bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trait‐based scaling of temperature‐dependent foliar respiration in a species‐rich tropical forest canopy
Authors: Slot Martijn , Rey‐Sánchez Camilo , Winter Klaus , Kitajima Kaoru 
Published: February 2014

Summary

The scarcity of empirical data on leaf respiration (R) and its temperature sensitivity (e.g. Q10, defined as the proportional increase in R per 10 °C warming) causes uncertainty in current estimates of net primary productivity of tropical forests.

We measured temperature response curves of R on 123 upper‐canopy leaves of 28 species of trees and lianas from a tropical forest in Panama and analysed variations in R and Q10 in relation to other leaf functional traits.

Respiration rates per leaf area at 25 °C (RA) varied widely among species and were significantly higher in trees than in lianas. RA was best predicted by a multiple regression model containing leaf phosphorus concentration, photosynthetic capacity and leaf mass per area (r2 = 0·64). The mean Q10 value (2·4) was significantly higher than the commonly assumed value of 2·0. Q10 was best predicted by the combination of leaf carbohydrate concentration and growth form (trees vs lianas) (r2 = 0·26).

The night‐time leaf respiratory carbon flux from this tropical forest was calculated from these multiple regression models to be 4·5 Mg C ha−1 year−1, with an estimated additional 2·9 Mg C ha−1 year−1 being released by respiration during the day.

Trait‐based modelling has potential for estimating R, thus facilitating carbon flux estimation in species‐rich tropical forests. However, in contrast to global analyses, leaf phosphorus content was the most important correlate of R and not leaf nitrogen, so calibration of trait models to the tropics will be important. Leaf traits are poor predictors of Q10 values, and more empirical data on the temperature sensitivity of respiration are critically needed to further improve our ability to scale temperature‐dependent respiration in species‐rich tropical forests.
Coil response inversion for very early time modelling of helicopter‐borne time‐domain electromagnetic data and mapping of near‐surface geological layers
Authors: Schamper Cyril , Auken Esben , Sørensen Kurt 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTVery early times in the order of 2–3 μs from the end of the turn‐off ramp for time‐domain electromagnetic systems are crucial for obtaining a detailed resolution of the near‐surface geology in the depth interval 0–20 m. For transient electromagnetic systems working in the off time, an electric current is abruptly turned off in a large transmitter loop causing a secondary electromagnetic field to be generated by the eddy currents induced in the ground. Often, however, there is still a residual primary field generated by remaining slowly decaying currents in the transmitter loop. The decay disturbs or biases the earth response data at the very early times. These biased data must be culled, or some specific processing must be applied in order to compensate or remove the residual primary field. As the bias response can be attributed to decaying currents with its time constantly controlled by the geometry of the transmitter loop, we denote it the ‘Coil Response’. The modelling of a helicopter‐borne time‐domain system by an equivalent electronic circuit shows that the time decay of the coil response remains identical whatever the position of the receiver loop, which is confirmed by field measurements. The modelling also shows that the coil response has a theoretical zero location and positioning the receiver coil at the zero location eliminates the coil response completely. However, spatial variations of the coil response around the zero location are not insignificant and even a few cm deformation of the carrier frame will introduce a small coil response. Here we present an approach for subtracting the coil response from the data by measuring it at high altitudes and then including an extra shift factor into the inversion scheme. The scheme is successfully applied to data from the SkyTEM system and enables the use of very early time gates, as early as 2–3 μs from the end of the ramp, or 5–6 μs from the beginning of the ramp. Applied to a large‐scale airborne electromagnetic survey, the coil response compensation provides airborne electromagnetic methods with a hitherto unseen good resolution of shallow geological layers in the depth interval 0–20 m. This is proved by comparing results from the airborne electromagnetic survey to more than 100 km of Electrical Resistivity Tomography measured with 5 m electrode spacing.
An evolutionary perspective on reproductive individual heterogeneity in a marine vertebrate
Authors: Chambert Thierry , Rotella Jay J. , Garrott Robert A. 
Published: February 2014

Summary

Although the quantification of individual heterogeneity in wild populations' vital rates has recently attracted growing interest among ecologists, the investigation of its evolutionary consequences remains limited, mainly because of the difficulties in assessing fitness and heritability from field studies on free‐ranging animals. In the presence of individual variability, evaluation of fitness consequences can notably be complicated by the existence of trade‐offs among different vital rates.

