bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drying of a temperate, intermittent river has little effect on adjacent riparian arthropod communities
Authors: Corti Roland , Datry Thibault 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Rivers and their adjacent riparian zones are intimately linked by fluxes of water, air masses, nutrients and organisms. Intermittent rivers constitute ideal systems to examine these linkages because they are characterised by alternating wet and dry phases, and hence, natural and contrasting variations occur in aquatic resources and environmental conditions.

We addressed the effects of river drying on riparian communities by collecting ground‐dwelling arthropods at three perennial sites and at four intermittent sites during a wet and a dry phase in the Albarine River (France). We first predicted that during dry phases, declines in aquatic resources and loss of water would create harsh environmental conditions and alter community structure and composition, due to decreases in predators and hygrophilous taxa. Second, we predicted that alternating wet and dry phases would enhance cumulative taxonomic richness over time owing to an increase in species turnover.

We found similar decreasing temporal patterns in taxonomic richness and abundance at intermittent and perennial sites, indicating that river drying had no effect on the structure of riparian arthropod communities. Community composition at intermittent and perennial sites differed only during the dry phase, indicating that intermittent and perennial sites gained and lost different sets of taxa as the river dried. Nevertheless, species turnover did not differ between sites, while taxonomic richness was always higher at intermittent sites.

Although some taxa were sensitive to river drying, the Albarine River supports rich and abundant riparian arthropod communities. While several studies have reported a strong dependence of riparian populations on aquatic resources, our results indicate that the effects of river drying on riparian arthropods at the community level are weak and discrete in time in the Albarine River.
Global solid biomass trade for energy by 2020: an assessment of potential import streams and supply costs to North‐West Europe under different sustainability constraints
Authors: Lamers Patrick , Hoefnagels Ric , Junginger Martin , Hamelinck Carlo , Faaij André 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe expected use of solid biomass for large‐scale heat and power production across North–West Europe (NW EU) has led to discussions about its sustainability, especially due to the increasing import dependence of the sector. While individual Member States and companies have put forward sustainability criteria, it remains unclear how different requirements will influence the availability and cost of solid biomass and thus how specific regions will satisfy their demand in a competitive global market. We combined a geospatially explicit least‐cost biomass supply model with a linear optimization solver to assess global solid biomass trade streams by 2020 with a particular focus on NW EU. We apply different demand and supply scenarios representing varying policy developments and sustainability requirements. We find that the projected EU solid biomass demand by 2020 can be met across all scenarios, almost exclusively via domestic biomass. The exploitation of domestic agricultural residue and energy crop potentials, however, will need to increase sharply. Given sustainability requirements for solid biomass as for liquid biofuels, extra‐EU imports may reach 236 PJ by 2020, i.e., 400% of their 2010 levels. Intra‐EU trade is expected to grow with stricter sustainability requirements up to 548 PJ, i.e., 280% of its 2010 levels by 2020. Increasing sustainability requirements can have different effects on trade portfolios across NW EU. Excluding pulpwood pellets may drive the supply costs of import dependent countries, foremost the Netherlands and the UK, whereas excluding additional forest biomass may entail higher costs for Germany and Denmark which rely on regional biomass. Excluding solid biomass fractions may create short‐term price hikes. Our modeling results are strongly influenced by parameterization choices, foremost assumed EU biomass supply volumes and costs and assumed relations between criteria and supply. The model framework is suited for the inclusion of dynamic supply–demand interactions and other world regions.
