bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors determining high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein values in the Spanish population. Di@bet.es study
Authors: Rojo‐Martínez Gemma , Soriguer Federico , Colomo Natalia , Calle Alfonso , Goday Alberto , Bordiú Elena , Delgado Elías , Menéndez Edelmiro , Ortega Emilio , Urrutia Inés , Girbés Juan , Castaño Luis , Catalá Miguel , Gaztambide Sonia , Valdés Sergio ,   On behalf of the di@bet.es study group
Published: September 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012AbstractBackground  Although high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) is currently used as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease, it has been suggested that genetic, clinical, biochemical or environmental factors could modify hs‐CRP levels. The aim of this study was to investigate sources of interindividual hs‐CRP variability in the Spanish population.Materials and methods  A representative sample of the Spanish population within the di@bet.es study was used. Study variables included a clinical and demographic structured survey, a lifestyle survey, a physical examination, plasmatic hs‐CRP and other biochemical parameters.Results  Median and interquartile range of plasma hs‐CRP values were 1·73 ± 2·75 mg/dL. Thirty per cent of the study population had hs‐CRP levels above 3 mg/dL and 38% from 1 to 3 mg/dL. Body mass index was the strongest factor associated with moderate and high hs‐CRP levels. Age, sex, waist‐to‐hip ratio, weight increase, plasma lipid levels, glucose metabolism (HOMA‐IR and abnormal glucose regulation categories), pharmacological treatment (lipid‐lowering agents, psychotropic drugs and levothyroxine), smoking, physical activity, different dietary patterns, quality of life and educational level were all significantly associated with hs‐CRP levels. Interactions were observed between variables. These interactions modulated the effect of previously described factors on hs‐CRP.Conclusions  Thirty per cent of the Spanish population have hs‐CRP levels considered to represent a cardiovascular risk. Different clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and environmental variables modulate hs‐CRP levels. In addition, multiple interactions between variables complicate the interpretation of hs‐CRP values.
Tidal freshwater forest accretion does not keep pace with sea level rise
Authors: Craft Christopher B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSoil properties, accretion, and accumulation were measured in tidal freshwater forests (tidal forests) of the Ogeechee, Altamaha, and Satilla rivers of the South Atlantic (Georgia USA) coast to characterize carbon (C) sequestration and nutrient (nitrogen‐N, phosphorus‐P) accumulation in these understudied, uncommon, and ecologically sensitive wetlands. Carbon sequestration and N and P accumulation also were measured in a tidal forest (South Newport River) that experiences saltwater intrusion to evaluate the effects of sea level rise (SLR) and saltwater intrusion on C, N and P accumulation. Finally, soil accretion and accumulation of tidal forests were compared with tidal fresh, brackish and salt marsh vegetation downstream to gauge how tidal forests may respond to SLR. Soil accretion determined using 137C and 210Pb averaged 1.3 and 2.2 mm yr−1, respectively, and was substantially lower than the recent rate of SLR along the Georgia coast (3.0 mm yr−1). Healthy tidal forest soils sequestered C (49–82 g m−2 yr−1), accumulated N (3.2–5.3 g m−2 yr−1) and P (0.29–0.56 g m−2 yr−1) and trapped mineral sediment (340–650 g m−2 yr−1). There was no difference in long‐term accretion, C sequestration, and nutrient accumulation between healthy tidal forests and tidal forests of the South Newport River that experience saltwater intrusion. Accelerated SLR is likely to lead to decline of tidal forests and expansion of oligohaline and brackish marshes where soil accretion exceeds the current rate of SLR. Conversion of tidal forest to marshes will lead to an increase in the delivery of some ecosystem services such as C sequestration and sediment trapping, but at the expense of other services (e.g. denitrification, migratory songbird habitat). As sea level rises in response to global warming, tidal forests and their delivery of ecosystem services face a tenuous future unless they can migrate upriver, and that is unlikely in most areas because of topographic constraints and increasing urbanization of the coastal zone.