In this study, to further assess the evolutionary significance of previously quantified levels of individual heterogeneity in female Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii Lesson) reproductive rates (Chambert et al. ), we investigated how several life‐history characteristics of female offspring were related to their mother's reproductive rate, as well as to other maternal traits (age and experience) and environmental conditions at birth.

The probability and age of first reproduction (recruitment) of female offspring was not related to their mother's reproductive rate, suggesting the absence of a maternal trade‐off between the number and quality of offspring a female produces. Evidence of a positive, but relatively weak, relationship between the reproductive rates of a mother and her female offspring was found, suggesting some degree of heritability in this trait.

Using a simulation approach based on these statistical findings, we showed that substantial differences in the number of grandchildren, produced through female progeny, can be expected among females with different reproductive rates.

Despite the presence of substantial stochastic variability, due to environmental fluctuations and other unidentified mechanisms, and in the light of the fact that the metrics obtained do not provide a full measure of real fitness, our results do suggest that the individual reproductive variability found in female Weddell seals could potentially have important fitness consequences.
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels following luteal gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone antagonist administration in women with severe early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: Lainas GT , Kolibianakis EM , Sfontouris IA , Zorzovilis IZ , Petsas GK , Lainas TG , Tarlatzis BC 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate the kinetics of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) following gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist administration in the luteal phase in women with established severe early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).DesignPilot observational cohort study.SettingPrivate in vitro fertilisation (IVF) Unit.PopulationTwelve IVF women diagnosed with established severe early OHSS 5 days post oocyte retrieval (POR).MethodsWomen undergoing IVF diagnosed with severe early OHSS 5 days POR were given 0.25 mg GnRH antagonist for 4 days, from day 5 until and including day 8 POR, combined with elective blastocyst cryopreservation. Serum VEGF was measured from the day of oocyte retrieval until day 11 POR. Ovarian volume, ascites, serum estradiol and progesterone, haematocrit and white blood cells were monitored during the same period.Main outcome measuresKinetics of VEGF following luteal GnRH antagonist administration in women with established severe early OHSS.ResultsThe concentration of VEGF was highest (390.9 ± 137.4 pg/ml) 5 days POR, coinciding with the day of diagnosis of severe OHSS. There was a significant decline of VEGF on day 7 (302.8 ± 104.9 pg/ml; P = 0.026), day 9 (303.3 ± 148.3 pg/ml; P = 0.007), and day 11 (252.6 ± 182.7 pg/ml; P = 0.010) compared with day 5 POR. This decline was associated with an improvement of ultrasound and laboratory parameters, indicating regression of severe OHSS. All women were managed at an outpatient level.ConclusionsGnRH antagonist administration in the luteal phase is associated with a significant decline of VEGF and with regression of established severe early OHSS.
Safety of oseltamivir during pregnancy: a comparative study using the EFEMERIS database
Authors: Beau A‐B , Hurault‐Delarue C , Vial T , Montastruc J‐L , Damase‐Michel C , Lacroix I 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo compare pregnancy outcome between women exposed and unexposed to oseltamivir during pregnancy.DesignA comparative observational cohort study of women exposed to oseltamivir during pregnancy.SettingA French prescription database (EFEMERIS) that includes data for pregnant women was used. EFEMERIS records prescribed and dispensed reimbursed drugs during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Haute‐Garonne, South West France.PopulationWomen who delivered from 1 July 2004 to 31 December 2010.MethodsThe study compared exposed and unexposed pregnant women. Two women unexposed to oseltamivir were individually matched, by maternal age, month, and year of delivery, with one women exposed to oseltamivir. Multivariable conditional