Five-year Survey Research Articles

Superior outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a two-tiered emergency medical service: A five-year survey

Objective: Outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is still poor in many regions worldwide. Large registries show discharge rates of about 7% corresponding to 5–6 survivors per 100,000 inhabitants/yr.1–3 It is not known exactly, if emergency medicals services (EMS) staffed by emergency physicians might improve outcome. We report data of a five-year period of a German semi-rural district with physician staffed EMS.

Causes of recurrent lower limb varicose veins after surgical interventions in 141 limbs – Five-year retrospective analysis of two centers

The purpose of this study was to explore the causes of recurrent lower limb varicose veins after surgical interventions. A retrospective five-year survey was conducted on patients who underwent second surgery due to recurrent lower limb varicose veins after surgical interventions. A total of 141 limbs (112 cases), including 72 cases of left lower limbs, 47 of right lower limbs and 22 of both limbs, were involved in the study. All patients underwent lower limb venography (141 limbs were anterograde and 28 cases were retrograde), and then examined with color-Doppler ultrasound. The major causes that urged patients to undergo second surgery are clinical changes graded above CEAP IV (93.6%), limb edema without changes on skin (5%), and single varicosity (1.4%). Up to 127 (83%) limbs exhibited perforating venous reflux, 67 (47.5%) limbs had varied degrees of deep venous insufficiency and 68 (48.2%) limbs had through or above-the-knee great saphenous vein trunk residual. Preoperative venography before operation is indispensible in confirming the diagnosis and operation strategies. Patients with severe primary deep venous reflux and symptoms up to C3 may need simultaneous repair of the deep venous valves.

Variability of cadmium accumulation in cephalopods (Octopus vulgaris, Sepia officinalis, Loligo vulgaris and Todarodes sagittatus) collected in Sardinia in 2008-2012

Cephalopods are known to accumulate cadmium and play an important role in its biomagnification. They are an essential link in marine trophic chain and represent an important case in studies on cadmium transfer to man through the food chain. Since cadmium concentration widely varies in different tissues of the cephalopods – mainly accumulating in the hepatopancreas – evisceration represents a recommended preliminary step to reduce cadmium intake in view of cephalopods consumption; yet, the residual concentration in the edible part may still be a risk for public health. This study is intended to assess cadmium levels variability in the muscles of Cephalopoda, considering the different feeding habitats and marine trophic webs. In compliance with EU regulation, a survey on cadmium and other heavy metal levels in various sea food, including cephalopods, was conducted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Sardinia in co-operation with local health authorities. During a five-year survey (2008- 2012), 90 samples were collected from the following species: commons octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), European squid (Loligo vulgaris), and flying squid (Todarodes sagittatus), located in different coastal areas and representatives of either benthic or nektonic habitats. Determination of cadmium levels was carried out according to Regulations (EC) No. 882/2004, No. 1881/2006 and No. 333/2007. Analysis of the edible portion (muscle) of fresh homogenised samples was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed a highly skewed distribution of data. No statistically significant differences were observed among four distributions of the natural logs of cadmium levels in the species considered.

THE BIOTA OF THE RED SEA AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (1967–1972) A SURVEY OF THE MARINE LIFE OF ISRAEL AND SURROUNDINGS

ABSTRACT The five-year survey of the marine biota of Israel and surroundings, undertaken jointly by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., is reviewed. Comprehensive lists of the samples collected are included, to serve as basic reference for all resulting publications. Titles of over 100 papers which have already been published containing results of this joint program are given. General zoogeographic conclusions and recommendations are discussed.

