bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Severity of Coronary Artery Disease and Echocardiographic Parameters of Ventricular Diastolic Function
Authors: Abalı Gülcan , Akpınar Onur , Nisanoğlu Vedat , İlgenli Tevfik Fikret 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the relation between the severity of the coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patient with stable CAD and normal LV ejection fraction.MethodsSixty patients with stable CAD were included in the study. All angiographic variables pertinent to SYNTAX Score (SS) and Gensini score (GS) calculation were computed by two experienced interventional cardiologists. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination.ResultsWe divided the patients into 4 groups according to median of SS and GS. It was observed that LV diastolic function was impaired in 26 patients (86.7%) in under group of SS, 23 patients (76.7%) in upper group of SS, and 27 patients (87.1%) in under group of GS, and 22 patients (75.9%) in upper group of GS. There was no significant difference between the SS, GS, clinical, and echocardiographic findings.ConclusionThe diastolic function did not demonstrate any impairment according to the severity of the CAD in patients which coronary angiography performed with the diagnosis of stable CAD.
Left Ventricular and Atrial Functions in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients with Very High LVOT Gradient: A Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Tigen Kursat , Sunbul Murat , Karaahmet Tansu , Dundar Cihan , Ozben Beste , Guler Ahmet , Cincin Altug , Bulut Mustafa , Sari Ibrahim , Basaran Yelda 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundDetermination of myocardial deformation (strain) by two‐dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new method for evaluating left ventricular (LV) regional function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to assess LV and left atrial (LA) functions with 2DSTE in HCM patients and to investigate relation between strain analysis and LV outflow tract (LVOT) gradient.MethodsForty consecutive HCM patients (26 male, mean age: 47.7 ± 15.2 years), and 40 healthy volunteers (22 male, mean age: 46.6 ± 11.2 years) were included in the study. All subjects underwent a transthoracic echocardiography for evaluation of LV and LA functions with 2DSTE. The HCM patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of resting LVOT gradient >100 mmHg.ResultsLeft ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) were significantly lower in patients with HCM compared with controls (−20.3 ± 3.6% vs. −24.1 ± 3.4% P < 0.001, 38.1 ± 12.8% vs. 44.8 ± 10.2% P = 0.012, and −22.0 ± 4.4% vs. −23.9 ± 4.0% P = 0.045, respectively). Although basal and apical rotation were similar between the groups, mid‐rotation was significantly clockwise in HCM patients (−1.53 ± 2.06° vs. 0.05 ± 1.7° P < 0.001). Both LA reservoir functions and LA conduit functions were significantly lower in HCM patients (21.6 ± 9.1% vs. 39.4 ± 10.6% P < 0.001, and 10.5 ± 4.3% vs. 15.7 ± 5.3%, P < 0.001). Fifteen patients had a resting LVOT gradient of >100 mmHg and they had significantly decreased GLS, twist and untwist compared to the HCM patients with lower resting LVOT gradient (−18.7 ± 2.3% vs. −21.2 ± 3.9% P = 0.016, 19.4 ± 4.3° vs. 23.5 ± 7.4° P = 0.038 and −94.0 ± 29.1°/sec vs. −134.9 ± 55.8°/sec, 0.005, respectively). Although basal and apical rotation were similar between the 2 groups, mid‐rotation was significantly clockwise in HCM patients with higher LVOT gradient (−2.52 ± 1.76° vs. −0.96 ± 2.03°, P = 0.018). Correlation analysis revealed that LVOT peak velocity was associated with GLS (r = −0.358, P = 0.023), LV mid‐rotation (r = −0.366, P = 0.024), and LV untwist (r = −0.401, P = 0.013).ConclusionsLeft ventricular and LA functions are impaired in patients with HCM. 2DSTE is useful in determining patients with impaired myocardial mechanics. High LVOT gradient may be one of the responsible factors that trigger deterioration of LV longitudinal strain and twist mechanics in patients with HCM. Further studies are required to clarify the preliminary results of this study.