Spatial variations in aboveground net primary productivity along a climate gradient in Eurasian temperate grassland: effects of mean annual precipitation and its seasonal distribution
Authors: Guo Qun , Hu Zhongmin , Li Shenggong , Li Xuanran , Sun Xiaomin , Yu Guirui 
Published: September 2012

AbstractConcomitant changes of annual precipitation and its seasonal distribution within the context of global climate change have dramatic impacts on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of grassland ecosystems. In this study, combining remote sensing products with in situ measurements of ANPP, we quantified the effects of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and precipitation seasonal distribution (PSD) on the spatial variations in ANPP along a climate gradient in Eurasian temperate grassland. Our results indicated that ANPP increased exponentially with MAP for the entire temperate grassland, but linearly for a specific grassland type, i.e. the desert steppe, typical steppe, and meadow steppe from arid to humid regions. The slope of the linear relationship appeared to be steeper in the more humid meadow steppe than that in the drier typical and desert steppes. PSD also had significant effect on the spatial variations in ANPP. It explained 39.4% of the spatial ANPP for the entire grassland investigated, being comparable with the explanatory power of MAP (40.0%). On the other hand, the relative contribution of PSD and MAP is grassland type specific. MAP exhibited a much stronger explanatory power than PSD for the desert steppe and the meadow steppe at the dry and wet end, respectively. However, PSD was the dominant factor affecting the spatial variation in ANPP for the median typical steppe. Our results imply that altered pattern of PSD due to climate change may be as important as the total amount in terms of effects on ANPP in Eurasian temperate grassland.
Atmospheric change alters performance of an invasive forest insect
Authors: Couture John J. , Lindroth Richard L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAtmospheric change and species invasions are arguably two of the most important factors affecting the long‐term sustainability of natural ecosystems. We examined the independent and interactive effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and tropospheric ozone (O3) on the foliar quality of two host species and performance of an invasive folivorous insect. Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) were grown at the Aspen FACE research site in northern Wisconsin, USA, under all combinations of ambient and elevated CO2 and O3. We measured the effects of elevated CO2 and O3 on aspen and birch phytochemistry and on the survivorship, development time, growth, and fecundity of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). Elevated CO2 had little effect on, whereas elevated O3 altered, the composite phytochemical profiles of aspen and birch. Nutritional quality in aspen and birch leaves was marginally affected by elevated CO2 and reduced by elevated O3. Both gases increased concentrations of phenolic and structural compounds in aspen and birch. Elevated CO2 offset reduced foliar quality under elevated O3, but only in aspen, and to a greater extent later than earlier in spring. Elevated CO2 generally had beneficial effects on, while elevated O3 detrimentally affected, gypsy moth performance. Elevated CO2 ameliorated most of the reductions in gypsy moth performance under elevated O3. Our findings suggest that atmospheric change can alter foliar quality in gypsy moth hosts sufficiently to influence gypsy moth performance, but that these responses will depend on interactions among CO2, O3, and tree species. Our findings also contrast with those of earlier studies at Aspen FACE, indicating that foliar quality responses to environmental change are likely influenced by tree stand age and longevity of exposure to pollutants to the extent that they affect plant‐herbivore interactions differently over decadal time spans.
Predicting cyanobacterial dynamics in the face of global change: the importance of scale and environmental context
Authors: Taranu Zofia E. , Zurawell Ron W. , Pick Frances , Gregory‐Eaves Irene 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThere is growing concern that harmful cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency and occurrence around the world. Although nutrient enrichment is commonly identified as a key predictor of cyanobacterial abundance and dominance in freshwaters, several studies have shown that variables related to climate change can also play an important role. Based on our analysis of the literature, we hypothesized that temperature or water‐column stability will be the primary drivers of cyanobacterial abundance in stratified lakes whereas nutrients will be the stronger predictors in frequently mixing water bodies. To test this hypothesis, as well as quantify the drivers of cyanobacteria over different scales and identify interactions between nutrients and climate‐related variables, we applied linear and nonlinear mixed‐effect modeling techniques to seasonal time‐series data from multiple lakes. We first compared time series of cyanobacterial dominance to a published lake survey and found that the models were similar. Using time‐series data of cyanobacterial biomass, we identified important interactions among nutrients and climate‐related variables; dimictic basin experienced a heightened susceptibility to cyanobacterial blooms under stratified eutrophic conditions, whereas polymictic basins were less sensitive to changes in temperature or stratification. Overall, our results show that due to predictable interactions among nutrients and temperature, polymictic and dimictic lakes are expected to respond differently to future climate warming and eutrophication.
