bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International Expansion — A United Kingdom Perspective: A Discussion Paper
Authors: Grenham D.J. , Chakraborty D.C. , Chatterjee A. , Daelman P.J. , Heistermann B. , Hogg L. , Mungall J.R. , Porteous B.T. , Richards S.J. , Shum M.C. , Taylor J. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper looks at the reasons why a UK life insurance company would wish to consider expanding into an overseas market, the factors it ought to bear in mind when deciding upon which country or countries to enter and the entry routes open to a company wishing to expand overseas.By way of examples of overseas life insurance markets, the paper provides a detailed description of the German and Indian life insurance markets.
Impact of folic acid fortification of flour on neural tube defects: a systematic review
Authors: Castillo-Lancellotti Cecilia , Tur Josep A , Uauy Ricardo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo review the impact of folic acid fortification of flour on the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD).DesignSystematic review of the literature on MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, OvidSP and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) reporting the impact of folic acid fortification of flour on the prevalence of NTD in 2000–2011. Focusing on Santiago of Chile's birth defects registry (1999–2009) and the monitoring of flour fortification, we analysed the prevalence (NTD cases/10 000 births) pre and post flour fortification and the percentile distribution of folic acid content in flour (2005–2009). We explored the potential association between median folic acid in flour (mg/kg) and the prevalence of NTD.SettingChile, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Iran, Jordan, South Africa and the USA.SubjectsLive births and stillbirths.ResultsTwenty-seven studies that met inclusion criteria were evaluated. Costa Rica showed a significant reduction in NTD (∼60 %). Prevalence in Chile decreased from 18·6 to 7·3/10 000 births from 1999 to 2007 and showed a slight increase to 8·5 in 2008–2009, possibly due to changes in fortification limits. When we related the prevalence of NTD with levels of flour fortification, the lowest prevalence was observed at a folic acid level of 1·5 mg/kg.ConclusionsFortification of flour with folic acid has had a major impact on NTD in all countries where this has been reported. Chile showed a 55 % reduction in NTD prevalence between 1999 and 2009. There is a need to constantly monitor the levels of flour fortification to maximize benefits and prevent the potential risk of folic acid excess, moreover to be vigilant for any new adverse effects associated with excess.
Survey of nutrition knowledge of physicians in Kuwait
Authors: Allafi Ahmad R , Alajmi Fahhad , Al-Haifi Ahmad 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to determine whether nutrition knowledge differs between male and female physicians working in Kuwait City, Kuwait.DesignThe study employed a cross-sectional analysis of physician's nutrition knowledge by using a sixteen-item multiple-choice questionnaire.SettingGovernmental hospitals in Kuwait City, Kuwait.SubjectsOne hundred Kuwaiti physicians (fifty males; fifty females) working in Kuwait City, Kuwait.ResultsA response rate of 73 % was achieved (forty males; thirty-three females). The mean percentage of correctly answered questions was 60 %. The male and female physicians averaged 56 % and 65 % of correct responses, respectively (P= 0·042). However, only for two questions did male and female physicians’ scores differ significantly (P< 0·05). The two age groups (<40 years; ≥40 years) had equal mean total correct scores (60 %,P= 0·935). Physicians’ knowledge was greatest for topics that have received a great deal of media coverage in Kuwait. Most (70 %) of the physicians described their nutrition knowledge as ‘moderate’.ConclusionsPhysicians in Kuwait gave inaccurate information regarding common problems in Kuwaitis such as obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis. In view of the public's perception of the role of the physician in providing nutrition advice, it is imperative that nutrition and diet training be part of continuing medical education to bridge these deficiencies in physicians’ knowledge.
Changing the Base: Legal Implications of Scientific Criteria and Methodological Standards on what Constitutes Good Marine Environmental Status
Authors: Markus Till 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe Decision on Criteria and Methodological Standards on Good Environmental Status of Marine Waters provides the conceptual framework for the assessment and valuation of the marine waters of EU Member States. In particular, it provides concepts for defining what constitutes good marine environmental status – a status which Member States are obligated to achieve by the year 2020 under the 2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This article aims to elucidate the epistemic and normative dimensions of scientific criteria and methodological standards, as well as their importance in the legal treatment of the marine environment of the EU. The article also assesses how and to what extent the transnational process leading up to the Decision was structured, surveying existing ideas and perspectives as to what exactly constitutes good environmental status, and examining whether the structure of the Decision ensures that those affected by it would want to accept it.
