bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic indicators of acute encephalopathy in patients with complex febrile seizures
Authors: Nagase Hiroaki , Nakagawa Taku , Aoki Kazunori , Fujita Kyoko , Saji Yohsuke , Maruyama Azusa , Uetani Yoshiyuki 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to identify predictors of neurologic damage in children with febrile seizures or altered consciousness within 6 h of seizure onset.MethodsThe present study included 86 children (age range, 4–159 months old), who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for complex febrile seizures on admission between October 2002 and November 2008. Using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPC), the children were classified into two groups: poor outcome (PCPC = 2–6) and good outcome (PCPC = 1). Clinical profiles and laboratory findings were compared between the groups.ResultsOf the 86 children, 17 fell into the poor outcome and 69 into the good outcome group. Using univariate analysis, three early risk factors for poor outcome were identified: (i) consciousness disturbance or hemiplegia at 6 h from onset; (ii) refractory status epilepticus; and (iii) elevation of aspartate aminotransferase to >90 IU/L within 6 h of onset. Using these criteria, children in the poor outcome group were identified with a 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity rate (odds ratio, 36.6; 95% confidence interval: 4.87–1560). During the study period, the inpatients who met the criteria for acute encephalopathy also fell into the poor outcome group.ConclusionsThe development of neurologic damage in children with complex febrile seizures can be predicted within 6 h of onset, using the identified risk factors. The authors propose an assumption of severe febrile seizures (SFS) in children who fulfill these risk factors. Using SFS as an inclusion criterion, an interventional study for acute encephalopathy can be designed.
Relational coping during deployment: Managing communication and connection in relationships
Authors: ROSSETTO KELLY R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWartime deployment involves prolonged separation and creates uncertainty, fear, and disorganization in families (M. J. Peebles‐Kleiger & J. H. Kleiger, 1994). This study examined how military wives/fiancées reported coping with the demands they associated with spousal deployment. Twenty‐six in‐depth interviews were conducted with wives and fiancées whose partners were currently deployed. Through qualitative analysis, 2 main coping themes emerged: (a) maintaining a mediated interpersonal connection and (b) choosing open versus restricted communication. Further analyses revealed that the former theme promoted 2 relationship functions (e.g., intimacy and positivity, confronting realities and fears) and the latter 4 functions (e.g., closeness, smooth reunion, outlet, and protection). On the basis of these coping strategies and functions, a conceptual framework for understanding relational coping communication patterns is proposed. Themes, practical applications, and theoretical implications are discussed.
Assessing relationship quality across cultures: An examination of measurement equivalence
Authors: GERE JUDITH , MACDONALD GEOFF 
Published: January 2013

AbstractResearchers are increasingly studying close relationships across cultural contexts. One issue that arises when applying scales originally developed in Western countries to a different cultural context is measurement invariance. Researchers often do not examine whether scales show invariance across cultures and thus can be used with confidence. The goal of this article is to discuss the importance of measurement invariance, to discuss what testing invariance involves, and to test the measurement properties of scales of relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, and trust across 4 samples (United States, Canada, Indonesia, and China). Analyses indicated that weak measurement invariance was met for all 4 scales, and assumptions of strong measurement invariance had to be relaxed for only a few items in each scale. Findings are discussed and recommendations are made regarding using these or other scales that have been shown to meet assumptions of invariance across different cultural groups.
Predicting change in relationship insecurity: The roles of compassionate and self‐image goals
Authors: CANEVELLO AMY , GRANILLO M. TERESA , CROCKER JENNIFER 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIt was hypothesized that self‐image goals to construct, defend, and maintain desired images of the self enhance relationship insecurity, whereas compassionate goals to support others diminish relationship insecurity. Study 1 followed 115 new college roommates for 3 weeks; Study 2 followed 230 new college roommates across a semester. Both studies assessed self‐image and compassionate goals for and anxiety and avoidance in the roommate relationship. Self‐image goals predicted increased relationship anxiety and avoidance across 3 weeks (Study 1) and within weeks, from week to week, and across 3 months (Study 2). Compassionate goals consistently predicted decreased relationship anxiety and avoidance across studies and analyses. These results suggest that through their interpersonal goals, people contribute directly to their own relationship insecurity.
