bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No cumulative effect of 10 years of elevated [CO2] on perennial plant biomass components in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Newingham Beth A. , Vanier Cheryl H. , Charlet Therese N. , Ogle Kiona , Smith Stanley D. , Nowak Robert S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractElevated atmosphericCO2concentrations ([CO2]) generally increase primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Production responses to elevated [CO2] may be particularly large in deserts, but information on their long‐term response is unknown. We evaluated the cumulative effects of elevated [CO2] on primary production at the Nevada DesertFACE(free‐air carbon dioxide enrichment) Facility. Aboveground and belowground perennial plant biomass was harvested in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem at the end of a 10‐year elevated [CO2] experiment. We measured community standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, leaf area index (LAI), carbon and nitrogen content, and isotopic composition of plant tissues for five to eight dominant species. We provide the first long‐term results of elevated [CO2] on biomass components of a desert ecosystem and offer information on understudied Mojave Desert species. In contrast to initial expectations, 10 years of elevated [CO2] had no significant effect on standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, and C : N ratios of above‐ and belowground components. However, elevated [CO2] increased short‐term responses, including leaf water‐use efficiency (WUE) as measured by carbon isotope discrimination and increased plot‐levelLAI. Standing biomass, biomass allocation, canopy cover, and C : N ratios of above‐ and belowground pools significantly differed among dominant species, but responses to elevated [CO2] did not vary among species, photosynthetic pathway (C3vs. C4), or growth form (drought‐deciduous shrub vs. evergreen shrub vs. grass). Thus, even though previous and current results occasionally show increased leaf‐level photosynthetic rates, WUE,LAI, and plant growth under elevated [CO2] during the 10‐year experiment, most responses were in wet years and did not lead to sustained increases in community biomass. We presume that the lack of sustained biomass responses to elevated [CO2] is explained by inter‐annual differences in water availability. Therefore, the high frequency of low precipitation years may constrain cumulative biomass responses to elevated [CO2] in desert environments.
Reducing Loss Tangent by Controlling Microstructure and Electrical Responses in CaCu3Ti4O12 Ceramics Prepared by a Simple Combustion Method
Authors: Thongbai Prasit , Pinitsoontorn Supree , Amornkitbamrung Vittaya , Yamwong Teerapon , Maensiri Santi , Chindaprasirt Prinya 
Published: February 2013

The dielectric and electrical properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics prepared by a simple combustion method were investigated. Fine‐grained CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics exhibited good dielectric properties and temperature stability. Very low loss tangents of 0.020–0.016 and high dielectric constant of 5776–6406 (at 1 kHz and 20°C) with temperature coefficient less than ±15% in the temperature range of −70 to 90°C were observed. Dielectric relaxation processes were observed in large‐grained CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics. The dielectric relaxation in the temperature range of 60–150°C may be associated with sample–electrode contact. The relaxation in temperatures below −40°C is related to the electrical response at grain boundaries.
Languaging in Translation Tasks Used in a University Setting: Particular Potential for Student Agency?
Authors: Källkvist Marie 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThis article explores the value of judiciously used first language (L1)‐to‐second language (L2) translation in meaning‐focused, advanced‐level academic language education. It examines languaging in the teacher‐led discourse (TLD) that arises when translation tasks are used and compares it to languaging during the TLD engendered by 4 other grammar‐focused tasks. Data were collected in 3 different groups of students who were taught by the same teacher within a functioning university course in English at a Swedish university. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of audio‐recorded lessons revealed that translation tasks led to (a) particularly high levels of student‐initiated referential questions that break the initiation‐response‐feedback pattern and (b) a less‐frequent focus on targeted L2 grammar as student attention tended to be drawn to vocabulary. Qualitative analysis of teacher scaffolding suggests that the teacher used translation to create a forum for student‐centered discussion of various aspects of English language use in order to meet one of the course goals. The relatively strong presence of student‐initiated interaction suggests that translation may have particular potential to engender student activity. It is argued that translation, therefore, may have an important, yet limited, place in academic‐level language education where knowledge of the L1 is shared.
Sidestepping awkward encounters: avoidance as a response to outperformance‐related discomfort
Authors: Exline Julie Juola , Zell Anne L. , Lobel Marci 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWhen people believe that their higher performance poses a threat to another person, they may experience discomfort or concern that has been termed Sensitivity to being the Target of a Threatening Upward Comparison (STTUC). One way to reduce STTUC discomfort might be to avoid contact with the outperformed person, a possibility examined in three studies of undergraduates. In laboratory contexts, STTUC discomfort predicted reluctance to meet an outperformed peer (Study 1) and preference for a different partner in future competitions (Study 2). In Study 3, which focused on naturalistic outperformance situations, STTUC distress again predicted avoidance. Additionally, avoidance of contact predicted less satisfaction with outcomes, especially in relationships where people knew each other well.
