bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recognition of delirium in ICU patients: a diagnostic study of the NEECHAM confusion scale in ICU patients
Authors: Immers Henny EM , Schuurmans Marieke J , van de Bijl Jaap J 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
A delirium, is a serious, high-frequency complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The consequences of this complication range from high morbidity and mortality to greater need for nursing care. Despite these, delirium is often not recognized and there for not treated. In this study a nursing screening instrument, the NEECHAM confusion scale, was studied for early recognition of delirium ICU patients. This scale proved valid and reliable in several studies in the general hospital population.

Methods
In this study validity and reliability were tested in a prospective cohort of 105 patients. Gold standard for delirium was an independent DSM-IV diagnosis. User friendliness was tested by structured evaluation of nurses' experiences working with the scale.

Results
The NEECHAM confusion scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88) and an interrater reliability of Cohen's Kappa 0.60. The concurrent validity with the DSM-IVcriteria showed a strong link (chi-square 67.52, p [less than or equal to] 0.001). Sensitivity was high, 97% and specificity was good 83%. ICU nurses completed the NEECHAM confusion rating in 3.69, ± 1.21 minutes average. In general the nurses were positive about the NEECHAM confusion scale. They were able to collect data during regular care, but experienced problems in rating the scale in intubated patients. The items in themselves were clear, the content validity, measured by the language used was rated good.

Conclusion
The psychometric characteristics of the NEECHAM confusion scale of this ICU study are generally consistent with validity research previously reported for the general hospital population. The psychometric characteristics and the ease of use of the NEECHAM confusion scale enables ICU nurses to early recognize delirium. Further study, especially in intubed patients is recommended.
Nutrient estimation from an FFQ developed for a black Zimbabwean population
Authors: Merchant Anwar T , Dehghan Mahshid , Chifamba Jephat , Terera Getrude , Yusuf Salim 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
There is little information in the literature on methods of food composition database development to calculate nutrient intake from food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data. The aim of this study is to describe the development of an FFQ and a food composition table to calculate nutrient intake in a Black Zimbabwean population.

Methods
Trained interviewers collected 24-hour dietary recalls (24 hr DR) from high and low income families in urban and rural Zimbabwe. Based on these data and input from local experts we developed an FFQ, containing a list of frequently consumed foods, standard portion sizes, and categories of consumption frequency. We created a food composition table of the foods found in the FFQ so that we could compute nutrient intake. We used the USDA nutrient database as the main resource because it is relatively complete, updated, and easily accessible. To choose the food item in the USDA nutrient database that most closely matched the nutrient content of the local food we referred to a local food composition table.

Results
Almost all the participants ate sadza (maize porridge) at least 5 times a week, and about half had matemba (fish) and caterpillar more than once a month. Nutrient estimates obtained from the FFQ data by using the USDA and Zimbabwean food composition tables were similar for total energy intake intra class correlation (ICC) = 0.99, and carbohydrate (ICC = 0.99), but different for vitamin A (ICC = 0.53), and total folate (ICC = 0.68).

