bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multilevel analysis of factors influencing the flow efficiency of the cataract surgery process in hospitals
Authors: De Regge Melissa , Gemmel Paul , Duyck Philippe , Claerhout Ilse 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeTo detect factors contributing to variation in cataract surgery processes.MethodsA multilevel study was conducted to compare the process of cataract surgery between hospitals in Belgium. The main data were collected through non‐participative observations and time measurements in four hospitals. Surgeons (n = 16) performing cataract surgery in the selected region and their patients (n = 274) undergoing cataract surgery were observed. Flow efficiency is measured in the operating room (OR) as time for preparation, surgery, exit and turnover.ResultsFlow efficiency in the OR can be negatively influenced by the severity of the cataract [+2.778 (1.139) min in preparation time (p < 0.05); +4.616 (1.786) min in surgery time when severe cataract (p < 0.05)] and the presence of special‐cause variation [+2.832 (1.893) min preparation time (p < 0.05); +2.503 (1.277) min surgery time (p < 0.05); +1.181 (0.350) min exit time (p ≤ 0.001)]. Administering topical analgesia instead of peribulbar [+13.548 (4.436) min preparation time (p ≤ 0.001)], retrobulbar [+3.856 (1.548) min surgery time (p ≤ 0.05)] or general analgesia [+5.617 (2.536) min surgery time (p < 0.05); +5.175 (0.817) min exit time (p ≤ 0.001)] enhances flow efficiency. The experience of surgeons (>15 years) impacts flow efficiency [+12.838 (5.922) min surgery time when low experience]. The volume of cataracts performed annually per surgeon did not have a significant impact on flow efficiency. The use of specialized scrub nurses [−7.146 (3.099) min preparation time (p ≤ 0.05); −2.116 (0.586) min turnover time (p ≤ 0.05)] and the eye clinic design [−1.742 (0.686) min exit time (p < 0.05); 2.296 (1.034) min turnover time (p ≤ 0.05)] benefit flow efficiency.ConclusionControllable and uncontrollable factors with clinical and organizational causes influencing flow efficiency in the cataract process were found. These factors can be taken into account in the management of the healthcare process.
Seven‐day storage of pneumatically dissected Descemet's endothelial grafts with and without Dua's layer
Authors: GamalElDin Sherif A. , Salama Marwa M. , ElShazly Malak I. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of big‐bubble (BB) technique in separating Dua's layer together with the Descemet's membrane endothelial (DE) graft and the effect of 7‐day storage of the prepared tissues on the endothelial cells.MethodThis is an experimental study in which 21 human corneo‐scleral tissues unsuitable for transplantation were used. Grafts were mounted on artificial chamber; epithelial side‐up with BB technique was used to detach the DE graft. The resultant tissues were stored in tissue culture medium for 7 days. Dua's layer presence, endothelial cell density (ECD), endothelial cell loss and viability were assessed after the dissection and at 7 days after storage.ResultsComplete detachment of DE grafts was achieved in 20 cases (95.24%). Histological analysis revealed Dua's layer presence in 14 cases (70%). The mean ECD for the corneas before dissection was 2375 ± 338 cells/mm2 with significant reduction to 2200 ± 319 cells/mm2 (p < 0.00001) with endothelial cell loss of 7.3 ± 3.5% and non‐viable cells of 6.5 ± 2.5% at the end of the 7‐day storage. On comparing the dissected DE grafts with Dua's layer versus those without at 1 day after dissection and at 7 days after storage, we found no statistically significant changes in endothelial cell loss (p = 0.387; p = 0.836 respectively) and non‐viable cells percentage (p = 0.180; p = 0.260, respectively).ConclusionBig‐bubble technique is reproducible in dissecting DE grafts with minimal damage to the endothelial cells. The percentage of endothelial cell loss and non‐viable cells is similar in the DE grafts with/without Dua's layer after 7‐day storage.