Consistent absence of HER2 expression, regardless of HER2 amplification status, in neuroendocrine carcinomas of the stomach
Authors: Ishida Michihiro , Sekine Shigeki , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Fukagawa Takeo , Katai Hitoshi , Kushima Ryoji 
Published: December 2013

AimsTo determine HER2 amplification status and HER2 overexpression status in neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the stomach.Methods and resultsWe analysed 51 gastric NECs, including 15 pure NECs and 36 NECs associated with adenocarcinoma and/or dysplasia, for HER2 amplification by dual‐colour chromogenic in‐situ hybridization, and for HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry. HER2 amplification was observed in three NECs (6%) and in seven (19%) cases of adenocarcinoma/dysplasia associated with NEC. Immunohistochemically, all of the NECs, including those showing HER2 amplification, lacked HER2 expression. On the other hand, positive and equivocal HER2 overexpression was observed in three (8%) and six (17%) cases of adenocarcinoma/dysplasia associated with NEC, respectively.ConclusionsHER2 expression is consistently absent in gastric NECs, regardless of HER2 amplification status or association with HER2‐positive adenocarcinoma/dysplasia components. Accordingly, HER2 is unlikely to be a valid therapeutic target in gastric NECs. Also, the absence of HER2 expression in NECs could be one of the causes of intratumoral heterogeneity of HER2 expression in gastric cancers.
Improving the mechanical properties of multiuse dental floss holders
Authors: Wolff A , Staehle HJ 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesThis study was designed to determine the effect of using a tensioning device and various winding techniques on the tension of a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) floss in a multiuse holder. The hypothesis of this study is that the use of a tensioning device improves the handling and mechanical properties of floss holders.Materials and methodsThe floss holder was modified so that four different degrees of tension (single‐/double‐wound; with/without tensioning device) were obtained and tested in an in vitro model approximating dental proximal contact resistance. The following parameters were measured: (I) the force (N) necessary to pass through the proximal contact after the 30th passage, (II) the displacement of the floss (mm), (III) the loosening of the floss (offset, mm), (IV) the change in distance between the branches (mm).Results(I) passage force. All modifications reached 11 N (median). For the double‐wound modification using the tensioning device, the smallest displacement (II) was 3.6 mm; the single‐wound modification without the tensioning device had the highest displacement (7.6 mm, medians) (III). The offset of all four different modifications ranged between 0 and −2 mm (medians). For the modification without the tensioning device, there was a difference in offset of −2 mm (single‐wound) and 0.5 mm (double‐wound) (medians). Modifications with the tensioning device did not produce any offset differences. (IV) A change in distance between the branches between −3 mm and −2 mm, respectively (with the tensioning device), and 0 mm (without the tensioning device) was observed (median). The results indicated that double‐wound floss and the use of a tensioning device both lead to a constant tension of the floss in the floss holder.ConclusionsTechnical modifications such as those shown in this study should improve the mechanical properties of multiuse floss holders, which, in turn, could lead to more user‐friendly floss holders and hence to higher user acceptance.
Comparison of pulp response to mineral trioxide aggregate and a bioceramic paste in partial pulpotomy of sound human premolars: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Azimi S. , Fazlyab M. , Sadri D. , Saghiri M. A. , Khosravanifard B. , Asgary S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThis randomized clinical trial evaluated clinical sign/symptoms as well as histological pulp reactions in terms of inflammation and mineralized bridge formation after partial pulpotomy of sound human premolars and placement of a bioceramic paste (iRoot BP) or tooth‐colored ProRoot MTA as pulp‐covering biomaterials.MethodologyTwenty‐four human sound premolars were randomly allocated into two experimental groups (n = 12) treated either with iRoot BP or MTA subsequent to partial pulpotomy. Six weeks after treatment, clinical sign/symptoms and radiographic changes were evaluated. The teeth were then extracted and examined histologically for inflammatory status of the pulp, formation of hard tissue bridge and appearance of the bridge. In terms of pulp inflammation and dentinal bridge formation, the Mann–Whitney U, and for clinical signs, the chi‐square test was used (α = 0.05).ResultsIn terms of pulp inflammation, formation of hard tissue bridge and its appearance, the differences between the two experimental groups were not significant. However, clinical sensitivity to cold was significantly less for teeth treated with MTA (P < 0.05). All cases had formed a hard tissue bridge, and none of the specimens in either group had pulpal necrosis.ConclusionWhen treating teeth with healthy pulps, the response to partial pulpotomy treatment with both MTA and iRoot BP was favourable. However, pulps covered with iRoot BP were more sensitive to cold stimuli.
