bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between income and performance indicators in general practice: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ashworth M , Armstrong D , de Freitas J , Boullier G , Garforth J , Virji A 
Published: October 2005

Objective: To explore the relationship between the income of general practitioners (GPs) and the performance characteristics of their practices. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: All practices ( n = 166) in an inner city health authority, two years before the introduction of the new GP contract in April 2004 were studied. Main outcome measures: True income per GP was unavailable to us. Instead, the proxy measure - superannuable pay - was calculated (gross eligible income per GP minus the national average sum for GP expenses). Practice staff funding figures were also obtained. These two financial indicators were compared with practice characteristics and performance indicators. Results: Data were available from 151 out of 166 practices. Based on regression analysis, larger list sizes and higher practice staff budgets predicted 31% of the variation in GP income (standardized β = 0.66, P < 0.001; β = 0.19, P = 0.02; respectively). Higher staff budgets were independently associated with better cervical smear and two-year-old vaccination rates (standardized β = 0.24, P < 0.01; β = 0.18, P = 0.03; respectively). No association was demonstrated between performance indicators and income. Conclusion: Under the previous contract, GPs were able to maximize their income by taking on more patients, whereas achievement of performance targets had very little impact on overall income. The opportunity costs of pursuing higher-quality care might have outweighed the modest financial rewards attached to performance targets. Provided rewards for good-quality care are sufficiently high, the new GP contract is likely to tip the balance in favour of generating earnings by improving the quality of clinical care. To deliver this care, as measured by available performance indicators, our findings imply that a greater investment in practice staff will be needed.
Differential Maturation of GABA Action and Anion Reversal Potential in Spinal Lamina I Neurons: Impact of Chloride Extrusion Capacity
Authors: Cordero-Erausquin Matilde , Coull Jeffrey A. M. , Boudreau Dominic , Rolland Matthias , Koninck Yves De 
Published: October 2005

A deficit in inhibition in the spinal dorsal horn has been proposed to be an underlying cause of the exaggerated cutaneous sensory reflexes observed in newborn rats. However, the developmental shift in transmembrane anion gradient, potentially affecting the outcome of GABAAtransmission, was shown to be completed within 1 week after birth in the spinal cord, an apparent disparity with the observation that reflex hypersensitivity persists throughout the first 2-3 postnatal weeks.To further investigate this issue, we used several approaches to assess the action of GABA throughout development in spinal lamina I (LI) neurons. GABA induced an entry of extracellular calcium in LI neurons from postnatal day 0 (P0) to P21 rats, which involved T- and N-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Gramicidin perforated-patch recordings revealed that the shift in anion gradient was completed by P7 in LI neurons. However, high chloride pipette recordings demonstrated that these neurons had not reached their adult chloride extrusion capacity by P10-P11. Simultaneous patch-clamp recordings and calcium imaging revealed that biphasic responses to GABA, consisting of a primary hyperpolarization followed by a rebound depolarization, produced a rise in [Ca2+]i. Thus, even ifEanionpredicts GABAA-induced hyperpolarization from rest, a low chloride extrusion capacity can cause a rebound depolarization and an ensuing rise in [Ca2+]i.We demonstrate that GABA action in LI neurons matures throughout the first 3 postnatal weeks, therefore matching the time course of maturation of withdrawal reflexes. Immature spinal GABA signaling may thus contribute to the nociceptive hypersensitivity in infant rats.
