bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biologic mesh versus synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair: system review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Zhixue , Ren Feng , Zhou Jianping , Tian Jiao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundBiologic meshes are mostly used for abdominal wall reinforcement in infected fields, but no consensus has been reached on its use for inguinal hernia repairing. The purpose of this study was to compare biologic mesh with synthetic mesh in open inguinal herniorrhaphy.MethodsA systematic literature review and meta‐analysis was undertaken to identify studies comparing the outcomes of biologic mesh and synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair. Published studies were identified by the databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library.ResultsA total of 382 patients in five randomized controlled trials were reviewed (179 patients in biologic mesh group; 203 patients in synthetic mesh group). The two groups did not significantly differ in chronic groin pain (P = 0.06) or recurrence (P = 0.38). The incidence of seroma trended higher in biologic mesh group (P = 0.03). Operating time was significantly longer with biologic mesh (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in hematomas (P = 0.23) between the two groups.ConclusionsFrom the data of this study, biologic mesh had no superiority to synthetic mesh in open inguinal hernia repair with similar recurrence rates and incidence of chronic groin pain, but higher rate of seroma and longer operating time. However, this mesh still needs to be assessed in a large, multicentre, well‐designed randomized controlled trial.
The Ethics of Continued Life‐Sustaining Treatment for those Diagnosed as Brain‐dead
Authors: du Toit Jessica , Miller Franklin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGiven the long‐standing controversy about whether the brain‐dead should be considered alive in an irreversible coma or dead despite displaying apparent signs of life, the ethical and policy issues posed when family members insist on continued treatment are not as simple as commentators have claimed. In this article, we consider the kind of policy that should be adopted to manage a family's insistence that their brain‐dead loved one continues to receive supportive care. We argue that while it would be ethically inappropriate to continue to devote scarce acute care resources to such patients in a hospital setting, it may not be ethically inappropriate for patients to receive these resources in certain other settings. Thus, if a family insists on continuing to care for their brain‐dead loved at their home, we should not, from a policy perspective, interfere with the family's wishes. We also argue that healthcare professionals should make some effort to facilitate the transfer of brain‐dead patients to these other settings when families insist on continued treatment despite being informed about the lack of any potential for recovery of consciousness. Our arguments are strengthened by the fact that patients in a persistent vegetative state, who, when correctly diagnosed, also have no potential for recovery of consciousness, are routinely transferred from hospitals to nursing homes or long‐term care facilities where they continue to be ventilated, tube fed and to receive other supportive care. We also briefly explore the question of who should be responsible for the costs of such treatment at the long‐term care facility.
Sport participation, screen time, and personality trait development during childhood
Authors: Allen Mark S. , Vella Stewart A. , Laborde Sylvain 
Published: July 2015

This investigation explored the contribution of extracurricular sport and screen time viewing (television viewing and electronic gaming) to personality trait stability and change during childhood. Two independent samples of 3,956 young children (age 6) and 3,862 older children (age 10) were taken from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Parent‐reported child sport participation, screen time, and personality traits were measured at baseline and again 24 months later. Young children who were more active recorded more of a decrease in introversion, less of a decrease in persistence, and less of an increase in reactivity, than those who were less active. Older children who were more active recorded less of an increase in introversion and more of an increase in persistence than those who were less active. In addition, young children who continued participation in extracurricular sport had greater intra‐individual stability of personality for introversion. These finding suggest that an active lifestyle might help to facilitate desirable personality trait stability and change during childhood.
