bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Greatest Gift? Happiness, Governance and Psychology
Authors: Cromby John 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBoth in the UK and internationally, governments are setting out to measure well‐being, life satisfaction and happiness. Whilst this might seem to offer opportunities for psychology, their chosen method – self‐report questionnaires – is problematic. Happiness questionnaires are troubled by problems of definition, introspection, memory and insight; their population‐level summation is grossly inaccurate as a representation of everyday emotional experience; and both their reliability and their validity might be better accounted for as products of their ability to model, rather than to measure, psychological processes. Psychology therefore runs the risk of discrediting itself if it becomes too closely associated with these initiatives.
French Studies: Nouvelles de la république des lettres
Authors: SETH CATRIONA 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis essay sketches the state of French studies from contemporary fiction rooted in eighteenth‐century texts to born digital editions, looking at the changing shape of the literary canon, trends in publishing, the importance of anniversaries in galvanising research on specific authors or books, the part played by curricula, and the language in which French texts are taught to non‐native‐speakers. It observes an insufficient circulation of secondary literature and notes a gradual shift towards enhancing the role of eighteenth‐century authors long considered secondary, drawing on interdisciplinary approaches and taking into account a less linear narrative of the period.
British History: The Exploding Galaxy1
Authors: CORFIELD PENELOPE J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe exploding galaxy of publications on eighteenth‐century British history is dazzling but distinctly diffuse, with thousands of relevant studies appearing annually. Three main trends are highlighted here. One is the multiplication of specialist research fields, from political history to the recent boom field of cultural history. A second trend is the magnificent enrichment of resources via the digitisation of individual‐level documentation, in which eighteenth‐century history is a noted pioneer. The third trend is the continuing quest to establish or re‐establish the big picture, putting the British eighteenth century into long‐term global narratives, stretching well before 1700 and beyond 1800.
The Muslim World: Recent Scholarship on the Ottoman Middle East
Authors: AKSAN VIRGINIA H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractStudy of the Ottoman empire has flourished in the past two decades. Reaching beyond the imperial centre, new work probes the problem of living in far‐flung peripheries and what it meant to negotiate religious and ethnic differences in times of upheaval and change. With a remarkable array of languages and grasp of the complexity of early modern societies, young scholars are exploring not just the representation and practice of Ottoman sovereignty and the response of elites but also the experience of the frontier, and survival strategies of slaves, prisoners of wars, converts and captives.
Modeling wildlife and other trade‐offs with biofuel crop production
Authors: Stoms David M. , Davis Frank W. , Jenner Mark W. , Nogeire Theresa M. , Kaffka Stephen R. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBiofuels from agricultural sources are an important part ofCalifornia's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil. Land conversion for agricultural and urban uses has already imperiled many animal species in the state. This study investigated the potential impacts on wildlife of shifts in agricultural activity to increase biomass production for transportation fuels. We applied knowledge of the suitability ofCalifornia's agricultural landscapes for wildlife species to evaluate wildlife effects associated with plausible scenarios of expanded production of three potential biofuel crops (sugar beets, bermudagrass, and canola). We also generated alternative, spatially explicit scenarios that minimized loss of habitat for the same level of biofuel production. We explored trade‐offs to compare the marginal changes per unit of energy for transportation costs, wildlife, land and water‐use, and total energy produced, and found that all five factors were influenced by crop choice. Sugar beet scenarios require the least land area: 3.5 times less land per liter of gasoline equivalent than bermudagrass and five times less than canola. Canola scenarios had the largest impacts on wildlife but the greatest reduction in water use. Bermudagrass scenarios resulted in a slight overall improvement for wildlife over the current situation. Relatively minor redistribution of lands converted to biofuel crops could produce the same energy yield with much less impact on wildlife and very small increases in transportation costs. This framework provides a means to systematically evaluate potential wildlife impacts of alternative production scenarios and could be a useful complement to other frameworks that assess impacts on ecosystem services and greenhouse gas emissions.
Cutinolytic esterase activity of bacteria isolated from mixed-plant compost and characterization of a cutinase gene fromPseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes
Authors: Inglis G.D. , Yanke L.J. , Selinger L.B. 
Published: November 2011