The 2.0 Å Crystal Structure of a Pocilloporin at pH 3.5: The Structural Basis for the Linkage Between Color Transition and Halide Binding
Authors: Wilmannt Pascal G. , Battad Jion , Beddoe Travis , Olsen Seth , Smith Sean C. , Dove Sophie , Devenish Rodney J. , Rossjohn Jamie , Prescott Mark 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACTThe pocilloporin Rtms5 and an engineered variant Rtms5H146S undergo distinct color transitions (from blue to red to yellow to colorless) in a pH‐dependent manner. pKa, values of 4.1 and 3.2 were determined for the blue (absorption λmax, 590 nm) to yellow (absorption λmax, ∼453 nm) transitions of Rtms5 and Rtms5H146. The pKa for the blue‐yellow transition of Rtms5H146S increased by 1.4 U in the presence of 0.1 M KI, whereas the pKa for the same transition of Rtms5 was relatively insensitive to added halides. To understand the structural basis for these observations, we have determined to 2.0 Å resolution the crystal structure of a yellow form of Rtms5H146S at pH 3.5 in the presence of iodide. Iodide was found occupying a pocket in the structure with a pH of 3.5, forming van der Waals contacts with the tyrosyl moiety of the chromophore. Elsewhere, it was determined that this pocket is occupied by a water molecule in the Rtms5H146S structure (pH 8.0) and by the side chain of histidine 146 in the wild‐type Rtms5 structure. Collectively, our data provide an explanation for the observed linkage between color transitions for Rtms5H146S and binding to halides.
Accuracy of Diver Counts of Fluvial Rainbow Trout Relative to Horizontal Underwater Visibility
Authors: Hagen John , Baxter James S. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
We investigated the effects of variation in underwater visibility on the accuracy of diver counts of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in the Salmo River, British Columbia, over a 3-year time period. A four-man team of divers, drifting in a downstream direction, made periodic counts of trout along a study reach in which radio-tagged fish that had also received a visual mark were present. Observer efficiency of divers (number of tags seen relative to the number known to be present) was significantly related to horizontal underwater Secchi disk visibility during 2002 and 2003 but only poorly so for the first year of the study in 2001. Overall, horizontal visibility in the 3 years' combined data set was significantly related to observer efficiency, explaining 62% of the variation. Diver counts of untagged trout confirmed these patterns. Diver counts of trout greater than 30 cm and greater than 40 cm showed precise, significant relationships with horizontal visibility for both 2002 and 2003. Horizontal visibility changes explained 94% and 93% of the variation in counts of trout greater than 30 cm and greater than 40 cm, respectively, in 2002 and 94% and 87% of the variation for the same size categories in 2003. The poor-quality, nonsignificant relationships between counts of trout and visibility in 2001 were consistent with the poor observer efficiency relationship for that year as estimated from the observations of the radio-tagged fish. Taken together, these poor-quality relationships for the first year of the study point to either crew inexperience or some other factor(s) as an important source of error in addition to water clarity.
Electrofishing Catchability of Walleyes, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Muskellunge in Wisconsin Lakes
Authors: Schoenebeck Casey W. , Hansen Michael J. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
We sought to determine whether electrofishing catchability was density dependent and varied with physical and biological factors for walleyes Sander vitreus, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, smallmouth bass M. dolomieu, northern pike Esox lucius, and muskellunge E. masquinongy in Wisconsin lakes. Electrofishing catch rate (number of fish caught per shoreline mile) was linearly related to population density (number of fish per acre) in spring for largemouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge and in fall for walleyes, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. In contrast, gear saturation caused the electrofishing catch rate to be nonlinearly related (hyperstable) to population density for walleyes and smallmouth bass during spring. Catchability was higher during spring than fall for walleyes, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Catchability of walleyes during fall was positively related to the percentage of littoral zone, whereas catchability of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and muskellunge was negatively related to the shoreline development index. Other physical and chemical variables failed to describe significant residual variation in catchability of any other species in any other season. We conclude that population density cannot be accurately estimated from the electrofishing catch rates of walleyes and smallmouth bass during spring. Therefore, mark–recapture methods must still be used to estimate population density if managers choose to sample those species during spring in Wisconsin lakes.