Biomass removal by clipping and raking vs burning for the restoration of abandoned Stipa‐dominated European steppe‐like grassland
Authors: Ruprecht Eszter , Enyedi Márton Zsolt , Szabó Anna , Fenesi Annamária 
Published: August 2015

AbstractQuestionDo restoration measures involving yearly biomass removal over 9 yr have a beneficial effect on the structure and composition of long‐term abandoned European steppe‐like grassland? What is the effect of a single accidental fire event on this grassland community?LocationContinental dry steppe‐like grassland, Suatu and Puini, Transylvania, Romania.MethodsIn two long‐term abandoned grassland sites, we experimentally carried out annual biomass removal by clipping and raking, and by raking alone over a period of 9 yr. We analysed the effect of the two planned treatments in both sites and that of an accidental fire in one of the sites on the structure and composition of vegetation. We applied a predominantly functional trait‐based analysis, but the dominant species Stipa pulcherrima and Carex humilis were treated separately.ResultsAnnual biomass removal applied for 9 yr at one site favoured sub‐dominant grasses and short‐lived forbs over long‐lived forbs and the two dominant species, and generated a successional shift to more open grassland. The clipping and raking treatment promoted plot‐scale species richness when the grassland species pool was large enough. The number and abundance of Red‐Listed species were not influenced by our treatments. The single accidental fire event at one of the sites negatively affected the two dominant species and promoted one of the sub‐dominant grasses. In addition, burning in combination with abandonment and presence of stoloniferous grass species benefiting from fire decreased species richness. Variation in weather conditions, in particular the series of dry years during our experiment, caused significant changes in vegetation cover and the quantity of litter, and decreased the abundance of S. pulcherrima in both sites and that of long‐lived forbs in one site.ConclusionsAccording to our results, biomass removal had a beneficial effect on vegetation structure and composition in long‐term abandoned steppe‐like grassland. Until further experimental data on the effect of burning on temperate dry grassland are available, traditional management practices should be favoured over alternative methods.
Pharmacokinetics of Memantine after a Single and Multiple Dose of Oral and Patch Administration in Rats
Authors: Lee Soo‐Han , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Noh Yook‐Hwan , Choi Byung‐Moon , Noh Gyu‐Jeong , Park Woo‐Dae , Kim Eun‐Jung , Cho Ik‐Hyun , Bae Chun‐Sik 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMemantine is a non‐competitive N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used to treat Alzheimer's disease. We investigated memantine pharmacokinetics after oral, IV and patch administration in rats, and compared memantine pharmacokinetics after multiple‐ or single‐dose oral and transdermal administration. Venous blood was collected at preset intervals in single‐ and multiple‐dose studies. Non‐compartmental pharmacokinetics was analysed for all formulations. The oral, IV and patch memantine doses were 10 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg and 8.21 ± 0.89 mg/kg, respectively. The maximum plasma concentration was lower and the half‐life longer after patch administration than oral and IV administration. Memantine bioavailability was 41 and 63% for oral and patch administration, respectively. Steady state was achieved around 24 hr for oral and patch administration. The mean AUC increased after oral or patch administration from single to multiple dose. The memantine patch formulation displayed a longer duration of action and lower peak plasma concentration. However, drug exposure was similar to the oral formulation at each dose. Additionally, the memantine patch formulation displayed a smaller interindividual variability and lower accumulation than the oral formulation.
Crowdsourcing as a new instrument in the government's arsenal: Explorations and considerations
Authors: Dutil Patrice 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGovernments have made strides in “crowdsourcing” yet the concept has not been defined as a tool in either policy‐making or in delivering services. The article identifies different forms of crowdsourcing and argues that existing taxonomies for governing instruments insufficiently account for crowdsourcing as a strategic tool in its arsenal. Focusing on the most important types of crowdsourcing drawn from the federal, provincial and municipal levels, it explores the limits of crowdsourcing and issues it raises for governance and administration. The cases reveal how crowdsourcing can help the state meet needs by activating crowds into accomplishing tasks. Using crowds is more than a procedural novelty: it opens new venues for direct contact between the state and citizens that can affect the force and direction of decision making.
