bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Contrast‐enhanced Ultrasonographic Assessment of Naturally Occurring Pancreatitis in Dogs
Authors: Lim S.Y. , Nakamura K. , Morishita K. , Sasaki N. , Murakami M. , Osuga T. , Yokoyama N. , Ohta H. , Yamasaki M. , Takiguchi M. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundQuantitative contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can detect pancreatic perfusion changes in experimentally induced canine pancreatitis. However, its usefulness in detecting perfusion changes in naturally occurring pancreatitis is unclear.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the feasibility of usingCEUSto detect pancreatic and duodenal perfusion changes in naturally occurring canine pancreatitis.AnimalsTwenty‐three client‐owned dogs with pancreatitis, 12 healthy control dogs.MethodsDogs diagnosed with pancreatitis were prospectively included.CEUSof the pancreas and duodenum were performed. Time‐intensity curves were created from regions of interest in the pancreas and duodenum. Five perfusion parameters were obtained for statistical analyses: time to initial up‐slope, peak time (Tp), time to wash‐out (TTW), peak intensity (PI), and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsFor the pancreas,Tpof the pancreatitis group was prolonged when compared to controls (62 ± 11 seconds versus 39 ± 13 seconds;P < .001).TTWalso was prolonged but not significantly (268 ± 69 seconds versus 228 ± 47 seconds;P = .47).PIandAUCwere increased when compared to controls (95 ± 15 versus 78 ± 13 MPV;P = .009 and 14,900 ± 3,400 versus 11,000 ± 2,800 MPV*s;P = .013, respectively). For the duodenum,PIandAUCwere significantly increased in the pancreatitis group when compared to controls.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceContrast‐enhanced ultrasonography can detect pancreatic perfusion changes in naturally occurring canine pancreatitis characterized by delayed peak with prolonged hyperechoic enhancement of the pancreas onCEUS. Additionally, duodenal perfusion changes secondary to pancreatitis were observed.
Patterns of tree diversity and composition in Amazonian floodplain paleo‐várzea forest
Authors: Assis Rafael L. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Schöngart Jochen , Montero Juan C. , Piedade Maria T.F. , Wittmann Florian 
Published: September 2014

AbstractQuestionIn a recent re‐classification of Amazonian floodplain types, a new category was established for paleo‐várzea. Although the geological basis for this classification is sound, a key question is whether it can be supported by botanical criteria, where floodplain paleo‐várzea forests contain distinct tree assemblages compared to other major floodplain types.LocationCentral Amazonian floodplains, Brazil.MethodsWe used 41 tree inventories from floodplain paleo‐várzea, várzea and igapó forests to perform a meta‐analysis. Diversity and richness estimators were applied at the level of genus and the examination of floristic composition was performed at family and generic levels. Generic composition across the three floodplain types was investigated using GNMDS and cluster analysis. Similarity coefficients and ANOSIM were applied to quantify floristic resemblance at the generic level between forest types. Indicator species analysis (ISA) was used to identify any indicator genera for the forest types evaluated.ResultsAlpha diversity and generic richness in paleo‐várzea forest was similar to várzea. Igapó forest was clearly the least diverse. Family composition was similar across the three forest types; Fabaceae was the dominant family on all three floodplains. Pouteria, Licania and Eschweilera presented the highest importance values in paleo‐várzea, but these genera were also important in várzea and igapó. Nevertheless, ANOSIM analyses show that generic composition differed significantly between the three forest types, and a GNMDS ordination and cluster analysis portrays paleo‐várzea tree composition as intermediate between várzea and igapó. ISA revealed that Euterpe, Dipteryx and Goupia were the most important indicator genera of paleo‐várzea.ConclusionsWe conclude that paleo‐várzea floodplain tree assemblages are dissimilar to those of várzea and igapó, but contain components typical of both these floodplain types, explaining their intermediate positioning in our analyses. This floral mix probably allows paleo‐várzea alpha diversity to be similar to that of várzea.
Candida nivariensis in comparison to different phenotypes of Candida glabrata
Authors: Swoboda‐Kopeć Ewa , Sikora Magdalena , Golas Marlena , Piskorska Katarzyna , Gozdowski Dariusz , Netsvyetayeva Irina 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe purpose of the study was to establish the prevalence of new Candida glabrata complex species: Candida nivariensis and Candida bracarensis isolated from clinical material, evaluate their phenotypes and the prevalence of gene family encoding extracellular glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked aspartyl proteases, crucial for C. glabrata virulence. Study material included 224 C. glabrata clinical strains. Candida glabrata phenotypes were identified using CHROMagar Candida medium. Strains were analysed by using C. glabrata‐specific PCR for the internal transcribed spacer region to confirmed the identification. To identify C. nivariensis and C. bracarensis strains, the D1/D2 region of 26S rRNA was sequenced. The prevalence of YPS‐family proteases genes was detected using standard PCR method. Candida nivariensis amounted about 6% among the total number of C. glabrata strains. Candida nivariensis strains had a white phenotype on chromogenic agar media and assimilated two sugars – trehalose and glucose. Among the 13 C. nivariensis strains, 10 did not present any YPS‐family protease genes. Coexistence of all detected YPS‐family protease genes was specific for C. glabrata species. This study identified C. nivariensis strains; however, no C. bracarensis strains were identified. The white phenotype of C. nivariensis was confirmed. Most strains of the new species do not present any of the tested YPS genes.