The objective of the current study was to examine cutinolytic esterase (i.e., cutinase) activity by pseudomonads and bacteria isolated from mixed-plant compost. Approximately 400 isolates representing 52 taxa recovered from mixed-plant compost using cuticle baits, along with 117 pseudomonad isolates obtained from a culture collection (i.e., non-compost habitats), were evaluated. The ability of isolates to degrade the synthetic cutin polycaprolactone (PCL) was initially measured. Isolates from 23 taxa recovered from the compost degraded PCL. As well, isolates from 13 taxa of pseudomonads cleared PCL. Secondary screening measured esterase activity induced by the presence of apple cuticle using the chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Eighteen isolates representing four taxa ( Alcaligenes faecalis , Bacillus licheniformis , Bacillus pumilus , and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes ) recovered from compost exhibited substantial esterase activity when grown with cuticle. In contrast, none of the pseudomonad isolates from the culture collection produced appreciable esterase activity. Although degradation of PCL was not correlated with esterase activity, isolates that were unable to degrade PCL failed to produce measureable esterase activities. Zymogram analysis indicated that the esterases produced by bacteria from compost ranged in size from 29 to 47 kDa. A gene from P. pseudoalcaligenes (cutA) was found to code for a cutin-induced esterase consisting of 302 amino acids and a theoretical protein size of 32 kDa. The enzyme was unique and was most closely related to other bacterial lipases (≤48% similarity).
Development of a SCAR marker for detection ofBipolaris sorokinianacausing spot blotch of wheat
Authors: Aggarwal R. , Gupta S. , Banerjee S. , Singh V.B. 
Published: November 2011

Spot blotch of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is an important disease of wheat, especially in slightly warm (25 ± 1 °C) and humid weather conditions. A quick and reliable PCR-based diagnostic assay has been developed to detect B. sorokiniana using a pathogen-specific marker derived from genomic DNA. A PCR-amplified band of 650 bp obtained in B. sorokiniana isolates using universal rice primer (URP 1F) was cloned in pGEMT easy vector and sequenced. Based on sequences, six primers were designed, out of which a primer pair RABSF1 (GGTCCGAGACAACCAACAA) and RABSR2 (AAAGAAAGCGGTCGACGTAA) amplified a sequence of 600 bp in B. sorokiniana isolates. The specificity of the marker when tested against 40 isolates of B. sorokiniana, seven isolates of other species of Bipolaris, and 27 isolates of other pathogens infecting wheat and other crops showed a specific band of 600 bp only in B. sorokiniana. The detection limit was 50 pg of genomic DNA. The marker could detect the pathogen in soil and wheat leaves at presymptomatic stage. This sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker designated as SCRABS600could clearly distinguish B. sorokiniana from other fungal plant pathogens, including Bipolaris spp. The utilization of this diagnostic PCR assay in analysis of field soil and wheat leaves will play a key role in effective management of the disease.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) management in palliative care units and hospices in Germany: A nationwide survey on patient isolation policies and quality of life
Authors: Bükki Johannes , Klein Jennifer , But Ludmilla , Montag Thomas , Wenchel Hans Martin , Voltz Raymond , Ostgathe Christoph 
Published: November 2011

Background: For palliative care settings, little is known about the benefits of specific methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus containment regimens and the burdens patient isolation imposes on affected patients, their families, and professional caregivers. Aim: To explore the current practice of MRSA management and its impact on inpatients’ quality of life as perceived by professional caregivers. Design: Survey of inpatient palliative care institutions using 23-item questionnaires (infrastructural data: six items, management process: 14, clinical significance: three). Setting/participants: All palliative care units (179) and hospices (181) listed in Germany’s directory of palliative care services. The χ2 test was used to test for differences; significance level: p ≤ 0.05. Results: 229 of 360 questionnaires were returned. More than 90% of the responding institutions employed specific MRSA protocols. Lack of resources was a more important issue for palliative care units than for hospices regarding availability of single rooms ( p = 0.002) and staffing ( p = 0.004). Compared to hospices, palliative care units more frequently isolated MRSA patients ( p = 0.000), actively treated colonization ( p = 0.026), assessed the efficacy of eradication ( p = 0.000), provided information on MRSA management to patients ( p = 0.014) and relatives ( p = 0.001), more often restricted patients’ activities ( p = 0.000), and reported a negative impact on quality of life ( p = 0.000). Conclusions: Rigorously applied MRSA protocols impose significant burdens at the end of life. Research on clinical outcomes including quality of life may identify interventions of questionable benefit. The issue of handling MRSA should be studied as a model for the management of other highly complex conditions and special needs such as patient isolation.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in the Sports Knee
Authors: Dave Lee Yee Han , Nyland John , McKee Paul B. , Caborn David N. M. 
Published: November 2011

