bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Faith Deployed for a New Shiʿi Polity in India: The Theology of Sayyid Dildar ‘Ali Nasirabadi
Authors: RIZVI SAJJAD 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWhile Shiʿi Islam and its imperial expressions were known in the Deccan sultanates from the sixteenth century and expressed in court-sponsored production of theology, it was only in the eighteenth century that Shiʿi political theology emerged in North India in the new state of Awadh. In this paper, I argue that one can discern in the theology of Sayyid Dildar ʿAli Nasirabadi (d. 1820) a clear attempt at forging a new Shiʿi theological dispensation to bolster the state, based upon a tripartite attack on three rival approaches to faith and politics: Akhbarism, Sufism, and the Sunni rationalism of Farangi Mahall. A careful examination of these textual practices within the Awadhi context demonstrates one example of how Indian thinkers responded to the decline of Mughal power and articulated alternative epistemologies in vernacular contexts before the advent of the British Empire.
An emerging platform from renewable resources: selection guidelines for human exposure of furfural-related compounds
Authors: Frade R. F. M. , Coelho J. A. S. , Simeonov S. P. , Afonso C. A. M. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a precursor for the synthesis of potential chemical building blocks and biofuel products. Therefore, it is expected to be a very important bioplatform player in the future due to reduction of fossil resources. Controversial data exist about HMF toxicity and, in addition, toxicological data of its derivatives are scarce. We evaluated the impact of several HMF derivatives in human skin fibroblast cells and data demonstrate that the dialdehyde (10), dihydroxymethyl (12), dimethyl (18) and the dimer (20) derivatives are potentially more harmful than the dicarboxylic acid derivative (17). HMF was not cytotoxic whereas the reported derivative 5-sulfoxymethylfurfural (SMF) was weakly cytotoxic. Some examples of derivatives are presented which are considerably more toxic than SMF.
Fabrication of template with dual‐scale structures based on glass wet etching and its application in hydrophobic surface preparation
Authors: Wang Quandai , Song Yixiong , Wang Li , Xiao Jiming 
Published: May 2014

Template‐based methods are a commonly used way to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces, in which, one of the critical issues, is template fabrication. In this work, a template with a dual‐scale hierarchical structures fabrication method is investigated, in which, using the Cr and photoresist as etching mask, the fused silica glass substrate is etched in a buffered hydrofluoric solution. Optical photos and atomic force microscopy (AFM) scans show that the excellent ordered and uniform microstructures with a feature size less than 4 μm combining with the nanostructures with a feature size of about 20–30 nm on the etched surface have been fabricated, indicating hierarchical structures being obtained. Then the template with dual‐scale structures is used as a master template and experiments of pattern transferring to PDMS and photoresist by cast moulding and by imprint lithography, respectively, have been conducted. The duplicating fidelity is characterised through optical photos and AFM scans. The contact angles of water on various fabricated surfaces are characterised and the influence of the surface roughness on wettability has been discussed.
The gut microbiota in health and disease.
Authors: Ventura M. , Turroni F. , Strati F. , Sinderen D. van 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

This chapter reviews the important role of the gut microbial flora in the healthy state, as well as relevant alterations in their composition during various disease states (i.e., autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, allergies, colorectal cancer).
Next-generation sequencing methods to investigate the human microbiome.
Authors: Xiao Liang Xiao Liang , Qin JunJie Qin JunJie , Shen DongQian Shen DongQian , Jiang ChenMing Jiang ChenMing , Chen WanTing Chen WanTing , Liu Chuan Liu Chuan , Wang Jun Wang Jun 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

This chapter discusses current applications of three sequencing strategies (i.e., 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun sequencing, transcriptome sequencing) in human microbiome research studies, highlighting their major intrinsic advantages and drawbacks.
Plant neighbours rather than soil biota determine impact of an alien plant invader
Authors: Sun Yan , Müller‐Schärer Heinz , Schaffner Urs 
Published: May 2014

Summary

Various factors have been shown contributing to the ecosystem impact of invasive alien plants, but their relative importance remains unclear. We focused on the effects of neighbouring plant community and soil biota as these biotic factors have been repeatedly put forward to explain invasion success (e.g. as components of the novel weapons and of the biotic release hypothesis).