Measurement of specific IgE antibodies to Ses i 1 improves the diagnosis of sesame allergy
Authors: Maruyama N. , Nakagawa T. , Ito K. , Cabanos C. , Borres M. P. , Movérare R. , Tanaka A. , Sato S. , Ebisawa M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe number of reported cases of allergic reactions to sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) has increased significantly. The specific IgE tests and skin prick tests presently available for diagnosis of sesame allergy are all based on crude sesame extract and are limited by their low clinical specificity. Thus, oral food challenge (OFC) is still the gold standard in the diagnosis.ObjectiveThe aim was to identify the allergen components useful to diagnose sesame‐allergic children with the goal to reduce the number of OFCs needed.MethodsNinety‐two sesame‐sensitized children were consecutively enrolled and diagnosed based on OFC or convincing history. Specific IgE to purified native 11S globulin (nSes i 11S), 7S globulin (nSes i 7S), 2S albumin (nSes i 2S), and two recombinant 2S albumins (rSes i 1 and rSes i 2) was measured by ELISA and/or ImmunoCAP (rSes i 1/streptavidin application).ResultsBased on area under curve (AUC) values from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, rSes i 1 was shown to have the best diagnostic performance of the allergen components in ELISA. The experimental rSes i 1 ImmunoCAP test had larger AUC (0.891; 95% CI, 0.826–0.955) compared to the commercially available sesame ImmunoCAP (0.697; 95% CI, 0.589–0.805). The clinical sensitivity and specificity for the rSes i 1 ImmunoCAP test at optimal cut‐off (3.96 kUA/L) were 86.1% and 85.7%, respectively.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceSensitization to Ses i 1 is strongly associated with clinical sesame allergy. Measurement of specific IgE to rSes i 1 could reduce the numbers of OFCs needed.
Functional inhibition of PAR2 alleviates allergen‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation
Authors: Asaduzzaman M. , Nadeem A. , Arizmendi N. , Davidson C. , Nichols H. L. , Abel M. , Ionescu L. I. , Puttagunta L. , Thebaud B. , Gordon J. , DeFea K. , Hollenberg M. D. , Vliagoftis H. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundProteinase‐activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a G protein‐coupled receptor activated by trypsin‐like serine proteinases. PAR2 activation has been associated with inflammation including allergic airway inflammation. We have also shown that PAR2 activation in the airways leads to allergic sensitization. The exact contribution of PAR2 in the development of eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in sensitized individuals is not clear.ObjectiveTo investigate whether functional inhibition of PAR2 during allergen challenge of allergic mice would inhibit allergen‐induced AHR and inflammation in mouse models of asthma.MethodsMice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or cockroach extract (CE). To investigate the role of PAR2 in the development of AHR and airway inflammation, we administered blocking anti‐PAR2 antibodies, or a cell permeable peptide inhibitor of PAR2 signalling, pepducin, i.n. before allergen challenges and then assessed AHR and airway inflammation.ResultsAdministration of anti‐PAR2 antibodies significantly inhibited OVA‐ and CE‐induced AHR and airway inflammation. In particular, two anti‐PAR2 antibodies, the monoclonal SAM‐11 and polyclonal B5, inhibited AHR, airway eosinophilia, the increase of cytokines in the lung tissue and antigen‐specific T cell proliferation, but had no effect on antigen‐specific IgG and IgE levels. Pepducin was also effective in inhibiting AHR and airway inflammation in an OVA model of allergic airway inflammation.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceFunctional blockade of PAR2 in the airways during allergen challenge improves allergen‐induced AHR and inflammation in mice. Therefore, topical PAR2 blockade in the airways, through anti‐PAR2 antibodies or molecules that interrupt PAR2 signalling, has the potential to be used as a therapeutic option in allergic asthma.