Impact of grass filter strips length on exported dissolved masses of metolachlor, atrazine and deethylatrazine: a four‐season study under natural rain conditions
Authors: Lafrance P. , Caron E. , Bernard C. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractHerbicides atrazine and metolachlor have been detected in water bodies across the world. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of 0‐m, 3‐m, 6‐m and 9‐m grass filter strips to reduce masses of dissolved metolachlor, atrazine and deethylatrazine (a degradation product of atrazine) exported in runoff. For that purpose, 16 uncultivated plots (3‐m wide × 65‐m long) with 0‐m‐, 3‐m‐, 6‐m‐ and 9‐m‐long grass filter strips were setup in a completely randomized block design. During four seasons, masses of dissolved atrazine, metolachlor and deethylatrazine were determined for the first four to five rain events, under natural rain conditions, after atrazine and metolachlor application. Generally, grass filter strips reduced exported herbicide masses by more than 90% and influenced atrazine and metolachlor dissipation kinetics in the field. The 3‐m grass filter strip (area ratio source/strip of 22:1) usually provided a reduction in exported herbicide masses similar to the 6‐ or 9‐m grass filter strips. Therefore, under the present experimental soil and climate conditions, a grass filter strip of 3 m would be a good compromise between environmental protection of surface waters against atrazine and metolachlor contamination and conservation of agricultural land use. Such an approach contributes to the acceptability by producers to implement optimized best management practices such as vegetated filter strips for the preservation of the quality of water resources.
Spatial variability and change in soil organic carbon stocks in response to recovery following land abandonment and erosion in mountainous drylands
Authors: De Baets S. , Meersmans J. , Vanacker V. , Quine T. A. , Van Oost K. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis research investigates the impact of human activities on carbon (C) dynamics in a mountainous and semi‐arid environment. Despite the low C status of drylands, soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest C pool in these systems and therefore may offer significant C sequestration potential in systems recovering from degradation. Nevertheless, quantification of this potential is limited by lack of knowledge concerning the magnitude of and controls on regional SOC stocks. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) investigate the variability of soil organic carbon in relation to recovery period and key soil and topographical variables, and (ii) quantify the effects of recovery period following abandonment on SOC stocks. Soil profiles were sampled in the Sierra de los Filabres (southeast Spain) in different land units along geomorphic and degradation gradients. SOC contents were modelled using recovery period and soil and topographical variables. Sample depth, topographic position, altitude, recovery period and stone content were identified as the main factors for predicting SOC concentrations. SOC stocks in 1 m depth of soil varied between 3.16 and 76.44 t/ha. Recovery period (years since abandonment), topographic position and altitude were used to predict and map SOC stocks in the top 0.2 m. The results show that C accumulates rapidly during the first 10–50 yr following abandonment; thereafter, the stocks evolve towards a steady‐state level. The erosion zones in the study area demonstrate greater potential to increase their SOC stocks when abandoned. Deposition zones have greater SOC values, although their C accumulation rate is lower compared with erosional landscapes in the first 10–50 yr following abandonment. Therefore, full understanding of the C sequestration potential of land use change in areas of complex topography requires knowledge of spatial variability in soil properties and in particular SOC.