To assess their relative importance in explaining the high impact of Centaurea stoebe during the invasion of new sites in the introduced range, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with both European (EU) and North American (NA) tetraploid C. stoebe competing with/without EU vs. NA neighbouring community and with the two neighbouring communities growing without C. stoebe. Plants were grown in sterilized commercial soil inoculated with naïve soil (from rhizosphere of plants other than C. stoebe) originating either from the home EU or the introduced NA range and half of which was sterilized to remove soil biota.

In the competition pots, relative competitive ability (difference between the relative growth rates of C. stoebe and neighbouring community) and impact level (biomass of the neighbouring community relative to that in non‐competition pots) of C. stoebe was significantly higher when grown with the NA than with the EU neighbouring community, although growth rates of EU and NA neighbouring communities did not differ in the non‐competition pots. Both soil origin and C. stoebe origin had no effect on these processes. Soil sterilization increased growth of both C. stoebe and neighbouring communities, but had only a moderate effect on impact level and type, and no effect on the relative competitive ability of C. stoebe.

These results suggest that during the colonization of new sites in North American grasslands, the impact of C. stoebe is strongly driven by reduced competitive ability of NA neighbours compared with EU neighbours, while altered biotic soil conditions in the introduced range and post‐introduction evolutionary changes in the invader are of less importance. This differential impact appears to be due to inherently different mechanisms underlying the competitive interactions between EU and NA neighbouring communities when grown with C. stoebe.
REVIEW: The evolving linkage between conservation science and practice atTheNatureConservancy
Authors: Kareiva Peter , Groves Craig , Marvier Michelle 
Published: May 2014

SummaryTheNatureConservancy (TNC) was founded by ecologists as aUnitedStates land trust to purchase parcels of habitat for the purpose of scientific study. It has evolved into a global organization working in 35 countries ‘to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends’.TNCis now the world's largest conservation non‐governmental organization (NGO), an early adopter of advances in ecological theory and a producer of new science as a result of practising conservation.TheNatureConservancy's initial scientific innovation was the use of distributional data for rare species and ecological communities to systematically target lands for conservation. This innovation later evolved into a more rigorous approach known as ‘Conservation byDesign’ that contained elements of systematic conservation planning, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation.The next scientific transition atTNCwas a move to landscape‐scale projects, motivated by ideas from landscape ecology. Because the scale at which land could be set aside in areas untouched by humans fell far short of the spatial scale demanded by conservation,TNCbecame involved with best management practices for forestry, grazing, agriculture, hydropower and other land uses.A third scientific innovation atTNCcame with the pursuit of multiobjective planning that accounts for economic and resource needs in the same plans that seek to protect biodiversity.TheMillenniumEcosystemAssessment promptedTNCto become increasingly concerned with ecosystem services and the material risk to people posed by ecosystem deterioration.Finally, because conservation depends heavily upon negotiation,TNChas recently recruited social scientists, economists and communication experts. One aspect still missing, however, is a solid scientific understanding of thresholds that should be averted.Synthesis and applications. Over its 60‐plus year history, scientific advances have informedTheNatureConservancy (TNC)'s actions and strategies, and in turn the evolving practice of conservation has altered the type of science sought byTNCin order to maximize its conservation effectiveness.
Windows of opportunity for germination of riparian species after restoring water level fluctuations: a field experiment with controlled seed banks
Authors: Sarneel Judith M. , Janssen Roel H. , Rip Winnie J. , Bender Irene M. A. , Bakker Elisabeth S. 
Published: May 2014

Summary

Restoration activities aiming at increasing vegetation diversity often try to stimulate both dispersal and germination. In wetlands, dispersal and germination are coupled as water and water level fluctuations (WLF) simultaneously influence seed transport and germination conditions (soil moisture). Water regime shifts have been shown to affect vegetation composition. However, the interactions between WLF, dispersal and subsequent germination as drivers of such changes are still poorly understood, especially within the complexity of a field situation.