Evaluation of Sampling Techniques for Age-0 Lake Sturgeon in a Lake Michigan Tributary
Authors: Benson Angela C. , Sutton Trent M. , Elliott Robert F. , Meronek Thomas G. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in the Great Lakes would benefit from a greater understanding of early life stage attributes. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of active and passive sampling gears for capturing age-0 lake sturgeon and evaluate whether the most effective gear types were size selective. Fish were collected by means of active (i.e., wading, haul-seine, backpack electrofishing, snorkeling surveys, and bottom trawls) and passive (i.e., gill nets, set lines, and fyke nets) sampling gears from June to November of 2002 and 2003 in the lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, and nearshore waters of Green Bay. Mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) was greatest for day wading (0.036 fish/min), followed by day haul-seine surveys (0.029 fish/min), night wading (0.020 fish/min), and night haul-seine surveys (0.015 fish/min). Night wading surveys captured the greatest number of fish (N = 118). Day and night electrofishing (CPUE = 0.008 and 0.013 fish/min, respectively), snorkeling (CPUE = 0.010 fish/ min), and gill nets (CPUE = 0.026 fish/d) were less effective gear types, while bottom trawls, set lines, and fyke nets did not capture fish. Smaller fish were captured during day wading and haul-seine surveys (median = 71 and 68 mm, respectively) than during night wading and haul-seine surveys (median = 120 and 133 mm, respectively). Based on these results, we recommend the use of wading and haul-seine surveys to collect age-0 lake sturgeon in shallow lotic and lentic systems, such as the lower Peshtigo River and Green Bay, that are characterized by low current velocity and high water clarity.
Comparison of Interval and Aerial Count Methods for Estimating Fisher Boating Effort
Authors: Lockwood Roger N. , Rakoczy Gerald P. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Interval and aerial angler creel survey counting methods were compared for a statistical district of Lake Michigan (MM-6) to evaluate potential underestimation of the interval method. Two 0.5-h boat (i.e., interval) counts were made per sample day at five access ports within MM-6, and on the same day, boats in 3 out of 18 MM-6 grids were counted from aircraft. Seasonal and monthly day-type (weekday or weekend day) estimates of boating effort by count method were compared. Seasonal boating effort estimates during open-water periods were not significantly different for aerial versus interval counts: 250,387 versus 247,117 in 2000 and 177,532 versus 219,097 in 2001. Similarly, comparisons of boating effort by monthly day type (i.e., weekday or weekend day) within each year did not indicate significant differences. Aerial precision estimates (2 SEs/estimate; 14.84% in 2000 and 15.53% in 2001) were more precise than interval estimates (21.42% in 2000 and 24.54% in 2001). Similarly, predicted power (1 − β) was greater for aerial estimates than for interval estimates. The potential power of future interval estimates to detect a 25% change in boating effort with α = 0.05 was 0.38 for 2000 data and 0.30 for 2001 data. Aerial estimates provided power estimates of 0.66 for 2000 data and 0.62 for 2001 data. At least four interval counts per sample day are needed to match the precision and power of three aerial counts. Although both count types were made on the same sample days and at approximately the same (random) times each sample day, each method relied on unique estimation methods. Comparable, independent estimates establish the reliability of these two methods.
Interactions between Walleyes and Four Fish Species with Implications for Walleye Stocking
Authors: Fayram Andrew H. , Hansen Michael J. , Ehlinger Timothy J. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
We used a number of different data sets and four criteria to evaluate evidence of competition and predation between walleye Sander vitreus and northern pike Esox lucius, muskellunge E. masquinongy, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, and largemouth bass M. salmoides in northern Wisconsin lakes. The four criteria were as follows: (1) indices of population abundance were inversely related, (2) two species had shared resources or one species preyed on the other, (3) competition or predation was strong enough to produce a measurable effect, and (4) experimental manipulations produced results consistent with the hypothesis of competition or predation. Using these criteria, we identified which species interact most strongly with walleyes, determined the most likely mechanism for interaction (predation, competition, or both), and characterized the effects of walleye stocking on these species. Largemouth bass was the only species that strongly interacted with walleyes: (1) indices of largemouth bass and walleye population abundance were inversely related in lakes with self-sustaining walleye populations; (2) the diet of largemouth bass included juvenile walleyes; (3) walleye growth was positively related to indices of largemouth bass abundance; and (4) survival of stocked walleyes was negatively related to indices of largemouth bass abundance, and indices of largemouth bass abundances increased as an index of walleye stocking intensity increased. A bioenergetics analysis of one lake that was stocked with 39,300 juvenile walleyes, but also has some natural reproduction of walleyes, suggested that the largemouth bass population could consume up to 82,500 juvenile walleyes per year. Our findings suggest that largemouth bass interact strongly with walleyes through predation, that they can limit the survival of stocked walleyes, and that walleye stocking can result in increased largemouth bass populations. Therefore, management goals seeking to simultaneously maximize largemouth bass and walleye populations may be unrealistic.
