bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abortion Incidence and Access to Services In the United States, 2008
Authors: Jones Rachel K. , Kooistra Kathryn
Published: January 2011

CONTEXT: The incidence of abortion has declined nearly every year between 1990 and 2005, but this trend may be ending, or at least leveling off. Access to abortion services is a critical issue, particularly since the number of abortion providers has been falling for the last three decades.

METHODS: In 2009 and 2010, all facilities known or expected to have provided abortion services in 2007 and 2008 were contacted, including hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices. Data on the number of abortions performed were collected and combined with population data to estimate national and state‐level abortion rates. Abortion incidence, provision of early medication abortion, gestational limits, charges and antiabortion harassment were assessed by provider type and abortion caseload.

RESULTS: In 2008, an estimated 1.21 million abortions were performed in the United States. The abortion rate increased 1% between 2005 and 2008, from 19.4 to 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44; the total number of abortion providers was virtually unchanged. Small changes in national abortion incidence and number of providers masked substantial changes in some states. Accessibility of services changed little: In both years, 35% of women of reproductive age lived in the 87% of counties that lacked a provider. Fifty‐seven percent of nonhospital providers experienced antiabortion harassment in 2008; levels of harassment were particularly high in the Midwest (85%) and the South (75%).

CONCLUSIONS: The long‐term decline in abortion incidence has stalled. Higher levels of harassment in some regions suggest the need to enact and enforce laws that prohibit the more intrusive forms of harassment.
The Akt isoforms, their unique functions and potential as anticancer therapeutic targets
Authors: Santi Stacey A. , Douglas Alison C. , Lee Hoyun
Published: January 2011

Akt (also known as protein kinase B or PKB) is the major downstream nodal point of the PI3K signaling pathway. This pathway is a promising anticancer therapeutic target, because constitutive activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway is correlated with tumor development, progression, poor prognosis, and resistance to cancer therapies. The Akt serine/threonine kinase regulates diverse cellular functions including cell growth, proliferation, glucose metabolism, and survival. Although all three known Akt isoforms (Akt1–3) are encoded by separate genes, their amino acid sequences show a high degree of similarity. For this and other reasons, it has long been assumed that all three Akt isoforms are activated in the same way, and their functions largely overlap. However, accumulating lines of evidence now suggest that the three Akt isoforms might have unique modes of activation and many distinct functions. In particular, it has recently been found that the Akt isoforms are localized at different subcellular compartments in both adipocytes and cancer cells. In this review, we highlight the unique roles of each Akt isoform by introducing published data obtained from both in vitro and in vivo studies. We also discuss the significant potential of the Akt isoforms as effective anticancer therapeutic targets.
Smolt Emigration and Survival to Adulthood in Two Icelandic Stocks of Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Antonsson Thorolfur , Heidarsson Thorkell , Snorrason Sigurdur S.
Published: January 2011

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts were sampled at weirs from two Icelandic rivers (Ellidaár and Vesturdalsá) for a 15‐year period to test four hypotheses: (1) longer smolts (i.e., at the high end of the length‐frequency distribution) will have higher survival to adulthood than shorter smolts (i.e., in the middle and lower parts of the distribution); (2) plumper (i.e., higher condition factor) smolts will have higher survival to adulthood than leaner (slim or average) smolts; (3) middle‐age smolts (i.e., in the middle part of the freshwater age distribution) will have higher survival rates than fish at the extremes of the age distribution; and (4) fish in the middle portion of the smolt run will have higher smolt‐to‐adult survival than smolts emigrating early and late. Among the three length‐groups, significant differences were found in smolt‐to‐adult survival in each river. In pairwise comparisons, long smolts had significantly higher survival rates than middle‐sized and short smolts for both rivers. Among the three condition groups, significant differences were found in smolt‐to‐adult survival for the Ellidaár but not for the Vesturdalsá. Ages of smolts in the Ellidaár ranged from 1 to 5 years, and more than 98% of smolts were age 2–4. Smolts in the Vesturdalsá ranged in age from 2 to 7 years, and more than 99% of smolts were age 3–5. Among the dominant three age‐groups for each river, significant differences were found in smolt‐to‐adult survival. Among the three migration timing groups, significant differences were found in smolt‐to‐adult survival in both rivers. In pairwise comparisons for the Ellidaár, late‐migrating smolts had significantly higher survival rates than middle and early smolts. In the Vesturdalsá, late‐migrating smolts had significantly higher survival than early and middle smolts, which did not differ from each other. These results are placed in the context of optimization of life history strategies and ideas about the process of smoltification in Atlantic salmon life history.
Hybridization, Isolation, and Low Genetic Diversity of Kirikuchi Char, the Southernmost Populations of the Genus Salvelinus
Authors: Sato Takuya , Demise Teruko , Kubota Hitoshi , Nagoshi Makoto , Watanabe Katsutoshi
Published: January 2011