Automatic classification of atypical lymphoid B cells using digital blood image processing
Authors: Alférez S. , Merino A. , Mujica L. E. , Ruiz M. , Bigorra L. , Rodellar J. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIntroductionThere are automated systems for digital peripheral blood (PB) cell analysis, but they operate most effectively in nonpathological blood samples. The objective of this work was to design a methodology to improve the automatic classification of abnormal lymphoid cells.MethodsWe analyzed 340 digital images of individual lymphoid cells from PB films obtained in the CellaVision DM96:150 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, 100 hairy cell leukemia (HCL) cells, and 90 normal lymphocytes (N). We implemented the Watershed Transformation to segment the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the peripheral cell region. We extracted 44 features and then the clustering Fuzzy C‐Means (FCM) was applied in two steps for the lymphocyte classification.ResultsThe images were automatically clustered in three groups, one of them with 98% of the HCL cells. The set of the remaining cells was clustered again using FCM and texture features. The two new groups contained 83.3% of the N cells and 71.3% of the CLL cells, respectively.ConclusionThe approach has been able to automatically classify with high precision three types of lymphoid cells. The addition of more descriptors and other classification techniques will allow extending the classification to other classes of atypical lymphoid cells.
La sociedad civil y el piso de protección social
Authors: van Ginneken Wouter 
Published: December 2013

ResumenLa sociedad civil apoya con entusiasmo el concepto de pisos de protección social y, en particular, la adopción de la Recomendación sobre los pisos de protección social, 2012 (núm. 202), de la OIT. La creación de los pisos nacionales de protección social representaría un gran avance en la reducción de la pobreza y la desigualdad así como en el empoderamiento de la población mundial. La sociedad civil tiene el convencimiento de que un planteamiento basado en los derechos humanos es el más efectivo para proyectar medidas para empoderar a la población y establecer pisos de protección social sostenibles. En cuanto a la implementación de garantías de protección social basada en los derechos humanos, esta medida presenta cuatro aspectos específicos que hay que destacar: a) respeto por los derechos y la dignidad de las personas que son titulares de derechos a la seguridad social; b) plena participación de la sociedad civil; c) cobertura universal en el ámbito local, nacional e internacional, y d) y especial atención a los grupos vulnerables. Tras la 101.ª Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo en 2012, cincuenta y nueve organizaciones de la sociedad civil fundaron la Coalición por el Piso de Protección Social, con dos objetivos principales: supervisar y contribuir a la implementación universal de pisos de protección social en la esfera local y nacional; y promover el concepto de piso de protección social en la formulación de políticas globales, como en el caso de las conversaciones sobre el programa para el desarrollo posterior a 2015.
IQ and obesity in adolescence: a population‐based, cross‐sectional study
Authors: Goldberg S. , Werbeloff N. , Fruchter E. , Portuguese S. , Davidson M. , Weiser M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryWhat is already known about this subject
Low IQ is associated with high BMI in childhood.
There are inconsistent findings on the association between low SES and high BMI.
Youth with low IQ have been reported to have poorer health behaviors, such as poor nutrition and less physical activity.
What this study adds
Low IQ is significantly associated with obesity for both male and female adolescents, though more strongly for female adolescents.
Physical activity has a mediating effect on the association between low IQ and obesity among both male and female adolescents, though more strongly for male adolescents.
The association between low IQ and obesity is strongest among adolescents from high SES backgrounds.
