bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oviposition habitat selection by container‐dwelling mosquitoes: responses to cues of larval and detritus abundances in the field
Authors: FADER JOSEPH E. , JULIANO STEVEN A. 
Published: March 2014

Insects' oviposition responses to resource and larval densities can be important factors determining distributions and competitive interactions of larvae. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) show aggregated distributions of larvae in the field, larval interactions that are affected by detritus resources, and oviposition responses to resource and density cues in the laboratory. In this study, field experiments were conducted to test whether these species choose oviposition sites in response to chemical cues indicating detritus resource quantity and quality or larval abundances.
In Experiment 1, both species showed interactive responses to water conditioned with high or low quantities of senescent live oak leaves and density combinations of A. albopictus and A. aegypti larvae. Aedes aegypti preferred high‐detritus containers when conspecifics were absent. Aedes albopictus tended to prefer high‐detritus containers when larval density was low. We found no evidence of interspecific differences in oviposition preferences.
In Experiment 2, A. albopictus preferred high detritus to low or no detritus, and rapidly decaying, high‐quality detritus to low‐quality detritus.
Oviposition choices by these Aedes are mainly determined by resource quantity and quality, with larval densities having minor, variable effects. Oviposition responses of these species are unlikely to lead to resource partitioning. Aggregated distributions of these species in the field are unlikely to be products of oviposition choices based on larval densities.
Ultrasound‐guided injection of the median artery in the standing sedated horse
Authors: Spriet M. , Trela J. M. , Galuppo L. D. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyInjection of the median artery of horses leads to better distribution and persistence of mesenchymal stem cells than i.v. regional limb perfusion. Due to technical difficulties, intra‐arterial injections thus far have only been performed under general anaesthesia.ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of injection of the median artery in standing sedated horses.Study designExperimental study.MethodsSix horses were included in the study. After median and ulnar regional analgesia, radiographic contrast material was injected in the median artery of both front limbs, using a catheter in one limb and a direct needle injection in the other. Ultrasound guidance was used for catheter and needle placement. Radiographs were obtained for confirmation of successful injection. Post procedural ultrasound examination was performed to assess vascular compromise.ResultsCatheter placement was successful in all 6 limbs, but in one limb injection was not possible due to arterial spasm. Movement of the limbs after the initial injection resulted in loss of functionality of the catheter in 2 other horses. Direct needle injection was successful on all 6 limbs, with periarterial extravasation observed in 2 limbs. No clinical complications were observed.ConclusionsInjection of the median artery can be performed in standing horses under sedation. Direct needle injection is a more practical technique than catheterisation, as it is easier to perform and less likely to induce arterial spasm. Periarterial extravasation remains a possible limitation of the technique. Intra‐arterial injections may be useful for administration of therapeutic agents such as mesenchymal stem cells on standing sedated horses.
Increased cutaneous absorption reflects impaired barrier function of reconstructed skin models mimicking keratinisation disorders
Authors: Eckl Katja‐Martina , Weindl Günther , Ackermann Katharina , Küchler Sarah , Casper Ramona , Radowski Michał R. , Haag Rainer , Hennies Hans Christian , Schäfer‐Korting Monika 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess a recently established 3D model of congenital ichthyosis, representing severe epidermal barrier function defects, for skin penetration and permeation. We have generated disease models by knock‐down of either TGM1 or ALOXE3 in primary human keratinocytes, and using keratinocytes and fibroblasts from patients with congenital ichthyosis. The results indicate disturbed barrier function as demonstrated by increased permeation of testosterone and caffeine particularly in TGM1 knock‐down models compared to control models. In addition, enhanced penetration of the model dye nile red incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles and core‐multishell nanotransporters, respectively, was evident in disease models. Thus, in vitro skin disease models reproduce differences in barrier permeability and function seen in congenital ichthyosis and pave the way to personalised disease models. Furthermore, our findings indicate that nanocarriers may be useful in new, topical therapeutic approaches for the currently very limited treatment of congenital ichthyosis.