Gene × environment tests discriminate the new EU2 evolutionary lineage of Phytophthora ramorum and indicate that it is adaptively different
Authors: Franceschini S. , Webber J. F. , Sancisi‐Frey S. , Brasier C. M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryA new evolutionary lineage of the destructive introduced tree pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, EU2 lineage, was recently discovered attacking larch and other hosts in Northern Ireland and south west Scotland, UK. Sixteen ‘medium × agar concentration × incubation temperature’ stress environments were tested to find a rapid and repeatable method to discriminate the known EU2 lineage from the EU1, NA1 and NA2 lineages in culture, in particular from the EU1 already prevalent across the UK; and to investigate whether EU2 might be adaptively different. At 25°C on both Carrot agar and V8 juice agar, the mean radial growth rates of all four lineages were significantly different, with NA2 > EU2 > EU1 > NA1. At this temperature, EU2 colonies were not only phenotypically distinct from EU1 and all other lineages but on average grew three times as fast as EU1. This indicates that EU2 is adaptively different from EU1. Twelve days growth in the environment ‘V8A/2% agar/25°C gave excellent discrimination of all four lineages in three repeat experiments, including clear discrimination of EU2 from EU1. Each lineage exhibited a distinctive colony pattern. The utility of this test environment was examined further by screening fresh UK isolates of unknown lineage from new larch outbreak sites alongside standard isolates. The lineage assignments predicted were corroborated by gene sequencing and RFLP profiling. These results also revealed that the EU2 lineage was present at several new larch sites in south west Scotland, whereas isolates from geographically adjacent areas such as the Isle of Mull, north west Scotland, the Isle of Man and north west England were all of EU1 lineage.
Food rewards modulate the activity of song neurons in Bengalese finches
Authors: Seki Yoshimasa , Hessler Neal A. , Xie Kate , Okanoya Kazuo 
Published: December 2013

AbstractVocal learning, a critical component of speech acquisition, is a rare trait in animals. Songbirds are a well‐established animal model in vocal learning research; male birds acquire novel vocal patterns and have a well‐developed ‘song system’ in the brain. Although this system is unique to songbirds, anatomical and physiological studies have reported similarities between the song system and the thalamo‐cortico‐basal ganglia circuit that is conserved among reptiles, birds, and mammals. Here, we focused on the similarity of the neural response between these two systems while animals were engaging in operant tasks. Neurons in the basal ganglia of vertebrates are activated in response to food rewards and reward predictions in behavioral tasks. A striatal nucleus in the avian song system, Area X, is necessary for vocal learning and is considered specialized for singing. We found that the spiking activity of singing‐related Area X neurons was modulated by food rewards and reward signals in an operant task. As previous studies showed that Area X is not critical for general cognitive tasks, the role of Area X in general learning might be limited and vestigial. However, our results provide a new viewpoint to investigate the independence of the vocal learning system from neural systems involved in other cognitive tasks.
Uptake of dissolved organic carbon by biofilms provides insights into the potential impact of loss of large woody debris on the functioning of lowland rivers
Authors: Baldwin Darren S. , Whitworth Kerry L. , Hockley Claire L. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Substantial amounts of large woody debris have been removed from lowland rivers worldwide. This large woody debris would have been colonised by biofilms and hence would have formed potentially important sites of chemical transformations (particularly carbon uptake) in these riverine environments. It is possible that one of the reasons that allochthonous production appears to be relatively unimportant to metazoan food webs in some river systems is due to the lack of sites suitable for biofilm growth.

This paper explores a key aspect underpinning this idea, the kinetics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) uptake by bacterial biofilms. Laboratory experiments were used to determine the kinetics of uptake of a natural source of DOC in the presence of a range of densities of biofilm‐coated surface at different temperatures. Changes in DOC speciation induced by biofilm carbon uptake were examined using 3‐dimensional excitation–emission fluorescence spectroscopy with post hoc PARAFAC deconvolution.

The first‐order rate constant for carbon uptake increased linearly with amount of biofilm present. The rate of uptake is more sensitive to temperature (increasing approximately logarithmically) in the presence than in the absence of added biofilms. Furthermore, it appears that biofilms preferentially remove amino acid‐like components from the DOC.

