bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evoked-potential audiogram of an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
Authors: Li Songhai , Wang Ding , Wang Kexiong , Taylor Elizabeth A. , Cros Emilie , Shi Wenjing , Wang Zhitao , Fang Liang , Chen Yuefei , Kong Fanming 
Published: June 2012

Summary
An evoked-potential audiogram was measured for an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) living in the Dolphinarium of Nanning Zoo, China. Rhythmic 20 ms pip trains composed of cosine-enveloped 0.25 ms tone pips at a pip rate of 1 kHz were presented as sound stimuli. The dolphin was trained to remain still at the water surface and to wear soft latex suction-cup electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes used to measure the animal's envelope-following evoked potentials to the sound stimuli. Responses to 1000 rhythmic 20 ms pip trains for each amplitude/frequency combination were averaged and analysed using a fast Fourier transform to obtain an evoked auditory response. The hearing threshold was defined as the zero crossing point of the response input-output function using linear regression. Fourteen frequencies ranging from 5.6 to 152 kHz were studied. The results showed that most of the thresholds were lower than 90 dB re. 1μPa (root mean square, r.m.s.), covering frequency range from 11.2 to 128 kHz, and the lowest threshold of 47 dB was measured at 45 kHz. The audiogram, which is a function of hearing threshold-versus-stimulus carrier frequency, presented a 'U'-shape with a region of high hearing sensitivity (within 20 dB of the lowest threshold) between approximately 20 and 120 kHz. At frequencies lower than this high-sensitivity region, thresholds increased at a rate of approximately 11 dB/octave, up to 93 dB at 5.6 kHz. The thresholds at high frequencies above 108 kHz increased steeply with a rate of 130 dB/octave, up to 127 dB at 152 kHz.
Non-invasive lipid measurement in living insects using NMR microscopy
Authors: Schilling Franz , Dworschak Kai , Schopf Reinhard , Kühn Ralph , Glaser Steffen J. , Haase Axel 
Published: June 2012

Summary
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy allows to image and to quantify the distribution of NMR-active nuclei in living specimen. Using high-field NMR microscopy at 14.1 T magnetic field strength and strong gradients up to 3 T/m, we show in this study that separation of fat and water nuclear resonances in living insects can be achieved. Comparing it to destructive conventional photometric and weighing measurements, we demonstrate exemplarily in the European spruce bark beetle, that NMR can be efficiently used to quantify absolute fat and water content in living insects. Additionally, anatomic images with a spatial in-plane resolution up to 10 μm and with high soft tissue contrast were acquired. For the first time, we demonstrate, that fat distribution and fat consumption of living insects can be obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This enables future research to address questions where single individuals have to be measured several times, which is not possible with conventional destructive methods.
The high aerobic capacity of a small, marsupial rat-kangaroo (Bettongia penicillata) is matched by the mitochondrial and capillary morphology of its skeletal muscles
Authors: Webster Koa N , Dawson Terence J 
Published: June 2012

Summary
We examined the structure-function relationships that underlie the aerobic capacities of marsupial mammals that hop. Marsupials have relatively low basal metabolic rates (BMR) and historically were seen as 'low energy' mammals. However, the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, (Family Macropodidae) has aerobic capacities equivalent to athletic placentals. It has an extreme aerobic scope (fAS) and its large locomotor muscles feature high mitochondrial and capillary volumes. M. rufus belongs to a modern group of kangaroos and its great fAS is not general for marsupials. However, other hopping marsupials may have elevated aerobic capacities. Bettongia penicillata, a rat-kangaroo (Family Potoroidae), is a small (1 kg) active hopper whose fAS is somewhat elevated. We examined the oxygen delivery system in its muscles to ascertain links with hopping. An elevated fAS of 23 provided a relatively high VO2max in B. penicillata; associated with this is a skeletal muscle mass of 44% of body mass. Ten muscles were sampled to estimate the total mitochondrial and capillary volume of the locomotor muscles. Values in B. penicillata were similar to those in M. rufus and in athletic placentals. This small hopper had high muscle mitochondrial volume densities (7.1-11.9%), and both a large total capillary volume (6 ml kg-1 body mass) and total capillary erythrocyte volume (3.2 ml kg-1). Apparently, a considerable aerobic capacity is required to achieve the benefits of the extended stride in fast hopping. Of note, the ratio of VO2max to total muscle mitochondrial volume in B. penicillata was 4.9 ml O2 min-1 ml-1. Similar values occur in M. rufus and also placental mammals generally, not only athletic species. If such relationships occur in other marsupials, a fundamental structure-function relationship for oxygen delivery to muscles likely originated with or before the earliest mammals.
High genetic diversity and low differentiation in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) along southeastern coast of China revealed by microsatellite markers
Authors: Ma Hongyu , Cui Haiyu , Ma Chunyan , Ma Lingbo 
Published: June 2012

