Finally, in Cox models, there was no significant black‐white difference in dementia risk after adjustment for all confounders and baseline 3MSE.CONCLUSION: Black race was associated with greater dementia risk even after adjustment for education and other potential confounders. This black‐white difference in dementia risk was markedly attenuated after adjustment for baseline cognitive screening scores. The apparent race effect may reflect gaps in the quality of education or differences in the trajectory of impaired cognitive function experienced by the two groups. Future investigations might take these findings into consideration for the design of studies evaluating black‐white differences in dementia risk.
Hyperventilation, More than Just Hot Air
Authors: Blume Warren T. 
Published: May 2006

Hyperventilation Revisited: Physiological Effects and Efficacy on Focal Seizure Activation in the Era of Video-EEG Monitoring Guaranha MS, Garzon E, Buchpiguel CA, Tazima S, Yacubian EM, Sakamoto AC Epilepsia 2005;46(1):69–75 Purpose Hyperventilation is an activation method that provokes physiological slowing of brain rhythms, interictal discharges, and seizures, especially in generalized idiopathic epilepsies. In this study, we assessed its effectiveness in inducing focal seizures during video-EEG monitoring. Methods We analyzed the effects of hyperventilation (HV) during video-EEG monitoring of patients with medically intractable focal epilepsies. We excluded children younger than 10 years, mentally retarded patients, and individuals with frequent seizures. Results We analyzed 97 patients; 24 had positive seizure activation (PSA), and 73 had negative seizure activation (NSA). No differences were found between groups regarding sex, age, age at epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and etiology. Temporal lobe epilepsies were significantly more activated than frontal lobe epilepsies. Spontaneous and activated seizures did not differ in terms of their clinical characteristics, and the activation did not affect the performance of ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Conclusions HV is a safe and effective method of seizure activation during monitoring. It does not modify any of the characteristics of the seizures and allows the obtaining of valuable ictal SPECTs. This observation is clinically relevant and suggests the effectiveness and the potential of HV in shortening the presurgical evaluation, especially of temporal lobe epilepsy patients, consequently reducing its costs and increasing the number of candidates for epilepsy surgery.
H-Channel Dysfunction in Generalized Epilepsy: It Takes Two
Authors: Poolos Nicholas P. 
Published: May 2006

Impaired Regulation of Thalamic Pacemaker Channels Through an Imbalance of Subunit Expression in Absence Epilepsy Budde T, Caputi L, Kanyshkova T, Staak R, Abrahamczik C, Munsch T, Pape HC J Neurosci 2005;25(43):9871–9882 The role of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channel isoforms and hyperpolarization-activated cation current ( Ih) for seizure-related burst firing in thalamocortical (TC) neurons was investigated in a rat genetic model of absence epilepsy [Wistar Albino Glaxo rats, bred in Rijswijk (WAG/Rij)]. Burst discharges in TC neurons locked to seizure activity in vivo were prolonged during blockade of Ih by Cs+ and ZD7288 (4-ethylphenylamino-1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidinium chloride). In vitro analyses revealed a hyperpolarizing shift of half-maximal Ih activation ( Vh) in WAG/Rij ( Vh = −93.2 mV) compared with nonepileptic controls [August × Copenhagen-Irish (ACI) ( Vh = −88.0 mV)]. This effect is explained by a shift of the responsiveness of Ih to cAMP toward higher concentrations in TC neurons from WAG/Rij, as revealed by application of 8-bromo-cAMP and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX. During blockade of adenylyl cyclase activity, Ih activation was similar in the two strains, whereas the difference in cAMP responsiveness persisted, thereby voting against different ambient cAMP levels between strains. Increasing the intracellular cAMP level and shifting Ih activation led to a change from burst to tonic firing mode in WAG/Rij but not in ACI rats. Furthermore, HCN1 expression was significantly increased on mRNA and protein levels, with no changes in HCN2–4 expression. In conclusion, there is an increase in HCN1 expression in the epileptic thalamus, associated with a decrease in cAMP responsiveness of Ih in TC neurons and resulting impairment to control the shift from burst to tonic firing, which, in turn, will prolong burst activity after recruitment of Ih during absence seizures.
Changes in dental fluorosis following the cessation of water fluoridation
Authors: Clark D. Christopher , Shulman Jay D. , Maupomé Gerardo , Levy Steven M. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract –  Objectives:  To determine changes in the prevalence of dental fluorosis, and in perceptions of aesthetic concerns due to dental fluorosis after water fluoridation ceased.Methods:  Schoolchildren in second and third grades were examined in 1993–94, 1996–97 and 2002–03 to determine changes in the prevalence of dental fluorosis following fluoridation cessation of the public water supplies in 1992. The Thylstrup–Fejerskov Index (TFI) was used to quantify dental fluorosis. Perceptions of aesthetics were assessed by questionnaires which were sent home to parents. Residence and dental histories were confirmed on all children to determine the extent of exposure to all types of fluorides. Comparisons between the three surveys were used to establish the influence of fluoridated water and other fluoride sources on the occurrence and severity of dental fluorosis. Aesthetic ratings from parents were used to assess the aesthetic conditions of maxillary anterior teeth across the three surveys.Results:  When fluoride was removed from the water supply in 1992, the prevalence and severity of TFI scores decreased significantly from the 1993–94 survey cycle when compared with the 1996–97 and 2002–03 survey cycles. The use of fluoride supplements and fluoride dentifrice also decreased during this study period. Analyses were unable to determine the influence of these different fluoride exposures on the changes in TFI scores over time. Comparisons of aesthetic ratings from parents between survey cycles failed to show any significant differences.
