bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choosing between strategies for designing surveys: autonomous underwater vehicles
Authors: Foster Scott D. , Hosack Geoffrey R. , Hill Nicole A. , Barrett Neville S. , Lucieer Vanessa L. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAutonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), which collect images of marine habitats, are now an established sampling tool. The use ofAUVs is becoming more widespread as they offer a non‐destructive method to survey substantial spatial areas. The design ofAUVsurveys has historically been based on expert knowledge andAUV‐specific considerations, such as reducing geolocation error. The expert knowledge encompasses intuition, previous surveying experiences and holistic knowledge of the study region.We investigate the statistical aspects toAUVsurvey design for estimation of percentage cover of key benthic biota. We investigate the presence of spatial autocorrelation inAUVdata using model‐based geostatistics and examine the effect of autocorrelation on survey design by examining differentdesign strategies– methods for placingAUVtransects. The design strategies are assessed by inspecting the expected bias and the expected standard deviation of model predictions, where the model depends on the choice of design.TheAUVdata exhibited a wide range of autocorrelation, from non‐existent to substantial. The design strategies varied in their statistical performance and nearly all strategies had shortcomings. Design strategies that were consistently poor performers had (i) transects placed in parallel in a single spatial dimension and (ii) made no attempt to spread out the transects in space. The superior design types had more transect‐to‐transect separation (but not too much) and effectively spanned important covariates.The results give guidelines to researchers designingAUVsurveys for biological mapping and for monitoring. In particular, we demonstrate that any spatial design should seek spatial balance, such as would be introduced by a systematic or stratified component within a randomized design. Knowledge of the system under study should be incorporated and, if possible, should be done so in a formal manner that is objective and repeatable.
Creating vegetation density profiles for a diverse range of ecological habitats using terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Ashcroft Michael B. , Gollan John R. , Ramp Daniel 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Vegetation structure is an important determinant of species habitats and diversity. It is often represented by simple metrics, such as canopy cover, height and leaf area index, which do not fully capture three‐dimensional variations in density. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a technology that can better capture vegetation structure, but methods developed to process scans have been biased towards forestry applications. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology for processing TLS data to produce vegetation density profiles across a broader range of habitats.

We performed low‐resolution and medium‐resolution TLS scans using a Leica C5 Scanstation at four locations within eight sites near Wollongong, NSW, Australia (34·38–34·41°S, 150·84–150·91°E). The raw point clouds were converted to density profiles using a method that corrected for uneven ground surfaces, varying point density due to beam divergence and occlusion, the non‐vertical nature of most beams and for beams that passed through gaps in the vegetation without generating a point. Density profiles were evaluated against visual estimates from three independent observers using coarse height classes (e.g. 5–10 m).

TLS produced density profiles that captured the three‐dimensional vegetation structure. Although sites were selected to differ in structure, each was relatively homogeneous, yet we still found a high spatial variation in density profiles. There was also large variation between observers, with the RMS error of the three observers relative to the TLS varying from 16·2% to 32·1%. Part of this error appeared to be due to misjudging the height of vegetation, which caused an overestimation in one height class and an underestimation in another.

Our method for generating density profiles using TLS can capture three‐dimensional vegetation structure in a manner that is more detailed and less subjective than traditional methods. The method can be applied to a broad range of habitats – not just forests with open understoreys. However, it cannot accurately estimate near‐surface vegetation density when there are uneven surfaces or dense vegetation prevents sufficient ground returns. Nonetheless, TLS density profiles will be an important input for research on species habitats, microclimates and nutrient cycles.
