bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential impact of large ungulate grazers on African vegetation, carbon storage and fire regimes
Authors: Pachzelt Adrian , Forrest Matthew , Rammig Anja , Higgins Steven I. , Hickler Thomas 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimLarge ungulate grazers have been a fundamental component of African savannas since the spread of the savanna ecosystem in the Miocene. The magnitude of the impact of ungulates on vegetation has been debated for a long time, but quantifying such effects at the continental scale has been difficult. This study presents an attempt to estimate for the first time the potential impact of large natural ungulate grazer herds on African ecosystems.LocationThe African continent (excluding Madagascar).MethodThe potential impacts of grazing on grass biomass, competition between grasses and trees, the occurrence and effects of wildfire and biome distribution were simulated with a model that couples a physiological grazer population model with a physiological dynamic vegetation one (not including the effects of browsing). This model has previously been shown to reproduce grazer densities across African wildlife reserves.ResultsModelled grazer densities corresponded reasonably well with the continental distribution of African grazers represented by the herbivore functional types in the model. The coupled model predicted a hump‐shaped relationship between annual precipitation and grazer biomass densities within a range of estimates from independent studies. In accordance with other studies, net primary productivity and the length of the dry season were the strongest predictors of grazer densities in the model. The inclusion of grazers in the model did not substantially alter an already (without grazers) reasonable fit between simulated vegetation biomass and burned area and estimates of these derived from remote sensing data. Nevertheless, the grazer–vegetation model predicted substantial impacts on grass biomass, tree biomass and burned area, particularly in areas with high grazer densities. The biome distribution at the continental scale, however, was similar with and without grazers.Main conclusionThe results suggest that natural large ungulate grazers have been important drivers of ecosystem functioning in some savanna ecosystems, but also that they do not have a large effect on the continental‐scale biome distribution and carbon stocks.
A comparison of conventional and automatic milking system pasture utilization and pre‐ and post‐grazing pasture mass
Authors: Clark C. E. F. , Farina S. R. , Garcia S. C. , Islam M. R. , Kerrisk K. L. , Fulkerson W. J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAutomatic milking systems (AMS) present an opportunity for dairy farmers to not only improve their lifestyle and conditions of work, but also save on labour costs and/or increase the time available to focus on overall farm management. However, the viability of AMS will rely on achieving high levels of pasture utilization. Well‐established pasture management principles are implemented on many conventional milking system (CMS) farms and high levels of pasture utilization are achieved; however, the ability to follow these same principles on AMS is unknown. This study compared levels of pasture utilization and pre‐ and post‐grazing pasture mass between AMS and CMS farms at the same site when managed by the same pasture management principles. From 1 March 2007 to 29 February 2008, pre‐ and post‐grazing compressed height, milk yield and milk composition data were collected for two CMS farms and one AMS farm at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden, Australia. Despite differences in pre‐ and post‐ grazing pasture mass between milking systems, pre‐grazing mass was predominantly maintained within the bounds of 2200 and 2500 kg DM ha−1 and post‐grazing mass between 1400 and 1500 kg DM ha−1 (5–6 cm height). Similar levels of pasture utilization (mean 13 500 kg DM ha−1 year−1) were recorded between AMS and CMS farms. These findings highlight the ability to follow established grazing management principles and achieve high levels of pasture utilization on pasture‐based AMS farms.
Organized sports participation and the association with injury in paediatric patients with haemophilia
Authors: McGee S. , Raffini L. , Witmer C. 
Published: April 2015

IntroductionWith the wide availability of factor and the routine use of prophylaxis boys with haemophilia are now able to participate in regular physical activity, including organized sports. Current guidelines vary regarding specific recommendations for sports participation and concerns remain regarding safety.AimTo determine if participation in organized sports is associated with an increased risk for injury in paediatric subjects with haemophilia.MethodsRetrospective single‐centre cohort study from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010 in male subjects ages 10–18 years with a factor VIII (FVIII) or FIX level <40%. The number of injuries per subject and participation in organized sports was recorded.Results48 male subjects with a mean age of 14.3 ± 2.6 years (range: 10–18.8) were included; 64.6% (31/48) FVIII deficiency, 54.2% (26/48) severe haemophilia, 18.8% (9/48) moderate and 27.1% (13/48) mild. The majority [62.5% (30/48)] of subjects participated in at least one season of organized sport. There were 77 injuries in 36/48 (75%) subjects. The mean number of injuries per subject was 1.6 ± 1.5. There was no statistical difference in the mean number of injuries (P = 0.44) or target joint formation (P = 0.52) between the subjects who participated in organized sports compared to those who did not.ConclusionIn this study, participation in organized sports by boys with haemophilia, ages 10–18 years, is common and not associated with an increased number of injuries or the development of a target joint. As injuries occurred equally in both groups, concerted efforts should be directed at reducing injuries in all patients.