Patient‐tailored self‐management intervention for older adults with hypertension in a nursing home
Authors: Park Yeon‐Hwan , Chang HeeKyung , Kim JinShil , Kwak Jin Sang 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study was to evaluate the effects of a patient‐tailored self‐management intervention on (1) blood pressure control and (2) self‐care behaviour, exercise self‐efficacy and medication adherence among Korean older hypertensive patients in a nursing home.Background.  Little is known about whether a patient‐tailored self‐management for nursing home residents with hypertension is likely to advance the care of this growing population worldwide.Design.  A non‐equivalent comparison group design.Methods.  Forty‐seven patients (23 and 24 in the intervention and comparison groups, respectively) participated in the study. No one withdrew during the eight‐week study period. Hypertensive patients in the intervention group received health education and tailored individual counselling for eight weeks to enhance the self‐management.Results.  The mean age of patients was 77·4 years. Patients were on hypertensive medications for 11·8 years; only 36 of them took medications without assistance. The baseline comparisons of the patients with and without 8‐week intervention did not differ for clinical and demographic variables and outcome measures. Blood pressure decreased when comparing the baseline to eight weeks later from baseline; moreover, blood pressure was significantly reduced only in patients who received the intervention. Self‐care behaviour and exercise self‐efficacy significantly increased over time only in those who were in the intervention group. However, no significant difference was observed in medication adherence between the two groups.Conclusions.  Patient‐tailored self‐management intervention was a practical approach for decreasing blood pressure and increasing self‐care behaviour in older hypertensive patients in a nursing home. Further studies are needed to validate these findings using a larger sample with long‐term follow‐up.Relevance to clinical practice.  A patient‐tailored intervention is feasible not only to empower nursing home residents with hypertension for their care, but also to offer a qualified training and guidelines to nursing home staffs, expanding their professional competence in clinical practice.
Heterozygosity–behaviour correlations in nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) populations: contrasting effects at random and functional loci
Authors: Laine Veronika N. , Herczeg Gábor , Shikano Takahito , Primmer Craig R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe study of heterozygosity‐fitness correlations (HFCs) has a long history in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology but remains controversial. Recently, it has been shown that the genetic distance of markers from functional loci can be an important factor to be considered in addition to marker numbers and variability. In this study, we investigated the correlation between individual heterozygosity and behaviour (aggression, boldness and feeding activity) in nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) individuals originating from four populations in two contrasting environments. Offspring of full‐sib families raised in a common garden setting were assessed for behaviour and genotyped using 84 microsatellite markers that were either located within or near behaviourally or physiologically important genes (termed ‘functional’) or were randomly selected. No associations were detected with any behavioural trait in any population or over all populations when genetic variability was measured using all 84 markers combined. However, when the markers were separated into three functional categories (behavioural, physiological and random), several significant associations were observed both with functional markers and random markers in one of the four populations assessed. Interestingly, contrasting correlations with behaviour were observed when using physiological gene (negative) and random (positive) markers. Upon dividing the physiological gene markers into further subcategories based on their specific physiological functions, a strong relationship between the heterozygosity of markers linked to osmoregulation‐related genes, and behaviour was revealed in the brackish water population. Our results indicate that both local (physiological) and general (neutral) effects are important in shaping behaviour and that heterozygosity–behaviour correlations are population dependent.
