bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field capture, chemical immobilization, and morphometrics of a little‐studied South American carnivore, the lesser grison
Authors: Luengos Vidal Estela M. , Castillo Diego F. , Caruso Nicolas C. , Casanave Emma B. , Lucherini Mauro 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTWe assessed chemical immobilization and success of trapping devices on a little‐known South American mustelid, the lesser grison (Galictis cuja). From December 1998 to June 2006, we live‐trapped (n = 23) and radiomarked (n = 9) free‐ranging lesser grisons in 2 areas of the Pampas grasslands of Argentina. Both box‐traps and rubber‐padded leg‐hold traps allowed us to capture lesser grisons. However, leg‐hold traps had greater capture efficiency. Although the liberation time was longer with tiletamine–zolazepam than ketamine–xylazine, field immobilization of lesser grisons with both drug combinations was effective and safe. The high frequency of thermal regulation problems suggests that body temperatures of chemically restrained lesser grisons should be routinely monitored. Neither collars nor backpack harnesses were effective methods for attachment of radiotransmitters. Trapped individuals showed male‐skewed sexual size dimorphism and sex ratio. Capture times suggest that lesser grisons are largely diurnal. Most of the data presented in this study are the first published on the lesser grison and provide baseline information for future research and conservation. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Do 3D Printing Models Improve Anatomical Teaching About Hepatic Segments to Medical Students? A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Kong Xiangxue , Nie Lanying , Zhang Huijian , Wang Zhanglin , Ye Qiang , Tang Lei , Huang Wenhua , Li Jianyi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundIt is a difficult and frustrating task for young surgeons and medical students to understand the anatomy of hepatic segments. We tried to develop an optimal 3D printing model of hepatic segments as a teaching aid to improve the teaching of hepatic segments.MethodsA fresh human cadaveric liver without hepatic disease was CT scanned. After 3D reconstruction, three types of 3D computer models of hepatic structures were designed and 3D printed as models of hepatic segments without parenchyma (type 1) and with transparent parenchyma (type 2), and hepatic ducts with segmental partitions (type 3). These models were evaluated by six experts using a five‐point Likert scale. Ninety two medical freshmen were randomized into four groups to learn hepatic segments with the aid of the three types of models and traditional anatomic atlas (TAA). Their results of two quizzes were compared to evaluate the teaching effects of the four methods.ResultsThree types of models were successful produced which displayed the structures of hepatic segments. By experts’ evaluation, type 3 model was better than type 1 and 2 models in anatomical condition, type 2 and 3 models were better than type 1 model in tactility, and type 3 model was better than type 1 model in overall satisfaction (P < 0.05). The first quiz revealed that type 1 model was better than type 2 model and TAA, while type 3 model was better than type 2 and TAA in teaching effects (P < 0.05). The second quiz found that type 1 model was better than TAA, while type 3 model was better than type 2 model and TAA regarding teaching effects (P < 0.05). Only TAA group had significant declines between two quizzes (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe model with segmental partitions proves to be optimal, because it can best improve anatomical teaching about hepatic segments.
30 Years of Robotic Surgery
Authors: Leal Ghezzi Tiago , Campos Corleta Oly 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe idea of reproducing himself with the use of a mechanical robot structure has been in man’s imagination in the last 3000 years. However, the use of robots in medicine has only 30 years of history. The application of robots in surgery originates from the need of modern man to achieve two goals: the telepresence and the performance of repetitive and accurate tasks. The first “robot surgeon” used on a human patient was the PUMA 200 in 1985. In the 1990s, scientists developed the concept of “master–slave” robot, which consisted of a robot with remote manipulators controlled by a surgeon at a surgical workstation. Despite the lack of force and tactile feedback, technical advantages of robotic surgery, such as 3D vision, stable and magnified image, EndoWrist instruments, physiologic tremor filtering, and motion scaling, have been considered fundamental to overcome many of the limitations of the laparoscopic surgery. Since the approval of the da Vinci® robot by international agencies, American, European, and Asian surgeons have proved its factibility and safety for the performance of many different robot‐assisted surgeries. Comparative studies of robotic and laparoscopic surgical procedures in general surgery have shown similar results with regard to perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes. However, higher costs and lack of haptic feedback represent the major limitations of current robotic technology to become the standard technique of minimally invasive surgery worldwide. Therefore, the future of robotic surgery involves cost reduction, development of new platforms and technologies, creation and validation of curriculum and virtual simulators, and conduction of randomized clinical trials to determine the best applications of robotics.