BackgroundPrevious studies have shown an association between low intelligence quotient (IQ), high body mass index and low socioeconomic status (SES).ObjectivesThis study examined the cross‐sectional association between IQ and obesity, exploring the roles of gender, SES and physical activity in this association.MethodsSubjects were 235 663 male and 169 259 female adolescents assessed by the Israeli military draft board.ResultsLow IQ was significantly associated with increased odds of obesity among male (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36–1.52) and female adolescents (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.51–1.73); this association was significantly stronger among female adolescents. Sobel tests indicated that physical activity had a significant mediating effect on this association for male and female adolescents, although more strongly for male adolescents. Dividing the sample according to SES, the association between low IQ and obesity was strongest in the high SES group (male adolescents: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.10–1.43, female adolescents: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.38–1.89), even when controlling for physical activity.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that low IQ is associated with increased odds of obesity, particularly in female adolescents and in adolescents with high SES. Physical activity has a mediating effect on this association, although more strongly for male than for female adolescents. Public health measures on decreasing obesity might focus on these groups.
Differences in gestational weight gain between pregnancies before and after maternal bariatric surgery correlate with differences in birth weight but not with scores on the body mass index in early childhood
Authors: Berglind D. , Willmer M. , Näslund E. , Tynelius P. , Sørensen T. I. A. , Rasmussen F. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundLarge maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with increased birth weight and increased risk of obesity in offspring, but these associations may be confounded by genetic and environmental factors. The aim was to investigate the effects of differences in GWG in all three trimesters on differences in birth weight and in body mass index (BMI) scores at 4 and 6 years of age, within siblings born before and after bariatric surgery.MethodWomen with at least one child born before and one after bariatric surgery were identified in national Swedish registers. Series of weight (and height) measurements were collected from antenatal medical records, with data on the nearest pregnancies before and after bariatric surgery.ResultsThe age‐adjusted means of pre‐ and post‐operative GWG of 124 women were 11.3 (standard deviation [SD] 7.2) and 8.3 (SD 6.4) kg, respectively (P = 0.01). Adjusted fixed effects regression models showed positive associations of differences in mean total GWG with differences in siblings' birth weight, 0.023 kg per 1‐kg greater weight gain (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.014–0.069) and for second trimester 0.53 kg for each 1‐kg greater weight per week (95% CI: 0.32–1.61), whereas no associations were found with BMI in pre‐school age.ConclusionThis study showed positive associations between differences in total and second trimester maternal GWG and differences in children's birth weight, but no association with BMI scores in pre‐school age. Maternal genetic, social and lifestyle factors fixed from one pregnancy to the next were taken into account in the analyses by the study design.
The EU as a Normative Power and the Research on External Perceptions: The Missing Link
Authors: Larsen Henrik 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn research on European foreign policy two important axes of debate have been running relatively independently of each other for more than a decade: the study of the European Union as a normative power (NPE) and the study of external perceptions of the EU. However, the studies of external perception offer some findings that are central for the NPE debate. This article's argument is that the external perceptions literature points to a limited (if still identifiable) perception of the EU as a normative power depending on the geographical area. By comparison, the image of a powerful economic actor is prevalent. The article raises the question of whether the thin and geographically varied character of the perceptions relating to the EU as a normative power justifies the general designation of NPE. A new agenda focusing on geographical differences and interaction with other sources of power is outlined.
Edwardsiellosis in farmed turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), associated with an unusual variant of Edwardsiella tarda: a clinical, aetiological and histopathological study
Authors: Qin L , Xu J , Wang Y G 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDuring 2005 and 2010, a survey of edwardsiellosis on eight turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), farms was conducted in China. This report presents the detailed results of the study on this disease. Diseased turbot displayed two distinct types of gross signs: black discoloration of the dorsal skin on the posterior portion of the body; and red cutaneous foci on the ventral side. Internally, the most pronounced clinical signs in all fish examined were enlarged kidneys. The causal agent of the disease was finally proved to be one species of bacterium that was identified as Edwardsiella tarda by physiological and biochemical tests, API 32E and 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis. It is noteworthy that unlike the commonly described E. tarda strains, the isolates in this study were non‐motile strains without flagella. A histopathological study revealed that E. tarda infection was systemic in turbot and that kidney showed the most significant pathological changes, including acute focal necrosis, an influx of macrophages and formation of granuloma. The most common histopathological characteristics of this disease are the proliferation of macrophage in various organs and formation of granuloma. In addition, this article also gave background information on the disease and presented the results of virulence tests with the E. tarda strain identified in this study.
