bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Audiometric and Histologic Correlates of the Interaction between Kanamycin and Subtraumatic Levels of Noise in the Chinchilla
Authors: Bone Robert C. , Ryan Allen F. 
Published: April 2016

Difficulty in assessment of potentiating interaction between noise‐induced and kanamycin‐induced injury to hearing is compounded by the great variability of intersubject response to the same drug dosage. However, in a given subject, response of the two cochleas to kanamycin intoxication may reasonably be assumed to be symmetric. The present study was designed to utilize this similarity, in determining whether kanamycin intoxication would potentiate a normally subtraumatic noise stimulus. Under the experimental conditions outlined, it was found that after a dosage of 150 mg/kg/day of kanamycin given to a physiologic end point, normally subtraumatic noise caused consistent increase in hearing loss.
Cochlear Communication Routes in the Guinea Pig—Spiral Ganglia and Osseous Spiral Laminae: An Electron Microscope Study Using Microsphere Tracers
Authors: Duckert Larry G. , Duvall Arndt J. 
Published: April 2016

The microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the spiral ganglia and osseous spiral laminae (OSL) of the guinea pig were studied using the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The nerve and vascular elements within the spiral ganglia and OSL are surrounded by distinct perineural and perivascular spaces maintained by a loose meshwork of cells and connective tissue fibers. The connective tissue cells and fibers within the OSL and spiral ganglia are distinctly different from the arachnoid‐like reticular cells and elastin fibers of the modiolus described in an earlier study.The present experiment demonstrates a pathway between the perineural spaces of the modiolus, spiral ganglia, and OSL. The perineural spaces of the modiolus were previously shown to communicate with the subarachnoid space; therefore, perineural communication from the cerebrospinal fluid to the perilymph via this route is likely.Using microsphere tracers injected intrathecally, this communication route between the subarachnoid space and scala tympani was further defined. The tracer experiment suggests that the perineural spaces within the internal acoustic meatus, modiolus, spiral ganglia, and OSL are normally patent and do not represent artifacts induced during tissue processing.
Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss with Diatrizoate Meglumine (Hypaque)
Authors: Shea John J. , Emmett John R. , Harell Moshe 
Published: April 2016

Between March and November 1976, 30 patients with sudden hearing loss (SHL) were treated with vasodilators and diatrizoate meglumine (Hypaque). Nine (30%) of the patients had a good response, 7 (23%) had a moderate response, and 14 (47%) had no response to treatment. Most of the patients who responded were treated within the first month and had no vertigo associated on their onset of SHL. Their hearing loss was also less than 90 dB for any of the frequencies tested. Using the criteria of SHL of less than one month's duration, no vertigo associated with onset, and a loss less than 90 dB, seven patients were treated with vasodilators plus Hypaque during the period between January and August 1977. Six (86%) of the seven patients had return of serviceable hearing.
The impact of patient co-morbidities on the regenerative capacity of cardiac explant-derived stem cells
Authors: Mayfield Audrey E. , Fitzpatrick Megan E. , Latham Nicholas , Tilokee Everad L. , Villanueva Melanie , Mount Seth , Lam Bu-Khanh , Ruel Marc , Stewart Duncan J. , Davis Darryl R. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Background
Although patient-sourced cardiac stem cells repair damaged myocardium, the extent to which medical co-morbidities influence cardiac-derived cell products is uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the influence of atherosclerotic risk factors on the regenerative performance of human cardiac explant-derived cells (EDCs).

Methods
In this study, the Long Term Stratification for survivors of acute coronary syndromes model was used to quantify the burden of cardiovascular risk factors within a group of patients with established atherosclerosis. EDCs were cultured from human atrial appendages and injected into immunodeficient mice 7 days post-left coronary ligation. Cytokine arrays and enzyme linked immunoassays were used to determine the release of cytokines by EDCs in vitro, and echocardiography was used to determine regenerative capabilities in vivo.

