bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motion of high‐latitude nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances associated with auroral brightening
Authors: Shiokawa K. , Mori M. , Otsuka Y. , Oyama S. , Nozawa S. 
Published: September 2012

We report for the first time the rapid oscillating motion of nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) based on airglow imaging observations at Tromsø (magnetic latitude: 67.1°N), Norway on 8 December, 2009. The MSTIDs appeared in 630‐nm airglow images at 1530 UT as wave‐like structures south of Tromsø with a horizontal wavelength of ∼200 km and a phase surface of north to south. They moved eastward with velocities of 30–60 m/s. The velocity was faster in the poleward‐side of the MSTIDs, forming a northeast–southwest phase surface at later times. This phase surface direction is opposite to that of midlatitude MSTIDs. The MSTIDs show sudden oscillations and phase jump in the east–west direction with a timescale of ∼10 min at 1730 UT. The oscillations were associated with an auroral brightening observed at the poleward edge of the images and small magnetic field perturbations observed by ground magnetometers. The Doppler measurement of the 630‐nm airglow by a Fabry‐Perot interferometer at Tromsø showed a stable southeastward thermospheric wind with a velocity of ∼150 m/s. These observations indicate that the MSTID oscillations were linked to auroral electric field in the ionosphere, implying that the observed MSTIDs are ionospheric plasma structures. We suggest that the observed MSTIDs were created by atmospheric gravity waves at the beginning, left as fossil plasma structures even after the gravity wave packet dissipated in the thermosphere, moved eastward according to the background electric field driven by the F‐region dynamo, and oscillated associated with the auroral electric field.
Saddle height effects on pedal forces, joint mechanical work and kinematics of cyclists and triathletes
Authors: Bini Rodrigo Rico , Hume Patria A. , Kilding Andrew E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe effects of saddle height on pedal forces and joint kinetics (e.g. mechanical work) are unclear. Therefore, we assessed the effects of saddle height on pedal forces, joint mechanical work and kinematics in 12 cyclists and 12 triathletes. Four sub‐maximal 2‐min cycling trials (3.4 W/kg and 90 rpm) were conducted using preferred, low and high saddle heights (±10° knee flexion at 6 o'clock crank position from the individual preferred height) and an advocated optimal saddle height (25° knee flexion at 6 o'clock crank position). Right pedal forces and lower limb kinematics were compared using effect sizes (ES). Increases in saddle height (5% of preferred height, ES=4.6) resulted in large increases in index of effectiveness (7%, ES=1.2) at the optimal compared to the preferred saddle height for cyclists. Greater knee (11–15%, ES=1.6) and smaller hip (6–8%, ES=1.7) angles were observed at the low (cyclists and triathletes) and preferred (triathletes only) saddle heights compared to high and optimal saddle heights. Smaller hip angle (5%, ES=1.0) and greater hip range of motion (9%, ES=1.0) were observed at the preferred saddle height for triathletes compared to cyclists. Changes in saddle height up to 5% of preferred saddle height for cyclists and 7% for triathletes affected hip and knee angles but not joint mechanical work. Cyclists and triathletes would opt for saddle heights <5 and <7%, respectively, within a range of their existing saddle height.
Moderate drought alters biomass and depth distribution of fine roots in Norway spruce
Authors: Konôpka B. , Lukac M. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryA rain shelter experiment was conducted in a 90‐year‐old Norway spruce stand, in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts (Slovakia). Three rain shelters were constructed in the stand to prevent the rainfall from reaching the soil and to reduce water availability in the rhizosphere. Fine root biomass and necromass were repeatedly measured throughout a growing season by soil coring. We established the quantities of fine root biomass (live) and necromass (dead) at soil depths of 0–5, 5–15, 15–25 and 25–35 cm. Significant differences in soil moisture contents between control and drought plots were found in the top 15 cm of soil after 20 weeks of rainfall manipulation (lasting from early June to late October). Our observations show that even relatively light drought decreased total fine root biomass from 272.0 to 242.8 g m−2 and increased the amount of necromass from 79.2 to 101.2 g m−2 in the top 35 cm of soil. Very fine roots (VFR), that is, those with diameter up to 1 mm, were more affected than total fine roots defined as 0–2 mm. The effect of reduced water availability was depth‐specific; as a result, we observed a modification of vertical distribution of fine roots. More roots in drought treatment were produced in the wetter soil horizons at 25–35 cm depth than at the surface. We conclude that fine and VFR systems of Norway spruce have the capacity to re‐allocate resources to roots at different depths in response to environmental signals, resulting in changes in necromass to biomass ratio.
Heat dissipation limit theory and the evolution of avian functional traits in a warming world
Authors: Grémillet David , Meslin Laurence , Lescroël Amélie 
Published: September 2012

Summary

It is generally assumed that animal energy expenditure is limited by energy acquisition.

