bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous Monitoring of Adverse Events: Influence on the Quality of Care and the Incidence of Errors in General Surgery
Authors: Rebasa Pere , Mora Laura , Luna Alexis , Montmany Sandra , Vallverdú Helena , Navarro Salvador 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundThis study was designed to determine the incidence of adverse events and errors in the care of surgical patients and to demonstrate that continuous prospective collection of data on adverse events can improve quality of care and reduce the number of errors. Retrospective studies find adverse events in approximately 5% of patients admitted. Prospective studies publish figures of approximately 30%. No studies to date have tried to use continuous collection of data on adverse events to reduce the incidence of errors.MethodsLongitudinal prospective surveillance of adverse events in patients admitted to the Surgery Service during a 22‐month period. Sequelae after discharge and errors during hospital stay were evaluated by peer review.ResultsA total of 3,807 patients were controlled: 1,177 patients presented 2,193 adverse events (30.9% of admissions); 330 adverse events due to errors were detected in 258 patients (6.9% of admissions). Thirty‐four deaths were considered due to adverse events (0.89% of admissions), and in 11 cases mortality was deemed avoidable (0.29% of admissions). The incidence of adverse events remained constant during the study period, but errors decreased from 11.1% to 4.5% (P = 0.005).ConclusionsThis is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of errors in surgery. Introducing systematic programs for recording adverse events can reduce error rates and promote a culture of patient safety in a General Surgery Department.
Sequencing the Full‐Length of the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) Gene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Using the 454 GS20 and Illumina GA DNA Sequencing Platforms
Authors: Rodriguez Joel A. , Guiteau Jacfranz J. , Nazareth Lynne , Reid Jeff G. , Goss John A. , Gibbs Richard A. , Gingras Marie‐Claude 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundPhosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor‐suppressor gene that is mutated in cancer of the liver, pancreas, endometrium, and prostate. PTEN‐dependent pathways are involved in mediating cell growth and invasion. To sequence the whole gene (including introns and exons), we have taken advantage of new technologies that allow for rapid, inexpensive sequencing to great depth.MethodsDNA from 15 HCC specimens were pooled, and long‐range PCR was performed by using the GeneAmp XL PCR kit. Primer parameters included: length of 20–30 base pairs (bp), melting temperature of −68°C, and G/C content of 50–60%. PCR products were then column‐purified and pooled, and DNA libraries were prepared for “shotgun sequencing” on both the 454 GS and Illumina GA sequencing platforms.ResultsWe successfully amplified approximately 98.9% of the PTEN gene by using one long‐range PCR protocol applied to 24 primer sets, resulting in 20 amplicons ~6.5 kilobases (kb) in length, 2 amplicons ~10 kb in length, and 2 amplicons ~2.5 kb in length. Sequencing of fragmented PCR products on both sequencing platforms identified six high‐frequency SNPs that were catalogued in dbSNP as known variants.ConclusionsShotgun sequencing based on a single long‐range PCR protocol in pooled samples is an efficient and relatively inexpensive way to sequence an entire gene.
The impact of floral resources and omnivory on a four trophic level food web
Authors: Jonsson M. , Wratten S.D. , Robinson K.A. , Sam S.A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOmnivory is common among arthropods, but little is known about how availability of plant resources and prey affects interactions between species operating at the third and fourth trophic level. We used laboratory and field cage experiments to investigate how the provision of flowers affects an omnivorous lacewing, Micromus tasmaniae (Hemerobiidae) and its parasitoid Anacharis zealandica (Figitidae). The adult lacewing is a true omnivore that feeds on both floral resources and aphids, whereas the parasitoid is a life-history omnivore, feeding on lacewing larvae in the larval stage and floral nectar as an adult. We showed that the effect of floral resources (buckwheat) on lacewing oviposition depends on prey (aphid) density, having a positive effect only at low prey density and that buckwheat substantially increases the longevity of the adult parasitoid. In field cages, we tested how provision of flowering buckwheat affects the dynamics of a four trophic level system, comprising parasitoids, lacewings, pea aphids and alfalfa. We found that provision of buckwheat decreased the density of lacewings in the first phase of the experiment when the density of aphids was high. This effect was probably caused by increased rate of parasitism by the parasitoid, which benefits from the presence of buckwheat. Towards the end of the experiment when the aphid populations had declined to low levels, the effect of buckwheat on lacewing density became positive, probably because lacewings were starving in the no-buckwheat treatment. Although presence of buckwheat flowers did not affect aphid populations in the field cages, these findings highlight the need to consider multitrophic interactions when proposing provision of floral resources as a technique for sustainable pest management.