Effect of Toll‐Like Receptor (TLR) Agonists on TLR and Microbicide Expression in Uterine and Vaginal Tissues of the Mouse
Authors: Soboll Gisela , Schaefer Todd M. , Wira Charles R. 
Published: May 2006

ProblemEpithelial cells lining the uterine lumen are the first line of defense against pathogenic microbes. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), defensins and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in the mouse uterus and vagina and in primary uterine epithelial cells and to determine whether TLR agonists induce TLR and defensin expression.Method of studyThe mRNA expression of α‐ and β‐defensins (AD1, 2 and 5 and BD1, 2 and 4) and SLPI was examined by real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) along with the secretion of macrophage chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsExpression of TLR1–9 as well as β‐defensins 1, 2 and 4 and SLPI by uterine and vaginal tissues was demonstrated by RT‐PCR. β‐Defensins and SLPI expression was greater in the vagina than in the uterus. Comparison of fresh and polarized uterine epithelial cells indicated that TLR2–6 expression was unaffected by culture. Incubation of polarized epithelial cells with TLR agonists [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3Cys, Poly (I:C) or PGN] induced TLR5 and TLR9 expression but had no effect on TLR4, defensins or SLPI. Furthermore, exposure to LPS, Pam3Cys, Poly (I:C) or PGN, induced MCP‐1 secretion by polarized epithelial cells in culture.ConclusionThese results indicate that the uterus and vagina as well as uterine epithelial cells are responsive to bacterial and viral pathogens. Not only do epithelial cells respond to TLR agonists by releasing MCP‐1, which mediates inflammatory responses, but they also influence the expression of selected TLR genes to further enhance innate immune protection.
USE OF DISCOVERY CURVES TO ASSESS ABUNDANCE OF HAWAIIAN MONK SEALS
Authors: Baker Jason D. , Harting Albert L. , Johanos Thea C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe investigated the pattern of first sighting of individual seals over the course of a field season, or the “discovery curve,” as a means for estimating abundance of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi. We empirically derived a criterion to determine whether or not total enumeration had been accomplished at a given site and year. When greater than 100‐h field effort was expended without a new individual being identified, we concluded that total enumeration was likely achieved. To evaluate the potential for estimating abundance through extrapolation of nonlinear asymptotic functions fitted to discovery curves, we conducted simulations under a range of capture probability scenarios, including some based on observed individual variability in monk seal sighting frequencies. We demonstrated that if capture heterogeneity existed among individuals, the fitted asymptotes tended to yield biased estimates of abundance. Moreover, the levels of bias and uncertainty tended to increase inversely with the proportion of the population identified. While extrapolation shows little promise for generating unbiased abundance estimates, discovery curves have practical appeal for determining whether total enumeration has been achieved, and for optimizing field effort allocation. This is especially true for relatively small, closed populations of marked individuals.
General Three-Dimensional Analysis of Transient Elastic Waves in a Multilayered Medium
Authors: Ma Chien-Ching , Lee Genn-Sheng 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe propagation of transient elastic waves in a three-dimensional multilayered medium subjected to general dynamic loadings is analyzed in this study. One of the objectives of this study is to develop an effective analytical method for determining transient full-field solutions in the multilayered medium subjected to nonaxisymmetric dynamic loadings. The wave field is decomposed into two parts; one is the P-SV system of waves and the other is the SH system, each of which propagates independently in a horizontally layered medium. A simple relationship between solutions of two- and three-dimensional problems in the Fourier transform domain is also presented. A matrix solution in the triple transform domain is obtained by Brownwich expansion and the inverse transform is inverted by Cagniard’s method. The matrix representation of the solution can be easily used to calculate the transient response of the multilayered medium without tracing the ray path manually. The formulas presented in this study enable us to calculate the long-time transient responses of the multilayered medium for three-dimensional configuration. The theoretical transient solution for a layer overlaying a half-space subjected to an arbitrarily oriented point force is presented in detail. The numerical calculations are compared with experimental measurements for the surface displacement response on a plate and a layer overlaying a half-space subjected to an axisymmetric point force. The numerical investigation is also carried out for nonaxisymmetric loading problem of a layer overlaying a half-space.