本学歯学部附属病院小児歯科における最近5年間の初診患者の実態調査 2. その後の定期管理状況について

本学歯学部附属病院小児歯科における最近5年間の初診患者の実態調査 2. その後の定期管理状況について

Is the Knowledge Management System Truly Cost Effective? Case Study of KM-Enabled Engineering Problem Solving

AbstractManagers of construction organizations have long been faced with the essential question of whether the knowledge management system (KMS) is truly cost effective. Very few empirical studies have been conducted to measure the effective benefits of implementing knowledge management initiatives. A lack of quantitative measurement models, the difficulty of differentiating knowledge management (KM) from non-KM activities, the difficulty of evaluating the resultant KM activity values, and an unwillingness of organizations to reveal insights (aimed at shielding these insights from their competitors) are critical reasons for their absence from empirical reports. This paper reveals a five-year comprehensive benefit survey on the implementation of a specialized KMS, KM-enabled problem solver, at a major engineering consulting firm. In total, 868 emergency problem-solving scenarios recorded in the KMS were analyzed. Three that were most concerned with benefit indexes (time, cost, and staff hours) selected by ...

NEW LIMITS ON THE NEUTRINO MASS FROM COSMOLOGY

We place a nre upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses by using measurements of luminosity-dependent galaxy bias at several different redshifts, SDSS at z = 0.05, DEEP2 at z = 1 and LBGs at z = 3.8, combined with WMAP five-year cosmic microwave background anisotropy data and SDSS Red Luminous Galaxy survey three-dimensional clustering power spectrum. We obtain the upper limit of ∑ mν < 0.28 eV at the 95% confidence level for a ΛCDM + mν model, with a σ8 equal to σ8 = 0.759 ± 0.025 (1σ). When we allow the dark energy equation of state parameter w to vary we find w = -1.30 ± 0.19 for a general wCDM + mν model with the 95% confidence level upper limit on the neutrino masses at ∑ mν < 0.59 eV . Finally, we have investigated the ability of the future Euclid mission to constrain differences in the mass of individual neutrino species.

Accumulation of heavy metals to assess the health status of swordfish in a comparative analysis of Mediterranean and Atlantic areas

During the last few decades, the combined effects of natural and human activities acting on the Mediterranean Sea basin have caused a reduction in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius, L. 1758) population. In this project, we investigated the accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) levels in the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of swordfish during a five-year survey. In the marine environment, top predators such as swordfish accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals, and thus, potentially incur a high toxicological risk. Furthermore, heavy metals, such as chemical pollutants, have strong long-term effects on fish, and thus, constitute a high risk for the resource and humans that consume it. The aim of this work is to contribute to the assessment of the state of European swordfish population health. We analyzed muscle tissue from 56 specimens captured in Mediterranean and Atlantic areas for trace elements. Mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb were in the following ranges: 0.66–2.41, 0.04–0.16, and 0.97–1.36mg/kg ww, respectively. These data suggest a need for continuous monitoring to avoid reductions in the population of this fish species of high commercial and ecological interest.

Five-year survey of medical student attrition in a medical school in Nigeria: a pilot study

BackgroundStudent attrition represents a waste of career opportunity and, at times, results in a holistic loss of sense of self-worth for the students involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nature, causes, and impact of medical student attrition in Nigeria.MethodA pilot analysis was undertaken using the records of students who failed at medical school as a result of inability to pass the second MBBS examination at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between 2002 and 2007. Some of these students were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.ResultsData analysis showed that 58 (7.8%) of the students admitted into preclinical class withdrew from their study. Thirty-six (62.1%) were males and the rest were females. Thirteen of those withdrawn were interviewed, and 53.8% of them believed they had poor academic ability, while 15.4% attributed their withdrawal to family pressure. No record of guidance or counseling session programs was noted for these students either at the point of withdrawal from the faculty and on the choice of a new career path.ConclusionAs a result of the high attrition rate due to low academic ability, efforts should be made to check students for evidence of this at the point of admission to medicine training. Also, more accommodating teaching programs should be encouraged in faculties to accommodate students with such challenges. Good guidance and counseling programs should be encouraged to handle these inevitable cases of attrition when they occur, to avoid the demoralizing low self-esteem that plagues these individuals for the rest of their lives.

