bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of temperature, salinity and their interaction on growth of the benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata (Dinophyceae) from Japanese coastal waters
Authors: Yamaguchi Haruo , Yoshimatsu Takamichi , Tanimoto Yuko , Sato Shinya , Nishimura Tomohiro , Uehara Keita , Adachi Masao 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBenthic dinoflagellates of the genus Ostreopsis produce palytoxin (PTX)‐like compounds. The worldwide distributed Ostreopsis ovata/O. cf. ovata is potentially responsible for outbreaks of human health problems around the coasts of tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. The present study examined growth responses of an O. cf. ovata strain s0662 collected from coastal waters of Japan with 35 different combinations of temperature (15–35°C) and salinity (20–40) and discusses the bloom dynamics of the organism in Japanese coastal environments. The O. cf. ovata strain s0662 tolerated a wide range of temperature (17.5–35°C) and salinity (25–40). Results of a two‐way ANOVA showed significant effects of temperature‐salinity interaction on growth rates and biomass yields of the O. cf. ovata strain (F(24,70) > 127, P < 0.001). The strain showed a maximal growth rate (1.03 divisions day−1) and biomass yield (240 relative fluorescence) at temperature 25°C and salinity 30. The high growth rates of over 1.0 division day−1 were obtained in conditions of temperature 25–30°C and salinity 30–35, which indicates that strain s0662 prefers high temperature and salinity conditions. The growth rates of O. cf. ovata under the optimal conditions were higher than those of other benthic toxic‐dinoflagellates, Coolia monotis, Gambierdiscus toxicus, and Prorocentrum lima (Dinophyceae) previously reported. Taken together, we suggest that O. cf. ovata is able to grow faster than the other benthic dinoflagellates in waters of high temperature and salinity. The physiological feature probably confers an ecological advantage on O. cf. ovata in the bloom development during warmer seasons in Japan and may be responsible for outbreaks of PTX‐like poisoning in the region especially during the warmer seasons.
Sirtuin 1 activator SRT1720 suppresses inflammation in an ovalbumin‐induced mouse model of asthma
Authors: ICHIKAWA TOMOMI , HAYASHI RYUJI , SUZUKI KENSUKE , IMANISHI SHINGO , KAMBARA KENTA , OKAZAWA SEISUKE , INOMATA MINEHIKO , YAMADA TORU , YAMAZAKI YU , KOSHIMIZU YUKIKO , MIWA TOSHIRO , MATSUI SHOKO , USUI ISAO , URAKAZE MASAHARU , MATSUYA YUJI , SASAHARA MASAKIYO , TOBE KAZUYUKI 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  In asthma, reduced histone deacetylase activity and enhanced histone acetyltransferase activity in the lungs have been reported. However, the precise function of Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a class III histone deacetylase, and the effect of the Sirt1 activator SRT1720 on allergic inflammation have not been fully elucidated.Methods:  The effect of SRT1720, a synthetic activator of Sirt1, in an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced asthma mouse model was investigated. The effect of SRT1720 and resveratrol on OVA stimulation in splenocytes from OVA‐sensitized and challenged mice was also examined.Results:  In OVA‐sensitized and challenged mice (OVA mice) compared with saline‐sensitized and challenged mice (control mice), Sirt1 messenger RNA expression in the lungs was decreased (P = 0.02), while cellular infiltration, airway eosinophilia and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid levels of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 were increased (P < 0.01). In OVA mice, SRT1720 treatment decreased total and eosinophil cell counts and IL‐5 and IL‐13 levels in the BAL fluid compared with the vehicle treatment (P < 0.05). In OVA mice, SRT1720 treatment also decreased inflammatory cell lung infiltrates histologically (P = 0.002). Both SRT1720 and resveratrol suppressed OVA‐induced cell proliferation and IL‐6 (P < 0.05) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (P < 0.05) production in splenocytes (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  The Sirt1 activator SRT1720 suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production in an OVA‐induced mouse model of asthma. SRT1720 and resveratrol suppressed OVA‐induced splenocyte proliferation and TNF‐α and IL‐6 production. Sirt1 activators might have beneficial effects in asthmatics by suppressing inflammation.
