bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mini‐incision microdissection testicular sperm extraction: a useful technique for men with cryptozoospermia
Authors: Alrabeeah K. , Witmer J. , Ruiz S. , AlMalki A. , Phillips S. , Zini A. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryMicrodissection testicular sperm extraction (micro‐TESE) was developed to minimize the testicular injury associated with multiple open TESEs. We sought to evaluate a mini‐incision micro‐TESE in men with cryptozoospermia and non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA). We conducted a retrospective study of 26 consecutive men with NOA and cryptozoospermia who underwent a primary (first) micro‐TESE between March 2015 and August 2015. Final assessment of sperm recovery (reported on the day of intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)) was recorded as (i) successful (available spermatozoa for ICSI) or (ii) unsuccessful (no spermatozoa for ICSI). The decision to perform a mini‐incision micro‐TESE (with limited unilateral micro‐dissection) or standard/extensive (with unilateral or bilateral micro‐dissection) was guided by the intra‐operative identification of sperm recovery (≥5 spermatozoa) from the first testicle. Overall, sperm recovery was successful in 77% (20/26) of the men. In 37% of the men (8/26), the mini‐incision micro‐TESE was successful (positive sperm recovery). The remaining 18 men required a standard (extensive) microdissection: 61% (11/18) underwent a unilateral and 39% (7/18) a bilateral micro‐TESE. We found that 90% (9/10) of the men with cryptozoospermia and 63% (10/16) of the men with NOA underwent a unilateral (mini or standard micro‐TESE). The mini‐incision micro‐TESE allowed for successful sperm recovery in 60% (6/10) of the men with cryptozoospermia and 13% (2/16) of the men with NOA. The data demonstrate that a mini‐incision micro‐TESE together with rapid intra‐operative assessment and identification of spermatozoa recovery can be useful in men undergoing microTESE, particularly, men with cryptozoospermia.
Retinal vessel oxygen saturation in a healthy young Chinese population
Authors: Yang Wei , Fu Yue , Dong Yanmin , Lin Leilei , Huang Xia , Li Yujie , Lin Xiaofeng , Gao Qianying 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeTo measure retinal vessel oxygen saturation in a healthy young Chinese population and to determine the effects of multiple factors (gender, age, dioptre, vessel diameter and ocular perfusion pressure – OPP) on retinal oxygen saturation.MethodsA total of 126 healthy Chinese individuals aged from 19 to 30 were included in this study. A retinal oximeter (Oxymap T1) was used to measure retinal vessel oxygen saturation by retinal imaging at two different wavelengths. The mean retinal vessel oxygen saturation (Sat_O2) of arterioles, venules and arteriovenous (AV) difference overall and in four separate quadrants were measured. Intra‐ocular pressure, blood pressure, finger pulse oximetry value, vessel diameter and dioptre were also measured. The correlations between OPP and dioptre, OPP and vessel diameter, and dioptre and vessel diameter were analysed. And the effects of multiple factors on the retinal oxygen saturation were analysed.ResultsThe mean oxygen saturation was 93.2 ± 6.3% in the retinal arterioles, 60.4 ± 5.3% in venules and 32.9 ± 6.4% in AV difference. The temporal quadrants had lower measurements of arteriolar and venular oxygen saturation and AV difference compared with nasal quadrants (p < 0.001). The oxygen saturation of the arterioles, venules and AV difference were unaffected by any unique factor. Arteriolar and venular retinal oxygen saturation correlated negatively with the product of dioptre and OPP. Arteriolar retinal oxygen saturation correlated positively with the product of dioptre and vessel diameter.ConclusionsThis study provided a normal reference of Sat_O2 in healthy young Chinese individuals. It was a reflection of the normal state of retinal oxygen metabolism affected by several factors.