Complex chromosomal rearrangements in infertile males: complexity of rearrangement affects spermatogenesis

In this report, we describe 10 male cases of complex chromosome rearrangements (CCRs) with fertility problems: seven of them showed impairment of spermatogenesis, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia or azoospermia; in the other three cases, recurrent abortions were observed. The CCRs were characterized by conventional fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and multicolor FISH methods as well as by the routine G-banding technique. CCRs found in three cases with recurrent abortions were double two-way exchanges, which were the simplest forms of CCRs; three oligoastenoteratozoospermic cases were double two-way exchanges or three-way exchanges. However, the CCRs in four azoospermic cases were much more complicated forms of CCRs. From our results and a review of the literature, we conclude that the complexity of CCRs might affect the severity of spermatogenetic impairment rather than the number of chromosomes involved or the location of breakpoints.

Does Timing of Breeding and Subsequent Hatching in Boreal Forest Grouse Match the Phenology of Insect Food for the Chicks?

During the first few weeks of life, chicks of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (T. tetrix) subsist mainly on insects, of which lepidopteran and hymenopteran larvae are the main components. We studied the breeding phenology of these two species and examined how the timing of breeding was related to the temporal distribution of their larval food source. During a five-year survey, capercaillie mated and hatched consistently four to six days before black grouse. Depending on the vegetation type, the number of larvae (≥ 2 mm in length) increased between five and ten times within 10 days, and hatching coincided roughly with the peaks in larval numbers. Due to body growth, however, larval abundance in terms of volume was reached later and occurred 8–9 and 13–14 days after the mean hatching dates in the two species, respectively. Slightly later development of Hymenoptera as compared with that of Lepidoptera contributed in extending the period of high larval abundances for more than one week. T...

THE CARNEGIE SUPERNOVA PROJECT: FIRST PHOTOMETRY DATA RELEASE OF LOW-REDSHIFT TYPE Ia SUPERNOVAE

The Carnegie Supernova Project (CSP) is a five-year survey being carried out at the Las Campanas Observatory to obtain high-quality light curves of ~100 low-redshift Type Ia supernovae in a well-defined photometric system. Here we present the first release of photometric data that contains the optical light curves of 35 Type Ia supernovae, and near-infrared light curves for a subset of 25 events. The data comprise 5559 optical (ugriBV) and 1043 near-infrared (YJHKs) data points in the natural system of the Swope telescope. Twenty-eight supernovae have pre-maximum data, and for 15 of these, the observations begin at least 5 days before B maximum. This is one of the most accurate datasets of low-redshift Type Ia supernovae published to date. When completed, the CSP dataset will constitute a fundamental reference for precise determinations of cosmological parameters, and serve as a rich resource for comparison with models of Type Ia supernovae.

MONITORING OF SEVERAL RADIOISOTOPES IN SOILS AND PLANTS FROM URANIUM MINING AREAS

Abstract A five-year survey of gross α+β, Ra, and Cs in soils and selected spontaneous plants (Hypnum cupressiforme, Urtica dioica, Dryopsteris filix-mas, and Cirsium arvense) in the Crucea and Lesu Ursului mining areas is presented. The maximum activities in soils were fond to not exceed 0.257 Bq/g for gross α+β, 0.35 Bq/g Ra, and 0.05 Bq/g Cs. All plant species shown similar capabilities for gross α+β and Ra assimilation. The soil-to-plant transfer coefficients are of about 1÷2, in line with values already reported and lower than ones found for other much effective species as Mentha piperita, Fragaria vesca, or Abies alba.

Natural Distribution of Parasitoids of Larvae of the Fall Armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina

To develop a better understanding of the natural distribution of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and to update the knowledge of the incidence of its complex of parasitoids. S. frugiperda, samplings in whorl-stage corn were carried out in provinces of Argentina from 1999 to 2003. S. frugiperda larvae were collected from corn in localities of the provinces of Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, Córdoba, San Luis, Chaco and Misiones. In each locality 30 corn plants were sampled and only larvae located in those plants were collected. The parasitoids that emerged from S. frugiperda larvae were identified and counted. The abundance of the parasitoids and the parasitism rate were estimated. The S. frugiperda parasitoids collected were Campoletis grioti (Blanchard) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Chelonus insularis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) (Diptera Tachinidae) and/or A. incertus (Macquart), Ophion sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Euplectrus platyhypenae Howard (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and Incamyia chilensis (Aldrich) (Diptera Tachinidae). C. grioti was the most abundant and frequent during the five-year survey. Similar diversity of parasitoids was obtained in all the provinces, with the exception of I. chilensis and E. platyhypenae that were recovered only in the province of Salta. In the Northwestern region, in Tucumán, C. grioti and species of Archytas were the most abundant and frequent parasitoids. On the contrary, in Salta and Jujuy Ch. insularis was the parasitoid most abundant and frequently recovered. The parasitism rate obtained in Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy provinces were 21.96%, 17.87% and 6.63% respectively with an average of 18.93%. These results demonstrate that hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids of S. frugiperda occurred differentially throughout the Argentinian provinces and played an important role on the natural control of the S. frugiperda larval population.

