bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fitness costs of sublethal exposure toBacillus thuringiensisinHelicoverpa armigera: a carryover study on offspring
Authors: Sedaratian A. , Fathipour Y. , Talaei‐Hassanloui R. , Jurat‐Fuentes J. L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) is an efficient entomopathogen used for pest control. WhileBt pathogenesis has been thoroughly studied, less is known about the biological effects of sublethalBt exposure. To address this knowledge gap, we document sublethal effects ofBacillus thuringiensisvar.kurstaki(Btk) on the biology and development ofHelicoverpa armigera(Hübner) under laboratory conditions. The results obtained revealed that duration of the different life stages in treated neonates ofH. armigerawas significantly affected by sublethal treatments. Furthermore, fecundity was also negatively affected in female moths developed fromBtk‐treated neonates, with the rate of egg hatchability reaching zero in theLC25. We also present data supporting that the effect of sublethalBtk concentrations could carry over to the next generation. SublethalBtk concentrations reduced the net reproduction rate (R0), and there were also significant differences among the values of this parameter at all treatments tested when compared with controls. The intrinsic and finite rates of increase (rmandλ, respectively) were significantly lower in insects treated with sublethalBtk concentrations compared with control insects. Consequent with the reduce rate of development observed forH. armigeratreated withBtk, the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) were significantly higher in insects exposed to anyBtk concentration tested compared with control. Our data demonstrate significant fitness costs resulting from sublethalBtk exposure inH. armigera. These observations underline the importance of considering the role of sublethal effects when attempting to evaluate the impact ofBt treatment on an insect pest population and its progeny.
Conflicts of interest and the quality of recommendations in clinical guidelines
Authors: Cosgrove Lisa , Bursztajn Harold J. , Erlich Deborah R. , Wheeler Emily E. , Shaughnessy Allen F. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere is increasing concern that conflicts of interest affect the development process of clinical practice guidelines. We evaluated The American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder to determine the existence of financial and intellectual conflicts of interest and examine their possible effects. We selected this guideline because of its influence on clinical practice and because this guideline recommends pharmacotherapy for all levels of depression, despite controversies over the evidence base.Methods and FindingsWe determined the number and type of financial conflicts of interest for members of the guideline development group as well as for the independent panel charged with mitigating any effect of these conflicts. We also quantified the potential for intellectual conflicts of interest. We examined the quality of references used to support recommendations, as well as the degree of congruence between the research results and the recommendations. Fewer than half (44.4%) of the studies supporting the recommendations met criteria for high quality. Over one‐third (34.2%) of the cited research did not study outpatients with major depressive disorder, and 17.2% did not measure clinically relevant results. One‐fifth (19.7%) of the references were not congruent with the recommendations. Financial ties to industry were disclosed by all members (100%) of the guideline development committee with members reporting a mean 20.5 relationships (range 9–33). The majority of the committee participated on pharmaceutical companies' speakers' bureaus. Members of the independent panel that reviewed the guidelines for bias had undeclared financial relationships. As a marker of intellectual conflict of interest, 9.1% of all cited research and 13% of references supporting the recommendations were co‐authored by the six guideline developers.ConclusionsThe prevalence of conflicts of interest among panel members was high. The quality of the evidence cited raises questions about the validity of the recommendations. Attention to the quality of cited studies and to the risk of bias resulting from conflicts of interest should be a priority for guideline development groups.
Economically efficient flood protection standards for the Netherlands
Authors: Kind J.M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWithin the context of the Dutch Delta Programme, economically efficient flood protection standards for the entire Netherlands were calculated using a recently developed methodology for cost‐benefit analysis and up‐to‐date insights into flood risk assessment. This results in economically efficient flood protection standards for different parts of the Netherlands that significantly differ from current legal flood protection standards. The cost‐benefit analysis shows that it is economically efficient to raise protection standards especially along the rivers Rhine and Meuse, while for many dike ring areas in the coastal region, existing legal flood protection standards seem relatively high. An additional Monte Carlo analysis shows that in light of many uncertainties, these are also robust conclusions. The cost‐benefit analysis does not support a general increase of the legal flood protection standards for all flood‐prone areas in the Netherlands by (at least) a factor 10, as was recommended by the (second) Delta Committee in 2008.
Friendship Groups, Personal Motivation, and Gender in Relation to High School Students' STEM Career Interest
Authors: Robnett Rachael D. , Leaper Campbell 
Published: December 2012