WIC PARTICIPATION AND MATERNAL BEHAVIOR: BREASTFEEDING AND WORK LEAVE
Authors: Bullinger Lindsey Rose , Gurley‐Calvez Tami 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe examine the effects of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program on breastfeeding outcomes and maternal employment decisions. This research expands the existing literature using an alternative identification strategy and a broader set of outcomes. Using data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, we control for selection bias into WIC using the variation in food prices as an instrumental variable. The results of this study are robust to a number of specification and falsification tests. We find WIC decreases exclusive breastfeeding by nearly 50% and increases work leave duration by over 20%. (JEL I18, I38)
Belowground herbivore tolerance involves delayed overcompensatory root regrowth in maize
Authors: Robert Christelle A.M. , Schirmer Stefanie , Barry Julie , Wade French B. , Hibbard Bruce E. , Gershenzon Jonathan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPlants can tolerate leaf‐herbivore attack through metabolic reconfigurations that allow for the rapid regrowth of lost leaves. Several studies indicate that root‐attacked plants can re‐allocate resources to the aboveground parts. However, the connection between tolerance and root regrowth remains poorly understood. We investigated the timing and extent of root regrowth of tolerant and susceptible lines of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), attacked by the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in the laboratory and the field. Infested tolerant maize plants produced more root biomass and even overcompensated for the lost roots, whereas this effect was absent in susceptible lines. Furthermore, the tolerant plants slowed growth of new roots in the greenhouse and in the field 4–8 days after infestation, whereas susceptible plants slowed growth of new roots only in the field and only after 12 days of infestation. The quick response of tolerant lines may have enabled them to escape root attack by starving the herbivores and by saving resources for regrowth after the attack had ceased. We conclude that both timing and the extent of regrowth may determine plant tolerance to root herbivory.
Are functional traits a good predictor of global change impacts on tree species abundance dynamics in a subtropical forest?
Authors: Li Ronghua , Zhu Shidan , Chen Han Y. H. , John Robert , Zhou Guoyi , Zhang Deqiang , Zhang Qianmei , Ye Qing 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSignificant changes in the composition of tree species have been observed in various forests worldwide. We hypothesised that these changes might result from variable sensitivities of species to global change, and species sensitivities might be quantified, using functional traits. Employing long‐term (1978–2010) species abundance data of 48 tree species from a permanent subtropical forest plot, where multiple global change factors have been observed, including soil drying, we examined the relationships between temporal trends in abundance and suits of functional traits. We found that species with high photosynthesis rates, leaf phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, specific leaf area, hydraulic conductivity, turgor loss point and predawn leaf water potential had increased in abundance, while species with opposite trait patterns had decreased. Our results demonstrate that functional traits underlie tree species abundance dynamics in response to drought stress, thus linking traits to compositional shifts in this subtropical forest under global changes.
HSS revisited: multi‐channel processes mediate trophic control across a productivity gradient
Authors: Ward Colette L. , McCann Kevin S. , Rooney Neil 
Published: August 2015

AbstractClassical food web theory holds that energy channels are regulated by top‐down control with increasing productivity, arising from within‐channel processes. However, these hypotheses do not consider the existence of parallel energy channels linked by shared resource pools and which can fuel generalist predators, imposing trophic control arising from multi‐channel processes. Using 23 large marine food webs, we show that food web responses to increasing productivity are consistent with the apparent trophic cascade hypothesis (ATCH) – with rising productivity predators derive an increasing fraction of their diet from increasingly productive bottom‐up controlled detritus channels, thereby subsidising predator biomass, and in turn strengthening top‐down control in parallel grazing channels. These results testify to a fundamental role of detritus channels specifically and multi‐channel processes in general in mediating food web response to productivity and demonstrate that the ATCH provides an alternative explanation for classical predictions of top‐down control.
Exploring Proficiency‐Based vs. Performance‐Based Items With Elicited Imitation Assessment
Authors: Cox Troy L. , Bown Jennifer , Burdis Jacob 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of proficiency‐ vs. performance‐based elicited imitation (EI) assessment. EI requires test‐takers to repeat sentences in the target language. The accuracy at which test‐takers are able to repeat sentences highly correlates with test‐takers' language proficiency. However, in EI, the factors that render an item more complex are still being investigated. In order to investigate whether item difficulty and test performance were different between proficiency‐ and performance‐based tests, two EI instruments were created—one to measure proficiency with items from a general corpus and another to measure language for specific purposes (LSP) performance with items from a domain‐specific corpus. The two instruments were then administered to 98 subjects of varying proficiency. The mean score for the LSP performance test ( = 0.51) was significantly higher than the mean score for the proficiency test ( = 0.44, p < 0.001). In addition, item difficulties for the LSP items were significantly lower than item difficulties for the general items (p < 0.05), indicating that the content of the EI items affected item difficulty. Data suggest that the two approaches to EI assess different constructs and cannot be used interchangeably.