Palaeoceanography of the Barents Sea continental margin, north of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, during the last 74 ka
Authors: Chauhan Teena , Rasmussen Tine L. , Noormets Riko 
Published: July 2015

We investigated gravity core HH11‐09GC from 488 m water depth at the northern Svalbard margin in order to reconstruct changes in Atlantic Water (AW) inflow to the Arctic Ocean. The study was based on the distribution patterns of benthic and planktic foraminifera, benthic and planktic oxygen and carbon isotopes, lithology and physical properties of the sediments. The core contains sediments from Marine Isotope Stages (MISs) 5a to 1. MIS 4 was characterized by glacial conditions and at c. 65 ka the Svalbard‐Barents Sea Ice Sheet (SBIS) advanced. Polynya was formed in front of the SBIS at c. 62 ka. During late MIS 3 (32–29 ka) and MIS 2 (22–20 ka), a strong influence of AW resulted in high productivity of both planktic and benthic foraminiferal faunas. During 23–22 ka, the SBIS advanced to the shelf edge. The last deglaciation began at 18.5 ka and at 16.9 ka ‘a peak’ influx of meltwater from the retreating SBIS caused a weakening of the ocean circulation. At the start of the Bølling‐Allerød interstadial at c. 15.5 ka, inflow of relatively warm AW probably intensified the release of meltwater at 14 and 12.8 ka. This probably led to expansion of sea ice cover during the Younger Dryas stadial. The late Holocene from 3.7 ka was characterized by the presence of seasonal to perennial sea ice cover and a slight warming of the bottom waters. The sea ice cover decreased for a short period at 1.5 ka owing to the advection of relatively warm AW. Correlation with results from the northwestern Svalbard margin shows that the patterns of ice retreat and advance correlate closely with changes in inflow of AW and were regulated by meltwater discharge, sea ice export and insolation.
A global plastid phylogeny of the brake fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae) and related genera in the Pteridoideae
Authors: Zhang Liang , Rothfels Carl J. , Ebihara Atsushi , Schuettpelz Eric , Le Péchon Timothée , Kamau Peris , He Hai , Zhou Xin‐Mao , Prado Jefferson , Field Ashley , Yatskievych George , Gao Xin‐Fen , Zhang Li‐Bing 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe brake fern genus Pteris belongs to the Pteridaceae subfamily Pteridoideae. It contains 200–250 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with its highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The monophyly of Pteris has long been in question because of its great morphological diversity and because of the controversial relationships of the Australian endemic monospecific genus Platyzoma. The circumscription of the Pteridoideae has likewise been uncertain. Previous studies typically had sparse sampling of Pteris species and related genera and used limited DNA sequence data. In the present study, DNA sequences of six plastid loci of 146 accessions representing 119 species of Pteris (including the type of the genus) and 18 related genera were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum‐likelihood, Bayesian‐inference and maximum‐parsimony methods. Our major results include: (i) the previous uncertain relationships of Platyzoma were due to long‐branch attraction; (ii) Afropteris, Neurocallis, Ochropteris and Platyzoma are all embedded within a well‐supported Pteris sensu lato; (iii) the traditionally circumscribed Jamesonia is paraphyletic in relation to a monophyletic Eriosorus; (iv) Pteridoideae contains 15 genera: Actiniopteris, Anogramma, Austrogramme, Cerosora, Cosentinia, Eriosorus, Jamesonia, Nephopteris (no molecular data), Onychium, Pityrogramma, Pteris, Pterozonium, Syngramma, Taenitis and Tryonia; and (v) 15 well‐supported clades within Pteris are identified, which differ from one another on molecular, morphological and geographical grounds, and represent 15 major evolutionary lineages.
Comparison of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 delivery systems to induce supracrestal bone guided by titanium implants in the rabbit mandible
Authors: Wen Bo , Kuhn Liisa , Charles Lyndon , Pendrys David , Shafer David , Freilich Martin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the ability of three non‐glycosylated/rhBMP‐2 (BMP‐2) delivery systems to induce supracrestal bone.Material and methodsThirty‐six custom SLActive dental implants were partially embedded in transverse orientation into the posterior mandibles of 18 adult rabbits with the head of the implant located 3 mm supracrestal. Delivery of BMP‐2 (30 μg) from the following materials was studied: (1) Ti implant + BMP‐2 with hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated collagen (Col/HA) scaffold, (2) Ti implant with Col/HA infused with PEG hydrogel + BMP‐2, or (3) Ti implant with HA/β‐TCP/PEG hydrogel scaffold + BMP‐2. Scaffolds were secured with a metal “umbrella.” Non‐BMP‐2 contralateral controls were included. MicroCT imaging and histological analysis was performed after 10 weeks to assess new supracrestal bone formation. In vitro BMP‐2 release studies were conducted.ResultsAll treatment groups displayed new supracrestal bone formation. Ti + BMP‐2 with Col/HA (3.0 ± 0.2 mm) and Ti with Col/HA/PEG hydrogel + BMP‐2 (2.7 ± 0.4 mm) had significantly greater (P < 0.05) outcomes than without BMP‐2. Maximum bone volume occurred in the Ti implant with HA/β‐TCP/PEG hydrogel scaffold + BMP‐2 group.ConclusionsThe use of an implant system composed of a partially inserted Ti implant, adjacent scaffold and scaffold stabilizer resulted in the formation of new supracrestal bone across all test groups with and without BMP‐2. Delivery of BMP‐2 directly from the Ti implant increased bone height, BIC and bone volume as compared to no BMP‐2 when a Col/HA was used, but did not improve performance of the HA/β‐TCP/PEG scaffold.