French multicentre prospective observational study of laparoscopicversusopen colectomy for sigmoid diverticular disease
Authors:   Association Française de Chirurgie, Alves A , Panis Y , Slim K , Heyd B , Kwiatkowski F , Mantion G 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates after elective laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery for sigmoid diverticular disease (SDD).MethodsThis prospective national multicentre observational study included all consecutive patients undergoing open or laparoscopic elective colectomy for SDD in a 4-month period between June and September 2002. Postoperative in-hospital mortality and morbidity in the two groups were compared.ResultsThree hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients undergoing either laparoscopic (163 patients) or open (169 patients) colectomy for SDD were analysed. Overall postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 0·3 and 23·8 per cent respectively. The morbidity rate was significantly higher in the open than in the laparoscopic group (P &lt; 0·001), leading to a significantly longer hospital stay (P &lt; 0·001). The morbidity rate remained significantly higher in the open group when the patients were matched for age (P = 0·015) or American Society of Anesthesiologists score (P = 0·028). An open procedure (relative risk (RR) 2·13 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1·29 to 3·45)), age over 70 years (RR 1·62 (95 per cent c.i. 1·14 to 2·30)) and intraperitoneal contamination (RR 2·54 (95 per cent c.i. 1·18 to 5·50)) were identified as independent risk factors for morbidity.ConclusionA laparoscopic approach to elective treatment of SDD may be associated with reduced postoperative morbidity and hospital stay. A randomized study is required to confirm these results.
Sentinel node detection after preoperative short-course radiotherapy in rectal carcinoma is not reliable
Authors: Braat A E , Oosterhuis J W A , Moll F C P , de Vries J E , Wiggers T 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundSeninel node (SN) detection may be used in patients with colonic carcinoma. However, its use in patients with rectal carcinoma may be unreliable. To address this, SN detection was evaluated in patients with rectal carcinoma after short-course preoperative radiotherapy.MethodsPatent Blue V (1–2 ml) was injected peritumorally and submucosally directly after total mesorectal excision (TME) in 34 patients. The first one to four blue lymph nodes were categorized as SNs. All lymph nodes (non-SNs and SNs) were examined by conventional haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. If the SN was negative for metastasis, additional sections were immunostained with anticytokeratin CK7/8. In addition, SN detection was performed in 57 patients with colonic carcinoma.ResultsA SN was identified in 26 of 34 patients with rectal carcinoma. In three the SN was the only positive lymph node. There were six false-negative SNs (sensitivity 40 per cent) and two patients were upstaged. By contrast, SN detection was possible in 56 of 57 patient with colonic carcinoma with a sensitivity of 90 per cent, and four patients were upstaged.ConclusionThe SN procedure for rectal carcinoma is not reliable in combination with TME and preoperative short-course radiotherapy.
Precoagulation minimizes blood loss during standardized hepatic resection in an experimental model
Authors: Fioole B , van der Bilt J D W , Elias S G , de Hoog J , Borel Rinkes I H M 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
Precoagulation of liver tissue before transection is a novel concept in hepatic surgery. Comparative data with conventional techniques are lacking. This study tested the hypothesis that precoagulation results in reduced blood loss during hepatic transection.

Methods
Precoagulation was performed with two different devices, the TissueLink floating ball (group 1) and a dissecting sealer (group 2), and compared with ultrasonic dissection (group 3). For each technique 12 partial liver resections were performed in six pigs. Blood loss per dissection surface area was the main outcome parameter.

