bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New observations on Dromalia alexandri Bigelow, 1911, a rhodaliid physonect siphonophore from Southern Californian waters
Authors: Mapstone Gillian M. , Ljubenkov John C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDromalia alexandri is a short‐stemmed physonect siphonophore found regularly in bottom trawls from the shelf waters of southern California, including biannual samples taken to monitor sewage outflow from Los Angeles and San Diego. Since the last description of the species in 1983, a greater size range of specimens is here examined, some with particularly well preserved cormidial units and detached zooids. Higher abundance and larger sizes of D. alexandri specimens collected from the Southern California Bight might be due to increased nutrient levels derived from sewage outflow. Small and large colonies are illustrated and described, and two growth zones identified in the zone of proliferation, including the first siphosomal horn to be identified in a rhodaliid. Nectophores of D. alexandri are found to lack a descending surface diverticulum, and nectophoral lamellae were identified in the naked zone below the aurophore in two specimens. In the largest colony studied, a larger number of young cormidial units are present at the beginning of the first whorl than previously reported, giving a total of c. 57 in whorl one, and in the smallest specimen whorl one has only 10 units, fewer than previously found. Much larger and more complete cormidial units of D. alexandri are figured and described than previously published, as are also a detached mature bract and mature male and female gonophores. Cormidial units are found to comprise only three full cormidia (composed of a gastrozooid, bract, and a gonodendron with gonophores and gonopalpons) when mature, and typically one or two additional bracts. Descriptions of the colony and zooids are based on axes for siphonophores standardized by recent authors and applied here for the first time to D. alexandri. A revised distributional map of the species is included covering a larger geographical area than earlier maps, and based on a greater number of records than previously available. The paper concludes with a comparison and discussion of the main characters of D. alexandri and those of five other species in the family Rhodaliidae.
Benthic hydroids from off Low Island (Southern Ocean, Antarctica)
Authors: Peña Cantero Álvaro Luis 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA survey of marine benthic community biodiversity off Low Island (Southern Ocean) was carried out by the Spanish Antarctic Expedition Bentart 2006, using the BIO Hespérides. Samples from the expedition included an important collection of hydroids. A total of 39 species was recorded, two of them being new to science (Eudendrium bentart sp. nov., and Orthopyxis curiosa sp. nov.), belonging to the subclasses Anthoathecata and Leptothecata. Anthoathecates are represented by only two species, both referable to the genus Eudendrium. The 37 leptothecate species belong to the families Campanulinidae, Lafoeidae, Haleciidae, Schizotrichidae, Kirchenpaueriidae, Sertulariidae and Campanulariidae. Sertulariidae is the most diverse family with 16 species (41%), followed by Campanulariidae with five species (13%) and Haleciidae, Schizotrichidae and Kirchenpaueriidae with four species (10%) each. At the generic level, the predominant genera are Symplectoscyphus with nine species (23%) and Halecium, Oswaldella and Schizotricha with four species (10%) each. Fifteen of the 39 species represent new records for the waters surrounding Low Island, as also are three (Lafoeina, Opercularella and Orthopyxis) of the 16 genera. In all, 33 species (c. 81%) are endemic to Antarctic waters, either with a circum‐Antarctic (20 species, c. 49%) or West Antarctic (13 species, c. 32%) distribution. Thirty‐eight species (c. 93%) are restricted to Antarctic or Antarctic/sub‐Antarctic waters; only three species have a wider distribution. The Low Island hydroid fauna is composed of typical representatives of the Antarctic benthic hydroid fauna, with good representation of some of the most diverse and widespread Antarctic genera such as Antarctoscyphus, Oswaldella, Schizotricha and Staurotheca.
Retinoic acid influences antero‐posterior positioning of peptidergic neurons in the planula larva of the hydrozoan Clava multicornis
Authors: Pennati Roberta , Dell'Anna Alessandro , Zega Giuliana , De Bernardi Fiorenza , Piraino Stefano 
Published: February 2013

