bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure and dynamics of oligomesic dry pine forests in land zones of the Lake Engure catchment area
Authors: Laiviņš Māris , Čekstere Gunta , Medene Anda , Donis Jānis 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Investigation of species composition, soil physical and chemical properties, as well as forest productivity of oligomesic dry pine forests (Vacciniosa and Myrtillosa forest types) was carried out in six dry land zones differing in age of the Lake Engure catchment area (sediment zones of the drained lakebed, Mia, Limnea, Litorina Sea, Baltic Ice Lake and glaciofluvial sediment zone in Northern Kursa Upland). Higher species diversity in the tree layer and a more typical podzolisation process was found in the older dry land zones (sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake, Northern Kursa Upland), while higher species diversity in the field layer (higher proportion of grasses and sword grasses), more intensive gleying process in soils, as well as considerably higher stand productivity was observed in the younger dry land zones (the drained lakebed, Mia, Limnea and Littorina Sea stages). Characteristic species of the Vaccinio-Piceetea class were dominant in the pine forests of older dry land zones, whereas species of the Pulsatillo-Pinetea class were typical in the sea coastal pine forests.
Survival of Liparis loeselii (L.) as an early successional species in Engure region described based on ecological peculiarities DURING the annual cycle
Authors: Roze Daina , Jakobsone Gunta , Megre Dace , Belogrudova Inta , Karlovska Amanda 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
We present some results of a six-year (2008-2013) study in two localities of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. near Lake Engure. The annual cycle of L. loeselii, an early successional species, may indicate its potential survival in its typical wet habitat with fluctuating levels of water. Flowering of L. loeselii usually begins in the first decade of June and lasts for several weeks. If the initiation of development was delayed, leaves and inflorescence started to grow almost simultaneously. Development of the first fruit began during flowering and continued to August. Ripening of fruit and seeds occurred in September-October, and they were dispersed mostly by melt water of snow in spring, which is very important for populations in sites overgrowing with perennial herbs. The previous season capsules of L. loeselii remained till the middle of the next growing season; a part of the seeds remained in capsules and less than 1% of seeds had viable embryos. This may increase the survival potential of the population. The studies of herbarium records of L. loeselii in the area of Lake Engure showed that the annual cycles of L. loeselii have been similar and that the species has not responded drastically to climate change.
Statistical analysis of soil moisture content changes in Central Europe using GLDAS database over three past decades
Authors: Zawadzki Jarosław , Kȩdzior Mateusz 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper examine soil moisture trends changes in inhomogeneous area of Central European countries — Poland, the Czech Republic and neighbouring territories. The area suffered from the lack of large-scale soil parameters research. Most of them are limited to ground measurements performed for a small part of land. Although there were extensive water conditions studies performed for the whole Europe, such as drought analysis, they were focused on Western European countries, neglecting situation in Central Europe (taking exception to Austria). The NOAH model of Global Land Data Assimilation System database has been used as a data source. It delivers one degree spatial resolution data and variables which describe soil moisture values for four depth levels (0–10 cm, 10–40 cm, 40–100 cm and 100–200 cm). Data covering years 1979–2011 has been averaged in order to analyse summer and winter terms separately. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis have been prepared on the software Statistica, Research reveals that area is losing water content. Due to promising results of water content trend analysis, the authors plan to run a large-scale analysis using other variables from the GLDAS database, especially concerning soil temperature and evapotranspiration.
The spatial distribution pattern of heavy metal concentrations in urban soils — a study of anthropogenic effects in Berehove, Ukraine
Authors: Vince Tímea , Szabó György , Csoma Zoltán , Sándor Gábor , Szabó Szilárd 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn the present study we examined the Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination levels of the soils of Berehove, a small city in West-Ukraine. As a first step we determined the spatial distribution of the heavy metal contents of the urban soils; then, by studying the land use structure of the city and by statistical analysis we identified the major sources of contamination; we established a matrix of correlations between the heavy metal contents of the soils and the different types of land use; and finally, we drew a conclusion regarding the possible origin(s) of these heavy metals. By means of multivariate statistical analysis we established that of the investigated metals, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulated in the city’s soils primarily as a result of anthropogenic activity. In the most polluted urban areas (i.e. in the industrial zones and along the roads and highways with heavy traffic), in the case of several metals (Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) we measured concentration levels even two or three times higher than the threshold limit values. Furthermore, Cr, Fe and Ni are primarily of lithogenic origin; therefore, the soil concentrations of these heavy metals depend mainly on the chemical composition of the soil-forming rocks.
Prediction of earthquake hazard by hidden Markov model (around Bilecik, NW Turkey)
Authors: Can Ceren , Ergun Gul , Gokceoglu Candan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEarthquakes are one of the most important natural hazards to be evaluated carefully in engineering projects, due to the severely damaging effects on human-life and human-made structures. The hazard of an earthquake is defined by several approaches and consequently earthquake parameters such as peak ground acceleration occurring on the focused area can be determined. In an earthquake prone area, the identification of the seismicity patterns is an important task to assess the seismic activities and evaluate the risk of damage and loss along with an earthquake occurrence. As a powerful and flexible framework to characterize the temporal seismicity changes and reveal unexpected patterns, Poisson hidden Markov model provides a better understanding of the nature of earthquakes. In this paper, Poisson hidden Markov model is used to predict the earthquake hazard in Bilecik (NW Turkey) as a result of its important geographic location. Bilecik is in close proximity to the North Anatolian Fault Zone and situated between Ankara and Istanbul, the two biggest cites of Turkey. Consequently, there are major highways, railroads and many engineering structures are being constructed in this area. The annual frequencies of earthquakes occurred within a radius of 100 km area centered on Bilecik, from January 1900 to December 2012, with magnitudes (M) at least 4.0 are modeled by using Poisson-HMM. The hazards for the next 35 years from 2013 to 2047 around the area are obtained from the model by forecasting the annual frequencies of M ≥ 4 earthquakes.
Students’ engagement with a collaborative wiki tool predicts enhanced written exam performance
Authors: Stafford Tom , Elgueta Herman , Cameron Harriet 
Published: August 2014

