bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers and facilitators to routine distribution of patient decision support interventions: a preliminary study in community‐based primary care settings
Authors: Uy Visith , May Suepattra G. , Tietbohl Caroline , Frosch Dominick L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  A growing body of literature documents the value of decision support interventions (DESIs) in facilitating patient participation in preference sensitive decision making, but little is known about their implementation in routine care.Objective  This study explored barriers and facilitators to prescribing DESIs in primary care.Setting and participants  Four community‐based primary care practices across Los Angeles County serving diverse low and middle income populations participated.Design  The first phase focused on implementing DESI prescribing into routine care. Weekly academic detailing visits served to identify barriers to DESI prescribing, generate ethnographic field notes and record DESI prescriptions. The second phase explored the impact of a financial incentive on DESI prescribing. At the project’s conclusion, each physician completed an in‐depth interview.Results  The four practices prescribed an average of 6.5 DESIs a month (range 3.6–9.2) during Phase I. The financial incentive increased DESI prescribing by 71% to 11.1 per month (range 3.5–21.4). The estimated percentages of patients who viewed the DESI were 37.9 and 43.9% during Phases I and II, respectively. Qualitative data suggest that physician buy‐in with the project goal was crucial to DESI distribution success. Competing demands and time pressures were persistent barriers. The effects of the financial incentive were mixed.Conclusions  This study confirmed the importance of physician engagement when implementing DESIs and found mixed effects for providing financial incentives. The relatively low rate of DESI viewing suggests further research on increasing patient uptake of these interventions in routine practice is necessary.
Ultrastructure of the Spermatozoa of the Domestic Duck (Anas platyrhynchos sp.)
Authors: Simões K. , Orsi A. M. , Artoni S. M. B. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos sp.) was analysed by transmission and scanning electron microscopies and compared with the results obtained in preliminary studies involving other non‐passerine birds. The spermatozoa were characterised by the presence of a short head, short midpiece and long principal piece. The head consisted of a reduced acrosome that contained moderately electron‐dense homogenous material. The implantation fossa was observed between the base of the nucleus and the proximal centriole. The midpiece contained electron‐dense material associated with the proximal centriole and nuclear membrane, and a long distal centriole surrounded throughout its length by 11–12 elliptical mitochondria. A dense annulus separating the midpiece from the principal piece was visible. Posterior to the annulus, the axoneme was formed surrounded by a dense fibrous sheath, representing the principal piece or flagellum, which was a long segment with a smooth surface and a smaller diameter than the midpiece. The spermatozoon of the domestic duck resembles that of other non‐passerine birds, corresponding to a basic type of spermatozoon similar to that of reptiles, called sauropsid type.
Growth and Shape Modelling of the Rabbit Tibia
Authors: Pazzaglia U. E. , Zarattini G. , Spagnuolo F. , Superti G. , Marchese M. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe proliferative impulse of the growth plate cartilage and related structures and its effect on the dimensions of long bones are well documented. The modulation of shape, however, is less known, and in general, it is referred to the coupled resorption/apposition process of bone modelling. A morphometric study was carried out on rabbit tibiae comparing size increments and shape changes in relation to age. Utilizing measurements made using dried bones, radiography and computerized tomography, it was possible to perform a three‐dimensional analysis of shape modulation occurring during a period of growth extending from 3 months to 1 year of age. The dynamics of the shape changes related to growth were studied with a fluorescent tetracycline labelling. This enabled correlation of shape modulation with the 3‐D distribution of apposition and resorption. The current thinking behind the influences and mechanical forces affecting bone architecture was discussed in the light of these findings. Several factors play a role in the structural organization of the human and upper vertebrates’ skeleton, whose shape is genetically determined in the complex process usually referred as ‘modelling’. This does not conflict with the existing evidence of remodelling being influenced by mechanical stimuli, but the unsolved question remains how physical forces (strains) act on the biological substrate of cartilage and bone cells.
Morphofunctional Evaluation of the Testicle and the Spermatogenic Process of Adult White‐Eyed Parakeets (Aratinga leucophthalma MULLER, 1776) During the Different Seasons of the Year
Authors: Peixoto J. V. , Paula T. A. R. , Balarini M. K. , Matta S. L. P. , Santos J. A. D. , Lima C. B. , Peixoto G. V. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryIn this experiment, testicle fragments of 14 adult White‐eyed Parakeets (Aratinga leucophthalma) were evaluated as for their seasonal reproductive activities using the following quantitative parameters: average thickness of the testicular tunica albuginea, volumetric proportion of tubular and extratubular compartments, average diameter of the seminiferous tubules and corporal weight. Parameters were created for qualitative evaluations of the degree of spermatogenic development. In this experiment, all the animals were distributed into four groups, and their testicular fragments were collected during the middle of summer, fall, winter and spring. The animals were submitted to volatile general anaesthesia, and a biopsy was made by celioscopy. The fragments collected were processed histologically. The slides were prepared and later evaluated by using an optical microscope. The average seasonal values of the corporal weight increased, starting in the winter and reaching the peak during the spring. A seasonal testicle cycle was observed, because, in the spring, the testicles showed values for the quantitative and qualitative parameters of spermatic production compatible with the period of greater activity, while the opposite thing happened during the fall. Our data indicate that the parameters of sperm production may be correlated with daily light rather than with air humidity.