The maintenance of inserted titanium implants: in‐vitro evaluation of exposed surfaces cleaned with three different instruments
Authors: Bertoldi Carlo , Lusuardi Donatella , Battarra Francesca , Sassatelli Paolo , Spinato Sergio , Zaffe Davide 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveChanges to titanium implants smooth‐surfaces after instrumentation were comparatively analyzed using low‐vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LV‐SEM) and white‐light confocal (WLC) profilometry, to accurately evaluate curved surfaces.Material and methodsSixty titanium implants screwed to their abutments were randomly split into three groups for cleaning treatment with (S) stainless‐steel Gracey‐curettes, (T) titanium Langer‐curettes, and (P) an ultrasonic‐device with the probe covered with a plastic‐tip. One sector of each implant was left unprocessed (U). The other sectors were cleaned for either 60 s, to simulate a single cleaning session, or 180 s to simulate a series of sessions. Surface morphology was analyzed by LV‐SEM, without metal sputtering. Quantitative evaluations of the roughness of surfaces were performed using a WLC‐profilometer. The Wilcoxon and the Mann–Whitney tests were used in statistical comparisons.ResultsU‐surfaces showed that thin transverse ridges and grooves, i.e. a polarized surface roughness was substantially compromised after S‐instrumentation. Small surface alterations, increasing with time, were also recorded after T‐·and·P‐instrumentation, although to a lesser degree. The gap of the fixture‐abutment connection appeared almost completely clean after T‐, clotted with titanium debris after S‐, and clotted with plastic debris after P‐treatment. The mean roughness (Ra) was unchanged after P‐, significantly increased after S‐ and decreased after T‐treatment, when compared with U. The Rz roughness‐parameter, calculated along the fixture Y‐axis, of S, T, and P resulted similar and significantly lower than that of U. Rz (X‐axis) resulted unchanged after P‐, slightly increased (+40%) after T‐, and greatly increased (+260%) after S‐treatment, this latter being statistically significant when compared with U.ConclusionsThe careful use of titanium‐curettes could produce only minimal smooth surface alteration particularly over prolonged treatments, and avoid debris production that could endanger implant preservation.
Linking watershed and microhabitat characteristics: effects on production of Atlantic salmonids (Salmo salar and Salmo trutta)
Authors: Foldvik Anders , Einum Sigurd , Finstad Anders G. , Ugedal Ola 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe spatial scale of environmental factors influencing population dynamics ranges from microhabitat to continental or even global scales. Integration of multiple spatial scales is important in order to understand links between environmental variation and population processes. In the present study, we investigate how multiscale drivers influence the production of stream‐rearing Atlantic salmonids (Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. and brown trout, Salmo trutta L.) measured in terms of abundance. Variation in juvenile production was studied using data from single‐pass electrofishing surveys (measured as biomass per m2) from nine rivers. These data were combined with habitat data ranging from an important in‐stream microhabitat variable (shelter availability) to properties of the catchment. Variation in productivity within and among rivers was affected by both properties of in‐stream habitat and catchment properties. Shelter availability and the proportion of the catchment consisting of cultivated land and lakes influenced biomass positively, while catchment area had the opposite effect. For a different set of rivers (N = 20), river gradient and catchment area were shown to positively affect the amount of shelter. Finally, the variables identified in the two preceding analysis were included in the analysis of population productivity using catch statistics from 160 rivers. The proportion of cultivated land and lakes, estimated shelter availability were found to have positive effects. In addition, temperature had a positive effect, while river width had a negative effect. This study shows that combining multiple‐scale environmental factors can explain a substantial proportion of variation in population productivity among and within the populations of Atlantic salmonids.
Accounting for littoral primary production by periphyton shifts a highly humic boreal lake towards net autotrophy
Authors: Vesterinen Jussi , Devlin Shawn P. , Syväranta Jari , Jones Roger I. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

The prevailing view that many humic lakes are net heterotrophic is commonly based on pelagic measurements alone. Poor light conditions in humic lakes are assumed to constrain littoral primary production (PP), such that the littoral zone has been considered an insignificant contributor to whole‐lake PP. However, that assumption is based on models and inferences from pelagic processes which do not take littoral zone structure into account. Many lakes have an extensive ring of aquatic vegetation lying near the water surface, which provides substratum for epiphytic algae under well‐illuminated conditions.

We measured both pelagic and littoral PP and community respiration (CR) in Mekkojärvi, a small, highly humic headwater lake, in southern Finland throughout the open water season in 2012. We used a 14C incorporation technique to measure pelagic PP, while littoral PP was determined using changes in dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations during in situ incubations. We then estimated whole‐lake PP and CR for both the littoral and pelagic zones.