Successive legumes tested in a greenhouse crop rotation experiment modify the inoculum potential of soils naturally infested by Aphanomyces euteiches
Authors: Moussart A. , Even M. N. , Lesné A. , Tivoli B. 
Published: September 2012

The consequence of 10 successive monocultural cycles involving different legume species/cultivars on the inoculum potential (IP) of soils naturally infested by Aphanomyces euteiches was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the IP of a soil naturally infested by A. euteiches can be significantly modified not only by the non‐host or host status of crop species but also by the level of resistance of the cultivar. Susceptible species/cultivars (pea, lentil and susceptible cultivars of vetch and faba bean) are very favourable to pathogen multiplication, and continuous cultivation of each of these increased the IP values of a soil with a moderate initial IP (from 1·9 to 3·5 after 10 cycles). Conversely, non‐host species and resistant cultivars of vetch or faba bean contributed to reducing the IP values of soils irrespective of the initial IP (from 1·9 to 0·5 and from 4 to 2, respectively, after 10 cycles). Aphanomyces root rot severity values on the resistant legume species/cultivars were not affected by the successive cultural cycles. This study, which showed that the IP of A. euteiches in soil can be reduced by planting appropriate legume species and cultivars in greenhouse conditions, will be useful for defining better crop successions for legumes.
Nicotiana attenuata α‐DIOXYGENASE1 through its production of 2‐hydroxylinolenic acid is required for intact plant defense expression against attack from Manduca sexta larvae
Authors: Gaquerel Emmanuel , Steppuhn Anke , Baldwin Ian T. 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Nicotiana attenuata α‐DIOXYGENASE1 (α‐DOX1) is an oxylipin‐forming gene elicited during herbivory by fatty acid amino acid conjugates (FACs) contained in oral secretions of Manduca sexta.

To understand the roles of Naα‐DOX1 and its major product, 2‐hydroxylinolenic acid (2‐hydroxylinolenic acid), in N. attenuata's anti‐herbivore defenses, we used a transgenic line specifically silenced in Naα‐DOX1 expression (ir‐α‐dox1) and monitored 2‐HOT production in M. sexta‐damaged tissues and its role in influencing the production of direct defense compounds and resistance to this insect.

Attack by M. sexta larvae amplified 2‐HOT formation at the feeding sites; a reaction probably facilitated by Naα‐DOX1's high pH optimum which allows 2‐HOT formation to occur in the more alkaline conditions at the feeding sites or potentially in the insect mouth parts after the leaf tissue is ingested. Manduca sexta larvae performed better on ir‐α‐dox1 plants than on wild‐type (WT) plants as a result of attenuated herbivory‐specific JA and 2‐HOT bursts as well as JA‐inducible well‐established defenses (nicotine, caffeoylputrescine and trypsin proteinase inhibitors). Repeated applications of 2‐HOT to wounds before insect feeding partly amplified JA‐controlled defenses and restored the resistance of ir‐α‐dox1 plants.

We conclude that 2‐HOT, produced by attack‐activated α‐DOX1 activity, participates in defense activation during insect feeding.
Silicone Finger Prosthesis. A Clinical Report
Authors: Jacob PC , Shetty Kashinatha HM , Garg Arun , Pal Bhupinder 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe loss of all or part of a finger following traumatic amputation may have a negative impact on physical and psychological well being. An esthetic prosthesis can offer psychological, functional, and rehabilitative advantages. The success of a prosthetic restoration primarily depends on its retention. This clinical report describes an alternative method of retention by scoring the master cast of a partially amputated finger, thus enhancing the vacuum effect for the retention of the prosthesis. The methodology of treatment is also explained. Silicone material was used to provide function and esthetics.