Genetic variation of adaptation to heat stress in two Spanish dairy goat breeds
Authors: Menéndez‐Buxadera A. , Molina A. , Arrebola F. , Clemente I. , Serradilla J.M. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryMonthly test‐day records of milk yield and composition in Murciano‐Granadina (MG) and Payoya (PYA) dairy goats were combined with weather data from meteorological stations, to analyse the effects of heat stress on dairy traits, measured with an index of temperature and relative humidity (THI). A ‘repeatability animal model’ and a ‘reaction norm animal model’ were used to estimate genetic (co)variance components. Estimates obtained with both models were very similar. The h2 of daily yields in MG did not vary throughout the THI scale, but the pattern of variation of content traits showed negative trends for increasing THI values. In PYA, a slight positive tendency throughout the THI scale was observed for the same traits. The genetic correlations between subsequent points in the THI scale were lower than 0.80 when they were computed between low and high THI points. The same reaction norm was observed for all traits. Using the ‘reaction norm animal model’, it was possible to identify those animals that show the same performance throughout the THI trajectory (robust) and those with varying performances (tolerant and non‐tolerant to heat stress). Results in this study also show that heat tolerance decreases, while the genetic level for milk traits increases. Losses because of heat stress were equivalent to 1.9 and 3.1% in the yearly yield of fat and protein for MG and PYA, respectively.
Towards an Automated Detection of Oestrus in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Saint‐Dizier M , Chastant‐Maillard S 
Published: January 2012

ContentsHeat detection is a key factor in the profitability of dairy herds. However, this detection demands a significant part of the breeder’s working time and is made difficult by the short duration and the discrete behavioural changes associated with oestrus in modern dairy cows. Progress has been made in monitoring cow with electronics, biosensors and computer. As a result, automated heat detection systems have been developed. Currently available tools are automated detectors of standing heat, activity‐metres and automated in‐line systems measuring milk progesterone. Camera‐software systems and monitoring of body temperature are being developed and may also be used as heat detection tools. The heat detection rate of most systems is above 80% with a specificity of detection generally higher than 90%. The accuracy, however, may vary considerably depending on the tool and model developed. The initial investment of several thousands of euros required for these automated systems becomes a source of profit in large herds, provided the recorded data are properly managed.
Berberine ameliorates inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Meng Shu , Wang Lian‐Sheng , Huang Zhou‐Qing , Zhou Qing , Sun Ying‐Gang , Cao Jia‐Tian , Li Yi‐Gang , Wang Chang‐Qian 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. Inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent in vitro work has demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory effect of berberine, a primary component of the traditional Chinese medicine ‘umbellatine’. In the present study, we further tested whether berberine had any beneficial effects on ACS patients following PCI.2.In all, 130 ACS patients undergoing PCI were recruited to the present study. Sixty‐one patients were treated with berberine (300 mg, t.i.d., for 30 days) in addition to standard therapy, whereas the remaining patients received standard therapy alone. Circulating inflammatory markers were measured by ELISA, whereas serum lipid profiles were measured by routine chemical assays.3.In the berberine‐treated group, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1, C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 were significantly reduced relative to baseline values. Furthermore, the changes in MMP‐9, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 from baseline to after 1 month of treatment differed significantly between the two patient groups. There was a tendency for berberine to induce a slightly greater reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides than standard therapy alone, without affecting high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, but the differences failed to reach statistical significance. No severe adverse effects of berberine were observed.4.The results of the present study provide the first clinical evidence of the anti‐inflammatory action of berberine in ACS patients following PCI. Berberine may become adjunct therapy to further improve clinical outcomes via its anti‐inflammatory effect in ACS patients.