Conclusion
We have described a standardized process of FFQ and food composition database development for a Black Zimbabwean population.
Induced airflow in flying insects I. A theoretical model of the induced flow
Authors: Sane Sanjay P. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYA strong induced flow structure envelops the body of insects and birds during flight. This flow influences many physiological processes including delivery of odor and mechanical stimuli to the sensory organs, as well as mass flow processes including heat loss and gas exchange in flying animals. With recent advances in near-field aerodynamics of insect and bird flight, it is now possible to determine how wing kinematics affects induced flow over their body. In this paper, I develop a theoretical model based in rotor theory to estimate the mean induced flow over the body of flapping insects. This model is able to capture some key characteristics of mean induced flow over the body of a flying insect. Specifically, it predicts that induced flow is directly proportional to wing beat frequency and stroke amplitude and is also affected by a wing shape dependent parameter. The derivation of induced flow includes the determination of spanwise variation of circulation on flapping wings. These predictions are tested against the available data on the spanwise distribution of aerodynamic circulation along finite Drosophila melanogaster wings and mean flows over the body of Manduca sexta. To explicitly account for tip losses in finite wings, a formula previously proposed by Prandtl for a finite blade propeller system is tentatively included. Thus, the model described in this paper allows us to estimate how far-field flows are influenced by near-field events in flapping flight.
Induced airflow in flying insects II. Measurement of induced flow
Authors: Sane Sanjay P. , Jacobson Nathaniel P. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYThe flapping wings of insects and birds induce a strong flow over their body during flight. Although this flow influences the sensory biology and physiology of a flying animal, there are very little data on the characteristics of this self-generated flow field or its biological consequences. A model proposed in the companion paper estimated the induced flow over flying insects. In this study, we used a pair of hot wire anemometers to measure this flow at two locations near the body of a tethered flapping hawk moth, Manduca sexta. The axial inflow anemometer measured the airflow prior to its entry into the stroke plane, whereas the radial outflow anemometer measured the airflow after it crossed the stroke plane. The high temporal resolution of the hot wire anemometers allowed us to measure not only the mean induced flow but also subtle higher frequency disturbances occurring at 1-4 times the wing beat frequency. These data provide evidence for the predictions of a mathematical model proposed in the companion paper. Specifically, the absolute value of the measured induced flow matches the estimate of the model. Also, as predicted by the model, the induced flow varies linearly with wing beat frequency. Our experiments also show that wing flexion contributes significantly to the observed higher frequency disturbances. Thus, the hot wire anemometry technique provides a useful means to quantify the aerodynamic signature of wing flexion. The phasic and tonic components of induced flow influence several physiological processes such as convective heat loss and gas exchange in endothermic insects, as well as alter the nature of mechanosensory and olfactory stimuli to the sensory organs of a flying insect.
Fixed metabolic costs for highly variable rates of protein synthesis in sea urchin embryos and larvae
Authors: Pace Douglas A. , Manahan Donal T. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYDefining the physiological mechanisms that set metabolic rates and the`cost of living' is important for understanding the energy costs of development. Embryos and larvae of the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus(Verrill) were used to test hypotheses regarding differential costs of protein synthesis in animals differing in size, rates of protein synthesis, and physiological feeding states. For embryos, the rate of protein synthesis was 0.22±0.014 ng protein embryo-1 h-1 (mean ±s.e.m.) and decreased in unfed larvae to an average rate of 0.05±0.001 ng protein larva-1 h-1. Fed larvae had rates of synthesis that were up to 194 times faster than unfed larvae (9.7±0.81 ng protein larva-1 h-1). There was no significant difference, however, in the cost of protein synthesis between these larvae with very different physiological states. Furthermore, the cost of synthesis in the larval stages was also similar to costs measured for blastula and gastrula embryos of 8.4±0.99 J mg-1 protein synthesized. The cost of protein synthesis was obtained using both direct (`inhibitor') and indirect (`correlative') measurements; both methods gave essentially identical results. Protein synthesis accounted for up to 54±8% of metabolic rate in embryos. Percent of metabolism accounted for by protein synthesis in larvae was dependent on their physiological feeding state, with protein synthesis accounting for 16±4% in unfed larvae and 75±11% in fed larvae. This regulation of metabolic rate was due to differential rates of synthesis for a fixed energy cost per unit mass of protein synthesized. The cost of synthesizing a unit of protein did not change with increasing rates of protein synthesis. We conclude that the cost of protein synthesis is independent of the rate of synthesis, developmental stage, size and physiological feeding state during sea urchin development.
Trabecular bone in the bird knee responds with high sensitivity to changes in load orientation
Authors: Pontzer H. , Lieberman D. E. , Momin E. , Devlin M. J. , Polk J. D. , Hallgrímsson B. , Cooper D. M. L. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYWolff's law of trajectorial orientation proposes that trabecular struts align with the orientation of dominant compressive loads within a joint. Although widely considered in skeletal biology, Wolff's law has never been experimentally tested while controlling for ontogenetic stage, activity level,and species differences, all factors that may affect trabecular bone growth. Here we report an experimental test of Wolff's law using a within-species design in age-matched subjects experiencing physiologically normal levels of bone strain. Two age-matched groups of juvenile guinea fowl Numida meleagris ran on a treadmill set at either 0° (Level group) or 20° (Incline group), for 10 min per day over a 45-day treatment period. Birds running on the 20° inclined treadmill used more-flexed knees than those in the Level group at midstance (the point of peak ground reaction force). This difference in joint posture enabled us to test the sensitivity of trabecular alignment to altered load orientation in the knee. Using a new radon transform-based method for measuring trabecular orientation, our analysis shows that the fine trabecular bone in the distal femur has a high degree of correspondence between changes in joint angle and trabecular orientation. The sensitivity of this response supports the prediction that trabecular bone adapts dynamically to the orientation of peak compressive forces.
The absence of spatial echo suppression in the echolocating bats Megaderma lyra and Phyllostomus discolor
Authors: Schuchmann Maike , Hübner Matthias , Wiegrebe Lutz 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARY
Acoustic orientation most often takes place in echoic environments. The mammalian auditory system shows a variety of specializations to suppress misleading spatial information mediated by echoes. Psychophysically these specializations are summarized as the precedence effect. This study investigates how echolocating bats deal with multiple reflections of their sonar emissions from different spatial positions.
In a two-alternative, forced choice paradigm, a study was made of the extent to which the echolocating bats Megaderma lyra and Phyllostomus discolor spontaneously suppress the spatial information of a second reflection of their sonar emission. The delay between the first and the second reflection ranged between 0 and 12.8 ms.
In general, M. lyra (five individuals) and P. discolor(two individuals) did not suppress the spatial information of the second reflection of their sonar emission, whatever the delay. Only one M. lyra showed significant suppression for delays between 0.8 and 3.2 ms. However, this suppression could not be confirmed in an exact repetition of the experiment.
The current data indicate that although bats may be able to suppress the spatial information of a second reflection, this is not their default mode of auditory processing. The reason for this exceptional absence of spatial echo suppression may lie in the shorter time constants of cochlear processing in the ultrasonic frequency range and the strong influence of cognitive components associated with the `precedence effect'.
No More Than Necessary: Safety and Efficacy of Low-Dose Promethazine
Authors: Moser Joseph D , Caldwell James B , Rhule F Jane 
Published: December 2005