Role of terrestrial carbon in aquatic UV exposure and photoprotective pigmentation of meiofauna in subarctic lakes
Authors: Nevalainen Liisa , Luoto Tomi P. , Rantala Marttiina V. , Galkin Annukka , Rautio Milla 
Published: August 2015

Summary

Aquatic organisms are adversely influenced by ultraviolet radiation (UV) and utilise photoprotective strategies, including pigmentation. We examined UV‐protective melanin pigmentation of aquatic meiofauna (Cladocera) in relation to the UV exposure across 25 tree line lakes in Finland to address the potential effects of increased UV and altered input of UV‐screening terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on aquatic organisms.

Bio‐optical parameters, including concentration of DOC, the coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fraction, a suite of carbon quality indices and chlorophyll a, were analysed from lake water, and their role in controlling underwater UV environment (measured as diffuse UV attenuation coefficient Kd at 305 and 340 nm) was examined. Cladoceran (Alona affinis) carapaces were extracted from the surface sediments, and their melanisation was assessed with spectroscopic UV‐visible light absorbance measurements.

DOC, CDOM and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) had strong positive relationships with the attenuation of UV in the lakes, suggesting that terrestrial organic carbon controls underwater UV exposure in the examined lakes. The absorbance measurements indicated the presence of melanin in the cladoceran carapaces, the degree of melanisation varying strongly among the lakes. Melanisation had significant relationships with SUVA and fluorescence index (FI). It was higher in lakes with low SUVA and high FI, indicating that cladocerans exhibit strong melanisation in lakes with low contribution of UV‐attenuating allochthonous DOC (i.e. high UV exposure).

The results suggest that cladoceran meiofauna respond to UV by utilising photoprotective pigmentation and that the degree of pigmentation is affected by site‐specific underwater UV exposure, which is ultimately controlled by UV‐attenuating DOC of terrestrial origin.

Although cladoceran meiobenthos are able to adapt to varying underwater UV doses, climate change with its multiple consequences on hydrology, limnology and catchment vegetation in the tree line zone may cause major changes in underwater UV environment for the organisms to adapt.
Barite encrustation of benthic sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria at a marine cold seep
Authors: Stevens E. W. N. , Bailey J. V. , Flood B. E. , Jones D. S. , Gilhooly W. P. , Joye S. B. , Teske A. , Mason O. U. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCrusts and chimneys composed of authigenic barite are found at methane seeps and hydrothermal vents that expel fluids rich in barium. Microbial processes have not previously been associated with barite precipitation in marine cold seep settings. Here, we report on the precipitation of barite on filaments of sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria at a brine seep in the Gulf of Mexico. Barite‐mineralized bacterial filaments in the interiors of authigenic barite crusts resemble filamentous sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria of the genus Beggiatoa. Clone library and iTag amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene show that the barite crusts that host these filaments also preserve DNA of Candidatus Maribeggiatoa, as well as sulfate‐reducing bacteria. Isotopic analyses show that the sulfur and oxygen isotope compositions of barite have lower δ34S and δ18O values than many other marine barite crusts, which is consistent with barite precipitation in an environment in which sulfide oxidation was occurring. Laboratory experiments employing isolates of sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria from Gulf of Mexico seep sediments showed that under low sulfate conditions, such as those encountered in brine fluids, sulfate generated by sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria fosters rapid barite precipitation localized on cell biomass, leading to the encrustation of bacteria in a manner reminiscent of our observations of barite‐mineralized Beggiatoa in the Gulf of Mexico. The precipitation of barite directly on filaments of sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria, and not on other benthic substrates, suggests that sulfide oxidation plays a role in barite formation at certain marine brine seeps where sulfide is oxidized to sulfate in contact with barium‐rich fluids, either prior to, or during, the mixing of those fluids with sulfate‐containing seawater in the vicinity of the sediment/water interface. As with many other geochemical interfaces that foster mineral precipitation, both biological and abiological processes likely contribute to the precipitation of barite at marine brine seeps such as the one studied here.