bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The distribution and local movements of shorebirds within the Moray Firth
Authors: Symonds F. L. , Langslow D. R. 
Published: March 2014

SynopsisThe shorebird populations of the Moray Firth mudflats were studied between 1981 and 1985. Peak numbers of waders were found in midwinter when the total population may exceed 36,000 birds. More than 1% of the total northwest European population of oystercatchers (Haematopus osiralegus), redshank (Tringa totanus), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa tapponica) and knot (Calidris canutus) were recorded. Wildfowl reach peak numbers in October and November (approximately 45,000); numbers decline gradually thereafter as some birds move on to wintering sites elsewhere in Britain. Ringing and colour-marking studies showed that turnstone (Arenaria interpres), curlew (Numenius arquata), ringed plover (Charadrius hialicula), oystercatcher and redshank remained loyal to selected feeding areas within the Moray Firth while bar-tailed godwit, knot and dunlin (Calidris alpina) ranged widely throughout the winter.These observations are discussed in relation to the value of the Moray Firth to shorebirds and the problems posed by the reclamation of intertidal habitats and pollution of the intertidal areas.
Moray Firth marine fouling communities
Authors: Picken Gordon B. 
Published: March 2014

SynopsisFouling communities typical of shallow water inshore sites were found at three locations in the Moray Firth. At each, an initial background cover of solitary tubeworms and barnacles was overgrown by secondary fouling organisms. On the piles of Nigg jetty, overgrowth consisted of mussels in the depth range 0–6 m and hydroids, sponges, soft corals and anemones from 6–26 m. Buoys in the approaches to Cromarty Firth were completely covered by a mixture of algae and mussels. Sunlit areas of the float cleaned annually bore a diverse algal cover, whereas uncleaned shaded areas and the freely hanging chain had three-year-old mussels up to 7 cm long. Mussel fouling extended down the chain to within 1 m of the seabed at 26 m depth. Concrete anchor blocks on the seabed were covered with solitary tubeworms and hydroids. Steel piled platforms in the Beatrice Field were completely fouled after four years. Mussels and seaweeds were abundant from 0–5 m. In the depth range 8–35 m the background calcareous layer was overgrown by soft corals up to 10 cm long and hydroids. From 35 m to the seabed at 46 m, soft overgrowth was provided mainly by hydroids and ascidians, with only a few small corals.
Regulation of pollution: controls and responsibilities
Authors: Buchanan D. 
Published: March 2014

SynopsisThe most pertinent sources of pollution in the Moray Firth are considered to be direct discharges of sewage and trade effluents and indirect discharges of trade effluent through public sewers; discharges to underground strata; the deposit of waste on land and at sea, and oil discharge from shore and offshore installations and vessels. The distribution of the main function and responsibilities for the administrative control of pollution and the concomitant statutory powers are explained under the relevant sources of pollution identified.
Water quality in the Inverness and Beauly Firths
Authors: Hunter J. , Rendall D. 
Published: March 2014

SynopsisThe Highland River Purification Board is carrying out a detailed study of the effect of Inverness sewage on the Beauly and Inverness Firths to ascertain the present degree of pollution and the best location for a new outfall. The survey comprises hydrographic work to identify the main currents in the Longman area, analysis of water and sewage quality and surveys of the littoral and sub-littoral fauna.
Gearing up to support urban farming in California: Preliminary results of a needs assessment
Authors: Surls Rachel , Feenstra Gail , Golden Sheila , Galt Ryan , Hardesty Shermain , Napawan Claire , Wilen Cheryl 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAccording to the United States Census, California is the most urban state in the nation. Although there are many outstanding examples of urban farms in California, in general, urban agriculture (UA) has been slower to gain momentum here than in some other states with large urban populations. Over the past several years, urban agriculture's popularity in California has begun to escalate, with strong emerging interest in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and other metropolitan communities. One challenge for urban farmers and municipal decision makers engaged with UA in California has been limited availability of relevant information and technical assistance. A new project team at the University of California Cooperative Extension, part of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is working to develop web-based educational resources that will be grounded in a needs assessment that is currently underway. The needs assessment includes a literature review, an internal survey of UC ANR personnel, and community clientele interviews. This paper will report on preliminary findings and analyses of the needs assessment, particularly how UC ANR personnel are engaged with UA, and what tools they think would best serve urban farmers. We suggest implications for those involved with UA, such as personnel of land-grant universities, local governments and non-profits seeking to address the needs of urban farmers in an environment of constrained resources.