logistic regression and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression were used to evaluate associations between each outcome and exposure to oseltamivir during pregnancy.Main outcome measuresPregnancy loss for any cause, preterm delivery, low birthweight, neonatal pathology, and congenital malformation.ResultsA cohort of 337 (0.58% of women included in EFEMERIS) women exposed to oseltamivir were compared with 674 unexposed women. The risk for pregnancy loss (HR 1.52; 95 % CI 0.80–2.91), for preterm birth (adjusted OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.31–1.27), and for neonatal pathology (adjusted OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.23–1.54) did not differ between exposed and unexposed groups. When exposure during organogenesis was considered, one case of congenital anomaly (2.0%) among 49 exposed women and one case (1.0%) among 99 unexposed women were observed (crude OR 2.00; 95% CI 0.13–32.00).ConclusionsThere was no significant association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and exposure to oseltamivir during pregnancy.
Use of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Pretreatment and 2‐stage Curing for Improved Quality of Salted Duck Eggs
Authors: Lian Zixuan , Qiao Longshan , Zhu Guanghong , Deng Yun , Qian Bingjun , Yue Jin , Zhao Yanyun 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe effects of use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) pretreatment and 2‐stage curing on the microbial, physicochemical, and microstructural qualities of salted duck eggs were studied. After pretreatment in 0.5% (w/v) SDS solution at room conditions for 15 min, no discolorations were observed and no microorganisms were detected on the egg shells. In the 2‐stage curing process, 25% (w/v) and 30% (w/v) saline solutions were evaluated in the 1st step (Stage I, approximately 18 d), whereas 4% (w/v) saline solution was applied in the 2nd step (Stage II, approximately 15 d). Along with increased curing time, water content decreased and NaCl content increased in the egg yolks from approximately 0.40% to 0.86%, whereas the water content of egg albumen remained at approximately 85% during the 2‐stage curing. More importantly, the NaCl content of albumen maintained at approximately 4.0% at Stage II curing. Yolk index as a sign of maturity for salted duck eggs reached 1 at the end of Stage I (18 d) and retained the same value during Stage II curing regardless of the NaCl concentration in the Stage I saline solution. Oil exudation in egg yolks increased as the time of curing increased. As seen from scanning electron microscopy, oil was released from yolk granules. This study indicated that SDS pretreatment is effective to reduce microbial load on the shells of fresh duck eggs and the 2‐stage curing can improve physicochemical qualities of the salted duck eggs and shortened curing time to about 7 to 17 d as compared to the traditional 1‐step curing method.Practical ApplicationSpoiled saline solution and uneven distribution of salt are the 2 major problems in producing salted duck eggs. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) pretreatment and 2‐stage curing process have shown effective to solve these problems, respectively. The SDS pretreatment was able to remove microorganisms and soil from the surface of fresh egg shells, thus preventing the spoilage of the saline solution. The 2‐stage curing process successfully controlled the NaCl content of egg albumen and yolk in the final product, and shortened the curing time compared to the traditional 1‐step curing method.
Incremental changes verses a technological quantum leap: The additional value of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy beyond image‐guided radiotherapy for prostate irradiation
Authors: Ratnayake Gishan , Martin Jarad , Plank Ashley , Wong Winnie 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIntroductionBoth intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image‐guided radiotherapy (IGRT) have been shown to independently reduce late rectal toxicity for men with prostate cancer (PC) treated with radiotherapy. We explore whether IMRT offers further reductions in late rectal toxicity for men already being managed with IGRT and compare this with more gradual changes over time.