We introduced voluntary wiki-based exercises to a long-running cognitive psychology course, part of the core curriculum for an undergraduate degree in psychology. Over 2 yearly cohorts, students who used the wiki more also scored higher on the final written exam. Using regression analysis, it is possible to account for students’ tendency to score well on other psychology exams, thus statistically removing some obvious candidate third factors, such as general talent or enthusiasm for psychology, which might drive this correlation. Such an analysis shows that both high- and low-grading students who used the wiki got higher scores on the final exam, with engaged wiki users scoring an average of an extra 5 percentage points. We offer an interpretation of the mechanisms of action in terms of the psychological literature on learning and memory.Keywords: learning technology; writing; wiki; collaborative learning; interactive learning environments; higher education(Published: 5 August 2014)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 22797 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.22797
Adjacent Segment Disease
Authors: Virk Sohrab S. , Niedermeier Steven , Yu Elizabeth , Khan Safdar N. 
Published: August 2014

Educational Objectives

As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to:

1.
Understand the forces that predispose adjacent cervical segments to degeneration.

2.
Understand the challenges of radiographic evaluation in the diagnosis of cervical and lumbar adjacent segment disease.

3.
Describe the changes in biomechanical forces applied to adjacent segments of lumbar vertebrae with fusion.

4.
Know the risk factors for adjacent segment disease in spinal fusion.

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a broad term encompassing many complications of spinal fusion, including listhesis, instability, herniated nucleus pulposus, stenosis, hypertrophic facet arthritis, scoliosis, and vertebral compression fracture. The area of the cervical spine where most fusions occur (C3–C7) is adjacent to a highly mobile upper cervical region, and this contributes to the biomechanical stress put on the adjacent cervical segments postfusion. Studies have shown that after fusion surgery, there is increased load on adjacent segments. Definitive treatment of ASD is a topic of continuing research, but in general, treatment choices are dictated by patient age and degree of debilitation. Investigators have also studied the risk factors associated with spinal fusion that may predispose certain patients to ASD postfusion, and these data are invaluable for properly counseling patients considering spinal fusion surgery. Biomechanical studies have confirmed the added stress on adjacent segments in the cervical and lumbar spine. The diagnosis of cervical ASD is complicated given the imprecise correlation of radiographic and clinical findings. Although radiological and clinical diagnoses do not always correlate, radiographs and clinical examination dictate how a patient with prolonged pain is treated. Options for both cervical and lumbar spine ASD include fusion and/or decompression. Current studies are encouraging regarding the adoption of arthroplasty in spinal surgery, but more long-term data are required for full adoption of arthroplasty as the standard of care for prevention of ASD. [
Orthopedics.
2014; 37(8):547–555.]
Transcriptional Profile of Tuberculosis Antigen–Specific T Cells Reveals Novel Multifunctional Features
Authors: Arlehamn Cecilia Lindestam , Seumois Gregory , Gerasimova Anna , Huang Charlie , Fu Zheng , Yue Xiaojing , Sette Alessandro , Vijayanand Pandurangan , Peters Bjoern 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
In latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) spread of the bacteria is contained by a persistent immune response, which includes CD4+ T cells as important contributors. In this study we show that TB-specific CD4+ T cells have a characteristic chemokine expression signature (CCR6+CXCR3+CCR4−), and that the overall number of these cells is significantly increased in LTBI donors compared with healthy subjects. We have comprehensively characterized the transcriptional signature of CCR6+CXCR3+CCR4− cells and found significant differences to conventional Th1, Th17, and Th2 cells, but no major changes between healthy and LTBI donors. CCR6+CXCR3+CCR4− cells display lineage-specific signatures of both Th1 and Th17 cells, but also have a unique gene expression program, including genes associated with susceptibility to TB, enhanced T cell activation, enhanced cell survival, and induction of a cytotoxic program akin to CTL cells. Overall, the gene expression signature of CCR6+CXCR3+CCR4− cells reveals characteristics important for controlling latent TB infections.
Teleology Beyond Metaphysics: Husserlian Phenomenology and the Historical Consciousness of Modernity
Authors: Miettinen Timo 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT
This article examines the idea of historical teleology in the context of Husserlian phenomenology. Although Husserl derived this notion from the historical thinking of German idealism, the phenomenological concept of teleology differed radically from this current: instead of a deterministic idea signifying the inevitable progress of historical development, the phenomenological concept of teleology was to be understood as a fundamentally critical device of philosophical reflection—something that ought to liberate us from the yoke of the present moment. On the basis of these reformulations, the article defends the phenomenological idea of teleology as an inalienable tool of historical thinking.
Access to antiretroviral therapy and survival in eastern Europe and central Asia: a case study in Armenia
Authors: Mallitt Kylie‐Ann , Grigoryan Samvel R , Papoyan Arshak S , Wand Handan C , Wilson David P 
Published: August 2014