Endogenous α‐calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide promotes exercise‐induced, physiological heart hypertrophy in mice
Authors: Schuler B. , Rieger G. , Gubser M. , Arras M. , Gianella M. , Vogel O. , Jirkof P. , Cesarovic N. , Klohs J. , Jakob P. , Brock M. , Gorr T. A. , Baum O. , Hoppeler H. , Samillan‐Soto V. , Gassmann M. , Fischer J. A. , Born W. , Vogel J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimIt is unknown how the heart distinguishes various overloads, such as exercise or hypertension, causing either physiological or pathological hypertrophy. We hypothesize that alpha‐calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide (αCGRP), known to be released from contracting skeletal muscles, is key at this remodelling.MethodsThe hypertrophic effect of αCGRP was measured in vitro (cultured cardiac myocytes) and in vivo (magnetic resonance imaging) in mice. Exercise performance was assessed by determination of maximum oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion. Cardiac phenotype was defined by transcriptional analysis, cardiac histology and morphometry. Finally, we measured spontaneous activity, body fat content, blood volume, haemoglobin mass and skeletal muscle capillarization and fibre composition.ResultsWhile αCGRP exposure yielded larger cultured cardiac myocytes, exercise‐induced heart hypertrophy was completely abrogated by treatment with the peptide antagonist CGRP(8‐37). Exercise performance was attenuated in αCGRP−/− mice or CGRP(8‐37) treated wild‐type mice but improved in animals with higher density of cardiac CGRP receptors (CLR‐tg). Spontaneous activity, body fat content, blood volume, haemoglobin mass, muscle capillarization and fibre composition were unaffected, whereas heart index and ventricular myocyte volume were reduced in αCGRP−/− mice and elevated in CLR‐tg. Transcriptional changes seen in αCGRP−/− (but not CLR‐tg) hearts resembled maladaptive cardiac phenotype.ConclusionsAlpha‐calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide released by skeletal muscles during exercise is a hitherto unrecognized effector directing the strained heart into physiological instead of pathological adaptation. Thus, αCGRP agonists might be beneficial in heart failure patients.
Review article: anti‐adhesion therapies for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Lobatón T. , Vermeire S. , Van Assche G. , Rutgeerts P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundA high proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not achieve clinical remission with the current therapies including mesalazine (mesalamine), immunossupresants (IMS) and antibodies against tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF). Moreover, IMS and anti‐TNF involve a nonnegligible risk for infections and/or malignancies. The anti‐adhesion molecules are one of the most interesting new treatments because of their gut‐selectivity.AimTo review the physiopathology of the adhesion molecules and the current drugs targeting this mechanism.MethodsWe performed a literature review in PubMed and in clinicaltrials.gov using the terms ‘anti‐adhesion molecules’, ‘inflammatory bowel disease’, ‘natalizumab’, ‘vedolizumab’, ‘AMG181’, ‘Etrolizumab’, ‘PF‐00547659’, ‘AJM300’, ‘Alicaforsen’ and ‘CCX282‐B’ up to November 2013.ResultsA total of eight drugs were found including those targeting the α4β1, α4β7 or αEβ7 integrins as well as the ICAM‐1 and MAdCAM‐1 addressins and the chemokine receptor 9. The rationale for these drugs is the blockade of gut‐homing T lymphocytes and the ones targeting the α4β7/MAdCAM‐1 interaction presented the most promising results in luminal disease. Vedolizumab, an α4β7 antibody, has completed phase 3 trials with very positive results especially for ulcerative colitis. However, many questions remain unanswered such as the effect of these therapies in perianal disease and extraintestinal manifestations.ConclusionsThe blockade of the α4β7/MAdCAM‐1 interaction and especially vedolizumab is an effective and safe gut‐specific treatment for IBD. Further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of the other anti‐adhesion drugs and to define the specific indications of these therapies in the different scenarios of IBD.
