bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Highway Construction on Redd Counts of Stream-Dwelling Brook Trout
Authors: Pépino Marc , Franssen Jan , Rodríguez Marco A. , Magnan Pierre 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Sedimentation during road construction is a human impact that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Despite a large body of literature on the effect of fine sediments on the initial developmental stages of fish, we do not know of any studies that have investigated the return of spawners to spawning grounds in streams impacted by sediment from road construction. The objective of this study was to quantify the return to spawning grounds of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis at different stages of highway construction (before, during, and after construction). Redd counts were made at a fine spatial resolution (&lt;0.5 m) over two consecutive years in 12 reaches distributed along a 115-km stretch of highway in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. We found a significant decrease in redd counts in reaches affected by construction during the second year but no evidence of impacts in reaches affected by construction during the first year. A possible explanation is that sediment releases were well controlled during construction except after an extreme weather event occurring during the spawning season of the second year. However, we observed that a reach heavily impacted by sediments still supported high densities of spawners. Overall, we found a significant decrease in the absolute number of redd counts in the second year but strong consistency in the spatial distribution of the spawning sites, both within and among reaches and for all stages of highway construction and sediment loadings, which suggests that the return of spawners is more constrained by habitat variables than by sediment from highway construction.
Received March 30, 2012; accepted August 20, 2012
Enhanced transmission via a sub-wavelength hole aperture coupled to a high-permittivity resonator
Authors: Sadaune Véronique , Kang Lei , Lippens Didier 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
One order of magnitude enhanced transmissivity was demonstrated by microwave scattering parameter measurements of a sub-wavelength single hole aperture (λ/20) coupled to a high-permittivity ferroelectric cube (ε
r = 120). It was shown that the large permittivity value allows the concentration of the impinging electromagnetic wave on a millimetre scale, compatible with the deep sub-wavelength millimetre-sized aperture without involving surface plasmon mode propagation as in optics. The transmission enhancement explained by a tight coupling between the dielectric resonator and the sub cut-off aperture was experimentally verified by considering coupling distance and hole size as parameters.
Experimental investigation of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) by Thomson scattering and optical emission spectroscopy
Authors: Carbone E A D , Hübner S , Jimenez-Diaz M , Palomares J M , Iordanova E , Graef W A A D , Gamero A. , van der Mullen J J A M 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The electron temperature of an argon surface wave discharge generated by a surfatron plasma at intermediate pressures is measured by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Thomson scattering (TS). The OES method, namely absolute line intensity (ALI) measurements gives an electron temperature which is found to be (more or less) constant along the plasma column. TS, on the other hand, shows a different behaviour; the electron temperature is not constant but rises in the direction of the wave propagation. In the pressure range of this study, it is theoretically known that deviations from Maxwell equilibrium are expected towards the end of the plasma column. In this paper, we propose a combination of methods to probe the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in this relatively high-pressure regime. The ALI method combined with a collisional–radiative model allows one to measure the effective (Maxwellian) creation temperature of the plasma while TS measures the mean electron energy of the EEDF.
The differences between the two temperature methods can be explained by the changes in the form of the EEDF along the plasma column. A strong correlation is found with decreasing ionization degree for different pressures. Numerical calculations of the EEDF with a Boltzmann solver are used to investigate the departure from a Maxwellian EEDF. The relatively higher electron temperature found by TS compared with the ALI measurements is finally quantitatively correlated with the departure from a Maxwellian EEDF with a depleted tail.
Debris mitigation power of various buffer gases for CO2 laser produced tin plasmas
Authors: Wu Tao , Wang Xinbing , Lu Hong , Lu Peixiang 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Debris mitigation using an ambient gas is the easiest way for laser-produced plasma extreme ultraviolet light source. The debris mitigation power of hydrogen, helium and argon buffer gases against CO2 laser produced tin plasma plumes was quantitatively estimated by means of the visualization imaging system as well as the optical emission spectroscopy technique. The debris mitigation power of hydrogen buffer gas was assessed under ambient pressure ranging from 30 to 104 Pa. The debris mitigation power of the hydrogen buffer gas was determined as 150 eV mm−1 for energetic particles of 400 eV under a pressure of 104 Pa, which remained as high as 40 eV mm−1 at a pressure of 100 Pa. The maximum stopping power and collision scattering cross section of argon were measured to be almost three times larger in comparison with hydrogen and one and a half times larger than helium atmosphere at a pressure of 2000 Pa. Time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy showed that thermalizing collisions were responsible for slowing down the fast energetic ions and atoms towards a thermal equilibrium.