Free to Be Human: Thomas Aquinas's Discussion of Liberum Arbitrium
Authors: Mitchell Louise A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThomas Aquinas's use of the terms libero, libertas, and liberum arbitrium in the Summa theologiae gives us a wealth of information about free will and freedom. Human beings have free will and are masters of themselves through their free will. Free will can be impeded by obstacles or ignorance but naturally moves toward God. According to Servais Pinckaers, our freedom can be that of indifference (the morality of obligation) or that of excellence (the morality of happiness). The difference is that of free will moving reason versus reason moving free will. The freedom of indifference is the power to choose between good and evil. The will is inclined toward neither and freely chooses between them. The freedom for excellence is the power to be the best human being we can be. Here the rules, or what makes for a good human being, are the grounding for freedom. One who observes these rules has the freedom to become excellent. According to Aquinas, intellect and will have command over free will. This then is true freedom, and on this Aquinas and Pinckaers agree. We do not have freedom of indifference, we have freedom for excellence. Anything else makes us slaves.
Infection by a foliar endophyte elicits novel arabidopside‐based plant defence reactions in its host, Cirsium arvense
Authors: Hartley Susan E. , Eschen Rene , Horwood Julia M. , Gange Alan C. , Hill Elizabeth M. 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Endophytic fungi live asymptomatically within plants. They are usually regarded as nonpathogenic or even mutualistic, but whether plants respond antagonistically to their presence remains unclear, particularly in the little‐studied associations between endophytes and nongraminoid herbaceous plants.

We investigated the effects of the endophyte Chaetomium cochlioides on leaf chemistry in Cirsium arvense. Plants were sprayed with spores; leaf material from both subsequent new growth and the sprayed leaves was analysed 2 wk later. Infection frequency was 91% and 63% for sprayed and new growth, respectively, indicating that C. cochlioides rapidly infects new foliage.

Metabolomic analyses revealed marked changes in leaf chemistry with infection, especially in new growth. Changes in several novel oxylipin metabolites were detected, including arabidopsides reported here for the first time in a plant species other than Arabidopsis thaliana, and a jasmonate‐containing galactolipid.

The production of these metabolites in response to endophyte presence, particularly in newly infected foliage, suggests that endophytes elicit similar chemical responses in plants to those usually produced following wounding, herbivory and pathogen invasion. Whether endophytes benefit their hosts may depend on a complex series of chemically mediated interactions between the plant, the endophyte, other microbial colonists and natural enemies.
A systematic review of behavioural techniques used in nutrition and weight loss interventions among adults with mobility‐impairing neurological and musculoskeletal conditions
Authors: Plow M. A. , Moore S. , Husni M. Elaine , Kirwan J. P. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryObesity is a common comorbidity in adults with mobility‐impairing neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, such as stroke and arthritis. The interaction between mobility impairments and environmental factors often compromises motivation and ability to engage in healthy behaviours. Such difficulties to engage in healthy behaviours can result in energy imbalance, weight gain and a cycle of functional declines; i.e. obesity can exacerbate mobility impairments and symptoms and increase the likelihood of other comorbid conditions, all of which make it more difficult to engage in healthy behaviours. To help disrupt this cycle, there is a need to identify strategies to optimize energy balance. Thus, this review summarizes clinical trials of nutrition and weight loss interventions in adults with mobility‐impairing conditions. Although adults with osteoarthritis were represented in large rigorous clinical trials, adults with neurological conditions were typically represented in studies characterized by a small number of participants, a short‐term follow‐up and high attrition rates. Studies varied greatly in outcome measures, description and implementation of the interventions, and the strategies used to promote behaviour change. Nutrition and weight loss research in adults with mobility‐impairing conditions is still in its formative stages, and there is a substantial need to conduct randomized controlled trials.