Analysis of procedural sedation provided by pediatricians
Authors: Monroe Kimberly K. , Beach Michael , Reindel Rebecca , Badwan Laura , Couloures Kevin G , Hertzog James H. , Cravero Joseph P. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundPediatric procedural sedation outside of the operating room is performed by a variety of pediatric specialists. Using the database from the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium (PSRC), patient demographics, medications used, diagnoses, complications, and procedures involved when pediatricians provided sedation in this cohort, were described. ‘Pediatrician’ was defined as a general pediatrician, cardiologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, hematologist/oncologist, neurologist, pulmonologist or hospitalist.MethodsData were collected by the PSRC, a group of 35 institutions dedicated to improving sedation care for children. Members prospectively enrolled consecutive patients who received sedation or anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Data on demographics, primary diagnoses, procedures, medications, interventions, and complications were collected and stored on a Web‐based data collection tool.ResultsA total of 12 113 sedations performed by pediatricians were submitted from 1 July 2004 to 31 December 2008, compared to 119 665 cases performed by non‐pediatricians. Pediatrician patients were more frequently non‐emergency American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II, aged 2–8 years old, with a neurologic primary diagnosis, being sedated for a radiologic procedure with a sedative. Distraction techniques were used more frequently in the pediatrician group (11.9% vs 3.1%). The most common complication encountered was inadequate sedation, which occurred 2.2% of the time.ConclusionsPediatricians sedate for a variety of patients within the PSRC, but the patients tended to be younger, predominately ASA class I or II, non‐emergency, and undergoing non‐painful procedures when compared to non‐pediatrician providers. The patient demographics, medications used, diagnoses, complications, and procedures involved varied between the groups significantly. Complication rates were similar between the groups.
Effect of heavy metals in the meconium on preterm mortality: Preliminary study
Authors: Turker Gülcan , Özsoy Gamze , Özdemir Semra , Barutçu Bora , Gökalp Ayse Sevim 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere have been many studies that have investigated the risk factors of mortality in preterm infants, but none has shown an association between preterm mortality and exposure to heavy metals or trace elements. The aim of this study was therefore to measure the levels of toxic metals (lead, cadmium) and trace elements (zinc, iron, copper) in meconium samples and elucidate their association with preterm mortality.MethodsMetals and trace elements were measured in the meconium of 304 preterm infants using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.ResultsThe level of heavy metals and trace elements in non‐surviving infants was significantly higher than in surviving infants. Moreover, the level of heavy metals and trace elements in non‐surviving infants whose gestational age was <30 weeks (n = 11) was significantly higher than in surviving infants (n = 12). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that gestational age and meconium lead level predicted early mortality in premature newborns. Furthermore, this curve analysis showed that, when comparing meconium lead level and gestational age, meconium lead level had a similar effect on mortality as gestational age.ConclusionMeconium lead level and gestational age are associated with increased mortality risk in preterm neonates.
Early childhood predictors of age of initiation to use of cannabis: A birth prospective study
Authors: Hayatbakhsh Reza , Williams Gail M. , Bor William , Najman Jake M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroduction and AimsEarly age of cannabis use predicts subsequent illicit drug abuse and other psychosocial problems. Identification of factors associated with early cannabis use may contribute to the development of preventive interventions. This study aimed to examine the early life predictors of age of initiation to cannabis.Design and MethodsData were fromMaterHospital andUniversity ofQueenslandStudy ofPregnancy, a population‐based prospective birth cohort study. Participants were a cohort of 3488 young adults who self‐reported frequency and age of onset of cannabis use at the 21 year follow up.ResultsOf 3488 young adults, 48.9% (51.8% men and 46.4% women) reported having ever used cannabis. For those who had ever used cannabis, age of onset had mean and median of 15.8 and 16.0 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis child's gender, change in maternal marital status, quality of marital relationship, maternal cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and maternal depression when the child was 5 years statistically significantly predicted age of initiation to cannabis use.Discussion and ConclusionsThe present study explores the impact of early childhood factors associated with age of onset of cannabis use. It is suggested that the family environment within which children are reared, including factors such as parents' marital circumstances, has a major influence on initiation to cannabis use in adolescence. Research is needed to disentangle the pathways of association between these early life factors and early initiation to use of cannabis.
