bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Full compensation of growth in salt‐tolerant tadpoles after release from salinity stress
Authors: Hsu W.‐T. , Wu C.‐S. , Hatch K. A. , Chang Y.‐M. , Kam Y.‐C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe benefit of compensatory growth is to minimize the negative effects of stress experienced by organisms early in development once the conditions improve. Tadpoles of crab‐eating frog Fejervarya cancrivora are euryhaline, have the highest salt tolerance among reported anuran species and may exhibit a different pattern of compensatory growth after stress release. We examined how F. cancrivora tadpoles responded and possibly recovered from salinity stresses. Specifically, we tested whether tadpoles expressed compensatory growth, what degree of compensation they expressed after release from salinity stress and whether the stage at and duration during which they experienced salt stress influenced the size at and time to metamorphosis of tadpoles. We found that the effects of salinity stress on the growth and development of tadpoles are quite different between early and late exposure to high salinity (LHH vs. LLH). Exposure to high salinity late in development (LLH) reduced growth but not the rate of development, resulting in smaller metamorphs but a similar time to metamorphosis when compared to the control treatment (LLL). By contrast, exposure to high salinity early in development (LHH) retarded rates of growth and development of tadpoles, but the resulting prolonged larval period enabled tadpoles to catch up and reach similar metamorphic sizes to LLL treatment metamorphs. Most importantly, tadpoles released from salinity stress (LHL) exhibited similar time to and size at metamorphosis when compared to the LLL tadpoles, suggesting that they can exhibit full compensation of growth. Compensatory growth may be a useful mechanism for F. cancrivora tadpoles inhabiting brackish habitats, allowing them to overcome the effects of dramatically increased salt levels by expressing catch‐up growth when the salt stress ceases.
Do minimum wages increase job satisfaction? Micro‐data evidence from the new German minimum wage
Authors: Bossler Mario , Broszeit Sandra 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOn January 1, 2015, a new statutory minimum wage of € 8.50 per hour of work was introduced in Germany. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we estimate effects on worker‐level outcomes of continuing employees. The results reveal a meaningful absolute increase in the affected workers' pay satisfaction. The increase in job satisfaction is modest and predominantly driven by changes in pay satisfaction implying only a small effect on all other dimensions of job satisfaction. Moreover, effects from the minimum wage on work engagement and turnover intention are virtually zero.
Real‐world effect of ribavirin on quality of life in HCV‐infected patients receiving interferon‐free treatment
Authors: Höner zu Siederdissen Christoph , Schlevogt Bernhard , Solbach Philipp , Port Kerstin , Cornberg Markus , Manns Michael P. , Wedemeyer Heiner , Deterding Katja 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsRibavirin (RBV) is commonly used for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, RBV is associated with a reduced quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess the impact of RBV on QOL in a real‐world setting.MethodsIn a prospective study, QOL was measured by a SF‐36 questionnaire in 174 patients. In all, 85 patients were treated with RBV and 89 patients without RBV. QOL was assessed at baseline, week 12 of treatment and 24 weeks after treatment.ResultsPatients treated with RBV were more likely to have HCV genotype 2 and 3 infection and cirrhosis (all P < .05). RBV‐treated patients reported lower scores for several domains of QOL already at baseline. During HCV treatment, RBV‐free treatment led to an increase in all measured dimensions of quality of life, whereas RBV treatment led to a decrease in the emotional and physical functioning. After treatment, all dimensions for QOL showed improvement across the study cohort, regardless whether RBV was part of the treatment regimen. However, 28.8%‐45.2% of treated patients perceive a sustained reduction in their physical or mental capacity after treatment, not related to RBV usage or SVR, but related to older age (P = .03) and cirrhosis (P = .02).ConclusionsDuring treatment, RBV leads to a reduced QOL, whereas RBV‐free treatment leads to an increased QOL. After treatment, QOL strongly increases in both, RBV and RBV‐free treated patients. Some patients perceive a sustained reduction in QOL, which seems unrelated to treatment.
Both temperature fluctuations and East Asian monsoons have driven plant diversification in the karst ecosystems from southern China
Authors: Kong Hanghui , Condamine Fabien L. , Harris AJ , Chen Junlin , Pan Bo , Möller Michael , Hoang Van Sam , Kang Ming 
Published: September 2017