Workforce development and models of care in home hemodialysis
Authors: Mitra Sandip , Cress Cheryl , Goovaerts Tony 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCreating and maintaining a successful home hemodialysis (HD) program is highly dependent on the workforce model and quality of staff. We describe the minimum staff required to start a home HD program (e.g., a clinical champion and lead nurse) and detail what additional workforce (e.g., renal technician, dietitian, psychologist, and others) may be necessary as the program evolves and expands. The goal of the program and allied staff should be to provide a seamless patient journey, a process that requires consideration of a patient recruitment strategy, a patient training pathway, thoughtful initiation of home HD, and development of support systems for routine care and emergencies at home. This module describes how care models are implemented at centers of excellence in various locations around the world, highlights the importance of an integrated care pathway, and describes workforce challenges that programs may encounter.
The Global Forum for Home Hemodialysis: a new open‐source practical manual
Authors: Marshall Mark R. , Chan Christopher T. ,   The Global Forum for Home Hemodialysis
Published: April 2015

AbstractEncouraging clinical outcomes from observational and randomized controlled data in the forms of frequent hemodialysis (HD) has renewed interest in home HD. However, given its benefits, home HD is relatively underutilized throughout the world. The Global Forum for Home Hemodialysis, an independent panel comprised of internationally recognized nephrologists, home HD nurses, administrators, patient advocates, and a long‐time home HD patient, has convened with the intention of creating an open‐source, comprehensive, practical manual that provides useful information to clinicians who are interested in implementing home HD.
Consent revisited: the impact of return of results on participants' views and expectations about trial participation
Authors: Tarrant Carolyn , Jackson Clare , Dixon‐Woods Mary , McNicol Sarah , Kenyon Sara , Armstrong Natalie 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundIncreasingly, the sharing of study results with participants is advocated as an element of good research practice. Yet little is known about how receiving the results of trials may impact on participants' perceptions of their original decision to consent.ObjectiveWe explored participants' views of their decision to consent to a clinical trial after they received results showing adverse outcomes in some arms of the trial.MethodSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 38 women in the UK who participated in a trial of antibiotics in pregnancy. All had received results from a follow‐up study that reported increased risk of adverse outcomes for children of participants in some of the trial intervention arms. Data analysis was based on the constant comparative method.ResultsParticipants' original decisions to consent to the trial had been based on hope of personal benefit and assumptions of safety. On receiving the results, most made sense of their experience in ways that enabled them to remain content with their decision to take part. But for some, the results provoked recognition that their original expectations might have been mistaken or that they had not understood the implications of their decision to participate. These participants experienced guilt, a sense of betrayal by the maternity staff and researchers involved in the trial, and damage to trust.ConclusionsSharing of study results is not a wholly benign practice, and requires careful development of suitable approaches for further evaluation before widespread adoption.
Six mathematical gems from the history of distance geometry
Authors: Liberti Leo , Lavor Carlile 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis is a partial account of the fascinating history of distance geometry. We make no claim to completeness, but we do promise a dazzling display of beautiful, elementary mathematics. We prove Heron's formula, Cauchy's theorem on the rigidity of polyhedra, Cayley's generalization of Heron's formula to higher dimensions, Menger's characterization of abstract semimetric spaces, a result of Gödel on metric spaces on the sphere, and Schoenberg's equivalence of distance and positive semidefinite matrices, which is at the basis of multidimensional scaling.
A simulation model of a coordinated decentralized supply chain
Authors: Cannella Salvatore , López‐Campos Mónica , Dominguez Roberto , Ashayeri Jalal , Miranda Pablo A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper presents a simulation‐based study of a coordinated, decentralized linear supply chain (SC) system. In the proposed model, any supply tier considers its successors as part of its inventory system and generates replenishment orders on the basis of its partners’ operational information. We show that the proposed coordinated decision‐making process creates a reduction in information distortion along an SC compared with a traditional, noncoordinated strategy. A novel result is that we show how a coordinated SC can avoid the detrimental consequences of demand amplification in terms of penalty costs due to the stockout phenomenon in upstream stages.