Based on these results, we derive a number of testable hypotheses regarding the impact of the reduction of sites of transformation on the functioning of lowland rivers. Specifically, our results suggest that there are both a critical biofilm‐coated surface area density and a critical temperature below which carbon uptake in a river reach will be substantially reduced.

This implies that both removal of large woody debris and changes in flood seasonality may have altered the potential for incorporation of allochthonous carbon as a basal food resource for riverine food webs.
Culture as an Engine of Local Development Processes: System‐Wide Cultural Districts I: Theory
Authors: Sacco Pier Luigi , Ferilli Guido , Blessi Giorgio Tavano , Nuccio Massimiliano 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBuilding on the early works of Alfred Marshall, analyses of local economies have emphasized the spatial function of clusters and industrial districts in terms of external economies of localization and agglomeration. Recent literature has emphasized the importance of culture and the complementarities between culture and local tangible and intangible assets. This paper aims to provide an analytical foundation for these processes with a view to developing tools for policy design, analysis and evaluation. By “system‐wide cultural districts,” we refer to a new approach to local development where cultural production and participation present significant strategic complementarities with other production chains. In this view, culture drives the accumulation of intangible assets such as human, social, and cultural/symbolic capital, thereby fostering economic and social growth and environmental sustainability.
Culture as an Engine of Local Development Processes: System‐Wide Cultural Districts II: Prototype Cases
Authors: Sacco Pier Luigi , Ferilli Guido , Blessi Giorgio Tavano , Nuccio Massimiliano 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBuilding upon the companion paper in this issue, this essay analyses five case studies that can be taken as prototypes of the system‐wide cultural district culture‐led developmental model. The research targets five cities in Europe and the U.S.: Valencia, Austin, Newcastle/Gateshead, Linz, and Denver. Each presents specific characteristics but also some deep, structural common traits. The case studies are compared and their future viability is evaluated in terms of the factors presented in the companion piece.
The Cascade Effect on Lending Conditions: Evidence from the Syndicated Loan Market
Authors: Wu Wei‐Shao , Chang Hsing‐Hua , Suardi Sandy , Chang Yuanchen 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper investigates, both theoretically and empirically, how interactions among potential lenders may influence contract terms via informational cascade in the syndicated loan market. Our model shows that the ex‐post observed interest rate is higher and the probability of syndication failure is lower when potential lenders can only observe the decisions of their predecessors versus when they can freely communicate with each other. Empirical tests confirm the model's predictions and the existence of a cascade effect on lending conditions. Using relational distance to proxy for the segmentation of communication, we find that relational distance is positively related to the loan spread and the requirements for collateral and guarantees, but negatively related to the probability of syndication failure.
Is Busy Really Busy? Board Governance Revisited
Authors: Andres Christian , van den Bongard Inga , Lehmann Mirco 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe investigate the relationship between firm governance and the board's position in the social network of directors. Using a sample of 133 German firms over the four‐year period from 2003 to 2006, we find that firms with intensely connected supervisory boards are (1) associated with lower firm performance, and (2) pay their executives significantly more. We interpret these results as evidence of poor monitoring in firms with directors who are more embedded in the social network. In both cases, simple measures for busy directors that were used by other studies in the past fail to show any significant pattern. The findings suggest that the quality and structural position of additional board seats may play a bigger role than simply the number of board appointments.
Commentary on Ditch, Stitch and Pitch: the niche is here to stay
Authors: Soberón Jorge 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA recent set of discussion papers in the Journal of Biogeography by McInerny and Etienne (henceforth M&E) questions the value of niche concepts in relation to a diverse group of practices collectively labelled species distribution modelling (SDM), and specifically the usefulness of the idea of a fundamental niche. In this Correspondence, I argue that certain types of SDM may indeed dispense with niche concepts, but that such is not the case for an important class of SDM‐based activities, including transferring predictions in space and time. Using a single term (SDM) to denote diverse objectives and practices does not help to clarify issues; I discuss this point. I also review several criticisms raised by M&E about the use of the concept of fundamental niche in the context of modelling species' distributions and their environments.