IntroductionAntiretroviral therapy (ART) substantially improves the health of people living with HIV and contributes to preventing new infections. While HIV incidence is decreasing in most regions, the epidemic in eastern Europe continues to rise, as new infections currently outnumber the rate of ART initiation. In this study, we assess ART use in Armenia and its impact on the number of AIDS diagnoses and mortality.MethodsNational surveillance data were obtained from the National Centre for AIDS Prevention, Armenia. Cox‐proportional hazard models were used to determine the effect of demographic and clinical risk factors, including access to ART, on AIDS and mortality.ResultsAmong people diagnosed with HIV since 2005, approximately 40% per year were diagnosed with CD4<200 cells per mL. Overall, 232 people (57.1%) with AIDS or a low CD4 count had not received ART by the end of 2010. Mortality was 34.1% among people living with HIV who did not initiate ART, and 0.3% among people who received ART. Among people diagnosed with HIV from 1996 to 2010, age at diagnosis, no use of ART, likely mode of transmission, likely place of transmission, low baseline CD4 count and no STI diagnosis at last contact are significantly associated with death.DiscussionIn Armenia, HIV is frequently diagnosed at a late stage of disease, indicating low testing rates. Of people diagnosed with HIV and in need of ART, a large proportion (approximately 60%) either do not provide consent for treatment, or are who migrants who cannot be located.ConclusionsGlobally, the scale‐up of ART has resulted in substantial reductions in mortality among individuals initiating therapy. However, in an era of momentum for treatment as prevention, treatment levels are not at adequate levels for preventing morbidities and mortality in some settings. Particular focus should be placed on key at‐risk subgroups.
Current practice trends in allergy: results of a united states survey of otolaryngologists, allergist‐immunologists, and primary care physicians
Authors: Ryan Matthew W. , Marple Bradley F. , Leatherman Bryan , Mims J. Whit , Fornadley John , Veling Maria , Lin Sandra Y. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundClinical practices for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease evolve over time in response to a variety of forces. The techniques used by various physician specialties are not clearly defined and may vary from published descriptions or recommendations in the literature.MethodsThis work is a Web‐based survey enrolling 250 U.S. physicians in the following specialties: otolaryngology (ENT), allergy‐immunology (A/I), and primary care (PCP).ResultsRespondents reported that skin‐prick testing is the most common diagnostic testing method, followed by in vitro specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing. ENTs were more likely to use intradermal testing compared to other specialties (p = 0.0003 vs A/I; p < 0.0001 vs PCP). Respondents reported a wide distribution in number of allergens tested, regardless of testing method (range, 11 to >60). Significant use of home immunotherapy injections (defined as >10% of immunotherapy patients) ranged from 27% to 36% of physicians, with no statistically significant difference noted based upon specialty. PCPs reported greater use of sublingual immunotherapy (PCP, 68%; A/I, 45%; otolaryngology, 35%; A/I vs PCP, p = 0.005; ENT vs PCP p < 0.001)).ConclusionA variety of allergy testing and treatment methods are employed by U.S. physicians, with some differences noted based upon specialty. Home immunotherapy continues to be employed in allergy practices, and sublingual immunotherapy is a common form of delivery, especially in primary care practices.