Synthesis and Mechanical Properties of (Ti,V)2AlC/Al2O3In Situ Solid Solution Composites by Reactive Hot Pressing
Authors: Zhu Jianfeng , Han Na 
Published: September 2012

Solid solution composites of (Ti,V)2AlC/Al2O3 were successfully synthesized using the in situ hot‐pressing process by the incorporation of the thermit reaction of Al with V2O5 in Ti, Al, and carbon black system. The phase evolution during the formation of the composites was examined from 500°C to 1350°C, and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of (Ti,V)2AlC/Al2O3 solid solution composites. The composite with 10 wt% Al2O3 possesses the best mechanical properties and the hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the composites are enhanced by 53.2%, 140%, and 180%, respectively. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms were also discussed.
High Strength Alumina Micro‐Beams Fabricated by Inkjet Printing
Authors: Philips Noah R. , Compton Brett G. , Begley Matthew R. 
Published: September 2012

Freestanding ceramic microbeams were fabricated by inkjet printing of aqueous colloidal suspensions (up to 23 vol% alumina). Their high strength (920 MPa in bending) and stiffness (E ≈ 400 GPa) is attributed to low porosity (void fraction 0.03) and a paucity of microstructural flaws. A range of ink compositions and beam thicknesses were printed using a commercial inkjet cartridge and isostatically compacted prior to firing.
Electrophoretic Deposition of Titania Nanoparticles: Sticking Parameter Determination by an In situ Study of the EPD Kinetics
Authors: Farrokhi‐Rad Morteza , Shahrabi Taghi 
Published: September 2012

The suspensions of titania nanoparticles in isopropanol were prepared and triethanolamine (TEA) was used as a dispersant. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was performed at 60 and 200 V. In situ EPD kinetics was studied. During the in situ deposition weight recording, the voltage was switched off after 6 min and switched on again after 2 min with a reversed polarity. After voltage switch off the deposition weight decreased with time for the deposits formed from the suspensions with 0, 0.33, 1.33, and 6 mL/L TEA, due to the potential difference generated at the interface between the deposit and suspension, exerting a force on the particles strong enough to detach them into the suspension. The deposition weight remains nearly constant for deposits formed from the suspensions with 8 and 16.33 mL/L TEA, due to the lower potential difference and so the lower force exerted on the particles. It was assumed that particles detachment from deposit into the suspension also occurs during EPD and according to this assumption f factor (sticking parameter) at initial times of EPD was calculated. It was found that the f factor values calculated from the mentioned assumption have a good agreement with those calculated from the Hamaker equation.
Use of dental services throughout middle and early old ages: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Astrom Anne N. , Ekback Gunnar , Nasir Elwalid , Ordell Sven , Unell Lennart 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectivesFocusing on a Swedish 1942 birth cohort, this study describes the trend of dental health care utilization between age 50 and 65 and identifies major determinants of dental visiting habits using Andersen's model as adapted for dentistry as a theoretical framework.MethodIn 1992, a census of 50 year olds in two counties of Sweden was invited to participate in a longitudinal questionnaire survey. Of the total population of 8888 subjects, 6346 responded (71%). Of the 6346 subjects who completed the 1992 survey, 4143 (65%) completed postal follow ups in 1997, 2002 and 2007.Results83.3% and 3.2% of the cohort remained stable with respect to use and nonuse of regular dental care. Cochran's Q test revealed that the proportions reporting regular use decreased from 93% at age 50–87% at age 65 (P < 0.001). Generalized estimated equations revealed the following covariates; gender (females), country of birth (native born), marital status (married), perceived quality of dental care (good perceptions), dental care utilization as a child, remaining teeth and perceived oral problems. The influence of the variable time, functioning as a measure of period/ageing, maintained a statistically significant relationship with regular utilization after adjusting for all covariates in the model.ConclusionRegular use of dental health care services decreased slightly but statistically significantly from age 50 to 65 and was most prevalent in socio‐economically advantaged groups, among those with remaining own teeth, subjects who perceived oral problems and reported high quality dental care. The results have implications for planning of elderly dental health care and required dental workforce in Sweden and countries with similar welfare systems.