Results
EDCs sourced from patients with more cardiovascular risk factors demonstrated a negative correlation with production of pro-healing cytokines (such as stromal cell derived factor 1α) and exosomes which had negative effects on the promotion of angiogenesis and chemotaxis. Reductions in exosomes and pro-healing cytokines with accumulating medical co-morbidities were associated with increases in production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by EDCs. Increased patient co-morbidities were also correlated with significant attenuation in improvements of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusions
The regenerative performance of the earliest precursor cell population cultured from human explant tissue declines with accumulating medical co-morbidities. This effect is associated with diminished production of pro-cardiogenic cytokines and exosomes while IL-6 is markedly increased. Predictors of cardiac events demonstrated a lower capacity to support angiogenesis and repair injured myocardium in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.
Psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees living in Jordan: Systematic review of unpublished needs assessments
Authors: Wells Ruth , Steel Zachary , Abo-Hilal Mohammad , Hassan Abdul Halim , Lawsin Catalina 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundHumanitarian organisations supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan have conducted needs assessments to direct resources appropriately.AimsTo present a model of psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees and a peer review of research practices.MethodAcademic and grey literature databases, the United Nations Syria Regional Response website, key humanitarian organisation websites and Google were searched for needs assessments with Syrian refugees in Jordan between February 2011 and June 2015. Information directly reporting the views of Syrian refugees regarding psychosocial needs was extracted and a qualitative synthesis was conducted.ResultsRespondents reported that psychological distress was exacerbated by both environmental (financial, housing, employment) and psychosocial outcomes (loss of role and social support, inactivity), which are themselves stressors. Need for improvement in research methodology, participatory engagement and ethical reporting was evident.ConclusionsParticipatory engagement strategies might help to address identified psychosocial outcomes. More rigorous qualitative methods are required to ensure accuracy of findings.
Adaptations to polar life in mammals and birds
Authors: Blix Arnoldus Schytte 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
This Review presents a broad overview of adaptations of truly Arctic and Antarctic mammals and birds to the challenges of polar life. The polar environment may be characterized by grisly cold, scarcity of food and darkness in winter, and lush conditions and continuous light in summer. Resident animals cope with these changes by behavioural, physical and physiological means. These include responses aimed at reducing exposure, such as ‘balling up’, huddling and shelter building; seasonal changes in insulation by fur, plumage and blubber; and circulatory adjustments aimed at preservation of core temperature, to which end the periphery and extremities are cooled to increase insulation. Newborn altricial animals have profound tolerance to hypothermia, but depend on parental care for warmth, whereas precocial mammals are well insulated and respond to cold with non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, and precocial birds shiver to produce heat. Most polar animals prepare themselves for shortness of food during winter by the deposition of large amounts of fat in times of plenty during autumn. These deposits are governed by a sliding set-point for body fatness throughout winter so that they last until the sun reappears in spring. Polar animals are, like most others, primarily active during the light part of the day, but when the sun never sets in summer and darkness prevails during winter, high-latitude animals become intermittently active around the clock, allowing opportunistic feeding at all times. The importance of understanding the needs of the individuals of a species to understand the responses of populations in times of climate change is emphasized.
Evidence of biphonation and source–filter interactions in the bugles of male North American wapiti (Cervus canadensis)
Authors: Reby D. , Wyman M. T. , Frey R. , Passilongo D. , Gilbert J. , Locatelli Y. , Charlton B. D. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTWith an average male body mass of 320 kg, the wapiti, Cervus canadensis, is the largest extant species of Old World deer (Cervinae). Despite this large body size, male wapiti produce whistle-like sexual calls called bugles characterised by an extremely high fundamental frequency. Investigations of the biometry and physiology of the male wapiti's relatively large larynx have so far failed to account for the production of such a high fundamental frequency. Our examination of spectrograms of male bugles suggested that the complex harmonic structure is best explained by a dual-source model (biphonation), with one source oscillating at a mean of 145 Hz (F0) and the other oscillating independently at an average of 1426 Hz (G0). A combination of anatomical investigations and acoustical modelling indicated that the F0 of male bugles is consistent with the vocal fold dimensions reported in this species, whereas the secondary, much higher source at G0 is more consistent with an aerodynamic whistle produced as air flows rapidly through a narrow supraglottic constriction. We also report a possible interaction between the higher frequency G0 and vocal tract resonances, as G0 transiently locks onto individual formants as the vocal tract is extended. We speculate that male wapiti have evolved such a dual-source phonation to advertise body size at close range (with a relatively low-frequency F0 providing a dense spectrum to highlight size-related information contained in formants) while simultaneously advertising their presence over greater distances using the very high-amplitude G0 whistle component.
Pelagic microbial heterotrophy in response to a highly productive bloom of Phaeocystis
antarctica in the Amundsen Sea Polynya, Antarctica
Authors: Williams C.M. , Dupont A.M. , Loevenich J. , Post A.F. , Dinasquet J. , Yager P.L. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Heterotrophic bacteria play a key role in marine carbon cycling, and understanding their activities in polar systems is important for considering climate change impacts there. One goal of the ASPIRE project was to examine the relationship between the phytoplankton bloom and bacterial heterotrophy in the Amundsen Sea Polynya (ASP). Bacterial abundance, production (BP), respiration, growth efficiency, and extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) were compared to nutrient and organic matter inventories, chlorophyll a (Chl a), viral and microzooplankton abundance, and net primary production (NPP). Bacterial production and respiration clearly responded (0.04–4.0 and 10–53 µg C L−1 d−1, respectively) to the buildup of a massive Phaeocystis antarctica bloom (Chl a: 0.2–22 µg L−1), with highest rates observed in the central polynya where Chl a and particulate organic carbon (POC) were greatest. The highest BP rates exceeded those reported for the Ross Sea or any other Antarctic coastal system, yet the BP:NPP ratio (2.1–9.4%) was relatively low. Bacterial respiration was also high, and growth efficiency (2–27%; median = 10%) was similar to oligotrophic systems. Thus, the integrated bacterial carbon demand (0.8–2.8 g C m−2 d−1) was a high fraction (25–128%; median = 43%) of NPP during bloom development. During peak bloom, activity was particle-associated: BP and EEA correlated well with POC, and size fractionation experiments showed that the larger size fraction (&gt; 3 µm) accounted for a majority (∼ 75%) of the BP. The community was psychrophilic, with a 5x reduction in BP when warmed to 20°C. In deeper waters, respiration remained relatively high, likely fueled by the significant downward particle flux in the region. A highly active, particle-associated, heterotrophic microbial community clearly responded to the extraordinary phytoplankton bloom in the ASP, likely limiting biological pump efficiency during the early season.
AHP IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT: CAN THE KEY COMPETENCIES CHANGE WITH COMPANY’S STRATEGY?
Authors: Kashi Katerina 
Published: April 2016