AbstractKarst ecosystems in southern China are species‐rich and have high levels of endemism, yet little is known regarding the evolutionary processes responsible for the origin and diversification of karst biodiversity. The genus Primulina (Gesneriaceae) comprises ca. 170 species endemic to southern China with high levels of ecological (edaphic) specialization, providing an exceptional model to study the plant diversification in karsts. We used molecular data from nine chloroplast and 11 nuclear regions and macroevolutionary analyses to assess the origin and cause of species diversification due to palaeoenvironmental changes and edaphic specialization in Primulina. We found that speciation was positively associated with changes in past temperatures and East Asian monsoons through the evolutionary history of Primulina. Climatic change around the mid‐Miocene triggered an early burst followed by a slowdown of diversification rate towards the present with the climate cooling. We detected different speciation rates among edaphic types, and transitions among soil types were infrequently and did not impact the overall speciation rate. Our findings suggest that both global temperature changes and East Asian monsoons have played crucial roles in floristic diversification within the karst ecosystems in southern China, such that speciation was higher when climate was warmer and wetter. This is the first study to directly demonstrate that past monsoon activity is positively correlated with speciation rate in East Asia. This case study could motivate further investigations to assess the impacts of past environmental changes on the origin and diversification of biodiversity in global karst ecosystems, most of which are under threat.
Gastric myoelectrical and neurohormonal changes associated with nausea during tilt‐induced syncope
Authors: Heyer G. L. , Boles L. H. , Harvey R. A. , Cismowski M. J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundNausea is a common prodromal symptom of neurally mediated syncope, but the biological factors linking nausea with syncope have not been studied. We aimed to characterize nausea during tilt‐induced syncope by exploring related changes in gastric myoelectrical activity and plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin concentrations across study phases of recumbency, tilt, syncope, and recovery.MethodsElectrogastrographic and plasma hormone changes were compared between patients with tilt‐induced syncope and nausea (n = 18) and control subjects (n = 6) without symptoms or hemodynamic changes during tilt‐table testing.Key ResultsOver a 4‐minute period preceding syncope, sequential electrogastrography epochs demonstrated an increase over time in bradygastria (P = .003) and tachygastria (P = .014) power ratios, while the dominant frequency (P < .001) and the percent normogastria (P = .004) decreased. Syncope led to significant differences between cases and controls in electrogastrographic power ratios in each frequency range: bradygastria (P = .001), tachygastria (P = .005), and normogastria (P = .03). Nausea always followed electrogastrographic changes, and nausea resolution always preceded electrogastrographic normalization. Plasma vasopressin (676.5 ± 122.8 vs 91.2 ± 15.3 pg/mL, P = .012) and epinephrine (434 ± 91.3 vs 48.7 ± 2.5 pg/mL, P = .03), but not norepinephrine (P > .05), also differed with syncope between cases and controls.Conclusions and InferencesThe nausea related to tilt‐induced syncope is temporally associated with changes in gastric myoelectrical activity and increases in plasma vasopressin and epinephrine. The biological mechanisms that induce syncope are physiologically distinct from other experimental models of nausea such as illusory self‐motion, yet nausea with syncope appears to have similarly associated electrogastrographic and hormone changes. Thus, tilt‐induced syncope could serve as an informative experimental model for nausea research.
Convergent adaptive evolution in marginal environments: unloading transposable elements as a common strategy among mangrove genomes
Authors: Lyu Haomin , He Ziwen , Wu Chung‐I , Shi Suhua 
Published: September 2017

Summary

Several clades of mangrove trees independently invade the interface between land and sea at the margin of woody plant distribution. As phenotypic convergence among mangroves is common, the possibility of convergent adaptation in their genomes is quite intriguing.

