bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Degradation of pectin in the caecum contributes to bioavailability of iron in rats
Authors: Miyada Tomihiro , Nakajima Akira , Ebihara Kiyoshi 
Published: September 2011

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of pectin on Fe bioavailability in ileorectomised rats or caecectomised rats. In Expt 1, rats were divided into the following two groups: ileorectomised rats fed a fibre-free diet (FF diet) and ileorectomised rats fed a FF diet supplemented with 5 % (w/w) pectin (pectin diet). Apparent Fe absorption in ileorectomised rats fed the pectin diet was significantly lower compared with ileorectomised rats fed the FF diet. In Expt 2, caecectomised rats and sham-operated rats were given one of the following diets for 3 weeks: diet containing ferrous iron (FeII diet), diet containing pectin at 50 g/kg diet (pectin diet) and diet containing a mixture of FeII and product prepared by the enzymatic degradation of pectin (FeII–OGA diet), which were presumed to be oligomers of galacturonic acid. The Fe content of these diets was 7·6, 8·1 and 7·7 mg/kg diet, respectively. The bioavailability of Fe in rats fed the FeII diet was not affected by caecectomy. In contrast, in rats fed the pectin diet, where Fe bound to pectin was the only Fe source, Hb gain and Hb regeneration efficiency were significantly decreased by caecectomy. The bioavailability of Fe from the FeII–OGA complex was not affected by caecectomy. These results suggest that Fe in pectin might be released by microbial degradation and subsequently made available for absorption in the large intestine, although pectin might decrease Fe absorption in the small intestine.
Prediction of fat-free mass and percentage of body fat in neonates using bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometric measures: validation against the PEA POD
Authors: Lingwood Barbara E. , Storm van Leeuwen Anne-Martine , Carberry Angela E. , Fitzgerald Erin C. , Callaway Leonie K. , Colditz Paul B. , Ward Leigh C. 
Published: September 2011

Accurate assessment of neonatal body composition is essential to studies investigating neonatal nutrition or developmental origins of obesity. Bioelectrical impedance analysis or bioimpedance analysis is inexpensive, non-invasive and portable, and is widely used in adults for the assessment of body composition. There are currently no prediction algorithms using bioimpedance analysis in neonates that have been directly validated against measurements of fat-free mass (FFM). The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of bioimpedance analysis for the estimation of FFM and percentage of body fat over the first 4 months of life in healthy infants born at term, and to compare these with estimations based on anthropometric measurements (weight and length) and with skinfolds. The present study was an observational study in seventy-seven infants. Body fat content of infants was assessed at birth, 6 weeks, 3 and 4·5 months of age by air displacement plethysmography, using the PEA POD body composition system. Bioimpedance analysis was performed at the same time and the data were used to develop and test prediction equations for FFM. The combination of weight+sex+length predicted FFM, with a bias of < 100 g and limits of agreement of 6–13 %. Before 3 months of age, bioimpedance analysis did not improve the prediction of FFM or body fat. At 3 and 4·5 months, the inclusion of impedance in prediction algorithms resulted in small improvements in prediction of FFM, reducing the bias to < 50 g and limits of agreement to < 9 %. Skinfold measurements performed poorly at all ages.
Intimate Relationships as Routes into and out of Homelessness: Insights from a Canadian City
Authors: JONES MARION E. , SHIER MICHEAL L. , GRAHAM JOHN R. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe literature on homelessness tends to focus on risk factors in people's social and personal lives that contribute to their situation of being without a permanent home. Alternatively, the following describes innate factors of intimate relationships that contribute to a situation of homelessness for men and women. We conducted interviews with 61 people experiencing homelessness in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We were particularly interested in documenting with greater specificity their perceptions of their individual pathways to and from homelessness. Three themes emerged from the data describing the intersection between respondents’ intimate relationships and their situation of homelessness: (1) relationship breakdown; (2) the role and impact of having intimate partners during a period of homelessness; and (3) the nature of the intimate relationship and its impact on housing. The data suggest that aspects of intimate relationships should be considered by social service agencies when addressing a person's situation of homelessness.
The Employment of Migrant Workers in Long-Term Care: Dynamics of Choice and Control
Authors: SHUTES ISABEL 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe employment of migrant workers in long-term care is increasingly evident across western welfare states. This article examines the ways in which immigration controls shape the exercising of choice and control by migrant care workers over their labour. It draws on the findings of in-depth interviews with migrant care workers employed by residential and home care providers and by older people and their families in the UK. It is argued that the differential rights accorded to migrants on the basis of citizenship and immigration status shape, first, entry into particular types of care work, second, powers of ‘exit’ within work, and, third, ‘voice’ regarding the conditions under which care labour is provided.
Redefining the motto in the fifteenth-century sine nomine Mass
Authors: Luko Alexis 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTDuring the early years of the cyclic sine nomine Mass, before the invention of the cantus firmus Mass, the motto or head motive served as the principal means of unification. The motto has typically been characterised as a relatively uncomplicated single-voice or multi-voice unifying motive presented in the first few measures of each movement of a Mass Ordinary. This article challenges and expands common perceptions of the motto and proposes new vocabulary to aid in identifying mottos and associated repetition and variation techniques. Musical examples from the sine nomine Mass repertory dating between c.1420 and c.1466 (including the anonymous Missa Fa-ut and works by John Benet, Johannes Reson, Johannes Lymburgia, Barbingant and Jo. Bassere) reveal commonalities in motto construction and variation. These works employ multiple mottos, which, besides acting as initial gestures at the openings of movements, also serve to punctuate most subsections and are even found articulating certain words and phrases incorporated within the general contrapuntal fabric. By means of complex procedures of repetition and variation, composers applied a richer and more multifaceted approach to motto construction than previously recognised – a finding that has important ramifications for a deeper understanding of compositional approaches to repetition in cyclic Mass Ordinary settings of the early Renaissance period.
On a result of Brezis and Mawhin
Authors: Manásevich R. , Ward J. 
Published: September 2011

