bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Real Time Contrast Echocardiography Useful for Assessment of the Right Ventricular Morphology, Function, and Perfusion?
Authors: Kamińska Marta , Sobkowicz Bożena , Sawicki Robert , Lewkowicz Janina , Tomaszuk‐Kazberuk Anna , Glińska Renata , Musiał Włodzimierz J. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundContrast‐enhanced echocardiography (CE) is recommended to assess left ventricular function and perfusion but is rarely used to assess the right ventricle (RV). We used CE to assess RV function and perfusion and evaluated whether RV perfusion defects varied in different patient groups with RV failure due to pressure overload.MethodsWe studied 17 patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), 19 patients with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension (CPH), and 7 healthy volunteers. The examination included RV opacification (RVO) and myocardial CE. RV end‐diastolic area (RVEDA), RV end‐systolic area (RVESA), fractional area change (FAC), and wall‐motion score index (WMSI) were assessed before and after contrast agent administration. Perfusion was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively.ResultsRVEDA, RVESA, FAC, and regional contractility were comparable before and after contrast agent injection. Significant perfusion defects were seen in PE and CPH (18/39 segments and 37/51 segments, respectively, vs. 0/21 segments in healthy volunteers; P < 0.0001). Wall‐perfusion score index (WPSI) was higher in PE and CPH compared to healthy volunteers (1.5 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.0; P = 0.02 and P = 0.0003, respectively). Linear correlations were noted between WMSI, FAC and WPSI (r = 0.5, P = 0.014 and r = −0.55, P = 0.005, respectively). Quantitative perfusion assessment revealed perfusion defects in the apical segment in the PE group. The mean region of interest value was insignificantly reduced in PE and CPH groups.ConclusionContrast‐enhanced echocardiography is feasible and may be useful for RVO and perfusion assessment in patients with RV dysfunction due to systolic overload. The SonoVue contrast agent was well tolerated by stable patients with PE and CPH.
Transcriptomic responses to emamectin benzoate in Pacific and Atlantic Canada salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis with differing levels of drug resistance
Authors: Sutherland Ben J. G. , Poley Jordan D. , Igboeli Okechukwu O. , Jantzen Johanna R. , Fast Mark D. , Koop Ben F. , Jones Simon R. M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractSalmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis are an ecologically and economically important parasite of wild and farmed salmon. In Scotland, Norway, and Eastern Canada, L. salmonis have developed resistance to emamectin benzoate (EMB), one of the few parasiticides available for salmon lice. Drug resistance mechanisms can be complex, potentially differing among populations and involving multiple genes with additive effects (i.e., polygenic resistance). Indicators of resistance development may enable early detection and countermeasures to avoid the spread of resistance. Here, we collect sensitive Pacific L. salmonis and sensitive and resistant Atlantic L. salmonis from salmon farms, propagate in laboratory (F1), expose to EMB in bioassays, and evaluate either baseline (Atlantic only) or induced transcriptomic differences between populations. In all populations, induced responses were minor and a cellular stress response was not identified. Pacific lice did not upregulate any genes in response to EMB, but downregulated degradative enzymes and transport proteins at 50 ppb EMB. Baseline differences between sensitive and now resistant Atlantic lice were much greater than responses to exposures. All resistant lice overexpressed degradative enzymes, and resistant males, the most resistant group, overexpressed collagenases to the greatest extent. These results indicate an accumulation of baseline expression differences related to resistance.
Response to commentary by Woinarski (Critical‐weight‐range marsupials in northern Australia are declining: a commentary on Fisher et al. (2014) ‘The current decline of tropical marsupials in Australia: is history repeating?’)
