bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demographic consequences of climate change and land cover help explain a history of extirpations and range contraction in a declining snake species
Authors: Pomara Lars Y. , LeDee Olivia E. , Martin Karl J. , Zuckerberg Benjamin 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDeveloping conservation strategies for threatened species increasingly requires understanding vulnerabilities to climate change, in terms of both demographic sensitivities to climatic and other environmental factors, and exposure to variability in those factors over time and space. We conducted a range‐wide, spatially explicit climate change vulnerability assessment for Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus), a declining endemic species in a region showing strong environmental change. Using active season and winter adult survival estimates derived from 17 data sets throughout the species' range, we identified demographic sensitivities to winter drought, maximum precipitation during the summer, and the proportion of the surrounding landscape dominated by agricultural and urban land cover. Each of these factors was negatively associated with active season adult survival rates in binomial generalized linear models. We then used these relationships to back‐cast adult survival with dynamic climate variables from 1950 to 2008 using spatially explicit demographic models. Demographic models for 189 population locations predicted known extant and extirpated populations well (AUC = 0.75), and models based on climate and land cover variables were superior to models incorporating either of those effects independently. These results suggest that increasing frequencies and severities of extreme events, including drought and flooding, have been important drivers of the long‐term spatiotemporal variation in a demographic rate. We provide evidence that this variation reflects nonadaptive sensitivity to climatic stressors, which are contributing to long‐term demographic decline and range contraction for a species of high‐conservation concern. Range‐wide demographic modeling facilitated an understanding of spatial shifts in climatic suitability and exposure, allowing the identification of important climate refugia for a dispersal‐limited species. Climate change vulnerability assessment provides a framework for linking demographic and distributional dynamics to environmental change, and can thereby provide unique information for conservation planning and management.
Late onset of clinically apparent central vein stenosis due to previous central venous catheter in a patient with inherited thrombophilia
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Antoniadi Georgia , Pissas Georgios , Leivaditis Konstantinos , Stefanidis Ioannis 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe describe a case of a patient with a functional kidney transplant who was admitted to our department with clinically evident central vein stenosis (CVS) 7 years after the removal of a central venous catheter (CVC) from the right internal jugular vein. The catheter was used as a hemodialysis access for a 2‐month period. In the interval before his last admission, the patient suffered two episodes of deep vein thrombosis. Investigation revealed heterozygosity for factor V Leiden, the most common inherited thrombophilia encountered in 5% of Caucasians, and anticoagulation treatment was started. Magnetic resonance angiography showed stenosis just after the convergence of the right subclavian vein with the internal jugular vein to the innominate vein. Transluminal angioplasty restored venous patency and right upper arm edema resolved. Coexistence of CVS, accompanied by hemodynamic changes and endothelial dysfunction, with thrombophilia fulfill all the elements of the Virchow's triad. Therefore, the patient was at great risk for central vein thrombosis, from which he was possibly protected by the early administration of anticoagulant treatment. This case indicates that CVS can be asymptomatic for several years after CVC removal and also raises the question if thrombophilia workup and investigation for CVS may be beneficial in every patient with CVC placement in order to avoid any harmful outcomes.
Relationship between prosthodontic status and nutritional intake in the elderly in Korea: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES IV)
Authors: Choi YK , Park DY , Kim Y 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesMany health issues have been reported to be associated with poor nutritional status. We sought to examine the association between nutritional intake and oral health status in elderly people.MethodsThe association between perceived disability in mastication and prosthodontic status was analysed using multiple logistic regression. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the association between prosthodontic status and nutritional intake.ResultsThe elderly subjects with partial or full dentures reported chewing difficulties 1.62‐fold more frequently (95% CI: 1.06–2.49) than those with natural teeth or a fixed prosthesis after adjusting for gender, TMD (temporomandibular disorder), household income and education level. Additionally, daily nutritional intakes of energy, protein, fat, ash, calcium, phosphorus and thiamine were decreased significantly in elderly with partial or full dentures compared with those with no prosthesis or with a fixed prosthesis (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings underline oral health status and perceived disability in mastication are associated with dietary imbalances in the elderly. We suggest that the evaluation of patients' nutritional status should be considered as a part of an overall plan for dental hygiene care.