Anesthesia‐related neurotoxicity and the developing animal brain is not a significant problem in children
Authors: Hansen Tom G. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryA multitude of animal studies have shown that virtually all general anesthetics used in clinical practice possibly during a vulnerable period of brain development (i.e., brain growth spurt, peak of synaptogenesis) may lead to neurodegeneration (particularly apoptosis) and abnormal synaptic development with functional deficits in learning and behavior later in life. Initial studies were mainly performed in immature rodent pups, but more recent studies have included nonhumans primates (rhesus monkeys). Given the number of neonates, infants, and young children anesthetized annually worldwide, these findings could have significant public health implications. So far, relatively few human (cohort) studies focusing on this topic have been published with inconsistent results. While some studies have indicated an association between exposure to anesthesia and surgery, other studies have indicated no such association. Prospective studies are underway, but the result will not be available for several years. This paper reviews some of the preclinical background behind anesthesia‐related neurotoxicity but focuses mainly on the human studies so far. It is concluded that although disturbing, the animal data lack verification in humans. Fortunately, the humans studies performed so far have been unable to confirm these animal data. A single brief anesthetic seems safe in infants. Multiple anesthetic and surgical exposures on the other hand are different. But there may be other reasons for this than merely the anesthetics. Currently, there is no need to change current anesthetic clinical practice or to postpone or cancel truly urgent surgeries in young children.
Opsin Expression in Human Epidermal Skin
Authors: Haltaufderhyde Kirk , Ozdeslik Rana N. , Wicks Nadine L. , Najera Julia A. , Oancea Elena 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHuman skin is constantly exposed to solar light containing visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful skin carcinogen. UVR elicits cellular responses in epidermal cells via several mechanisms: direct absorption of short‐wavelength UVR photons by DNA, oxidative damage caused by long‐wavelength UVR, and, as we recently demonstrated, via a retinal‐dependent G protein‐coupled signaling pathway. Because the human epidermis is exposed to a wide range of light wavelengths, we investigated whether opsins, light‐activated receptors that mediate photoreception in the eye, are expressed in epidermal skin to potentially serve as photosensors. Here we show that four opsins—OPN1‐SW, OPN2, OPN3 and OPN5—are expressed in the two major human epidermal cell types, melanocytes and keratinocytes, and the mRNA expression profile of these opsins does not change in response to physiological UVR doses. We detected two OPN3 splice variants present in similar amounts in both cell types and three OPN5 splice isoforms, two of which encode truncated proteins. Notably, OPN2 and OPN3 mRNA were significantly more abundant than other opsins and encoded full‐length proteins. Our results demonstrate that opsins are expressed in epidermal skin cells and suggest that they might initiate light–induced signaling pathways, possibly contributing to UVR phototransduction.
Characterization of mating type (MAT) alleles differentiated by a natural inversion in Sclerotinia minor
Authors: Chitrampalam P. , Pryor B. M. 
Published: September 2014

A recent study on fungal mating type genes revealed two MAT alleles within homothallic Sclerotinia sclerotiorum differentiated by an inversion, Inv− (inversion negative) and Inv+ (inversion positive). An analysis of mating type in closely related S. minor was conducted to shed light on the evolution of this MAT inversion. Inv− and Inv+ MAT alleles were identified in S. minor and were characterized. Both MAT alleles in S. minor were flanked by APN2 and SLA2, and consisted of two idiomorphs fused as in other homothallic ascomycetes. However, in the Inv+ MAT, the 3·6 kb MAT region was inverted relative to the Inv− MAT. Except for the inversion, both Inv− and Inv+ MAT in S. minor were equal in size and identical in nucleotide sequence. The MAT inversion in Inv+ S. minor was at exactly the same place as in Inv+ S. sclerotiorum and affected three of four MAT genes: MAT1‐1‐1 was truncated and MAT1‐2‐4 and MAT1‐2‐1 were inverted. Unlike S. sclerotiorum, expression of MAT genes did not differ between Inv− and Inv+ S. minor. The 250 bp inverted repeat motif that flanked the inverted MAT region in S. sclerotiorum and believed responsible for the MAT inversion was also found in S. minor, but was 256 bp. Depending on the MAT genes, 93–96% nucleotide identity was observed between Sclerotinia species. Both Inv+ and Inv− MAT S. minor and S. sclerotiorum isolates were commonly found in lettuce fields of Arizona along with MAT heterokaryons.
Small Area Estimation of Labour Force Indicators Under a Multinomial Model with Correlated Time and Area Effects
Authors: López-Vizcaíno Esther , Lombardía María José , Morales Domingo 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe aim of the paper is the estimation of small area labour force indicators like totals of employed and unemployed people and unemployment rates. Small area estimators of these quantities are derived from four multinomial logit mixed models, including a model with correlated time and area random effects. Mean-squared errors are used to measure the accuracy of the estimators proposed and they are estimated by analytic and bootstrap methods. The methodology introduced is applied to real data from the Spanish Labour Force Survey of Galicia.