The role of health-related data in promoting the security of health care in armed conflict and other emergencies
Authors: Coupland Robin 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHealth-related data provide the basis of policy in many domains. By using a methodology specifically designed to gather data about any form of violence and its impact, violence affecting health-care personnel, health-care facilities, and the wounded and sick in these facilities can be quantified on an objective basis. The impact of this form of violence and its accompanying insecurity goes beyond those directly affected to the many who are ultimately denied health care. Reliable data about both the violence affecting health-care personnel and facilities and the ‘knock-on’ effects of this violence on the health of many others have a critical role to play in influencing the policies of all stakeholders, including governments, in favour of greater security of effective and impartial health care in armed conflict and other emergencies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has undertaken a study that attempts to understand on a global basis the nature and impact of the many different kinds of violence affecting health care.
Combinatorial quorum sensing allows bacteria to resolve their social and physical environment
Authors: Cornforth Daniel M. , Popat Roman , McNally Luke , Gurney James , Scott-Phillips Thomas C. , Ivens Alasdair , Diggle Stephen P. , Brown Sam P. 
Published: March 2014

Significance
Many bacterial species engage in a form of cell–cell communication known as quorum sensing (QS). Despite great progress in unravelling the molecular mechanisms of QS, controversy remains over its functional role. There is disagreement over whether QS surveys bacterial cell density or rather environmental properties like diffusion or flow, and moreover there is no consensus on why many bacteria use multiple signal molecules. We develop and test a new conceptual framework for bacterial cell–cell communication, demonstrating that bacteria can simultaneously infer both their social (density) and physical (mass-transfer) environment, given combinatorial (nonadditive) responses to multiple signals with distinct half-lives. Our results also show that combinatorial communication is not restricted solely to primates and is computationally achievable in single-celled organisms.
Nucleation of shear bands in amorphous alloys
Authors: Perepezko John H. , Imhoff Seth D. , Chen Ming-Wei , Wang Jun-Qiang , Gonzalez Sergio 
Published: March 2014

SignificanceA shear band is a region of highly localized plastic flow that develops during loading in both crystalline and amorphous materials. Shear bands directly determine the ductility of an amorphous phase, but relatively little is known about their nucleation. We use nanoindentation to probe shear band nucleation by measuring the first pop-in event during loading which is associated with shear band formation. We analyze a large number of independent measurements on four different metallic glasses and reveal a bimodal distribution of nucleation events that operate at different stress levels. The discovery of multiple shear band nucleation sites challenges the current view of a single type of site and offers opportunities for controlling the ductility of amorphous alloys.
Mannose‐binding lectin 2 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection among endurance athletes
Authors: Zehsaz Farzad , Farhangi Negin , Legge Michael 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of mannose‐binding lectin 2 (MBL2)‐exon‐1 gene polymorphisms on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) incidence among endurance athletes. To this end, 100 healthy elite male athletes participating in the study were classified as either healthy or prone to frequent URTI. Blood samples, DNA isolation, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional PCR‐RFLP were performed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of whole blood samples using the QIAmp DNA Blood Mini Kit. For comparison of the distribution of genotypes between two groups and for estimating odds ratios (OR) for URTI susceptibility in relation to the MBL2‐exon‐1 polymorphism, Pearson's chi‐square and logistic regression method were used, respectively. The MBL2‐exon‐1 genotype distribution differed between athletes with URTI and healthy athletes (χ2 = 7.81, p = 0.02). The AO and AO + OO genotypes of MBL2 were observed at a greater frequency in the illness‐prone group compared with the healthy group (34.04% vs. 11.32%). In conclusion, findings from this study have identified a potential role of genetic variation in influencing the risk for URTI in athletic populations and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MBL2‐exon‐1 genes were associated with an altered risk profile. These measures may have a predictive value in the identification of individuals who are more likely to experience recurrent infections when exposed to high physical stress in the areas of athletic endeavour.