In a series of publications, Speakman, Król and colleagues argue that the capacity to dissipate metabolic heat may also limit maximum rates of energy expenditure in endotherms (heat dissipation limit theory – HDL theory).

The implications of the HDL theory for the evolution of avian functional traits are substantial and open fascinating research perspectives.

Notably, the HDL theory leads us to (i) link elevated bird body temperatures with their capacity to achieve higher rates of heat loss and of energy expenditure, (ii) reconsider the evolution of avian plumage patterns and speculate upon the capacity of white birds to achieve higher field metabolic rates than darker relatives, (iii) hypothesize that the avian brood patch also functions as a thermal window allowing birds to shed excess heat and (iv) revise our current view of the adaptive significance of limited plumage thermal insulation in great cormorants.

Such features have important implications for the capacity of birds to cope with global warming and for the design of mechanistic models of animal energetics aiming at predicting their responses to changing environmental conditions.
A systematic review on the effectiveness of prewarming to prevent perioperative hypothermia
Authors: de Brito Poveda Vanessa , Clark Alexander M , Galvão Cristina M 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectivesTo analyse available research on the effectiveness of prewarming to prevent perioperative hypothermia and identify knowledge gaps for future research.BackgroundPerioperative hypothermia is common and causes complications, such as coagulation and platelet function abnormalities; increased cardiac morbidity, surgical site infection, and pressure ulcer incidence levels. In this context, several methods have been investigated to prevent perioperative hypothermia, including prewarming. Prewarming is defined as the warming of peripheral tissues or the skin surface before anaesthetic induction and may consist of an active cutaneous warming system or the preoperative administration of vasodilation drugs.DesignSystematic review.MethodsWe searched CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Medline (January 1990–November 2011) for randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of prewarming for prevention of perioperative hypothermia, published in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and involving elective surgery patients aged 18 years or older.ResultsOf 730 identified studies, only 13 met the inclusion criteria. After hand‐searching the reference lists of included studies, an additional study was identified for a total sample of 14 studies. The results suggest that forced‐air warming system is effective to reduce hypothermia when applied for the prewarming of surgical patients.ConclusionPrewarming patients with the forced‐air warming system might be effective to reduce perioperative hypothermia, and new studies are needed to examine the use of carbon fibre technology.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses can use this review to inform decision‐making on a prewarming programme in the perioperative period. They can also develop research on strategies to put in practice prewarming in the surgical context.
Citation classics: Top 50 cited articles in ‘respiratory system’
Authors: TAM WILSON W.S. , WONG ELIZA L.Y. , WONG FAYE C.Y. , HUI DAVID S.C. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIdentifying citation classics in the field is one of the key methodologies used to conduct a systematic evaluation of research performance. The objective of this study was to determine the most frequently cited articles published in journals that are placed under the ‘respiratory system’ subject category (Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Journal Citation Reports) and to compare them with the most frequently cited respiratory‐related articles published in any journal, regardless of subject category. The authors utilized the ISI Journal Citation Reports: Science Edition 2010 database in April 2012 to determine the most frequently cited articles by respiratory system subject category and by respiratory‐related keywords. The top 50 most‐cited articles were identified in each category and evaluated according to various characteristics. The majority of these papers originated from the United States. The median numbers of citations for the top 50 cited articles stratified by respiratory system subject category and respiratory‐related keywords were 841.5 and 2701, respectively. Half of the top 50 cited articles identified by respiratory‐related keywords were published in general medical or basic science journals, whereas only three out of these were published in journals under the respiratory system subject category in ISI Journal Citation Reports. In summary, respiratory‐related articles published in general medical or science journals attracted more citations than those published in the specific respiratory journals.
Effect of eczema on the association between season of birth and food allergy in Japanese children
Authors: Kusunoki Takashi , Morimoto Takeshi , Sakuma Mio , Mukaida Kumiko , Yasumi Takahiro , Nishikomori Ryuta , Heike Toshio 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundFood allergy (FA) in childhood has been shown to be more prevalent in those born in autumn and winter. The mechanisms of this season‐of‐birth effect remain unclear, although shortage of vitamin D during infancy has been considered one possible mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eczema on the season‐of‐birth effect on FA in infancy.MethodsA questionnaire survey on the prevalence of allergic diseases was completed by the parents of 14 669 Japanese schoolchildren, aged 7–15 years, in Kyoto City, Japan. Logistic regression models were constructed to compare the prevalence of FA in infancy according to season of birth.ResultsThose born in autumn and winter had a significantly higher prevalence of FA in infancy compared to those born in spring and summer in a multivariate model (4.8% vs 3.6%, P = 0.001). The difference, however, was no longer significant when eczema before 6 months was included as either an additional or only confounding factor. The difference among those with and without eczema before 6 months was further analyzed, and it was found that, in both groups, there was no difference between those born in spring and summer and those born in autumn and winter.ConclusionsThe season‐of‐birth effect on FA in infancy was significantly affected by the existence of eczema before 6 months in Japanese children. Eczema before 6 months may be the factor directly related to the season‐of‐birth effect on FA in infancy.
Experimental epilepsy affects Notch1 signalling and the stem cell pool in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Sibbe Mirjam , Häussler Ute , Dieni Sandra , Althof Daniel , Haas Carola A. , Frotscher Michael 
Published: September 2012

AbstractTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most frequent form of epilepsy in adults. In addition to recurrent focal seizures, patients suffer from memory loss and depression. The factors contributing to these symptoms are unknown. In recent years, adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been implicated in certain aspects of learning and memory, as well as in depression and anhedonia. Here we investigated whether the adult hippocampal stem cell niche is affected by status epilepticus in a mouse model of TLE using unilateral intrahippocampal kainic acid injection. Eight days after status epilepticus, we found a strong diminution in Notch signalling, a key pathway involved in stem cell maintenance, as assayed by hes5 reporter gene activity. In particular, hes5–GFP expression in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus was diminished. Furthermore, Sox2‐positive cells as well as stem cell proliferation were reduced, thus pointing to a disruption of the stem cell niche in epilepsy under the present experimental conditions.
Conditional Cash Transfers and Social Mobility: The Role of Asymmetric Structures and Segmentation Processes
Authors: Sandberg Johan 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThis article seeks to advance existing research on conditional cash transfers (CCTs) by centring the analysis of their long‐term impact on the reproduction of poverty and exclusion. To date, most analyses and assessments of CCTs’ long‐term impact have been based on simulations focused on specific parameters such as income changes and educational attainment. This study takes as its starting point the assumption that any efforts to break the cycle of chronic poverty and exclusion must address their underlying structures and processes. To that end, it presents a social mobility analysis of Uruguay's Asignaciones Familiares and its impact on residential segregation, educational segmentation and labour market segmentation. Based on empirical data from qualitative interviews, household surveys and existing research studies, the programme is found to insufficiently address these asymmetric processes. Without accompanying structural reforms, this limitation will significantly constrain the programme's capacities to promote beneficiaries’ social mobility by breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
An imaging method for oxygen distribution, respiration and photosynthesis at a microscopic level of resolution
Authors: Tschiersch Henning , Liebsch Gregor , Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Stangelmayer Achim , Rolletschek Hardy 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Biological samples are far from homogeneous, with complex compartmentation being the norm. Major physiological processes such as respiration do not therefore occur in a uniform manner within most tissues, and it is currently not possible to image its gradients in living plant tissues.

A compact fluorescence ratiometric‐based device is presented here, consisting of an oxygen‐sensitive foil and a USB (universal serial bus) microscope. The sensor foil is placed on the sample surface and, based on the localized change in fluorescence signal over time, information about the oxygen consumption (respiration) or evolution (photosynthesis) can be obtained.

Using this imaging technique, it was possible to demonstrate the spatial pattern of oxygen production and consumption at a c. 20‐μm level of resolution, and their visualization in the rhizosphere, stem and leaf, and within the developing seed. The oxygen mapping highlighted the vascular tissues as the major stem sink for oxygen. In the leaf, the level of spatial resolution was sufficient to visualize the gas exchange in individual stomata.

We conclude that the novel sensor set‐up can visualize gradients in oxygen‐consuming and producing processes, thereby facilitating the study of the spatial dynamics of respiration and photosynthesis in heterogeneous plant tissues.
Outcome after burns: An observational study on burn scar maturation and predictors for severe scarring
Authors: van der Wal Martijn B. A. , Vloemans Jos F. P. M. , Tuinebreijer Wim E. , van de Ven Peter , van Unen Ella , van Zuijlen Paul P. M. , Middelkoop Esther 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLong‐term outcome of burn scars as well as the relation with clinically relevant parameters has not been studied quantitatively. Therefore, we conducted a detailed analysis on the clinical changes of burn scars in a longitudinal setup. In addition, we focused on the differences in scar quality in relation to the depth, etiology of the burn wound and age of the patient. Burn scars of 474 patients were subjected to a scar assessment protocol 3, 6, and 12 months postburn. Three different age groups were defined (≤5, 5–18, and ≥18 years). The observer part of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale revealed a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in scar quality at 12 months compared with the 3‐ and 6‐month data. Predictors for severe scarring are depth of the wound (p < 0.001) and total body surface area burned (p < 0.001). Etiology (p = 0.753) and age (p > 0.230) have no significant influence on scar quality when corrected for sex, total body surface area burned, time, and age or etiology, respectively.
Notch signaling pathway in keloid disease: Enhanced fibroblast activity in a Jagged‐1 peptide‐dependent manner in lesional vs. extralesional fibroblasts
Authors: Syed Farhatullah , Bayat Ardeshir 
Published: September 2012