Summary
Mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) is a carnivorous portunid crab, mainly distributed along southeastern coast of China. Mitochondrial DNA analysis in previous study indicated a high level of genetic diversity and low differentiation of it. In this study, population genetic diversity and differentiation of S. paramamosain were investigated using nine microsatellite markers. In total, 397 wild specimens of 11 locations from southeastern coast of China were sampled and genotyped. A high level of genetic diversity was observed, with Na, HO and HE per location ranging from 7.8 to 9.6, from 0.62 to 0.77 and from 0.66 to 0.76, respectively. AMOVA analysis indicated a low level of genetic differentiation among 11 locations, despite that a statistically significant FST value was found (FST=0.0183, P&lt;0.05). Out of 55 pairwise location comparisons, 39 showed significant FST values (P&lt;0.05), but all of them were lower than 0.05 except one between SM and ST locations. No significant deficiency of heterozygotes (FIS=0.0007, P&gt;0.05) was detected for all locations except SM and ZJ. Cluster analysis using UPGMA showed that all locations fell into one group except SM. Significant association was found between genetic differentiation in terms of FST/(1-FST) and natural logarithm of geographical distance (r2=0.1139, P=0.02), indicating that the genetic variation pattern closely resembled an isolation by distance model. This study supports the viewpoint of high genetic diversity and low differentiation in Scylla paramamosain along southeastern coast of China.
The neural mechanisms of antennal positioning in flying moths
Authors: Krishnan Anand , Prabhakar Sunil , Sudarsan Subashini , Sane Sanjay P. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryIn diverse insects, the forward positioning of the antenna is often among the first behavioral indicators of the onset of flight. This behavior may be important for the proper acquisition of the mechanosensory and olfactory inputs by the antennae during flight. Here, we describe the neural mechanisms of antennal positioning in hawk moths from behavioral, neuroanatomical and neurophysiological perspectives. The behavioral experiments indicated that a set of sensory bristles called Böhm's bristles (or hair plates) mediate antennal positioning during flight. When these sensory structures were ablated from the basal segments of their antenna, moths were unable to bring their antennae in flight position causing frequent collisions with the flapping wing. Fluorescent dye-fills of the underlying sensory and motor neurons revealed that the axonal arbors of the mechanosensory bristle neurons spatially overlapped with the dendritic arbors of the antennal motor neurons. Moreover, the latency between the activation of antennal muscles following stimulation of sensory bristles was also very short (&lt; 10 ms), indicating that the sensory-motor connections may be direct. Together, these data show that Böhm's bristles control antennal positioning in moths via a reflex mechanism. Because the sensory structures and motor organization is conserved across most Neoptera, the mechanisms underlying antennal positioning, as described here, is likely to be conserved in these diverse insects.
Trade-offs between burst performance and maximal exertion capacity in a wild amphibian, Xenopus tropicalis
Authors: Herrel Anthony , Bonneaud Camille 
Published: June 2012