We found that littoral PP usually dominated whole‐lake PP, contributing >90% to total PP in summer. A mean pelagic production to respiration ratio (GPP : CR) of 0.4 clearly indicated strong net heterotrophy, but a value of 2.2 for the littoral zone indicated strong autotrophy. For both habitats combined, the mean whole lake GPP : CR was 1.6, indicating net autotrophy.

We suggest that littoral PP can contribute significantly to whole‐lake PP even in highly humic lakes, and that the littoral contribution can shift some lakes which have been considered net heterotrophic to metabolic balance or even net autotrophy during the ice‐free period. Small humic lakes like Mekkojärvi with rings of littoral vegetation are widespread, especially in the boreal zone, and at least for similar lakes, evaluating lake metabolism from pelagic measurements alone is likely to be misleading.
Turbidity amplifies the non‐lethal effects of predation and affects the foraging success of characid fish shoals
Authors: Figueiredo Bruno R. S. , Mormul Roger P. , Chapman Ben B. , Lolis Lucas A. , Fiori Leandro F. , Benedito Evanilde 
Published: January 2016

SummaryIn aquatic systems, many species rely primarily on visual cues to choose optimal foraging sites, capture prey and avoid potential threats. Increases in the turbidity of water reduce visibility and impede animals in determining the precise location of both predators and food. How individuals balance foraging decisions with anti‐predator behaviour in turbid environments is not well understood.We tested the effects of turbidity and predation risk on the foraging behaviour and feeding of an invertivorous fish,Moenkhausia forestii(Characidae), using a mesocosm experiment with a 2 × 2 design, crossing water clarity (clear versus turbid) with predation risk as reflected by the presence or absence of the piscivorous wolf‐fishHopliasaff.malabaricus(Erythrinidae). We predicted that turbidity and predator presence would interact additively to reduce foraging rates, and that increased turbidity or predator presence would result in disproportionate food partitioning among shoal members.The combination of high turbidity and predator presence resulted in a significant reduction in prey consumption. Foraging success exhibited a skewed distribution in the turbid treatment, i.e. there was a decreased evenness of food partitioning within shoals. Hence, both turbidity and predator presence affect the prey consumption and foraging behaviour of invertivorous fish, with turbidity amplifying the non‐lethal effects of predation risk on foraging success.Our results imply that turbidity‐induced visual obstruction amplifies the negative effects of predator presence on invertivorous fish feeding behaviour, resulting in higher prey survival. Also, our finding that food intake by an intermediate consumer decreased in turbid water with a top predator lends no support to the hypothesis that intermediate consumer fish reduce their anti‐predator behaviour in turbid water.From a management perspective, our findings suggest that the oligotrophication of aquatic systems could dramatically increase predation on basal prey organisms naturally adapted to turbid waters, and reduce within‐shoal differences in feeding behaviour.
Observing climate change trends in ocean biogeochemistry: when and where
Authors: Henson Stephanie A. , Beaulieu Claudie , Lampitt Richard 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the influence of anthropogenic forcing on the marine biosphere is a high priority. Climate change‐driven trends need to be accurately assessed and detected in a timely manner. As part of the effort towards detection of long‐term trends, a network of ocean observatories and time series stations provide high quality data for a number of key parameters, such as pH, oxygen concentration or primary production (PP). Here, we use an ensemble of global coupled climate models to assess the temporal and spatial scales over which observations of eight biogeochemically relevant variables must be made to robustly detect a long‐term trend. We find that, as a global average, continuous time series are required for between 14 (pH) and 32 (PP) years to distinguish a climate change trend from natural variability. Regional differences are extensive, with low latitudes and the Arctic generally needing shorter time series (<~30 years) to detect trends than other areas. In addition, we quantify the ‘footprint’ of existing and planned time series stations, that is the area over which a station is representative of a broader region. Footprints are generally largest for pH and sea surface temperature, but nevertheless the existing network of observatories only represents 9–15% of the global ocean surface. Our results present a quantitative framework for assessing the adequacy of current and future ocean observing networks for detection and monitoring of climate change‐driven responses in the marine ecosystem.