Predicting the Final Result in Implant‐Supported Fixed Restorations for Completely Edentulous Patients
Authors: Kourtis Stefanos , Kokkinos Kyriakos , Roussou Vasiliki 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPredicting the final result is a very important factor in implant restorations. When a fixed implant‐supported restoration is planned for the restoration of completely edentulous patients, it is important to recognize the esthetic performance of the prosthesis in the initial stages. Bone resorbtion may result in an unfavorable interarch relationship, and soft tissue support may be needed. A detailed presurgical evaluation (including tooth setup, construction of radiological and surgical guide) is needed to ensure the placement of implants in prosthetically favored positions. In this paper, a technique is presented where a detailed wax‐up of the restoration is accomplished on provisional implant abutments and tried on the patient after implant placement. This setup may offer valuable information on the expected lip support and the need of gingiva‐colored ceramic. In this way, the esthetic result can be evaluated at early stages before any irreversible laboratory stages are performed and needed corrections can be done accordingly.Clinical SignificanceIn extended implant‐supported fixed restorations, it is very important to predict the final esthetic result at an early stage. The presented technique allows a safe and accurate evaluation of the expected esthetic result before any construction stage.
The effects of training on the ability of adults with an intellectual disability to give informed consent to medication
Authors: Ferguson L. , Murphy G. H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThis study had two aims: to investigate the capacity of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) to make decisions about their medications, and to evaluate whether the provision of training (information) sessions on medications would increase their capacity.MethodTwenty‐eight adults (18 male and 10 female), with a mild to moderateIDwere included in this study and they were taking eitherEpilim,Metformin orHaloperidol medications. The participants were split into groups that comprised of participants taking the same medications. Each of the groups received three training sessions on their own medications. Capacity to consent was measured by theAdapted –Assessment ofCapacityQuestionnaire (A‐ACQ), which was specially adapted for each medication type from the original measure (ACQ). Receptive language ability was measured by theBritishPictureVocabularyScale‐II (BPVS‐II).ResultsA two‐factor mixedanovaanalysis indicated that the provision of training had improved the capacity of the participants to give informed consent to taking their medications. Analysis usingPearson's correlations indicated that increased levels of receptive language ability correlated with greater ability to give informed consent to taking medication.ConclusionsThe provision of information that is formatted in a way that individuals withIDcan understand may be a useful way to increase knowledge on medications. Further research that investigates the provision of information with larger samples is warranted.
The Logic of (Mis)Behavior: Peer Socialization through Assessments among Zinacantec Youth
Authors: Martí F. Alethea 
Published: December 2013

ResumenEste estudio examina la socialización parietaria a través de la construcción social de juicios morales entre un grupo de muchachas adolescentes Mayas Zinacantecas. En él analizo cómo los cambios sociales en Zinacantán, que proporcionan a las mujeres y muchachas más oportunidades y también nuevas responsabilidades, crean un medioambiente para la socialización paritaria de los adolescentes, y cómo los interlocutores usan narrativas morales sobre eventos particulares para adaptar, discutir y construir normas de comportamiento que serán aceptables para sus compañeras. El enfoque de este estudio es el uso estratégico de argumentosentimemáticos, es decir, de argumentos que contienen como premisas implícitas normas culturales sobre el comportamiento de las mujeres Zinacantecas. Por medio de relatos colaborativos y de críticas, ellas interpretan reglas sociales sobre la feminidad moderna, y formulan argumentos complejos para persuadir a sus compañeras que ciertas acciones sociales son (o no son) aceptables para una mujer Zinacanteca.
DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SOURCE‐ROCK CHARACTERISATION OF ORGANIC‐MATTER RICH UPPER SANTONIAN – UPPER CAMPANIAN CARBONATES, NORTHERN LEBANON
Authors: Bou Daher S. , Nader F. H. , Strauss H. , Littke R. 