Fossilization and degradation of archaeal intact polar tetraether lipids in deeply buried marine sediments (Peru Margin)
Authors: Lengger Sabine K. , Hopmans Ellen C. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Schouten Stefan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractGlycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids are part of the cellular membranes of Thaumarchaeota, an archaeal phylum composed of aerobic ammonia oxidizers, and are used in the paleotemperature proxy TEX86. GDGTs in live cells possess polar head groups and are called intact polar lipids (IPL‐GDGTs). Their transformation to core lipids (CL) by cleavage of the head group was assumed to proceed rapidly after cell death, but it has been suggested that some of these IPL‐GDGTs can, just like the CL‐GDGTs, be preserved over geological timescales. Here, we examined IPL‐GDGTs in deeply buried (0.2–186 mbsf, ~2.5 Myr) sediments from the Peru Margin. Direct measurements of the most abundant IPL‐GDGT, IPL‐crenarchaeol, specific for Thaumarchaeota, revealed depth profiles, which differed per head group. Shallow sediments (<1 mbsf) contained IPL‐crenarchaeol with both glycosidic and phosphate head groups, as also observed in thaumarchaeal enrichment cultures, marine suspended particulate matter and marine surface sediments. However, hexose, phosphohexose‐crenarchaeol is not detected anymore below 6 mbsf (~7 kyr), suggesting a high lability. In contrast, IPL‐crenarchaeol with glycosidic head groups is preserved over timescales of Myr. This agrees with previous analyses of deeply buried (>1 m) marine sediments, which only reported glycosidic and no phosphate‐containing IPL‐GDGTs. TEX86 values of CL‐GDGTs did not markedly change with depth, and the TEX86 of IPL‐derived GDGTs decreased only when the proportions of monohexose‐ to dihexose‐GDGTs changed, likely due to the enhanced preservation of the monohexose GDGTs. Our results support the hypothesis that in situ GDGT production and differential IPL degradation in sediments is not substantially affecting TEX86 paleotemperature estimations based on CL–GDGTs and indicates that likely only a small amount of IPL‐GDGTs present in deeply buried sediments is part of cell membranes of active archaea. The amount of archaeal biomass in the deep biosphere based on these IPLs may have been substantially overestimated.
Bias of Apparent Tracer Ages in Heterogeneous Environments
Authors: McCallum James L. , Cook Peter G. , Simmons Craig T. , Werner Adrian D. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe interpretation of apparent ages often assumes that a water sample is composed of a single age. In heterogeneous aquifers, apparent ages estimated with environmental tracer methods do not reflect mean water ages because of the mixing of waters from many flow paths with different ages. This is due to nonlinear variations in atmospheric concentrations of the tracer with time resulting in biases of mixed concentrations used to determine apparent ages. The bias of these methods is rarely reported and has not been systematically evaluated in heterogeneous settings. We simulate residence time distributions (RTDs) and environmental tracers CFCs, SF6, 85Kr, and 39Ar in synthetic heterogeneous confined aquifers and compare apparent ages to mean ages. Heterogeneity was simulated as both K‐field variance (σ2) and structure. We demonstrate that an increase in heterogeneity (increase in σ2 or structure) results in an increase in the width of the RTD. In low heterogeneity cases, widths were generally on the order of 10 years and biases generally less than 10%. In high heterogeneity cases, widths can reach 100 s of years and biases can reach up to 100%. In cases where the temporal variations of atmospheric concentration of individual tracers vary, different patterns of bias are observed for the same mean age. We show that CFC‐12 and CFC‐113 ages may be used to correct for the mean age if analytical errors are small.
Impacts of Seawater Rise on Seawater Intrusion in the Nile Delta Aquifer, Egypt
Authors: Sefelnasr Ahmed , Sherif Mohsen 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSeveral investigations have recently considered the possible impacts of climate change and seawater level rise on seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. All have revealed the severity of the problem and the significance of the landward movement of the dispersion zone under the condition of seawater level rise. Most of the studies did not consider the possible effects of the seawater rise on the inland movement of the shoreline and the associate changes in the boundary conditions at the seaside and the domain geometry. Such effects become more evident in flat, low land, coastal alluvial plans where large areas might be submerged with seawater under a relatively small increase in the seawater level. None of the studies combined the effect of increased groundwater pumping, due to the possible decline in precipitation and shortage in surface water resources, with the expected landward shift of the shore line. In this article, the possible effects of seawater level rise in the Mediterranean Sea on the seawater intrusion problem in the Nile Delta Aquifer are investigated using FEFLOW. The simulations are conducted in horizontal view while considering the effect of the shoreline landward shift using digital elevation models. In addition to the basic run (current conditions), six different scenarios are considered. Scenarios one, two, and three assume a 0.5 m seawater rise while the total pumping is reduced by 50%, maintained as per the current conditions and doubled, respectively. Scenarios four, five, and six assume a 1.0 m seawater rise and the total pumping is changed as in the first three scenarios. The shoreline is moved to account for the seawater rise and hence the study domain and the seaside boundary are modified accordingly. It is concluded that, large areas in the coastal zone of the Nile Delta will be submerged by seawater and the coast line will shift landward by several kilometers in the eastern and western sides of the Delta. Scenario six represents the worst case under which the volume of freshwater will be reduced to about 513 km3 (billion m3).