Friendship group characteristics, motivation, and gender were investigated in relation to adolescents' science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career interest. The sample was comprised of 468 high school students (M = 16 years, range = 13–18) from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Participants rated their friendship group's support of STEM as well as their personal motivation in science. They separately rated the friendship group's support of English and personal motivation in English. Other predictors included friendship group characteristics (importance, gender composition) and background variables such as gender. Group support of STEM (but not English) and science motivation (but not English motivation) predicted STEM career interest. Group characteristics and participant gender moderated the effects. Findings suggest social identities and self‐concepts may shape youths' STEM career choices.
Respiratory hospitalisation of infants supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid as preterm neonates
Authors: Atwell Kerryn , Collins Carmel T , Sullivan Thomas R , Ryan Philip , Gibson Robert A , Makrides Maria , McPhee Andrew J 
Published: December 2012

AimTo determine the effect of neonatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in preterm infants on later respiratory‐related hospitalisations.MethodsWe enrolled 657 infants in a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial designed to study the long‐term efficacy of higher dose dietary DHA in infants born <33 weeks' gestation. Treatment was with high DHA (∼1%) compared with standard DHA (∼0.3%) in breast milk or formula, given from the first week of life to term equivalent. Parent‐reported hospital admissions to 18 months corrected age were recorded. The proportion of children hospitalised for lower respiratory tract (LRT) conditions and the mean number of hospitalisations per infant were determined.ResultsTwenty‐three per cent (154/657) of infants were hospitalised for LRT conditions. Seventy‐three per cent (173/238) of admissions were for bronchiolitis. There was no significant effect of higher DHA on the proportion of infants admitted for LRT conditions (high DHA 22% vs. standard DHA 25%, adjusted relative risk 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–1.24, P = 0.57) or in the mean number of admissions per infant (high DHA 0.34, standard DHA 0.38, adjusted ratio of means 0.91, 95% CI 0.63–1.32, P = 0.62). The sexes responded differently to treatment (interaction P = 0.046), with reduced admissions in boys given high DHA, but this was not statistically significant (high DHA 19%, standard DHA 28%, adjusted relative risk 0.69, 95% CI 0.46–1.04, P = 0.08).ConclusionsHospitalisation for LRT problems in the first 18 months for preterm infants was not reduced by neonatal supplementation with 1% DHA.
Twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: Perinatal outcome and recipient heart disease according to treatment strategy
Authors: Barrea Catherine , Debauche Christian , Williams Olivia , Jasienski Stéphanie , Steenhaut Patricia , Sluysmans Thierry , Bernard Pierre , Hubinont Corinne 
Published: December 2012

AimThe aims of the study were to compare perinatal outcome and assess recipient cardiac disease according to treatment strategy (amnioreduction (AR), laser or selective feticide).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 81 consecutive cases of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome diagnosed before 28 weeks between 1993 and 2007.ResultsAlthough fetuses treated by laser were younger at diagnosis (median 20.4 vs. 22.4 weeks, P = 0.01), they were significantly older at birth (median 33.6 vs. 28.5 weeks, P = 0.004) than those treated by AR. Neonatal morbidity was globally lower after laser than AR, and cardiac insufficiency tended to be less frequent (31% vs. 57%, P = 0.09). There was a trend towards increased perinatal survival after laser treatment (68% vs. 49%, P = 0.1). Heart failure was the cause of death in half (23/46) of the recipients. Fetal heart failure leading to death was 2.7 times more frequent after AR than after laser (n = 11 vs. n = 4), and all four neonatal cardiac deaths occurred after AR. Compared with laser, selective feticide did not further improve the outcome.ConclusionsHeart failure was an important cause of perinatal morbidity and death. However, laser therapy resulted in a longer diagnosis–delivery interval and lower global neonatal morbidity than AR, with a trend towards increased perinatal survival. Improved outcome after laser treatment compared with AR might be related to its impact on recipient heart disease.
TECTONO‐STRATIGRAPHIC EVOLUTION OF THE NW SEGMENT OF THE ZAGROS FOLD‐THRUST BELT, KURDISTAN, NE IRAQ
Authors: Lawa F. A. , Koyi H. , Ibrahim A. 
Published: December 2012