Working Group Recommendations: Research on Content and Efficacy of Geriatric Evaluation and Management Interventions
Authors: Jahnigen Dennis W. , Applegate William B. , Cohen Harvey Jay , Epstein Arnold , Granger Carl , Hogan David , Kennedy Robert , Lazaroff Alan 
Published: April 2015

Methods of conducting comprehensive geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) are proliferating in a variety of clinical settings. However, rigorous evaluations of efficacy for this new approach to care of older patients have demonstrated a favorable impact on patient outcome in only a few studies. All of these have been controlled single site studies, and replication is needed. If replication studies show similar results, further studies should be undertaken to define the minimum necessary intervention to achieve the desired outcome.Controlled trials are needed to determine if consultative geriatric evaluation and/or primary patient management is effective. Further innovative work is needed in model development for geriatric assessment and management in outpatient settings. Finally, studies of geriatric evaluation and management in other environments, such as home care or the nursing home, are recommended.
Human intrabony defect regeneration with rhFGF‐2 and hyaluronic acid – a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: de Santana Ronaldo Barcellos , de Santana Carolina Miller Mattos 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimThe goal of this study was to evaluate if a biological hydrogel of recombinant human Fibroblast Growth Factor type 2 (rhFGF‐2) in a hyaluronic acid (HA) carrier applied in periodontal intrabony defects would enhance the clinical parameters of regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatusMaterials and MethodsThirty adult patients were evaluated. Two intrabony defects present in contra‐lateral quadrants in each patient were randomly allocated for each of the treatment methods employed. Control group (n = 30) were treated by open debridement with the papilla preservation flaps, while the test group (n = 30) also received a topical application of rhFGF‐2/HA in the intrabony defect. The parameters evaluated, at baseline and after one year, were, were probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC), probing attachment level (PAL) and probing bone level (PBL). The primary outcome measures was PAL gainResultsTest sites exhibited significantly more PD reduction (5.5 versus 2.9 mm), PAL gains (4.8 versus 2.2 mm) and shallower residual PD (4.2 versus 6.6 mm) than controls. Moreover, residual PD smaller than 5 mm (100 versus 0%) and PAL gain > 4 mm (60 versus 20%) was significantly more frequent in the test groupConclusionApplication of rhFGF‐2/HA significantly improved clinical parameters of periodontal wound healing one year after treatment.
Stability of root coverage outcomes at single maxillary gingival recession with loss of interdental attachment: 3‐year extension results from a randomized, controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Cairo Francesco , Cortellini Pierpaolo , Tonetti Maurizio , Nieri Michele , Mervelt Jana , Pagavino Gabriella , Pini‐Prato Giovan Paolo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the stability of root coverage outcomes 3 years after Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) plus Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) or CAF alone at single maxillary gingival recession with minimal inter‐dental clinical attachment loss.Material and MethodsTwenty‐four of the original 29 patients, 13 treated with CAF + CTG and 11 with CAF, were available for the 3‐year follow‐up. Measurements were performed by a blind and calibrated examiner. Outcome measures included complete root coverage (CRC), recession reduction (RecRed), Root coverage Esthetic Score (RES) and Keratinized Tissue (KT) Gain. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate patient satisfaction.ResultsAfter 3 years, CAF + CTG resulted in better outcomes in terms of CRC (p = 0.0054) than CAF alone. No difference was detected in terms of RecRed, RES score and VAS values. Furthermore, CAF + CTG was associated with higher KT gain than CAF at the last follow‐up (p < 0.0001).ConclusionRoot coverage outcomes in single gingival recession with inter‐dental CAL loss are stable after 3 years. The application of CTG under CAF was associated with increased probability to obtain CRC than CAF alone at the final follow‐up.
Simulated environmental transport distances of Lepeophtheirus salmonis in Loch Linnhe, Scotland, for informing aquaculture area management structures
Authors: Salama N K G , Murray A G , Rabe B 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn the majority of salmon farming countries, production occurs in zones where practices are coordinated to manage disease agents such as Lepeophtheirus salmonis. To inform the structure of zones in specific systems, models have been developed accounting for parasite biology and system hydrodynamics. These models provide individual system farm relationships, and as such, it may be beneficial to produce more generalized principles for informing structures. Here, we use six different forcing scenarios to provide simulations from a previously described model of the Loch Linnhe system, Scotland, to assess the maximum dispersal distance of lice particles released from 12 sites transported over 19 day. Results indicate that the median distance travelled is 6.1 km from release site with <2.5% transported beyond 15 km, which occurs from particles originating from half of the release sites, with an absolute simulated distance of 36 km observed. This provides information suggesting that the disease management areas developed for infectious salmon anaemia control may also have properties appropriate for salmon lice management in Scottish coastal waters. Additionally, general numerical descriptors of the simulated relative lice abundance reduction with increased distance from release location are proposed.