We tested the effect of soil moisture on ten riparian species in the greenhouse and sowed these species on 135 field locations in nine wetlands with recently restored WLF. We used quantile regressions to test the effects of WLF on the window of opportunity for germination from sown seeds and other seeds naturally dispersed to our plots, as well as on community diversity.

Soil moisture significantly affected germination both in the greenhouse and in the field. In the complexity of a field situation, a flooding depth just below the soil level, an intermediate flooding duration and a high flooding frequency provided the best opportunities for maximal germination. This was because these conditions enhanced germination from the seed bank as well as increasing germination from dispersed seeds. Seedling diversity showed identical patterns.

Other known (i.e., light conditions) and unknown factors played a role as we found low and variable germination, even under optimal conditions. We found evidence that WLF can affect vegetation zonation as flooded seedling communities contained more species with high moisture affinity.

Synthesis and applications. Water level fluctuations provide clear windows of opportunity for germination both from the seed bank and from dispersed seeds. Water regime changes are therefore likely to strongly affect recruitment opportunities and subsequent community assembly in riparian ecosystems, for instance through climate change or management. Water level fluctuations can be used as management tool to stimulate plant recruitment and seedling diversity in riparian wetlands.
Methods for Assessing Patient–Clinician Communication about Depression in Primary Care: What You See Depends on How You Look
Authors: Henry Stephen G. , Feng Bo , Franks Peter , Bell Robert A. , Tancredi Daniel J. , Gottfeld Dustin , Kravitz Richard L. 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo advance research on depression communication and treatment by comparing assessments of communication about depression from patient report, clinician report, and chart review to assessments from transcripts.DataOne hundred sixty‐four primary care visits from seven health care systems (2010–2011).Study DesignPresence or absence of discussion about depressive symptoms, treatment recommendations, and follow‐up was measured using patient and clinician postvisit questionnaires, chart review, and coding of audio transcripts. Sensitivity and specificity of indirect measures compared to transcripts were calculated.Principal FindingsPatient report was sensitive for mood (83 percent) and sleep (83 percent) but not suicide (55 percent). Patient report was specific for suicide (86 percent) but not for other symptoms (44–75 percent). Clinician report was sensitive for all symptoms (83–98 percent) and specific for sleep, memory, and suicide (80–87 percent), but not for other symptoms (45–48 percent). Chart review was not sensitive for symptoms (50–73 percent), but it was specific for sleep, memory, and suicide (88–96 percent). All indirect measures had low sensitivity for treatment recommendations (patient report: 24–42 percent, clinician report 38–50 percent, chart review 49–67 percent) but high specificity (89–96 percent). For definite follow‐up plans, all three indirect measures were sensitive (82–96 percent) but not specific (40–57 percent).ConclusionsClinician report and chart review generally had the most favorable sensitivity and specificity for measuring discussion of depressive symptoms and treatment recommendations, respectively.
Expanding Coverage to Low‐Income Childless Adults in Massachusetts: Implications for National Health Reform
Authors: Long Sharon K. , Dahlen Heather 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo draw on the experiences under Massachusetts's 2006 reform, the template for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), to provide insights into the potential impacts of the ACA Medicaid expansion for low‐income childless adults in other states.Data Sources/Study SettingThe study takes advantage of the natural experiment in Massachusetts and combined data from two surveys—the Massachusetts Health Reform Survey (MHRS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)—to estimate the impacts of reform on low‐income adults.Study DesignDifference‐in‐differences models of the impacts of health reform, using propensity‐score reweighting to improve the match between Massachusetts and the comparison states.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsData for low‐income adults are obtained by combining data from the MHRS and the NHIS, where the MHRS provides a relatively large Massachusetts sample and the NHIS provides data for samples in other states to support the difference‐in‐differences model. Supplemental data on county economic and health care market characteristics are obtained from the Area Health Resource File.Principal FindingsThere are strong increases in coverage and access to health care for low‐income adults under health reform in Massachusetts, with the greatest gains observed for childless adults, who were not eligible for public coverage prior to reform.ConclusionsIn the states that implement the Medicaid provisions of the ACA, we would expect to see large increases in coverage rates and commensurate gains in access to care for low‐income childless adults. Linking state and federal surveys offers a strategy for leveraging the value of state‐specific survey data for stronger policy evaluations.
Forensic Analysis of MTBE Contamination Using Basic Hydrogeologic Concepts
Authors: Boving Thomas 
Published: May 2014