Long‐term evaluation of analytical methods used in sirolimus therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Holt David W. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Tortorici Michael A. , Korth‐Bradley Joan M. , Sierka Debra , Levy Daniel I. , See Tai Sandi , Horowitz Gary L. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractResults of therapeutic monitoring of sirolimus blood concentrations are assay and laboratory dependent. This study compared performance over time of the IMx microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA), Architect chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS) as part of a proficiency testing scheme. Pooled samples from sirolimus‐treated patients and whole‐blood samples spiked with known quantities of sirolimus were assayed monthly between 2004 and 2012. When results of pooled patient samples were compared with LC/MS/MS, the MEIA assay showed an overall mean percent bias of −2.3% ± 11.2% that, although initially positive, became increasingly negative from 2007 through 2009. The CMIA, which replaced the MEIA assay, had a mean percent bias of 21.9% ± 12.3%, remaining stable from 2007 through 2012. Similarly, for spiked samples, the MEIA showed an increasingly negative bias over time vs. LC/MS/MS, whereas CMIA maintained a stable positive bias. Based on comparison of immunoassay measurements on individual patient samples, CMIA values were more than 25% higher than MEIA values. These results highlight the importance of continued proficiency testing and regular monitoring of sirolimus assay performance. Clinicians must be aware of the methodology used and adjust target levels accordingly to avoid potential effects on efficacy and toxicity.
Outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection in recipients of solid abdominal organ transplants
Authors: Hsu Jennifer L. , Enser James J. , McKown Trevor , Leverson Glen E. , Pirsch John D. , Hess Timothy M. , Safdar Nasia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractKnowledge of outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is limited. To evaluate this population, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of all recipients of kidney and liver transplants diagnosed with CDI at a single center over 14 yr. Data pertaining to all episodes of CDI were collected. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of clinical cure. Overall, 170 patients developed 215 episodes of CDI. Among these patients, 162 episodes (75%) were cured, and in 103 episodes (48%), patients were cured within 14 d. In a multivariate analysis, lack of clinical cure at 14 d was predicted by recurrent episode (0.21, 95% CI 0.06–0.72, p = 0.0128), treatment with vancomycin (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.1–0.74, p = 0.011), vasopressor support (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07–0.76, p = 0.0161), and CDI before the year 2004 (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.2–0.98, p = 0.0446). The latter three factors are likely markers for severity of illness. In this cohort, 13 patients (8%) died during hospitalization, and 49 patients (29%) died within one yr. No deaths were attributed to CDI. Recurrent episode was a major predictor of treatment failure, suggesting that research into development of therapeutic options for recurrent disease is needed.
The risk of acute rejection and the influence of induction agents in lower‐risk African American kidney transplant recipients receiving modern immunosuppression
Authors: Gralla Jane , Le Charles N. , Cooper James E. , Wiseman Alexander C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundWhile kidney transplant recipients of African American (AA) descent are frequently considered at increased risk of acute rejection, the value of induction therapy is not defined in settings of lower immunologic risk and modern immunosuppression.MethodsUsing the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database, we identified 23 244 primary kidney transplant recipients with panel‐reactive antibody (PRA) = 0% treated with TAC/MPA and prednisone from 2000 to 2008. We compared acute rejection, graft survival (GS), and patient survival rates among AA and non‐AA and further stratified by induction therapy (none, IL2ra, or rATG).ResultsOne‐yr acute rejection was higher in AA than in non‐AA overall (14.5% vs. 9.9%, hazard ratio [HR] for acute rejection [AR] 1.43, p < 0.0001) and was higher regardless of induction agent use. Induction therapy was associated with a reduction in AR, but no benefit in GS in AA or non‐AA. In AA, rATG (adjusted relative risk [RR] 0.81, CI 0.70–0.94) and IL2ra (adjusted RR 0.80, CI 0.68–0.93) were similarly effective in reducing AR rates, but did not reach comparable outcomes as in non‐AA.ConclusionAfrican Americans who are at otherwise lower immunologic risk have a higher risk of rejection despite modern immunosuppression. Depleting or non‐depleting induction therapy similarly reduces but does not entirely mitigate this increased risk, with no impact on three‐yr GS.