Associated factors in Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and colorectal cancer
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐En , Chiu Cheng‐Tang , Rayner Christopher K. , Wu Keng‐Liang , Chiu Yi‐Chun , Hu Ming‐Luen , Chuah Seng‐Kee , Tai Wei‐Chen , Liang Chih‐Ming , Wang Hsin‐Ming 
Published: May 2016

AbstractReports suggest that between 25% and 80% of patients with Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus bacteremia have concomitant colorectal tumors. This retrospective study was aimed to identify associations between clinical characteristics and a finding of colorectal neoplasm in patients with S. bovis bacteremia who had colonoscopy examination. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with S. bovis bacteremia from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, between January 2004 and January 2014. Clinical data including age, sex, comorbidities, blood culture, and colonoscopy findings were collected and their relationship to a finding of colorectal cancer was examined. A total of 107 patients with S. bovis bacteremia were identified, of whom 49 (72% male; age 65 ± 12 years) were investigated with colonoscopy; 15 of these patients (30.6%) had colorectal adenocarcinoma. Female sex (p = 0.014) and a history of noncolorectal malignancy (p = 0.004) were associated with a finding of colorectal adenocarcinoma. There were no associations with age, percentage of blood cultures, or the presence of diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, heart disease, or end‐stage renal disease. Our results show that S. bovis bacteremia is associated with the presence of colorectal adenocarcinoma, especially in female patients, and concomitant existence of other malignancies.
Adaptive mesh refinement versus subgrid friction interpolation in simulations of Antarctic ice dynamics
Authors: Cornford S. L. , Martin D. F. , Lee V. , Payne A. J. , Ng E. G. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTAt least in conventional hydrostatic ice-sheet models, the numerical error associated with grounding line dynamics can be reduced by modifications to the discretization scheme. These involve altering the integration formulae for the basal traction and/or driving stress close to the grounding line and exhibit lower – if still first-order – error in the MISMIP3d experiments. MISMIP3d may not represent the variety of real ice streams, in that it lacks strong lateral stresses, and imposes a large basal traction at the grounding line. We study resolution sensitivity in the context of extreme forcing simulations of the entire Antarctic ice sheet, using the BISICLES adaptive mesh ice-sheet model with two schemes: the original treatment, and a scheme, which modifies the discretization of the basal traction. The second scheme does indeed improve accuracy – by around a factor of two – for a given mesh spacing, but $\lesssim 1$ km resolution is still necessary. For example, in coarser resolution simulations Thwaites Glacier retreats so slowly that other ice streams divert its trunk. In contrast, with $\lesssim 1$ km meshes, the same glacier retreats far more quickly and triggers the final phase of West Antarctic collapse a century before any such diversion can take place.
LONGEVITY VARIATIONS AND THE WELFARE STATE
Authors: Pestieau Pierre , Ponthiere Gregory 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:Life expectancy at birth has more than doubled in Europe since the early 19th century. This demographic trend constitutes a major victory against scarcity, but raises also deep challenges to the Welfare State, concerning the sustainability and the equity of the social protection system. This paper surveys recent developments in the economic analysis of longevity, both at the positive and the normative levels. Taking mortality risks into account is shown to affect the study of the life cycle model significantly, in particular concerning the strength of life horizon effects. It raises also, at the level of normative foundations for policy-making, a dilemma between ex ante and ex post valuations. Finally, we explore the design of policy reforms under varying longevity, in fields including preventive and curative policies, education, pension, and wealth taxation.
GENDER GAPS IN COMPLETED FERTILITY
Authors: Field Erica , Molitor Vera , Schoonbroodt Alice , Tertilt Michèle 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:The most common measure of reproductive behavior is the total fertility rate, which measures children born per woman. However, little work exists measuring male fertility behavior. We use survey data from several waves of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in eight Sub-Saharan African countries. We document several interesting differences in fertility outcomes of men and women. First, comparing completed fertility by birth cohorts, we find that on average men have more children than women in seven out of eight countries we consider. The gaps are large – reaching up to 4.6 children in Burkina Faso. Positive gaps are possible when populations are growing and men father children with younger women. Such a situation often coincides with polygyny. Indeed, we find that the fertility gap is positively related to the degree of polygyny. Second, we find a lower variance in completed fertility rates for women than for men, especially in high polygyny countries. Third, we find that differences in the desire to have children can largely be explained by differences in realized fertility. Finally, we find that for men, the demographic transition started earlier and was steeper than for women. These novel facts are useful when building theories of fertility behavior.
