bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unmanned aerial vehicles as innovative remote sensing platforms for high‐resolution infrared imagery to support restoration monitoring in cut‐over bogs
Authors: Knoth Christian , Klein Birte , Prinz Torsten , Kleinebecker Till 
Published: January 2013

AbstractQuestionCan UAV‐based NIR remote sensing support restoration monitoring of cut‐over bogs by providing valid information on species distribution and surface structure?LocationRestored polders of the Uchter Moor, a bog complex in NW Germany.MethodsWe used autonomously flying quadrocopters, supplied with either a panchromatic or colour infrared calibrated small frame digital camera to generate high resolution images of the restored bog surface. We performed a two‐step classification process of automatic image segmentation and object‐based classification to distinguish between four pre‐defined classes (waterlogged bare peat, Sphagnum spp., Eriophorum vaginatum and Betula pubescens. An independent validation procedure was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the classification.ResultsA set‐up composed of decision rules for reflectance, geometry and textural features was applied for identification of the four classes. The presented classification revealed an overall accuracy level of 91%. Most reliable attribution was obtained for waterlogged bare peat and Sphagnum‐covered surfaces, revealing producer accuracies of 95% and 91%, respectively. Lower but still feasible accuracy levels were obtained for Eriophorum vaginatum and Betula pubescens individuals (89% and 84%, respectively).ConclusionsUAV‐based NIR remote sensing is a promising tool for monitoring the restoration of cut‐over bogs and has the potential to significantly reduce laborious field surveys. UAVs may increasingly play a significant role in future ecological monitoring studies, since they are small in size, highly flexible, easy to handle, non‐emissive and available at a comparatively low cost.
Nicotine‐motivated behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans requires the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits acr‐5 and acr‐15
Authors: Sellings Laurie , Pereira Schreiber , Qian Cheng , Dixon‐McDougall Thomas , Nowak Christina , Zhao Bin , Tyndale Rachel F. , van der Kooy Derek 
Published: January 2013

AbstractSignaling at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans controls many behaviors, including egg‐laying and locomotor activity. Here, we show that C. elegans approaches a point source of nicotine in a time‐, concentration‐ and age‐dependent manner. Additionally, nicotine paired with butanone under starvation conditions prevented the reduced approach to butanone that is observed when butanone is paired with starvation alone and pairing with nicotine generates a preference for the tastes of either sodium or chloride over baseline. These results suggest nicotine acts as a rewarding substance in C. elegans. Furthermore, the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, the smoking cessation pharmacotherapy varenicline, mutation of the dop‐1 and dop‐2 dopamine receptors, and mutations of either acr‐5 or acr‐15, two nicotinic receptor subunit genes with sequence homology to the mammalian α7 subunit, all reduced the nicotine approach behavior. These two mutants also were defective at associating the presence of nicotine with butanone under starvation conditions and acr‐5 mutation could obviate the effect of pairing nicotine with salts. Furthermore, the approach deficit in acr‐15 mutants was rescued by selective re‐expression in a subset of neurons, but not in muscle. Caenorhabditis elegans may therefore serve as a useful model organism for nicotine‐motivated behaviors that could aid in the identification of novel nicotine motivational molecular pathways and consequently the development of novel cessation aids.
