bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new species ofLimnofregata(Pelecaniformes:Fregatidae) from the Early Eocene Wasatch Formation of Wyoming: implications for palaeoecology and palaeobiology
Authors: Stidham Thomas A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA humerus and a coracoid from the Early Eocene Wasatch Formation in the Washakie Basin of south‐western Wyoming are the oldest materials (by ~2 million years) of the pelecaniformLimnofregata(Aves) and represent a new large species,Limnofregata hutchisonisp. nov. This fossil is the oldest known member of the frigatebird lineage. Other than its large size relative toLimnofregata azygosternonandL. hasegawai, the new material is very similar morphologically to other knownLimnofregataspecimens. The size of this new species is comparable to the largest living species (e.g.Fregata minorandFregata magnifiscens) and much larger than the two described species ofLimnofregata. This fossil indicates that the hard minimum date previously advocated for molecular calibration of the split between Fregatidae and Suloidea is an underestimate by approximately two million years. The presence of early pelecaniform bird lineages (represented byLimnofregataandMasillastega) in limnic ecosystems prior to their known occurrences in marine deposits/habitats appears to indicate that some clades of pelecaniform birds may have undergone an evolutionary transition from freshwater to marine habitats in a pattern reminiscent of what has been suggested during the evolution of pinnipeds or that their palaeoecology included broader niches ranging across a variety of aquatic habitats. That transition in habitat occupation and the origin of many of the characteristic biological aspects present in the crown frigatebird clade likely occurred during a significant temporal gap (> 45 million years) in the fossil record of the frigatebird lineage after these earliest occurrences in the Early Eocene and before the oldest records of the extantFregataspecies in the Pleistocene.
A rare non‐trilobite artiopodan from the Guzhangian (Cambrian Series 3) Weeks Formation Konservat‐Lagerstätte in Utah, USA
Authors: Ortega‐Hernández Javier , Lerosey‐Aubril Rudy , Kier Carlo , Bonino Enrico 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe describe a weakly biomineralized non‐trilobite artiopodan arthropod from the Guzhangian Weeks Formation of Utah. Falcatamacaris bellua gen. et sp. nov. is typified by a thin calcitic cuticle, broad cephalon without eyes or dorsal ecdysial sutures, an elongate trunk with distinctively sickle‐shaped pleural spines and a long tailspine with a bifurcate termination. The precise affinities of Falcatamacaris gen. nov. are problematic due to the presence of unique features within Artiopoda, such as the peculiar morphology of the pleural and posterior regions of the trunk. Possible affinities with aglaspidid‐like arthropods and concilitergans are discussed based on the possession of 11 trunk tergites, edge‐to‐edge articulations and overall body spinosity. The new taxon highlights the importance of the Weeks Formation Konservat‐Lagerstätte for further understanding the diversity of extinct arthropod groups in the upper Cambrian.
Monitoring and Surveillance of Hemodialysis Vascular Access Using StenTec and Physical Exam
Authors: Dhamija Rajiv , Nash Shawn K. , Nguyen Shawn V. , Slack Kyle , Tadeo Joseph 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHemodialysis vascular access surveillance for hemodynamically significant stenosis can be a challenge because no universal gold standard exists. The StenTec Gauge measures static intra‐access peak pressure and graphically displays the ratio of this pressure to systemic systolic (peak) arterial pressure (PIA ratio). In combination with careful physical exam (PE), the StenTec Gauge is an acceptable and cost‐effective way of detecting hemodynamically significant stenosis in arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) or grafts (AVG). In a selected population of 21 hemodialysis patients with mature arteriovenous access, a StenTec reading and physical examination was measured on a weekly basis. Interventional procedures for suspected access dysfunction were performed if there was a greater than 25% increase of the PIA ratio from baseline in two consecutive readings, along with correlating clinical suspicion from physical examination findings. StenTec independently had a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 99% in detecting clinically significant stenosis. PE alone had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 100%. StenTec combined with PE had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99% for predicting hemodynamically significant stenosis. StenTec detected 4 of 10 patients who had a PIA ratio value of ≥0.5, which correlates with current National Kidney Foundation Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) criteria for mean intra‐access pressure ratios indicating a clinically significant outflow stenosis. PE predicted 9 of 10 patients with stenosis, and the combination of StenTec and PE predicted all 10 patients with clinically significant stenosis using the KDOQI criteria for PIA ratio. Hemodynamically significant access stenosis can be detected with excellent accuracy using both StenTec and PE measurements combined for monitoring and surveillance methods.
Factors associated with death from dengue in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: historical cohort study
Authors: Campos Kauara Brito , Amâncio Frederico Figueiredo , de Araújo Valdelaine Etelvina Miranda , Carneiro Mariângela 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo analyse the clinical and epidemiological profiles of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and complicated dengue cases and deaths from 2008 to 2010 that occurred in the state of Minas Gerais, south‐eastern Brazil, and to identify factors associated with death from dengue.MethodsHistorical cohort study using data from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases. A descriptive analysis of the DHF, DSS and complicated dengue cases and deaths was performed; the incidence, mortality and case‐fatality rates were estimated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with death from dengue. Comorbidities were not included in the analysis because the information system does not contain such data.ResultsDuring the study period, 2214 DHF, DSS and complicated dengue cases were reported, including 156 deaths. The annual case‐fatality rates for DHF/DSS and complicated dengue cases in the period of 2008–2010 were 7.3%, 4.8% and 7.9%, respectively. The factors associated with death from dengue included residence in a municipality with a population of fewer than 100 000 inhabitants [odds ratio (OR) 2.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71–3.55], age over 65 years (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.99–4.68) and plasma leakage (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.16–2.46).ConclusionsThe results support the importance of plasma leakage as a warning sign associated with death from dengue as well as the signs and symptoms that allow the diagnosis of DHF. Moreover, our findings suggest that increased attention is necessary for individuals over 65 years of age and in municipalities with populations under 100 000 inhabitants to ensure a better quality of care during the management of severe patients of dengue in these locations. Differences in the interpretation of the DHF definition have hindered the comparison of data from different countries; it can improve from the WHO 2009 dengue classification.
Workplace‐based assessment: a new approach to existing tools
Authors: Parry‐Smith William , Mahmud Ayesha , Landau Alex , Hayes Kevin 
Published: October 2014