Integrating socio‐economic and biophysical assessments using a land use allocation model
Authors: Du Y. , Huffman T. , Toure S. , Feng F. , Gameda S. , Green M. , Liu T. , Shi X. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis work is devoted to bridging the gap between large‐area, economically driven macromodels such as the Canadian Regional Agriculture Model (CRAM) and small‐area biophysically based process models used in environmental assessments through the development of a Land Use Allocation Model (LUAM). LUAM is designed to enable environmental assessments of economic scenarios to be conducted by allocating crop area changes predicted for large areas by CRAM to much smaller Soil Landscapes of Canada (SLC) polygons through an optimization method based on land capability, relative crop productivity and current land use. To develop the procedures, we used linear programming to optimize crop production for large areas under current commodity prices and land productivity ratings and then allocated the results to much smaller soil‐landscape polygons based on land capability. To assess the validity of our prototype LUAM, we compared the predicted crop areas with actual crop data from the Census of Agriculture using the method of cumulative residuals (MCR). We concluded that this version of the LUAM model can predict the location of land use to some extent, but requires further refinement. The potential for further development of LUAM using the Land Suitability Rating System (LSRS) is discussed.
The occurrence of inland acid sulphate soils in the floodplain wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, identified using a simplified incubation method
Authors: Creeper N. , Fitzpatrick R. , Shand P. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractFrom 2006 to 2010, low water levels resulted in the drying of previously submerged inland acid sulphate soils (IASS) in wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB). The potential for widespread severe acidification resulting from the oxidation of pyrite in these wetland soils triggered a basin‐wide study to assess the occurrence and risks posed by IASS material in the floodplain wetlands of the MDB. The results of pH measurements before and following soil incubation from more than 7200 samples (representing ca. 2500 profiles from 1055 georeferenced wetlands) were used to assess the potential occurrence of sulphuric and sulphidic material in IASS across the MDB. Their occurrence was investigated on a regional basis by dividing the MDB into 13 geographical regions whose boundaries roughly follow hydrological catchment boundaries. A total of 238 floodplain wetlands, representing 23% of the total wetlands assessed, were found to contain soils that became ultra‐acidic (pH < 4) when oxidized and therefore present a severe acidification hazard. These soils, the majority of which are likely to be IASS materials, were found in 11 of the 13 geographical regions. Among the 11 geographical regions likely containing IASS materials, the proportion of wetlands that presented an acidification hazard varied between 2 and 52% of those assessed. The geographical regions found to present the greatest acidification hazard were in the southern MDB, downstream of the Murray–Darling confluence, and in catchments on the southern side of the Murray River channel in Victoria. This study provided policy makers with a valuable screening tool, which helped them to identify priority wetlands and regions that required more detailed IASS investigations.
Seroepidemiological study reveals regional co‐occurrence of Lassa‐ and Hantavirus antibodies in Upper Guinea, West Africa
Authors: Klempa Boris , Koulemou Kekoura , Auste Brita , Emmerich Petra , Thomé‐Bolduan Corinna , Günther Stephan , Koivogui Lamine , Krüger Detlev H. , Fichet‐Calvet Elisabeth 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the public health relevance of Lassa arenavirus and hantavirus infections in a subpopulation of recently febrile patients.MethodsIn a human seroprevalence study, we enrolled 253 participants on the basis of reported high fever during the last 3 months. They represented roughly 20% of the population of Bantou and Tanganya villages. Comprehensive serological screening and confirmatory assays (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence assay, Western blot analysis) with several Lassa virus and hantavirus antigens were used to ensure high specificity and broad detection capacity.ResultsWe found a Lassa IgG prevalence of 40.3% (102/253) and a hantavirus IgG prevalence of 1.2% (3/253). The Lassa IgM prevalence reached 2.8% (7/253).ConclusionsHigh Lassa virus seroprevalence in recently febrile patients indicates that Lassa fever is a significant public health problem in the region. Human hantavirus infections also occur in the region but their public health relevance remains to be determined.