Published: December 2013

Samples of Turonian – upper Campanian fine‐grained carbonates (marls, mud‐ to wackestones; n = 212) from four boreholes near Chekka, northern Lebanon, were analysed to assess their organic matter quantity and quality, and to interpret their depositional environment. Total organic carbon (TOC), total inorganic carbon and total sulphur contents were measured in all samples. A selection of samples were then analysed in more detail using Rock‐Eval pyrolysis, maceral analyses, gas chromatography – flame ionization detection (GC‐FID), and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) on aliphatic hydrocarbon extracts. TOC measurements and Rock‐Eval pyrolysis indicated the very good source rock potential of a ca. 150 m thick interval within the upper Santonian – upper Campanian succession intercepted by the investigated boreholes, in which samples had average TOC values of 2 wt % and Hydrogen Index values of 510 mgHC/gTOC. The dominance of alginite macerals relative to terrestrial macerals, the composition of C27–C29 regular steranes, the elevated C31 22R homohopane / C30 hopane ratio (> 0.25), the low terrigenous / aquatic ratio of n‐alkanes, as well as δ13Corg values between −29‰ and −27‰ together suggest a marine depositional environment and a mainly algal / phytoplanktonic source of organic matter. Redox sensitive geochemical parameters indicate mainly dysoxic depositional conditions.The samples have high Hydrogen Index values (413–610 mg/g TOC) which indicate oil‐prone Type II kerogen. Tmax values (414 – 432°C) are consistent with other maturity parameters such as vitrinite reflectance (0.25–0.4% VRr) as well as sterane and hopane isomerisation ratios, and indicate that the organic matter is thermally immature and has not reached the oil window. This study contributes to the relatively scarce geochemical information for the eastern margin of the Levant Basin, but extrapolation of the data to offshore areas remains uncertain.
LOWER CARBONIFEROUS SHALES IN THE EASTERN TAURIDE BELT, SOUTHERN TURKEY: SOURCE ROCK CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Kara‐Gülbay R. , Sen Ö. , Korkmaz S. , Demirel I. H. 
Published: December 2013

Lower Carboniferous (Tournaisian‐Visean) shales, sandstones and limestones are exposed at the surface in autochthonous units in the Eastern Taurides, southern Turkey. This study investigates the organic geochemical characteristics, thermal maturity and depositional environments of shale samples from two outcrop locations in this area (Belen and Naltas). The total organic carbon (TOC) contents range from 0.11 to 5.61 wt % for the Belen samples and 0.04 to 1.74 wt % for the Naltas samples. Tmax values ranging from 432–467 °C indicate that the samples are in the oil generation window Tmax and are thermally mature. Rock‐Eval pyrolysis data indicate that the organic matter in the shales is composed mainly of Type II and III kerogen.Solvent extract analyses of the samples show a unimodal n‐alkane distribution with a predominance of low carbon number (C13‐C20) n‐alkanes. Pr/Ph ratios and CPI values range from 1.57–1.66 and 1.08–1.11, respectively Pr/n‐C17 and Ph/n‐C18 ratios also indicate that the shales consist of mixed Type II/III organic matter.Sterane distributions are C27>C29>C28 as determined by the sum of normal and isosteranes, suggesting marine depositional conditions 20S/(20S+20R) and ββ (ββ+αα) C29 sterane ratios range from 0.51–0.54 and 0.53–0.57, respectively. These values are high and 20S/(20S+20R) sterane isomerisation has reached equilibrium values.Tricyclic terpanes are abundant on m/z 191 mass chromatograms and C23 tricyclic terpanes are the dominant peak, which indicates a marine depositional setting. C29 norhopane has a higher concentration than C30 hopane, and C30 diahopane and C29Ts are present in all the samples. Ts and Tm were recorded in similar abundances. Moretane/hopane ratios are very low. 22S homohopanes are dominant over 22R homohopanes, and the C32 22S/(22R + 22S) C32 homohopane ratios are between 0.58 and 0.59, indicating that homohopane isomerisation has reached equilibrium. C31 homohopanes are dominant and the abundance of homohopanes decreases towards higher numbers.Although regional variations in the level of thermal maturity of Upper Palaeozoic sediments throughout the Taurus Belt region largely depend on burial depth, organic geochemical data indicate that the Lower Carboniferous shales in the eastern Taurus region (Naltas and Belen locations) have potential to generate hydrocarbons. These shales are thermally mature and have entered the oil generation window.