Inter-seasonal population dynamics and pest status of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B in an Australian cropping system
Authors: Sequeira R.V. , Shields A. , Moore A. , De Barro P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBemisia tabaci, biotype B, commonly known as the silverleaf whitefly (SLW) is an alien species that invaded Australia in the mid-90s. This paper reports on the invasion ecology of SLW and the factors that are likely to have contributed to the first outbreak of this major pest in an Australian cotton cropping system. Population dynamics of SLW within whitefly-susceptible crop (cotton and cucurbit) and non-crop vegetation (sowthistle, Sonchus spp.) components of the cropping system were investigated over four consecutive growing seasons (September–June) 2001/02–2004/05 in the Emerald Irrigation Area (EIA) of Queensland, Australia. Based on fixed geo-referenced sampling sites, variation in spatial and temporal abundance of SLW within each system component was quantified to provide baseline data for the development of ecologically sustainable pest management strategies. Parasitism of large (3rd and 4th instars) SLW nymphs by native aphelinid wasps was quantified to determine the potential for natural control of SLW populations. Following the initial outbreak in 2001/02, SLW abundance declined and stabilised over the next three seasons. The population dynamics of SLW is characterised by inter-seasonal population cycling between the non-crop (weed) and cotton components of the EIA cropping system. Cotton was the largest sink for and source of SLW during the study period. Over-wintering populations dispersed from weed host plant sources to cotton in spring followed by a reverse dispersal in late summer and autumn to broad-leaved crops and weeds. A basic spatial source-sink analysis showed that SLW adult and nymph densities were higher in cotton fields that were closer to over-wintering weed sources throughout spring than in fields that were further away. Cucurbit fields were not significant sources of SLW and did not appear to contribute significantly to the regional population dynamics of the pest. Substantial parasitism of nymphal stages throughout the study period indicates that native parasitoid species and other natural enemies are important sources of SLW mortality in Australian cotton production systems. Weather conditions and use of broad-spectrum insecticides for pest control are implicated in the initial outbreak and on-going pest status of SLW in the region.
Immune responses to polyethylenimine delivered plasmid DNA encoding aFasciola giganticafatty acid binding protein in mice and rabbits
Authors: Raina O.K. , Tripathy A. , Sriveny D. , Gupta P.K. , Samanta S. , Gupta S.C. , Singh R. , Tewari A.K. , Banerjee P.S. , Kumar S. , Yadav S.C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractFasciola giganticafatty acid binding protein (FABP) was evaluated for evoking an effective immune response in mice and rabbits, when delivered as a DNA vaccine in muscle cells. Polyethylenimine (PEI), 25 kDa, branched cationic polymer was used as a delivery vehicle for this DNA in the muscle cells of mice and rabbits. Naked DNA evoked mixed Th1 and Th2 responses in mice. PEI condensed DNA, at amine nitrogen over DNA phosphate (N/P) ratios of 4, 6 and 8 and with various DNA concentrations, failed to evoke a significantly higher antibody response compared to naked DNA in mice. Similarly, the humoral immune response to naked DNA administration in rabbit thigh muscles was poor and no boosting of this antibody response on administration of DNA complexed to PEI was observed. On metacercarial challenge, rabbits failed to show any significant protective immune response in both the naked DNA and PEI–DNA immunized groups. Administration of PEI alone (12.5 μg) in mouse thigh muscles caused significant muscle cytotoxicity but condensation of DNA with PEI had less of a toxic effect on muscle cells, which was inversely related to the N/P ratio. Delivery of plasmid DNA encodingF. giganticaFABP by high molecular weight polyethylenimine (branched, 25 kDa) did not boost the effective immune response in both the animal species, which could either be attributed to cytotoxicity associated with this cationic polymer or muscle cells being unsuitable target cells for PEI condensed DNA delivery.