Fluoxetine rescues impaired hippocampal neurogenesis in a transgenic A53T synuclein mouse model
Authors: Kohl Zacharias , Winner Beate , Ubhi Kiren , Rockenstein Edward , Mante Michael , Münch Martina , Barlow Carolee , Carter Todd , Masliah Eliezer , Winkler Jürgen 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe accumulation of alpha‐synuclein in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites of different neuronal populations is one of the neuropathological hallmarks in Parkinson disease (PD). Overexpression of human wildtype or mutant alpha‐synuclein affects the generation of new neurons in the adult dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in models of PD. Hippocampal dysfunction with reduced neurogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression, an important non‐motor symptom in PD. Moreover, effective antidepressant treatment is still an unmet need in PD. The present study explored if impaired hippocampal neurogenesis in the A53T transgenic animal model of PD may be restored by chronic oral application of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine. First, we determined the expression pattern of transgenic mutant A53T synuclein in developing DG neurons and showed early expression of the transgene linked to a severely impaired neurogenesis. After chronic fluoxetine treatment we observed an increased adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus of more than threefold in treated A53T mice compared with controls. The pro‐neurogenic effect of chronic fluoxetine application is predominantly related to an increased proliferation of neural precursor cells in the DG, and to a lesser extent by induction of differentiation into mature neurons. Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed an induction of brain‐derived and glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor levels as a result of fluoxetine treatment. This study underlines the large potential of SSRI‐dependent mechanisms to stimulate adult hippocampal neurogenesis in alpha‐synuclein models and may lead to novel means to improve neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD.
Transcranial direct current stimulation preconditioning modulates the effect of high‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the human motor cortex
Authors: Cosentino Giuseppe , Fierro Brigida , Paladino Piera , Talamanca Simona , Vigneri Simone , Palermo Antonio , Giglia Giuseppe , Brighina Filippo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractExperimental studies emphasize the importance of homeostatic plasticity as a mean of stabilizing the properties of neural circuits. In the present work we combined two techniques able to produce short‐term (5‐Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) and long‐term (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) effects on corticospinal excitability to evaluate whether and how the effects of 5‐Hz rTMS can be tuned by tDCS preconditioning. Twelve healthy subjects participated in the study. Brief trains of 5‐Hz rTMS were applied to the primary motor cortex at an intensity of 120% of the resting motor threshold, with recording of the electromyograph traces evoked by each stimulus of the train from the contralateral abductor pollicis brevis muscle. This interventional protocol was preconditioned by 15 min of anodal or cathodal tDCS delivered at 1.5 mA intensity. Our results showed that motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) increased significantly in size during trains of 5‐Hz rTMS in the absence of tDCS preconditioning. After facilitatory preconditioning with anodal tDCS, 5‐Hz rTMS failed to produce progressive MEP facilitation. Conversely, when 5‐Hz rTMS was preceded by inhibitory cathodal tDCS, MEP facilitation was not abolished. These findings may give insight into the mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity in the human cerebral cortex, suggesting also more suitable applications of tDCS in a clinical setting.
Profound defects in pupillary responses to light in TRPM‐channel null mice: a role for TRPM channels in non‐image‐forming photoreception
Authors: Hughes Steven , Pothecary Carina A. , Jagannath Aarti , Foster Russell G. , Hankins Mark W. , Peirson Stuart N. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTRPM1 is a spontaneously active non‐selective cation channel that has recently been shown to play an important role in the depolarizing light responses of ON bipolar cells. Consistent with this role, mutations in the TRPM1 gene have been identified as a principal cause of congenital stationary night blindness. However, previous microarray studies have shown that Trpm1 and Trpm3 are acutely regulated by light in the eyes of mice lacking rods and cones (rd/rd cl), a finding consistent with a role in non‐image‐forming photoreception. In this study we show that pupillary light responses are significantly attenuated in both Trpm1−/− and Trpm3−/− animals. Trpm1−/− mice exhibit a profound deficit in the pupillary response that is far in excess of that observed in mice lacking rods and cones (rd/rd cl) or melanopsin, and cannot be explained by defects in bipolar cell function alone. Immunolocalization studies suggest that TRPM1 is expressed in ON bipolar cells and also a subset of cells in the ganglion cell layer, including melanopsin‐expressing photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs). We conclude that, in addition to its role in bipolar cell signalling, TRPM1 is involved in non‐image‐forming responses to light and may perform a functional role within pRGCs. By contrast, TRPM3−/− mice display a more subtle pupillary phenotype with attenuated responses under bright light and dim light conditions. Expression of TRPM3 is detected in Muller cells and the ciliary body but is absent from pRGCs, and thus our data support an indirect role for TRPM3 in pupillary light responses.
