bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct comparisons of three alternative plasma fibrinogen assays with the von Clauss assay in prediction of cardiovascular disease and all‐causes mortality: the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort
Authors: Peters Sanne A. E. , Woodward Mark , Rumley Ann , Koenig Wolfgang , Tunstall‐Pedoe Hugh , Lowe Gordon D. O. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThere is strong evidence from meta‐analyses of prospective epidemiological studies that increasing plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all‐cause mortality. However, there are few published direct comparisons of the several different available fibrinogen assays in association with CVD or mortality. We therefore prospectively compared the standardized von Clauss assay of clottable fibrinogen with three other assays: prothrombin time (PT)‐derived clottable fibrinogen, immunonephelometric fibrinogen, and heat precipitable fibrinogen in the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) for a standard deviation increase in fibrinogen for risk of CVD, adjusted for age and sex, were 1·17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1·14; 1·21) for the von Clauss assay; 1·19 (1·06; 1·33) for the heat precipitation assay; 1·16 (1·01; 1·35) for the PT‐derived assay; and 1·28 (1·10; 1·51) for the immunonephelometric assay. HRs for all‐cause mortality were 1·21 (1·18; 1·24); 1·13 (1·01; 1·26), 1·17 (1·00; 1·37) and 1·17 (0·99; 1·39), respectively. No significant differences were observed between the assays in such comparisons. We therefore conclude that the choice between plasma fibrinogen assays in routine clinical haematology and biochemistry laboratories should depend on practical factors, and not on expected differences in the strength of associations.
The source of the new Canadian job stability patterns
Authors: Brochu Pierre 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper explores the causes of recent changes in Canadian job stability. Using the Labour Force Survey master files (1977–2010), I find that the increases in job stability first observed in the 1990s were, in fact, long lasting. Results indicate that compositional changes and the increased job stability of women within age and education groups play important roles in explaining the aggregate job stability patterns that emerge.
Public infrastructure, non‐cooperative investments, and endogenous growth
Authors: Figuières Charles , Prieur Fabien , Tidball Mabel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTwo countries strategically invest in productive infrastructure within a general equilibrium model with endogenous growth. These public investments generate externalities. Dynamic analysis reveals that: (1) under constant returns, the two countries’ growth rates differ during the transition but are identical on the balanced growth path, (2) a country with decreasing returns can experience sustained growth provided that the other country grows at a positive constant rate, (3) cooperation does not necessarily lead to higher growth for each country, and it can increase or decrease the gap between countries’ growth rates depending on the countries’ consumption preferences regarding domestic and foreign goods.
The political economy of naturalization
Authors: Mariani Fabio 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper presents a political economy model in which self‐interested natives decide when citizenship and/or voting rights should be granted to foreign‐born workers. Native voters know that immigrants hold different ‘political’ preferences and would thus tend to postpone their enfranchisement as much as possible. They also consider, however, that a more restrictive naturalization policy may reduce the gains from immigration. We find that the optimal timing of naturalization depends on the quantity, quality (productivity), and preferences of potential immigrants, the political composition and the age structure of the native population, as well as the sensitivity of migration choices to the citizenship issue.
Trade openness reduces growth volatility when countries are well diversified
Authors: Haddad Mona , Lim Jamus Jerome , Pancaro Cosimo , Saborowski Christian 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper addresses the mechanisms by which trade openness affects growth volatility. Using a diverse set of export concentration measures, we present strong evidence pointing to an important role for export diversification in conditioning the effect of trade openness on growth volatility. Indeed, the effect of openness on volatility is shown to be negative for a significant proportion of countries with relatively diversified export baskets.
Infant Attention and Early Childhood Executive Function
Authors: Cuevas Kimberly , Bell Martha Ann 
Published: May 2013