Broad bandwidth acoustic backscattering from sandeel—measurements and finite element simulations
Authors: Forland Tonje Nesse , Hobæk Halvor , Ona Egil , Korneliussen Rolf J. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Acoustic backscattering measurements were made of individual sandeel (Ammodytes marinus L.) at frequencies from 100 to 280 kHz in a laboratory tank. Measurements were made versus incidence angle, −30° to 30° relative to both dorsal and lateral aspect directions, for dead whole sandeel and for excised backbones. Backscatter spectra from whole fish have deep minima at frequencies that vary with fish length and shift to lower frequencies at higher incidence angles. The backscatter spectra from dorsal and lateral aspects differ both in amplitude and in positions of the minima. The backscatter from the excised backbone increases almost linearly with frequency and, below about 150 kHz, contributes only a minor amount to the total sandeel backscatter. A finite element model of sandeel backscatter, developed and compared with the measurements, indicates that shear waves in the backbone contribute little to the overall backscatter from sandeel.
Population structure of natural and propagated isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum, C. hominis and C. meleagridis
Authors: Widmer Giovanni , Ras Refaat , Chalmers Rachel M. , Elwin Kristin , Desoky Enas , Badawy Ahmed 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe three protozoan species Cryptosporidium parvum, C. meleagridis and C. hominis (phylum Apicomplexa) are enteric pathogens of humans. The former two species are zoonotic and the latter is thought to infect only humans. To better characterize the structure and transmission of natural and laboratory‐propagated isolates, we analyzed a collection of archived human and animal isolates of these three species by deep‐sequencing polymerase chain reaction products amplified from a polymorphic sequence on chromosome 1. Thousands of screened 200‐nucleotide sequences were analyzed to compare the diversity among samples, to assess the impact of laboratory propagation on population complexity and to identify taxonomically mixed isolates. Contrary to our expectation, repeated propagation in animals did not reduce intra‐isolate diversity nor was diversity associated with host species. Significantly, in most samples, sequences characteristic of a different species were identified. The presence of C. hominis alleles in C. parvum and C. meleagridis isolates confirms earlier reports of mixed isolates and raises the possibility that the host range of C. hominis is broader than typically assumed. In a genetically divergent isolate of C. parvum, a majority of sequences was found to be recombinant, suggesting that this genotype originated from a C. parvum × C. hominis recombination event.
Opposing effects of aspirin and anticoagulants on morbidity and mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Abu Daya Hussein , Eloubeidi Mohamad , Tamim Hani , Halawi Houssam , Malli Ahmad H. , Rockey Don C. , Barada Kassem 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the effect of antithrombotics on in‐hospital mortality and morbidity in patients with peptic ulcer disease‐related upper gastrointestinal bleeding (PUD‐related UGIB).MethodsThe study cohort was retrospectively selected from a tertiary center database of patients with PUD‐related UGIB, defined as bleeding due to gastric or duodenal ulcers, or erosive duodenitis, gastritis or esophagitis. Outcomes were compared among patient groups based on their antithrombotic medications before admission. Patients on no antithrombotics served as controls. The composite adverse outcomes, in‐hospital mortality, rebleeding and/or need for surgery were measured. Severe bleeding and in‐hospital complications were also recorded.ResultsOf 398 patients with PUD‐related UGIB, 44.5% were on aspirin or anticoagulants only. The composite adverse outcome was most common in patients taking anticoagulants only (40.5%), intermediate in controls (23.1%) and least in those taking aspirin only (12.1%). On multivariate analysis, patients taking aspirin alone had a significantly lower risk of adverse outcome events (odds ratio [OR] 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8) and a shorter length of hospital stay (regression coefficient = −3.4, 95% CI [−6.6, −0.6]). In contrast, taking anticoagulants was associated with a greater risk of adverse outcome events (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.3), severe bleeding (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.8) and in‐hospital complications (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.6).ConclusionsPatients with PUB‐related UGIB while taking aspirin had fewer adverse outcomes compared with those taking anticoagulants. Aspirin may have beneficial effects in this population.