Butcher, Neil (2011) A basic guide to open educational resources Commonwealth of learning (Vancouver) isbn 978‐1‐894975‐41‐4 133 pp CDN$12 (free download) http://www.col.org/resources/publications/Pages/detail.aspx?PID=357Commonwealth of learning (2011) Guidelines for open educational resources in higher educationCommonwealth of learning (Vancouver) isbn 978‐1‐894975‐42‐1 22 pp + dvd CDN$12 (free download) http://www.col.org/resources/publications/Pages/detail.aspx?PID=364
Authors: Thomas Michael 
Published: October 2012

SummaryA basic guide to open educational resources (oer) and Guidelines for open educational resources in higher education are two slim volumes that provide a detailed, succinct and immensely valuable overview of oer policy and practice that should be useful across all sectors of education, from schools to universities. If these books are relevant to you, I recommend you download or buy copies.Michael Thomas
Hinrichs, Randy & Wankel, Charles ed (2011) Transforming virtual world learningEmerald (Bingley, UK) isbn 978‐1‐78052‐052‐0 366 pp £49.99 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/books.htm?issn=2044‐9968&volume=4
Authors: Sharma Ramesh 
Published: October 2012

SummaryFor educators venturing into 3d virtual worlds, this volume offers practical suggestions and examples for all stages: planning, design, development and deployment of learning experiences, moving them into “thinking in 3d”. While its content may be relevant to you, I advise you will probably find only parts of it of use or interest.Ramesh Sharma
Lake, Robert (2012) Vygotsky on educationPeter Lang (New York & Bern) isbn 978‐1‐4331‐1355‐0 173 pp £12 http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?event=cmp.ccc.seitenstruktur.detailseiten&seitentyp=product&pk=58467&concordeid=311355
Authors: Cowan John 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThis primer claims no more than to be an introduction to the life and work of Lev Vygotsky. In 163 highly readable pages that are rich in content, it conveys much more explanation in depth of Vygotsky's teaching than this reviewer managed to assimilate over years of struggling with somewhat turgid texts. It also infectiously conveys enthusiasm for Vygotsky's principles. If you expect its content to be relevant, I recommend you buy your own copy.John Cowan
Ribble, Mike (2011) Digital citizenship in schoolsISTE & Eurospan (London) isbn 978‐1‐56484‐301‐2 166 pp $39.95 ($27.97 to members) http://www.iste.org/store/product.aspx?ID=2111
Authors: Dettori Giuliana 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThis interesting book, addressed to school teachers and technology leaders, aims to build awareness of what are inappropriate behaviours in technology use and why they are potentially dangerous. Digital citizenship—the application of norms for productive and appropriate technology use—is relevant to all in our technology‐rich society, and should be an integral part of technology education. If this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you borrow a copy.Giuliana Dettori
Modeling of Shotcrete Application for Use in a Real‐Time Training Simulator
Authors: Velez Gorka , Matey Luis , Amundarain Aiert , Suescun Ángel , Marín Juan Andrés , de Dios Carlos 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSimulators provide significant advantages in training operators of concrete spraying machinery, such as economic savings, the practical absence of safety risks, and environmental and educational benefits. The main challenge in developing a real‐time training simulator for concrete spraying machinery lies in the modeling of shotcrete application. This article presents a novel method that models and simulates in real time the three main factors influencing shotcrete sprayability: adhesion, cohesion, and rebound. Furthermore, thanks to the addition of an obstacle model, the method makes it possible to spray onto additional supporting elements, which is a typical shotcrete application. The proposed method considers a wet‐mix thick flow spraying process and is based on experiments that were run with a real concrete spraying machine and complemented by expert advice. The method was developed and evaluated using a user‐centered methodology, resulting in realistic shotcrete application modeling that meets the needs for training concrete spraying machinery operators.