Clinical outcomes of a cohort series of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a hepatitis B virus‐endemic area
Authors: Kwak Hee‐Won , Park Joong‐Won , Nam Byung‐Ho , Yu Ami , Woo Sang Myung , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Seong Hoon , Koh Young Hwan , Kim Hyun Beom , Park Sang Jae , Lee Woo Jin , Hong Eun Kyung , Kim Chang‐Min 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compare the findings with that of a previous cohort.MethodsOverall, 1972 HCC patients diagnosed and treated at the National Cancer Center, Korea between 2004 and 2009 were enrolled. The data of this cohort were compared with those of a previous cohort (2000–2003) from the same institution.ResultsIn all (mean age, 56.4 years; 1642 men), 74.6% was hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive, 81.6% were Child–Pugh (CP) class A, and 64.4% was Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. The modified Union for International Cancer Control (mUICC) stage I, II, III, IVa, and IVb was found in 8.9%, 29.6%, 24.8%, 23.1%, and 13.6% patients, respectively. The most common initial treatment was transarterial chemotherapy (58.3%), followed by resection (18.6%). The 5‐year survival rate of BCLC stage 0, A, B, and C were 79.6%, 67.2%, 33.9%, and 17.1%, respectively. The performance status, BCLC stage, mUICC stage, CP class, model for end‐stage liver disease score, tumor characteristics, portal vein tumor invasion, and serum alpha‐fetoprotein level proved to be independent prognostic variables. Overall survival in the present cohort was better than that in the previous cohort (hazard ratio, 0.829; 95% confidence interval, 0.754–0.912), especially for advanced HCC patients with HBV‐positive status.ConclusionsThis cohort study provides valuable insights into the characteristics of HCC in Korean patients. Our findings may help develop clinical trials, treatment strategies, and prognosis systems for HCC patients in HBV‐endemic areas.
Impact of postoperative hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients who formerly had naturally suppressed virus
Authors: Lee Jung Il , Kim Ja Kyung , Chang Hye Young , Lee Jin‐Woo , Kim Joon Mee , Chung Hyun Jung , Kim Young Soo , Lee Kwan Sik 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground and AimHepatitis B virus (HBV) replication detected before the resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is to be controlled by antiviral agents. However, management strategy for patients with preoperatively undetectable HBV DNA without antiviral therapy is not clearly delineated. This study investigated viral reactivation after the liver resection in non‐replicating HBV DNA‐related HCC patients and its impact on the surgical outcome.MethodsFrom 198 patients that underwent liver resection due to HBV‐related HCC, 101 patients who had serially checked serum HBV DNA were analyzed.ResultsFrom 101 patients, 33 patients had baseline undetectable HBV DNA. Eleven patients (11/33, 33.3%) had viral replication after the liver resection. The postoperative viral reactivation (HR: 2.144; 95% CI: 1.122–4.097; P = 0.021), along with the existence of satellite nodules (HR: 3.034; 95% CI: 1.1.376–6.689; P = 0.006), existence of microvascular invasion (HR: 2.479; 95% CI: 1.303–4.718; P = 0.006), and HBeAg positivity (HR: 2.059; 95% CI: 1.155–3.670; P = 0.014) predicted recurrence after the surgery. Quantification of intrahepatic total and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) was done in 14 patients whose baseline serum HBV DNA was undetectable without the use of antiviral agent. Amount of intrahepatic cccDNA expressed as copies/hepatocyte in patients with postoperative viral reactivation showed significantly higher than those in patients with sustained negative serum HBV DNA (P = 0.010).ConclusionsThis study shows that naturally suppressed preoperative HBV without application of antiviral agent does not ensure undetectable serum HBV after the surgery, and postoperative viral reactivation might be associated with HCC recurrence.