Key content

Implementation of workplace‐based assessment (WPBA) has been fraught with difficulties and the RCOG is changing the assessments in light of these issues.

Current WPBA tools are principally formative assessments rather than summative assessments.

The distinction between formative assessment (for learning) and summative assessment (of learning) is crucial to understand the changes.

A revised approach to WPBA, with formative and summative encounters, is aimed at engaging both trainees and trainers.

Delivery of the changes to WPBA is the greatest challenge and the impact will need evaluation.

Learning objectives

To understand that WPBA entails the use of robust tools capable of capturing elements of clinical assessment and reflective practice.

To appreciate the role of WPBA within the assessment of clinical knowledge, skills and practice more widely.

To explore the new categorisation of WPBA tools currently used within O&G specialty training, informed by the principal objective of individual encounters

To appreciate that formative WPBA encounters will focus on the provision of structured, mandatory feedback whilst encouraging reflective practice by the trainee.

To understand that summative WPBA encounters will constitute assessments of observed performance, which allow trainees to demonstrate competence.

EthicsNot applicable
Invoicing Currency in International Trade: An Empirical Investigation and Some Implications for the Renminbi
Authors: Lai Edwin L.‐C. , Yu Xiangrong 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTo play the role of a unit of account, an international currency must be a currency widely used to invoice international trade. This paper investigates the determinants of the use of currencies in trade invoicing and evaluates the potential of the renminbi for the denomination of cross‐border transactions in the Asia‐Pacific region. In particular, we develop a simple model and establish the evidence showing that there is a convex relationship between the invoicing share of a currency and the economic size of its issuing country because of a coalescing effect and thick market externalities. We use the ratio of the foreign exchange (FX) turnover share of a currency to the global GDP share of its issuing country as a proxy for the size of thick market externalities, which we argue reflects capital account openness, financial development and exchange rate stability of the country. This ratio is very small for the renminbi compared with the ratios for established international currencies. Our quantitative analysis suggests that the renminbi can be a major invoicing currency in the region only if China sufficiently opens up its capital account and liberalises its financial sector. We also draw a parallel between the renminbi and the euro and forecast the invoicing share of the renminbi in the Asia‐Pacific region if the renminbi market attained the same degree of thickness as the euro.
How are Exchange Rates Managed? Evidence of an Anchor‐Based Heuristic
Authors: Chen Kang , Kwan Chang Yee 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCentral banks often intervene in the foreign exchange market to obtain desirable exchange rates. How this is done has remained totally opaque although central banks are likely to adopt a satisficing rather than optimizing strategy as they need to intervene frequently in a timely manner under incomplete information. In this paper, we propose a simple exchange rate management rule that spreads the volatilities originated from the anchor currencies among the exchange rates with the domestic currency. We test out this rule on 10 currencies and find the empirical evidence consistent with the proposed anchor‐based heuristic.
Autonomic control of the heart: going beyond the classical neurotransmitters
Authors: Herring Neil 
Published: October 2014