Reliable diagnosis of post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) using slit aspirate specimen to avoid invasive sampling procedures
Authors: Verma Sandeep , Bhandari Vasundhra , Avishek Kumar , Ramesh Venkatesh , Salotra Poonam 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectiveConfirmatory diagnosis of post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is primarily based on invasive skin biopsy procedure. We evaluated the utility of minimally invasive slit aspirate specimen for serological and molecular diagnosis of PKDL. We compared the PKDL diagnosis using slit aspirate and skin biopsy specimens from the same patients.MethodsSerological diagnosis using rK39 strip test was performed with serum and slit aspirate sample; molecular diagnosis for parasite detection and quantification was carried out by quantitative real‐time PCR (Q‐PCR) with skin biopsy and slit aspirate sample.ResultsThe rK39 serological strip test was positive in all PKDL cases with both slit aspirate and serum samples (n = 50) and negative in all control cases (n = 24), giving a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 92.9–100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 86.2–100%). Quantitative‐PCR detected parasite in all PKDL slit aspirates (n = 50, sensitivity = 100%, 95% CI: 92.9–100%) and tissue biopsies (n = 46, sensitivity = 100%, 95% CI: 92.3–100; it was negative in all controls including dermal tissues (n = 24) and slit aspirates (n = 24), giving specificity of 100% (95% CI: 86.2–100%). The parasite load in tissue and slit aspirate samples was significantly (P < 0.0001) correlated (r = 0.82).ConclusionsSlit aspirates are a simpler and minimally invasive sampling technique for initial screening by serology followed by confirmatory diagnosis of PKDL with microscopy and/or Q‐PCR. The simplified procedure has the potential for epidemiological studies and assessment of cure in PKDL.
QTL‐seq: rapid mapping of quantitative trait loci in rice by whole genome resequencing of DNA from two bulked populations
Authors: Takagi Hiroki , Abe Akira , Yoshida Kentaro , Kosugi Shunichi , Natsume Satoshi , Mitsuoka Chikako , Uemura Aiko , Utsushi Hiroe , Tamiru Muluneh , Takuno Shohei , Innan Hideki , Cano Liliana M. , Kamoun Sophien , Terauchi Ryohei 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe majority of agronomically important crop traits are quantitative, meaning that they are controlled by multiple genes each with a small effect (quantitative trait loci, QTLs). Mapping and isolation of QTLs is important for efficient crop breeding by marker‐assisted selection (MAS) and for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the traits. However, since it requires the development and selection of DNA markers for linkage analysis, QTL analysis has been time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. Here we report the rapid identification of plant QTLs by whole‐genome resequencing of DNAs from two populations each composed of 20–50 individuals showing extreme opposite trait values for a given phenotype in a segregating progeny. We propose to name this approach QTL‐seq as applied to plant species. We applied QTL‐seq to rice recombinant inbred lines and F2 populations and successfully identified QTLs for important agronomic traits, such as partial resistance to the fungal rice blast disease and seedling vigor. Simulation study showed that QTL‐seq is able to detect QTLs over wide ranges of experimental variables, and the method can be generally applied in population genomics studies to rapidly identify genomic regions that underwent artificial or natural selective sweeps.
SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein‐like7 regulated microRNA408 is required for vegetative development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Huiyong , Li Lei 
Published: January 2013

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs repressing target gene expression post‐transcriptionally and are critically involved in various development processes and responses to environmental stresses. MiR408 is highly conserved in land plants and targets several transcripts encoding copper proteins. Although it has been well documented that expression level of miR408 is strongly influenced by a variety of environmental conditions including copper availability, the biological function of this miRNA is still unknown. Here we show that constitutive expression of miR408 results in enhanced growth of seedling and adult plant while knocking down miR408 level by T‐DNA insertions or the artificial miRNA technique causes impaired growth. Further, we found that constitutively activated miR408 is able to complement the growth defects of the T‐DNA lines. Regarding the molecular mechanism governing miR408 expression, we found that the transcription factors SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE7 (SPL7) binds to the GTAC motifs in the MIR408 promoter in response to copper deficiency. Interestingly, constitutive activation of miR408 in the spl7 background could partially rescue the severe growth defects of the mutant. Together these results demonstrate that miR408 is a powerful modulator of vegetative growth. Our finding thus reveals a novel control mechanism for vegetative development based on calculated miR408 expression in response to environmental cues.