Mice lacking Period 1 and Period 2 circadian clock genes exhibit blue cone photoreceptor defects
Authors: Ait‐Hmyed Ouafa , Felder‐Schmittbuhl Marie‐Paule , Garcia‐Garrido Marina , Beck Susanne , Seide Christina , Sothilingam Vithiyanjali , Tanimoto Naoyuki , Seeliger Mathias , Bennis Mohammed , Hicks David 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMany aspects of retinal physiology are modulated by circadian clocks, but it is unclear whether clock malfunction impinges directly on photoreceptor survival, differentiation or function. Eyes from wild‐type (WT) and Period1 (Per1) and Period2 (Per2) mutant mice (Per1Brdm1Per2Brdm1) were examined for structural (histology, in vivo imaging), phenotypical (RNA expression, immunohistochemistry) and functional characteristics. Transcriptional levels of selected cone genes [red/green opsin (Opn1mw), blue cone opsin (Opn1sw) and cone arrestin (Arr3)] and one circadian clock gene (RORb) were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Although there were no changes in general retinal histology or visual responses (electroretinograms) between WT and Per1Brdm1Per2Brdm1 mice, compared with age‐matched controls, Per1Brdm1Per2Brdm1 mice showed scattered retinal deformations by fundus inspection. Also, mRNA expression levels and immunostaining of blue cone opsin were significantly reduced in mutant mice. Especially, there was an alteration in the dorsal–ventral patterning of blue cones. Decreased blue cone opsin immunoreactivity was present by early postnatal stages, and remained throughout maturation. General photoreceptor differentiation was retarded in young mutant mice. In conclusion, deletion of both Per1 and Per2 clock genes leads to multiple discrete changes in retina, notably patchy tissue disorganization, reductions in cone opsin mRNA and protein levels, and altered distribution. These data represent the first direct link between Per1 and Per2 clock genes, and cone photoreceptor differentiation and function.
Survival of an adult Quarter Horse gelding following bacterial meningitis caused by Escherichia coli
Authors: Hepworth K. L. , Wong D. M. , Sponseller B. A. , Alcott C. J. , Sponseller B. T. , Ben‐Shlomo G. , Whitley R. D. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryBacterial meningitis in the mature horse is a rare and typically fatal condition. This report describes a 7‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding that initially presented following suspected trauma to the left eye but subsequently developed bacterial meningitis, and a nasal and palpebral abscess, all of which cultured the same isolate of Escherichia coli. The entry site of infection in bacterial meningitis is often related to a breach in the calvarium and extension of bacteria residing in the paranasal sinuses. This case is unique as there were multiple pathways through which bacteria may have entered the central nervous system including haematogenous spread from a nasal abscess, local extension of periocular infection or an undetected skull fracture. Aside from persistent blindness in the left eye, the horse made a full recovery.
Information needs of clinicians and non‐clinicians in the Emergency Department: a qualitative study
Authors: Ayatollahi Haleh , Bath Peter A. , Goodacre Steve 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying the information needs of Emergency Department (ED) staff and sources of information that they use can help to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the ED. As Emergency Medicine has unique characteristics, information needs of the Emergency Department (ED) staff might be different from other settings. However, few studies have investigated the information needs of ED staff and the sources of information that they use.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the information needs of ED staff and the sources of information that they used in their practice.MethodsIt was a qualitative study, in which data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and 34 ED staff were interviewed in total. To analyse data, the method of framework analysis was used.ResultsDifferent types of information needs and sources of information were found in the ED. Patient information was considered the most important type of information, and verbal communication was the most frequently used source of information.ConclusionThe variety of information used in the ED shows task complexity in this department which might not be simply addressed by technology. Further research is needed to identify how computerised information systems can be improved to meet users' information needs in the ED.
Mood changes, depression and suicide risk during isotretinoin treatment: a prospective study
Authors: Nevoralová Zuzana , Dvořáková Dagmar 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackground  Depression and mood changes appear as potentional side effects of isotretinoin in the Summary of Product Characteristics. There have been many studies treating this topic but in most cases not identifying any significant depression or suicide risk. To further investigate this issue, we conducted a prospective, uncontrolled study to evaluate mood changes and suicidal ideations in patients receiving isotretinoin therapy.Methods  One‐hundred patients were included in our single center, no‐blind, and no controlled prospective study. All patients completed the Beck’s Depression Inventory, Version II (BDI‐II) before the treatment, following the first month of the treatment and then every third month until finishing the isotretinoin therapy. All questionnaires were checked by a psychiatrist. Suicidal ideations were monitored. Statistical analysis of BDI‐II scores was performed.Results  All patients completed the study. Before the treatment, six percent of the patients had suffered from depressive symptoms. During the isotretinoin treatment, we did not find any deterioration of depression problems in any of these patients. On the contrary, in most patients the depressive symptoms disappeared. Symptoms of depression occurred in two patients, in which case coexisting situational factors were found to be the cause. No occurrence of suicidal ideations was found.Conclusions  We did not find any depressive symptoms or suicide risk caused by isotretinoin. On the contrary, a statistically significant improvement of BDI‐II scores was found. In our opinion, patients have to be informed about the risk of depression but emphasizing the fact that it is very rare.