Individual differences in infant attention are theorized to reflect the speed of information processing and are related to later cognitive abilities (i.e., memory, language, and intelligence). This study provides the first systematic longitudinal analysis of infant attention and early childhood executive function (EF; e.g., working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility). A group of 5‐month‐olds (n = 201) were classified as short or long lookers. At 24, 36, and 48 months of age, children completed age‐appropriate EF tasks. Infant short lookers (i.e., more efficient information processors) exhibited higher EF throughout early childhood as compared to infant long lookers, even after controlling for verbal ability (a potential indicator of intelligence). These findings are discussed in relation to the emergence of executive attention.
Involvement of autoimmunity to REG, a regeneration factor, in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Yoshimoto K , Fujimoto T , Itaya-Hironaka A , Miyaoka T , Sakuramoto-Tsuchida S , Yamauchi A , Takeda M , Kasai T , Nakagawara K , Nonomura A , Takasawa S 
Published: May 2013

Summary
The regenerating gene (Reg) was isolated originally as a gene specifically over-expressed in regenerating pancreatic islets and constitute a growth factor family. Reg gene product (Reg) is important in the pathophysiology of various human inflammatory diseases. Recently, the possible involvement of human REG in the regeneration of salivary ductal epithelial cells of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) was reported. However, the expression of the REG family genes in minor salivary glands (MSG) and the occurrence of anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS patients were obscured. In this study, we examined the expression of REG family genes in the MSG of SS and screened anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS. The mRNA levels of REG family genes in MSG were quantified using real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and REG Iα expression in the MSG was analysed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA level of REG Iα in the MSG of SS patients was significantly higher than that of control. REG Iα protein was expressed highly in SS ductal epithelial cells. Anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in the sera were found in 11% of SS. All the MSG in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed REG Iα expression, whereas only 40% showed REG Iα expression in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-negative group. The anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed significantly lower saliva secretion and a higher ratio of grade 4 (by Rubin–Holt) in sialography. These data suggest strongly that autoimmunity to REG Iα might play a role in the degeneration of MSG ductal epithelial cells in primary SS.
Neutrophilic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cord blood modulate innate and adaptive immune responses
Authors: Rieber N , Gille C , Köstlin N , Schäfer I , Spring B , Ost M , Spieles H , Kugel H A , Pfeiffer M , Heininger V , Alkhaled M , Hector A , Mays L , Kormann M , Zundel S , Fuchs J , Handgretinger R , Poets C F , Hartl D 
Published: May 2013