<p>Many companies today use competency models in human resources management. Well-designed competency models can be used by the company in many ways. They can aid human resource management in the following ways: recruitment, performance management, training and development, recognition and awards, compensation and succession planning. The main aim of this article is to determine key competencies for a top manager in a middle size automotive company. Firstly, the paper begins with a description of competency models and their development and utilization. Next, the competencies are decomposed so that AHP can be used for their evaluation, and weights are computed according to AHP methodology for individual competencies. Then, individual competencies are ranked in order of importance. Further, the author compared the current key competencies rankings with results from last year to see if there have been any changes in the rankings as a result of changes in the company’s strategy.</p>
Determinants of intellectual capital disclosure in initial public offerings: case of Canadian firms
Authors: Ghorbel Hanen , Elleuch Hela 
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of intellectual capital informationâ€™s of firms that went through IPO. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Our sample includes 43 firms that IPOs listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2012 of which the prospectuses for the initial public offering are available. Our study, unlike other studies focuses on the issuing prospectuses. The paper applied a disclosure index comprising of 78 items (Bukh and al (2005)) to quantify the amount of information regarding intellectual capital included in the IPO prospectuses of canadian firms. Multiple regression model and Correlation is used. The results revealed that the managerial ownership, the presence of an audit committee and industry are significantly associated with the voluntary disclosure of information about the intellectual capital in prospectuses. While firm size, age, the audit committeeâ€™ activity and audit quality do not affect disclosure. The results are interpreted in the light of the increasing importance of disclosing information on intellectual capital to the capital market a in case of IPO and constitute a contribution to the ongoing debate on corporate reporting practices.
Time and tumor type (primary or metastatic) do not influence the detection of BRAF/NRAS mutations in formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples from melanomas
Authors: Potrony Miriam , Badenas Celia , Naerhuyzen Bénédicte , Aguilera Paula , Puig-Butille Joan Anton , Tell-Marti Gemma , Díaz Alba , Carrera Cristina , Alos Llucia , Delahaye Nicolas , Malvehy Josep , Puig Susana 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background:

BRAF and NRAS mutation detection is crucial for advanced melanoma treatment. Our aim was to evaluate how different characteristics from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, age of the block or DNA concentration could influence the success of BRAF and NRAS mutational screening.

Methods:
DNA was obtained from 144 FFPE samples (62 primary melanoma, 43 sentinel lymph nodes [SLN] and 39 metastasis). BRAF and NRAS were sequenced by Sanger sequencing.

Results:
Complete sequencing results were obtained from 75% (108/144) of the samples, and at least one gene was sequenced in 89% (128/144) of them. BRAF was mutated in 55% (29/53) and NRAS in 11% (5/45) of the primary melanomas sequenced. DNA concentration correlated with the tumor area used for DNA extraction (mm2) (adj p-value<0.01, r=0.73). The age of the block did not affect sequencing success. In 60% of samples kept for more than 10 years, both BRAF and NRAS were successfully sequenced.

Conclusions:
Preserving sufficient tumor area in FFPE blocks is important. It is necessary to keep the FFPE blocks, no matter their age, as they are necessary to decide the best treatment for the melanoma patient.
Prospective evaluation of biomarkers for prediction of quality of life in community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Nickler Manuela , Schaffner Daniela , Christ-Crain Mirjam , Ottiger Manuel , Thomann Robert , Hoess Claus , Henzen Christoph , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp ,   for the proHOSP Study Group
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background:
Most clinical research investigated prognostic biomarkers for their ability to predict cardiovascular events or mortality. It is unknown whether biomarkers allow prediction of quality of life (QoL) after survival of the acute event. Herein, we investigated the prognostic potential of well-established inflammatory/cardiovascular blood biomarkers including white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), pro-adrenomedullin (proADM) and pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) in regard to a decline in QoL in a well-defined cohort of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods:
Within this secondary analysis including 753 patients with a final inpatient diagnosis of CAP from a multicenter trial, we investigated associations between admission biomarker levels and decline in QoL assessed by the EQ-5D health questionnaire from admission to day 30 and after 6 years.

Results:
Admission proADM and proANP levels significantly predicted decline of the weighted EQ-5D index after 30 days (n=753) with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 2.0 ([95% CI 1.1–3.8]; p=0.027) and 3.7 ([95% CI 2.2–6.0]; p<0.001). Results for 6-year outcomes (n=349) were similar with ORs of 3.3 ([95% CI 1.3–8.3]; p=0.012) and 6.2 ([95% CI 2.7–14.2]; p<0.001). The markers were associated with most of the different QoL dimensions including mobility, self-care, and usual activities, but not pain/discomfort and to a lesser degree anxiety/depression and the visual analogue scale (VAS). Initial WBC, PCT and CRP values did not well predict QoL at any time point.