AbstractRetinoic acid (RA) is a derivative of vitamin A known to be involved in the regulation of many developmental and physiological processes in chordates. Recently, evidence showing its presence and function in invertebrate deuterostomes and protostomes indicated the early evolutionary origin and conservation of the RA developmental machinery, with a key role also in neural differentiation. Moreover, it is known that retinoids can influence pattern specification in polyps of the hydroid Hydractinia echinata. The planula larvae of the hydrozoan Clava multicornis are characterized by a complex nervous system formed by a frontal neural plexus composed by two distinct peptidergic cell populations with antero‐posterior organization: a first, anterior‐most GLWamide immunoreactive (GLW‐IR) population and an RFamide immunoreactive (RF‐IR) cell belt just posterior to the first population. In contrast to most swimming planulae, C. multicornis larvae display a smooth gliding movement on the substrate, characterized by alternate bending of the anterior pole. We tested the effects of RA and of a RA antagonist on C. multicornis development by analyzing the nervous system organization and the photoresponsive behavior of larvae exposed to RA during their embryogenesis. After the exposure, the nervous system became completely disorganized, leading to the displacement of RFamide‐IR cells. Moreover, RA‐treated larvae did not exhibit the typical phototropic behavior of control specimens. Our results suggest that RA can alter the normal development of nervous elements in this hydroid species, supporting the hypothesis that the morphogenetic activity of RA predates the origin of chordates.
Depth‐ and substrate‐related patterns of species richness and distribution of hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) in Arctic coastal waters (Svalbard)
Authors: Ronowicz Marta , Włodarska‐Kowalczuk Maria , Kukliński Piotr 
Published: February 2013

AbstractHydroid diversity and species composition were studied in Arctic coastal waters around the Norwegian Svalbard Archipelago. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of physical factors (depth and substrate type) on the distribution and diversity of the benthic hydrozoan fauna that has been poorly studied in the high‐latitude polar region. The study is based on a total of 557 samples collected between 1996 and 2007. Over 1200 colonies and 70 taxa of Hydrozoa were collected by SCUBA divers, dredges and van Veen grabs. The distribution patterns with respect to major environmental factors were studied based on presence/absence data. Four substrate types were most commonly colonized by hydroid colonies: algae, bryozoans, rocks and hydrozoans. The highest species richness was noted on algae and rocks. Shallow water communities of the study area were characterized by a high hydroid species richness. A number of species decrease along the depth gradient. Some species have shown some preferences towards selected substrates or one of the two depth zones, but most hydroid species were generalists in terms of both the depth and substrate preferences. No species could be classified as substrate‐specific (i.e. occurring only on one substrate type). The substrate heterogeneity was shown to be an important driver of hydroid species richness in Arctic coastal waters.
Urinary cystatin C levels as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with acute kidney injury
Authors: Park Moo Yong , Choi Soo Jeong , Kim Jin Kuk , Hwang Seung Duk , Lee Yong Wha 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with a high mortality. Clinicians have limited tools to predict the course of AKI at the time of serum creatinine increase. We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic utility of urinary cystatin C (uCysC) in patients with AKI.MethodsIn this study, serum and uCysC and urinary creatinine (uCr) were measured in patients presenting with acute kidney injury. The patients were divided into two groups: those with prerenal AKI and those with an intrinsic AKI. Prerenal AKI was defined as a new‐onset increase in serum creatinine (sCr) that resolved within 72 h and returned to the baseline kidney function level. Patients with intrinsic AKI were defined and classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria.ResultsOf the total number of patients (n = 213), 40.4% (n = 86) were judged to have prerenal AKI and 59.6% (n = 127) intrinsic AKI. uCysC values and the uCysC/uCr ratio were significantly higher in intrinsic AKI versus prerenal AKI. In intrinsic AKI, the uCysC concentration increased with AKI severity. The uCysC/uCr ratio was significantly higher in the RRT group versus the non‐RRT group (0.15 vs. 0.08, respectively; P = 0.037). In a multivariate analysis, the uCysC/uCr ratio was associated with in‐hospital mortality (P = 0.019).ConclusionsuCysC level and the uCysC/uCr ratio were useful biomarkers of intrinsic AKI, and the uCysC/uCr ratio was predictive of in‐hospital death in AKI patients.
Applicants' and Employees' Reactions to Corporate Social Responsibility: The Moderating Effects of First‐Party Justice Perceptions and Moral Identity
Authors: Rupp Deborah E. , Shao Ruodan , Thornton Meghan A. , Skarlicki Daniel P. 
Published: February 2013