Fatigue life enhancement of NiTi rotary endodontic instruments by progressive reciprocating operation
Authors: Shin C. S. , Huang Y. H. , Chi C. W. , Lin C. P. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of reciprocating amplitude and progressive angular increment on fatigue life enhancement of NiTi rotary endodontic instruments.MethodologyProTaper F2 instruments were operated in steel artificial canals with both stationary reciprocating (SR) and progressive reciprocating (PR) motions. The SR motions involved symmetric to and fro reciprocation of ±180o, ±135o, ±90o, ±60o and ±45o. The PR motions were ±45o stationary motion superimposed with angular increments of 7o, 11o, 22.5o or 31o whenever an instrument completed 1, 10 or 30 reciprocating cycles (rc). The fatigue lives were compared with those under continuous rotation (CR) and a reciprocating operation with a forward 144o and backward 72o motion proposed by Yared (2008). The statistical significance of these operating modes on fatigue life was examined using one way anova and post hoc Tukey's tests at P = 0.05. Fractographic analysis was also applied to probe the fracture mechanisms of different rotation motions.ResultsFatigue life increased with decreasing reciprocating amplitude. Operating in the SR increased fatigue life by 355% over that in the CR. Except for the 22.5o increment, all PR motions yielded longer fatigue lives than the SR motion. A progressive reciprocating operation with a ± 45o reciprocating amplitude and a + 7o progressive angular increment every 10 reciprocating cycles (±45o/10rc/+7o) increased fatigue life by 990% over that in the CR motion. In terms of life enhancement over the CR motion, the larger the curvature the less are the differences between different movements. Single crack initiation sites were found in the CR and SR motions, while three crack initiation sites were typical in the ±45o/10rc/+7o motion.ConclusionsFatigue life increased with decreasing reciprocating amplitude in stationary reciprocation. A progressive reciprocating operation with ±45o/10rc/+7o motion led to significant fatigue life enhancement and multiple fatigue crack initiation in NiTi endodontic instruments.
Successful penile reconstruction after multimodal therapy in patients with primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating from the penis
Authors: Akino Tomoshige , Shinohara Nobuo , Hatanaka Kanako , Kobayashi Nozomi , Yamamoto Yuhei , Nonomura Katsuya 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe herein present an extremely rare case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating in the penis. A 16‐year‐old male adolescent presented with painful penile swelling. Pathological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetical examinations of the specimens obtained from total penectomy confirmed the diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor. After total penectomy, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide‐based regimen for 48 weeks. As a series of therapies, the patient underwent penile reconstruction surgery after completing adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient has not shown any evidence of recurrence for the 7 years after penile reconstruction surgery, and voiding function is completely normal. A favorable outcome was observed by multimodal therapy including aggressive resection for local control, intensive adjuvant chemotherapy, and penile reconstruction with cosmetic and functional success. Similar therapeutic approaches might be selected for children with primary malignant tumors of the penis.