Authors: Fisher Diana O. , Johnson Chris N. , Lawes Michael J. , Fritz Susanne A. , McCallum Hamish , Blomberg Simon P. , VanDerWal Jeremy , Abbott Brett , Frank Anke , Legge Sarah , Letnic Mike , Thomas Colette R. , Fisher Alaric , Gordon Iain J. , Kutt Alex 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe recent commentary by Woinarski (2014, Global Ecology and Biogeography, doi: 10.1111/geb.12165) disagreed with our conclusions on the correlates of decline in the marsupials of tropical Australia (Fisher et al., 2014, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 23, 181–190). We compared traits of species that were associated with range decline in southern and northern Australia. We found that habitat structure, climate and body size were correlated with range decline. In the north, declines of marsupials were most severe in savanna with moderate rainfall. In the south, the ranges of species in open habitat with very low rainfall have declined most. Also, the association between range decline and body mass differed between north and south: this is the main concern of Woinarski, who further disagreed with our choice of the Tropic of Capricorn as a boundary between north and south, our omission of rodents, how to treat timing of extinctions, and our inference that cats are major drivers of decline. We address these concerns in this response.
SiC Products Formed by Slip Casting Method
Authors: Gubernat Agnieszka , Zych Łukasz , Wierzba Wiktoria 
Published: November 2014

The paper presents results of research designed to obtain a dense silicon carbide materials shaped by slip casting of aqueous suspensions. Aluminum oxide and yttrium oxide were used as sintering additives in a weight ratio of 3:2 in an amount of 10% by mass relative to the dry weight. The slip was electrostatically stabilized by adjusting pH. Measurement of the zeta potential as a function of pH and viscosity tests as a function of pH and volume fraction of the solid phase allowed for making selection of the suspension parameters, such as the solid volume loading (30%) and pH of ~ 8.5. Results of these investigations confirmed that it is possible to produce pseudoplastic slips suitable for slip casting. The increase in the strength of green bodies, allowing for their green processing, was obtained by addition of a commercial acrylic binder. SiC casts were sintered at 2050°C, which led to materials with high density and fine, homogeneous microstructure. The fracture toughness test revealed a positive effect of the sintering additives on KIc of the material, increasing its value to approximately 5 MPa·m1/2.
Frequencies of allele groups HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 in a population from the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Ayo C. M. , da Silveira Camargo A. V. , Xavier D. H. , Batista M. F. , Carneiro O. A. , Brandão de Mattos C. C. , Ricci O. , de Mattos L. C. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to estimate the HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 allele groups frequencies in a population of 1559 volunteer bone marrow donors from the northwestern region of São Paulo State grouped according to ethnicity. An additional objective was to compare the allele frequencies of the current study with data published for other Brazilian populations. The allele groups were characterized by the PCR‐rSSO method using Luminex® technology. Twenty HLA‐A, 32 HLA‐B and 13 HLA‐DRB1 allele groups were identified. The most common allele groups in European descent and mixed African and European descent samples were HLA‐A*02, HLA‐B*35 and HLA‐DRB1*13, while HLA‐A*02, HLA‐B*35 and HLA‐DRB1*11 were more common in African descent samples. The HLA‐A*23, HLA‐A*36, HLA‐B*58 and HLA‐B*81 allele groups were more common in sample from African descent than European descent, and the HLA‐DRB1*08 was more common in mixed African and European descent than in European descent. Allele group frequencies were compared with samples from other Brazilian regions. The HLA‐A*30 and HLA‐A*23 were more common in this study than in the populations of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná; and the HLA‐A*01, HLA‐B*18, HLA‐B*57 and HLA‐DRB1*11 were more common in this study than in the population of Piauí. The least frequent allele groups were HLA‐A*31, HLA‐B*15, HLA‐B*40 and HLA‐DRB1*08 for the population of Piauí, HLA‐A*01 and HLA‐A*11 for Parana, HLA‐A*02 and ‐A*03 for Rio Grande do Sul and HLA‐DRB1*04 for Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Piauí. These data provide an overview on the knowledge on HLA diversity in the population of the northwestern region of São Paulo State and show that the genes of this system are useful to distinguish different ethnic groups.