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?
This symposium report discusses the evidence for release of cardiac sympathetic cotransmitters in addition to noradrenaline.
What advances does it highlight?
It highlights the potential role of neuropeptide Y in reducing vagal neurotransmission and directly influencing ventricular myocyte excitability in the presence of β‐receptor blockade.
Acute myocardial infarction and congestive cardiac failure are characterized by high levels of cardiac sympathetic drive. In these conditions, sympathetic neurotransmitters such as neuropeptide Y (NPY) can be released in addition to noradrenaline, and plasma levels correlate with infarct size and mortality. Even in the presence of β‐blockers, NPY is able to bind to its own receptors located on cholinergic ganglia and ventricular myocytes. In this symposium report, I review the evidence that NPY can inhibit acetylcholine release during vagus nerve stimulation and limit the subsequent bradycardia. I also present preliminary, as yet unpublished data, demonstrating that NPY may be pro‐arrhythmic by directly influencing ventricular electrophysiology. Targeting NPY receptors pharmacologically may therefore be a useful therapeutic strategy both to reduce heart rate and to prevent arrhythmias in the setting of myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure. Such medications would be expected to act synergistically with β‐blockers, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and implantable cardiac devices, such as defibrillators and vagus nerve stimulators.
Systemic oxidative–nitrosative–inflammatory stress during acute exercise in hypoxia; implications for microvascular oxygenation and aerobic capacity
Authors: Woodside John D. S. , Gutowski Mariusz , Fall Lewis , James Philip E. , McEneny Jane , Young Ian S. , Ogoh Shigehiko , Bailey Damian M. 
Published: October 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Exercise performance is limited during hypoxia by a critical reduction in cerebral and skeletal tissue oxygenation. To what extent an elevation in systemic free radical accumulation contributes to microvascular deoxygenation and the corresponding reduction in maximal aerobic capacity remains unknown.
What is the main finding and its importance?
We show that altered free radical metabolism is not a limiting factor for exercise performance in hypoxia, providing important insight into the fundamental mechanisms involved in the control of vascular oxygen transport.
Exercise performance in hypoxia may be limited by a critical reduction in cerebral and skeletal tissue oxygenation, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We examined whether increased systemic free radical accumulation during hypoxia would be associated with elevated microvascular deoxygenation and reduced maximal aerobic capacity (). Eleven healthy men were randomly assigned single‐blind to an incremental semi‐recumbent cycling test to determine in both normoxia (21% O2) and hypoxia (12% O2) separated by a week. Continuous‐wave near‐infrared spectroscopy was employed to monitor concentration changes in oxy‐ and deoxyhaemoglobin in the left vastus lateralis muscle and frontal cerebral cortex. Antecubital venous blood samples were obtained at rest and at to determine oxidative (ascorbate radical by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy), nitrosative (nitric oxide metabolites by ozone‐based chemiluminescence and 3‐nitrotyrosine by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and inflammatory stress biomarkers (soluble intercellular/vascular cell adhesion 1 molecules by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay). Hypoxia was associated with increased cerebral and muscle tissue deoxygenation and lower (P < 0.05 versus normoxia). Despite an exercise‐induced increase in oxidative–nitrosative–inflammatory stress, hypoxia per se did not have an additive effect (P > 0.05 versus normoxia). Consequently, we failed to observe correlations between any metabolic, haemodynamic and cardiorespiratory parameters (P > 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that altered free radical metabolism cannot explain the elevated microvascular deoxygenation and corresponding lower in hypoxia. Further research is required to determine whether free radicals when present in excess do indeed contribute to the premature termination of exercise in hypoxia.