Shifting balance of thermokarst lake ice regimes across the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska
Authors: Arp C. D. , Jones B. M. , Lu Z. , Whitman M. S. 
Published: July 2012

The balance of thermokarst lakes with bedfast‐ and floating‐ice regimes across Arctic lowlands regulates heat storage, permafrost thaw, winter‐water supply, and over‐wintering aquatic habitat. Using a time‐series of late‐winter synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to distinguish lake ice regimes in two regions of the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska from 2003–2011, we found that 18% of the lakes had intermittent ice regimes, varying between bedfast‐ice and floating‐ice conditions. Comparing this dataset with a radar‐based lake classification from 1980 showed that 16% of the bedfast‐ice lakes had shifted to floating‐ice regimes. A simulated lake ice thinning trend of 1.5 cm/yr since 1978 is believed to be the primary factor driving this form of lake change. The most profound impacts of this regime shift in Arctic lakes may be an increase in the landscape‐scale thermal offset created by additional lake heat storage and its role in talik development in otherwise continuous permafrost as well as increases in over‐winter aquatic habitat and winter‐water supply.
Pc2 EMIC waves generated high off the equator in the dayside outer magnetosphere
Authors: Liu Y. H. , Fraser B. J. , Menk F. W. 
Published: July 2012

It is generally accepted that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are generated around the equatorial regions and propagate toward the high latitude ionospheres in both hemispheres. Here we describe a prolonged EMIC wave event in the Pc2 (0.1–0.2 Hz) frequency band above the He+ cyclotron frequency detected by the four Cluster satellites as they traversed sunward from L∼ 13 in the outer magnetosphere to the magnetopause, over 13°–20° magnetic latitude north of the equator and across the high latitude cusp region near local magnetic noon. Wave packet energy propagated dominantly along the geomagnetic field direction, confirming this was a traveling EMIC wave rather than a toroidal field line resonance. The energy packets propagated in alternating directions rather than uni‐directionally from the equator, implying the wave source was located in a high latitude region away from the equator, where a minimum in the B field is located. The CIS‐CODIF H+ion data provided evidence that the waves were generated locally via the ion cyclotron instability. We believe the off‐equatorial minimum magnetic field regions may be important source regions for these waves in the outer magnetosphere.
A coral‐based reconstruction of sea surface salinity at Sabine Bank, Vanuatu from 1842 to 2007 CE
Authors: Gorman Meaghan K. , Quinn Terrence M. , Taylor Frederick W. , Partin Judson W. , Cabioch Guy , Austin James A. , Pelletier Bernard , Ballu Valérie , Maes Christophe , Saustrup Steffen 
Published: July 2012

Climate variability associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) results in large sea‐surface temperature (SST) and sea‐surface salinity (SSS) anomalies in many regions of the tropical Pacific Ocean. We investigate interannual changes in SSS driven by ENSO in the southwestern Pacific at Sabine Bank, Vanuatu (SBV, 166.04°E, 15.94°S) using monthly variations in coralδ18O from 1842 to 2007 CE. We develop and apply a coral δ18O‐SSS transfer function, which is assessed using a calibration‐verification exercise (1970–2007 CE). The 165‐year reconstructed SSS record contains a prominent trend toward freshening from 1842 to 2007 CE; mean SSS for 1842–1872 CE is 35.46 ± 0.28 psu, which contrasts with a mean value of 34.85 ± 0.31 psu for 1977–2007 CE, with a freshening trend during the latter part of the 20th century that is not unprecedented with respect to the overall record. Variance in the record is concentrated in the interannual (42%) and interdecadal (29%) bands. The SBV‐SSS record matches well with a similarly reconstructed SSS time series at Malo Channel, Vanuatu, which is located ∼120 km to the east of SBV. This regional signal is likely driven by ENSO‐related changes in the SPCZ and interdecadal changes in surface water advection. The pattern of interdecadal variability at SBV agrees reasonably well with coral records of interdecadal variability from Fiji and Tonga, especially in the pre‐1940 portions of the records, further evidence for the regional extent of the salinity signal at Sabine Bank, Vanuatu.