Performance analysis of newly developed point‐of‐care hemoglobinometer (TrueHb) against an automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex XT 1800i) in terms of precision in hemoglobin measurement
Authors: Srivastava A. , Koul V. , Dwivedi S. N. , Upadhyaya A. D. , Ahuja A. , Saxena R. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the newly developed handheld hemoglobinmeter (TrueHb) by comparing its performance against and an automated five‐part hematology analyzer, Sysmex counter XT 1800i (Sysmex).MethodsTwo hundred venous blood samples were subjected through their total hemoglobin evaluation on each device three times. The average of the three readings on each device was considered as their respective device values, that is, TrueHb values and Sysmex values. The two set of values were comparatively analyzed. The repeatability of the performance of TrueHb was also evaluated against Sysmex values.ResultsThe scatter plot of TrueHb values and Sysmex values showed linear distribution with positive correlations (r = 0.99). The intraclass correlation (ICC) values between the two set of values was found to be 0.995. Regression coefficients through origin, β, was found to be 0.995, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) ranging between 0.9900 and 1.0000. The mean difference in Bland–Altman plots of TrueHb values against the Sysmex values was found to be −0.02, with limits of agreement between ‐0.777 and 0.732 g/dL. Statistical analysis suggested good repeatability in results of TrueHb, having a low mean CV of 2.22, against 4.44, that of Sysmex values, and 95% confidence interval of 1.99–2.44, against 3.85–5.03, that of Sysmex values.ConclusionThese results suggested a strong positive correlation between the two measurements devices. It is thus concluded that TrueHb is a good point‐of‐care testing tool for estimating hemoglobin.
Sunda to Sahul dispersals in Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae): a dated phylogeny reveals five independent dispersal events to Australasia
Authors: de Boer Hugo J. , Steffen Karin , Cooper Wendy E. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimThe Cucurbitaceae genus Trichosanthes is widespread in Asia and Australia, and previous studies have shown that the genus originated in Asia, and that three independent lineages dispersed through the Sunda archipelago to Australasia. The timing and routes of these three dispersals, as well as the dispersal of two widespread species found in Australia and New Guinea, were investigated.LocationSunda–Sahul dispersals with a focus on New Guinea and Australia.MethodsA combined dataset of nuclear ribosomal (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) and plastid DNA (matK, ndhF, rpl20–rps12, rps16) was used for maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis to infer the relationships of the studied taxa. A fossil‐calibrated molecular dating was used to time the dispersal events, and a biogeographical analysis was used to study the origin and dispersal of the genus.ResultsThe two widespread species, T. pilosa and T. cucumerina, form monophyletic groups in Australia, suggesting single dispersals. Molecular dating analysis dates four of the dispersal events to the Miocene, and two to the Oligo‐Miocene boundary and the initial Sahul shelf collision with the Philippine plate. Most known Sahul–Philippine dispersals concern species that migrated from the Sahul shelf, whereas dispersals south are fewer. Southward Miocene dispersals include species that were present on the Sunda shelf before the tectonic formation of the Makassar Straits. All lineages that dispersed to Australasia have undergone extensive diversification following dispersal. Lineages adapted to wet tropical climates have speciated mostly in New Guinea, and lineages adapted to monsoon tropical climates have speciated mostly in northern Australia.Main conclusionsDispersals in Trichosanthes pre‐date human colonization of Australasia, suggesting natural long‐distance dispersal and establishment of all lineages. Diversification within lineages found in both Australia and New Guinea is limited, corroborating frequent land connections between these areas during the Pleistocene. Sunda–Sahul dispersals are likely to have been more common through time than previously suggested, especially in genera with floating fruit such as Trichosanthes.