Impact of nutritional status of Egyptian patients with end‐stage liver disease on their outcomes after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Yosry Ayman , Omran Dalia , Said Mohamad , Fouad Waleed , Fekry Osama 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveMalnutrition is prevalent among patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) awaiting liver transplantation. Our aim was to examine prospectively the impact of patients' nutritional status on their outcomes after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).MethodsIn all, 30 patients scheduled for LDLT were subjected to a preoperative nutritional status assessment through subjective global assessment (SGA), nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) and anthropometric measurements. All patients were followed up for 3 months after LDLT for mortality, graft rejection, number of clinically significant infective episodes, time spent in hospital (ward and intensive care unit [ICU]) and graft failure or dysfunction.ResultsAll patients were nutritionally compromised (evaluated by SGA and NRS 2002), and were divided into two groups: moderately and severely malnourished. Compared with moderately malnourished patients, severely malnourished patients showed significant postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, higher number of infective episodes and longer ICU stay. Preoperative triceps skinfold and mid‐arm circumference were negatively correlated with the number of infective episodes (r = −0.33, P = 0.03 and r = −0.377, P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, skeletal muscle mass was negatively correlated with postoperative serum alanine aminotransferase level (r = −0.52, P = 0.003) and the number of postoperative infective episodes (r = −0.3, P = 0.04).ConclusionPoor nutritional status of Egyptian patients with ESLD negatively affects the patients' outcomes after LDLT.
Activation and identification of five clusters for secondary metabolites in Streptomyces albus J1074
Authors: Olano Carlos , García Ignacio , González Aranzazu , Rodriguez Miriam , Rozas Daniel , Rubio Julio , Sánchez‐Hidalgo Marina , Braña Alfredo F. , Méndez Carmen , Salas José A. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryStreptomyces albus J1074 is a streptomycete strain widely used as a host for expression of secondary metabolite gene clusters. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of this organism predicts the presence of 27 gene clusters for secondary metabolites. We have used three different strategies for the activation of some of these silent/cryptic gene clusters in S. albus J1074: two hybrid polyketide‐non‐ribosomal peptides (PK‐NRP) (antimycin and 6‐epi‐alteramides), a type I PK (candicidin), a non‐ribosomal peptides (NRP) (indigoidine) and glycosylated compounds (paulomycins). By insertion of a strong and constitutive promoter in front of selected genes of two clusters, production of the blue pigment indigoidine and of two novel members of the polycyclic tetramate macrolactam family (6‐epi‐alteramides A and B) was activated. Overexpression of positive regulatory genes from the same organism also activated the biosynthesis of 6‐epi‐alteramides and heterologous expression of the regulatory gene pimM of the pimaricin cluster activated the simultaneous production of candicidins and antimycins, suggesting some kind of cross‐regulation between both clusters. A cluster for glycosylated compounds (paulomycins) was also identified by comparison of the high‐performance liquid chromatography profiles of the wild‐type strain with that of a mutant in which two key enzymes of the cluster were simultaneously deleted.
Control of sulfidogenesis through bio‐oxidation of H2S coupled to (per)chlorate reduction
Authors: Gregoire Patrick , Engelbrektson Anna , Hubbard Christopher G. , Metlagel Zoltan , Csencsits Roseann , Auer Manfred , Conrad Mark E. , Thieme Jürgen , Northrup Paul , Coates John D. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryWe investigated H2S attenuation by dissimilatory perchlorate‐reducing bacteria (DPRB). All DPRB tested oxidized H2S coupled to (per)chlorate reduction without sustaining growth. H2S was preferentially utilized over organic electron donors resulting in an enriched (34S)‐elemental sulfur product. Electron microscopy revealed elemental sulfur production in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface of the DPRB Azospira suillum. Based on our results, we propose a novel hybrid enzymatic‐abiotic mechanism for H2S oxidation similar to that recently proposed for nitrate‐dependent Fe(II) oxidation. The results of this study have implications for the control of biosouring and biocorrosion in a range of industrial environments.