Efficacy and safety of once‐daily oxybutynin patch versus placebo and propiverine in Japanese patients with overactive bladder: A randomized double‐blind trial
Authors: Yamaguchi Osamu , Uchida Eiji , Higo Naruhito , Minami Hidenao , Kobayashi Shigeo , Sato Hiroyuki ,   Oxybutynin Patch Study Group
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of once‐daily oxybutynin patch therapy for overactive bladder.MethodsA randomized double‐blind trial was carried out in patients with overactive bladder syndrome, who received an oxybutynin patch, propiverine (20 mg) or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end‐point was the change of the mean daily number of micturitions in week 12.ResultsA total of 1530 patients were randomized to receive the oxybutynin patch (573), propiverine (576) or placebo (381). The change of the mean daily frequency of micturition from baseline in the full analysis set was −1.89 ± 2.04 with the oxybutynin patch, which was significantly higher than with placebo (−1.44 ± 2.23) (P = 0.0015). The difference of the mean change in the mean daily number of micturitions between the oxybutynin patch and propiverine groups showed a 95% confidence interval of −0.28 to 0.21, and the upper limit of this interval was below the predefined non‐inferiority margin of 0.37, showing non‐inferiority of the oxybutynin patch to propiverine. The incidence of dry mouth and constipation was higher with propiverine than with the oxybutynin patch or placebo. Application site dermatitis was more frequent with the oxybutynin patch (31.8%) than with propiverine (5.9%) or placebo (5.2%), but the dermatitis was generally mild.ConclusionThis trial shows the efficacy of the new once‐daily oxybutynin patch for overactive bladder. Despite a higher rate of dermatitis with the oxybutynin patch, dry mouth and constipation occurs less often than during treatment with propiverine.
Preparation of Phase‐Pure K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Fine Powders by a Solid‐State Reaction at 625°C from a Precursor Comprising Nb2O5 and K,Na Acetates
Authors: Senna Mamoru , Pavlic Jernej , Rojac Tadej , Malic Barbara , Kosec Maria 
Published: December 2013

Phase‐pure K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) fine powders were synthesized via a solid‐state route from a homogeneous solid mixture. A colloidal dispersion comprising a mixed ethanol solution of potassium and sodium acetates and Nb2O5 fine particles was attrition milled and dried carefully to avoid water absorption. Two‐step calcination in air at 450°C and 625°C, each for 3 h, resulted in the phase‐pure KNN powders. The volume‐based median diameter of the final product was ca. 0.8 μm. Starting from the same precursors without dissolving the acetates, the phase‐pure KNN was never achieved even when the two calcination temperatures were increased to 550°C and 700°C, in spite of the same milling conditions. Key issues of eliminating second phases were (i) starting from a wet‐milled mixture with a single solution containing both of the A‐site species, and (ii) repeated wet milling of the reaction mixture to disintegrate reaction‐induced agglomerates. These enabled rapid nuclei growth from chemically interacted precursor prior to calcination, and short diffusion path due to repeated deagglomeration, excluding formation of off‐stoichiometric second phases. All these items were confirmed by different analytical tools, among others, thermo‐gravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), particle size analyses, and XPS at various reaction stages. On the heating stage microscope, a shrinkage onset was observed at 850°C, that is, 150 K lower than that of conventionally prepared KNN, that is, via a solid‐state synthesis from carbonates by a two‐step calcination at 800°C and 750°C, for 4 h each. No second phase was observed after sintering up to 1100°C.
European Commission Officials' Policy Attitudes
Authors: Schafer Jerome 
Published: December 2013

AbstractEuropean Commission officials are usually thought to prefer more to less supranational authority. A large body of work assumes that they maximize the power of their organization. This study suspends a priori preference attribution and empirically investigates variation in support for supranational authority over five policy areas. The analysis uses Kassim et al.'s survey data from 2008 (N = 1,901). The first finding in this article is that Commission officials do not systematically prefer more supranational decision‐making. Following the logic of fiscal federalism, they support changes in EU policy scope to the extent that this would improve public good provision. The second finding, taking a political psychology perspective, is that individual calculations of efficiency are mediated by ideological beliefs. Because issues are complex and information is costly, Commission officials rely on heuristics to assess what the European Union should do. They are biased information‐processors.