A tree well travelled: global genetic structure of the invasive tree Acacia saligna
Authors: Thompson Genevieve D. , Bellstedt Dirk U. , Richardson David M. , Wilson John R. U. , Le Roux Johannes J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimInvasiveness of an introduced species in one region is often used to predict risk and inform management of the same species elsewhere. This assumes that entities in both regions are equivalent in their ecology and response to management. However, intraspecific genetic variation can result in differences in performance between regions. We conducted population genetic and phylogeographic analyses of the widely introduced and intraspecifically diverse Australian tree species Acacia saligna, in order to improve our understanding of its worldwide invasion history.LocationThe native range of A. saligna in Western Australia and introduced ranges in eastern Australia, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA.MethodsWe analysed microsatellite genotype data obtained from 447 individuals of A. saligna (including reference populations of known subspecies lineages) using Bayesian assignment analysis. We also reconstructed parsimony networks and a phylogeny using data from the nuclear external transcribed spacer (ETS) gene region for a subset of 120 individuals.ResultsThere was no consistent genetic pattern in introduced populations in different parts of the world. All three subspecies lineages of A. saligna have been moved around the world, showing high levels of admixture in some introduced populations. A previously identified novel and cultivated South African lineage was also identified in Portugal and Italy.Main conclusionsWith different subspecies lineages present in different regions globally, it is unclear exactly how effective management approaches of invasions in one region will be in other regions. For example, the successful biological control agents against cultivated lineages of A. saligna in South Africa will probably be effective against similar genotypes in Portugal but not against dissimilar lineages present elsewhere. Further work is needed to conclusively link the relative extent of invasions to genetic differences, and to determine whether genetic novelty can explain the widespread invasions of A. saligna observed in South Africa and Portugal.
Evolutionary priority effects in New Zealand alpine plants across environmental gradients
Authors: Leopold Devin R. , Tanentzap Andrew J. , Lee William G. , Heenan Peter B. , Fukami Tadashi 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimPriority effects, in which the order and timing of species arrival influence community assembly, are thought to be stronger in less stressful environments, reflecting increased competition, but this hypothesis has rarely been examined over evolutionary time. Here, we test the hypothesis using an island community of alpine plants.LocationMurchison Mountains, South Island, New Zealand.MethodsLineage age data for 14 monophyletic New Zealand alpine plant genera, with stem ages ranging from 2 to 17 Ma, were paired with species presence and abundance data in 261 plots, covering nearly 400 km2. The relationships between lineage age and the relative abundance and richness of focal genera across elevation (800–1620 m) and precipitation (2500–5000 mm yr−1) gradients were investigated using linear models in a Bayesian framework.ResultsThe relative abundance of focal genera increased with lineage age, but this effect was weaker at higher elevation and precipitation, where plants are likely to have experienced more stressful conditions. The relative richness of focal genera increased at a consistent rate despite significant changes in overall richness of focal genera across both elevation and precipitation gradients.Main conclusionsOur results suggest that priority effects, on a time‐scale of millions of years and involving significant evolutionary change, influence community assembly, leading to increased dominance of older lineages, but that the strength of these effects may vary with environmental conditions. Environmental gradients correlated with abiotic stress, such as elevation in alpine systems, may be particularly important for predicting the strength of both ecological and evolutionary priority effects.
A Cross‐Disciplinary Examination of Firm Orientations’ Performance Outcomes: The Role of Supply Chain Flexibility
Authors: Gligor David M. 
Published: November 2014

Although market orientation (MO) has long been considered an important business philosophy, the examination of MO outside the firm's boundaries has been rather limited. To address this, this study explores how supply chain orientation and operational flexibility (FLX) facilitate the implementation of MO. Although the positive impact of MO on firm performance has been well established, this study highlights that such benefits are enhanced by the development of supply chain related capabilities. Results indicate that market‐oriented firms are more likely to realize the strategic importance of managing the supply chain when operating under conditions of high environmental munificence, dynamism, and complexity. This provides a better understanding of the complex relationship between the demand and supply sides of the firm. This study highlights the importance of marketing theory and concepts to supply chain management scholars, and vice versa. This further accentuates the importance of eliminating the disconnect between supply and demand‐management processes, also described as the “Great Divide” (Drucker 1973; Esper et al. 2010a,b). A number of key managerial implications are offered as well.
