bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute naltrexone does not remediate fronto‐striatal disturbances in alcoholic and alcoholic polysubstance‐dependent populations during a monetary incentive delay task
Authors: Nestor Liam J , Murphy Anna , McGonigle John , Orban Csaba , Reed Laurence , Taylor Eleanor , Flechais Remy , Paterson Louise M , Smith Dana , Bullmore Edward T , Ersche Karen D , Suckling John , Tait Roger , Elliott Rebecca , Deakin Bill , Rabiner Ilan , Lingford‐Hughes Anne , Nutt David J , Sahakian Barbara , Robbins Trevor W ,   ICCAM Consortium
Published: September 2016

AbstractThere is a concerted research effort to investigate brain mechanisms underlying addiction processes that may predicate the development of new compounds for treating addiction. One target is the brain's opioid system, because of its role in the reinforcing effects of substances of abuse. Substance‐dependent populations have increased numbers of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) in fronto‐striatal regions that predict drug relapse, and demonstrate disturbances in these regions during the processing of non‐drug rewards. Naltrexone is currently licensed for alcohol and opiate dependence, and may remediate such disturbances through the blockade of MORs in fronto‐striatal reward circuitry. Therefore, we examined the potential acute modulating effects of naltrexone on the anticipation of, and instrumental responding for, non‐drug rewards in long‐term abstinent alcoholics, alcoholic poly substance‐dependent individuals and controls using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task during a randomized double blind placebo controlled functional MRI study. We report that the alcoholic poly substance‐dependent group exhibited slower and less accurate instrumental responding compared to alcoholics and controls that was less evident after acute naltrexone treatment. However, naltrexone treatment was unable to remediate disturbances within fronto‐striatal regions during reward anticipation and ‘missed’ rewards in either substance‐dependent group. While we have not been able to identify the underlying neural mechanisms for improvement observed with naltrexone in the alcoholic poly‐substance dependent group, we can confirm that both substance‐dependent groups exhibit substantial neural deficits during an MID task, despite being in long‐term abstinence.
The loss of that which never was: Evaluating changes to the senior management of the Public Health Agency of Canada
Authors: Fafard Patrick , Forest Pierre‐Gerlier 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn the fall of 2014, the Government of Canada formally split the role of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) into two positions: the CPHO and the President of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Despite concerns raised by the public health community, these changes are consistent with the CPHO's authority. However, the nature of responsible government means that the CPHO cannot simultaneously serve as an independent advocate for policies and programs that might prevent disease and as a senior advisor to the government of the day.
Trust but verify: Ministerial policy advisors and public servants in the Government of Canada
Authors: Wilson R. Paul 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPolitical advisors in Canada are comparatively numerous and highly differentiated in role. Based on a recent survey, this article examines how senior ministerial policy advisors, a subset of the political staff community, perceive their support for ministers and their relationships with public servants. It finds that they increase ministers' policy capacity, encourage greater responsiveness from public servants, and generally feel that they enjoy good relations with officials and respect their role. Since much depends on advisors' personal maturity, however, the paper endorses the Trudeau government's release of a code of conduct for ministerial‐exempt staff as a means of embedding accountability more deeply within political staff culture.
Decentralized decision‐making and urban planning: A case study of density for benefit agreements in Toronto and Vancouver
Authors: Moore Aaron A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis article compares the design and implementation of density for benefit agreements (DBAs), a form of density “bonusing” in Toronto and Vancouver. The cities identify many of the same priorities for benefits secured from developers, but in practice they prioritize widely different benefits. By comparing practice in Toronto and Vancouver, this article demonstrates how institutional differences and the decentralization of policy decision‐making in major cities can affect urban planning decision‐making.
The role of scientists in statutory interpretation of the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Wilhere George F. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLike many federal statutes, the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) contains vague or ambiguous language. The meaning imparted to the ESA's unclear language can profoundly impact the fates of endangered and threatened species. Hence, conservation scientists should contribute to the interpretation of the ESA when vague or ambiguous language contains scientific words or refers to scientific concepts. Scientists need to know at least these 2 facts about statutory interpretation: statutory interpretation is subjective and the potential influence of normative values results in different expectations for the parties involved. With the possible exception of judges, all conventional participants in statutory interpretation are serving their own interests, advocating for their preferred policies, or biased. Hence, scientists can play a unique role by informing the interpretative process with objective, policy‐neutral information. Conversely, scientists may act as advocates for their preferred interpretation of unclear statutory language. The different roles scientists might play in statutory interpretation raise the issues of advocacy and competency. Advocating for a preferred statutory interpretation is legitimate political behavior by scientists, but statutory interpretation can be strongly influenced by normative values. Therefore, scientists must be careful not to commit stealth policy advocacy. Most conservation scientists lack demonstrable competence in statutory interpretation and therefore should consult or collaborate with lawyers when interpreting statutes. Professional scientific societies are widely perceived by the public as unbiased sources of objective information. Therefore, professional scientific societies should remain policy neutral and present all interpretations of unclear statutory language; explain the semantics and science both supporting and contradicting each interpretation; and describe the potential consequences of implementing each interpretation. A review of scientists’ interpretations of the phrase “significant portion of its range” in the ESA is used to critique the role of scientists and professional societies in statutory interpretation.