SPATIAL CONTAGIOUSNESS OF CANOPY DISTURBANCE IN TROPICAL RAIN FOREST: AN INDIVIDUAL‐TREE‐BASED TEST

Spatial contagiousness of canopy dynamics-the tendency of canopy disturbances to occur nearby existing canopy openings due to an elevated risk of tree fall around gaps-has been demonstrated in many temperate-zone forests, but only inferentially for tropical forests. Hypothesized mechanisms increasing the risk of tree fall around tropical forest gaps are (1) increased tree exposure to wind around gaps, (2) reduced stability of trees alongside gaps due to crown asymmetry, or (3) reduced tree health around gaps due to damage from prior disturbances. One hypothesized consequence of elevated disturbance levels around gaps would be that gap-edge zones offer relatively favorable prospects for seedling recruitment, growth, and survival. We tested whether disturbance levels are indeed elevated around natural canopy gaps in a neotropical rain forest in French Guiana, and more so as gaps are larger. We followed the fate of 5660 trees >10 cm stem diameter over five years across 12 ha of old-growth forest and analyzed the risk and magnitude of canopy disturbance events in relation to tree diameter and the proximity and size of natural canopy gaps. We found that the cumulative incidence of disturbance over the five-year survey was not significantly elevated around preexisting gaps, and only weakly related to gap size. Also, neither the risk nor the magnitude of canopy disturbances increased significantly with the proximity of gaps. Moreover, canopy disturbance risk around gaps was independent of gap size, while the magnitude of disturbance events around gaps was weakly related to gap size. Tree size was the major driver of disturbance risk as well as magnitude. We did find an elevated incidence of disturbance inside preexisting gaps, but this "repeat disturbance" was due to an elevated disturbance risk inside gaps, not around gaps. Overall, we found no strong evidence for canopy dynamics in this rain forest being spatially contagious. Our findings are consistent with the traditional view of tropical rain forests as mosaics of patches with predictable regeneration cycles.

A five-year survey for dental malpractice claims in Tehran, Iran

Objectives Dentists, like other doctors, can face punitive and legal consequences if patients are not satisfied with the dental treatment. The purpose of this study is to provide a database for dental malpractice claims in Tehran. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of dental malpractice claims In Tehran, between 2002 and 2006, based on the decisions of expert committees in medical malpractice cases by Tehran’s Legal Medicine Organization and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Medical Council. Results During these 5 years, 412 decisions related to dental malpractice were made. The majority of complaints were in fixed prosthodontics and oral surgery and also most of them concerned the private sector. Most of the cases were against general dentists. In the 56.7% of clinical cases and 40% of non-clinical cases of malpractice claims, dentists were found faulty. Conclusions Like all other medical staff, dentists are under the obligation to comply with the legal rules in the country they practice. They also have to consider ethical principles as well as the acceptable standards and protocols of diagnosis and treatment. These data can alert them to the need for greater care and ethical professionalism when treating their patients.