Dehydrogenative N‐Incorporation: A Direct Approach to Quinoxaline N‐Oxides under Mild Conditions
Authors: Chen Feng , Huang Xiaoqiang , Li Xinyao , Shen Tao , Zou Miancheng , Jiao Ning 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAn efficient method for the synthesis of quinoxaline N‐oxides proceeds by the dehydrogenative N‐incorporation of simple imines by C(sp2)H and C(sp3)H bond functionalization. The overall transformation involves the cleavage of three CH bonds. The reaction is easily handled and proceeds under mild conditions. Simple and readily available tert‐butyl nitrite (TBN) was employed as the NO source.
Zur Wärmeleitfähigkeits‐Messung feuchter Stoffe bei beidseitig feuchtedichtem Probenabschluss
Authors: Gertis Karl , Holm Andreas 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBei Wärmeleitfähigkeits‐Messungen sind die Proben in der Regel trocken. Wenn feuchte Proben gemessen werden, baut sich aufgrund des angelegten Temperaturgefälles über den Probenquerschnitt nicht nur ein Temperaturfeld auf, vielmehr setzt unvermeidbarerweise in der Probe auch ein Feuchtetransport ein, selbst dann, wenn beide Probenoberflächen als feuchtedicht anzusehen sind. Die Probe gibt dann zwar über Ihre Oberflächen keine Feuchte ab; die Feuchte kann sich aber während der Messung innerhalb der Probe verlagern, was latente Energien freisetzt oder bindet . Dadurch wird das Temperaturfeld bei der Messung beeinflusst. Der Feuchteeinfluss wird durch den sogenannten “Feuchte‐Einflussfaktor“ beschrieben, der in einer früheren Untersuchung bei einseitig dichtem Feuchteabschluss der Proben untersucht worden war. Bei dem nunmehr untersuchten beidseitig feuchtedichten Probenabschluss ergeben sich annähernd gleiche Feuchte‐Einflussfaktoren. Dies überrascht. Die vorhandenen hygrischen Randbedingungen (einseitiger oder zweiseitiger Feuchteabschluss) scheinen also doch nicht so viel Einfluss auszuüben, wie bislang vermutet.Thermal conductivity testing of damp sample material using double‐sided moisture‐proof end pieces. Samples used for thermal conductivity measurements are normally dry. Using damp samples means that due to the temperature gradient generated, not only will a temperature‐field over the entire sample cross‐section build up, but also there is no way to avoid moisture transfer inside the sample; even with both surfaces considered moisture‐proof. The sample will not pass moisture over the surface during measurement, but the moisture inside the sample could shift causing release or absorption of latent energy. This would generate an impact on the temperature field during measurement. The moisture flow is characterized by the so called ‘moisture influence factor’, which has been monitored in a former test, using a one‐sided moisture‐proof end piece. The samples with double‐sided moisture‐proof end pieces used in the current test series show nearly identical ‘moisture influence factors’. This result is surprising and seems to prove that the influence of the existing hydric boundary conditions (one‐sided or double‐sided moisture‐proof end piece) is much less than previously assumed.
Meta-analysis of operative mortality and complications in patients from minority ethnic groups
Authors: Bloo G J A , Hesselink G J , Oron A , Emond E J J M , Damen J , Dekkers W J M , Westert G , Wolff A P , Calsbeek H , Wollersheim H C 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Background
Insight into the effects of ethnic disparities on patients' perioperative safety is necessary for the development of tailored improvement strategies. The aim of this study was to review the literature on safety differences between patients from minority ethnic groups and those from the ethnic majority undergoing surgery.