To study this molecular convergence, we sequenced multiple mangrove genomes. In this study, we focused on the evolution of transposable elements (TEs) in relation to the genome size evolution. TEs, generally considered genomic parasites, are the most common components of woody plant genomes. Analyzing the long terminal repeat‐retrotransposon (LTR‐RT) type of TE, we estimated their death rates by counting solo‐LTRs and truncated elements.

We found that all lineages of mangroves massively and convergently reduce TE loads in comparison to their nonmangrove relatives; as a consequence, genome size reduction happens independently in all six mangrove lineages; TE load reduction in mangroves can be attributed to the paucity of young elements; the rarity of young LTR‐RTs is a consequence of fewer births rather than access death.

In conclusion, mangrove genomes employ a convergent strategy of TE load reduction by suppressing element origination in their independent adaptation to a new environment.
Will Our Volatile Times Change Public Administration?
Authors: Zeemering Eric S. 
Published: September 2017

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AI and the future of the brain power society: When the descendants of Athena and Prometheus work together
Authors: Fujita Masahisa 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTaking the great opportunity of visiting Crete, I have presented my freewheeling imagination about the future of the brain power society, bearing in mind the recent development of AI and robots. Based on Greek mythology, I consider that all brain‐power professionals in civil society are the descendants of Athena, whereas the rapidly developing AI and robots are the ultimate descendants of Prometheus. In this context, in order to foresee the possible future of economic research in the coming AI revolution, I introduced the recent attempt by Marcus Berliant and myself to develop a formal framework for modeling the operational process of economic research. Then, I have suggested that if real humans and AI work together through such a framework while amplifying mutual comparative advantages, creativity in economic research as a whole will be vastly enhanced.
Towards Neo‐Productivism? – Finnish Paths in the Use of Forest and Sea
Authors: Rannikko Pertti , Salmi Pekka 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article focuses on shifts in the use of natural resources by referencing a theoretical discussion of post‐productivism and neo‐productivism. Transitions from one form of nature use to another are not straightforward but entail various cycles and combinations. Neo‐productivism appears to be a versatile concept fit for describing the use of natural resources, which is becoming more complex and difficult to describe. Neo‐productivism describes a renewed form of productivism that emphasises environmental perspectives and sustainability in addition to the production of natural resources. It includes new characteristics in the material utilisation of nature, including pressures towards production increase. Our case studies present two Finnish natural resource peripheries: in the Forest Karelia, forests have been central to landscapes and incomes, whereas livelihoods in the archipelago have been dependent on sea and fish stocks.
Evaluation of echocardiography and cardiac biomarker concentrations in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus
Authors: Aona Brent D. , Rush John E. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Cunningham Suzanne M. , Sharp Claire R. , Freeman Lisa M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess abnormalities in concentrations of cardiac troponin I(cTnI),lactate, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in relation to arrhythmias, echocardiographic measurements, and survival in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).DesignProspective observational study.SettingUniversity hospital.AnimalsTwenty‐two dogs with naturally occurring GDV.SamplesConcentrations of cTnI,plasma lactate, and NT‐proBNP were recorded at presentation to the emergency room, the time closest to echocardiography, and the highest recorded concentrations during hospitalization.