Attenuated cerebral vasodilatory capacity in response to hypercapnia in college‐aged African Americans
Authors: Hurr Chansol , Kim Kiyoung , Harrison Michelle L. , Brothers R. Matthew 
Published: October 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
The main purpose of this investigation is to determine whether there is a difference in cerebral vasodilatory capacity in response to rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia between African Americans and Caucasian Americans.
What is the main finding and its importance?
College‐aged African Americans have reduced cerebral vasodilatory capacity during hypercapnia when compared with Caucasian counterparts, a finding that suggests cerebral vascular dysfunction in this population. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the greater prevalence of cerebral vascular disease in this population.
African Americans (AAs) have increased risk for cardiovascular, cerebral vascular and metabolic disease, including hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, relative to Caucasian Americans (CAs). While it is accepted that endothelial function is impaired in AAs, less is known regarding their cerebral vasodilatory capacity in response to hypercapnia. We hypothesized that AAs have a reduction in the total range of change in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) measured in the middle cerebral artery and an index of cerebral vascular conductance (CVCI) in response to changes in the partial pressure of end‐tidal carbon dioxide () during rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia when compared with CAs. Twenty‐one healthy, college‐aged AA (10 male) and 21 age‐ and sex‐matched CA (10 male) subjects participated in this study. A four‐parameter logistic regression was used for curve fitting the responses of CBFV and CVCI relative to changes in . The total ranges of change in CBFV (101 ± 18 versus 69 ± 23%; P < 0.001) and CVCI (83 ± 21 versus 58 ± 21%; P < 0.001) as well as the maximal increase in CBFV (205 ± 24 versus 169 ± 24%; P < 0.001) and CVCI (188 ± 30 versus 154 ± 19%; P < 0.001) were reduced during hypercapnia in AAs relative to CAs despite a similar increase in (change, 15 ± 3 versus 15 ± 3 mmHg; P = 0.65). In conclusion, these data indicate that AAs have attenuated cerebral vascular capacity to respond to hypercapnia when compared with CAs.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Ceria Redox Cycle With Methane-Driven Reduction for Solar Fuel Production
Authors: Krenzke Peter , Davidson Jane 
Published: October 2014

The nonstoichiometric cerium oxide (ceria) redox cycle is an attractive pathway for storing energy from concentrated sunlight in chemical bonds by splitting water and carbon dioxide. The endothermic reduction reaction (R1)CeO2-δox→CeO2-δed+Δδ2O2 is favored thermodynamically at high temperatures and low oxygen partial pressures, while the CO2 and H2O splitting reactions (R2, R3) are exothermic and favored at lower temperatures and higher oxygen partial pressures. The produced hydrogen and carbon monoxide, referred to collectively as syngas, are important feedstocks used in the synthesis of ammonia and liquid fuels.(R2)CeO2-δed+ΔδCO2→CeO2-δox+ΔδCO (R3)CeO2-δed+ΔδH2O→CeO2-δox+ΔδH2
Row House to Ranch House
Authors: Capen Judith , Capen Kirby 
Published: October 2014