IL‐1 Receptor Blockade Prevents Fetal Cortical Brain Injury but Not Preterm Birth in a Mouse Model of Inflammation‐Induced Preterm Birth and Perinatal Brain Injury
Authors: Leitner Kirstin , Al Shammary Mofeedah , McLane Michael , Johnston Michael V. , Elovitz Michal A. , Burd Irina 
Published: March 2014

ProblemExposure to intrauterine inflammation, associated with preterm birth, has been linked to a devastating spectrum of neurobehavioral disorders. Mechanisms of this injury are unknown. Using a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation, we have observed a disruption of fetal neuronal morphology along with a marked elevation of interleukin (IL)‐1β in the fetal brain and placenta. In this study, we hypothesized that IL‐1 plays a key role in perinatal brain injury.Method of studyUtilizing a mouse model of inflammation‐induced preterm birth, we investigated the role of IL‐1 in fetal cortical injury as well as preterm birth. In these studies, dams received systemic treatment with IL‐1 receptor antagonist prior to administration of intrauterine inflammation.ResultsSystemic maternal antagonism of IL‐1 improved fetal cortical neuronal injury associated with the exposure to intrauterine inflammation, without affecting the phenotype of preterm birth. IL‐1 receptor antagonist blocked activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in perinatal cortex, a key enzyme implicated in neurotoxicity.ConclusionOur data suggest that fetal cortical brain injury and preterm birth may occur by divergent mechanisms. Furthermore, our studies indicate maternal administration of IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) blocked neuronal nitric oxide synthase activation observed in the brain cortex and, we speculate, that this alteration in activation leads to demonstrated decreased neurotoxicity.
Scientific and clinical evidence for the use of fetal ECG ST segment analysis (STAN)
Authors: Steer Philip J. , Hvidman Lone Egly 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFetal electrocardiogram waveform analysis has been studied for many decades, but it is only in the last 20 years that computerization has made real‐time analysis practical for clinical use. Changes in the ST segment have been shown to correlate with fetal condition, in particular with acid–base status. Meta‐analysis of randomized trials (five in total, four using the computerized system) has shown that use of computerized ST segment analysis (STAN) reduces the need for fetal blood sampling by about 40%. However, although there are trends to lower rates of low Apgar scores and acidosis, the differences are not statistically significant. There is no effect on cesarean section rates. Disadvantages include the need for amniotic membranes to be ruptured so that a fetal scalp electrode can be applied, and the need for STAN values to be interpreted in conjunction with detailed fetal heart rate pattern analysis.
The descent of the fetal head is not modified by mobile epidural analgesia: a controlled sonographic study
Authors: Maroni Elisa , Youssef Aly , Rainaldi Maria Pia , Valentini Maria Viola , Turchi Giovanni , Morselli‐Labate Antonio Maria , Paccapelo Alexandro , Pacella Giuseppina , Contro Elena , Arcangeli Tiziana , Rizzo Nicola , Pilu Gianluigi , Ghi Tullio 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe aim of our study was to assess the sonographic indices of fetal head progression obtained by three‐dimensional ultrasound during the second stage of labor in women with and without mobile epidural analgesia. Sonographic volume data sets were obtained with a transperineal approach every 20 min from the beginning of the active second stage until delivery. The ultrasound parameters were calculated off‐line from each volume and compared between women with and without epidural analgesia. All the sonographic measurements of the fetal head descent were comparable at each time interval between the two groups. This observation suggests that mobile epidural analgesia is not likely to affect the dynamics of the second stage of labor.