Diagnosing skin rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation: advances and challenges
Authors: Sarhane Karim A. , Khalifian Saami , Ibrahim Zuhaib , Cooney Damon S. , Hautz Theresa , Lee Wei‐Ping Andrew , Schneeberger Stefan , Brandacher Gerald 
Published: January 2014

AbstractRefinements in microsurgical techniques coupled with advances in immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory protocols have enabled broader clinical application of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) with encouraging immunological, functional, and esthetic results. However, skin rejection remains a significant obstacle and a serious complication for VCA recipients. Clinical and histopathological features of rejection in VCA have been described in a number of studies, which led to the development of an international consensus on the classification guidelines of rejection in the context of VCA. Nevertheless, currently available diagnostic modalities still have several limitations and shortcomings that can pose a significant diagnostic challenge, particularly when signs of rejection are found to be equivocal. In this review, we provide a critical analysis of these advances and challenges in diagnosing skin rejection. Specifically, we highlight the gaps in understanding of rejection mechanisms, the shortfalls in correlating cellular, molecular, and clinicopathologic markers with rejection grades, deficiencies in defining chronic rejection, and antibody‐mediated rejection after VCA, as well as providing an outlook on novel concepts, such as the utilization of advanced computational analyses and cross‐disciplinary diagnostic approaches.
Go East, Young Cadre: Experiments in Inter‐Provincial Training of Party and State Managers in China
Authors: Lee Charlotte , He Xiaobin 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThis article situates China's local policy experimentation in the broader context of policy experiments in decentralized political systems, through a case study which represents a local state response to China's transition to a market economy. With growing regional and urban–rural inequalities evident after the initial reform period (1978–1994), local party leaders of inland provinces devised strategies for addressing these inequalities and encouraging public–private sector mobility among party officials. County and township‐level leaders pursued local policy experiments in which they selected and sent officials to find private‐sector work in China's booming coastal cities. Initiated in the 1990s and peaking in the 2000s, these policy experiments and inter‐provincial transfers demonstrate the discretion that local officials possess to conduct programmatic/policy experiments in a unitary political system and show how officials resort to extra‐institutional strategies in order to bridge perceived knowledge gaps. The ultimate demise of these programmes illuminates the challenges to extra‐institutional policy innovations in transitioning states.
A method for modelling of fatigue life for rubbers and rubber isolators
Authors: Shangguan W.‐B. , Liu T.‐K. , Wang X.‐L. , Xu C. , Yu B. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTA method for modelling fatigue life of rubbers and rubber isolators is presented in this paper. Firstly, a fatigue experiment is carried out for a rubber dumbbell cylindrical specimen and a rubber isolator. Based on the finite element analysis, the damage parameters including the strain energy density, the maximum principal Green–Lagrange strain and the effective stress are calculated and discussed. Secondly, three fatigue life prediction models are established by using the three damage parameters and using the relation between the measured fatigue life of a dumbbell cylindrical specimen and the computed value of the damage parameters. Thirdly, three proposed prediction models are used to investigate which one can be best used to predicting fatigue life of rubber isolators, taking a typical powertrain rubber isolator as studying example. The fatigue lives of the rubber isolator predicted by the three models are compared with the experimental life. The results demonstrate that the predicted fatigue lives of the rubber isolator using the three fatigue models agree well with the experimental fatigue life within a factor of four, and the model using the effective stress as the damage parameter can predict the fatigue life within a factor of two, which has the best accuracy among the three models.