SCHILLERS ‘DAS LIED VON DER GLOCKE’ – EIN LIED UM VON DEN STÜHLEN ZU FALLEN?
Authors: Hahn H. J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTSchiller's ‘Das Lied von der Glocke’, the most quoted, most parodied poem in German became, in the 1950s, the subject of a damaging literary quarrel between Hans Magnus Enzensberger and Marcel Reich‐Ranicki. This article analyses the literary and social aspects of the poem in order to examine why this work lost the controversial reputation it had gained during the Romantic period. The reasons lie in Schiller's approach to popular poetry, but also in the nature of a society which defined itself as ‘Kulturnation’, thereby ignoring contemporary social and political realities. The article argues that Schiller's attempt at ‘folk literature’ was influenced by two fellow poets, Johann Heinrich Voß and Gottfried August Bürger, both of whose poems he admired, but whom he considered too close to the ‘masses’. Attempting to add philosophical weight to his poem, Schiller overloaded it with ideas which could not be expressed in such simplistic vocabulary. The theme of casting the bell, the conservative social order, and the poem's vehemently anti‐revolutionary tone met with harsh criticism from the young Romantics, who advocated the emancipation of women, political freedom and equality. It was, however, admired in nineteenth century German society, which, unsettled by numerous political changes, sought refuge in the poem's imagined pre‐revolutionary, pre‐industrial political and social order.Schillers ‘Das Lied von der Glocke’, das meist zitierte, meist parodierte Gedicht in deutscher Sprache, wurde Mitte des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts Gegenstand eines Literaturstreits (Hans Magnus Enzensberger versus Marcel Reich‐Ranicki), von dem es sich nicht mehr erholte. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die poetologischen und inhaltlichen Gründe, welche der ‘Glocke’ ihre ‘Umstrittenheit’ (Segebrecht) zur Zeit der Romantik geraubt haben, wobei neben dem Gedicht und seinem Autor auch die Gesellschaft jener Zeit miteinbezogen wird, die sich als selbsternannte ‘Kulturnation’ von den gesellschaftlichen und politischen Realitäten distanzieren wollte. Schillers Versuch als ‘Volksdichter’ wird mit zwei Zeitgenossen in Verbindung gebracht, Johann Heinrich Voß und Gottfried August Bürger, deren Volksnähe er zwar bewunderte, deren mangelnde Distanz gegenüber der gemeinen ‘Masse’ er aber kritisierte. Das Resultat ist ein ideologisch überfrachtetes Poem, dem die schlichte Sprache der Folklore nicht gelingen wollte. Auch thematisch wurde das Gedicht seiner Zeit nicht gerecht: Das Thema des Glockengießens, die geschilderte soziale Ordnung und die vehement antirevolutionäre Haltung des Autors stießen bei der Generation der Jungromantiker auf heftigste Kritik, da sie ihrerseits für die Emanzipation der Frau und die revolutionäre Forderung nach Freiheit und Gleichheit kämpften. Dennoch erregte das Gedicht die Bewunderung einer durch zahlreiche politische Umbrüche verunsicherten Gesellschaft, die sich in Schillers vorrevolutionärer, vorindustrieller Ordnung geborgen fühlte.
Assessing Risks of Shallow Riparian Groundwater Quality Near an Oil Sands Tailings Pond
Authors: Roy J.W. , Bickerton G. , Frank R.A. , Grapentine L. , Hewitt L.M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe potential discharge of groundwater contaminated by oil sands process‐affected water (OSPW) is a concern for aquatic ecosystems near tailings ponds. Groundwater in the area, but unaffected by OSPW, may contain similar compounds, complicating the assessment of potential ecological impacts. In this study, 177 shallow groundwater samples were collected from riparian areas along the Athabasca River and tributaries proximate to oil sands developments. For “pond‐site” samples (71; adjacent to study tailings pond), Canadian aquatic life guidelines were exceeded for 11 of 20 assessed compounds. However, “non‐pond” samples (54; not near any tailings pond) provided similar exceedances. Statistical analyses indicate that pond‐site and non‐pond samples were indistinguishable for all but seven parameters assessed, including salts, many trace metals, and fluorescence profiles of aromatic naphthenic acids (ANA). This suggests that, regarding the tested parameters, groundwater adjacent to the study tailings pond generally poses no greater ecological risk than other nearby groundwaters at this time. Multivariate analyses applied to the groundwater data set separated into 11 smaller zones support this conclusion, but show some variation between zones. Geological and potential OSPW influences could not be distinguished based on major ions and metals concentrations. However, similarities in indicator parameters, namely ANA, F, Mo, Se, and Na‐Cl ratio, were noted between a small subset of samples from two pond‐site zones and two OSPW samples and two shallow groundwater samples documented as likely OSPW affected. This indicator‐based screening suggests that OSPW‐affected groundwater may be reaching Athabasca River sediments at a few locations.