Presence or absence of a positive pathological margin outperforms any other margin‐associated variable in predicting clinically relevant biochemical recurrence in Gleason 7 prostate cancer
Authors: Huang James G. , Pedersen John , Hong Matthew K.H. , Harewood Laurence M. , Peters Justin , Costello Anthony J. , Hovens Chris M. , Corcoran Niall M. 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
The presence of a positive pathological margin is an independent risk factor for clinically significant disease recurrence only in intermediate‐risk disease when the a priori risk of micrometastatic disease is accounted for.
The study examines patients with Gleason 7 prostate cancer to assess the relative importance of various margin‐related variables (focality, linear length, tumour grade at margin, presence of diathermy artifact and plane of tumour) with regard to biochemical recurrence. We found that the presence or absence of a positive pathological margin outperforms any other margin‐associated variable in predicting significant disease recurrence.
Objective
To determine the influence of pathological margin variables on the risk of clinically significant biochemical recurrence in Gleason 7 prostate cancer.
Materials and Methods
Patients with Gleason 7 prostate cancer with complete clinical and pathological data and detailed follow‐up were identified from a prospectively recorded prostatectomy database.
Slides from all patients with positive pathological margins were reviewed by a single expert uropathologist and the following information recorded: multifocality, linear length, predominant Gleason grade at the margin, diathermy artifact and margin plane.
Cox regression models were generated to determine the impact of positive pathological margins on the risk of biochemical recurrence (using various definitions thereof).
Results
Of 1048 patients with Gleason 7 prostate cancer, 238 (23%) patients had positive margins.
With a median follow‐up of 11 months, biochemical recurrence occurred in 9.7% of patients with negative surgical margins and 28.4% of patients with positive margins.
Positive margins were significantly associated with higher serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, tumour grade, stage and volume.
In patients with positive pathological margins, controlling for other factors, no margin‐derived variable (focality, linear length, tumour grade at margin, diathermy artifact or plane of tumour) was a consistent predictor of biochemical recurrence, although the presence of Gleason score 4 or tertiary Gleason score 5 tumour at the margin edge was an independent predictor of recurrence with PSA doubling times ≤ 6 and ≤9 months.
Similarly, in the cohort as a whole, the pathological margin status was a more important predictor of recurrence than any other margin‐derived variable.
Conclusions
In Gleason 7 prostate cancer, positive pathological margin status was the only consistent margin‐derived variable determining biochemical failure.
The presence of high‐grade disease at the margin may also have an impact on the development of clinically significant biochemical recurrence.
Assessment of a Modified DSM‐5 Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder in a Genetically Informative Population
Authors: Edwards Alexis C. , Gillespie Nathan A. , Aggen Steven H. , Kendler Kenneth S. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundProposed changes to the upcoming DSM‐5 include the following: (i) combining criteria for DSM‐IV alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD) into 1 diagnostic category (alcohol use disorder [AUD]); (ii) exclusion of the “legal problems” (LP) criterion; and (iii) addition of a “craving” criterion. Few published studies empirically assess the potential consequences of the proposed changes.MethodsUsing a population‐based sample of twins assessed for lifetime AA/AD diagnoses, we explored phenotypic differences across DSM‐IV and a modified DSM‐5 diagnoses without craving because of its unavailability in the data set. We used factor analysis and item response theory (IRT) to evaluate the potential consequences of excluding the LP criterion from AUD and used twin modeling to examine genetic differences between DSM‐IV and the modified DSM‐5 diagnoses.ResultsThe prevalence of AUD was slightly higher than that of DSM‐IV diagnoses. Individuals meeting DSM‐IV or DSM‐5 criteria, but not both, exhibit fewer comorbid diagnoses than those meeting both sets of criteria. Individuals meeting only DSM‐5 criteria were slightly less severely affected than those meeting only DSM‐IV criteria. Factor analysis indicated that the LP criterion loading is the lowest of all symptoms; IRT analysis suggested that this criterion has low discriminatory power. The genetic correlation between DSM‐IV and DSM‐5 diagnoses was slightly but significantly lower than unity.ConclusionsThe proposed DSM‐5 AUD criteria are unlikely to result in significant changes in prevalence of diagnosed alcohol problems. However, it is unclear whether the new criteria represent a more valid diagnosis: new cases are no more severely affected than DSM‐IV‐only cases. Given the psychometric properties of LP, its exclusion should not negatively impact diagnostic validity. Similarly, the stable heritability across DSM‐IV and DSM‐5 diagnoses suggests that the proposed changes will not have substantial negative consequences in terms of familial influences, a key validator. These results provide equivocal empirical support for the proposed DSM‐5 changes for AUDs.