Background: Limitations in antiemetic options have resulted in increased use of intravenous promethazine. However, this drug has significant sedative effects with its standard dosage of 25 mg, especially when used in conjunction with narcotic analgesics. While studies have revealed the bioavailability of enteric promethazine to be 25%, current dosing references suggest identical dosing regardless of the route of administration. Objective: To compare the antiemetic efficacy and sedative effects of low-dose intravenous promethazine (6.25 or 12.5 mg) with intravenous ondansetron 4 mg. Methods: We assessed inpatients with noncritical conditions at Anne Arundel Medical Center who were treated for nausea or vomiting from any cause except chemotherapy or pregnancy. Forty-six patients received low-dose promethazine and 41 received ondansetron. Statistical analysis was carried out for significant differences in efficacy and sedation. Results: For patients who received intravenous promethazine 6.25 or 12.5 mg, nausea and vomiting were relieved at one hour in 74% and 68%, respectively, compared with 59% for intravenous ondansetron 4 mg. Results at 3 hours were 67% and 80% for promethazine and 71% for ondansetron. Median sedation scores at one hour were equal at 3 for promethazine and ondansetron (4 = fully awake); at 3 hours, the median scores were 4 and 3.5, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among any of these results. Conclusions: Low-dose (6.25 mg) intravenous promethazine relieves nausea and vomiting as effectively as intravenous ondansetron 4 mg.
Assessment of Compliance with Lipid Guidelines in an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Schwiesow Sarah J , Nappi Jean M , Ragucci Kelly R 
Published: December 2005