Impact of restriction of the Atlantic‐Mediterranean gateway on the Mediterranean Outflow Water and eastern Atlantic circulation during the Messinian
Authors: Pérez‐Asensio J. N. , Aguirre J. , Schmiedl G. , Civis J. 
Published: July 2012

Messinian foraminiferal stable oxygen and carbon isotopes of the Montemayor‐1 core (Guadalquivir Basin, SW Spain) have been investigated. This record is exceptional to study the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) impact on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and global climate during the Messinian because the core is near the Guadalhorce Corridor, the last Betic gateway to be closed during the early Messinian. Our results allow dating accurately its closure at 6.18 Ma. Constant benthicδ18O values, high difference between benthic and planktonicδ18O, and low sedimentation rates before 6.18 Ma indicate the presence of a two‐layer water column, with bottom winnowing due to an enhanced Mediterranean outflow current. The enhanced contribution of dense MOW to the North Atlantic Ocean likely fostered the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). After 6.18 Ma, benthicδ18O values parallel that of the global glacioeustatic curve, the difference between benthic and planktonicδ18O is low, and sedimentation rates considerably increased. This indicates a good vertical mixing of the water column, interruption of the MOW, and a dominant glacioeustatic control on the isotopic signatures. According to the role of MOW in the modern Atlantic thermohaline circulation, the reduction of the MOW after the closure of the Guadalhorce Corridor might have resulted in a decreased NADW formation rate between 6.0 and 5.5 Ma weakening the AMOC and promoting northern hemisphere cooling. After the Gibraltar Strait opening, the restoration of the MOW and related salt export from the Mediterranean could have promoted an enhanced NADW formation.
Nucleic acid scavengers inhibit thrombosis without increasing bleeding
Authors: Jain Shashank , Pitoc George A. , Holl Eda K. , Zhang Ying , Borst Luke , Leong Kam W. , Lee Jaewoo , Sullenger Bruce A. 
Published: July 2012

Development of effective, yet safe, antithrombotic agents has been challenging because such agents increase the propensity of patients to bleed. Recently, naturally occurring polyphosphates such as extracellular DNA, RNA, and inorganic polyphosphates have been shown to activate blood coagulation. In this report, we evaluate the anticoagulant and antithrombotic activity of nucleic acid-binding polymers in vitro and in vivo. Such polymers bind to DNA, RNA, and inorganic polyphosphate molecules with high affinity and inhibit RNA- and polyphosphate-induced clotting and the activation of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in vitro. Moreover, [NH
2
(CH
2
)
2
NH
2
]∶(G = 3);dendri PAMAM(NH
2
)
32
(PAMAM G-3) prevents thrombosis following carotid artery injury and pulmonary thromboembolism in mice without significantly increasing blood loss from surgically challenged animals. These studies indicate that nucleic acid-binding polymers are able to scavenge effectively prothrombotic nucleic acids and other polyphosphates in vivo and represent a new and potentially safer class of antithrombotic agents.
Ionized metal flux fraction measurements in HiPIMS discharges
Authors: Poolcharuansin P , Bowes M , Petty T J , Bradley J W 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Using a biased quartz crystal microbalance in combination with a gridded electrode, the ionized metal flux fraction in a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge operated with a titanium target has been investigated. The average discharge power was controlled by varying three different parameters; initial target voltage, pulse width and pulse frequency. The average discharge power was varied from 0.3 to 1.3 kW and irrespective of the power control method used an associated decrease in the flux fraction (from 50% to 30%) was observed. The mechanisms responsible for this decrease in the time-averaged flux fraction of metal ions are discussed.