Remittances, Inflation and Exchange Rate Regimes in Small Open Economies1
Authors: Ball Christopher P. , Lopez Claude , Reyes Javier 
Published: January 2013

AbstractRemittances are private monetary transfers across borders and thus, often, involve different currencies. Yet, the rapidly growing literature on the subject often ignores the role that exchange rate regimes play in determining the effect foreign currency remittances have on a recipient economy. This study uses a theoretical model and panel vector autoregression techniques to understand the effect of remittances on GDP, inflation, real exchange rate (RER) and money supply, depending on the exchange rate regimes. Furthermore, it allows a more detailed description of the short‐run dynamics as it considers yearly but also quarterly data for 21 emerging countries. Our theoretical model predicts that remittances should temporarily increase inflation, GDP, the domestic money supply and appreciate the RER under a fixed regime, but temporarily decrease inflation, increase GDP, appreciate the RER and generate no change in the money supply under a flexible regime. These differences are largely borne out in the data. This adds to our understanding of the true effect of remittances on economies by showing that exchange rate regimes matter for the effects of remittances, especially in the short run for monetary conditions in an economy and suggests that other results in the literature that do not control for regimes may be biased.
Evaluation of theMYC_CANFAgene in Chinese Shar Peis with cobalamin deficiency
Authors: Grützner Niels , Bishop Micah A. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundA recent genome‐wide scan using the canine minimal screening set 2 (MSS‐2) showed that cobalamin deficiency appears to be hereditary in Chinese Shar Peis and is linked to the microsatellite markersDTR13.6 andREN13N11 on canine chromosome 13.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to evaluate theMYC_CANFAgene, which is the closest known gene with a distance of approximately 0.06 megabases (Mb) to the microsatellite markerDTR13.6, for any mutations in this breed.MethodsMicrosatellite markers (Myc and G15987) for genotyping and primers for sequencing were used to evaluate theMYC_CANFAgene. The genotype and gene sequence were compared between cobalamin‐deficient Shar Peis, Shar Peis with normal serum cobalamin concentrations, and theDNAsequences published as part of the Ensemble Genomic map.ResultsNeither the microsatellite markers (Myc and G15987) nor the sequences of theMYC_CANFAgene showed a significant difference among both groups of Shar Peis and the published canineDNAsequence.ConclusionsThe data presented here suggest that cobalamin deficiency in Shar Peis is not related to any mutations of theMYC_CANFAgene according to the genotyping and sequencing results in this study. Further investigations are warranted to find a potential genomic locus in proximity toDTR13.6 andREN13N11 that shows mutations in cobalamin‐deficient Shar Peis.
Detection of carcinoma micrometastases in bone marrow of dogs and cats using conventional and cell block cytology
Authors: Taylor Bonnie E. , Leibman Nicole F. , Luong Richard , Loar Andrew S. , Craft Diane M. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundThe presence of human breast carcinoma micrometastases in bone marrow is associated with poor overall survival, poor breast‐cancer‐specific survival, poor disease‐free survival, and poor distant disease‐free survival. In veterinary practice, the detection of micrometastases as a component of clinical staging is a routine practice for lymphomas and mast cell tumors, but not for carcinomas.ObjectivesThis prospective study evaluated whether the identification of micrometastases from various carcinomas in dogs and cats in bone marrow using cell block cytology is technically feasible and whether it correlates with routine cytologic examination.MethodsThirteen dogs and 4 cats with various types of carcinomas were available for analysis. Routine and cell block cytologic evaluation combined with immunocytochemical staining with antibodies to CKAE1/AE3 and CK7 were performed on all bone marrow samples.ResultsBone marrow micrometastasis was demonstrated by both methods in 2 dogs with advanced disease. In one case cells were immunoreactive for both CKAE1/AE3 and CK7.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that cell block cytology is a practical and useful method for bone marrow evaluation and is suitable for cytokeratin immunocytochemical analysis.