Background: The importance of achieving a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level less than 100 mg/dL in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is well established. Emerging evidence supports the recognition and management of secondary lipid goals, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level greater than 40 mg/dL, and triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL. Objective: To evaluate whether inpatient services within an academic setting were achieving/addressing primary and secondary lipid goals in patients with established CAD or CVD. Methods: Patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, myocardial revascularization procedures, and/or ischemic stroke were identified. A retrospective chart review was done to assess adherence to the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines for lipid management. Results: On average, 63% of patients with CAD or CVD had a lipid panel assessed during their hospitalization. Of the patients who had a fasting lipid panel checked, only 40% (72/178) had an LDL-C level less than 100 mg/dL. Of those patients, only 31% (22) also had an HDL-C level greater than 40 mg/dL. Even fewer patients (24%; 17) met both primary and secondary goals. Of the 287 patients included in the study, 69% (199) were prescribed a statin, 3% (9) a fibrate, and 3% (8) niacin on discharge. Conclusions: Few patients with CAD or CVD met the AHA/ACC goals for lipid management, yet a significant number were not prescribed appropriate lipid-lowering therapy at discharge. This finding strongly suggests that more awareness in this area is needed.
Probable Loop Diuretic–Induced Pancreatitis in a Sulfonamide-Allergic Patient
Authors: Juang Paul , Page Robert L , Zolty Ronald 
Published: December 2005