Summary
Trade-offs are thought to impose barriers to phenotypic diversification and may limit the evolutionary responses of organisms to environmental changes. In particular, locomotor trade-offs between endurance or maximal exertion capacity and burst performance capacity have been observed in some species and may constrain the ability of organisms to disperse. Here, we test for the presence of locomotor trade-offs between maximal exertion and burst performance capacity in an aquatic frog, the tropical clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis). Given the importance of overland dispersal for this species, we focus on terrestrial exertion capacity (time and distance jumped until exhaustion) and test whether it trades-off with aquatic burst performance capacity (maximum instantaneous velocity and acceleration), which is likely relevant in the context of predator escape and prey capture. Our data show that in both sexes, individuals with longer hindlimbs display higher endurance. Additionally, in females forelimb length was positively correlated with aquatic burst performance capacity and negatively to terrestrial exertion. Trade-offs between endurance and burst performance capacity were detected, but were significant in males only. Finally, males and females differ in morphology and performance. Our data suggest that trade-offs are not universal and may be driven by sex-dependent selection on locomotor capacity. Moreover our results suggest that locomotor trade-offs may result in sex-biased dispersal under selection for improved endurance capacity as is expected under habitat fragmentation scenarios.
Fuzzy Modeling of Service System Engagements
Authors: Badinelli Ralph D. 
Published: June 2012

This paper presents a conceptual model of client epistemology and decision making in service engagements through the use of fuzzy variables and fuzzy relations, and it proposes a fuzzy system as a general mechanism for service innovation. A fuzzy systems approach to modeling service processes is shown to be a robust way to represent the abductive, inductive, and deductive stages of service development. Motivating examples include, but are not limited to, service in education, consulting, healthcare, government services, knowledge-intensive business service, and online intelligent services. The paper's modeling framework is based on the view of agents as fuzzy controllers and fuzzy modelers. Fuzzy representations of variables represent vagueness through the mathematical representations of possibility and necessity instead of probability, and fuzzy relations capture incomplete specification of the relationships between the inputs and outputs of the processes of a service network. Cocreation of knowledge, with the specific intent of reducing client ambiguity and vagueness about a proposed service process, improves the cocreation of value by that process. This research responds to the challenge of endemic ambiguity and vagueness in the interactions of service clients and providers in a service system by providing robust and flexible models that can be applied to the design and management of service systems.
Rectal Bleeding and Hemostatic Disorders Induced by Dabigatran Etexilate in 2 Elderly Patients
Authors: Béné Johana , Saïd Worighi , Rannou Marianne , Deheul Sylvie , Coupe Patrick , Gautier Sophie 
Published: June 2012