Conclusions:
ProADM and proANP accurately predict short- and long-term decline in QoL across most dimensions in CAP patients. It will be interesting to reveal underlying physiopathology in future studies.
Biophysical analysis of three novel profilin-1 variants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis indicates a correlation between their aggregation propensity and the structural features of their globular state
Authors: Del Poggetto Edoardo , Gori Ludovica , Chiti Fabrizio 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Profilin-1 is a small protein involved in actin-mediated cytoskeleton rearrangement. Recently, mutations of profilin-1 have been associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It was previously reported that pathogenic mutations of profilin-1 increase the aggregation propensity of this protein, leaving its function unaffected. However, it is not clear if the mutations act by decreasing the conformational stability or by promoting structural perturbations of the folded state of this protein. In this work we have purified three novel profilin-1 mutants that were recently discovered and have investigated their conformational stability, structural features and aggregation behaviour in vitro. Analysis of the data obtained with the three novel variants, and a global statistical analysis with all profilin-1 mutants so far characterised, indicate significant correlations between aggregation propensity and structural perturbations of the folded state, rather than its conformational stability, in this group of mutants.
Power Quality Improvement in Induction Furnace by Harmonic Reduction Using Dynamic Voltage Restorer
Authors: Saggu Tejinder Singh , Singh Lakhwinder 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Induction furnaces are used in wide quantity under different capacities for annual production of around 25 million tons of iron and steel in India. It plays a vital role in various manufacturing processes around the world for melting different types of metal scraps i. e. Copper, Cast Iron, Aluminium, Steel, Brass, Bronze, Silicon, Gold, Silver etc. which are further used in many other industrial applications. The induction furnace causes a huge disturbance to the utility and nearby consumers during its operation due to its non-linear characteristics. This is a serious phenomenon responsible for power quality degradation in the power system. This paper presents methodology to improve the power quality degradation caused by induction furnace using Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) which is a type of custom power device. The real time data has been taken from an industry employing induction furnace for production of ingots from scrap material. The experimental readings are measured using power quality analyser equipment. The simulation of whole plant is done by analysing this same data and the simulation results are compared with actual onsite results. Then, solution methodology using DVR is presented which revealed that the implementation of DVR is an effective solution for voltage sag mitigation and harmonics improvement in induction furnace.
Semen characteristics and sperm morphology of Pistia stratiotes Linn. (Araceae) protected male albino rats (Wistar strain) exposed to sodium arsenite
Authors: Ola-Davies Olufunke , Ajani O. Samuel 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background: Sodium arsenite has been proven to be abundant in nature and released into the environment through human activities, including agricultural and industrial processes. The objective of our study was to investigate the sperm protective potential of Pistia stratiotes Linn. in arsenic-treated rats.

Methods: The sperm protective potential of P. stratiotes Linn. (Araceae) was carried out in arsenic-exposed rats using 24 male albino rats (225 to 228 g) aged between 14 and 16 weeks old. They were grouped into 4 (A–D), each group containing 6 rats. Group A animals were orally treated with 100 mg/kg ethanol leaf extract of P. stratiotes Linn. daily for 14 days; group B (sodium arsenite at 2.5 mg/kg body weight; positive control); group C (P. stratiotes extract for 14 days and single dose of sodium arsenite on day 14; group D (0.1 mL propylene glycol; negative control/vehicle).

Results: Group B had a significantly lower (p<0.05) percentage sperm motility (26.7±6.67 %) while group A had a significantly (p<0.05) higher mean value (63.3±3.33 %) when compared across the groups. The sperm motility of rats in group D was significantly higher (p<0.05) than groups B and C. This implies that P. stratiotes extract had no adverse effect on sperm motility. The presence of P. stratiotes with sodium arsenite alleviated its harmful effect on sperm motility. The mean value obtained for sperm viability, semen volume and sperm count followed a similar pattern although the difference was not significant (p>0.05) for semen volume and the sperm count of rats across the groups. Total sperm abnormality was 10.44 and 14.27 % with the sodium arsenite treated group having the highest value when compared with groups A treated with P. stratiotes extract and D treated with propylene, although the differences were not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusions: The study concluded that ethanol leaf extract of P. stratiotes has no negative effect on sperm motility, viability and morphology and also protected spermatozoa against arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar strain albino rats. Therefore, it may play an important role in the protection of populations with chronic sodium arsenite exposure.