Subgrid Scale Modeling
of Turbulence for the Dynamic Procedure Using Finite Difference Method and Its Assessment on the
Thermally Stratified Turbulent Channel Flow
Authors: Tsubokura Makoto 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Previously proposed methods for subgrid-scale (SGS) stress modeling were re-investigated and extended to SGS heat-flux modeling, and various anisotropic and isotropic eddy viscosity/diffusivity models were obtained. On the assumption that they are used in a finite-difference (FD) simulation, the models were constructed in such a way that they are insensitive to numerical parameters on which calculated flows are strongly dependent in the conventional Smagorinsky model. The models obtained, as well as those previously proposed, were evaluated a priori in a stably stratified open channel flow, which is considered to be a challenging application of large eddy simulation and suitable for testing both SGS stress and heat-flux models. The most important feature of the models proposed is that they are insensitive to the discretized test filtering parameter required in the dynamic procedure of Germano et al. (1991, Phys. Fluids, 3, pp. 1760–1765) in FD simulation. We also found in SGS heat-flux modeling that the effect of the grid (resolved)-scale (GS) velocity gradient plays an important role in the estimation of the streamwise heat flux, and an isotropic eddy diffusivity model with the effect of the GS velocity is proposed.
Large-Eddy Simulation
of Reacting Turbulent Flows in Complex
Geometries
Authors: Mahesh K. , Constantinescu G. , Apte S. , Iaccarino G. , Ham F. , Moin P. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Large-eddy simulation (LES) has traditionally been restricted to fairly simple geometries. This paper discusses LES of reacting flows in geometries as complex as commercial gas turbine engine combustors. The incompressible algorithm developed by Mahesh et al. (J. Comput. Phys., 2004, 197, 215–240) is extended to the zero Mach number equations with heat release. Chemical reactions are modeled using the flamelet/progress variable approach of Pierce and Moin (J. Fluid Mech., 2004, 504, 73–97). The simulations are validated against experiment for methane-air combustion in a coaxial geometry, and jet-A surrogate/air combustion in a gas-turbine combustor geometry.
Diversity and Distribution of Marine Microbial Eukaryotes in the Arctic Ocean and Adjacent Seas
Authors: Lovejoy C. , Massana R. , Pedrós-Alió C. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

We analyzed microbial eukaryote diversity in perennially cold arctic marine waters by using 18S rRNA gene clone libraries. Samples were collected during concurrent oceanographic missions to opposite sides of the Arctic Ocean Basin and encompassed five distinct water masses. Two deep water Arctic Ocean sites and the convergence of the Greenland, Norwegian, and Barents Seas were sampled from 28 August to 2 September 2002. An additional sample was obtained from the Beaufort Sea (Canada) in early October 2002. The ribotypes were diverse, with different communities among sites and between the upper mixed layer and just below the halocline. Eukaryotes from the remote Canada Basin contained new phylotypes belonging to the radiolarian orders Acantharea, Polycystinea, and Taxopodida. A novel group within the photosynthetic stramenopiles was also identified. One sample closest to the interior of the Canada Basin yielded only four major taxa, and all but two of the sequences recovered belonged to the polar diatom
Fragilariopsis
and a radiolarian. Overall, 42% of the sequences were <98% similar to any sequences in GenBank. Moreover, 15% of these were <95% similar to previously recovered sequences, which is indicative of endemic or undersampled taxa in the North Polar environment. The cold, stable Arctic Ocean is a threatened environment, and climate change could result in significant loss of global microbial biodiversity.
Horizontal Gene Transfer of P
IB
-Type ATPases among Bacteria Isolated from Radionuclide- and Metal-Contaminated Subsurface Soils
Authors: Martinez Robert J. , Wang Yanling , Raimondo Melanie A. , Coombs Jonna M. , Barkay Tamar , Sobecky Patricia A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Aerobic heterotrophs were isolated from subsurface soil samples obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Field Research Center (FRC) located at Oak Ridge, Tenn. The FRC represents a unique, extreme environment consisting of highly acidic soils with cooccurring heavy metals, radionuclides, and high nitrate concentrations. Four hundred isolates obtained from contaminated soil were assayed for heavy metal resistance, and a smaller subset was assayed for tolerance to uranium. The vast majority of the isolates were gram-positive bacteria and belonged to the high-G+C- and low-G+C-content genera
Arthrobacter
and
Bacillus
, respectively. Genomic DNA from a randomly chosen subset of 50 Pb-resistant (Pb
r
) isolates was amplified with PCR primers specific for P
IB
-type ATPases (i.e.,
pbrA/cadA/zntA
). A total of 10
pbrA/cadA/zntA
loci exhibited evidence of acquisition by horizontal gene transfer. A remarkable dissemination of the horizontally acquired P
IB
-type ATPases was supported by unusual DNA base compositions and phylogenetic incongruence. Numerous Pb
r
P
IB
-type ATPase-positive FRC isolates belonging to the genus
Arthrobacter
tolerated toxic concentrations of soluble U(VI) (UO
2
2+
) at pH 4. These unrelated, yet synergistic, physiological traits observed in
Arthrobacter
isolates residing in the contaminated FRC subsurface may contribute to the survival of the organisms in such an extreme environment. This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to report broad horizontal transfer of P
IB
-type ATPases in contaminated subsurface soils and is among the first studies to report uranium tolerance of aerobic heterotrophs obtained from the acidic subsurface at the DOE FRC.