Randomized double blind trial of prednisolone and azathioprine, vs. prednisolone and placebo, in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Chams‐Davatchi C. , Mortazavizadeh A. , Daneshpazhooh M. , Davatchi F. , Balighi K. , Esmaili N. , Akhyani M. , Hallaji Z. , seirafi H. , Mortazavi H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground  The classic treatment for pemphigus vulgaris is prednisolone. Immunosuppressive drugs can be used in association.Objective  To compare the efficacy of Azathioprine in reducing the Disease Activity Index (DAI).Patients and methods  A double blind randomized controlled study was conducted on 56 new patients, assigned to two therapeutic groups: (i) prednisolone plus placebo; (ii) prednisolone plus Azathioprine. Patients were checked regularly for 1 year. ‘Complete remission’ was defined as healing of all lesions after 12 months, and prednisolone <7.5 mg daily, (DAI ≤ 1). Analysis was done by ‘Intention To Treat’ (ITT) and ‘Treatment Completed Analysis’ (TCA).Results  Both groups were similar in age, gender, disease duration, and DAI. Primary endpoint: By ITT and TCA, the mean DAI improved in both groups with no significant difference between them. The difference became significant for the last trimester (3 months; ITT: P = 0.033, TCA: P = 0.045). Secondary endpoint: The total steroid dose decreased significantly in both groups, with no significant difference between them, except for the last trimester (ITT: P = 0.011, TCA: P = 0.035). The mean daily steroid dose decreased gradually in both groups becoming statistically significant in favour of azathioprine, in the last trimester, especially at 12th months (ITT: P = 0.002, TCA: P = 0.005). Complete remission was significant at 12 months only for TCA (AZA/Control: 53.6%/39.9%, P = 0.043).Limitations  Sample size was rather small to demonstrate all differences. Other limitations include the choice of primary and secondary endpoints and the unavailability to measure thiopurine methyltransferase activity.Conclusion  Azathioprine helps to reduce prednisolone dose in long‐run.
Exploring Genomic Structure Differences and Similarities between the Greek and European HapMap Populations: Implications for Association Studies
Authors: Stathias Vasileios , Sotiris Georgios R. , Karagiannidis Iordanis , Bourikas Georgios , Martinis Georgios , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Tavridou Anna , Papanas Nikolaos , Maltezos Efstratios , Theodoridis Marios , Vargemezis Vassilios , Manolopoulos Vangelis G. , Speed William C. , Kidd Judith R. , Kidd Kenneth K. , Drineas Petros , Paschou Peristera 
Published: October 2012

SummaryStudies of the genomic structure of the Greek population and Southeastern Europe are limited, despite the central position of the area as a gateway for human migrations into Europe. HapMap has provided a unique tool for the analysis of human genetic variation. Europe is represented by the CEU (Northwestern Europe) and the TSI populations (Tuscan Italians from Southern Europe), which serve as reference for the design of genetic association studies. Furthermore, genetic association findings are often transferred to unstudied populations. Although initial studies support the fact that the CEU can, in general, be used as reference for the selection of tagging SNPs in European populations, this has not been extensively studied across Europe. We set out to explore the genomic structure of the Greek population (56 individuals) and compare it to the HapMap TSI and CEU populations. We studied 1112 SNPs (27 regions, 13 chromosomes). Although the HapMap European populations are, in general, a good reference for the Greek population, regions of population differentiation do exist and results should not be light‐heartedly generalized. We conclude that, perhaps due to the individual evolutionary history of each genomic region, geographic proximity is not always a perfect guide for selecting a reference population for an unstudied population.