A Five-Year Follow-Up of a Survey of North American Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Programs

This study reports the results of a five-year follow-up survey of private-pay outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) programs operating in the United States and Canada. A total of 65 of 102 programs identified as meeting certain characteristics responded to the survey and identified themselves as an OBH program that utilizes a clinical treatment model that primarily uses wilderness expeditions. The goal of the study was to determine industry trends by comparing the results of this study to results generated in a 2001 survey of OBH programs. An additional goal of the study was to discuss the findings in the context of recent reports on OBH and related programs concerning program management and practice. Key findings indicate that the number of OBH programs operating appears to have increased since 2001, and that the clear majority of these programs are state-licensed and half are accredited. Family involvement in programming has decreased, as has the number of families receiving co-pay to help alleviate the costs of treatment. Field instructor training and qualifications, supervision, and oversight of daily treatment and program operation, and drug detoxification practices at admission are all issues that warrant further investigation. A conclusion is made that care should be taken by policy makers and others when making broad generalizations that implicate all OBH treatment programs, when it appears that most programs are licensed, have licensed clinicians on staff, and adhere to best practices in treatment as identified by a variety of agency and association standards.

Variation of the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Burkholderia cepacia complex clonal isolates obtained from chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients: a five-year survey in the major Portuguese treatment center

The treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) bacteria requires extensive and aggressive antibiotics therapy, exposing these bacteria to prolonged antibiotics-selective pressure. In the present study, we have compared the susceptibility patterns to 13 antimicrobials of 94 Bcc isolates obtained from 15 Portuguese CF patients in the course of chronic infection during a five-year survey. These isolates were previously genotyped and represent 11 different strains of the species B. cenocepacia (subgroups A and B), B. cepacia, B. multivorans, and B. stabilis. The results are consistent with the notion that CF Bcc isolates are resistant to the most clinically relevant antimicrobials and suggest an uneven distribution of resistance rates among the different species, with B. cenocepacia subgroup A isolates being the most resistant. Phenotypic variants exhibiting differences in the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were obtained from the sputum samples of clinically deteriorated CF patients during chronic lung infection. The isolation of resistant variants coincided with periods of pulmonary exacerbation and antibiotics therapy.

Temporal variation in the water chemistry of northern Victoria Land lakes (Antarctica)

Concentrations of major ions, silicate and nutrients (total N and P) were measured in samples of surface water from 28 lakes in ice-free areas of northern Victoria Land (East Antarctica). Sixteen lakes were sampled during austral summers 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 to assess temporal variation in water chemistry. Although samples showed a wide range in ion concentrations, their composition mainly reflected that of seawater. In general, as the distance from the sea increased, the input of elements from the marine environment (through aerosols and seabirds) decreased and there was an increase in nitrate and sulfate concentrations. Antarctic lakes lack outflows and during the austral summer the melting and/or ablation of ice cover, water evaporation and leaching processes in dry soils determine a progressive increase in water ion concentrations. During the five-year monitoring survey, no statistically significant variation in the water chemistry were detected, except for a slight (hardly significant) increase in TN concentrations. However, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that other factors besides distance from the sea, the presence of nesting seabirds, the sampling time and percentage of ice cover affect the composition of water in Antarctic cold desert environments.

Stability in women's experiences of hassles and uplifts: A five-year follow-up survey

Hassles and uplifts, a concept used in measuring daily stress events, was applied to working mothers’ everyday life. The aim was to explore the stability in working mothers’ experiences in patterns of daily occupations, operationalized as hassles and uplifts, between the year 2000 (baseline) and the year 2005 (follow-up). Further, the intention was to reveal possible differences in the number, origins, and ratings of hassles or uplifts between baseline and follow-up. The baseline study comprised 100 women, of whom 77 agreed to participate in the follow-up study. At baseline the questionnaire THU-5 was applied in the form of an interview, and at follow-up it was adapted to a self-response questionnaire sent home to the respondents. Stability was explored qualitatively by investigating the reported causes of hassles and uplifts, and quantitatively by comparing the numbers and ratings of the experiences at baseline and at follow-up. The results indicate a certain amount of stability, although the cause of the experiences changes in line with changes in life stage. It was concluded that the methodology used (THU-5 and THU-3) was sensitive to these changes and could be applied in clinical settings, providing occupational therapists with a tool for detecting daily hassles that could be dealt with. Likewise, detected uplifts can be useful in the process of re-designing patterns of daily occupations affected by stress.