Effects of fishing rope strength on the severity of large whale entanglements
Authors: Knowlton Amy R. , Robbins Jooke , Landry Scott , McKenna Henry A. , Kraus Scott D. , Werner Timothy B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractEntanglement in fixed fishing gear affects whales worldwide. In the United States, deaths of North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have exceeded management limits for decades. We examined live and dead whales entangled in fishing gear along the U.S. East Coast and the Canadian Maritimes from 1994 to 2010. We recorded whale species, age, and injury severity and determined rope polymer type, breaking strength, and diameter of the fishing gear. For the 132 retrieved ropes from 70 cases, tested breaking strength range was 0.80–39.63 kN (kiloNewtons) and the mean was 11.64 kN (SD 8.29), which is 26% lower than strength at manufacture (range 2.89–53.38 kN, mean = 15.70 kN [9.89]). Median rope diameter was 9.5 mm. Right and humpback whales were found in ropes with significantly stronger breaking strengths at time of manufacture than minke whales (Balaenoptera acuturostrata) (19.30, 17.13, and 10.47 mean kN, respectively). Adult right whales were found in stronger ropes (mean 34.09 kN) than juvenile right whales (mean 15.33 kN) and than all humpback whale age classes (mean 17.37 kN). For right whales, severity of injuries increased since the mid 1980s, possibly due to changes in rope manufacturing in the mid 1990s that resulted in production of stronger ropes at the same diameter. Our results suggest that broad adoption of ropes with breaking strengths of ≤7.56 kN (≤1700 lbsf) could reduce the number of life‐threatening entanglements for large whales by at least 72%, and yet could provide sufficient strength to withstand the routine forces involved in many fishing operations. A reduction of this magnitude would achieve nearly all the mitigation legally required for U.S. stocks of North Atlantic right and humpback whales. Ropes with reduced breaking strength should be developed and tested to determine the feasibility of their use in a variety of fisheries.
Selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature after 14 weeks of isokinetic and conventional resistance training
Authors: Matta Thiago Torres , Nascimento Francisco Xavier , Trajano Gabriel S. , Simão Roberto , Willardson Jeffrey Michael , Oliveira Liliam Fernandes 
Published: July 2015

SummaryOne of the fundamental adaptations observed with resistance training (RT) is muscle hypertrophy. Conventional and isokinetic machines provide different forms of mechanical stress, and it is possible that these two training modes could promote differing degrees of hypertrophic adaptations. There is a lack of data comparing the selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature after training with a conventional knee extension machine versus an isokinetic machine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the selective hypertrophy of the quadriceps musculature and knee extension maximal isometric torque after 14 weeks of conventional versus isokinetic RT. Thirty‐five men were assigned to three groups: control group and training groups (conventional and isokinetic) performed three sets of unilateral knee extensions per session with a progressive loading scheme twice a week. Prior to and following the intervention, maximal isometric knee extensor torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and muscle thickness (MT) of quadriceps femoris muscles was assessed via ultrasound. The results indicated non‐uniform changes in MT between the muscles that comprise the quadriceps femoris group. For the conventional group, significantly greater increases in rectus femoris thickness were evident versus all other quadriceps muscles (14%). For the isokinetic group, increases in RF thickness (11%) were significantly greater in comparison with the vastus intermedius only. Although the muscle thickness did not increase for all the quadriceps femoris muscles, the relative rectus femoris adaptation suggested a selective hypertrophy favouring this portion.