Brezis and Mawhin proved the existence of at least one

T
T

periodic solution for differential equations of the form

(0.1)

(
ϕ
(

u

′

)

)

′

−
g
(
t
,
u
)
=
h
(
t
)

\begin{equation}\notag (\phi (u^{\prime }))^{\prime }-g(t,u)=h(t)\tag *{(0.1)} \end{equation}

when

ϕ
:
(
−
a
,
a
)
→

R

,

\phi :(-a,a)\rightarrow \mathbb {R},

0
>
a
>
∞

0>a>\infty

, is an increasing homeomorphism with

ϕ
(
0
)
=
0

\phi (0)=0

,

g
g

is a Carathéodory function

T
T

periodic with respect to

t
t

,

2
π

2\pi

periodic with respect to

u
u

, of mean value zero with respect to

u
u

, and

h
∈

L

l
o
c

1

(

R

)

h\in L_{loc}^{1}(\mathbb {R})

is

T
T

periodic and has mean value zero. Their proof was partly variational. First it was shown that the corresponding action integral had a minimum at some point

u

0

u_{0}

in a closed convex subset

K

\mathcal {K}

of the space of

T
T

periodic Lipschitz functions. However,

u

0

u_{0}

may not be an interior point of

K

\mathcal {K}

, so it may not be a critical point of the action integral. The authors used an ingenious argument based on variational inequalities and uniqueness of a