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsCardiac rhythms were categorized on a 0–4 scale (0 = no ventricular premature complexes [VPCs], 1 = single VPCs, 2 = bigeminy or trigeminy, 3 = couplets or triplets, and 4 = R‐on‐T phenomenon or ventricular tachycardia). Echocardiography was performed 6–18 hours postoperatively. Fifteen dogs had ventricular arrhythmias during hospitalization (Grade 1 [n= 9], Grade 4 [n= 6]). The highest recorded cTnI concentration was significantly higher in the dogs with Grade 4 (P= 0.002) or Grade 1 (P= 0.001) arrhythmias compared to dogs without arrhythmias. Plasma lactate was significantly correlated with left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (r= −0.52,P= 0.01) and systole (r= −0.57,P= 0.006), left ventricular free wall in diastole (LWDd,r= 0.59,P= 0.004), and interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVDs,r= 0.65,P= 0.001). Dogs that did not survive to 1 week postdischarge (3/22) had a significantly thicker LVWd (P= 0.04) and IVSd (P= 0.05), and received significantly less fluids in the first 24 (P= 0.02) and 48 hours (P= 0.03) of hospitalization.ConclusionsConcentrations of cTnI and NT‐proBNP increased during hospitalization, but only cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with a higher arrhythmia grade. Additional research on the potential role of serial measurement of biomarkers in dogs with GDV is warranted.
Retrospective evaluation of 155 adult equids and 21 foals with tetanus from Western, Northern, and Central Europe (2000–2014). Part 2: Prognostic assessment
Authors: van Galen Gaby , Rijckaert Joke , Mair Tim , Amory Helene , Armengou Lara , Bezdekova Barbora , Durie Inge , Findshøj Delany Rikke , Fouché Nathalie , Haley Laura , Hewetson Michael , van den Hoven Rene , Kendall Anna , Malalana Fernando , Muller Cavalleri Jessika , Picavet Tresemiek , Roscher Katja , Verwilghen Denis , Westermann Cornélie , Saegerman Claude 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo identify prognostic variables for adult equids and foals with tetanus.DesignMulticenter retrospective study (2000–2014).SettingTwenty Western, Northern, and Central European university teaching hospitals and private referral centers.AnimalsOne hundred fifty‐five adult equids and 21 foals with tetanus.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsVariables from history and clinical examination were statistically compared between survivors and nonsurvivors (adults: 49 survivors, 85 nonsurvivors; foals: 7 survivors, 10 nonsurvivors). Cases euthanized for financial reasons were excluded. Mortality rates in adults and foals were 68.4% and 66.7%, respectively. Variables associated with survival in adults included: standing, normal intestinal sounds and defecation, voluntarily drinking, eating soft or normal food, lower heart and respiratory rates, high base excess on admission, longer diagnosis time, treatment and hospitalization delay, and mild severity grade. Variables associated with death included: anorexia, dysphagia, dyspnea, low blood potassium concentration on admission, moderate and severe disease grading, development of dysphagia, dyspnea, recumbency and seizures during hospitalization, treatment with glycerol guaiacolate, intravenous fluids, and intravenous glucose solutions. Variables associated with survival in foals included standing on admission, voluntarily eating soft food and drinking, older age, and longer hospitalization delay. Outcome was not different between different tetanus antitoxin (TAT) dosages, although there was a trend of increasing survival rate with increasing TAT dosages. Cases with appropriate vaccination prior to development of tetanus were rare, but had improved outcome and shorter hospitalization.ConclusionsPrognosis for equine tetanus is poor with similar outcome and prognostic factors in foals and adults. The prognostic assessment of cases with tetanus provides clinicians with new evidence‐based information related to patient management. Several prognostic indicators relate to the ability to eat or drink, and more severe clinical signs relate to poor outcome. Increasing intravenous dosages of TAT has no significant effect on outcome, but the positive trend identified may support a recommendation for high intravenous TAT dosages. Further evaluation is warranted.
Bacterial testing of platelets – has it prevented transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infections in Australia?
Authors: Thyer J. , Perkowska‐Guse Z. , Ismay S. L. , Keller A. J. , Chan H. T. , Dennington P. M. , Bell B. , Kotsiou G. , Pink J. M. 
Published: September 2017