A central role for the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide system in neurogenesis and major depression
Authors: Gulbins Erich , Walter Silke , Becker Katrin Anne , Halmer Ramona , Liu Yang , Reichel Martin , Edwards Michael J. , Müller Christian P. , Fassbender Klaus , Kornhuber Johannes 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMajor depressive disorder is a severe and chronic illness with high lifetime prevalence and a high incidence of suicide as the cause of death for patients with this diagnosis. Major depressive disorder is often treated with anti‐depressants. Although these drugs have been used for many years, their exact mode of action is still unknown. It has been suggested that many anti‐depressants act by increasing the concentrations of serotonergic transmitters in the synaptic space. However, recent studies have examined the effects of anti‐depressants on neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the restoration of hippocampal neuronal networks that may be affected by major depression, and the regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis by immature neurons in the hippocampus. Here, we present and discuss a novel hypothesis suggesting that these events are regulated by the concentrations of sphingolipids, in particular ceramide, in the hippocampus. These concepts suggest that the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide system plays a central role in the pathogenesis of major depression and may be a novel target for anti‐depressants.
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Major depressive disorder is a severe and chronic illness with high lifetime prevalence and high incidence of suicide. Major depression is caused in part by an imbalance between factors that positively and negatively control neurogenesis. Anti‐depressants inhibit the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide system and thereby reduce the sum of negative factors restoring neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and improved mood.
Revisiting theIberian honey bee (Apis mellifera iberiensis) contact zone: maternal and genome‐wide nuclear variations provide support for secondary contact from historical refugia
Authors: Chávez‐Galarza Julio , Henriques Dora , Johnston J. Spencer , Carneiro Miguel , Rufino José , Patton John C. , Pinto M. Alice 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDissecting diversity patterns of organisms endemic to Iberia has been truly challenging for a variety of taxa, and the Iberian honey bee is no exception. Surveys of genetic variation in the Iberian honey bee are among the most extensive for any honey bee subspecies. From these, differential and complex patterns of diversity have emerged, which have yet to be fully resolved. Here, we used a genome‐wide data set of 309 neutrally tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), scattered across the 16 honey bee chromosomes, which were genotyped in 711 haploid males. These SNPs were analysed along with an intergenic locus of the mtDNA, to reveal historical patterns of population structure across the entire range of the Iberian honey bee. Overall, patterns of population structure inferred from nuclear loci by multiple clustering approaches and geographic cline analysis were consistent with two major clusters forming a well‐defined cline that bisects Iberia along a northeastern–southwestern axis, a pattern that remarkably parallels that of the mtDNA. While a mechanism of primary intergradation or isolation by distance could explain the observed clinal variation, our results are more consistent with an alternative model of secondary contact between divergent populations previously isolated in glacial refugia, as proposed for a growing list of other Iberian taxa. Despite current intense honey bee management, human‐mediated processes have seemingly played a minor role in shaping Iberian honey bee genetic structure. This study highlights the complexity of the Iberian honey bee patterns and reinforces the importance of Iberia as a reservoir ofApis melliferadiversity.
NextGen nuclear DNA sequencing in cyclic vomiting syndrome reveals a significant association with the stress‐induced calcium channel (RYR2)
Authors: Lee J. , Wong S. A. , Li B. U. K. , Boles R. G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundCyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a common, frequently disabling, ‘functional’ condition characterized by recurring, stereotypical attacks of intense nausea, vomiting, and lethargy, with the essential absence of these symptoms between episodes. Although the pathogenesis of CVS is yet unexplained, evidence has accumulated which suggest pathogenic roles for stress‐related, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and mitochondrial factors. The objective of this pilot study was to elucidate mechanism(s) by identifying genes involved in the presumed multifactorial pathogenesis of CVS.MethodsIn this pilot study, DNA from 75 unrelated CVS cases and 60 healthy controls were assayed by Courtagen Life Science's next‐generation sequencing platform (nucSEEK™), including over 1100 nuclear‐encoded genes involved with mitochondria, metabolism, or ion channels. Significant sequence variants were defined as evolutionary conservation at least to Xenopus (frog) per the UCSC Genome Browser.Key ResultsThe RYR2 gene, encoding a stress‐induced calcium channel present in many neurons, was the only gene demonstrating a statistically significant difference in the proportion of conserved sequence variants among the groups (18/75 CVS, 24%, vs 3/60 controls, 5%; p = 0.0018, OR = 6.0, 95% CI = 1.7–22).Conclusions & InferencesWe propose a mechanism in which RYR2 sequence variants result in aberrant stress‐induced calcium release into the mitochondria of autonomic neurons, resulting in an increased risk to develop autonomic/functional disease such as CVS, and related conditions such as migraine and gut dysmotility. This model incorporates the existing hypotheses regarding CVS pathogenesis into a cohesive mechanism, and might have treatment implications.