The Kirikuchi char Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus, which is endemic to the Kii Peninsula, central Honshu, Japan, is a relict nonanadromous char adapted to the southernmost habitats of the genus Salvelinus. As a result of anthropogenic disturbance, the distribution of the Kirikuchi char is now limited to the two upper drainages of the Totsu River system in the Kii Peninsula and this subspecies is now threatened with extinction. The present study determined the genetic population structure of the Kirikuchi char by using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, seven microsatellites, and a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene (exon 2 of MHC class II beta). The results indicated that native Kirikuchi char populations in both drainages have hybridized extensively with stocked S. leucomaenis pluvius or S. leucomaenis leucomaenis that were originally distributed in eastern Honshu. Native populations were restricted to isolated headwaters above natural falls or sediment control dams and showed very low genetic diversity: one mitochondrial DNA haplotype and average heterozygosity of 0.00–0.12 in microsatellites and 0.00–0.50 in the MHC gene. The distinct genetic differences between the Kirikuchi char populations in the two drainages suggest that these populations should be managed as separate conservation units. A high risk of hybridization with stocked nonnative subspecies widely distributed throughout the drainages has prevented the recovery of natural connections that permit gene flow between local populations of Kirikuchi char. Given the extremely low genetic diversity of the remaining Kirikuchi char populations, it is necessary to take proactive management measures, such as the promotion of artificial gene flow across local populations within each drainage and genetic restoration using the data presented here.
Comparative Utility of Selected Frameworks for Regionalizing Fish‐Based Bioassessments across the United States
Authors: Frimpong Emmanuel A. , Angermeier Paul L.
Published: January 2011

Regional frameworks for bioassessment are necessary to stratify natural geographic variation in biotic assemblages and to calibrate bioassessment metrics and indices. In the United States, alternative frameworks have not been evaluated over large geographic extents (nationwide or continent‐wide) or compared with neutral models to document the relative utility of existing frameworks. We used the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment fish assemblage data from 1,140 fluvial sites to evaluate the utility of physiographic regions, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ecoregions, aquatic zoogeographic regions, and hydrologic landscape regions (HLRs). A zoogeographic—physiographic (Z‐P) region combination was tested along with nesting of HLR within all other frameworks. All frameworks were compared with a hierarchical grid that represented a neutral spatial framework and enabled us to examine effects of spatial autocorrelation. Classification strengths were inferred from the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of random‐effects analysis of variance models. Seventy percent of the variation in eight commonly used functional bioassessment metrics was explained by two principal components (PCs), which were used to characterize the underlying structure of current bioassessment metrics and geographic variation in fish assemblages. The order of classification strengths of the frameworks tested was Z‐P > ecoregion > zoogeography > physiography > HLR. The highest estimated ICC was 30% of the variance in the first PC of metrics explained by Z‐P regions. As stand‐alone frameworks, all frameworks except HLR could explain some variance in functional metrics above that attributable to spatial autocorrelation at the national scale. The HLR framework was the only spatially noncontiguous framework, and its weak classification strength reflects the importance of spatial autocorrelation in national‐scale regionalizations. Whenever nested in other frameworks, HLR explained significant additional variation. A refinement of the Z‐P framework and further integration with other frameworks such as HLR could lead to an improved, generally applicable framework for fish‐based bioassessments.
Spatial and Temporal Movements of White Sucker: Implications for Use as a Sentinel Species
Authors: Doherty Chad A. , Curry R. Allen , Munkittrick Kelly R.
Published: January 2011

White suckers Catostomus commersonii are widely distributed in rivers of North America and often used in environmental monitoring. The species' value as a sentinel has been questioned because some populations are known to travel long distances during spawning migrations and therefore can be exposed to multiple environments. The movements of white suckers in a 65‐km reach of the Saint John River, New Brunswick, were studied from 2001 to 2003 using radio and acoustic tracking and analyses of stable isotope ratios. Individuals maintained small home ranges in the river from summer to late winter, averaging 2.6 river kilometers [rkm] or less each year. During the spring spawning season, upstream and downstream movements to three tributaries occurred. Distances traveled were up to 40 rkm and averaged 9.2 rkm (SD = 11.0). Two males used separate tributaries within a spawning period, and there was evidence that spawning may not take place every year. Stable isotope results confirmed that white suckers maintained a high fidelity to well‐defined reaches in the main river outside the spawning period. These results indicate the importance of distinct, limited habitats and connectivity of habitats for white suckers in large rivers and support the hypothesis that white suckers reflect localized environmental conditions and can be used as a sentinel.
Use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to Identify and Characterize Overwintering Areas of Fish in Ice‐Covered Arctic Rivers: A Demonstration with Broad Whitefish and Their Habitats in the Sagavanirktok River, Alaska
Authors: Brown Richard S. , Duguay Claude R. , Mueller Robert P. , Moulton Larry L. , Doucette Peter J. , Tagestad Jerry D.
Published: January 2011