PRAT4A-dependent expression of cell surface TLR5 on neutrophils, classical monocytes and dendritic cells
Authors: Shibata Takuma , Takemura Naoki , Motoi Yuji , Goto Yoshiyuki , Karuppuchamy Thangaraj , Izawa Kumi , Li Xiaobing , Akashi-Takamura Sachiko , Tanimura Natsuko , Kunisawa Jun , Kiyono Hiroshi , Akira Shizuo , Kitamura Toshio , Kitaura Jiro , Uematsu Satoshi , Miyake Kensuke 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
AbstractToll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), a sensor for bacterial flagellin, mounts innate and adaptive immune responses, and has been implicated in infectious diseases, colitis and metabolic syndromes. Although TLR5 is believed to belong to cell surface TLRs, cell surface expression has never been verified. Moreover, it has remained unclear which types of immune cells express TLR5 and contribute to flagellin-dependent responses. In this study we established an anti-mouse TLR5 monoclonal antibody and studied the cell surface expression of TLR5 on immune cells. The macrophage cell line J774 expressed endogenous TLR5 on the cell surface and produced IL-6 and G-CSF in response to flagellin. Cell surface expression of TLR5 and flagellin-induced responses were completely abolished by silencing a TLR-specific chaperone protein associated with TLR4 A (PRAT4A), demonstrating that TLR5 is another client of PRAT4A. In the in vivo immune cells, cell surface TLR5 was mainly found on neutrophils and CD11bhiLy6Chiclassical monocytes in the bone marrow, circulation, spleen and inflammatory lesions. Ly6Chiclassical monocytes, but not neutrophils, produced cytokines in response to flagellin. Splenic CD8−CD4+conventional dendritic cells and CD11chiCD11bhilamina propria DCs, also clearly expressed cell surface TLR5. Collectively, cell surface expression of TLR5 is dependent on PRAT4A and restricted to neutrophils, classical monocytes and specific DC subsets.
Fast Isogenic Mapping-by-Sequencing of Ethyl Methanesulfonate-Induced Mutant Bulks
Authors: Hartwig Benjamin , James Geo Velikkakam , Konrad Kathryn , Schneeberger Korbinian , Turck Franziska 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMapping-by-sequencing (or SHOREmapping) has revitalized the powerful concept of forward genetic screens in plants. However, as in conventional genetic mapping approaches, mapping-by-sequencing requires phenotyping of mapping populations established from crosses between two diverged accessions. In addition to the segregation of the focal phenotype, this introduces natural phenotypic variation, which can interfere with the recognition of quantitative phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate how mapping-by-sequencing and candidate gene identification can be performed within the same genetic background using only mutagen-induced changes as segregating markers. Using a previously unknown suppressor of mutants of like heterochromatin protein1 (lhp1), which in its functional form is involved in chromatin-mediated gene repression, we identified three closely linked ethyl methanesulfonate-induced changes as putative candidates. In order to assess allele frequency differences between such closely linked mutations, we introduced deep candidate resequencing using the new Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine sequencing platform to our mutant identification pipeline and thereby reduced the number of causal candidate mutations to only one. Genetic analysis of two independent additional alleles confirmed that this mutation was causal for the suppression of lhp1.
The efficacy of parecoxib on systemic inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery
Authors: Wu Qingping , Purusram Gunsham , Wang Huiqing , Yuan Ruixia , Xie Wanli , Gui Ping , Dong Nianguo , Yao Shanglong 
Published: July 2012

AimsCardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery is well known to be associated with the development of a systemic inflammatory response. The efficacy of parecoxib in attenuating this systemic inflammatory response is still unknown.MethodsPatients undergoing elective mitral valve replacement with CPB were assessed, enrolled and randomly allocated to receive parecoxib (80 mg) or placebo. Blood samples were collected in EDTA vials for measuring serum cytokine concentrations, troponin T, creatinekinase myocardial‐brain isoenzyme CK‐MB concentrations and white cell counts.ResultsCompared with the control group, IL‐6 and IL‐8‐values in the parecoxib group increased to a lesser extent, peaking at 2 h after the end of CPB (IL‐6 31.8 pg ml−1 ± 4.7 vs. 77.0 pg ml−1 ± 14.1, 95% CI −47.6, −42.8, P < 0.001; IL‐8 53.6 pg ml−1 ± 12.6 vs. 105.7 pg ml−1 ± 10.8, 95% CI −54.8, −49.4, P < 0.001). Peak concentrations of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 occurred immediately after termination of CPB and were higher in the parecoxib group (115.7 pg ml−1 ± 10.5 vs. 88.4 pg ml−1 ± 12.3, 95% CI 24.7, 29.9, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the increase in neutrophil counts caused by CPB during cardiac surgery was inhibited by parecoxib. The increases in serum troponin T and CK‐MB concentrations were also significantly attenuated by parecoxib in the early post‐operative days. Peak serum concentrations of CK‐MB in both groups occurred at 24 h post‐CPB (17.4 μg l−1 ± 5.2 vs. 26.9 μg l−1 ± 6.9, 95% CI −10.9, −8.1, P < 0.001). Peak troponin T concentrations occurred at 6 h post‐bypass (2 μg l−1 ± 0.62 vs. 3.5 μg l−1 ± 0.78, 95% CI −1.7, −1.3, P < 0.001).ConclusionIntra‐operative parecoxib attenuated the systemic inflammatory response associated with CPB during cardiac surgery and lowered the biochemical markers of myocardial injury.