Maternal serum osteocalcin at 11–14 weeks of gestation in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Papastefanou Ioannis , Eleftheriades Makarios , Kappou Dimitra , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Lavranos Demetrios , Pervanidou Panagiota , Sotiriadis Alexandros , Hassiakos Demetrios , Chrousos George P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies support that osteocalcin (OC), apart from its skeletal role, is implicated in glucose homoeostasis. Aims of this study were to examine the first‐trimester maternal serum concentrations of OC in pregnancies that developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to create a first‐trimester prediction model for GDM.DesignCase–control study in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Maternal serum levels of OC were measured in 40 cases that developed GDM and 94 unaffected controls. First‐trimester biophysical parameters, biochemical indices, maternal–pregnancy characteristics, and OC concentrations were assessed in relation to GDM occurrence.ResultsIn the GDM group, first‐trimester OC serum levels were increased compared to the control group (mean = 8·81 ng/mL, SD = 2·59 vs. mean = 7·34 ng/ml, SD = 3·04, P = 0·0058). Osteocalcin was independent of first‐trimester biophysical and biochemical indices. Osteocalcin alone (OR = 1·21, CI: 1·02–1·43, P = 0·023) was a significant predictor of GDM [Model R2 = 0·04, area under the curve (AUC) = 0·61, CI: 0·55–0·72, P < 0·001]. The combination of maternal and pregnancy characteristics with OC resulted in an improved prediction model for GDM (Model R2 = 0·21, AUC = 0·80, CI: 0·71–0·88, P < 0·001). The combined model yields a sensitivity of 72·2% for 25% false‐positive rate.ConclusionsFirst‐trimester maternal serum levels of OC are increased in GDM pregnancies. Osteocalcin combined with maternal and pregnancy characteristics provides an effective screening for GDM at 11–14 weeks.
Hybridization and the spread of the apple maggot fly,Rhagoletis pomonella(Diptera: Tephritidae), in the northwestern United States
Authors: Arcella Tracy , Hood Glen R. , Powell Thomas H. Q. , Sim Sheina B. , Yee Wee L. , Schwarz Dietmar , Egan Scott P. , Goughnour Robert B. , Smith James J. , Feder Jeffrey L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHybridization may be an important process interjecting variation into insect populations enabling host plant shifts and the origin of new economic pests. Here, we examine whether hybridization between the native snowberry‐infesting fruit flyRhagoletis zephyria(Snow) and the introduced quarantine pestR. pomonella(Walsh) is occurring and may aid the spread of the latter into more arid commercial apple‐growing regions of central Washington state,USA. Results for 19 microsatellites implied hybridization occurring at a rate of 1.44% per generation between the species. However, there was no evidence for increased hybridization in central Washington. Allele frequencies for seven microsatellites inR. pomonellawere more ‘R. zephyria‐like’ in central Washington, suggesting that genes conferring resistance to desiccation may be adaptively introgressing fromR. zephyria. However, in only one case was the putatively introgressing allele fromR. zephyrianot found inR. pomonellain the easternUSA. Thus, many of the alleles changing in frequency may have been prestanding in the introducedR. pomonellapopulation. The dynamics of hybridization are therefore complex and nuanced forR. pomonella, with various causes and factors, including introgression for a portion, but not all of the genome, potentially contributing to the pest insect's spread.
Effects of Passive Intensity on Aggregate Price Dynamics
Authors: Ehsani Sina , Lien Donald 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe find that passive intensity (PI), measured by the passive‐linked share of total stock market trading volume, is strongly related to the overall pattern of stock price movements. A one‐standard‐deviation increase in PI is associated with an 8% higher price synchronicity. We further investigate the channels through which this relation is established by separately analyzing its impact on aggregate systematic and idiosyncratic volatility of stock returns. PI has a positive effect on systematic volatility and a negative impact on firm‐specific volatility. Consistent with the effect of passive trading on price dynamics, we find evidence that PI is negatively associated with mutual funds alpha dissimilarity. After controlling for market and idiosyncratic volatility, a one‐standard‐deviation increase in PI corresponds to a 0.20% decrease in fund dissimilarity. Our findings are robust after controlling for various macro and corporate factors known to affect systematic or firm‐specific volatility.