Paeonol inhibits hepatic fibrogenesis via disrupting nuclear factor‐κB pathway in activated stellate cells: In vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Kong Desong , Zhang Feng , Wei Donghua , Zhu Xiaojing , Zhang Xiaoping , Chen Li , Lu Yin , Zheng Shizhong 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsHepatic fibrosis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was to evaluate the antifibrogenesis effect of paeonol and involved mechanisms.MethodsThe degree of liver injury was evaluated biochemically by measuring serum and fibrotic markers and pathological examination. Cell viability was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and trypan blue staining. Cytotoxic effects were determined using lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Cell cycle was determined using single dyeing methods of propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was confirmed using double‐staining of annexin V/PI and Hoechst. Western blot, immunofluorescence and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to explore the molecular mechanisms.ResultsTreatment with paeonol significantly protected the liver from injury by reducing the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, improving the histological architecture of the liver, and by inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo. Interestingly, paeonol had no apparent cytotoxic effects but could markedly inhibit primary HSC proliferation and induced HSC cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. These effects were caused by paeonol suppression of phosphorylation of cycle protein cdc2 and of CDK2. Moreover, that paeonol triggered mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and led to activation of caspase cascades in HSCs was found. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway inhibition resulted in the earlier events. Furthermore, paeonol altered the expression of some marker proteins relevant to HSCs activation.ConclusionPaeonol could inhibit HSC proliferation and induce mitochondrial apoptosis via disrupting NF‐κB pathway, which might be the mechanisms of paeonol reduction of liver fibrosis.
Utility of baseline positron emission tomography with computed tomography for predicting endoscopic resectability and survival outcomes in patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sun Gang , Tian Jianmin , Gorospe Emmanuel C , Johnson Geoffrey B , Hunt Christopher H , Lutzke Lori S , Leggett Cadman L , Iyer Prasad G , Wang Kenneth K 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsPositron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) has been used to detect metastasis in the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, the utility of PET/CT to assess primary tumor for endoscopic resectability and prognosis in early EAC remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the association of PET/CT findings with histopathological tumor invasion depth and survival outcomes.MethodsEAC patients who underwent PET/CT followed by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) were included. Pathology on EMR and survival outcomes from a prospectively maintained database was retrieved. Two radiologists independently reviewed the PET/CT using the following parameters: detection of malignancy, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake intensity, FDG focality, FDG eccentricity, esophageal thickness, maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax), and SUVmax ratio (lesion/liver).ResultsThere were 72 eligible patients: 42 (58.3%) had T1a lesions, and 30 (41.7%) had ≥ T1b. Only SUVmax ratio was associated with tumor invasion depth (odds ratio = 2.77, 95% confidence interval 1.26–7.73, P = 0.0075). Using a cut‐off of 1.48, the sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax ratio for identification of T1a lesions were 43.3% and 80.9%, respectively. Adjusting the SUVmax ratio to 2.14, 16.7% (5/30) of ≥ T1b patients were identified without any false‐positive cases. Multivariate analysis showed SUVmax ratio, Charlson comorbidity index, and esophagectomy were independent predictors for survival.ConclusionsSUVmax ratio (lesion/liver) is more accurate in predicting endoscopic resectability and mortality for EAC than other PET/CT parameters and appears promising as a useful adjunct to the current diagnostic work‐up.
Relationships Between Health Behaviors and Weight Status in American Indian and White Rural Children
Authors: Holm Jeffrey E. , Lilienthal Kaitlin R. , Poltavski Dmitri V. , Vogeltanz‐Holm Nancy 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposePreventing obesity in childhood is an increasingly important public health goal. Prevention efforts can be improved by better understanding relationships between health behaviors and overweight and obesity. This study examined such relationships in young American Indian and white children living in the rural United States.MethodsSelf‐report measures of diet, screen time (passive and active), and physical activity were combined with cardiovascular fitness in cross‐sectional analyses to predict weight categories based on body mass index percentiles in 306 American Indian and white children (aged 8‐9 years) from a rural area in the upper Midwestern United States.FindingsMultinomial logistic regression models were statistically significant for girls (χ2[20] = 42.73, P < .01), boys (χ2[20] = 50.44, P < .001), American Indian (χ2[20] = 36.67, P < .05), and white children (χ2[20] = 55.99, P < .001). Obesity was associated with poorer cardiovascular fitness in girls (OR = 0.82), boys (OR = 0.83), American Indian (OR = 0.79), and white children (OR = 0.85), and with passive screen time in girls (OR = 1.69), boys (OR = 2.1), and white children (OR = 1.81). Overweight was associated with passive screen time (OR = 2.24) and inversely with active screen time (OR = 0.54), but only in boys.ConclusionsLogistic regression models were more successful at predicting obesity than overweight in all groups of participants. Poorer cardiovascular fitness showed the strongest and most consistent association with obesity, but passive screen time was also a significant and important contributor to the prediction of obesity in most prediction models. Prediction models were similar in girls, boys, American Indian, and white children.