The role of physiological optima in shaping the geographic distribution of Spanish moss
Authors: Barve Narayani , Martin Craig , Brunsell Nathaniel A. , Peterson A. Townsend 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimEcological niche modelling is being widely applied to help us understand the geographic distributions of species, despite challenges regarding the estimation of fundamental niches that limit model transferability over time and space. Mechanistic models are an alternative, but they can be difficult to implement owing to the detailed knowledge that they require about the organism for full parameterization. In this paper we explore the geographic projection of physiological measurements of optimal temperature, precipitation and relative humidity requirements, as measured under controlled conditions using a climate dataset with high temporal resolution, as a case study for Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), and compare scaling effects with correlative niche models calibrated in Maxent.LocationThe Americas.MethodsWe used climate data with a high temporal resolution to understand how often and where populations of Spanish moss occur under optimal and suboptimal conditions with respect to different environmental variables across their geographic range. We used weather station data for the United States with higher spatial resolution to provide a finer‐grained view. We also developed an ecological niche model to show how averaged climate data can present inaccurate views of physiological thresholds for the species.ResultsFew populations of Spanish moss are located at sites that present suboptimal conditions for more than two environmental parameters. The northern distributional limit of Spanish moss is set by minimum temperature requirements, whereas maximum temperatures are less limiting. However, when the same occurrences are analysed with respect to averaged climate data, 95% of populations appear to fall within the optimal physiological intervals.Main conclusionsOur analyses revealed that most populations of Spanish moss do not experience optimal ecophysiological conditions for all environmental variables, even over long time‐scales. Physiological data may be of limited utility in delimiting suitable areas for populations of species, but they offer unique perspectives on the causes of range limitation.
The C‐shaped canal molar: an Endodontic–Archaeological study of the relationships between Mayan pre‐Hispanic and contemporary population of Yucatán
Authors: Ramírez‐Salomón M. , Vega‐Lizama E. , Tiesler V. , Alvarado‐Cárdenas G. , López‐Villanueva M. , Sierra‐Sosa T. , Cucina A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo assess the prevalence of C‐shaped canal systems in mandibular second molars, in samples of modern and pre‐Hispanic Mayan individuals in Yucatán, Mexico, and to analyse the trait through time and attempt to find new evidence of ethnical bonds between populations.MethodologyThree hundred and forty‐one randomly selected patients were treated in the Endodontic Clinic at the Dental school of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, and 48 mandibular second molars from pre‐Hispanic Mayan collections were macroscopically and radiographically inspected. Statistical analysis was performed with a Fisher's exact test to compare the prevalence of C‐shaped canal systems in modern and archaeological samples.ResultsIn the clinical observation, 118 of 341 (35%) patients treated endodontically had C‐shaped mandibular second molars. In the radiographical evaluation, 17 of 48 (35%) archaeological molars had fused roots and pulp chamber morphology categorized as C‐shaped. There were no significant differences between the frequencies in both samples.ConclusionThis study highlighted that a one‐rooted mandibular molar was likely to have a C‐shaped canal. The similarity between ancient and modern samples indicates that the genetic make‐up since the European conquest has not affected the expression of this trait. This study supports the theory that the Mayan population has a relationship with the Northeast Asian population.
Long Digital Extensor Tendon Mineralization and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in a Dog
Authors: Kennedy Katie C. , Perry James A. , Duncan Colleen G. , Duerr Felix M. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo report clinical and histopathologic features of long digital extensor (LDE) tendon mineralization with concurrent cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in a dog.Study DesignCase report.Animal1.5‐year‐old, male castrated, English bulldog mix weighing 31.5 kg.MethodsPre‐ and postoperative orthogonal radiographs, arthroscopic evaluation, arthrotomy with en bloc surgical excision, and histopathologic analysis of the excised LDE tendon.ResultsThere was radiographic evidence of mineralization in the region of the proximal LDE and stifle instability suggestive of CCL rupture. Arthroscopy, and subsequent arthrotomy, showed complete tearing of the CCL and an intact but grossly thickened LDE. No evidence of avulsion or bony proliferation associated with the LDE was appreciated. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tenectomy of the LDE returned the dog to normal weight‐bearing. No evidence of ectopic mineralization in the affected limb or similar clinical signs in the contralateral limb have been observed in 12 months follow‐up.ConclusionsLDE tenectomy followed by stabilization of the stifle by TPLO resulted in a functional outcome. Mineralization without concurrent avulsion of the LDE has not been reported in dogs; however, posterolateral tendon injury in people has been linked to knee instability and cruciate ligament rupture.