The Kurdistan (NW) segment of the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, located in the Kurdistan Region of NE Iraq, forms the external part of the Zagros orogen and is bounded by the Zagros suture to the NE. To the SW is the Arabian Plate into which the deformation front has migrated progressively, beginning in the Late Cretaceous and culminating in the Tertiary. Regional compression resulted in obduction of the Mawat ophiolites and emplacement of the Avroman and Qulqula nappes onto the continental margin, and the formation of the Kurdistan foreland basin. In this paper, structural, stratigraphic and palaeontological data together with new field observations are used to investigate the tectono‐stratigraphic evolution of this basin, and to study the propagation of the deformation front from the Zagros Imbricate Zone in the NE towards the Mesopotamian foredeep in the SW. Six unconformities within the Kurdistan foreland basin succession are recognized: Turonian (base‐AP9; 92 Ma); Danian (base‐AP10; 65 Ma); Paleocene–Eocene (intra‐AP10; 55 Ma); late Eocene (top‐AP10; 34 Ma); middle‐upper Miocene (a local unconformity; intra‐AP11; 12 Ma); and Pleistocene. These unconformities can be divided into two groups; obduction‐related (Turonian, Danian, and Paleocene‐Eocene); and collision‐related (late Eocene, middle‐upper Miocene, and Pleistocene).The geographical position of the unconformities is used to determine the rate of propagation of the deformation front, which is estimated at ca. 3 mm/yr. This is in agreement with previous studies which suggested a NW‐ward decrease in the propagation rate. The rate was most rapid (2.95 mm/yr) in the Low Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone and slower (2.06 mm/yr) in the High Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone. The more rapid propagation rate in the former area may be attributed to the presence there of the Miocene Lower Fars Formation which acted as a shallow décollement surface.Within the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, the intensity of deformation decreases towards the foreland (SW). Deformation in the High Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone is characterized by thrust imbricates and high amplitude fault‐propagation folds at the surface separated by narrow synclines. However, the Low Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone (Simply Folded Belt) is characterised by detachments and low amplitude fault propagation folds separated by broad synclines. In the foredeep area, folds are confined to the subsurface. Deeply buried Jurassic units, together with Upper Cretaceous – Paleocene siliciclastics, and the evaporite‐dominated Lower Fars Formation may have acted as décollement surfaces in the NW segment of the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, and controlled the structural geometry and evolution of the area.
Colostrogenesis: candidate genes for IgG1 transcytosis mechanisms in primary bovine mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Stark A. , Vachkova E. , Wellnitz O. , Bruckmaier R. , Baumrucker C. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBovine colostrogenesis is distinguished by the specific transfer of IgG1 from the blood to mammary secretions. The process has been shown to be initiated by hormones and occurs during the last weeks of pregnancy when steroid concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) are highly elevated. Rodent intestinal uptake of immunoglobulin G is mediated by a receptor termed Fc fragment of IgG, Receptor, Transporter, alpha (FcGRT) and supported by light chain Beta‐2‐Microglobulin (β2M). We hypothesized that steroid hormone treatments (E2 and P4) of bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro would induce up‐regulation of IgG1 transcytosis candidate gene mRNA expression suggesting involvement in IgG1 transcytosis. Two different primary bovine mammary epithelial cell cultures were cultured on plastic and rat tail collagen and treated with hormonal combinations (steroids/lactogenic hormones). Evaluated mRNA components were bLactoferrin (bLf: a control), bFcGRT, β2M, and various small GTPases; the latter components are reported to direct endosomal movements in eukaryotic cells. All tested transcytosis components showed strong expression of mRNA in the cells. Expression of bFcGRT, bRab25 and bRhoB were significantly up‐regulated (p < 0.05) by steroid hormones. bRab25 and bRhoB showed increased expression by steroid treatments, but also with lactogenic hormones. Analysis for the oestrogen receptor (ER) mRNA was mostly negative, but 25% of the cultures tested exhibited weak expression, while the progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA was always detected. bRab25 and bRhoB and likely bFcGRT are potential candidate genes for IgG1 transcytosis in bovine mammary cells.
Does Anatomy of the Pubic Arch Interfere with the Maintaining of Erection?
Authors: Paul Jean François , Virag Ronald 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Aim
There are men who suffer from unsustainable erections without any identified cause of erectile dysfunction, raising the question if anatomical alterations could be involved. Since early anatomical studies, it has been proposed that to achieve full penile rigidity, the blood must be blocked inside the penis by compression of the deep dorsal vein (DDV), the main venous collector under pubic symphysis. Using a recently developed caverno computed tomography (CT) scan technique, allowing the evaluation of the venous drainage of the corpora cavernosa (CC) during erection, we have studied some anatomical conditions of this important part of the erectile phenomenon.