Summary
Neonates show an impaired anti-microbial host defence, but the underlying immune mechanisms are not understood fully. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent an innate immune cell subset characterized by their capacity to suppress T cell immunity. In this study we demonstrate that a distinct MDSC subset with a neutrophilic/granulocytic phenotype (Gr-MDSCs) is highly increased in cord blood compared to peripheral blood of children and adults. Functionally, cord blood isolated Gr-MDSCs suppressed T cell proliferation efficiently as well as T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 cytokine secretion. Beyond T cells, cord blood Gr-MDSCs controlled natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity in a cell contact-dependent manner. These studies establish neutrophilic Gr-MDSCs as a novel immunosuppressive cell subset that controls innate (NK) and adaptive (T cell) immune responses in neonates. Increased MDSC activity in cord blood might serve as key fetomaternal immunosuppressive mechanism impairing neonatal host defence. Gr-MDSCs in cord blood might therefore represent a therapeutic target in neonatal infections.
The Inlay Osteotome Sinus Augmentation Technique for Placing Short Implants Simultaneously with Reduced Crestal Bone Height. A Short‐Term Follow‐Up
Authors: Teng Minhua , Liang Xing , Yuan Quan , Nie Jing , Ye Jun , Cheng Qian , Zhai Junjiang , Liao Jian , Sun Xu , Wen Cai , Mo Anchun 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo display an inlay technique of osteotome sinus floor elevation using a trephine combined with simultaneous short implant placement where the residual bone height (RBH) is less than 5 mm, as well as to evaluate the clinical effect in a prospective study.Material and MethodsFifty short implants were installed in 32 patients in the severely atrophic posterior maxilla immediately after sinus floor elevation between January 2010 and October 2012. An inlay osteotome sinus augmentation technique using a trephine was applied in the operation. The mean residual bone height adjacent to or beneath the sinus was 3.34 mm, ranging from 0.96 mm to 4.96 mm. It was rarely necessary to add graft material from bovine sources in this therapy. With the purpose of bite training and soft tissue reforming, the temporary crowns were fixed after 6 months. The final prostheses were restored 3 months later. The stability and osseointegration of the implants were clinically evaluated, also the bone height gain around the implants was measured.ResultsThe survival rate was 100% during the study period with this procedure. Each of the implants, loaded without pain or any subjective sensation, was clinically stable. No implants had detectable sinus membrane perforation during operation. The radiographic results demonstrated that the bone height gain was 5.38 mm after the surgery.ConclusionBased on the results and within the limits of the present study, it can be suggested that short implant placement in conjunction with this inlay osteotome sinus augmentation technique could yield predictable clinical results for edentulous posterior maxillary region with RBH less than 5 mm. Besides, from the clinical point of view, these techniques may reduce the indication for complex invasive procedures and simplify treatment in the posterior.
Does Pythium anandrum contribute to the dieback of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) in Turkey?
Authors: Akıllı S. , Ulubaş Serçe Ç. , Katırcıoğlu Y. Z. , Maden S. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryDuring investigations into the causes of oak decline in six Regional Forestry Directories of the Black Sea Region of Turkey, Phytophthora spp. were obtained from one region and Pythium spp. were collected from three regions. The most frequently isolated Pythium species, Pythium anandrum, when inoculated on stem bases, caused longer cankers than two isolates of both Phytophthora plurivora and 2 of the P. quercina. This is the first report of Pythium anandrum causing disease on sessile oak. P. anandrum may contribute oak decline in Turkey.
Growth of Slender Banksia from seedling planting, with and without fertiliser
Authors: Grose Peter J. 
Published: May 2013

SummarySlender Banksia (Banksia attenuata) is a primary component of declining Banksia woodlands around Perth, south‐western Australia. It is important that its re‐establishment be promoted, but there are little data on its growth rates and response to applied nutrients. To quantify longer‐term growth rate, I periodically measured heights of Slender Banksia planted mid‐2005 over 7½ years. Without fertiliser, these seedlings grew slowly to about 1½ m. In mid‐2009, I planted Slender Banksia on the same site, with and without fertiliser tablets, and evaluated survival, growth and root development over 1½ years. First‐summer Slender Banksia seedling survival of around 30% was not unusual for this species. Low‐phosphorus native plant fertiliser tablets increased growth significantly.
Indicators of biodiversity and carbon storage in remnant and planted vegetation in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia: lessons for ‘biodiverse’ plantings
Authors: Collard Stuart , Fisher Andrew , Hobbs Trevor , Neumann Craig 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPlanting of woody perennial vegetation for carbon sequestration continues to gain momentum as markets for carbon develop in Australia. With the impetus of the Clean Energy Future package, these plantings have the potential to contribute to biodiversity gains if established and managed appropriately. In this study, we sought to link indicators of biodiversity to carbon storage in remnant vegetation, mixed‐species native revegetation and single‐species eucalypt plantations in the Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) of South Australia. Native plant species richness was higher in remnant vegetation than in revegetation and plantation sites in the southern MLR, but only remnant and plantation sites were different in the northern MLR. Native bird species richness was higher in remnant than plantation sites, but revegetation sites were similar to both plantation and remnant sites in northern and southern sites. Mean total standing carbon varied across treatments in southern sites, and there were no statistically significant differences in mean carbon sequestration rate between planted treatments. Monoculture plantation sites lack the structural complexity required and offer limited resources for native fauna compared with mixed‐species revegetation or remnant vegetation. This reinforces the importance of carefully constructed incentives to compensate landholders for potential carbon shortfalls if the opportunity for biodiversity gains from carbon plantings is to be realised in the longer term. The value of the standing carbon in remnant vegetation should also be recognised in emerging markets.
Whose backyard? Some precautions in choosing recipient sites for assisted colonisation of Australian plants and animals
Authors: Harris Stephen , Arnall Sophie , Byrne Margaret , Coates David , Hayward Matt , Martin Tara , Mitchell Nicola , Garnett Stephen 
Published: May 2013