Telomere length attrition and chronic periodontitis: an ARIC Study nested case–control study
Authors: Sanders Anne E. , Divaris Kimon , Naorungroj Supawadee , Heiss Gerardo , Risques Rosa A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimThis nested case–control study sought to determine whether an accelerated rate of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening over 6 years was associated with chronic periodontitis.Materials and MethodsWe sampled cases (n = 178) with severe chronic periodontitis and controls (n = 178) with no/mild chronic periodontitis from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Controls were frequency‐matched to cases by study site, age, sex and race. Age ranged from 53 to 73 years. Severe chronic periodontitis was defined using the CDC‐AAP case classification. LTL was measured from DNA collected at two time points, 6 years apart, with quantitative polymerase chain reaction relative to a single‐copy control gene. Multiple linear regression evaluated associations between LTL measured at baseline, follow‐up and change scores with severe chronic periodontitis, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsCases had shorter LTL than controls at baseline (p = 0.03) and follow‐up (p = 0.04) after adjusting for confounding. Overall there was a net reduction in LTL over time (p = 0.02). The rate of LTL did not differ between cases and controls (p = 0.80).ConclusionsLeukocyte telomere length shortening occurred at the same rate among adults with and without severe chronic periodontitis. This suggests that LTL shortening may have occurred earlier in the life course.
Coinfection and the evolution of drug resistance
Authors: Hansen J. , Day T. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractRecent experimental work in the rodent malaria model has shown that when two or more strains share a host, there is competitive release of drug‐resistant strains upon treatment. In other words, the propagule output of a particular strain is repressed when competing with other strains and increases upon the removal of this competition. This within‐host effect is predicted to have an important impact on the evolution and growth of resistant strains. However, how this effect translates to epidemiological parameters at the between‐host level, the level at which disease and resistance spread, has yet to be determined. Here we present a general, between‐host epidemiological model that explicitly takes into account the effect of coinfection and competitive release. Although our model does show that when there is coinfection competitive release may contribute to the emergence of resistance, it also highlights an additional between‐host effect. It is the combination of these two effects, the between‐host effect and the within‐host effect, that determines the overall influence of coinfection on the emergence of resistance. Therefore, even when competitive release of drug‐resistant strains occurs, within an infected individual, it is not necessarily true that coinfection will result in the increased emergence of resistance. These results have important implications for the control of the emergence and spread of drug resistance.
Comparing measures of breeding inequality and opportunity for selection with sexual selection on a quantitative character in bighorn rams
Authors: Martin A. M. , Festa‐Bianchet M. , Coltman D. W. , Pelletier F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe reliability and consistency of the many measures proposed to quantify sexual selection have been questioned for decades. Realized selection on quantitative characters measured by the selection differentialiwas approximated by metrics based on variance in breeding success, using either the opportunity for sexual selectionIsor indices of inequality. There is no consensus about which metric best approximates realized selection on sexual characters. Recently, the opportunity for selection on character meanOSMwas proposed to quantify the maximum potential selection on characters. Using 21 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the correlations between seven indices of inequality,Is,OSMandion horn length of males. Bighorn sheep are ideal for this comparison because they are highly polygynous and sexually dimorphic, ram horn length is under strong sexual selection, and we have detailed knowledge of individual breeding success. Different metrics provided conflicting information, potentially leading to spurious conclusions about selection patterns.Iδ, an index of breeding inequality, and, to a lesser extent,Isshowed the highest correlation withion horn length, suggesting that these indices document breeding inequality in a selection context.OSMon horn length was strongly correlated withi,Isand indices of inequality. By integrating information on both realized sexual selection and breeding inequality,OSMappeared to be the best proxy of sexual selection and may be best suited to explore its ecological bases.