OBJECTIVE: To report rectal bleeding associated with hemostatic disorders in 2 elderly patients treated with dabigatran etexilate. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old woman (weight, 69 kg) was hospitalized in a gastroenterology unit for severe rectal bleeding. She had been treated for 2 months with dabigatran etexilate 110 mg twice daily for chronic atrial fibrillation. On admission, her creatinine clearance (CrCl) was 20.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, prothrombin time (PT) less than 10% (reference range 70-130%), and international normalized ratio (INR) 14.5 (venous blood). Eleven days after admission, hematologic and renal function were normalized and rectal bleeding stopped. An 84-year-old man (weight, 71 kg) was admitted for rectal bleeding with acute renal failure and dehydration that began while he was treated with dabigatran etexilate 110 mg twice daily for atrial fibrillation. On admission, CrCl was 33.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, PT 13%, and INR 7.53 (venous blood). Dabigatran etexilate was stopped on admission. At the end of the hospitalization, CrCl was 66.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, PT 54%, and INR 1.53. In both cases, an objective causality assessment revealed that those adverse reactions were probably related to dabigatran etexilate. DISCUSSION: In these 2 cases of rectal bleeding during dabigatran etexilate therapy, coagulation monitoring showed elevated PT and INR; neither patient had been exposed to vitamin K antagonists. These cases indicate the importance of PT and INR monitoring when using dabigatran etexilate, mainly in patients with a high risk of overdose, such as elderly patients or those with renal function impairment. CONCLUSIONS: It is critical to identify and subsequently manage dabigatran etexilate toxicity because there is no specific antidote to reverse the drug's anticoagulant effects.
Thermodynamic Investigation of an Integrated Gasification Plant with Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Steam Cycles
Authors: Rokni Masoud 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA gasification plant is integrated on the top of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cycle, while a steam turbine (ST) cycle is used as a bottoming cycle for the SOFC plant. The gasification plant was fueled by woodchips to produce biogas and the SOFC stacks were fired with biogas. The produced gas was rather clean for feeding to the SOFC stacks after a simple cleaning step. Because all the fuel cannot be burned in the SOFC stacks, a burner was used to combust the remaining fuel. The off-gases from the burner were then used to produce steam for the bottoming steam cycle in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The steam cycle was modeled with a simple single pressure level. In addition, a hybrid recuperator was used to recover more energy from the HRSG and send it back to the SOFC cycle. Thus two different configurations were investigated to study the plants characteristic. Such system integration configurations are completely novel and have not been studied elsewhere. Plant efficiencies of 56% were achieved under normal operation which was considerably higher than the IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) in which a gasification plant is integrated with a gas turbine and a steam turbine. Furthermore, it is shown that under certain operating conditions, plant efficiency of about 62 is also possible to achieve.
Effects of polymeric matrix on accelerated UV weathering properties of wood-plastic composites
Authors: Lee Chia-Huang , Hung Ke-Chang , Chen Yong-Long , Wu Tung-Lin , Chien Yi-Chi , Wu Jyh-Horng 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The purpose of this work is to compare the weathering properties of different types of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE), recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE-I and rHDPE-II), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), recycled polypropylene (rPP), polystyrene (PS), and recycled polystyrene (rPS). The modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of all WPCs decreased with increasing exposure time of weathering. Of these, the rHDPE-II-based composite exhibited the highest MOR and MOE retention ratios after 2000 h of accelerated ultraviolet (UV) weathering, while the PS-based WPC had the lowest values. In addition, the carbonyl index difference (CID) of various WPCs increased significantly as a function of exposure time. Among them, the PS-based WPCs exhibited the most severe degradation due to photo-oxidation on the surface, while the degradation of PE-based WPCs was the mildest. These results are consistent with the change in the surface cracking and flexural properties of the composites. The PS-based WPCs also exhibited higher moisture diffusion coefficients. The mechanical behavior of WPCs after weathering is influenced by a combination of factors, such as surface oxidation, morphology changes, and moisture absorption.
Weathering Evaluation of Structural Silicone Sealants Used in Korea
Authors: Jung Jinyoung , Hahn Kendo , Lee Hyoungwook 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Super-tall buildings of over 100 stories are coming to Korea. To prove its economic prosperity, which was developed over the last 50 years after the Korean War, Korea is willing to have super-tall buildings as a symbol of its success. Locally, structural silicone glazing has become very common to achieve aesthetically pleasing and high utilization of small land for both residential and commercial building. Because there has been no industry-wide guideline or specification for structural silicone sealants in Korea, it is worthwhile to look at the performance of locally available structural silicone sealants. In this paper, several weathering techniques were adapted from various global industry standards. Artificial weathering using filtered xenon arc radiation was applied to specimens prepared in accordance with ASTM C1135. Comparative evaluations for temperature variations and salt spraying exposure were conducted as well. Silicones in general are known to have excellent resistance to such exposure. However, since the weathering performance of a sealant can be affected by its overall composition (not just the polymer type), some silicone products showed noticeable changes in our testing when compared to their initial properties.
Effect of parathyroidectomy on subclinical cardiovascular disease in mild primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Walker M D , Rundek T , Homma S , DiTullio M , Iwata S , Lee J A , Choi J , Liu R , Zhang C , McMahon D J , Sacco R L , Silverberg S J 
Published: June 2012