Selling Finite Capacity in Bulks*
Authors: Eynan Amit , Narasimhan Chakravarthi 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTWe consider a firm that owns a limited capacity for the delivery of services or for the production of customized products. Potential buyers specify the amount of capacity they will require for the execution of their intended services, goods or projects. Based on the size of the requirement, the firm makes a bid while being challenged in various ways: (1) it only knows the underlying probability function from which its customers’ reservation prices are drawn, (2) arrival of additional future requests is stochastic, and, (3) the firm knows in advance neither the magnitude of these potential requests nor the buyer's reservation price. The firm aims to maximize its expected profit by choosing its pricing mechanism.The fact that capacity is demanded in varying amounts distinguishes this problem from most available literature in which standard sizes are sold or partial fulfillment and displacement are permitted. Lacking such allowances presents a new challenge to the firm as in conjunction with pricing it should also address the issue of various sizes requests’ compatibility to achieve optimal utilization of its capacity in order to maximize expected profit. In this article, we consider two approaches of handling this problem: myopic and foresighted. We formulate and analyze the problem to obtain the firm's optimal bidding decisions as well as managerial insight about the optimal bid level and its important role in coordinating buyers’ requests. Furthermore, due to this role, pricing patterns in this environment are different than those in standard unit sales.
Alterations in regional myocardial deformation assessed by strain imaging in cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Lo Queenie , Haluska Brian , Chia Ee‐May , Lin Ming‐Wei , Richards David , Marwick Thomas , Thomas Liza 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundCardiac amyloidosis results in increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and diastolic dysfunction (DD). Strain measurements using velocity vector imaging (VVI) may further characterize myocardial dysfunction.MethodsA total of 43 AL amyloidosis patients were compared to age‐matched normals and hypertensive patients (HT). Subgroup analysis within the amyloid group was performed based on LV wall thickness (≤14 mm, >14 mm) and diastolic dysfunction (DD) (Group 1: normal and impaired relaxation, Group 2: pseudonormal, Group 3: restrictive). LV strain (longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (S) and strain rate [Sr]) were measured using velocity vector imaging (VVI).ResultsIncreased LV wall thickness and DD were observed in the amyloid group. Global longitudinal (−13.9±4.1% vs −16.7±3.8%; P=.002) and radial (27.4±13.4% vs 38.8±15.7%; P<.001) strain were lower in the amyloid group vs normal controls, while circumferential strain was similar. Segmental analysis demonstrated reduced mid‐ and basal segmental strain with relative sparing of apical segments in the amyloid group. Reduced longitudinal and radial strain, with preserved circumferential strain, were observed in patients with wall thickness >14 mm; however, circumferential strain was also altered when severe DD (restrictive filling) was present.ConclusionReduction in longitudinal and radial S and Sr was evident using VVI strain analysis in amyloidosis, with segmental heterogeneity in longitudinal S. There was relative preservation of circumferential strain, which was reduced only in patients with severe DD.
Examination of the anxiety level in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Çürük Gülsüm N. , Tekinsoy Kartın Pınar , Yüceler Kaçmaz Hatice 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the levels of anxiety in patients with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).MethodsThe research was carried out at a university's Heart Hospital, echocardiography laboratory between the dates of January–October 2014. Data were collected with Patient Identification Form, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. The level of state and trait anxiety was measured by Spielberger's State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory. Signed forms of consent for the study were obtained from patients after the ethics committee approval. Descriptive statistics, t‐test, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for statistical data analysis.ResultsThe study included 102 patients who were admitted to the cardiology department for TEE. The mean age of the patients was 44.12±16.86 years and 52.9% were men. About 46.5% of them graduated from primary school, 74.5% were married, and 52.0% has moderate income. Approximately half the patients reported that they had received information for TEE. State anxiety scores of patients ranged from 31 to 66 (mean±SD; 46.7±8.7), and their trait anxiety scores ranged from 28 to 52 (mean±SD; 44.4±4.3). Low educational level, female gender, and hospitalized patients' state anxiety point were very high and statistically significant.ConclusionAnxiety level should be determined in this patients, and appropriate nursing care should be done for high anxiety score patients.