Spatial difference in elemental signatures within early ontogenetic statolith for identifying Jumbo flying squid natal origins
Authors: Liu Bi Lin , Chen Yong , Chen Xin Jun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSignatures of trace elements and isotopes in the parts of hard structures formed in the early ontogenetic stages can be used as potential natural tags of adult cephalopods to trace their origins. The Jumbo flying squid, Dosidicus gigas, is widely distributed in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Fourteen detected elemental signatures (7Li, 23Na, 24Mg, 39K, 43Ca 55Mn, 59Co, 60Ni, 63Cu, 66Zn, 88Sr, 137Ba, 208Pb and 238U) were determined in the nuclear zone (N), representing the embryonic stage, and the postnuclear zone (PN), representing the paralarval stage of statoliths for adult D. gigas collected off the Costa Rican, Peruvian and Chilean Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). All measured signatures were significantly different between embryonic and paralarval statoliths, except for Sr, Ba and Pb. Over the three regions, a significant difference was found for Na and Ba within embryonic statoliths and Zn and Ba within paralarval statoliths. A high Ba/Ca ratio in statoliths obtained from Costa Rica was because of the prevalence of strong upwelling in the area. Elemental signatures, especially Ba/Ca, in early ontogenetic statoliths could be used as a proxy for distinguishing different geographical groups and identifying natal origins. However, elemental signatures in embryonic statoliths tended to be a better natural tag than those in paralarval statoliths indicating that paralarvae with the same origin had distinct dispersal pathways. Additionally, stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) showed there were at least two migration‐based groups: ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Overall, the derived results can improve our knowledge of the population structure, connectivity and life history of D. gigas.
Development of a biotic index using stream macroinvertebrates to assess stress from deposited fine sediment
Authors: Murphy John F. , Jones J. Iwan , Pretty James L. , Duerdoth Chas P. , Hawczak Adrianna , Arnold Amanda , Blackburn John H. , Naden Pamela S. , Old Gareth , Sear David A. , Hornby Duncan , Clarke Ralph T. , Collins Adrian L. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

Detrimental impacts of excessive fine‐grained sediment inputs to streams and rivers are well established. What is less well understood is the susceptibility of different elements of the freshwater biota to such perturbations and how such knowledge of their susceptibility could aid in identifying where excessive fine‐grained sediment is impairing ecological condition.

Following the collection of biological and sediment data from 179 streams across England and Wales, representative of a range of river types over a gradient of fine sediment loading, objective statistical approaches were applied to establish relationships between the macroinvertebrate assemblage and fine‐grained sediment inputs to river channels.

Having factored out that portion of the biological variation associated with natural environmental gradients, a model comprising mass of organic sediment in erosional areas of the stream bed [predominantly associated with the first axis of the partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA)], and mass of fine‐grained sediment in the surface drape of depositional areas and % organic content in erosional areas (associated with the second axis of the pCCA) as explanatory variables best accounted for the residual variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblage.

The relative position of taxa along both axes of the pCCA, provided a ranking of taxa in relation to the two gradients of fine‐grained sediment and provided the basis for a new empirically derived diagnostic index for fine‐grained sediment stress in rivers. Two sub‐indices were derived to capture the assemblage responses to both the gradient of organic sediment in erosional areas and the gradient of total fines in depositional areas. The two sub‐indices were then combined to derive the new combined fine sediment index (CoFSIsp).

The index was tested on an independent test data set (comprising 127 samples from 83 sites) and was found to provide a robust indication of benthic fine‐grained sediment conditions (Spearman's rank correlations ρ = −0.519 to −0.703). The strength of correlation with the total fine‐grained sediment gradient was always greater than that for other routinely used indices, confirming that CoFSIsp offered additional explanatory power when assessing this stressor of aquatic environments.