High diagnostic accuracy of subcutaneous Triptorelin test compared with GnRH test for diagnosing central precocious puberty in girls
Authors: Freire Analía Verónica , Escobar María Eugenia , Gryngarten Mirta Graciela , Arcari Andrea Josefina , Ballerini María Gabriela , Bergadá Ignacio , Ropelato María Gabriela 
Published: July 2012

SummaryContextThe GnRH test is the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP); however, this compound is not always readily available. Diagnostic accuracy of subcutaneous GnRH analogues tests compared to classical GnRH test has not been reported.ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Triptorelin test (index test) compared to the GnRH test (reference test) in girls with suspicion of CPP.DesignA prospective, case–control, randomized clinical trial was performed. CPP or precocious thelarche (PT) was diagnosed according to maximal LH response to GnRH test and clinical characteristics during follow‐up.Patients and InterventionsForty‐six girls with premature breast development randomly underwent two tests: (i) intravenous GnRH 100 μg, (ii) subcutaneous Triptorelin acetate (0·1 mg/m2, to a maximum of 0·1 mg) with blood sampling at 0, 3 and 24 h for LH, FSH and estradiol ascertainment.MeasurementsGonadotrophins and estradiol responses to Triptorelin test were measured by ultrasensitive assays.ResultsClinical features were similar between CPP (n = 33) and PT (n = 13) groups. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, maximal LH response (LH‐3 h) under Triptorelin test ≥7 IU/l by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) or ≥8 IU/l by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) confirmed the diagnosis of CPP with specificity of 1·00 (95% CI: 0·75–1·00) and sensitivity 0·76 (95% CI: 0·58–0·89). Considering either LH‐3 h or maximal estradiol response at 24 h (cut‐off value, 295 pm), maintaining the specificity at 1·00, the test sensitivity increased to 0·94 (95% CI: 0·80–0·99) and the diagnostic efficiency to 96%.ConclusionThe Triptorelin test had high accuracy for the differential diagnosis of CPP vs PT in girls providing a valid alternative to the classical GnRH test. This test also allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the pituitary–ovarian axis.
Thyroid hormones and male sexual function
Authors: Corona G. , Wu F. C. W. , Forti G. , Lee D. M. , O’Connor D. B. , O’Neill T. W. , Pendleton N. , Bartfai G. , Boonen S. , Casanueva F. F. , Finn J. D. , Giwercman A. , Han T. S. , Huhtaniemi I. T. , Kula K. , Lean M. E. J. , Punab M. , Vanderschueren D. , Jannini E. A. , Mannucci E. , Maggi M. ,   the EMAS Study Group
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe role of thyroid hormones in the control of erectile functioning has been only superficially investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between thyroid and erectile function in two different cohorts of subjects. The first one derives from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS study), a multicentre survey performed on a sample of 3369 community‐dwelling men aged 40–79 years (mean 60 ± 11 years). The second cohort is a consecutive series of 3203 heterosexual male patients (mean age 51.8 ± 13.0 years) attending our Andrology and Sexual Medicine Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction at the University of Florence (UNIFI study). In the EMAS study all subjects were tested for thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). Similarly, TSH levels were checked in all patients in the UNIFI study, while FT4 only when TSH resulted outside the reference range. Overt primary hyperthyroidism (reduced TSH and elevated FT4, according to the reference range) was found in 0.3 and 0.2% of EMAS and UNIFI study respectively. In both study cohorts, suppressed TSH levels were associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Overt hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased risk of severe erectile dysfunction (ED, hazard ratio = 14 and 16 in the EMAS and UNIFI study, respectively; both p < 0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors. These associations were confirmed in nested case‐control analyses, comparing subjects with overt hyperthyroidism to age, BMI, smoking status and testosterone‐matched controls. Conversely, no association between primary hypothyroidism and ED was observed. In conclusion, erectile function should be evaluated in all individuals with hyperthyroidism. Conversely, assessment of thyroid function cannot be recommended as routine practice in all ED patients.