Background and ObjectivesAustralia introduced bacterial contamination screening (BCS) for platelet components in April 2008. This study presents analysis performed to assess the efficacy of testing.Materials and MethodsSeven‐day aerobic and anaerobic culture is performed using the BacT/ALERT 3D system. Following an initial machine positive (IMP) flag, all associated components are recalled, and/or clinicians treating already transfused patients are notified. IMPs are categorized as ‘machine false positive’, ‘confirmed positive’ or ‘indeterminate’ depending on culture results of initial and repeat samples.ResultsBetween 2010 and 2012, 1·1% of platelet donations tested IMP; since 2013, this rate has fallen to 0·6% through improved instrument management, reducing false‐positive IMPs but maintaining sensitivity for cultures yielding bacterial growth. On average, 66% of confirmed positive and indeterminate platelet units had been transfused at the time of detection. The majority (95%) of these grew Propionibacterium sp., a slow‐growing organism that rarely causes sepsis in the transfusion setting. The incidence of reported transfuion‐transmitted bacterial infection (TTBI) has fallen since the introduction of BCS, with a 4·2‐fold [0·5, 28·2] lower rate from platelets.ConclusionBCS has been successful in detecting platelet units containing pathogenic bacteria. The incidence of TTBI from platelets has fallen since the introduction of BCS, but the risk has not been eliminated due to rare false‐negative results. In the absence of a pathogen inactivation system for red blood cells, BCS provides ‘surrogate’ testing of red blood cells from which platelets have been manufactured.
Electronic recording of transfusion‐related patient observations: a comparison of two bedside systems
Authors: Staples S. , Noel S. , Watkinson P. , Murphy M. F. 
Published: September 2017

Background and ObjectivesVital sign observations should be monitored before, during and after transfusion to enable adverse events to be identified, but surveys in the UK show poor compliance with good practice. At the Oxford University Hospitals, there are two electronic bedside processes for recording observations; BloodTrack Tx (Haemonetics Corp.), the routine electronic transfusion process and a locally developed process, the System for Electronic Nursing Documentation (SEND) with integrated ‘track and trigger’ calculation for monitoring vital signs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the conduct of patient observation monitoring for blood transfusion using two electronic bedside processes.Materials and MethodsThis study examined the observations recorded during 200 single red cell unit transfusions.Results186/200 (93%) transfusions had pretransfusion observations recorded using BloodTrack Tx. Mid‐transfusion checks were performed during 133/200 (67%) of transfusions, of these checks most (87/200 (44%)) were documented as ‘no apparent change’ in observations. End transfusion observations were performed using BloodTrack Tx in 178/200 (89%). Both systems were frequently used, and staff had a preference for using SEND first for documenting the pretransfusion observations (102/116 (88%)) and at the end of a transfusion (75/115 (65%)).ConclusionElectronic bedside systems result in improved monitoring of transfusion‐related observations compared to manual processes based on data from UK surveys. There is increasing use of electronic systems in clinical practice; linkage between these two systems would prevent wasteful duplication of observations and could provide improved early warning of adverse events to transfusion compared to manual processes.
A new approach for fat removal in a discontinuous autotransfusion device–concept and evaluation
Authors: Seyfried T. F. , Gruber M. , Pawlik M. T. , Kasper S. , Mandle R. J. , Hansen E. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundFat present during blood salvage in orthopaedic or cardiac surgery can pose a risk of fat embolism and should be eliminated before transfusion. Based on observations of central fat accumulation at the bottom of Latham bowls, a fat reduction program was developed using two volume displacements, where blood temporarily is removed and respun in the bowl to force the fat through the RBC sediment.Materials and methodsPooled ABO‐matched RBC and FFP were adjusted to a haematocrit of 10%, and human fat tissue added to a concentration of 1·25 vol%. In six experiments, blood was processed with the new‐generation cell salvage device CS Elite in a newly developed fat reduction program in bowls of three sizes. Volumetric quantification of fat was performed after centrifugation of blood samples in Pasteur pipettes. From volumes, haematocrits and the concentrations of fat, RBC recovery and fat elimination rates were calculated.ResultsFat removal rates of 93·2 ± 2·8, 97·0 ± 2·1 and 99·6 ± 0·3% were observed with a 70‐ml, 125‐ml and 225‐ml bowl, respectively, and even higher rates when removal rates were calculated one cycle. At the same time, high RBC recovery and plasma elimination rates were maintained, not significantly different to the default program mode.ConclusionModifications in process parameters and sequence led to a fat reduction program that significantly improves fat removal with the Cell Saver Elite from 77·4 ± 5·1% in the default mode to an average of 98·6 ± 1·1%, yielding results equivalent to the continuous cell salvage system (C.A.T.S).