ObjectiveWe recently demonstrated that mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness, and increased aortic valve calcification. It is unclear whether parathyroidectomy (PTX) improves these abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiovascular abnormalities in PHPT improve with PTX.DesignForty-four patients with PHPT were studied using carotid ultrasound and transthoracic echocardiography before and after PTX. Carotid IMT, carotid plaque and stiffness, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), myocardial and valvular calcification, and diastolic function were measured before, 1- and 2-year post-PTX.ResultsTwo years after PTX, increased carotid stiffness tended to decline to the normal range (17%, P=0.056) while elevated carotid IMT did not improve. Carotid plaque number and thickness, LVMI and cardiac calcifications did not change after PTX, while some measures of diastolic function (isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and tissue Doppler peak early diastolic velocity) worsened within the normal range. Indices did improve in patients with cardiovascular abnormalities at baseline. Increased carotid stiffness improved by 28% (P=0.004), a decline likely to be of clinical significance. More limited improvements also occurred in elevated IMT (3%, P=0.017) and abnormal IVRT (13%, P<0.05), a measure of diastolic dysfunction.ConclusionsIn mild PHPT, PTX led to modest changes in some cardiovascular indices. Improvements were mainly evident in those with preexisting cardiovascular abnormalities, particularly elevated carotid stiffness. These findings are reassuring with regard to current international guidelines that do not include cardiovascular disease as a criterion for PTX.
Comparison of a soluble co-formulation of insulin degludec/insulin aspart vs biphasic insulin aspart 30 in type 2 diabetes: a randomised trial
Authors: Niskanen Leo , Leiter Lawrence A , Franek Edward , Weng Jianping , Damci Taner , Muñoz-Torres Manuel , Donnet Jean-Paul , Endahl Lars , Skjøth Trine Vang , Vaag Allan 
Published: June 2012

ObjectiveInsulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a soluble co-formulation of insulin degludec (70%) and insulin aspart (IAsp: 30%). Here, we compare the efficacy and safety of IDegAsp, an alternative IDegAsp formulation (AF: containing 45% IAsp), and biphasic IAsp 30 (BIAsp 30).DesignSixteen-week, open-label, randomised, treat-to-target trial.MethodsInsulin-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes (18–75 years) and a HbA1c of 7–11% were randomised to twice-daily IDegAsp (n=61), AF (n=59) or BIAsp 30 (n=62), all in combination with metformin. Insulin was administered pre-breakfast and dinner (main evening meal) and titrated to pre-breakfast and pre-dinner plasma glucose (PG) targets of 4.0–6.0 mmol/l.ResultsMean HbA1c after 16 weeks was comparable for IDegAsp, AF and BIAsp 30 (6.7, 6.6 and 6.7% respectively). With IDegAsp, 67% of subjects achieved HbA1c <7.0% without confirmed hypoglycaemia in the last 4 weeks of treatment compared with 53% (AF) and 40% (BIAsp 30). Mean fasting PG was significantly lower for IDegAsp vs BIAsp 30 (treatment difference (TD): −0.99 mmol/l (95% confidence interval: −1.68; 0.29)) and AF vs BIAsp 30 (TD: −0.88 mmol/l (−1.58; −0.18)). A significant, 58% lower rate of confirmed hypoglycaemia was found for IDegAsp vs BIAsp 30 (rate ratio (RR): 0.42 (0.23; 0.75)); rates were similar for AF vs BIAsp 30 (RR: 0.92 (0.54; 1.57)). IDegAsp and AF had numerically lower rates of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia vs BIAsp 30 (RR: 0.33 (0.09; 1.14) and 0.66 (0.22; 1.93) respectively).ConclusionsIDegAsp provided comparable overall glycaemic control to BIAsp 30 with a significantly lower rate of hypoglycaemia.