Methods
PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and Embase were searched using predefined inclusion criteria for available studies from January 1990 to January 2013. After quality assessment, the study data were organized on the basis of outcome, statistical significance and the direction of the observed effects. Relative risks for mortality were calculated.

Results
After screening 3105 studies, 26 studies were identified. Nine of these 26 studies showed statistically significant higher mortality rates for patients from minority ethnic groups. Meta-analysis demonstrated a greater risk of mortality for these patients compared with patients from the Caucasian majority in studies performed both in North America (risk ratio 1·22, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·05 to 1·42) and outside (risk ratio 2·25, 1·40 to 3·62). For patients from minority groups, the length of hospital or intensive care unit stay was significantly longer in five studies, and complication rates were significantly higher in ten. Methods used to identify patient ethnicity were not described in 14 studies.

Conclusion
Patients from minority ethnic groups, in North America and elsewhere, have an increased risk of perioperative death and complications. More insight is needed into the causes of ethnic disparities to pursue safer perioperative care for patients of minority ethnicity.
Variation in triggers and use of perioperative blood transfusion in major gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Ejaz A , Spolverato G , Kim Y , Frank S M , Pawlik T M 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Background
The decision to perform intraoperative blood transfusion is subject to a variety of clinical and laboratory factors. This study examined variation in haemoglobin (Hb) triggers and overall utilization of intraoperative blood transfusion, as well the impact of transfusion on perioperative outcomes.

Methods
The study included all patients who underwent pancreatic, hepatic or colorectal resection between 2010 and 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Data on Hb levels that triggered an intraoperative or postoperative transfusion and overall perioperative blood utilization were obtained and analysed.

Results
Intraoperative transfusion was employed in 437 (15·6 per cent) of the 2806 patients identified. Older patients (odds ratio (OR) 1·68), patients with multiple co-morbidities (Charlson co-morbidity score 4 or above; OR 1·66) and those with a lower preoperative Hb level (OR 4·95) were at increased risk of intraoperative blood transfusion (all P &lt; 0·001). The Hb level employed to trigger transfusion varied by sex, race and service (all P &lt; 0·001). A total of 105 patients (24·0 per cent of patients transfused) had an intraoperative transfusion with a liberal Hb trigger (10 g/dl or more); the majority of these patients (78; 74·3 per cent) did not require any additional postoperative transfusion. Patients who received an intraoperative transfusion were at greater risk of perioperative complications (OR 1·55; P = 0·002), although patients transfused with a restrictive Hb trigger (less than 10 g/dl) showed no increased risk of perioperative morbidity compared with those transfused with a liberal Hb trigger (OR 1·22; P = 0·514).

Conclusion
Use of perioperative blood transfusion varies among surgeons and type of operation. Nearly one in four patients received a blood transfusion with a liberal intraoperative transfusion Hb trigger of 10 g/dl or more. Intraoperative blood transfusion was associated with higher risk of perioperative morbidity.