This research explored individuals’ reactions to perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) using a multimotive framework. In 2 studies, the authors explored the boundary conditions of CSR effects among job applicants and internal employees. A scenario‐based experiment (N = 81) showed that the effect of CSR perceptions on job applicants’ job pursuit intentions was mitigated by applicants’ first‐party justice experiences, whereas it was amplified by their moral identity (Study 1). Survey data from 245 full‐time employees (Study 2) further supported the interactive effects revealed in Study 1. Specifically, first‐party justice perceptions attenuated the positive relationship between employees’ CSR perceptions and their organizational citizenship behavior (OCB); and the relationship between CSR perceptions and OCB was more pronounced among employees high (versus low) in moral identity. Our findings bridge the CSR and organizational justice literatures, and reveal that the effects of individuals’ CSR perceptions are more complicated than previously thought. The findings shed light on micro (employee)‐level CSR phenomena and offer implications for both research and practice.
The morphology and function of thrombolitic calcite precipitating biofilms: A universal model derived from freshwater mesocosm experiments
Authors: Pedley Martyn 
Published: February 2013

AbstractMicrobialites with laminar (stromatolite) and thrombolitic (thrombolite) fabrics are ubiquitous within the Cenozoic freshwater sedimentary record. However, the biology and physiology of the living prokaryote–microphyte biofilms which produced them is only now becoming understood. The present contribution describes a flowing water experimental mesocosm study spanning over 2·5 years and run under near‐natural conditions. This work focussed on microbial biofilm precipitation mechanisms which produce thrombolitic carbonate micro‐fabrics capable of preservation in the geological record. In particular, the roles of microbial guilds and carbonate precipitation processes were examined and recorded at all stages of thrombolite development. The mesocosm experiments convincingly demonstrated that the biofilm community actively encouraged calcium ion precipitation derived from flowing waters. This precipitation took the form of amorphous calcium carbonate nanosphere clusters. These clusters were not randomly distributed within the biofilm extracellular polymeric substances but were focussed in the close vicinity of living filament and coccoid bacterial clusters within individual living biofilm layers. Significantly, the precipitates never replaced microbial cell walls and never buried the living microbes. During nanosphere precipitation extracellular polymeric substances were progressively occluded from between the developing nanosphere clusters. However, extracellular polymeric substances were never totally removed from within the amorphous calcium carbonate clusters until they had neomorphosed into microspar crystals. The orientation of precipitating microspar crystals within the biofilm appeared to be controlled by the host extracellular polymeric substance fabric (cf. typical crystal growth from solid substrates). Precipitates were organized around the margins of a cancellate microfabric developed by a range of microbial guilds within each biofilm layer. This produced a distinct thrombolitic fabric within the biofilm which was quite distinct from laminar stromatolite fabrics. It is concluded that the mesocosm grown freshwater biofilms and their associated microbialite calcite micro‐fabrics present a universally applicable model. Importantly, they provide a mechanism for thrombolite micro‐fabric developments throughout the geological record.
Linear relationship between lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood and buffy coat collected during extracorporeal photopheresis
Authors: Liu Chang , Shah Kalpna , Dynis Marian , Eby Charles S. , Grossman Brenda J. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is commonly used to treat patients with graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) and lung transplant rejection (LTR) in our institution. The quantitative relationship between the number of white blood cells treated during ECP and the cell count in peripheral blood is unclear.Study Design and MethodsPatients with GVHD and LTR receiving ECP with either UVAR XTS or CELLEX (Therakos) were prospectively recruited for this study. A complete cell count with differential was performed on preprocedural peripheral blood and samples from the collected buffy coats. Correlation analysis and linear regression were performed between cell counts in peripheral blood and buffy coat. Collection efficiency was compared between UVAR XTS and CELLEX.ResultsIn all 52 patients, lymphocyte counts in buffy coat and peripheral blood showed strong correlation (r values were 0.85 and 0.983 for UVAR XTS and CELLEX, respectively; p < 0.001) with slopes of 2 and 5.1 for UVAR XTS and CELLEX, respectively (p < 0.001). The quantitative relationship remained robust in patients stratified by diagnoses. Monocytes also showed consistent correlation and linearity, but not neutrophils or combined white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. CELLEX enriched approximately twice as many lymphocytes and monocytes than UVAR XTS per procedure (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe preprocedural peripheral lymphocyte count can predict the number of lymphocytes within the buffy coat collected during ECP, which may justify the use of peripheral lymphocyte count as a surrogate for the cell dose treated per procedure. Peripheral monocyte counts may serve as an alternative. CELLEX is more efficient in collecting lymphocytes and monocytes than UVAR XTS under conditions tested.
Exchange Rate Volatility Before and After the Float
Authors: Wali Muammer , Manzur Meher 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper provides a descriptive analysis of broad features of major exchange rates since the early 1970s and compares these features with those of the 1960s. The analysis is then extended to investigate whether these features are manifested in interest rates and in commodity prices. The results indicate that while the exchange rates have become more volatile during the current floating rate regime, the moments are comparable with those for interest rates and commodity prices.
Involvement of emergency medical services at unplanned births before arrival to hospital: a structured review
Authors: McLelland Gayle E , Morgans Amee E , McKenna Lisa G 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveWhile infrequent, unplanned births before arrival (BBAs) are clinically significant events at which, conceivably, paramedics will be the first health professionals in attendance. This review aims to demonstrate that paramedics not only attend and transfer birthing women, but also use critical clinical and decision-making skills. It further proposes strategies that will support paramedics manage out-of-hospital obstetric emergencies.DesignThe bibliographic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Maternity and Infant Care were searched from 1991 to 2012 for relevant English language publications using key words and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms. Data were extracted with respect to study design, incidence of BBAs, attendance of paramedics, complications and recommendations.ResultsFourteen studies were selected for inclusion arising from the US, UK and Europe. While all studies acknowledged paramedics attend BBAs, seven reported the incidence of BBAs attended by paramedics, and two discuss issues specifically encountered by paramedics. Paramedics attended between 28.2% and 91.5% of all BBAs. While the articles reviewed noted that most of the births encountered by paramedics were uncomplicated, they all reported maternal or neonatal complications. Eight articles reported the most common maternal complication was excessive bleeding after birth, and nine reported the most frequent neonatal complication was hypothermia regardless of gestation.ConclusionsParamedics need to be adequately educated and equipped to manage BBAs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Protocols should be developed between health and ambulance services to minimise risks associated with BBAs. A dearth of information surrounds the incidence of BBAs attended and the management performed by paramedics highlighting the need for further research.
IMPROVED PATIENT AWARENESS AND SATISFACTION USING PROCEDURE SPECIFIC CONSENT FORMS IN CARPAL TUNNEL DECOMPRESSION SURGERY
Authors: Arnander M. , Teoh V. , Barabas A. , Umarji S. , Fleming A. 
Published: February 2013

Carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is a common procedure amenable to procedure specific consent forms (PSCFs). These may help better inform patients and so increase patient satisfaction with the consent process. We assessed the use of a PSCF for CTD. The PSCF mentions eight complications of carpal tunnel surgery and alternative non-operative treatments. Two groups of 40 patients each were compared prospectively. Patients in one group were issued with a PSCF prior to admission whereas those in the other group were not. After standard pre-operative consent, patients were interviewed prior to surgery and assessed for their awareness of complications and alternative treatment options. The patients who received a PSCF showed greater awareness of different complications and alternative treatments and reported greater satisfaction with the consent process. We conclude that using PSCFs is a very useful and inexpensive adjunct to improve patient awareness and satisfaction with the consent process.
HOW MULTIPLE AUXIN RESPONSIVE ELEMENTS MAY INTERACT IN PLANT PROMOTERS: A REVERSE PROBLEM SOLUTION
Authors: MIRONOVA VICTORIA V. , OMELYANCHUK NADYA A. , SAVINA MARIA S. , PONOMARENKO PETR M. , PONOMARENKO MIKHAIL P. , LIKHOSHVAI VITALY A. , KOLCHANOV NIKOLAY A. 
Published: February 2013