Background: The relationship between biological tissue healing following knee injury or surgery and long-term clinical outcome has come to the forefront of sports medicine practice. This has led many knee surgeons to incorporate biologically mediated healing factors into the management of knee injuries. In particular, the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells has opened new horizons. Evidence Acquisition: Relevant studies were identified through a search of PubMed from January 2000 to April 2011, combining the term mesenchymal stem cells with articular cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament, and meniscus. Relevant citations from the reference lists of selected studies were also reviewed. Results: Knee injury treatment with mesenchymal stem cells shows potential. Most reports represent animal model studies; few advances have been translated to human clinical applications. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cell use to promote healing following knee injury is likely to increase. There are scientific methodological concerns and ethical and legal issues regarding mesenchymal stem cell use for treating knee injuries.
Identification and characterization of PhbF: A DNA binding protein with regulatory role in the PHB metabolism of Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1
Authors: Kadowaki Marco AS , Müller-Santos Marcelo , Rego Fabiane GM , Souza Emanuel M , Yates Marshall G , Monteiro Rose A , Pedrosa Fabio O , Chubatsu Leda S , Steffens Maria BR 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundHerbaspirillum seropedicaeSmR1 is a nitrogen fixing endophyte associated with important agricultural crops. It produces polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) which is stored intracellularly as granules. However, PHB metabolism and regulatory control is not yet well studied in this organism.ResultsIn this work we describe the characterization of the PhbF protein fromH. seropedicaeSmR1 which was purified and characterized after expression inE. coli. The purified PhbF protein was able to bind to eleven putative promoters of genes involved in PHB metabolism inH. seropedicaeSmR1.In silicoanalyses indicated a probable DNA-binding sequence which was shown to be protected in DNA footprinting assays using purified PhbF. Analyses usinglacZfusions showed that PhbF can act as a repressor protein controlling the expression of PHB metabolism-related genes.ConclusionsOur results indicate thatH. seropedicaeSmR1 PhbF regulates expression ofphb-related genes by acting as a transcriptional repressor. The knowledge of the PHB metabolism of this plant-associated bacterium may contribute to the understanding of the plant-colonizing process and the organism's resistance and survivalin planta.
MicroRNA profiling of diverse endothelial cell types
Authors: McCall Matthew N , Kent Oliver A , Yu Jianshi , Fox-Talbot Karen , Zaiman Ari L , Halushka Marc K 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs are ~22-nt long regulatory RNAs that serve as critical modulators of post-transcriptional gene regulation. The diversity of miRNAs in endothelial cells (ECs) and the relationship of this diversity to epithelial and hematologic cells is unknown. We investigated the baseline miRNA signature of human ECs cultured from the aorta (HAEC), coronary artery (HCEC), umbilical vein (HUVEC), pulmonary artery (HPAEC), pulmonary microvasculature (HPMVEC), dermal microvasculature (HDMVEC), and brain microvasculature (HBMVEC) to understand the diversity of miRNA expression in ECs.ResultsWe identified 166 expressed miRNAs, of which 3 miRNAs (miR-99b, miR-20b and let-7b) differed significantly between EC types and predicted EC clustering. We confirmed the significance of these miRNAs by RT-PCR analysis and in a second data set by Sylamer analysis. We found wide diversity of miRNAs between endothelial, epithelial and hematologic cells with 99 miRNAs shared across cell types and 31 miRNAs unique to ECs. We show polycistronic miRNA chromosomal clusters have common expression levels within a given cell type.ConclusionsEC miRNA expression levels are generally consistent across EC types. Three microRNAs were variable within the dataset indicating potential regulatory changes that could impact on EC phenotypic differences. MiRNA expression in endothelial, epithelial and hematologic cells differentiate these cell types. This data establishes a valuable resource characterizing the diverse miRNA signature of ECs.
Effects of rehydration nutrients on H2S metabolism and formation of volatile sulfur compounds by the wine yeast VL3
Authors: Winter Gal , Henschke Paul A , Higgins Vincent J , Ugliano Maurizio , Curtin Chris D 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn winemaking, nutrient supplementation is a common practice for optimising fermentation and producing quality wine. Nutritionally suboptimal grape juices are often enriched with nutrients in order to manipulate the production of yeast aroma compounds. Nutrients are also added to active dry yeast (ADY) rehydration media to enhance subsequent fermentation performance. In this study we demonstrate that nutrient supplementation at rehydration also has a significant effect on the formation of volatile sulfur compounds during wine fermentations. The concentration of the 'fruity' aroma compounds, the polyfunctional thiols 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), was increased while the concentration of the 'rotten egg' aroma compound, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), was decreased. Nutrient supplementation of the rehydration media also changed the kinetics of H2S production during fermentation by advancing onset of H2S production. Microarray analysis revealed that this was not due to expression changes within the sulfate assimilation pathway, which is known to be a major contributor to H2S production. To gain insight into possible mechanisms responsible for this effect, a component of the rehydration nutrient mix, the tri-peptide glutathione (GSH) was added at rehydration and studied for its subsequent effects on H2S formation. GSH was found to be taken up during rehydration and to act as a source for H2S during the following fermentation. These findings represent a potential approach for managing sulfur aroma production through the use of rehydration nutrients.
The ‘gender gap’ in authorship in nursing literature
Authors: Shields Linda , Hall Jenny , Mamun Abdulla A 
Published: November 2011