Perceived emotional intelligence and its relationship with perceptions of effectiveness in negotiation
Authors: Pulido‐Martos Manuel , Lopez‐Zafra Esther , Augusto‐Landa Jose M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this study, we examined possible connections between perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) and effectiveness during the negotiation process in a sample of 123 workers from different organizations. Participants completed a set of questionnaires, including an exploration of the predictive and incremental validity of PEI measured by Trait‐Meta‐Mood Scale. Moreover, personality traits were carefully controlled to test the percentage of variance that PEI accounted for in efficiency during negotiation. Multiple regression analyses revealed that emotional repair accounts for part of the variance in the balance of power and in procedural flexibility that cannot be explained by personality traits alone. Thus, our results show that emotional repair accounts for negotiation effectiveness in a way that is independent of personality traits.
Anomalous Correlation between Dielectric Constant and Tunability in (Ba,Sr)TiO3–MgO–Mg2SiO4 Composite Ceramics
Authors: He Yanyan , Zhao Jingyuan , Xu Yebin , Li Changnian 
Published: January 2013

(Ba, Sr)TiO3–MgO–Mg2SiO4 composite ceramics were prepared by a solid‐state reaction method. The microstructures, microwave dielectric characteristics, and tunability of composite ceramics were investigated. An anomalous correlation between tunability and dielectric constant was observed: with the increase in Mg2SiO4 content and the decrease in MgO content, the dielectric constant of (Ba, Sr)TiO3–MgO–Mg2SiO4 composite ceramics decreases, but the tunability increases. The anomalous increased tunability is beneficial for tunable microwave applications and can be attributed to the redistribution of the electric field. For 50Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3–(50−x)MgO–xMg2SiO4, the dielectric constant was decreased from 164.2 to 126.5 by increasing Mg2SiO4 content from 5 to 45 wt% and the tunability at 3.9 kV/mm increased from 11.5% to 15.2%.
Tracing Patterns of Chloroplast Evolution in Euglenoids: Contributions from Colacium vesiculosum and Strombomonas acuminata (Euglenophyta)
Authors: Wiegert Krystle E. , Bennett Matthew S. , Triemer Richard E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe chloroplast genomes of two photosynthetic euglenoids, Colacium vesiculosum Ehrenberg (128,889 bp), and Strombomonas acuminata (Schmarda) Deflandre (144,167 bp) have been sequenced. These chloroplast genomes in combination with those of Euglena gracilis, Eutreptia viridis, and Eutreptiella gymnastica provide a snapshot of euglenoid chloroplast evolution allowing comparisons of gene content, arrangement, and expansion. The gene content of the five chloroplast genomes is very similar varying only in the presence or absence of, rrn5, roaA, psaI, psaM, rpoA, and two tRNAs. Large gene rearrangements have occurred within the C. vesiculosum and S. acuminata chloroplast genomes. Most of these rearrangements represent repositioning of entire operons rather than single genes. When compared with previously sequenced genomes, C. vesiculosum and S. acuminata chloroplast genomes more closely resemble the E. gracilis chloroplast genome in size of the genome, number of introns, and gene order than they do those of the Eutreptiales. Overall, the chloroplast genomes of these five species show an evolutionary trend toward increased intron number, a decrease in gene density, and substantial rearrangement of gene clusters.