Nanomechanical properties of pure and doped Ta2O5 and the effect of microwave irradiation
Authors: Atanassova E , Lytvyn P , Dub S N , Konakova R V , Mitin V F , Spassov D 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The nanomechanical properties of pure and doped Ta2O5 films (100 nm) on Si, and the effect of short time (10 s) microwave irradiation are studied by nanoindentation testing. The local mechanical parameters as determined by the force measuring ability of atomic force microscopy are compared with the data from both the Oliver–Pharr nanoindentation technique and the continuous stiffness measurements. The impact of the dopant type (Hf and Al) on the surface morphology, elastic modulus and hardness of the films is determined. The results reveal an increase in elastic modulus and hardness after the doping. The irradiation produces a little lower values of mechanical parameters. The results are discussed in juxtaposition with the established previously strong effect of irradiation on the electrical properties of Ta2O5-based stacks. From device perspective point of view Hf-doped Ta2O5 is noteworthy for micro-electro-mechanical system applications.
Safety and efficacy of four steroid‐minimization protocols in liver transplant recipients: 3‐year follow‐up in a single center
Authors: Hu An Bin , Wu Lin Wei , Tai Qiang , Zhu Xiao Feng , He Xiao Shun 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of steroid‐minimization therapy in liver transplantation (LT) recipients with hepatitis B virus‐related diseases in China.MethodsFrom March 2000 to June 2007, 502 adult LT recipients, mostly with hepatitis B (HBV)‐related diseases, were enrolled in our study. Four study groups were setup according to the steroid‐minimization protocols: tacrolimus (TAC) with 6 months steroids withdrawal (6M SW), TAC with 3 months SW (3M SW), TAC with 14 days SW (14d SW), and TAC with basiliximab induction and steroids avoidance (Bas SA). All patients were followed up for at least 36 months after LT.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the overall 3‐year survival rates of the patients and graft, and chronic rejection among the four groups (P = 0.092, P = 0.113 and P = 0.684, respectively). There was also no difference in acute rejection within 12 months after LT (P = 0.514). The 3‐year recurrence rates of HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after LT were significantly different among all the groups (lowest in TAC/Bas SA group; P = 0.037 and P = 0.029, respectively). The overall incidence of infection was significantly higher in the 6M SW group (62.2% vs 56.1% in 3M SW, 30.5% in 14d SW, 20.5% in Bas SA; P < 0.01). By the end of the 3‐year follow‐up, more than 90% of the surviving patients could safely receive TAC monotherapy.ConclusionBas SA immunosuppressive protocol can be achieved safely in LT and reduce HBV infection and HCC recurrence and side effects of steroids after LT.
Specificity of archaeal caspase activity in the extreme halophile Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Seth‐Pasricha Mansha , Bidle Kelly A. , Bidle Kay D. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryCaspase‐like proteases are key initiators and executioners of programmed cell death (PCD), which is initiated by environmental stimuli and manifests in organisms ranging from unicellular microbes to higher eukaryotes. Archaea had been absent from the caspase inheritance discussion due to a lack of gene homologues. We recently demonstrated extremely high, basal caspase‐like catalytic activity in the model haloarcheon, Haloferax volcanii, which was linked to the cellular stress response and was widespread among diverse Archaea. Here, we rigorously tested the catalytic specificity of the observed archaeal caspase‐like activities using hydrolytic assays with a diverse suite of protease substrates and inhibitors compared with known model serine and cysteine proteases (trypsin, cathepsin, papain, and human caspase‐8). Our experiments demonstrate that exponentially growing H. volcanii possesses a highly specific caspase‐like activity that most closely resembles caspase‐4, is preferentially inhibited by the pan‐caspase inhibitor, zVAD‐FMK, and has no cross‐reactivity with other known protease families. Our findings firmly root the extremely high levels of caspase‐like activity as the dominant proteolytic activity in this extreme haloarcheaon, thereby providing further support for housekeeping functions in Haloarchaea. Given the deep archaeal roots of eukaryotes, we suggest that this activity served as a foundation for stress pathways in higher organisms.