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2009, 103 patients with PC were treated with three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT n = 52) or IMRT (n = 51) with doses of 74–78 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction. All men had daily IGRT using intra‐prostatic gold fiducials. The primary endpoint was incidence of grade ≥2 late rectal toxicity as graded by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale.ResultsThe relative risk of late grade ≥2 rectal toxicity in patients treated with IMRT was 68% less than seen with image‐guided 3D‐CRT at 36 months post‐treatment (7% versus 22%; hazard ratio = 0.32, P = 0.03). IMRT remained a significant protective factor in a multivariate analysis. A discriminant analysis showed that the relative volume of rectal wall exposed to doses over 50 Gy was most strongly associated with late rectal toxicity. Controlling for duration of follow‐up, a later year of treatment was the strongest clinical predictor of late rectal toxicity in multivariate modelling (P = 0.03).ConclusionFor men with PC managed to doses of 74–78 Gy with IGRT, IMRT leads to reduced rectal toxicity compared with 3D‐CRT. Incremental improvements in treatment delivery over time also appear to have an independently strong beneficial effect.
Favorable response to icotinib in a lung cancer patient with a special mutation at exon 19 of epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Zheng Hua , Wang Qunhui , Shi Heling , Zhang Hongmei , Hu Fanbin , Li Baolan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMany studies have illustrated that two types of mutation – deletions in exon 19 and a point mutation in exon 21 (L858R) – have been reported to comprise up to 90% of all activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. A point mutation at exon 19 is a rare mutation, and to date there have been no reports investigating the sensitivities of EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to the mutation. In this case report, we have demonstrated a special mutation, a point mutation at c.2279T>C (p.L760P) in exon 19 of EGFR, which has responded favorably to icotinib in a lung adenocarcinoma patient with brain metastasis. Icotinib is a new type of oral EGFR‐TKI developed in China and is the first EGFR‐TKI in Asia. Icotinib has the potential to improve the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients and with less toxic‐effect.
Knee surgery recovery: Post‐operative Quality of Recovery Scale comparison of age and complexity of surgery
Authors: ROYSE C. F. , WILLIAMS Z. , YE G. , WILKINSON D. , DE STEIGER R. , RICHARDSON M. , NEWMAN S. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundInitial validation and feasibility for the Post‐operative Quality of Recovery Scale (PQRS) was published in 2010. Ongoing validation includes studies to determine whether this scale can discriminate differences in recovery between cohorts.MethodsA prospective cohort study included 61 patients, 18–40 years, and 61 patients, aged ≥ 65 years, undergoing knee arthroscopy under general anaesthesia; and 13 patients, aged ≥ 65 years, undergoing total knee replacement under general anaesthesia. Patients were assessed using the PQRS. Assessments were performed pre‐surgery, at 15 and 40 min, 1 and 3 days, and 3 months after surgery.ResultsThe effect of age was assessed by comparing young versus older arthroscopy patients. There were minimal differences in recovery profiles, other than for the nociceptive domain, where pain recovery was significantly better in the older arthroscopy patients (P < 0.001). The effect of surgery was assessed by comparing older patients undergoing knee arthroscopy with knee replacement patients. Recovery was significantly worse for the knee replacement group for cognition (P = 0.015), nociception (pain and nausea, P < 0.001), activities of daily living (P < 0.001), emotive recovery (P = 0.029), and all‐domains recovery (P < 0.001). Despite differences in quality of recovery, satisfaction was high in all cohorts.ConclusionsKnee replacement had a large effect on recovery compared with knee arthroscopy. Age had minimal effect on recovery after knee arthroscopy. The study showed the ability of the PQRS to discriminate recovery in different domains.