SummaryIn cases where assisted colonisation is the appropriate conservation tool, the selection of recipient sites is a major challenge. Here, we propose a framework for site selection that can be applied to the Australian biota, where planning for assisted colonisation is in its infancy. Characteristics that will be important drivers in the decision‐making process include the size of a recipient site, the potential to augment corridors and respond to niche gaps, the maximisation of climatic buffering, bioregional similarity, tenure security, and the minimisation of opportunities for hybridisation and invasiveness. Sites we suggest be precluded from assisted colonisation include sites of high species endemism, IUCN category 1 reference reserves and fully‐functioning threatened ecological communities.
Effects of flooding on recruitment and abundance of Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua ambigua) in the lower River Murray
Authors: Zampatti Brenton , Leigh Sandra 
Published: May 2013

SummaryFlooding is often considered a stimulus for production of fish in floodplain rivers. In the southern Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), Australia, however, few native fish species have been shown to use the floodplain for spawning, and recruitment has been positively and negatively associated with flooding. In 2010/11, extensive flooding in the lower River Murray provided an opportunity to investigate the recruitment response of Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua ambigua) following 10 years of drought and floodplain isolation. Annual variation in Golden Perch abundance and recruitment were investigated in anabranch and main channel habitats at Chowilla in the floodplain geomorphic region of the lower River Murray over a 7‐year period incorporating the flood and 6 years of in‐channel flow. Spatial variation in recruitment in the lower River Murray was also investigated by comparing the age structure of Golden Perch in the swamplands/lakes, gorge and floodplain geomorphic regions. Golden Perch abundance in the Chowilla region increased significantly postflooding compared with drought years. Age structures indicated that increased abundance was due predominantly to fish spawned during the flood (2010/11) and the previous year (2009/10), which was characterised by in‐channel flows. Age structure was similar in the nearby Katarapko Anabranch system indicating a uniform postflood recruitment response in the floodplain geomorphic region. Juvenile Golden Perch from the 2010/11 and 2009/10 cohorts were less apparent in the gorge and swamplands/lakes regions. Golden Perch have flexible life histories and will spawn and recruit in association with in‐channel rises in flow and overbank flows, but significant increases in abundance in the lower River Murray may result from overbank flooding. Contemporary approaches to flow restoration in the MDB emphasise overbank flows and floodplain processes. We suggest, however, that environmental flow management that incorporates floodplain and in‐channel processes, at appropriate spatio‐temporal scales, will result in more robust populations of Golden Perch.
Paravertebral malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) in a horse
Authors: Nikolaou G. , de Bont M. P. , Herden C. , Hetzel U. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryA 10‐year‐old Lipizzaner gelding was presented with intermittent ataxia and hindlimb weakness. Ultrasonographic examination identified a mass cranial to the tuber sacrale. A provisional diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma was made based on a biopsy specimen. Owing to the extensive nature of the tumour and the associated poor prognosis, the horse was subjected to euthanasia on humane grounds. A post mortem examination revealed a locally infiltrative soft mass within the left lumbosacral epaxial musculature. Histologically, an infiltrative neoplasm predominantly composed of pleomorphic spindle or stellate‐shaped cells was identified. Neoplastic cells exhibited strong S‐100 protein and GFAP expression and variable vimentin, NSE, NGFR and myoglobin expression. They were uniformly negative for pan‐cytokeratin, melan A, laminin and desmin. The ultrastructural examination revealed pleomorphic cells with long cytoplasmic processes and an absence of melanosomes. Based on these results, a diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour was made. This report contributes further information to assist in the diagnosis of these poorly defined neoplasms in animals, especially when they occur in uncommon locations.
Subepiglottic cysts in 15 horses
Authors: Salz R. O. , Ahern B. J. , Lumsden J. M. 
Published: May 2013