Climatic fluctuations and orogenesis as motors for speciation in East Africa: case study on ParepistaurusKarsch, 1896 (Orthoptera)
Authors: HEMP CLAUDIA , KEHL SIEGFRIED , SCHULTZ OLIVER , WÄGELE JOHANN W. , HEMP ANDREAS 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMechanisms of speciation of flightless grasshoppers in mountainous and coastal East Africa are inferred considering (i) phylogenies estimated with a combination of molecular markers (16S rRNA locus, COI and H3), (ii) ecological data and (iii) the geographic distribution of Parepistaurus species. The study suggests that coastal taxa of Parepistaurus belong to ancestral lineages from which evolved the high diversity of species found in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya, which are geologically ancient mountain formations. Network analyses and a molecular clock approach, calibrated with the geological age of the volcanoes, suggested that speciation was boosted by climatic fluctuations affecting large areas of East Africa. With the aridification beginning 2.8 Ma, forest taxa were isolated due to forest fragmentation and populations were separated by extended grasslands, which are avoided by Parepistaurus species. However, a humid period between 2.7 and 2.5 Ma triggered a spread of coastal taxa along the Eastern Arc Mountains. Forests expanded again and riparian vegetation along rivers draining into the Indian Ocean probably served as corridors for the dispersal of coastal taxa to the hinterland. The inland volcanoes such as Mount Kilimanjaro are therefore good time markers because their geological age is known, limiting the available time for speciation processes of mountainous Parepistaurus in the area to a maximum of about 1–2 Ma. A third humid but cold period between 1.1 and 0.9 Ma probably further boosted the spread of several flightless and montane‐adapted Orthoptera taxa.
Faculty Perception of the Effectiveness of EBP Courses for Graduate Nursing Students
Authors: Zeleníková Renáta , Beach Michael , Ren Dianxu , Wolff Emily , Sherwood Paula 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundEffective teaching is key in preparing students to become successful evidence‐based healthcare professionals. The effectiveness of graduate evidence‐based practice (EBP) pedagogy is not often a subject of research studies.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine how faculty from the 50 top graduate nursing schools in the United States perceived the effectiveness of EBP courses for graduate nursing students.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional design was used to explore faculty perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses. A web‐based survey was used for data collection. A total of 45 questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsThe mean perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses for the whole sample, on a scale from 1 to 7, was 5.58 (min. 4.29; max. 6.73), a higher score signifying higher perceived effectiveness. The highest rated item concerned a school's access to different databases. The strongest correlations were found between the total score and the scores for items describing students’ opportunities to strengthen and apply their EBP skills (rs = .66). The internal consistency of the Perception of Effectiveness of EBP Courses scale, based on standardized Cronbach's alpha, was .84, which signifies strong internal consistency. Faculty perceived themselves as most competent at the following EBP skills: (a) “Asking questions regarding patients’ care” (6.56), (b) “Considering patient preferences when implementing EBP” (6.40), and (c) “Critically appraising the relevant body of evidence to address clinical questions” (6.40).DiscussionTo strengthen the effectiveness of EBP courses, students should have more opportunities to implement their EBP knowledge and skills after completing EBP courses.Linking Evidence to ActionEvaluation of faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of EBP courses can help to guide the development of nursing school curricula that better integrate EBP. Further evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument used to measure perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses is required along with objective measures of faculty knowledge and skills in teaching EBP.
An Evaluation of the Semi-Coupled Scheme for the Analysis of Floating Production Systems
Authors: Cruces Girón Aldo Roberto , Nogueira Corrêa Fabrício , Pinheiro Jacob Breno 
Published: September 2014

Analysis techniques and numerical formulations are available in a variety for mooring and riser designers. They are applied in the different stages of the design processes of floating production systems (FPS) by taking advantage of both the accuracy of results and the computational costs. In early design stages, the low computational cost is more valued with the aim of obtaining fast results and taking decisions. So in these stages it is common to use uncoupled analysis. On the other hand, in more advanced design stages, the accuracy of results is more valued, for which the use of coupled analysis is adequate. However, it can lead to excessive computing times.
To overcome such high computational costs, new formulations have been proposed with the aim of obtaining results similar to a coupled analysis, but with low computational costs. One of these formulations is referred as the semi-coupled scheme (S-C). Its main characteristic is that it combines the advantages of uncoupled and coupled analysis techniques. In this way, analyses can be performed with very fast execution times and results are superior to those obtained by the classical uncoupled analysis.
This work presents an evaluation of the S-C scheme. The evaluation is made by comparing their results with the results of coupled analyses. Both type of analysis were applied in a representative deep water platform. The results show that the S-C scheme have the potentially to provide results with appropriate precision with very low computational times. In this way, the S-C scheme represents an attractive procedure to be applied in early and intermediate stages of the design process of FPS.