Objective: To report the case of a patient with a prior allergy to a sulfonamide antibiotic who subsequently developed the same reaction when administered various loop diuretics. Case Summary: A 57-year-old female with cardiomyopathy and “sulfa” (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) allergy documented as pancreatitis presented with symptoms consistent with pancreatitis after use of furosemide. She subsequently developed similar symptoms after multiple rechallenges with various loop diuretics including furosemide, bumetanide, and torsemide. The patient was placed on ethacrynic acid until she was desensitized to furosemide. She had been receiving oral furosemide for 5 months at the time of this report, with no complications. According to the Naranjo probability scale, this reaction was probable. Discussion: Reactions associated with arylamine sulfonamide–containing antibiotics have been commonly reported; however, cross-reactions with non-arylamine sulfonamide–containing medications have been rare. The time delay by which symptoms of pancreatitis presented following administration of loop diuretics suggests an immunologic pathway. In addition, while cases of loop diuretic–induced pancreatitis, including furosemide, have been published, the allergic manifestations with both sulfonamide antibiotics and non-antibiotics in our patient suggest possible cross-reactivity between these 2 drug classes. Conclusions: The mechanism by which loop diuretics induce pancreatitis appears to be via an immunologic pathway. While the true correlation remains unknown, allergic cross-reactivity may occur between sulfonamide antibiotics and non-antibiotics, such as loop diuretics. Torsemide appears to also be a part of a long list of agents that can cause pancreatitis.
Service Life Extension of Virginia Bridge Decks Afforded by Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement
Authors: Brown MC , Weyers RE , Sprinkel MM 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
A study was conducted on concrete core samples each containing a single top-mat reinforcing steel bar from ten bridge decks in Virginia. Two of the bridges contained conventional, uncoated mild reinforcing steel (Bare), and eight of the bridges were constructed with epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR). The bridges ranged in age from 4 to 18 years, and were built under same specifications for concrete water-to-cement ratio (w/c) and cover depth. In the laboratory, the subject cores were prepared and corrosion activity was monitored via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy while subject to cyclic ponding of a 3 % NaCl solution over a 22-month exposure period. The relative corrosion performance of the Bare and ECR bars were evaluated, by comparison of the time to corrosion initiation and time to failure, as designated by visible cracking of the concrete cover. A stochastic model was employed, using bootstrap resampling techniques, to project the corrosion protection service life extension provided by epoxy-coated reinforcement as compared to Bare steel for the population of Virginia bridge decks. Less than 25 % of all Virginia bridge decks built under specifications in place since 1981 were projected to corrode sufficiently to require rehabilitation within 100 years, regardless of bar type. The corrosion service life extension attributable to ECR in bridge decks was found to be approximately 5 years beyond that of Bare steel.
Development of a Dry Applied Dispersible Granular Pesticide Carrier
Authors: Anderson CW , Birthisel TD , Lynch JR 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Granular pesticide carriers that possess high quality attributes are needed. Some of the main considerations with which pesticide formulators and users contend include physical durability, flowability, ballistics properties, chemical compatibility, favorable econometrics, and pesticidal efficacy. An evaluation of the commercially available mined and recycled materials, as well as an analysis of the requirements for efficacious granules, has led the researchers to define a combination of criteria that was previously unrealized in any of the selections of the then commercially available granular pesticide carriers. The research objective that emerged, developing a more optimal pesticide granule, was defined by these criteria. Many dozens of prototype formulations were produced in a laboratory granulation system and were evaluated by various physical test methods until the original design criteria were met. Subsequently, a period of field efficacy trials took place in which suitability for particular active ingredients, target pests, and cultural conditions was determined. An engineered composite granule and production process was developed during the course of this research. The resulting granules have a unique combination of characteristics: robust enough to withstand the physical stresses of bulk handling, formulating and field application, good flowability and compositional characteristics, plus a unique degree of dispersion upon the application of a small amount of moisture over the treated area after the granules have been applied. This post-application water dispersion mechanism appears to allow enhanced pesticidal efficacy for soil treatment and systemic active ingredients, and has demonstrated numerous aesthetic and hazard reduction attributes of interest. The resulting material has competitive economics, and has been patented and trademarked as DG Lite®.
Tribological Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of Kolsterized AISI316L Austenitic Stainless Steel: Existing Applications in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Ceschini L , Lanzoni E , Sambogna G , Bordiga V , Schild T 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
In this paper the effect of Kolsterizing, a commercial low temperature carburizing process, on the dry sliding wear behaviour and corrosion resistance of the AISI316L austenitic stainless steel is presented and discussed, together with some applications of the process in the automotive field. The treatment significantly enhances the surface hardness of the steel; this hardness increase is due to the formation of a carbon-supersaturated austenite phase, without carbide precipitation. The Kolsterizing process also significantly increases the dry sliding wear resistance of the steel, both against metallic and ceramic countermaterials. Severe wear occurs in the case of the untreated steel, with strong adhesion, abrasion, and severe plastic deformation; while a moderate oxidative wear regime is observed for the low temperature carburized steel. The corrosion resistance in H2SO4 0.5 M and chloride-containing electrolytes is also significantly improved, thanks to the formation of a C-rich surface layer that ennobles the treated steel. At very high anodic potentials this surface layer is locally penetrated, producing a pitting-like corrosion form.
The Challenge of Multiple Particles in Extreme Value Inclusion Rating
Authors: Beretta S , Anderson CW 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
The presence of multiple types of defect is a challenge for Extreme Value Inclusion Rating since it can lead to serious underestimation of extreme inclusion size and it can in practice make methods less robust than expected. First the paper deals with the results being obtained by ESIS TC20 within two round-robins carried out on an automotive steel and a bearing steel. Results show the need for correct assessment of multiple types of particles. We present here a new method of analysis based on a “competing risks” model together with some practical exploitation in terms of: (i) evaluation of the minimum control area to be inspected by “block maxima” sampling; (ii) new implications for data collection based on image analysis; (iii) assessment of sensitivity to the distribution of different particles.