Metronidazole alone or with amoxicillin as adjuncts to non‐surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a secondary analysis of microbiological results from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Soares Geisla M. S. , Mendes Juliana A. V. , Silva Maike P. , Faveri Marcelo , Teles Ricardo , Socransky Sigmund S. , Wang Xiaoshan , Figueiredo Luciene C. , Feres Magda 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the changes occurring in the subgingival microbial profile of subjects with generalized chronic periodontitis (ChP) treated by scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or with metronidazole (MTZ) or MTZ + amoxicillin (AMX). A secondary aim was to examine a possible added effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) to these therapies.MethodsOne hundred and eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to receive SRP‐only or with MTZ [400 mg/thrice a day (TID)] or MTZ + AMX (500 mg/TID) for 14 days. Half of the subjects in each group rinsed with 0.12% CHX twice a day (BID) for 2 months. Nine subgingival plaque samples/subject were analysed by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization for 40 bacterial species at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐therapy.ResultsAt 12 months, the antibiotic‐treated groups harboured lower mean counts and proportions of key periodontal pathogens than the SRP group (p < 0.05). These benefits were observed at initially deep and shallow sites. Initial reductions in periodontal pathogens obtained with SRP partially rebound after 12 months. CHX rinsing enhanced the microbiological effects of the MTZ + AMX treatment in shallow sites.ConclusionThe adjunctive use of MTZ and MTZ + AMX results in a greater reduction in the levels of periodontal pathogens in generalized ChP subjects compared to SRP alone.
First observation of African tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus predating on barn swallows Hirundo rustica in flight
Authors: O'Brien G. C. , Jacobs F. , Evans S. W. , Smit N. J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA population of African tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus from the Schroda Dam, actively prey on barn swallows Hirundo rustica in flight. This behaviour was discovered during a radio telemetry study and documented using a motion picture video camera. These results show that an avivorous diet is a part of the feeding biology of H. vittatus, and may occur in other populations.
Competent authorities for the flood risk management plan – reflections on flood and spatial planning in England
Authors: Green Colin 
Published: December 2013

AbstractNational implementation of the Floods Directive required the member states to each designate a ‘competent authority’. This raises the question of what are the necessary competencies of the designated authority and what are the necessary powers required to deliver the directive. A fundamental problem in water governance is the ‘vertical‐horizontal problem’ of integration but rules necessarily fragment and water management is highly coupled with many other policy areas. This paper reviews how the emphasis on vertical and horizontal integration in flood risk management has evolved over time and argues that vertical integration has been promoted at increasing cost to horizontal integration.
Exploring the Frequency of Blood Pressure Documentation in Emergency Departments
Authors: Miltner Rebecca S. , Johnson Kimberly D. , Deierhoi Rhiannon 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPurposeOne of the most commonly performed task in the emergency department (ED) is reported as the monitoring of vital signs, yet there are no published standards of care that provide guidelines for the frequency of obtaining vital signs in the ED. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the frequency of documentation of vital signs recorded during ED visits across Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities.MethodsDeidentified patient level data from the VHA electronic health record (EHR) were abstracted for emergency department visits for 12 randomly selected days in calendar year 2011. The dataset included vital signs data, associated time stamps, facility, length of stay, triage category based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), and patient disposition for all patients. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the frequency of the specific vital sign measures, and parametric and nonparametric tests were used to examine study variables by ESI.FindingsThe sample consisted of over 43,232 unique patient visits to 94 VHA EDs with a median length of stay of 173.3 min (interquartile range [IQR], 96.1–286.9). The mean number of times that blood pressure (BP) was recorded per visit was 1.23 (SD 1.175). For the entire sample, median time between blood pressure measurements was 139.7 min (IQR, 81.6–230.1). There was a significant difference in median length of stay and median time between blood pressure by ESI category.ConclusionsIn this dataset, median time between documentation of BP in the ED was every 2.3 hr for all patients. While the median time was statistically significant between ESI categories, these times may not be clinically relevant. More important was the inconsistent documentation of vital signs of ED patients in the designated fields in the EHR. Most facilities (84.1%) documented BP for >75% of patient visits. However, eight facilities (9.1%) had BP documented in <50% of patient visits.Clinical RelevanceIt seems unlikely that vital signs are not monitored in the ED; nurses anecdotally report that vital signs are recorded on a paper chart and later scanned as an image into the EHR. However, lack of consistent process in documentation of vital signs may decrease the care team's ability to note early warning signs of physiological instability or deterioration.