Nogo‐B: A potential indicator for hepatic cirrhosis and regulator in hepatic stellate cell activation
Authors: Men Ruoting , Wen Maoyao , Dan Xuelian , Zhu Yongjun , Wang Wanqin , Li Junli , Wu Wenchao , Liu Xiaojing , Yang Li 
Published: March 2014

AimTo evaluate plasma Nogo‐B levels in liver cirrhotic patients and declare a novel molecular basis by which Nogo‐B modulates hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation.MethodsPlasma Nogo‐B levels from liver cirrhotic patients were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Rat primary HSC were culture activated or stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β. Activated HSC were transfected for 48 h with Nogo‐B shRNA to inhibit Nogo‐B expression. Gene expressions of Nogo‐B, α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen type I, TGF‐β, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress key molecules, including C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor (ATF)4, ATF6, X‐box binding protein 1 (Xbp‐1) and calnexin, and the marker of autophagy beclin 1, were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of Nogo‐B, α‐SMA, collagen type I, CHOP, GRP78 and the marker of autophagy LC3B were evaluated by western blot.ResultsLiver cirrhotic patients showed a much higher level of plasma Nogo‐B compared with the healthy controls. Nogo‐B expression and ER stress could be induced during the process of cultured HSC activation. TGF‐β treatment increased Nogo‐B expression time‐ and dose‐dependently. Knockdown of Nogo‐B in HSC reduced the activation of HSC. After Nogo‐B gene knockdown, there was a decline of expression of ER stress markers and autophagic markers. Agonist or antagonist of ER stress could regulate autophagy level.ConclusionCirculating Nogo‐B may be an effective indicator for liver cirrhosis. Nogo‐B inhibition could diminish HSC activation, in which alleviating ER stress may be one of the mechanisms, suggesting a potential approach to interference Nogo‐B in liver fibrosis.
Job variation in advanced training in adult neurology in Australia and New Zealand: a follow‐up study
Authors: Burrell J. R. , Parratt K. , Lueck C. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundSix years ago, a survey of Australian trainees in neurology highlighted several differences in the training offered by the various positions. There has been a subsequent increase in trainee numbers.AimThis survey aimed to re‐examine the workload and exposure provided by individual positions and to compare training in Australia and New Zealand.MethodsA questionnaire was circulated in 2012 to all advanced trainees in core adult neurology positions in Australia and New Zealand, looking at ward work, outpatient clinics, neurophysiology exposure and on‐call commitments.ResultsThe response rate was 85.7%. There was a 48.7% increase in the number of core training positions in Australia, but an average increase in inpatient workload of 56%. General neurology clinic numbers were unchanged while specialist clinic exposure had risen from 1.0 to 1.8 clinics/week. In some cases, exposure to neurophysiology had fallen. The requirement for out‐of‐hours on‐call had fallen. There were no major differences between positions in Australia and New Zealand.ConclusionThere have been significant improvements in advanced training in adult neurology in the 5 years between 2007 and 2012: numbers of trainees have increased, on‐call commitments have fallen and exposure to specialist clinics has risen. However, inpatient workload has increased significantly, accompanied by a slight reduction in exposure to training in neurophysiology in some cases. Overall, the changes are encouraging, but more work is still needed to ensure that individual positions meet the training needs of trainees.
Home Birth After Hospital Birth: Women's Choices and Reflections
Authors: Bernhard Casey , Zielinski Ruth , Ackerson Kelly , English Jessica 
Published: March 2014

IntroductionThe number of US women choosing home birth is increasing. Little is known about women who choose home birth after having experienced hospital birth; therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore reasons why these women choose home birth and their perceptions regarding their birth experiences.MethodsQualitative description was the research design, whereby focus groups were conducted with women who had hospital births and subsequently chose home birth. Five focus groups were conducted (N = 20), recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken allowing themes to emerge.ResultsFive themes emerged from the women's narratives: 1) choices and empowerment: with home birth, women felt they were given real choices rather than perceived choices, giving them feelings of empowerment; 2) interventions and interruptions: women believed things were done that were not helpful to the birth process, and there were interruptions associated with their hospital births; 3) disrespect and dismissal: participants believed that during hospital birth, providers were more focused on the laboring woman's uterus, with some experiencing dismissal from their hospital provider when choosing to birth at home; 4) birth space: giving birth in their own home, surrounded by people they chose, created a peaceful and calm environment; and 5) connection: women felt connected to their providers, families, newborns, and bodies during their home birth.DiscussionFor most participants, dissatisfaction with hospital birth influenced their subsequent decision to choose home birth. Despite experiencing challenges associated with this decision, women expressed satisfaction with their home birth.