According to Lawrence Livermore Labs 36% of the country’s energy use is attributable to buildings and two thirds of that is in the residential sector.
This research combines building energy modeling with energy consumption data in transportation and infrastructure sectors to examine energy use implications of habitation patterns.
We compared CO2 footprints of three different patterns of typical American habitation: post-Second World War non-urban, 19th century urban, and highly urban. From drawings, utility bills, and occupant data, we used TREAT (Targeted Retrofit Energy Analysis Tool) to model the energy use of three buildings of very different constructions, comparing in the process the impact on energy use of envelope and size.
Because buildings don’t exist as isolated energy-using entities, we added the CO2 footprint contributions of location/density, reflected by infrastructure: numbers of miles of paving required to place a building in the landscape, miles of pipe for water and waste and the energy required by pumps to make it work.
Finally, people move between buildings, so we added a transportation component to account for occupants’ daily travel. Since buildings don’t use energy (people do) we divided total CO2 footprints by number of occupants for per capita CO2.
The final analysis quantifies the impact on an individual’s CO2 production of habitation (dense urban, historic urban, or non-urban) and how much impact energy conservation measures can have once the selection of a dwelling location is made.
Our analyses demonstrate that reduction of building energy use through improved construction affects only a small percentage of total energy usage.
Instead, choice of where to live determines individual CO2 footprints far more than building-related components. We found nearly a threefold difference in individual energy consumption from a New York City apartment dweller to a “close-in” suburban ranch house occupant with only minor differences between building-associated energy use. The bulk of the difference is attributable to differences in transportation utilization and infrastructure-related energy consumption.
Even as technical and legislative advances continue, our work demonstrates a broader societal dialogue about fundamental big picture issues, including sustainable densities, is critical.
Screening and Analysis of Potential Filler Materials for Molten Salt Thermocline Storages
Authors: Martin Claudia , Breidenbach Nils , Eck Markus 
Published: October 2014

Solar thermal power plants are a promising option for future solar electricity generation. Their main advantage is the possibility to utilize integrated thermal storage capacities, allowing electricity generation on demand. In state of the art solar thermal power plants, two-tank molten-salt thermal energy storages are used. Significant cost reductions are expected by using thermocline thermal energy storage by storing the liquid storage material inside a single tank when compared to a two tank storage system. By embedding a low cost solid filler material inside the storage tank further cost reductions can be achieved.
In earlier studies [1, 2] several potential filler materials have been investigated. In these study quartzite turned out to be a promising candidate due to its satisfying thermal stability and availability. At a temperature of approx. 573°C the crystal structure of quartzite changes from trigonal α-quartz phase to the hexagonal β-quartz phase [3]. This quartz conversion results in a volume change [4] that may cause cracking of the quartzite crystals due to weight loads in a packed bed. Since these thermal tests of the study mentioned were limited to 500°C this dunting was not considered. Thus, despite of the published studies there is a need for further, more detailed analysis.
One trend in today’s development of solar thermal power plants is to use molten salt as storage material and heat transfer fluid at operating temperatures of 560°C and above. Accordingly, the quartz inversion might limit the applicability of quartzite as a filler material at elevated operating temperatures. Due to this concern, an investigation has been started to investigate the utilizability of natural rocks as low cost filler materials.
In the first phase of this investigation a comprehensive literature survey was conducted. Based on this study, magmatic and sedimentary rocks turned out to the most promising rock classes for this application. For the further investigation, basalt was chosen as a suited representative for magmatic and quartzite for sedimentary rocks. In lab-scale tests, these candidate materials were investigated with respect to their:
• Calcite content
• Thermal stability up to 900°C in air
• Thermal stability up to 560°C in molten salt
• Cyclic stability between 290°C and 560°C in molten salt
• Specific heat capacity up to 600°C
In this paper the results of these investigations are presented and future activities are outlined.