SummarySubepiglottic cysts (SECs) are an infrequent cause of upper respiratory tract noise and exercise intolerance in horses. They may also be associated with no clinical signs and be an incidental finding during routine upper airway endoscopy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on performance of horses undergoing surgical removal ofSECs. The case records of 15 horses (1995–2009) diagnosed withSECs were retrieved. Eleven (73%) of the 15 horses included in the study were Thoroughbred racehorses. Eleven (73%) of the 15 horses had no preoperative clinical signs related to theSECs, with the remaining 4 (27%) having a respiratory noise (n = 4), nasal discharge (n = 1), difficulty swallowing (n = 1) or a cough (n = 1). Endoscopic examination in the standing horse was diagnostic in 93% (n = 14) of horses. Nine (82%) of the 11 Thoroughbred horses were yearlings, of which only one horse (11%) presented with clinical signs consisting of a respiratory noise and nasal discharge. Four of the 11 (36%) Thoroughbred horses were found to have concurrent epiglottic entrapment. Surgical removal was successful in all cases. Eight of the 11 (73%) Thoroughbred horses in this study raced followingSECremoval. The majority ofSECs are identified during routine endoscopic examinations and are not associated with clinical signs. The prognosis following surgical removal ofSECs is good and future performance does not appear to be affected.
Differences in oxygen‐dependent nitric oxide metabolism by cytoglobin and myoglobin account for their differing functional roles
Authors: Liu Xiaoping , Tong Jianjing , Zweier Joseph R. , Follmer Douglas , Hemann Craig , Ismail Raed S. , Zweier Jay L. 
Published: May 2013

The endogenous vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) is metabolized in tissues in an oxygen‐dependent manner. In skeletal and cardiac muscle, high concentrations of myoglobin (Mb) function as a potent NO scavenger. However, the Mb concentration is very low in vascular smooth muscle, where low concentrations of cytoglobin (Cygb) may play a major role in metabolizing NO. Questions remain regarding how low concentrations of Cygb and Mb differ in terms of NO metabolism, and the basis for their different cellular roles and functions. In this study, electrode techniques were used to perform comparative measurements of the kinetics of NO consumption by Mb and Cygb. UV/Vis spectroscopic methods and computer simulations were performed to study the reaction of Mb and Cygb with ascorbate (Asc) and the underlying mechanism. It was observed that the initial rate of Cygb3+ reduction by Asc was 415‐fold greater than that of Mb3+. In the low [O2] range (0–50 μm), the Cygb‐mediated NO consumption rate is ~ 500 times more sensitive to changes in O2 concentration than that of Mb. The reduction of Cygb3+ by Asc follows a reversible kinetic model, but that of Mb3+ is irreversible. A reaction mechanism for Cygb3+ reduction by Asc is proposed, and the reaction equilibrium constants are determined. Our results suggest that the rapid reduction of Cygb by cellular reductants enables Cygb to efficiently regulate NO metabolism in the vascular wall in an oxygen‐dependent manner, but the slow rate of Mb reduction does not show this oxygen dependence.
Impact of Instruction on Shaping or Reshaping Stereotypical Cultural Representations in an Introductory French Course
Authors: Drewelow Isabelle 
Published: May 2013

AbstractLearning a foreign language promotes new ways of seeing the world and the self in relation to it (Gee, 1996), making practices and perspectives underlined through the acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical structures available for appropriation (Bakhtin, 1981; Kramsch, 1993, 2009). Using a combination of interviews and self‐reported questionnaires, this study explores what may influence learners' preconceived images and cultural representations of the French language and culture in an introductory French language course. Data analysis shows that participants started a reflection on how learning a foreign language opens access to the cultures that speak it and embodies cultural acts. However, the findings suggest that at the beginning level, the reflection on the interconnection between a language and its culture needs to be nurtured within the course content itself in order to encourage the process of developing cross‐cultural understanding.