AbstractKeloid disease (KD) is a fibroproliferative disorder of unknown etiopathogenesis with ill‐defined treatment. There is increasing evidence to suggest that aberrant Notch signaling may contribute directly to skin pathogenesis and altered expression of Notch receptors identified in KD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the Notch signaling pathway in KD compared to normal skin (NS). In this study, we employed in vitro primary cell culture models to elucidate the role of Notch signaling in 44 tissue samples from patients with KD split into keloid and extralesional (EL) samples (internal control) from the same patients, and six NS tissue samples (external control). We show the presence of a significant (p < 0.05) up‐regulation of Notch receptors and ligand Jagged‐1 (JAG‐1) in KD compared to EL and NS tissue samples. Cell spreading, attachment, and proliferation were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in JAG‐1 antisense‐treated primary dermal fibroblasts isolated from KD and treated with γ‐secretase inhibitor (blocks proteolytic cleavage and activation of Notch), evaluated by real‐time cell analyzer (RTCA) on a microelectronic sensory array. In contrast, extralesional skin fibroblasts (ELF) treated with recombinant human JAG‐1 (rh‐JAG‐1) peptide showed significant (p < 0.05) enhancement of cell spreading, attachment, and proliferation in RTCA. Activation/inhibition of JAG‐1 and Notch signaling significantly (p < 0.05) altered the behavior of primary keloid fibroblasts and ELF, in cell migration (using a scratch wound assay), invasion (using a 3D invasion assay), and angiogenesis (in vitro coculture tube formation assay). In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate a potential role for the Notch signaling pathway in KD progression and that targeting this pathway may provide a novel strategy for treatment of KD.
Identification of biomarkers in sequential biopsies of patients with chronic wounds receiving simultaneous acute wounds: A genetic, histological, and noninvasive imaging study
Authors: Shih Barbara , Sultan Muhammad J. , Chaudhry Iskander H. , Tan Kian T. , Johal Kavan S. , Marstan Arshiya , Tsai Melody , Baguneid Mohammed , Bayat Ardeshir 
Published: September 2012

AbstractChronic wounds are common and lead to significant patient morbidity. A better understanding of their pathogenesis and relevant biomarkers are required. We compared acute and chronic wounds in the same individual using noninvasive imaging including spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) and full‐field laser perfusion imaging. Gene expression analysis was also performed on sequential biopsies. Whole genome gene expression microarray analysis (44k), quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were carried out to determine gene expression levels in tissue biopsies. Fifteen Caucasian patients with chronic venous ulcers had biopsies of the wound edges and simultaneously had an acute wound created on their upper arm on days 0, 7, and 14. SIAscopy revealed increased levels of melanin (p < 0.001), reduced levels of collagen (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin (p = 0.022) in chronic wounds. Microarray and subsequent quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed an overall differential expression in acute and chronic wounds for several genes. Significantly higher levels of inhibin, beta A (INHBA) expression were confirmed in the dermis of chronic wounds (p < 0.05). Additionally, INHBA and thrombospondin 1 messenger RNA levels significantly correlated with SIAscopy measurements (p < 0.05). This unique study has showed aberrant expression of INHBA in chronic wounds using a sequential biopsy model of chronic vs. acute wounds in the same individual.
State Panel Estimates of the Effects of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age on Alcohol Consumption for 1950 to 2002
Authors: Subbaraman Meenakshi S. , Kerr William C. 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundDespite strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA), recent movements have attempted to evoke policy changes that will allow 18‐ to 20‐year‐olds to buy and drink alcohol legally. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of both raising and lowering the MLDA on per capita ethanol (EtOH) consumption in longer and more accurate time series panel than any previous study.MethodsGeneralized least squares model specifications controlling for income, unemployment rates, and population characteristics were implemented using MLDA and aggregate EtOH consumption data from U.S. states from 1950 to 2002.ResultsResults from the full 1950 to 2002 period, which include both the lowering and raising of the MLDA, show that an increase in the MLDA by 3 years was associated with decreases in per capita total EtOH consumption (1.51% reduction), as well as in beer (2.31% reduction) and spirits consumption (1.86% reduction).ConclusionsLowering the MLDA would likely induce increased rates of drinking and subsequent alcohol‐related consequences. If increased consumption is of concern, policymakers should resist movements to lower the MLDA.