Results
The transected surface area was similar in all groups. Animals in groups 1 and 2 had significantly less blood loss than those in group 3 (3·6 and 1·3 versus 11·9 ml/cm2 respectively; P = 0·009 and P = 0·002). One pig in group 1 died as a result of wound dehiscence. In one animal in group 2 a gastric perforation was observed after death. In group 3 bile leakage occurred in two animals, and a large haematoma was observed on the transection surface in one animal after death.

Conclusion
Precoagulation of liver tissue before transection is associated with less blood loss compared with ultrasonic dissection.
Intra-anal and rectal application of l-erythro methoxamine gel increases anal resting pressure in healthy volunteers
Authors: Nisar P J , Gruss H-J , Bush D , Barras N , Acheson A G , Scholefield J H 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
This study examined the effect of a single local application of l-erythro methoxamine, an α1-adrenoceptor agonist, on mean anal resting pressure (MARP) and cardiovascular variables in healthy volunteers.

Methods
l-Erythro methoxamine gel was administered in a single-blind manner; 0·3–3 per cent gels were applied perianally (n = 12), 1–3 per cent gels intra-anally (n = 16) and 1 per cent gel rectally (n = 8). MARP, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were measured before application and for up to 6 h afterwards. Blood samples were taken to estimate plasma drug levels.

Results
Perianal gel produced no increase in MARP. Intra-anal 1 per cent and 3 per cent gel produced a significant rapid rise in MARP for 4 and 5 h respectively after application (P = 0·012 and P = 0·017 respectively). Rectal 1 per cent gel increased MARP for 2 h after application (P = 0·036). Intra-anal gel resulted in an increase in systolic blood pressure (1 per cent gel at 2 h, P = 0·042; 3 per cent gel at 4 h, P = 0·017). One per cent intra-anal and rectal gels caused a decrease in the pulse rate for 2 h after application (P = 0·012 and P = 0·018 respectively). Six subjects complained of nausea and three of headache after gel application.

Conclusion
Intra-anal and rectal gel produced a sustained rise in MARP with rapid onset in volunteers. This raises the possibility of a therapeutic application for l-erythro methoxamine in patients with passive incontinence and internal anal sphincter dysfunction.
Proton‐ and Redox‐Controlled Switching of Photo‐ and Electrochemiluminescence in Thiophenyl‐Substituted Boron–Dipyrromethene Dyes
Authors: Röhr Holger , Trieflinger Christian , Rurack Knut , Daub Jörg 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA luminescent molecular switch in which the active thiol/disulfide switching element is attached to a meso‐phenyl‐substituted boron–dipyrromethene (BDP) chromophore as the signalling unit is presented. The combination of these two functional units offers great versatility for multimodal switching of luminescence: 1) deprotonation/protonation of the thiol/thiolate moiety allows the highly fluorescent meso‐p‐thiophenol‐BDP and its nonfluorescent thiolate analogue to be chemically and reversibly interconverted, 2) electrochemical oxidation of the monomeric dyes yields the fluorescent disulfide‐bridged bichromophoric dimer, also in a fully reversible process, and 3) besides conventional photoexcitation, the well separated redox potentials of the BDP also allow the excited BDP state to be generated electrochemically (i.e., processes 1) and 2) can be employed to control both photo‐ and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the BDP). The paper introduces and characterizes the various states of the switch and discusses the underlying mechanisms. Investigation of the ortho analogue of the dimer provided insight into potential chromophore–chromophore interactions in such bichromophoric architectures in both the ground and the excited state. Comparison of the optical and redox properties of the two disulfide dimers further revealed structural requirements both for redox switches and for ECL‐active molecular ensembles. By employing thiol/disulfide switching chemistry and BDP luminescence features, it was possible to create a prototype molecular ensemble that shows both fully reversible proton‐ and redox‐gated electrochemiluminescence.