AbstractContamination of groundwater with petroleum hydrocarbons and additives, such as methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), is often linked to the leaking product distribution system of gas stations. In very few cases is it know if and when a leak occurred and how much product was released to the environment. In the absence of direct evidence, a careful analysis of the available data, such as contaminant breakthrough at receptor wells or discrepancies in the product inventory data, may provide evidence about the nature of the release, its timing and magnitude. Using a MTBE contamination site in the formerly glaciated New England region as an example, two possible release scenarios (slow, long‐term release vs. spill) were examined. Of the two scenarios, the slow release could be ruled out as the sole source even though there was no direct evidence for a spill. The analysis of hydraulic test results together with chemical data further permitted to estimate when such an undocumented spill might have occurred. Analyses of the data also allowed these results to be compared to that of a prior transport and fate modeling study. Good agreement and consistency for contaminant travel times was confirmed. This forensic analysis demonstrates that applying basic hydrogeologic principles can aide in the reconstruction of contamination events while providing more readily understandable and defendable evidence relative to complex models. Conceptually, the approach described herein is transferable to other sites with similar hydrogeologies.
Use of genotyping by sequencing data to develop a high‐throughput and multifunctional SNP panel for conservation applications in Pacific lamprey
Authors: Hess Jon E. , Campbell Nathan R. , Docker Margaret F. , Baker Cyndi , Jackson Aaron , Lampman Ralph , McIlraith Brian , Moser Mary L. , Statler David P. , Young William P. , Wildbill Andrew J. , Narum Shawn R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing data can be mined for highly informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to develop high‐throughput genomic assays for nonmodel organisms. However, choosing a set of SNPs to address a variety of objectives can be difficult because SNPs are often not equally informative. We developed an optimal combination of 96 high‐throughput SNP assays from a total of 4439 SNPs identified in a previous study of Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and used them to address four disparate objectives: parentage analysis, species identification and characterization of neutral and adaptive variation. Nine of these SNPs are FST outliers, and five of these outliers are localized within genes and significantly associated with geography, run‐timing and dwarf life history. Two of the 96 SNPs were diagnostic for two other lamprey species that were morphologically indistinguishable at early larval stages and were sympatric in the Pacific Northwest. The majority (85) of SNPs in the panel were highly informative for parentage analysis, that is, putatively neutral with high minor allele frequency across the species’ range. Results from three case studies are presented to demonstrate the broad utility of this panel of SNP markers in this species. As Pacific lamprey populations are undergoing rapid decline, these SNPs provide an important resource to address critical uncertainties associated with the conservation and recovery of this imperiled species.
Low incidence of bacteriuria with outpatient flexible cystoscopy
Authors: Lo Tsia‐Shu , Khanuengkitkong Siwatchaya , Tan Yiap Loong , Dass Anil Krishna , Wu Pei‐Ying , Al‐Kharabsheh Ahlam Mahmoud 
Published: May 2014