In northern climates, locating overwintering fish can be very challenging due to thick ice cover. Areas near the coast of the Beaufort Sea provide valuable overwintering habitat for both resident and anadromous fish species; identifying them and understanding their use of overwintering areas is of special interest. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery from two spaceborne satellites was examined as an alternative to radiotelemetry for identifying anadromous fish overwintering. The presence of water and ice were sampled at 162 sites, and fish were sampled at 16 of these sites. From SAR imagery alone, we successfully identified large pools inhabited by overwintering fish in the ice‐covered Sagavanirktok River, Alaska. In addition, the imagery was able to identify all of the larger pools (mean minimum length = 138 m, SD = 131, range = 15–470 m) of water located by field sampling. The effectiveness of SAR in identifying these pools varied from 31% to 100%, depending on imagery polarization, the incidence angle range, and the orbit. Horizontal transmit—vertical receive (HV) polarization appeared to be best. The accuracy of SAR was also assessed at a finer pixel‐by‐pixel scale (30 × 30 m). The best correspondence at this finer scale was obtained with an image having HV polarization. The levels of agreement ranged from 54% to 69%. The presence of broad whitefish Coregonus nasus (the only anadromous species present) was associated with salinity and pool size (estimated with SAR imagery); fish were more likely to be found in larger pools with low salinity. This research illustrates that SAR imaging has great potential for identifying under‐ice overwintering areas of riverine fish. These techniques should allow managers to identify critical overwintering areas more easily and at lower cost than traditional techniques permit.
Climate Change Impacts on Flood Frequency, Intensity, and Timing May Affect Trout Species in Sagehen Creek, California
Authors: Meyers Erica M. , Dobrowski Bridget , Tague Christina L.
Published: January 2011

Climate warming is likely to alter the frequency, intensity, and seasonal timing of floods in Sagehen Creek, a headwater stream in California's Sierra Nevada, and thus has the potential to alter the population dynamics of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Both species are susceptible to floods that can scour redds or kill fry, potentially decreasing population size the following summer. Winter (November—April) floods affect brook trout, and spring (May) floods affect rainbow trout. In this study, we applied a spatially distributed ecohydrologic model (RHESSys) to estimate how climate warming (+2°C and +4°C) and changes in precipitation are likely to impact flood flows in Sagehen Creek. Model estimates predict substantial changes in the temporal distribution of floods from spring to winter and an increase in the frequency and intensity of floods in both warming scenarios. Greater annual precipitation or precipitation intensity increases flood frequency but does not change the temporal distribution. Results show a seasonal shift from mostly spring floods under current conditions (54 spring and 12 winter flood‐days) to almost entirely winter floods in the +4°C warming scenario (5 spring and 83 winter flood‐days), which would disproportionately impact brook trout populations. Given that this change in the timing of floods would probably be combined with greater flood intensity and higher stream temperatures, we argue that warming will likely cause a long‐term decline in brook trout abundance. Conversely, fewer spring floods and potentially decreased competition with brook trout are likely to have a positive impact on the abundance of rainbow trout in Sagehen Creek, although increases in precipitation intensity would negatively impact both species. A shift in the abundance of either species may impact recreational anglers and have resource management implications.
Use of Morphology and Endocrinology to Predict Sex in California Sheephead: Evidence of Altered Timing of Sex Change at Santa Catalina Island, California
Authors: Loke‐Smith Kerri A. , Sundberg Michael A. , Young Kelly A. , Lowe Christopher G.
Published: January 2011

To estimate the health of the California sheephead Semicossyphus pulcher fishery, a 2004 stock assessment used available biological data that were collected decades prior to an increase in fishing pressure. However, a recent study has found that sex ratios, growth rates, survivorship, and average sizes of females and males have changed in response to size‐selective fishing in some California sheephead populations. To better understand the potential changes in protogynous California sheephead, this study sought to determine (1) whether external morphology was still an accurate method of predicting sex in sexually dimorphic California sheephead at Santa Catalina Island, California, and (2) whether nonlethal blood sampling and plasma hormone analysis could be used to predict sex for future stock assessments. Sex was determined using gonadal histology and compared with several specific external morphological characters. Estradiol and 11‐ketotestosterone plasma concentrations were also compared across sexed individuals. The rate of error when using external morphology alone to predict sex was 58%. In contrast, sex steroid concentrations varied significantly across sexes; estradiol concentrations were significantly greater in females than in transitioning and male individuals during the breeding season, and 11‐ketotestosterone concentrations were significantly lower among females. Gonadal histology showed that 21% of the fish caught during the breeding season were classified as transitional, in stark contrast to historical data. The inability to accurately predict sex using external morphology alone suggests that commonly used methods of surveying California sheephead populations (e.g., diver surveys) may be inaccurate. Nonlethal blood sampling and subsequent plasma hormone analysis may offer an alternative method for assessing sex in California sheephead. Because California sheephead are not reproductively functional during transition and because we found such a large proportion in transition during the breeding season at Santa Catalina Island, we believe there is a need for continued assessment of the reproductive potential in this population of California sheephead.
Demographics and Parasitism of American Eels in the Chesapeake Bay, USA
Authors: Fenske Kari H. , Secor David H. , Wilberg Michael J.
Published: January 2011