The Validity of Phosphatidylethanol in Dried Blood Spots of Newborns for the Identification of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Bakhireva Ludmila N. , Leeman Lawrence , Savich Renate D. , Cano Sandra , Gutierrez Hilda , Savage Daniel D. , Rayburn William F. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundAccurate identification of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in the newborn period offers an opportunity for early identification of children at risk of future neurocognitive problems and the implementation of interventional approaches earlier in life. PAE newborn screening by measuring phosphatidylethanol in dried blood spot (PEth‐DBS) cards is feasible, logistically easier, and more cost‐efficient compared with other biomarkers. However, the sensitivity and specificity of this method have yet to be established.MethodsThis prospective cohort study examined validity of PEth‐DBS among 28 infants with PAE and 32 controls relative to maternal self‐report and other biomarkers. Pregnant women were recruited from a University of New Mexico clinic and followed to early postpartum period. The composite index, which was based on self‐reported measures of alcohol use and allowed to classify subjects into PAE and control groups, was the criterion measure used to estimate sensitivity and specificity of PEth‐DBS.ResultsThe study included large proportions of patients representing ethnic minorities (7.4% American Indian, 81.7% Hispanic/Latina), low education (54.2% <high school), and unplanned pregnancy (90.0%). No differences in sociodemographic characteristics, smoking or illicit drug use were observed among the study groups. The sensitivity of maternal biomarkers (gamma glutamyltranspeptidase [GGT], % carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin [%CDT], urine ethyl glucuronide [UEtG], urine ethyl sulfate [UEtS]) was low (<15%) reflecting a moderate chronic or intermittent binge pattern of drinking in this cohort. PEth‐DBS demonstrated 100% specificity and the highest sensitivity (32.1%) compared with other biomarkers. A battery consisting of maternal direct ethanol metabolites (UEtG, UEtS, PEth) and newborn PEth‐DBS increased sensitivity to 50% without a substantial drop in specificity (93.8%).ConclusionsNewborn PEth‐DBS is a highly specific biomarker and can facilitate accurate detection of PAE in conjunction with other biomarkers. Minimal invasiveness, ease of storage and transportation of DBS cards, absence of postcollection synthesis, cost savings, and potential integration with routine newborn screening are all unique advantages of this method.
Association Between Copy Number Variation Losses and Alcohol Dependence Across African American and European American Ethnic Groups
Authors: Ulloa Alvaro E. , Chen Jiayu , Vergara Victor M. , Calhoun Vince , Liu Jingyu 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundCopy number variations (CNVs) are structural genetic mutations consisting of segmental gains or losses in DNA sequence. Although CNVs contribute substantially to genomic variation, few genetic and imaging studies report association of CNVs with alcohol dependence (AD). Our purpose is to find evidence of this association across ethnic populations and genders. This work is the first AD–CNV study across ethnic groups and the first to include the African American (AA) population.MethodsThis study considers 2 CNV data sets, one for discovery (2,345 samples) and the other for validation (239 samples), both including subjects with AD and healthy controls of European and African ancestry. Our analysis assesses the association between AD and CNV losses across ethnic groups and gender by examining the effect of overall losses across the whole genome, collective losses within individual cytogenetic bands, and specific losses in CNV regions.ResultsResults from the discovery data set showed an association between CNV losses within 16q12.2 and AD diagnosis (p = 4.53 × 10−3). An overlapping CNV region from the validation data set exhibited the same direction of effect with respect to AD (p = 0.051). This CNV region affects the genes CES1p1 and CES1, which are members of the carboxylesterase (CES) family. The enzyme encoded by CES1 is a major liver enzyme that typically catalyzes the decomposition of ester into alcohol and carboxylic acid and is involved in drug or xenobiotics, fatty acid, and cholesterol metabolisms. In addition, the most significantly associated CNV region was located at 9p21.2 (p = 1.9 × 10−3) in our discovery data set. Although not observed in the validation data set, probably due to small sample size, this result might hold potential connection to AD given its connection with neuronal death. In contrast, we did not find any association between AD and the overall total losses or the collective losses within individual cytogenetic bands.ConclusionsOverall, our study provides evidence that the specific CNVs at 16q12.2 contribute to the development of alcoholism in AA and European American populations.