Incidence and Characteristics of Acute Referred Orofacial Pain Caused by a Posterior Single Tooth Pulpitis in an Iranian Population
Authors: Hashemipour Maryam Alsadat , Borna Roya 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIntroductionThis study was designed to evaluate incidence and characteristics of acute referred orofacial pain caused by a posterior single tooth pulpitis in an Iranian population.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 3,150 patients (1,400 males and 1,750 females) with pain in the orofacial region were evaluated via clinical and radiographic examination to determine their pain source. Patients completed a standardized clinical questionnaire consisting of a numerical rating scale for pain intensity and chose verbal descriptors from short form McGill questionnaire to describe the quality of their pain. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score pain intensity. In addition, patients indicated sites to which pain referred by drawing on an illustration of the head and neck. Data were analyzed using chi‐square, fisher exact, and Mann–Whitney tests.ResultsTwo thousand and hundred twenty patients (67/3%) reported pain in sites that diagnostically differed from the pain source. According to statistical analysis, sex (P = 0.02), intensity of pain (0.04), and quality (P = 0.001) of pain influenced its referral nature, while age of patients and kind of stimulus had no considerable effect on pain referral (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe results of the present study show the prevalence of referred pain in the head, face, and neck region is moderately high. Therefore, in patients with orofacial pain, it is essential to carefully examination before carrying out treatment that could be inappropriate.
Genetically engineered maize plants reveal distinct costs and benefits of constitutive volatile emissions in the field
Authors: Robert Christelle Aurélie Maud , Erb Matthias , Hiltpold Ivan , Hibbard Bruce Elliott , Gaillard Mickaël David Philippe , Bilat Julia , Degenhardt Jörg , Cambet‐Petit‐Jean Xavier , Turlings Ted Christiaan Joannes , Zwahlen Claudia 
Published: February 2013

SummaryGenetic manipulation of plant volatile emissions is a promising tool to enhance plant defences against herbivores. However, the potential costs associated with the manipulation of specific volatile synthase genes are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the physiological and ecological effects of transforming a maize line with a terpene synthase gene in field and laboratory assays, both above‐ and below ground. The transformation, which resulted in the constitutive emission of (E)‐β‐caryophyllene and α‐humulene, was found to compromise seed germination, plant growth and yield. These physiological costs provide a possible explanation for the inducibility of an (E)‐β‐caryophyllene‐synthase gene in wild and cultivated maize. The overexpression of the terpene synthase gene did not impair plant resistance nor volatile emission. However, constitutive terpenoid emission increased plant apparency to herbivores, including adults and larvae of the above ground pest Spodoptera frugiperda, resulting in an increase in leaf damage. Although terpenoid overproducing lines were also attractive to the specialist root herbivore Diabrotica virgifera virgifera below ground, they did not suffer more root damage in the field, possibly because of the enhanced attraction of entomopathogenic nematodes. Furthermore, fewer adults of the root herbivore Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii were found to emerge near plants that emitted (E)‐β‐caryophyllene and α‐humulene. Yet, overall, under the given field conditions, the costs of constitutive volatile production overshadowed its benefits. This study highlights the need for a thorough assessment of the physiological and ecological consequences of genetically engineering plant signals in the field to determine the potential of this approach for sustainable pest management strategies.
Good Performance of the SpectraCell
RA
System for Typing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates
Authors: te Witt R. , Vaessen N. , Melles D. C. , Lekkerkerk W. S. N. , van der Zwaan E. A. E. , Zandijk W. H. A. , Severin J. A. , Vos M. C. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Typing of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) remains necessary in order to assess whether transmission of MRSA occurred and to what extent infection prevention measures need to be taken. Raman spectroscopy (SpectraCell
RA
[SCRA]; RiverD International, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) is a recently developed tool for bacterial typing. In this study, the performance (typeability, discriminatory power, reproducibility, workflow, and costs) of the SCRA system was evaluated for typing of MRSA strains isolated from patients and patients' household members who were infected with or colonized by MRSA. We analyzed a well-documented collection of 113 MRSA strains collected from 54 households. The epidemiological relationship between the MRSA strains within one household was used as the gold standard. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for discrepancy analysis. The results of SCRA analysis on the strain level corresponded with epidemiological data for 108 of 113 strains, a concordance of 95.6%. When analyzed at the household level, the results of SCRA were correct for 49 out of 54 households, a concordance of 90.7%. Concordance on the strain level with epidemiological data for PFGE was 93.6% (103/110 isolates typed). Concordance on the household level with epidemiological data for PFGE was 93.5% (49/53 households analyzed). With PFGE regarded as the reference standard, the conclusions reached with Raman spectroscopy were identical to those reached with PFGE in 100 of 105 cases (95.2%). The reproducibility of SCRA was found to be 100%. We conclude that the SpectraCell
RA
system is a fast, easy-to-use, and highly reproducible typing platform for outbreak analysis that can compete with the currently used typing techniques.