Left atrium function by 2D speckle tracking in aortic valve disease
Authors: Salas‐Pacheco Jose L. , Ávila‐Vanzzini Nydia , Eugenia Ruiz‐Esparza M. , Arias‐Godínez Jose A. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundA paucity of data exists about left atrium (LA) function in aortic valve stenosis (AS) or regurgitation (AR). Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography allows the noninvasive study of LA functional disturbances in aortic valve disease and their impact in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH).MethodsConsecutive patients with moderate or severe AS or AR were included. Left ventricle (LV) and LA speckle tracking strain quantification was performed. We included 42 patients with AS and 30 with AR. Differences were not found in LA volumes and strain in AS or AR. The LA volumetric derangements parallel the decrease in LA longitudinal strain. Maximum LA volume, minimum LA volume, and indexed LA volume were higher in severe valvular disease (SVD) than in moderate [23 cc (P=.018, IC95%: 4–41), 16 cc (P=.035, IC95%: 2–31), and 14 cc (P=.022, IC95%: 2–25), respectively], occurred in the same way with LA strain in the conduit (6.3%, P=.034, IC95%: 1–12) and reservoir (7.1%, P=.04, IC95%: 2–14) phases. In multivariable model, strain of reservoir phase was the variable mainly associated with PH; each decrease in one unit of strain of reservoir phase increased 6% the PH probability (OR: 1.06, P=.01).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that in patients with AS and AR, the LA has a similar behavior and that exist a close correlation between LA volumetric and functional parameters. The variable mainly associated with PH was LA strain of reservoir phase.
Impact of anthropometric cut‐off values in determining the prevalence of metabolic alterations
Authors: Almeda‐Valdes Paloma , Aguilar‐Salinas Carlos A. , Uribe Misael , Canizales‐Quinteros Samuel , Méndez‐Sánchez Nahum 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide in parallel with associated metabolic disturbances such as diabetes and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.ObjectiveThe objective of this article is to underscore discrepancies in the standard anthropometric cut‐off values and the presence of metabolic disturbances including diabetes and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by biological and ethnic variations.Materials and methodsWe performed a literature review regarding the diagnosis and prevalence of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and about the different available indicators to define obesity.ResultsThere is an ongoing epidemic of these chronic diseases, partially attributed to the increased prevalence of obesity. The available markers to indicate adiposity are imperfect, and the selection of accurate cut‐off points is still not clear.ConclusionMethods to quantify adiposity that are useful in clinical practice should be developed to better classify individuals and to reflect metabolic risk more appropriately.
Lung function, inflammation and cardiovascular mortality in Africans
Authors: Breet Yolandi , Schutte Aletta E. , Huisman Hugo W. , Eloff Fritz C. , Du Plessis Johan L. , Kruger Annamarie , Van Rooyen Johannes M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe link between impaired lung function and cardiovascular outcome is well established in European and American populations. It is possible that this association may be driven by a systemic spillover of inflammation occurring within the lungs. As several studies have found an increased level of inflammatory markers in African populations, we aimed to establish the contribution of lung function in predicting all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in Africans, whilst taking inflammatory markers into account.DesignWe followed 1442 black South Africans from the North West Province participating in the South African leg of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, over a five‐year period. Spirometry, cardiovascular and metabolic measures were performed, and cardiovascular mortality as well as all‐cause mortality used as endpoints.ResultsIn univariate Cox regression models, both forced expiratory volume in 1‐s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) predicted all‐cause (P = 0·022; P < 0·001) and cardiovascular mortality (P = 0·004; P < 0·001). In multivariate adjusted standardized Cox regression analyses, only FVC predicted cardiovascular mortality independent of several covariates (hazard ratio, 0·57 [0·35–0·94]), including C‐reactive protein (CRP). When CRP was replaced by interleukin‐6 in the model, the significance of FVC was lost (hazard ratio, 0·85 [0·55–1·30]).ConclusionFVC, but not FEV1, is a strong predictor of both all‐cause and CV mortality in black South Africans, which may be mediated by inflammation.
Early selectivity for vocal and musical sounds: electrophysiological evidence from an adaptation paradigm
Authors: Rigoulot Simon , Armony Jorge L. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThere is growing interest in characterizing the neural basis of music perception and, in particular, assessing how similar, or not, it is to that of speech. To further explore this question, we employed an EEG adaptation paradigm in which we compared responses to short sounds belonging to the same category, either speech (pseudo‐sentences) or music (piano or violin), depending on whether they were immediately preceded by a same‐ or different‐category sound. We observed a larger reduction in the N100 component magnitude in response to musical sounds when they were preceded by music (either the same or different instrument) than by speech. In contrast, the N100 amplitude was not affected by the preceding stimulus category in the case of speech. For P200 component, we observed a diminution of amplitude when speech sounds were preceded speech, compared to music. No such decrease was found when we compared the responses to music sounds. These differences in the processing of speech and music are consistent with the proposal that some degree of category selectivity for these two classes of complex stimuli already occurs at early stages of auditory processing, possibly subserved by partly separated neuronal populations.