AimTo evaluate the incidence of bacteriuria after outpatient diagnostic flexible cystoscopy utilising sterile catheter urine collection technique in women.Materials and MethodsThis is a prospective observational study on 78 women who had outpatient flexible cystoscopy for various indications between March and December 2011. Urine for culture was collected by transurethral catheterisation three to five days before cystoscopy, and a second urine sample was collected five to seven days after the procedure. Antibiotic prophylaxis was not administered. Significant bacteriuria was defined as 102 cfu/mL or more of a single organism cultured.ResultsFive (6.4%) had significant bacteriuria and were asymptomatic. The most common organism cultured was Escherichia coli in 4 (80%) of the infected women. No other cystoscopic complication was observed. The mean age was 54.7 years (range 27–80), mean parity was 2.8 (range 0–7). In the study group, 54 (69.2%) women were postmenopausal, 9 (11.5%) had diabetes mellitus, 42 (53.8%) had pelvic organ prolapse and 22 (28.2%) had a prior hysterectomy. Most common indications for cystoscopy were hematuria and recurrent UTI, 48 (61.5%) and 22 (28.2%) women respectively. The cystoscopic findings were normal in 59 (75.6%) women. The procedure was completed within five minutes in all participants.ConclusionThe incidence of bacteriuria following outpatient flexible cystoscopy is low.
A systematic review of peri‐operative melatonin
Authors: Andersen L. P. H. , Werner M. U. , Rosenberg J. , Gögenur I. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryWe systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials of peri‐operative melatonin. We included 24 studies of 1794 participants that reported eight peri‐operative outcomes: anxiety; analgesia; sleep quality; oxidative stress; emergence behaviour; anaesthetic requirements; steal induction; and safety. Compared with placebo, melatonin reduced the standardised mean difference (95% CI) pre‐operative anxiety score by 0.88 (0.44–1.33) and postoperative pain score by 1.06 (0.23–1.88). The magnitude of effect was unreliable due to substantial statistical heterogeneity, with I2 87% and 94%, respectively. Qualitative reviews suggested the melatonin improved sleep quality and emergence behaviour, and might be capable of reducing oxidative stress and anaesthetic requirements.
Cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation for persistent epithelial defect in severe ocular surface diseases with acute inflammatory activity
Authors: Sotozono Chie , Inatomi Tsutomu , Nakamura Takahiro , Koizumi Noriko , Yokoi Norihiko , Ueta Mayumi , Matsuyama Kotone , Kaneda Hideaki , Fukushima Masanori , Kinoshita Shigeru 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPurposeTo assess the clinical efficacy of cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET) for the treatment of persistent epithelial defect (PED).MethodsWe treated 10 eyes of nine patients with PED (Stevens–Johnson syndrome: three eyes; thermal/chemical injury: five eyes; ocular cicatricial pemphigoid: two eyes) with COMET at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan from 2002 to 2008.ResultsPreoperatively, PED existed on over more than 50% of the corneal surface in seven eyes. Severe ocular surface inflammation with fibrovascular tissue surrounded the PED in all 10 eyes. At 24‐weeks postoperative, PED had improved in all cases except 1 in which the patient was unable to return to the hospital (95% CI, 55.5–99.7; Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, p = 0.0078). The preoperative median of logarithmic minimum angle of resolution was 1.85 (range 0.15–2.70), and 1.85, 1.85, and 1.52 at the 4th, 12th, and 24th postoperative week, respectively. The mean total preoperative ocular surface grading score was 7.0 (range 4–17). At 4 and 12 weeks postoperative, the total ocular surface grading score had improved significantly (p = 0.0020, p = 0.0078), and at 24 weeks postoperative, it was 3.0 (range 2–12, p = 0.0234). During the follow‐up period (median 23.3 months, range 5.6–39.7 months), no recurrence of PED was observed in any eye, and long‐term ocular surface stability was obtained.ConclusionCOMET enabled complete epithelialization of PED and stabilization of the ocular surface in patients with severe ocular surface disease, thus preventing end‐stage cicatrization and vision loss at a later stage.