Quantifying volume loss from ice cliffs on debris-covered glaciers using high-resolution terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry
Authors: BRUN FANNY , BURI PASCAL , MILES EVAN S. , WAGNON PATRICK , STEINER JAKOB , BERTHIER ETIENNE , RAGETTLI SILVAN , KRAAIJENBRINK PHILIP , IMMERZEEL WALTER W. , PELLICCIOTTI FRANCESCA 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTMass losses originating from supraglacial ice cliffs at the lower tongues of debris-covered glaciers are a potentially large component of the mass balance, but have rarely been quantified. In this study, we develop a method to estimate ice cliff volume losses based on high-resolution topographic data derived from terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry. We apply our method to six cliffs monitored in May and October 2013 and 2014 using four different topographic datasets collected over the debris-covered Lirung Glacier of the Nepalese Himalayas. During the monsoon, the cliff mean backwasting rate was relatively consistent in 2013 (3.8 ± 0.3 cm w.e. d−1) and more heterogeneous among cliffs in 2014 (3.1 ± 0.7 cm w.e. d−1), and the geometric variations between cliffs are larger. Their mean backwasting rate is significantly lower in winter (October 2013–May 2014), at 1.0 ± 0.3 cm w.e. d−1. These results are consistent with estimates of cliff ablation from an energy-balance model developed in a previous study. The ice cliffs lose mass at rates six times higher than estimates of glacier-wide melt under debris, which seems to confirm that ice cliffs provide a large contribution to total glacier melt.
Molecular genetics of thyroid cancer
Authors: REBAЇ MAHA , REBAЇ AHMED 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe pathogenesis of the development and progression of thyroid cancer (TC) is far from being clear at present. Accumulated evidence suggests that it is a complex polygenic disorder for which genetic factors play an important role in disease aetiology. Here we review the literature to report the genetic variations and alterations that have been described in the aetiology of TC. The functional effects of some mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms on TC are validated, establishing the role of sequence variations in this cancer. However, large prospective studies are still required to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of these genetic determinants in clinical practice.
Ethnic associations in Katanga province, the Democratic Republic of Congo: multi-tier system, shifting identities and the relativity of autochthony
Authors: Gobbers Erik 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThis article unravels the world of ethnic associations in Katanga that emerged as a result of rural–urban migration. These associations constitute a multi-tier system reflecting ethnic, provincial and national identity levels. Primarily meant to organise mutual aid and foster cultural values, they have behaved as interest groups since democracy was re-established in the 1990s. Representing ethnic communities, they try to influence the distribution of spoils through lobbying activities, emphasising the right of ‘autochthons’ to be prioritised regarding employment and development. Political and socio-economic changes trigger identity shifts and ethnic associations adapt by inventing alternative ‘autochthony’/‘allochthony’ dichotomies, causing friction between communities. The multi-tier system provides forums where ethnic differences can be negotiated and ethnic communities can integrate. In its current manner of functioning it is only effective at mitigating acute crises. In order to resolve more complex political issues, it would benefit from a preventive approach within a permanent framework of consultation between associations and authorities.
A non-commercial approach for the generation of transgenicLeishmania tarentolaeand its application in antileishmanial drug discovery
Authors: PINEDA TATIANA , VALENCIA YESENIA , FLÓREZ MARÍA F. , PULIDO SERGIO A. , VÉLEZ IVÁN D. , ROBLEDO SARA M. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYLeishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by several species of the genusLeishmaniathat is considered as a neglected disease. Drug development process requires a robust and updated high-throughput technology to the evaluation of candidate compounds that imply the manipulation of the pathogenic species of the parasite in the laboratory. Therefore, it is restricted to trained personal and level II biosafety environments. However, it has been established the utility ofLeishmania tarentolaeas a model forin vitroscreening of antileishmanial agents without the necessity of level II biosafety setups. In parallel the transfection ofLeishmaniaparasites with reporter genes as the eGFP using non-commercial integration vectors like the pIRmcs3(−) has proved to be a powerful tool for the implementation of semi automatized high-throughput platforms for the evaluation of antileishmanial compounds. Here we report the generation of a newL. tarentolaestrain overexpressing the eGFP gene harboured by the non-commercial vector pIR3(−). We also demonstrate its utility for the semi-automatized screening of antileshmanial compounds in intracellular forms of theL. tarentolaeparasite.