The Chesapeake Bay supports the largest U.S. harvest of American eels Anguilla rostrata, yet little is known about the underlying demographics and production rates that sustain these harvests. Chesapeake Bay subestuaries (Sassafras, Chester, Choptank, Patuxent, Potomac, and James rivers) are expected to provide productive but varying growth habitats for yellow‐stage American eels due to differences in land use, prey availability, and salinity. We compared length, age, growth, mortality, condition, and health (prevalence and incidence of parasitism by the swim bladder nematode Anguillicola crassus) of yellow American eels (n = 850) in the six principal subestuaries. As has been observed for other systems, female American eels in the Chesapeake Bay were larger, older, and heavier and had higher growth rates than male, intersexual, or undifferentiated American eels. Prevalence of male and intersexual individuals in the upper bay region was higher than that in the lower bay and higher than that reported for estuaries in South Carolina, Quebec, and the Hudson River, New York. American eel demographic attributes (gender, length, weight, condition, age, growth, and parasitism) differed substantially among the subestuaries. Individual growth rates ranged from 26.7 to 149.3 mm/year; the Choptank River had the highest mean growth rate (72.7 mm/year), and the Chester River had the lowest (60.2 mm/year). Estimated instantaneous loss rates (0.52–1.01 per year) did not vary systematically among subestuaries. Prevalence of parasitized American eels ranged from 17.8% to 72.0% and was higher in the upper bay subestuaries than in the lower bay. Swim bladder damage and Anguillicola crassus presence were not associated with American eel age or growth rate. In summary, female prevalence, growth rates, and condition were lower and parasite prevalence and intensity were higher in the less‐saline upper bay than in the lower bay, suggesting fundamental differences in the productivity and spawning contributions between these two regions.
Evaluation of Habitat Quality for Stream Salmonids Based on a Bioenergetics Model
Authors: Urabe Hirokazu , Nakajima Miyuki , Torao Mitsuru , Aoyama Tomoya
Published: January 2011

We examined the effectiveness of energetic potential (net energy intake [NEI]) estimated from bioenergetics models as an index of habitat quality for stream salmonids in seven streams within four watersheds in Hokkaido, northern Japan. In addition, we confirmed the utility of the NEI as an index of habitat quality by comparing it with several other habitat variables, including pool volume, pool area ratio, and prey density, that are often used as indices of habitat quality for stream salmonids. The mean NEI at each study reach was closely related to salmonid abundance, although the physical environment and drifting prey density differed considerably among study sites. In contrast, the relationships between habitat variables and fish abundance were weaker (drift density) or nonsignificant (pool volume and area). These results suggest that the NEI is more widely applicable as an index of habitat quality for drift‐feeding fish, although its validity should be tested in additional systems.
Genetic Status of Headwater Catfish in Texas and New Mexico: A Perspective from mtDNA and Morphology
Authors: McClure‐Baker Sherri A. , Echelle Anthony A. , van den Bussche Ronald A. , Echelle Alice F. , Hendrickson Dean A. , Garrett Gary P.
Published: January 2011

Collections of 231 catfish from 34 localities were surveyed for mtDNA (399 base pairs of cytochromeb) and morphological evidence of headwater catfishIctalurus lupusin areas of historical occurrence in Texas and New Mexico. The species is of concern for conservation managers, primarily because of the potential for population losses from competition and hybridization with channel catfishI. punctatus. For cytochromeb, there were two deeply divergent (4.8–6.1%) groups, a channel catfish clade of 14 haplotypes (0.8% to 1.3% divergence) and a headwater catfish clade of two haplotypes (1.0% divergence), associated with morphotypes of channel catfish and headwater catfish, respectively. Morphotypes were based on field identification and a canonical discriminant function utilizing external morphology. All specimens from the Nueces River and the main‐stem Rio Grande and the Pecos River conformed to morphological and mtDNA expectations for channel catfish. Apparently pure populations of headwater catfish were found only in two relatively isolated situations (Rocky Arroyo, New Mexico, and San Solomon Spring, Texas). Additional genetic evidence of headwater catfish was restricted to four populations in streams that are direct tributaries of either the Pecos River or the Rio Grande. Two of these populations (Independence Creek and Dolan Creek—Devils River) were morphologically distinct from, but shifted toward, the morphotype of channel catfish. A third population (Pinto Creek) was morphologically indistinguishable from channel catfish, and individuals from the fourth population (Delaware River) had morphotypes consistent with both species. The Pinto Creek, Independence Creek, and Delaware River populations exhibited mtDNA haplotypes from both species, whereas the Dolan Creek—Devils River population was fixed for a haplotype from the headwater catfish clade. A survey of early collection records tentatively suggests that hybridization between headwater catfish and channel catfish might be a result of relatively recent introduction of the latter to the Rio Grande basin.
Comparison and Validation of Nonlethal Techniques for Estimating Condition in Juvenile Salmonids
Authors: Hanson K. C. , Ostrand K. G. , Gannam A. L. , Ostrand S. L.
Published: January 2011