Parallel development of orientation maps and spatial frequency selectivity in cat visual cortex
Authors: Tani Toshiki , Ribot Jérôme , O’Hashi Kazunori , Tanaka Shigeru 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn an early stage of the postnatal development of cats, orientation maps mature and spatial frequency selectivity is consolidated. To investigate the time course of orientation map maturation associated with the consolidation of spatial frequency selectivity, we performed optical imaging of intrinsic signals in areas 17 and 18 of cats under the stimulation of drifting square‐wave gratings with different orientations and spatial frequencies. First, orientation maps for lower spatial frequencies emerged in the entire part of the lateral gyrus, which includes areas 17 and 18, and then these orientation maps in the posterior part of the lateral gyrus disappeared as orientation maps for higher spatial frequencies matured. Independent of age, an anteroposterior gradient of response strengths from lower to higher spatial frequencies was observed. This indicates that the regional distribution of spatial frequencies is innately determined. The size of iso‐orientation domains tended to decrease as the stimulus spatial frequency increased at every age examined. In contrast, orientation representation bias changed with age. In cats younger than 3 months, the cardinal (vertical and horizontal) orientations were represented predominantly over the oblique orientations. However, in young adult cats from 3 to 9 months old, the representation bias switched to predominantly oblique orientations. These age‐dependent changes in the orientation representation bias imply that orientation maps continue to elaborate within postnatal 1 year with the consolidation of spatial frequency selectivity. We conclude that both intrinsic and mutual factors lead to the development of orientation maps and spatial frequency selectivity.
Does Productivity Decline After Promotion? The Case of French Academia*
Authors: Sabatier Mareva 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe present research examined the effect of promotion decisions on ex‐post productivity in French academia. As, once promotion decisions are known, most external incentives vanish for promoted candidates, their productivity was expected to decrease. This hypothesis was tested by using an original dataset and matching methods to evaluate the impact of promotion on publication scores. The robustness of the matching estimates was tested using sensitivity analysis. The results clearly show that the removal of extrinsic incentives following promotion does not lead to a fall in productivity in French academia.
Differences in Opportunities? Wage, Employment and House‐Price Effects on Migration*
Authors: Rabe Birgitta , Taylor Mark P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMost empirical studies of individual migration choice analyse factors associated with out‐migration from an origin location. In contrast, we model the migration decision within the context of potential destinations, combining British panel data over the period 1992–2008 with other data sources. Contrary to earlier micro studies, we show that differences in house prices levels (but not growth) are important determinants of household migration for homeowners. Unemployed individuals respond to regional differences in expected individual wages, whereas the employed are more sensitive to employment opportunities. Our evidence is consistent with partners of heads of households being tied migrants.
The Distributional Effects of Tax‐benefit Policies under New Labour: A Decomposition Approach*
Authors: Bargain Olivier 
Published: January 2012

AbstractI revisit the distributional effects of tax‐benefit policy reforms under New Labour using counterfactual microsimulations embedded in a Shapley decomposition of time change in inequality and poverty indices. This makes it possible to quantify the relative effect of policy changes compared to all other changes, and to check the sensitivity of this policy effect to the use of (i) income vs. price indexation, and (ii) base vs. end period data. Inequality and poverty depth would have increased, and the sharp fall in child poverty would not have occurred, had the reforms of income support and tax credits not been implemented.
The World Technology Frontier: What Can We Learn from the US States?*
Authors: Growiec Jakub 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe re‐estimate the world technology frontier non‐parametrically using a dataset covering OECD country‐level data and US state‐level data on GDP per worker and the stocks of physical capital, unskilled labour and skilled labour. The auxiliary use of US state‐level data significantly reduces the upward bias in cross‐country estimates of technical efficiency, and so does allowing for imperfect substitutability between skilled and unskilled labour. We then use our adjusted estimate of the world technology frontier in a series of decompositions of productivity differences and sources of economic growth in the OECD in 1970–2000, including also ‘appropriate technology vs. efficiency’ decompositions.
The performance of social security contributory and tax‐financed pensions in Central America, and the effects of the global crisis
Authors: Mesa‐Lago Carmelo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractOver the last 30 years, Latin America has pioneered structural pension reforms. This article focuses on a representative regional sample of seven Central American countries with diverse levels of development (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) studying contributory and tax‐financed pensions as well as recent pension reforms. It comparatively assesses system performance regarding five social security principles: unity; universal coverage; adequacy of benefits; equal treatment, solidarity and gender equality; and financial sustainability. It also evaluates the impact of the world crisis on these pension systems, highlighting the differences between public and private pensions, and extracts lessons and suggests policies for the future.
Health insurance system financing reforms in the Netherlands, Germany and France: Repercussions for coverage and redistribution?
Authors: Turquet Pascale 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFor a number of years, the Dutch, German and French health insurance systems have been attempting to contain costs and diversify their sources of finance, which traditionally have come mainly from social contributions. Diversification may involve broader‐based public finance, as well as greater recourse to private resources and operators. In the case of the Netherlands and Germany, the reforms go hand in hand with efforts to introduce competition between health insurance bodies. In France, private complementary insurance has become indispensable for adequate access to health care. However, these measures have repercussions for redistribution, which social assistance programmes have difficulty in addressing.