Methods
Puboischial rami angles were measured in axial CT images and calculated strictly on the upper insertion point of the CC, using axial submillimeter slices in 37 patients divided into 3 groups depending on the results of the caverno CT scan: (i) no leak; (ii) superficial veins leaking; and (iii) drainage through the DDV and/or preprostatic plexus. In addition same angles were measured in two randomly unselected populations of men (N = 30), and women (N = 23) who underwent pelvic CT scan for various reasons, unrelated to their sexual or genital condition.

Main Outcome Measures
The angles made by both puboischial rami were measured in patients with and without veno-occlusive dysfunction and in unselected samples of men and women.

Results
There is a significantly wider angle made by both puboischial rami in men without complete erection and without evidence of anomalous venous drainage (group 3) (72.2° ± 4.7°standard deviation [SD]), compared with both men with normal erection (group 1) (57.5 ± 5°SD) P &lt; 0.00001, and men with incomplete erection and evidence of anomalous drainage (group 2) (57.7 ± 6°SD) P &lt; 0.00001.

Conclusions
If confirmed in larger samples, these results raise new questions on the mechanism and the role of these significant anatomical variations, yet unknown, in maintaining or not full rigid erections.
Micro‐scale habitat associations of woody plants in a neotropical cloud forest
Authors: Ledo Alicia , Burslem David F.R.P. , Condés Sonia , Montes Fernando 
Published: December 2012