Fish proximate composition influences growth, reproduction, and survival and is commonly used to determine physiological condition; however, proximate composition is time‐consuming to measure and typically requires a lethal sample that cannot be analyzed in situ. As a result, researchers are increasingly interested in using nonlethal techniques that are quicker and less expensive to estimate proximate body components in fish. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and microwave energy meters have been used with success on large‐bodied fishes, although no evaluation on small‐bodied Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. has been conducted. We evaluated three nonlethal techniques (BIA, energy meter, and condition factor) as predictors of individual body composition (determined through lethal whole‐body proximate analysis) in juvenile hatchery steelhead O. mykiss (minimum fork length = 138 mm; minimum wet mass = 24.5 g). The BIA values were positively correlated with measured total body water (R2 = 0.77), protein (R2 = 0.74), and ash (R2 = 0.46) in steelhead; energy meter values were positively correlated with total body water (R2 = 0.83). Only condition factor was predictive of total body lipid, and both BIA and energy meter measures reflected somatic energy in muscle tissue rather than the total body energy reserves. Although modification of nonlethal methodologies is still required to generate accurate measures of total body energy reserves, BIA and energy meter technologies provide relatively quick and detailed data on a number of proximate body components without the need to kill the individual fish.
Profile of patients with Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome admitted at "Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas"
Authors: Gouveia Emy Akiyama , Alves Mayra Fernanda , Mantovani Elenice , Oyafuso Luiza Keiko , Bonoldi Virgínia Lucia Nazario , Yoshinari Natalino Hajime
Published: January 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial profile of patients with Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS), who underwent internment at the Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas in São Paulo, Brazil, during the period from July 1990 to July 2006. BYS is a new Brazilian tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato microorganisms that resembles features of Lyme disease (LD), except for its epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial particularities. From 60 patients' records with positive serology to B. burgdorferi done by ELISA and Western-blotting methods, 19 cases were diagnosed as having BYS, according to criteria adopted at LIM-17 HCFMUSP, the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for the research of BYS. The other 41 remaining patients displayed miscellaneous infections or auto-immune processes. The beginning of symptoms in BYS group varied from one day to six years, from the onset of the disease. Four of 19 patients were included in acute disease stage, and 15 in latent. General unspecific symptoms were identified in almost all cases, with high frequencies of fever (78.9%) and lymphadenomegaly (36.8%). Six patients had skin lesions (31.5%); six arthralgia or arthritis (31.5%) and eight neurological symptoms (42%). Interestingly, two patients showed antibodies directed to B. burgdorferi exclusively in cerebrospinal fluid. Since BYS is a new emergent Brazilian zoonosis and its diagnosis is sometimes complex, all the new knowledge about BYS must be scattered to Brazilian Medical specialists, aiming to teach them how to diagnose this amazing tick-borne disease and to avoid its progression to chronic irreversible sequels
The Americleft Study: An Inter-Center Study of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Part 1. Principles and Study Design
Authors: Long Ross E. , Hathaway Ronald , Daskalogiannakis John , Mercado Ana , Russell Kathleen , Cohen Marilyn , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William
Published: January 2011

Objective

The Americleft study is a North American initiative to undertake an intercenter outcome study for patients with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate from five well-established North American cleft centers.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Five cleft palate centers in North America.

Methods

This is the first paper in a series of five that outlines the overall goals of the study and sets the basis for the clinical outcome studies that are reported in the following four papers. The five centers’ samples and treatment protocols as well as the methods used for each study are reported. The challenges encountered and possible mechanisms to resolve them and reduce methodological error with intercenter studies are also reviewed.
The Americleft Study: An Inter-Center Study of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Part 2. Dental Arch Relationships
Authors: Hathaway Ronald , Daskalogiannakis John , Mercado Ana , Russell Kathleen , Long Ross E. , Cohen Marilyn , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William
Published: January 2011

Objective

To compare maxillomandibular relationships for individuals with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate using the Goslon Yardstick for dental models.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Five cleft palate centers in North America.

Subjects

A total of 169 subjects with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who were consecutively treated at the five centers.

Methods

Ethics approval was obtained. A total of 169 dental models of patients between 6 and 12 years old with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were assessed using the Goslon Yardstick. Weighted kappa statistics were used to assess intrarater and interrater reliabilities; whereas, analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer analysis was used to compare the Goslon scores. Significance levels were set at p < .05.

Results

Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were very good for model ratings. One center that incorporated primary alveolar bone grafting showed especially poor Goslon scores that were significantly poorer than the remaining centers. The surgery protocols used by the other four centers did not include primary alveolar bone grafting but involved a number of different lip and palate closure techniques. Using the Goslon Yardstick assumptions, the center with the best scores would be expected to require end-stage maxillary advancement orthognathic surgery in 20% of its patients; whereas, the center with the worst scores would be likely to require this surgery in 66% of its patients.