Plant hormone auxin is a key regulator of growth and development. Auxin affects gene expression through ARF transcription factors, which bind specifically auxin responsive elements (AuxREs). Auxin responsive genes usually have more than one AuxRE, for example, a widely used auxin sensor DR5 contains seven AuxREs. Auxin responsive regions of several plant genes have been studied using sets of transgenic constructions in which the activity of one or several AuxREs were abolished. Here we present the method for analysis of the datasets on promoter activity assays having promoter sequences, namely, number and sequences of AuxREs, altogether with their measured auxin induction level. The method for a reverse problem solution considers two extreme models of AuxRE cooperation. Additive model describes auxin induction level of a gene as a sum of the individual AuxREs impacts. Multiplicative model considers pure cooperation between the AuxREs, where the combined effect is the multiplication of the individual AuxRE impacts. The reverse problem solution allows estimating the impact of an individual AuxRE into the induction level and the model for their cooperation. For promoters of three genes belonging to different plant species we showed that the multiplicative model fits better than additive. The reverse problem solution also suggests repressive state of auxin responsive promoters before auxin induction. The developed method provides possibility to investigate AuxRE structure-activity relationship and may be used as the basis for a novel approach for AuxRE recognition.
Do Less Effective Teachers Choose Professional Development Does It Matter?
Authors: Barrett Nathan , Butler J. S. , Toma Eugenia F. 
Published: February 2013

Background: In an ongoing effort to improve teacher quality, most states require continuing education or professional development for their in-service teachers. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of various professional development programs have assumed a normal distribution of quality of teachers participating in the programs. Because participation in many professional development programs is either targeted or voluntary, this article suggests past evaluations of the effectiveness of professional development may be subject to selection bias and policy recommendations may be premature. Research Design: This article presents an empirical framework for evaluating professional development programs where treatment is potentially nonrandom, and explicitly accounts for the teacher's prior effectiveness in the classroom as a factor that may influence participation in professional development. This article controls for the influence of selection bias on professional development outcomes by generating a matched sample based on propensity scores and then estimating the program's effect. Results: In applying this framework to the professional development program examined in this article, less effective teachers are found to be more likely to participate in the program, and correcting for this selection leads to different conclusions regarding the program's effectiveness than when ignoring teacher selection patterns.
Recombinant salmonella-based 4-1BBL vaccine enhances T cell immunity and inhibits the development of colorectal cancer in rats: in vivo effects of vaccine containing 4-1BBL
Authors: Ye Jianxin , Li Ling , Zhang Yuanting , Zhang Xueguang , Ren Daming , Chen Weichang 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Immunotherapy with vaccines is attractive for the treatment of cancer. This study is aimed at determining the effect of recombinant Salmonella (SL3261)-based 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) vaccine on the development of colorectal cancers and the potential immune mechanisms in rats.

Results
In comparison with that in the PBS group, similar levels of 4-1BBL expression, the frequency of T cells, IFN-γ responses, and comparable numbers of tumors were detected in the SL3261 and SL3261C groups of rats. In contrast, significantly fewer numbers of tumors, increased levels of 4-1BBL expression in the spleens and colorectal tissues, higher frequency of peripheral blood and splenic CD3+CD25+ T cells, and stronger splenic T cell IFN-γ responses were detected in the SL3261R group of rats.

Conclusion
Our results indicated that vaccination with recombinant attenuated Salmonella harboring the 4-1BBL gene efficiently enhanced T cell immunity and inhibited the development of carcinogen-induced colorectal cancers in rats.