Trifolium species associate with a similar richness of soil‐borne mutualists in their introduced and native ranges
Authors: McGinn Kevin J. , van der Putten Wim H. , Duncan Richard P. , Shelby Natasha , Weser Carolin , Hulme Philip E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimWhile plant species introduced to new regions may benefit from escaping natural enemies, their success may be impaired by losing key mutualists. We aimed to elucidate whether a selection of annual and perennial Trifolium (clover) species have lost associations with nitrogen‐fixing bacteria (rhizobia) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in their introduced range.LocationIntroduced range in New Zealand (NZ) and native range in the United Kingdom (UK).MethodsWe compared the strain richness of rhizobia associated with five Trifolium species in both ranges using genetic fingerprinting (rep‐PCR with ERIC primers). Phylogenetic analysis of the nodD gene was conducted to test for between‐range differences in rhizobia genotypes associated with seven Trifolium species. We also used TRFLP to compare the richness of AMF associated with three Trifolium species in both ranges.ResultsGenetic fingerprinting indicated that Trifolium associate with a similar richness of rhizobia strains in NZ as they do in the UK. According to variation in the nodD gene, genotypes of rhizobia were indistinguishable between NZ and UK provenances. A total of 17 AMF operational taxonomic units were detected but there were no significant between‐range differences in richness or in community structure.Main conclusionsContrary to general expectations regarding the loss of mutualists following species introduction, our findings suggest that alien plants, including those accidentally introduced, can have access to rich communities of soil‐borne mutualists that are likely to facilitate successful naturalization.
Prospective comparison of magnetic resonance imaging to transient elastography and serum markers for liver fibrosis detection
Authors: Dyvorne Hadrien A. , Jajamovich Guido H. , Bane Octavia , Fiel M. Isabel , Chou Hsin , Schiano Thomas D. , Dieterich Douglas , Babb James S. , Friedman Scott L. , Taouli Bachir 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsEstablishing accurate non‐invasive methods of liver fibrosis quantification remains a major unmet need. Here, we assessed the diagnostic value of a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol including diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in comparison with transient elastography (TE) and blood tests [including ELF (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis) and APRI] for liver fibrosis detection.MethodsIn this single centre cross‐sectional study, we prospectively enrolled 60 subjects with liver disease who underwent multiparametric MRI (DWI, DCE‐MRI and MRE), TE and blood tests. Correlation was assessed between non‐invasive modalities and histopathologic findings including stage, grade and collagen content, while accounting for covariates such as age, sex, BMI, HCV status and MRI‐derived fat and iron content. ROC curve analysis evaluated the performance of each technique for detection of moderate‐to‐advanced liver fibrosis (F2–F4) and advanced fibrosis (F3–F4).ResultsMagnetic resonance elastography provided the strongest correlation with fibrosis stage (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), inflammation grade (r = 0.52, P < 0.001) and collagen content (r = 0.53, P = 0.036). For detection of moderate‐to‐advanced fibrosis (F2–F4), AUCs were 0.78, 0.82, 0.72, 0.79, 0.71 for MRE, TE, DCE‐MRI, DWI and APRI, respectively. For detection of advanced fibrosis (F3–F4), AUCs were 0.94, 0.77, 0.79, 0.79 and 0.70, respectively.ConclusionsMagnetic resonance elastography provides the highest correlation with histopathologic markers and yields high diagnostic performance for detection of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, compared to DWI, DCE‐MRI, TE and serum markers.