Gray matter volume alterations related to trait dissociation in PTSD and traumatized controls
Authors: Nardo D. , Högberg G. , Lanius R. A. , Jacobsson H. , Jonsson C. , Hällström T. , Pagani M. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveThis study used voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to investigate brain structural alterations related to trait dissociation and its relationship with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodThirty‐two subjects either developing (N = 15) or non‐developing (N = 17) PTSD underwent MRI scanning and were assessed with the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), subscales for pathological (DES‐T) and non‐pathological trait (DES‐A) dissociation, and other clinical measures. Gray matter volume (GMV) was analyzed using VBM as implemented in SPM. PTSD and non‐PTSD subjects were compared to assess brain alterations related to PTSD pathology, whereas correlation analyses between dissociation measures and GMV were performed on the whole sample (N = 32), irrespective of PTSD diagnosis, to identify alterations related to trait dissociation.ResultsAs compared to traumatized controls, PTSD subjects showed reduced GMV in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and lingual gyrus. Correlations with dissociation measures (DES, DES‐T, and DES‐A) consistently showed increased GMV in the medial and lateral prefrontal, orbitofrontal, parahippocampal, temporal polar, and inferior parietal cortices.ConclusionPTSD and dissociation seem to be associated with opposite volumetric patterns in the prefrontal cortex. Trait dissociation appears to involve increased GMV in prefrontal, paralimbic, and parietal cortices, with negligible differences between pathological and non‐pathological dissociation.
Limited niche differentiation within remarkable co‐occurrences of congeneric species:Monomoriumants in theAustralian seasonal tropics
Authors: ANDERSEN ALAN N. , ARNAN XAVIER , SPARKS KATHRYN 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNiche theory predicts that few closely related species can co‐occur because such species tend to be ecologically similar and niche differentiation is required to avoid competitive exclusion. We analyse the co‐occurrence of a remarkable 10–15 species of the ant genusMonomoriumoccurring within single 10 × 10 m plots in a tropical savanna of northernAustralia. Most of the species are undescribed, so we use genetic analysis to validate our species demarcations. We document nest dispersion patterns, and investigate differentiation in the three primary niche dimensions: space, time and food. We also examine species differences in competitive abilities, by describing rates of foraging activity, foraging ranges, worker aggression, and levels of behavioural dominance. Analyses of nest and forager distributions showed very limited evidence of spatial segregation within plots. The great majority of species foraged either exclusively or primarily during daylight hours. Body size and isotopic analyses indicated very limited dietary differentiation. Such limited niche partitioning occurred despite the species differing markedly in their competitive abilities as measured by rates of resource discovery, recruitment and monopolization. Our findings defy the traditional assumption that multiple closely related and ecologically similar species of highly interactive taxa cannot co‐occur. It seems very likely that species coexistence in our study system is determined to a very large degree by stochastic processes relating to dispersal and establishment, as predicted by neutral theory. However, neutral theory assumes competitive equivalence, whereas we found very marked differences in the competitive abilities of our co‐occurring species. We suggest that competitive exclusion is prevented by the modular nature of ant colonies, with competition limiting colony performance but not preventing occurrence. We conclude that other factors that allow species persistence, and not just competitive equivalence, can allow dispersal and establishment processes to drive species coexistence.