AdultBrugia malayimitochondrial and nuclear fractions impart Th1-associated sizeable protection against infective larval challenges inMastomys coucha
Authors: Shakya S. , Srivastava A.K. , Misra-Bhattacharya S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractProtective immunity to the subperiodic human filariid,Brugia malayi, was explored in the rodent host,Mastomys couchaafter vaccination with subcellular fractions derived from the adult stage of the parasite. The highest level of protection was conferred in animals vaccinated with the ‘mitochondria rich’ (MT) fraction, in which microfilaraemia and worm burden were markedly reduced by 67.2 and 65.9%, respectively, followed by the ‘nucleus rich’ (NR) fraction, showing reductions of 62 and 52.3%, respectively, over the non-immunized control group. Mastomys vaccinated with MT and NR, displayed a significant increase in the level of antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). The levels of IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM antibody isotypes were remarkably elevated in both the MT and NR immunized groups, while IgG1 and IgG3 levels were low. Apart from antibodies, both these fractions also led to marked antigen-specific lymphoproliferationin vitro, along with enhanced release of nitric oxide by peritoneal macrophages. There was an increased population of CD4+ and CD8a+T-cells in MT immunized animals, as measured by flow cytometry, accompanied by elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines; interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the culture supernatants of the activated splenocytes. The results suggest that both NR and MT contain proinflammatory molecules which evoke a protective Th1 type of immune response.
Detecting stress patterns is related to children's performance on reading tasks
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ-PALMA NICOLÁS , RAYA-GARCÍA MANUEL , PALMA-REYES ALFONSO 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the relationship between the ability to detect changes in prosody and reading performance in Spanish. Participants were children aged 6–8 years who completed tasks involving reading words, reading pseudowords, stressing pseudowords, and reproducing pseudoword stress patterns. Results showed that the capacity to reproduce pseudoword stress patterns accounted for a unique portion of the variance in text reading, after controlling for phonological awareness, phoneme sensitivity, and working memory. In addition, stress sensitivity predicted children's performance in stressing pseudowords. These results suggest that stress sensitivity may affect fluency in reading as well as word stress learning.
The use of voice onset time by early bilinguals to distinguish homorganic stops in Canadian English and Canadian French
Authors: MACLEOD ANDREA A. N. , STOEL-GAMMON CAROL 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to examine the extent to which bilingual speakers maintain language-specific phonological contrasts for homorganic stops when a cue is shared across both languages. To this end, voice onset time (VOT) was investigated in three groups of participants: early bilinguals speakers of Canadian French and Canadian English (n = 8), monolingual speakers of Canadian English (n = 8), and monolingual speakers of Canadian French (n = 7). Three questions were targeted: What are the general patterns of VOT production in bilingual and monolinguals? Do bilingual speakers produce different mean VOT than monolinguals? Do bilingual speakers produce different variability in VOT than monolinguals? Acoustic measurements of VOT were made from monosyllabic English and French words with word-initial bilabial or coronal stop consonants. The results indicate that the early bilingual speakers maintain monolingual-like phonemic contrasts, but that they exhibit more variation within categories than monolingual speakers.
When study-abroad experience fails to deliver: The internal resources threshold effect
Authors: SUNDERMAN GRETCHEN , KROLL JUDITH F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTSome second language (L2) learners return from study-abroad experiences (SAEs) with seemingly no change in their L2 ability. In this study we investigate whether a certain level of internal cognitive resources is necessary in order for individuals to take full advantage of the SAE. Specifically, we examine the role of working memory resources in lexical comprehension and production for learners who had or had not studied abroad. Participants included native English learners of Spanish. Participants completed a translation recognition task and a picture-naming task. The results suggest that individuals who lack a certain threshold of working memory resources are unable to benefit from the study-abroad context in terms of being able to produce accurately in the L2.
Children's spoken word recognition and contributions to phonological awareness and nonword repetition: A 1-year follow-up
Authors: METSALA JAMIE L. , STAVRINOS DESPINA , WALLEY AMANDA C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis study examined effects of lexical factors on children's spoken word recognition across a 1-year time span, and contributions to phonological awareness and nonword repetition. Across the year, children identified words based on less input on a speech-gating task. For word repetition, older children improved for the most familiar words. There was a competition effect for the word repetition task, but this effect was present only for the most familiar words on the gating task. Recognition for words from sparse neighborhoods predicted phonological awareness 1 year later, and children poorer at recognizing these words in Year 1 scored lower on word reading in Year 2. Spoken word recognition also accounted for unique variance in nonword repetition across the 1-year time span. Findings are discussed in terms of understanding the effects of vocabulary growth on spoken word recognition, phonological awareness, and nonword repetition.
An asymptotic-numerical approach for examining global solutions to an ordinary differential equation
Authors: ROBINSON MICHAEL 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPurely numerical methods do not always provide an accurate way to find all the global solutions to nonlinear ordinary differential equations on infinite intervals. For example, finite-difference methods fail to capture the asymptotic behavior of solutions, which might be critical for ensuring global existence. We first show, by way of a detailed example, how asymptotic information alone provides significant insight into the structure of global solutions to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Then we propose a method for providing this missing asymptotic data to a numerical solver, and show how the combined approach provides more detailed results than either method alone.