Effects of raw red onion consumption on metabolic features in overweight or obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ebrahimi‐Mamaghani Mehranghiz , Saghafi‐Asl Maryam , Pirouzpanah Saeed , Asghari‐Jafarabadi Mohammad 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate the effects of raw red onion consumption on metabolic features in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Material and MethodsIn this randomized controlled clinical trial, the patients (n = 54) were randomly allocated to the intervention group as ‘high‐onion’ (raw red onions: 2 × 40–50 g/day if overweight and 2 × 50–60 g/day if obese) or to the control group as ‘low‐onion’ (raw red onions: 2 × 10–15 g/day) along with limited liliaceous vegetables for 8 weeks. Body mass index, dietary record, and metabolic parameters (fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein (a)) were evaluated in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle at baseline and after 8 weeks. Hormonal variables (progesterone, prolactin, and 17‐OH progesterone) were also measured at baseline.ResultsOnion significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol within each group; however, these changes were stronger in the high‐onion group (weighted mean differences [WMD]: −5.60 [95% confidence interval [CI]: −9.16, −2.03]; P = 0.003) than in the low‐onion group (WMD: −6.42 [95%CI: −11.97, −0.87]; P = 0.025). Similarly, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (WMD: −5.13 [95%CI: −9.46, −0.81); P = 0.022) in the high‐onion group, and (WMD: −2.90 [95%CI −5.57, −0.21]; P = 0.035) in the low‐onion group after treatment. The levels of fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) did not differ significantly after 8‐week onion treatment. Adjustment for confounders did not make any significant changes in any of the parameters in post‐treatment levels.ConclusionRaw red onion consumption appears to be effective as a cholesterol‐lowering food agent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, further investigation is warranted.
Hysteroscopy in patients with repeated implantation failure improves the outcome of assisted reproductive technology in fresh and frozen cycles
Authors: Hosseini Marzieh Agha , Ebrahimi Nasim , Mahdavi Atossa , Aleyasin Ashraf , Safdarian Leili , Fallahi Parvin , Esfahani Fatemeh 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimRepeated implantation failure (RIF) is still a problem for many patients and their physicians. Some interventions have been practiced to overcome the problem; one is uterine cavity assessment before assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hysteroscopy in women experiencing recurrent implantation failure with apparently normal uterine cavity before assisted reproductive techniques.Material and MethodsThis was a cohort study with historical controls conducted in a university hospital. A total of 353 women with RIF undergoing ART with normal hysterosalpingography and transvaginal ultrasound were evaluated. The intervention group underwent hysteroscopy with a rigid, 30°, 4‐mm hysteroscope in the menstrual cycle just before ART; in the control group hysteroscopy was not performed. Basal characteristics, stimulation parameters and pregnancy rates were compared between the two groups.ResultsChemical pregnancy occurred in 58.5% of women in the hysteroscopy group versus 34.1% of control women (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–4.2; P < 0.001). Clinical pregnancy occurred in 50.7% and 30.3% of women in the hysteroscopy and control groups, respectively (OR: 2.4; 95%CI: 1.5–3.7; P < 0.001). Delivery rate was 35.5% in hysteroscopy women and 21.1% in control women (OR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.2–3.1; P = 0.008). The results of hysteroscopy were normal in 103 women (72.5%), and they revealed inflammation in 22 (15.5%), polyp in 16 (11.3%) and Asherman syndrome in one patient (0.7%).ConclusionsHysteroscopy in the menstrual cycle before ovarian stimulation in fresh cycles and before endometrial preparation in frozen thawed cycles in women experiencing recurrent implantation failure with apparently normal uterine cavity significantly increases the pregnancy rates in fresh and frozen cycles, respectively.
The Private Export Credit Insurance Effect on Trade
Authors: van der Veer Koen J. M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractInternational trade relies on trade finance (credit or insurance) by financial institutions. Evidence on the link between trade finance and trade is scarce, however, because trade finance data are hard to come by. This article uses a unique bilateral data set on worldwide exports insured by a world's leading private trade credit insurer in the period from 1992 to 2006. Applying various trade models, I consistently find a positive and statistically significant effect of private export credit insurance on exports. The results suggest that the private export credit insurance effect on trade is larger than the value of exports insured.
The Valuation Implications of Enterprise Risk Management Maturity
Authors: Farrell Mark , Gallagher Ronan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractEnterprise Risk Management (ERM) is the discipline by which enterprises monitor, analyze, and control risks from across the enterprise, with the goal of identifying underlying correlations and thus optimizing the risk‐taking behavior in a portfolio context. This study analyzes the valuation implications of ERM Maturity. We use data from the industry leading Risk and Insurance Management Society Risk Maturity Model over the period from 2006 to 2011, which scores firms on a five‐point maturity scale. Our results suggest that firms that have reached mature levels of ERM are exhibiting a higher firm value, as measured by Tobin's Q. We find a statistically significant positive relation to the magnitude of 25 percent. Upon decomposition of the maturity score, we find that the most important aspects of ERM from a valuation perspective relate to the level of top–down executive engagement and the resultant cascade of ERM culture throughout the firm. Firms that have successfully integrated the ERM process into both their strategic activities and everyday practices display superior ability in uncovering risk dependencies and correlations across the entire enterprise and as a consequence enhanced value when undertaking the ERM maturity journey ceteris paribus.