Conclusions

The Goslon Yardstick proved capable of discriminating among the centers’ dental arch relationships. Possible explanations for the differences are discussed.
The Americleft Study: An Inter-Center Study of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Part 3. Analysis of Craniofacial Form
Authors: Daskalogiannakis John , Mercado Ana , Russell Kathleen , Hathaway Ronald , Dugas Gregory , Long Ross E. , Cohen Marilyn , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William
Published: January 2011

Objective

To compare craniofacial morphology for individuals with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate between the ages of 6 and 12 years.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Four North American cleft palate centers.

Subjects

A total of 148 subjects with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who were consecutively treated at the four centers.

Methods

The 148 preorthodontic lateral cephalometric radiographs were scanned, scaled, digitized, and coded to blind the examiners to radiograph origin. On each radiograph, 18 (angular and ratio) cephalometric measurements were performed. Measurement means, by center, were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer analysis.

Results

Significant differences were found for sagittal maxillary prominence among the four centers. The most significant difference was seen between Center B (lowest SNA) and Center C (highest SNA). Similar differences were seen at the soft tissue level, with Center C showing a significantly larger ANB angle compared with Centers B and D. Center C was also shown to have statistically greater mean soft tissue convexity than Centers B, D, and E. The mean nasolabial angle in Center B was significantly more acute than in Centers C, D, and E. No statistically significant differences were seen for mandibular prominence, vertical dimensions, or dental inclinations.

Conclusion

Significant differences were seen among the centers for hard and soft tissue maxillary prominence, but not for mandibular prominence, vertical dimensions, or dental inclinations. A modest but statistically significant ( p < .001) negative correlation was found between Goslon scores and ANB angle ( r = –.607).
The Americleft Study: An Inter-Center Study of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Part 4. Nasolabial Aesthetics
Authors: Mercado Ana , Russell Kathleen , Hathaway Ronald , Daskalogiannakis John , Sadek Hani , Long Ross E. , Cohen Marilyn , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William
Published: January 2011

Objective

To compare the nasolabial aesthetics for individuals with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate between the ages of 5 and 12 years.

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting

Four cleft centers in North America.

Subjects

A total of 124 subjects with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who were treated at the four centers.

Methods

After ethics approval was obtained, 124 preorthodontic frontal and profile patient images were scanned, cropped to show the nose and upper lip, and coded. Using the coded images, four nasolabial features that reflect aesthetics (i.e., nasal symmetry, nasal form, vermilion border, and nasolabial profile) were rated by five examiners using the rating system reported by Asher-McDade et al. (1991) . Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were determined using weighted kappa statistics. Mean ratings, by center, were compared using analysis of variance.

Results

Intrarater reliability scores were good to very good and interrater reliability scores were moderate to good. Total nasolabial scores were Center B = 2.98, Center C = 3.02, Center D = 2.80, and Center E = 2.87. No statistically significant differences among centers were detected for both total aesthetic scores and for any of the individual aesthetic components.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in nasolabial aesthetics among the centers evaluated. Overall good to fair nasolabial aesthetic results were achieved using the different treatment protocols in the four North American centers.
The Americleft Study: An Inter-Center Study of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Part 5. General Discussion and Conclusions
Authors: Russell Kathleen , Long Ross E. , Hathaway Ronald , Daskalogiannakis John , Mercado Ana , Cohen Marilyn , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William
Published: January 2011

Objective

To summarize the Americleft study regarding treatment outcomes for patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP).

Setting

Five cleft palate centers in North America.

Subjects

One hundred sixty-nine subjects, between the ages of 6 years and 12 years, with repaired CUCLP who were consecutively treated at the five centers.

Methods

Study consisted of model comparisons assessing maxillomandibular relationship using the GOSLON Yardstick (169 patients from all 5 centers), soft and hard tissue craniofacial morphologic comparisons using lateral cephalometric analyses (148 patients from four of the centers), and nasolabial esthetics assessments (125 patients from four of the centers).

Results

Significant differences were found between the center with the best GOSLON scores and the remaining centers. These differences also corresponded to those found in the craniofacial morphologic cephalometric assessment. Sagittal maxillary prominence was found to be significantly better for the center with the best GOSLON scores, while no significant differences were seen among the centers for mandibular prominence, vertical dimensions, or dental inclinations. No differences were seen for nasolabial esthetics between the centers.

Conclusions

Challenges experienced while undertaking the inter-center retrospective study are reviewed. Aspects of treatment that could potentially make the outcome of treatment less optimal included primary alveolar bone grafting and extensive treatment protocols. Differences in the outcomes identified between the centers were restricted to the maxilla, and no differences were identified for mandibular prominence, vertical dimensions, or dental inclinations.
New Classification Scheme of Proboscis Lateralis Based on a Review of 50 Cases
Authors: Sakamoto Yoshiaki , Miyamoto Junpei , Nakajima Hideo , Kishi Kazuo
Published: January 2011

Background

Among congenital nasal deformities, proboscis lateralis is one of the rarest. Boo-Chai classified proboscis lateralis into four groups. Recently, we encountered a new case of proboscis lateralis with median cleft lip. We noticed that this classification had not been considered according to convalescence and embryologics, and further refinement seemed to be needed.