Chaotic period doubling
Authors: CHANDRAMOULI V. V. M. S. , MARTENS M. , DE MELO W. , TRESSER C. P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe period doubling renormalization operator was introduced by Feigenbaum and by Coullet and Tresser in the 1970s to study the asymptotic small-scale geometry of the attractor of one-dimensional systems that are at the transition from simple to chaotic dynamics. This geometry turns out not to depend on the choice of the map under rather mild smoothness conditions. The existence of a unique renormalization fixed point that is also hyperbolic among generic smooth-enough maps plays a crucial role in the corresponding renormalization theory. The uniqueness and hyperbolicity of the renormalization fixed point were first shown in the holomorphic context, by means that generalize to other renormalization operators. It was then proved that, in the space ofC2+αunimodal maps, forα>0, the period doubling renormalization fixed point is hyperbolic as well. In this paper we study what happens when one approaches from below the minimal smoothness thresholds for the uniqueness and for the hyperbolicity of the period doubling renormalization generic fixed point. Indeed, our main result states that in the space ofC2unimodal maps the analytic fixed point is not hyperbolic and that the same remains true when adding enough smoothness to geta prioribounds. In this smoother class, calledC2+∣⋅∣, the failure of hyperbolicity is tamer than inC2. Things get much worse with just a bit less smoothness thanC2, as then even the uniqueness is lost and other asymptotic behavior becomes possible. We show that the period doubling renormalization operator acting on the space ofC1+Lipunimodal maps has infinite topological entropy.
Transitive Anosov flows and Axiom-A diffeomorphisms
Authors: BONATTI CHRISTIAN , GUELMAN NANCY 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLet M be a smooth compact Riemannian manifold without boundary, and ϕ:M×ℝ→M a transitive Anosov flow. We prove that if the time-one map of ϕ is C1-approximated by Axiom-A diffeomorphisms with more than one attractor, then ϕ is topologically equivalent to the suspension of an Anosov diffeomorphism.
Dynamics and geometry of the Rauzy–Veech induction for quadratic differentials
Authors: BOISSY CORENTIN , LANNEAU ERWAN 
Published: December 2008

AbstractInterval exchange maps are related to geodesic flows on translation surfaces; they correspond to the first return maps of the vertical flow on a transverse segment. The Rauzy–Veech induction on the space of interval exchange maps provides a powerful tool to analyze the Teichmüller geodesic flow on the moduli space of Abelian differentials. Several major results have been proved using this renormalization. Danthony and Nogueira introduced in 1988 a natural generalization of interval exchange transformations, namely linear involutions. These maps are related to general measured foliations on surfaces (whether orientable or not). In this paper we are interested by such maps related to geodesic flow on (orientable) flat surfaces with ℤ/2ℤ linear holonomy. We relate geometry and dynamics of such maps to the combinatorics of generalized permutations. We study an analogue of the Rauzy–Veech induction and give an efficient combinatorial characterization of its attractors. We establish a natural bijection between the extended Rauzy classes of generalized permutations and connected components of the strata of meromorphic quadratic differentials with at most simple poles, which allows us, in particular, to classify the connected components of all exceptional strata.
Cytolytic assessment of hyperacute rejection and production of nuclear transfer embryos using hCD46-transgenic porcine embryonic germ cells
Authors: Won Ji Young , Ahn Kwang Sung , Sorrell Alice M. , Shin Susa , Heo Soon Young , Kang Jee Hyun , Park Jin-Ki , Chang Won-Kyong , Shim Hosup 
Published: December 2008

SummaryHuman complement regulatory protein hCD46 may reduce the hyperacute rejection (HAR) in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. In this study, anhCD46gene was introduced into porcine embryonic germ (EG) cells. Treatment of human serum did not affect the survival of hCD46-transgenic EG cells, whereas the treatment significantly reduced the survival of non-transgenic EG cells (p< 0.01). The transgenic EG cells presumably capable of alleviating HAR were transferred into enucleated oocytes. Among 235 reconstituted oocytes, 35 (14.9%) developed to the blastocyst stage. Analysis of individual embryos indicated that 80.0% (28/35) of embryos contained the transgene hCD46. The result of the present study demonstrates resistance of hCD46-transgenic EG cells against HAR, and the usefulness of the transgenic approach may be predicted by this cytolytic assessment prior to actual production of transgenic pigs. Subsequently performed EG cell nuclear transfer gave rise to hCD46-transgenic embryos. Further study on the transfer of these embryos to recipients may produce hCD46-transgenic pigs.