Graph coarse‐graining reveals differences in the module‐level structure of functional brain networks
Authors: Kujala Rainer , Glerean Enrico , Pan Raj Kumar , Jääskeläinen Iiro P. , Sams Mikko , Saramäki Jari 
Published: September 2016

AbstractNetworks have become a standard tool for analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. In this approach, brain areas and their functional connections are mapped to the nodes and links of a network. Even though this mapping reduces the complexity of the underlying data, it remains challenging to understand the structure of the resulting networks due to the large number of nodes and links. One solution is to partition networks into modules and then investigate the modules’ composition and relationship with brain functioning. While this approach works well for single networks, understanding differences between two networks by comparing their partitions is difficult and alternative approaches are thus necessary. To this end, we present a coarse‐graining framework that uses a single set of data‐driven modules as a frame of reference, enabling one to zoom out from the node‐ and link‐level details. As a result, differences in the module‐level connectivity can be understood in a transparent, statistically verifiable manner. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method by applying it to networks constructed from fMRI data recorded from 13 healthy subjects during rest and movie viewing. While independently partitioning the rest and movie networks is shown to yield little insight, the coarse‐graining framework enables one to pinpoint differences in the module‐level structure, such as the increased number of intra‐module links within the visual cortex during movie viewing. In addition to quantifying differences due to external stimuli, the approach could also be applied in clinical settings, such as comparing patients with healthy controls.
Congruent representation of visual and acoustic space in the superior colliculus of the echolocating bat Phyllostomus discolor
Authors: Hoffmann Susanne , Vega‐Zuniga Tomas , Greiter Wolfgang , Krabichler Quirin , Bley Alexandra , Matthes Mariana , Zimmer Christiane , Firzlaff Uwe , Luksch Harald 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe midbrain superior colliculus (SC) commonly features a retinotopic representation of visual space in its superficial layers, which is congruent with maps formed by multisensory neurons and motor neurons in its deep layers. Information flow between layers is suggested to enable the SC to mediate goal‐directed orienting movements. While most mammals strongly rely on vision for orienting, some species such as echolocating bats have developed alternative strategies, which raises the question how sensory maps are organized in these animals. We probed the visual system of the echolocating bat Phyllostomus discolor and found that binocular high acuity vision is frontally oriented and thus aligned with the biosonar system, whereas monocular visual fields cover a large area of peripheral space. For the first time in echolocating bats, we could show that in contrast with other mammals, visual processing is restricted to the superficial layers of the SC. The topographic representation of visual space, however, followed the general mammalian pattern. In addition, we found a clear topographic representation of sound azimuth in the deeper collicular layers, which was congruent with the superficial visual space map and with a previously documented map of orienting movements. Especially for bats navigating at high speed in densely structured environments, it is vitally important to transfer and coordinate spatial information between sensors and motor systems. Here, we demonstrate first evidence for the existence of congruent maps of sensory space in the bat SC that might serve to generate a unified representation of the environment to guide motor actions.
There's no place like home: seedling mortality contributes to the habitat specialisation of tree species across Amazonia
Authors: Fortunel Claire , Paine C. E. Timothy , Fine Paul V. A. , Mesones Italo , Goret Jean‐Yves , Burban Benoit , Cazal Jocelyn , Baraloto Christopher 
Published: September 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms generating species distributions remains a challenge, especially in hyperdiverse tropical forests. We evaluated the role of rainfall variation, soil gradients and herbivory on seedling mortality, and how variation in seedling performance along these gradients contributes to habitat specialisation. In a 4‐year experiment, replicated at the two extremes of the Amazon basin, we reciprocally transplanted 4638 tree seedlings of 41 habitat‐specialist species from seven phylogenetic lineages among the three most important forest habitats of lowland Amazonia. Rainfall variation, flooding and soil gradients strongly influenced seedling mortality, whereas herbivory had negligible impact. Seedling mortality varied strongly among habitats, consistent with predictions for habitat specialists in most lineages. This suggests that seedling performance is a primary determinant of the habitat associations of adult trees across Amazonia. It further suggests that tree diversity, currently mostly harboured in terra firme forests, may be strongly impacted by the predicted climate changes in Amazonia.