Killing the Dead: Chemotherapeutic Strategies Against Free‐Living Cyst‐Forming Protists (Acanthamoeba sp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris)
Authors: Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Aqeel Yousuf , Khan Naveed Ahmed 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe opportunist free‐living protists such as Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris have become a serious threat to human life. As most available drugs target functional aspects of pathogens, the ability of free‐living protists to transform into metabolically inactive cyst forms presents a challenge in treatment. It is hoped, that the development of broad spectrum antiprotist agents acting against multiple cyst‐forming protists to provide target‐directed inhibition will offer a viable drug strategy in the treatment of these rare infections. Here, we present a comprehensive report on upcoming drug targets, with emphasis on cyst wall biosynthesis along with the related biochemistry of encystment pathways, as we strive to bring ourselves a step closer to being able to combat these deadly diseases.
Effect of Different Prepackaging Treatments on the Physical/Chemical Quality of Margariteño Tomatoes During Postharvest Storage at Room Temperature
Authors: Hernández‐Yépez José‐Neptalí , De La Haba María‐José , Sánchez María‐Teresa 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe effect of different prepackaging treatments on the physical/chemical quality of Margariteño tomatoes during postharvest storage at room temperature was studied. One hundred sixty green‐ripe tomatoes showing no signs of deterioration were divided into four groups of 40, to each of which one of the following prepackaging treatments was applied: (1) immersion in hot water (60C) for 30 s; (2) washing in chlorinated water (150 mg/L sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl] solution) for 5 min at 2C, pH 7.5; (3) covering of the peduncle area with commercial paraffin wax; and (4) untreated controls, placed in 0.5 mm polyethylene terephthalate containers and stored at room temperature. The results obtained confirmed that all the pretreatments applied delayed the onset of the physical/chemical changes characteristic of ripening and the appearance of signs of deterioration. Waxing was found to be the most effective treatment for extending the postharvest shelf life of commercial samples from 11 days to 19 days.Practical ApplicationsThe study evaluated the effect of three treatments applied prior to commercial packaging (immersion in hot water, washing in chlorinated water and waxing) on the physical/chemical quality of Margariteño tomatoes kept at room temperature, in view of identifying low‐cost technological alternatives for extending their shelf life without impairing quality attributes, in developing countries where refrigerated storage of horticultural products is not always feasible. The results suggested that waxing was the most effective treatment for extending postharvest shelf life from 11 days to 19 days at 30C and 90% relative humidity, satisfying in a constantly increasing consumer demand for high quality produce in those countries.
Discriminative Ability and Predictive Validity of the Timed Up and Go Test in Identifying Older People Who Fall: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Schoene Daniel , Wu Sandy M.‐S. , Mikolaizak A. Stefanie , Menant Jasmine C. , Smith Stuart T. , Delbaere Kim , Lord Stephen R. 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate the discriminative ability and diagnostic accuracy of the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) as a clinical screening instrument for identifying older people at risk of falling.DesignSystematic literature review and meta‐analysis.Setting and ParticipantsPeople aged 60 and older living independently or in institutional settings.MeasurementsStudies were identified with searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL data bases. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies comparing times to complete any version of the TUG of fallers and non‐fallers were included.ResultsFifty‐three studies with 12,832 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean difference between fallers and non‐fallers depended on the functional status of the cohort investigated: 0.63 seconds (95% confidence (CI) = 0.14–1.12 seconds) for high‐functioning to 3.59 seconds (95% CI = 2.18–4.99 seconds) for those in institutional settings. The majority of studies did not retain TUG scores in multivariate analysis. Derived cut‐points varied greatly between studies, and with the exception of a few small studies, diagnostic accuracy was poor to moderate.ConclusionThe findings suggest that the TUG is not useful for discriminating fallers from non‐fallers in healthy, high‐functioning older people but is of more value in less‐healthy, lower‐functioning older people. Overall, the predictive ability and diagnostic accuracy of the TUG are at best moderate. No cut‐point can be recommended. Quick, multifactorial fall risk screens should be considered to provide additional information for identifying older people at risk of falls.