Objectives Gender bias has been found in medical literature, with more men than women as first or senior authors of papers, despite about half of doctors being women. Nursing is about 90% female, so we aimed to determine if similar biases exist in nursing literature. Design Taking the eight non-specialist nursing journals with the highest impact factors for that profession, we counted the numbers of men and women first authors over 30 years. Setting We used nursing journals from around the world which attract the highest impact factors for nursing publication. Participants Eight journals qualified for entry, three from the United Kingdom, four from the United States of America, and one from Australia. Main outcome measures Using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests, we determined differences between the numbers of men and women across all the journals, between countries (USA, UK and Australia), changes over the 30 years, and changes within journals over time. Results Despite the small proportion of men in the nursing workforce, up to 30% of first authors were men. UK journals were more likely to have male authors than USA journals, and this increased over time. USA journals had proportions of male first authors consistent with the male proportion of its nursing workforce. Conclusions In the UK (though not in the USA) gender bias in nursing publishing exists, even though the nursing workforce is strongly feminized. This warrants further research, but is likely to be due to the same reasons for the gender gap in medical publishing; that is, female nurses take time out to have families, and social and family responsibilities prevent them taking opportunities for career progression, whereas men's careers often are not affected in such ways.
Hemoglobin Variability with Epoetin Beta and Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Selby Nicholas M. , Fonseca Sally A. , Fluck Richard J. , Taal Maarten W. 
Published: November 2011

♦ Background and Objectives The extent to which hemoglobin (Hb) cycling occurs in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is unclear. It is also uncertain whether different types of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) affect such cycling. We performed a retrospective cohort study of our PD population before and after the entire program was switched from epoetin beta (NeoRecormon: Hoffman–LaRoche, Basel, Switzerland) to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator [CERA (Mircera: Hoffman–LaRoche)]. ♦ Design, Setting, Participants, and Measurements The study included 79 patients receiving PD for end-stage renal failure and being treated with an ESA. Hemoglobin concentrations were measured monthly, and each study period ran for 12 months. Patient demographics and details of intercurrent illness and hospital admission were collected. ♦Results There was a trend to fewer patients on CERA (26 patients, 68.4%) than on epoetin beta (36 patients, 87.8%, p = 0.054) experiencing Hb excursions. The CERA group also required fewer dose changes. However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients experiencing complete Hb cycles. On logistic regression, the factors associated with Hb cycling were ESA dose increase or decrease and hospital admission. We also observed a positive correlation between the delta ESA dose and the amplitude of Hb excursion, suggesting that the dose changes were causal, rather than reactive. ♦Conclusions Hemoglobin cycling occurs in PD patients and is largely a consequence of current practice in ESA dosing, plus the effects of intercurrent illness. The longer half life of CERA may offer a small advantage in reducing the degree of Hb variability, possibly because of fewer dose changes per patient.
Prevalence and Predisposing Factors of Atrial Fibrillation in a Multi-Ethnic Society: The Impact of Racial Differences in Bahrain
Authors: Garadah Taysir , Gabani Saleh , Alawi Mohamed Al , Abu-Taleb Ahmed 
Published: November 2011

Background The prevalence and epidemiological data of atrial fibrillation (AF) among multi-ethnic populations is less well studied worldwide. Aim Evaluation of the prevalence and predisposing factors of AF in patients who were admitted to acute medical emergencies (ER) in Bahrain over the period of one year. Methods Two hundred and fifty three patients with onset of AF were studied. The mean difference of biochemical data and clinical characteristics between Middle Eastern (ME) and sub continental (SC) patients was evaluated. The odds ratio of different predisposing factors for the development of clinical events in AF patients was assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Out of 7,450 patients that were admitted to ER over one year, 253 had AF based on twelve leads Electrocardiogram (ECG), with prevalence of 3.4%. In the whole study, the mean age was 59.45 ± 18.27 years, with 164 (65%) male. There were 150 ME patients (59%), and 107 (41%) SC, 55 (22%) were Indian (IND) and 48 (19%) were South Asian (SA). In the whole study clinical presentation was of 48% for palpitation, pulmonary edema was of 14%, angina pectoris on rest of 12%, 10% had embolic phenomena, 6% had dizziness, and 7% were asymptomatic. The odds ratio of different variables for occurrence of clinical events in the study was positive of 2.2 for history of hypertension, 1.8 for sickle cell disease, 1.2 for high body mass index (BMI) >30, 1.1 for mitral valve disease. The ME patients, compared with SC, were older, had significantly higher body mass index, higher history of rheumatic valve disease, sickle cell disease with high level of uric acid and lower hemoglobin. The history of hypertension, DM and smoking was higher among the SC patients. The rate of thyroid disease was equal in both groups. Conclusion The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 3.4% with male predominance of 65%. Patients of sub continental origin were younger with a significantly high history of hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The patients of Middle Eastern origin had significantly high rate of rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease. The history of hypertension was the most important independent clinical predictor of adverse events in patients presented with AF.