Orienting response elicitation by personally significant information under subliminal stimulus presentation: Demonstration using the Concealed Information Test
Authors: Maoz Keren , Breska Assaf , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon 
Published: October 2012

AbstractConsiderable evidence suggests that subliminal information can trigger cognitive and neural processes. Here, we examined whether elicitation of orienting response by personally significant (PS) verbal information requires conscious awareness of the input. Subjects were exposed to the Concealed Information Test (CIT), in which autonomic responses for autobiographical items are typically larger than for control items. These items were presented subliminally using two different masking protocols: single or multiple presentation of the masked item. An objective test was used to verify unawareness to the stimuli. As predicted, PS items elicited significantly stronger skin conductance responses than the control items in both exposure conditions. The results extend previous findings showing that autonomic responses can be elicited following subliminal exposure to aversive information, and also may have implications on the applied usage of the CIT.
Discrimination of stress in speech and music: A mismatch negativity (MMN) study
Authors: Peter Varghese , Mcarthur Genevieve , Thompson William Forde 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine if duration‐related stress in speech and music is processed in a similar way in the brain. To this end, we tested 20 adults for their abstract mismatch negativity (MMN) event‐related potentials to two duration‐related stress patterns: stress on the first syllable or note (long‐short), and stress on the second syllable or note (short‐long). A significant MMN was elicited for both speech and music except for the short‐long speech stimulus. The long‐short stimuli elicited larger MMN amplitudes for speech and music compared to short‐long stimuli. An extra negativity—the late discriminative negativity (LDN)—was observed only for music. The larger MMN amplitude for long‐short stimuli might be due to the familiarity of the stress pattern in speech and music. The presence of LDN for music may reflect greater long‐term memory transfer for music stimuli.
Feedback‐related potentials are sensitive to sequential order of decision outcomes in a gambling task
Authors: Osinsky Roman , Mussel Patrick , Hewig Johannes 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe feedback negativity (FN) has been repeatedly linked to expectancies about decision outcomes. Sequential outcome order is likely to influence such expectancies but has been widely disregarded. We therefore investigated whether the three‐trial order of decision outcomes in a gambling task influences the FN as well as the P200 and P300. All three deflections were not only influenced by the outcome valence of the current trial but also by the outcomes of the two preceding trials. In detail, the FN and P300 to any current trial outcome were largest when the outcomes in the two preceding trials had an opposite valence. The P200 was highest in the context of two directly preceding wins, indicating that it may reflect representations of local outcome history. Our findings demonstrate that neural systems involved in decision outcome processing dynamically and continuously integrate the local outcome history for the evaluation of present outcomes.
When good news is scarce and bad news is good: Government responsibilities and opposition possibilities in political agenda‐setting
Authors: Thesen Gunnar 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRecent studies have drawn attention to the political contingencies of the media's political agenda‐setting influence, finding, for instance, that issues from the media agenda are more likely to attract attention if a party enjoys ownership of the issue. Supplementing the debate on why political parties respond to news, it is argued in this article that ownership is only part of the picture and that policy responsibility, together with news tone, constitutes a stronger explanation of news politicisation. Opposition parties respond to bad news because they reflect negative developments in social problems for which the government could be held responsible. The government responds to good news that reflects positive developments in social problems because this could politicise policy success, but is also forced to react when news explicitly address government responsibility and thereby threatens its image as responsive and competent. Furthermore, it is shown that news tone and policy responsibility condition the incentive to politicise owned issues from the media agenda. Thus, opposition parties will not politicise owned issues when news is good because this could draw attention to government success, while government is unable and unwilling to prioritise owned issues when news is bad and instead is likely to make use of its ownership strengths when news is good and the pressure to respond is low. The arguments are tested on a large‐N sample of radio news stories from Denmark (2003–2004). Opposition response is measured through parliamentary questions spurred by the news stories, while government response is indicated by references to these stories in the prime minister's weekly press meeting. Results confirm the expectations, suggesting that parties care more about the tone of news stories and the type of attention they might produce, rather than what type of issues they could serve to politicise.