AbstractQuestionsSpecies–habitat associations may contribute to the maintenance of species richness in tropical forests, but previous research has been conducted almost exclusively in lowland forests and has emphasized the importance of topography and edaphic conditions. Is the distribution of woody plant species in a Peruvian cloud forest determined by microhabitat conditions? What is the role of environmental characteristics and forest structure in habitat partitioning in a tropical cloud forest?LocationCloud Forest, north Peruvian Andes.MethodsWe examined species–habitat associations in three 1‐ha plots using the torus‐translation method. We used three different criteria to define habitats for habitat partitioning analyses, based on microtopography, forest structure and both sets of factors. The number of species associated either positively or negatively with each habitat was assessed.ResultsHabitats defined on the basis of environmental conditions and forest structure discriminated a greater number of positive and negative associations at the scale of our analyses in a tropical cloud forest.ConclusionsBoth topographic conditions and forest structure contribute to small‐scale microhabitat partitioning of woody plant species in a Peruvian tropical cloud forest. Nevertheless, canopy species were most correlated with the distribution of environmental variables, while understorey species displayed associations with forest structure.
Do vegetation boundaries display smooth or abrupt spatial transitions along environmental gradients? Evidence from the prairie–forest biome boundary of historic Minnesota, USA
Authors: Danz Nicholas P. , Frelich Lee E. , Reich Peter B. , Niemi Gerald J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractQuestionsTwo alternative mechanisms of abrupt vegetation change across ecological boundaries have been proposed: (1) concomitantly abrupt gradients in physical environmental variables and vegetation across the boundary, and (2) gradual environmental gradients that vegetation responds to in a non‐linear or threshold manner. Here, we evaluate spatial patterns of climate and vegetation across a grassland–forest biome boundary to examine evidence in favour of either of these alternatives.LocationMinnesota, USA.MethodsVegetation data represented the presence of prairie vs. forest vegetation in Minnesota from 1847 to 1908, generally prior to European settlement of the region, while the climatic variables represented an index of long‐term average moisture availability (precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration (P – PET). Using linear and sigmoidal regression models, we evaluated spatial patterns of change in vegetation, climate and vegetation–climate relationships across 22 transects (170–400 km) oriented perpendicular to the biome boundary. We also evaluated boundary characteristics in light of dominant topographical controls and position along the boundary.ResultsVegetation followed a sigmoidal pattern of change across the boundary, with mean boundary width of ca. 100 km. The P – PET increased by ca. 100 mm across the boundary following a comparatively smooth pattern of change. Climate–vegetation relationships were clearly non‐linear across the boundary, indicating these variables did not change in a common spatial pattern. Regional topographical controls modified relationships between vegetation and climate along the length of the boundary.ConclusionsOur results document strong non‐linear relationships between the presence of forest vegetation and its dominant climate control across a grassland–forest biome boundary. An average change of ca. 100 mm in P – PET moving across the boundary is about 40% of the long‐term mean annual range of this variable, suggesting that modest changes to P – PET may potentially cause substantial shifts in the location of the prairie–forest boundary.
The Invention of an Investment Incentive for Pharmaceutical Innovation
Authors: Basheer Shamnad 
Published: December 2012

Pharmaceutical drugs are often hailed as the poster child for the proposition that patents foster accelerated rates of innovation. This sentiment stems, in large part, from the belief that pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) entails significant costs and resources. I argue that if the role of the patent regime is one of fostering higher amounts of investment in the R&D process, it is better served by a direct investment protection regime, where the protection does not depend upon whether or not the underlying idea behind the drug is “new” and “inventive”, two central tenets of patent law. Rather, any drug that successfully makes it past the regulatory filter ought to be entitled to protection, since its discovery and development entail significant investment and risk.Owing to the sub‐optimality of the current patent regime in protecting intensive pharmaceutical R&D investments from free riders, I propose a comprehensive investment protection regime that helps recoup all investments incurred during the drug discovery and development process. Though similar to existing data protection regimes in some respects, it differs in others. Firstly, it enables a recovery of all R&D costs, and not only costs associated with clinical trials. Secondly, unlike patents and data exclusivity, which offer uniform periods of protection, it rewards investments in a proportionate manner, wherein drug originators are entitled to protection against free riders only until such time as they recoup their specific investments and earn a rate of return on investment dependent inter alia on the health value of the drug.I consider a pure market exclusivity based investment protection regime but note that it is likely to foster excessive pricing and subject the market to the dictates of a single firm. In the alternative, I consider a compensatory liability model based on a novel cost sharing methodology, where follow‐on entrants are free to manufacture the drug, but must pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the originator. Lastly, I consider a reimbursement model, where the costs of drug discovery and development are reimbursed through public funding and prizes.Once it is appreciated that the function of investment protection is better addressed through a separate regime, the pressure on patents to fulfil a role for which it is not intrinsically suited, abates. This point is an important one to appreciate, as the conflation between patent protection and investment protection has caused many to argue for a dilution of the patentability threshold.