Anorectal and inguinal lymphogranuloma venereum among men who have sex with men in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: trends over time, symptomatology and concurrent infections
Authors: de Vrieze Nynke Hesselina Neeltje , van Rooijen Martijn , Schim van der Loeff Maarten Franciscus , de Vries Henry John C 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesTo examine lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) trends over time among men who have sex with men (MSM) visiting the Amsterdam sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic; to investigate anal LGV symptomatology; and to examine the positivity and characteristics of anorectal and inguinal LGV.MethodsWe included MSM consultations from whom a swab (from anorectum, bubo or an genital ulcer) was taken forChlamydia trachomatis(Ct) screening. Anorectal swabs were taken from all MSM who reported receptive anorectal intercourse in the preceding 6 months. Ct positive samples were further tested with apmpHPCR to identify L-genovars. Patient symptoms, clinical and anoscopic inflammatory signs, and STI co-infections were noted; Gram-stained anorectal mucosal smears were examined.ResultsBetween January 2005 and June 2012, 48 570 consultations among MSM were conducted. In 3628/35 650 visits, anorectal Ct infections were diagnosed, including 411 anal LGV (1.2%). Moreover, 65/1649 genital ulcer swabs were Ct positive; 10 were inguinal LGV (0.6%) Since January 2011 a significant increase in the positivity of LGV occurred (p<0.0001). 89 (27.2%) anorectal LGV cases were asymptomatic. HIV prevalence among anorectal LGV cases was significantly higher (p=0.008) than among inguinal LGV cases. STI co-morbidity in anorectal LGV cases remained invariably high during the study period.ConclusionsSince January 2011, LGV positivity in MSM consultations in Amsterdam has risen significantly. The great majority comprise anal LGV; inguinal LGV is rare. Anal LGV is asymptomatic in a quarter of cases. In all MSM with anal Ct infections LGV should be excluded, irrespective of symptoms or inflammatory signs.
Ranolazine Enhances the Antiarrhythmic Activity of Amiodarone by Accelerating Conversion of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Simopoulos Vassilios , Tagarakis Georgios I. , Daskalopoulou Stella S. , Daskalopoulos Marios E. , Lenos Aristidis , Chryssagis Konstantinos , Skoularingis Ioannis , Molyvdas Paschalis-Adam , Tsilimingas Nikolaos B. , Aidonidis Isaac 
Published: February 2013

Ranolazine is a relatively novel antiischemic/antianginal compound with antiarrhythmic properties. We investigated its ability to shorten the time to conversion of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) when added to amiodarone after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In this prospective, randomized, allocation-concealed, single-blind, single-site clinical trial, we enrolled consecutive eligible patients who developed POAF after elective on-pump CABG surgery. Participants were randomized to receive either ranolazine 375 mg twice daily orally plus intravenous amiodarone (active group) or intravenous amiodarone alone (control group). We enrolled 41 patients; 20 in the active and 21 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, procedural duration, extracorporeal circulation time, and aortic cross-clamp time. Mean time of conversion was significantly shorter in the active group (19.9 ± 3.2 vs 37.2 ± 3.9 hours, P < .001), suggesting that compared to amiodarone alone, the ranolazine–amiodarone combination had a superior antiarrhythmic effect against POAF.
First episode psychosis patients show impaired cognitive function – a study of a South Asian population in the UK
Authors: Saleem Majid M , Harte Michael K , Marshall Kay M , Scally Andy , Brewin Anita , Neill Jo C 
Published: February 2013

Background: Cognitive deficits are a core symptom of schizophrenia, severely debilitating and untreated by current medication. However, to date there is limited research focusing on the precise nature of the cognitive disturbances at first episode in ethnic populations. Improved understanding of this will allow improved approaches to therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate cognitive function with a first episode of psychosis South Asian patients. Methods: Twenty South Asian first episode psychosis patients and 15 healthy South Asian matched controls were recruited. All were second generation South Asian people living in the UK. Subjects who took part in the study completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (patient group), the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading and a battery of neuropsychological assessments to assess specific domains of cognition of relevance to Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) (all groups). Results: Results show that first episode patients performed significantly worse than controls across all cognitive domains tested using CANTAB. Significant impairments were found in tests of visual and spatial memory, executive function, working memory, spatial planning and attention. Importantly, a number of cognitive performance indices (visual memory, spatial memory, executive function) were positively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms. Conclusion: We demonstrate that first episode South Asian patients display significant and specific cognitive deficits with evidence to support an association between negative symptoms and certain cognitive domains at first episode in this patient population.