Diversifying forest communities may change Lyme disease risk: extra dimension to the dilution effect in Europe
Authors: RUYTS SANNE C. , AMPOORTER EVY , COIPAN ELENA C. , BAETEN LANDER , HEYLEN DIETER , SPRONG HEIN , MATTHYSEN ERIK , VERHEYEN KRIS 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYLyme disease is caused by bacteria of theBorrelia burgdorferigenospecies complex and transmitted by Ixodid ticks. In North America only one pathogenic genospecies occurs, in Europe there are several. According to the dilution effect hypothesis (DEH), formulated in North America, nymphal infection prevalence (NIP) decreases with increasing host diversity since host species differ in transmission potential. We analysedBorreliainfection in nymphs from 94 forest stands in Belgium, which are part of a diversification gradient with a supposedly related increasing host diversity: from pine stands without to oak stands with a shrub layer. We expected changing tree species and forest structure to increase host diversity and decrease NIP. In contrast with the DEH, NIP did not differ between different forest types. Genospecies diversity however, and presumably also host diversity, was higher in oak than in pine stands. Infected nymphs tended to harbourBorrelia afzeliiinfection more often in pine stands whileBorrelia gariniiandBorrelia burgdorferiss. infection appeared to be more prevalent in oak stands. This has important health consequences, since the latter two cause more severe disease manifestations. We show that the DEH must be nuanced for Europe and should consider the response of multiple pathogenic genospecies.
Critical review evaluating the pig as a model for human nutritional physiology
Authors: Roura Eugeni , Koopmans Sietse-Jan , Lallès Jean-Paul , Le Huerou-Luron Isabelle , de Jager Nadia , Schuurman Teun , Val-Laillet David 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe present review examines the pig as a model for physiological studies in human subjects related to nutrient sensing, appetite regulation, gut barrier function, intestinal microbiota and nutritional neuroscience. The nutrient-sensing mechanisms regarding acids (sour), carbohydrates (sweet), glutamic acid (umami) and fatty acids are conserved between humans and pigs. In contrast, pigs show limited perception of high-intensity sweeteners and NaCl and sense a wider array of amino acids than humans. Differences on bitter taste may reflect the adaptation to ecosystems. In relation to appetite regulation, plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide-1 are similar in pigs and humans, while peptide YY in pigs is ten to twenty times higher and ghrelin two to five times lower than in humans. Pigs are an excellent model for human studies for vagal nerve function related to the hormonal regulation of food intake. Similarly, the study of gut barrier functions reveals conserved defence mechanisms between the two species particularly in functional permeability. However, human data are scant for some of the defence systems and nutritional programming. The pig model has been valuable for studying the changes in human microbiota following nutritional interventions. In particular, the use of human flora-associated pigs is a useful model for infants, but the long-term stability of the implanted human microbiota in pigs remains to be investigated. The similarity of the pig and human brain anatomy and development is paradigmatic. Brain explorations and therapies described in pig, when compared with available human data, highlight their value in nutritional neuroscience, particularly regarding functional neuroimaging techniques.
Development of the Spanish Healthy Food Reference Budget for an adequate social participation at the minimum
Authors: Carrillo Álvarez Elena , Cussó-Parcerisas Irene , Riera-Romaní Jordi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveIt has been observed that diet quality and food choices vary depending on socio-economic status (SES), especially when measured through income and educational level. Although the reasons behind these differences are multiple, diet cost is a critical determinant in those groups that spend a higher proportion of their budget on food. Reference budgets are priced baskets containing the minimum goods and services necessary for well-described types of families to have an adequate social participation. In the current paper we describe the development and content of the Spanish Healthy Food Basket (SHFB).DesignNational dietary guidelines were translated into monthly food baskets. Next, these baskets were validated in terms of acceptability and feasibility through focus group discussions, and finally they were priced.SettingThe focus group discussions and the pricing were performed in Barcelona, Spain.SubjectsTwenty adults aged 30–50 years from different SES backgrounds and their children aged 2–22 years participated in three discussion groups.ResultsThe SHFB complies with the dietary recommendations for the Spanish population. The monthly cost of this basket ranges from 131·63 € to 573·80 € depending on the type of family.ConclusionsThe SHFB does not have the purpose of prescribing what people should eat, but of estimating a minimum budget threshold below which healthy eating is not possible for well-described types of families. Thus, the SHFB is an educative guide on how to plan a healthy food budget and orient policies designed to guarantee food access and reduce SES inequalities.
Focusing the debate on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons: An Indian perspective
Authors: Nayan Rajiv 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe participation of nuclear India in the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons conferences has generated curiosity in the global community. The world is bewildered to know that India simultaneously possesses nuclear weapons and participates in the humanitarian impact initiative. Even observers of the humanitarian impact movement often wonder what contribution India makes to the movement. Some historical insight into India's nuclear policy solves the puzzle. The humanitarian impact aspect of the nuclear debate has been an ingredient in India's policy because of India's strategic culture. The components of the Humanitarian Pledge are echoed in India's nuclear policy, and India maintains that a world without nuclear weapons will be more secure.