Methods

We reviewed all cases of proboscis lateralis reported in English through 2009 and classified them by intercanthal distance.

Results

A total of 34 studies involving 50 cases were reviewed. Six cases were identified as having normal intercanthal distance. Three of them presented nose abnormalities and fit Boo-Chai group II category. The other three were consistent with group I. Hypertelorism was observed in 27 cases and was further divided into two groups based on the occurrence of a frontal encephalocele. Seventeen cases without a frontal encephalocele were compatible with Boo-Chai groups III and IV. The other 10 cases associated with a visible encephalocele had encephalopathy; most died at an early age, and long-term survival cases suffered developmental delay and mental retardation. Seventeen cases were defined as hypotelorism, and all cases also presented as holoprosencephaly.

Conclusions

The redefined classification contains two new groups: group V as hypertelorism with encephalocele and group VI as hypotelorism. A new classification scheme is proposed as not only convenient for clinical application but also embryologically accurate.
Magnus: Utilization of Conductor Sharing Wellhead Technology To Access Additional Hydrocarbons With a Slot-Constrained Platform
Authors: Hicks S.E.. E. , Moore A.. , Honey M.. , Farmer I.R.. R. , Smart B.. , Ekseth R.. , Brown D..
Published: January 2011

The Magnus platform, UK northern North Sea, has been producing since 1983 with all 20 original slots now occupied. Additional infill and extend-reach-drilling (ERD) production targets were identified and a means of access was required while maintaining base field production. Platform modification was selected because of significant commercial advantage over alternative developments. The Magnus jacket was modified to permit running of four additional large conductors into which two smaller casings could be installed respectively.

A tapered jacket profile necessitated preinstalled conductor guide frames to build to 4° inclination at seabed, requiring initial use of the large conductor as a conduit for drilling assemblies. Custom-manufactured and specialist equipment was designed and procured to enable successful underreaming to 54 in. and installation of 46-in. conductor. Drilling-assembly design and initial pilothole profile were deemed critical to subsequent success in running rigid open-ended 46-in. conductor. Well-critical structural cement was pumped to seabed by use of a 16-in. inflatable packer and inner string. Unguided installation of two 18⅝-in. casing strings inside 46-in. conductor was then achieved. The 18⅝-in. casing strings were cemented in place using light cement to preserve (shallow) casing-shoe integrity. High-resolution multishot gyro surveys and a newly developed “gamma-wipe” survey technique were used to obtain critical 18⅝-in. relative-shoe-orientation information before subsequent kickoff.

Two wells were batch set successfully to the 13⅜-in. casing shoe by means of one conductor. Modification of existing wellhead technology for close proximity has proved successful. Access to additional Magnus resources by means of an otherwise full template has been delivered by this conductor-sharing-wellhead (CSW) technology.
Flow in Composite Slabs
Authors: Raghavan R.. , Ozkan E..
Published: January 2011

A Green's function formulation for flow to a well in a reservoir of a composite structure with each internally homogeneous subreservoir arranged contiguously is presented. The formulation is then used to derive source functions. Attention is focused on line and point sources, with a view to consider fractured and horizontal wells. Matching flow conditions are applied at the subreservoir interfaces, and contact resistances are included. Our approach to working the problem results in a scheme that is efficient from a computational perspective, an essential requirement for processing the inverse problem. The algorithm is presented in terms of the Laplace transformation. Results obtained by the algorithm given here are compared with solutions given in the literature, and the viability of the technique is demonstrated.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations Into Oil-Drainage Rates During Vapor Extraction of Heavy Oils
Authors: Alkindi A.S.. S. , Al-Wahaibi Y.M.. M. , Muggeridge A.H.. H.
Published: January 2011

A set of analog vapor-extraction (VAPEX) laboratory experiments was performed to test the ability of existing analytic and numerical models to predict oil-drainage rates from this process. The selected analog fluids and porous media enabled all input parameters to the analytic model to be determined independently of the analog VAPEX experiments without history matching. The results show that the underprediction of oil rate by the standard analytic model is not because of increased levels of mixing between the solvent and oil over that expected from molecular diffusion and convective dispersion, but rather because of a deficiency in the analytic model formulation.
The effect of calpastatin polymorphism and its interaction with RYR1 genotypes on carcass and meat quality of crossbred pigs
Authors: RYBARCZYK A. , KMIEC M. , SZARUGA R.
Published: January 2011