Reoperation and patient satisfaction after the Mobility total ankle arthroplasty
Authors: Summers Johanne Carly , Bedi Harvinder S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to report on the frequency of reoperation, failure and patient satisfaction after the Mobility total ankle arthroplasty.MethodsSixty‐two consecutive primary total ankle arthroplasties in 60 patients were performed with the use of the DePuy Mobility total ankle system between February 2006 and January 2009. Fifty‐eight ankles in 56 patients were followed up between 14 and 49 months (mean: 32 months).ResultsEighteen ankles (31%) underwent an initial reoperation at a mean time of 14 months after primary total ankle arthroplasty. Only three ankles (17%) had improved symptoms after initial reoperation. Eight of these 18 ankles (44%) underwent a second reoperation. A total of seven ankles (12%) had been revised. Overall, 67% were satisfied, and 79% stated that they would undergo the same operation again.DiscussionThis study on a third‐generation total ankle arthroplasty reported a relatively high rate of reoperation. There was a significant increase in the reported failure when using re‐operation rather than component revision as the end point. This may be one of the inherent limitations in Joint Registry data that only include component revision.
Outcome of extremely low gestational age newborns after introduction of a revised protocol to assist preterm infants in their transition to extrauterine life
Authors: Mehler Katrin , Grimme Judith , Abele Julia , Huenseler Christoph , Roth Bernhard , Kribs Angela 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the outcome of a cohort of extremely low gestational age newborn infants (ELGAN) below 26‐week gestation who were treated following a revised, gentle delivery room protocol to assist them in the transition and adaptation to extrauterine life.Methods:  A cohort of infants with a gestational age (GA) below 26 weeks (study group; n = 164) was treated according to a revised delivery room protocol. The protocol included an optimized prenatal management, strict use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), avoiding mechanical ventilation and early administration of surfactant without intubation. The parameters management of respiratory distress syndrome, survival, neonatal morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcome were compared with a historical control group (n = 44).Results:  Seventy‐four per cent of the study group infants were initially treated with CPAP and surfactant administration without intubation. In comparison with the control group, significantly less children were intubated in the delivery room (24% vs. 41%) and needed mechanical ventilation (51% vs. 72%; both p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the historical control overall mortality (20% vs. 39%), rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (18% vs. 37%) and IVH > II° (10% vs. 33%) in survivors were significantly lower during the observational period (all p < 0.05). Neurodevelopmental outcome was normal in 70% of examined study group infants.Conclusions:  A revised delivery room management protocol was applied safely to infants with a GA below 26 completed weeks with improved rates of survival and morbidity.
Evaluating Helping Babies Breathe: training for healthcare workers at hospitals in Rwanda
Authors: Musafili Aimable , Essén Birgitta , Baribwira Cyprien , Rukundo Alphonse , Persson Lars‐Åke 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo evaluate the educational effectiveness of the Helping Babies Breathe programme.MethodsKnowledge of trainees from two district hospitals and one tertiary referral hospital was evaluated before and after training in 2010. A postcourse practical skills evaluation was performed on a Neonatalie Newborn Simulator. Participants underwent a re‐evaluation after 3 months.ResultsOne hundred eighteen trainees completed the course. The percentages of correct answers on a written test significantly increased from 77 ± 15% to 91 ± 9% (p < 0.01) after training. The mean score obtained on a postcourse skill evaluation was 89 ± 9%; 64% of the trainees achieved passing scores. Retesting 3 months later showed that knowledge remained at the same level, while practical skills decreased to 83 ± 16%, and the pass rate dropped significantly to 43% (p < 0.01).ConclusionHealthcare workers who participate in a Helping Babies Breathe programme can significantly improve their knowledge. While such knowledge is retained for at least 3 months, skills dropped to unsatisfactory levels in that period of time, indicating the need for retraining in the interim or the acquisition of practical experience by such healthcare workers.