Effect of linaclotide in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C): a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Atluri D. K. , Chandar A. K. , Bharucha A. E. , Falck‐Ytter Y. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundTreatment options for constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐C) are limited. While linaclotide improved IBS‐C symptoms in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), results vary among studies and the magnitude of benefit is unclear.MethodsTwo investigators independently extracted data on study participants, methods and outcomes (i.e., symptoms, quality of life, and adverse events) from eligible articles i.e., RCTs comparing linaclotide with placebo in adult patients with IBS‐C with a follow‐up of 12 weeks or longer. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to rate the quality of evidence.Key ResultsOf 182 identified citations, three RCTs enrolling 1773 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, fewer patients on linaclotide failed to achieve responses i.e., FDA endpoint (1604 patients, risk ratio [RR] = 0.80; 95%CI 0.76–0.85), adequate IBS symptom relief (1773 patients, RR = 0.73; 95%CI 0.65–0.82), and clinically meaningful improvement in IBS‐QOL (1659 patients, RR = 0.78; 95%CI 0.72–0.86). The incidence of diarrhea leading to discontinuation of treatment was higher for linaclotide (1773 patients, RR = 14.75; 95%CI 4.04–53.81). The quality of evidence was rated as moderate for FDA endpoint and adequate relief response, high for diarrhea, and low for IBS‐QOL. Generalizability may be limited by the study population (i.e., predominantly white female patients), lack of data regarding prior therapy, and availability of few RCTs. The number of patients is insufficient to identify rare adverse events.Conclusions & InferencesLinaclotide is moderately effective in improving symptoms of IBS‐C with diarrhea being the major side effect. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of linaclotide for IBS‐C.
PLPKI: A novel serine protease inhibitor as a potential biochemical marker involved in horizontal resistance to Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Feldman Mariana Laura , Andreu Adriana Balbina , Korgan Samanta , Lobato María Candela , Huarte Marcelo , Walling Linda Lee , Daleo Gustavo Raúl 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPotato leaves infected with Phytophthora infestans produced a serine protease inhibitor (PLPKI) with specificity for microbial proteases. Sequencing of the first twenty residues at the NH2‐terminus of the mature PLPKI polypeptide demonstrated that PLPKI is a novel member of the potato protease inhibitor I family. PLPKI inhibited the activity of extracellular proteases produced by two pathogens of potato, P. infestans and Rhizoctonia solani, but was inactive against proteases secreted into the culture media by the binucleate Rhizoctonia N2, a non‐pathogenic fungus for potato. Western blot analysis showed a positive correlation between the levels of PLPKI and the degree of horizontal resistance, showing its highest accumulation in clone OKA 5632.11, which has been described as highly resistant. This correlation, together with the ability of PLPKI to completely abolish the secreted serine protease activity of P. infestans, suggests that PLPKI may have an active role in protecting potato plants from this pathogenic oomycete and that it could be used as a suitable biochemical marker to help breeders in the selection of cultivars with high degree of horizontal resistance.
The effects of social exclusion on the ERN and the cognitive control of action monitoring
Authors: Themanson Jason R. , Ball Aaron B. , Khatcherian Stephanie M. , Rosen Peter J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe current study investigated the influence of social exclusion, created through the Cyberball paradigm, on cognitive control using neural and behavioral measures of action monitoring. Healthy young adults performed a modified flanker task while their post‐error behavior (accuracy, RT) and error‐related negativity (ERN) were assessed. Results indicated that excluded participants showed decreased ERN and post‐error response accuracy compared to included participants following their social interactions. These findings suggest that a common neural framework may exist for cognitive control processes and that cognitive control allocated toward exclusion‐related processing following exclusionary social interactions may disrupt the capability to support self‐regulatory action monitoring.