The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between a calpastatin gene (CAST) polymorphism, the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) polymorphism and carcass/meat quality traits in crossbred pigs. No significant differences in the analyzed pigs were found between genotypes CC and CT at the locus RYR1 and CD and DD at the locus CAST/MspI in terms of carcass and meat quality. However, a significant association of the CAST/ApaLI polymorphism with carcass quality and meat marbling were observed. The carcasses of AB pigs had significantly higher carcass percentage of lean meat, thinner backfat and thicker muscle, as well as lower meat marbling, as compared with the BB pigs. Furthermore, interactions CAST/MspI × RYR1 and CAST/ApaLI × RYR1 were found significant in relation to all the studied carcass traits. The results presented here imply that the CAST gene recognized with ApaLI may be considered as important in terms of the way it affects porcine carcass quality traits. Moreover, the research has revealed a relationship between CAST and RYR1 genotypes as regards formation of carcass traits in pigs. Follow-up studies, however, should be carried out on larger populations representing all possible CAST genotypes.;
Nitrogen losses from grass ley after slurry application surface broadcasting vs. injection
Authors: UUSI-KÄMPPÄ J. , MATTILA P.K.
Published: January 2011

As the livestock numbers on Finnish dairy farms have increased and most fields on dairy farms are under grass, it has become common to spread cattle slurry over grasslands. To estimate environmental effects of recurrent slurry applications, a 5-year field study was performed to compare nitrogen (N) losses to water and ammonia losses to air by volatilization, when cattle slurry was either surface broadcast or injected into clay soil after grass cuttings. Slurry was spread on the grass in summer (19961997) or both in summer and autumn (19982000). Biomass N uptake before grass harvesting and amount of soil mineral N in spring and autumn were measured and field N balances were calculated. Despite cool weather, up to one third of the ammonium N of broadcast slurries was lost through ammonia volatilization after application in autumn, but injection effectively prevented losses. The mean surface runoff losses of total N were negligible (0.34.6 kg ha-1 yr-1) with the highest loss of 13 kg ha-1 yr-1 measured after slurry broadcasting to wet soil in autumn and followed with heavy rains. A substantial part (2455%) of the applied mineral N was not recovered by the foregoing measurements.;
Wilting and inoculation of Lactobacillus buchneri on intercropped triticale-fava silage: effects on nutritive, fermentative and aerobic stability characteristics
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-FERNÁNDEZ A. , SOLDADO A. , VICENTE F.
Published: January 2011

This study investigated the effects of wilting and Lactobacillus buchneri inoculation on fermentation end products, DM recovery, nutritive characteristics and aerobic stability in organically grown triticale-fava bean intercrop silages. For this purpose, a bi-crop of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) and fava bean (Vicia faba L.) was established on an old low-input mixed sward (Lolium perenne-Trifolium repens). The association of triticale and fava bean in winter crops and wilting forages before ensiling improved ensilability characteristics. Wilting for 24 hours before ensiling avoided effluent losses during the fermentation process and reduced ammonia nitrogen production. Inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri 40788, for a final application rate of 1×105 cfu g-1 of fresh forage ensiled in laboratory silos during 80 days, promoted a higher CP concentration. Furthermore, it promoted changes in the concentration of fermentation end products, decreasing lactic acid and increasing acetic and propionic acids. The effects of Lactobacillus buchneri on aerobic stability were not confirmed in this study. Wilting depressed, but did not inhibit the activity of Lactobacillus buchneri in the fermentation process.;
Cyberpiracy and morality: Some utilitarian and deontological challenges
Authors: Mancic Zeljko
Published: January 2011

This paper analyses one of the main problems of our time in the world of
Internet ? cyber piracy. It is often said that it is illegal, since pirates
who practice it violate certain domestic and international laws. When we ask
for justification of this laws and their enforcement, philosophers and
legalists usually apply to one of the two sorts of philosophical arguments -
deontology and utilitarianism. The former think that piracy is immoral in
itself, while the others argue it should be prevented, otherwise it will
produce very bad consequences for society sooner or later, and thus diminish
the overall happiness of the society. It will be shown, howe?ver, that both
of these arguments, when closely considered, fail with their intention, and,
if we decide to follow them, we actually arrive to the very opposite
conclusion - piracy is justified.
Parameters in the estimation of the most suitable F2 population size in conventional maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs
Authors: Delic Nenad , Pavlov Jovan , Babic Vojka , Surlan-Momirovic Gordana , Zivanovic Tomislav
Published: January 2011

The objective of the present study was to observe differences among four
sizes of the F2 populations (100, 200, 300 and 500 plants) on the basis of
test-crosses for grain yield according to the average values of the
populations, genetic and phenotypic variances, genotypic and phenotypic
coefficients of variations and broad-sense heritability. The values of
genetic variance did not significantly differ over population sizes
according to all possible comparisons, including the comparison of values
obtained for the phenotypic variance. Furthermore, the values of broadsense
heritability (67.8%-69%) did not significantly vary over different F2
population sizes. Genetic variability of the observed progenies, as a
principal prerequisite of successful selection, was at the satisfactory
level in all population sizes.