TV viewing and obesity among Norwegian children: the importance of parental education
Authors: Kristiansen Hege , Júlíusson Pétur B , Eide Geir E , Roelants Mathieu , Bjerknes Robert 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo analyse the effect of lifestyle factors on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 6–15‐year‐old Norwegian children.MethodsQuestionnaire data on lifestyle factors (sedentary behaviour, activity and eating habits) and prevalence numbers of overweight and obesity based on measured height and weight were analysed using multinomial logistic regression in a sample of 2281 children included in the Bergen Growth Study.ResultsMore screen time increased the risk of overweight (odds ratio (OR): 1.25; p = 0.02) and obesity (OR: 1.12; p = 0.02) as did the presence of a TV in the child's bedroom (OR: 1.26 (overweight), OR: 1.81 (obese); p = 0.04). The obese children reported less sugar intake than the not overweight children (OR: 0.58; p = 0.01). Higher parental education was associated with less screen time (p = 0.02), lower frequency of TV in the child's bedroom (p = 0.001), more sports (p = 0.005), as well as eating more fruit and vegetables, less sweets, soft drinks and fast food, and more regular meals (for all, p < 0.03).ConclusionIndicators of sedentary lifestyle, such as screen time and the presence of a TV in the child's bedroom, were associated with overweight and obesity in Norwegian schoolchildren. Higher parental education was generally associated with less obesogenic lifestyle.
Testing the Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wray Jo , Franklin Rodney , Brown Kate , Cassedy Amy , Marino Bradley S 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo establish the validity and reliability of the Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI) for children with heart disease in the United Kingdom.MethodsThree paediatric cardiac centres recruited patients aged 8–18 years with heart disease. Patient–parent pairs completed a disease‐specific paediatric cardiac quality of life measure (PCQLI), a generic quality of life measure (PedsQL4.0) and behaviour and self‐perception questionnaires. Validity was assessed by correlation of PCQLI scores with heart disease severity, medical care utilization, and PedsQL, behaviour and self‐perception scores, and by correlation of patient and parent PCQLI scores. Reliability was evaluated by administering the PCQLI at two time points.ResultsThe study was completed by 771 patient–parent pairs. Validity was confirmed by the association of lower total PCQLI scores with more complex heart disease and a greater number of hospitalizations and cardiac surgeries (all p < 0.001); moderate to good correlations between patient and parent scores (0.50–0.68); and fair to good correlations between scores for the PCQLI and PedsQL4.0 (0.67–0.77), self‐perception (0.42–0.49) and behaviour measures (0.18–0.62). Test–retest reliability correlations were high (0.72–0.90).ConclusionThe PCQLI is a reliable and valid disease‐specific quality‐of‐life measure for children with heart disease in the United Kingdom.
Transient receptor potential channels in bladder function
Authors: Avelino A. , Charrua A. , Frias B. , Cruz C. , Boudes M. , de Ridder D. , Cruz F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of cationic ion channels includes proteins involved in the transduction of several physical and chemical stimuli to finely tune physiological functions. In the urinary bladder, they are highly expressed in, but not restricted to, primary afferent neurons. The urothelium and some interstitial cells also express several TRP channels. In this review, we describe the expression and the known roles of some members of TRP subfamilies, namely TRPV, TRPM and TRPA, in the urinary bladder. The therapeutic interest of modulating the activity of TRP channels to treat bladder dysfunctions is also discussed.
Histology of the venom gland of Trachinus draco (Actinopterygii, Trachinidae)
Authors: Portillo Strempel Andrés , Herrera Ceballos Enrique 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe structure of the venom gland of Trachinus draco was studied by histological techniques using light microscopy. New structures in the large glandular cells were detected, including concentric cytoplasmic laminae, basal vesicles, silver nitrate staining cytoplasmic granules, and a high affinity for wheat‐germ agglutinin lectin in the cytoplasm of mature large glandular cells.We also describe morphologic changes of the venom gland during thermal test. At low temperatures, the large glandular cells and their nuclei become enlarged, whereas at high temperatures the large glandular cells are smaller and their nuclei irregular in shape. Similarly, samples from fish captured during two opposite seasons showed differences in their nuclei, which were smaller in summer than winter. The larger growth of supporting cells at low temperatures, together with their aggregation during conditions of stress and their vacuoles secretion, suggest that supporting cells could be played several roles.