T
T

periodic solution to (0.1) when

g
(
t
,
u
)
=
u

g(t,u)=u

to show that

u

0

u_{0}

is indeed a

T
T

periodic solution of (0.1). Here we make full use of the variational structure of the problem to obtain Brezis and Mawhin’s result.
The effect of hepatitis C treatment and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection on the disease burden of hepatitis C among injecting drug users in Amsterdam
Authors: Matser Amy , Urbanus Anouk , Geskus Ronald , Kretzschmar Mirjam , Xiridou Maria , Buster Marcel , Coutinho Roel , Prins Maria 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTAims  The hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden among injecting drug users (IDUs) is determined by HCV incidence, the long latency period of HCV, competing mortality causes, presence of co‐infection and HCV treatment uptake. We examined the effect of these factors and estimated the HCV disease burden in Amsterdam.Design  A Markov model was developed, incorporating HCV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and parameterized with data from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies, surveillance studies and literature.Setting  IDU population of Amsterdam.Measurements  HCV infection simulated from its acute phase to HCV‐related liver disease (i.e. decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).Findings  The HCV prevalence among IDUs in Amsterdam increased to approximately 80% in the 1980s. From 2011 to 2025, the HCV‐related disease prevalence will accordingly rise by 36%, from 57 cases (95% range 33–94) to 78 (95% range 43–138), respectively. In total, 945 (95% range 617–1309) individuals will develop HCV‐related liver disease. This burden would have been 33% higher in the absence of HIV, resulting in 1219 cases (95% range 796–1663). In Amsterdam, 25% of HIV‐negative IDUs receive successful HCV treatment, reducing the cumulative disease burden by 14% to 810 (95% range 520–1120). Further reduction of 36% can be achieved by improving treatment, resulting in 603 cases (95% range 384–851).Conclusions  The hepatitis C virus burden among injecting drug users in Amsterdam has been reduced by a high competing mortality rate, particularly caused by HIV infection, and to a smaller extent by hepatitis C virus treatment. Improved hepatitis C virus treatment is expected to contribute to reduce the future hepatitis C virus disease burden.
Revisiting the quantitative trait loci for milk production traits on BTA6
Authors: Weikard R. , Widmann P. , Buitkamp J. , Emmerling R. , Kuehn C. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryA parallel association study was performed in two independent cattle populations based on 41 validated, targeted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and four microsatellite markers to re‐evaluate the multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) architecture for milk performance on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA6). Two distinct QTL located in the vicinity of the middle region of BTA6, but differing unambiguously regarding their effects on milk composition and yield traits were validated in the German Holstein population. A highly significant association of the protein variant ABCG2 p.Tyr581Ser with milk composition traits reconfirmed the causative molecular relevance of the ABCG2 gene in QTL region 1, whereas in QTL region 2, significant and tentative associations between gene variants RW070 and RW023 (located in the promoter region and exon 9 of the PPARGC1A gene for milk yield traits) were detected. For the German Fleckvieh population, only RW023 showed a tentative association with milk yield traits, whereas those loci with significant effects in German Holsteins (ABCG2 p.Tyr581Ser, RW070) showed fixed alleles. Even though our new data highlight two variants in the PPARGC1A gene (RW023, RW070) in QTL region 2, based on the results of our study, currently no unequivocal conclusion about the causal background of this QTL affecting milk yield traits can be drawn. Notably, the German Holstein and Fleckvieh populations, known for their divergent degree of dairy type, differ substantially in their allele frequencies for the growth‐associated NCAPG p.Ile442Met locus.
Parent views of the positive contributions of elementary and high school‐aged children with autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome
Authors: King G. , Zwaigenbaum L. , Bates A. , Baxter D. , Rosenbaum P. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground  Much is known about the hardships associated with parenting a child with a disability, but few studies have examined the broader contributions of the child to family life or society.Methods  The study involved qualitative analysis of interviews with 16 families of children with autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome at critical transition periods (entry to elementary or high school), targeting their perceptions of benefits.Results  Parents discussed a wide range of benefits beyond the personal level, including parental, family and societal benefits. Exploratory group comparisons indicated that parents of high school‐aged children were more likely to mention family‐level and societal benefits.Conclusions  The findings suggest that raising a child with a disability can trigger role‐related decisions that lead to a series of resiliency‐related processes and cascading benefits. The findings inform practitioners about the nature of potential positive experiences that can be shared with families starting out on their journey, allowing parents to recognize the positive dimensions of raising a child with a disability in addition to the hardships.
Nurses’ perception of time availability in patient communication in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Engle A , Jones Aled , Fung Sylvia , Wu Sui Chu 
Published: September 2011

Aims.  To explore nurses’ perceptions of their patient communication in practice and to identify their ways of communicating.Background.  Nurse theorists and clinicians are aware of the importance of nurse–patient communication in providing patient‐centred care. However, barriers remain that prevent nurses from implementing quality/effective communication, and time is often viewed as a critical variable. Continuous emphasis on efficiency contravenes patient‐centred care, warranting a re‐examination of nurses’ perception of time in nurse–patient communication.Design.  Focus group interviews were adopted. Thirty‐nine registered nurses participated. Interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed and translated, and data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify codes, categories and themes/patterns.Results.  Three themes were identified regarding nurses’ perception of communication with time: (1) Patterns of communication. (2) Routine scheduled communication vs. meeting individuals’ needs. (3) Saving time through communication. Patterns of communication, based on participants’ criteria such as the purpose, who initiated it, the nature of communication, expectation to perform, therapeutic value and relation with time were explicated. By integrating communication into routines as intended actions, nurses demonstrate that communication and relationship building with patients take no extra time. Good communication and good relationships help nurses save time.Conclusions.  Nurses’ communication behaviour is closely related to their perception of communication. This study suggests the need for a paradigm shift in thinking about communication as requiring time. Additionally, nurses should recognise the value of short, iterative interaction and chit‐chat as quality communication for knowing their patients and providing patient‐centred care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should think beyond time in the discourse of effective nurse–patient communication, as it often relates to manpower. An understanding of how nurses perceive their time availability for nurse–patient communication and their use of time for this aspect contribute to the discourse regarding how to improve patient‐centred care.
Empirical evaluation of directed dispersal and density‐dependent effects across successive recruitment phases
Authors: Spiegel Orr , Nathan Ran 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. The directed‐dispersal (DrD) hypothesis constitutes one of the main explanations for the adaptive value of seed dispersal in spatially heterogeneous environments. Traditionally, the DrD hypothesis asserts non‐random arrival to specific sites where establishment conditions are independently favourable. Yet, enhanced arrival might negatively affect the establishment in otherwise favourable sites through enhanced density‐dependent mortality (DDM). Since both density effects and habitat suitability might differ among establishment phases, assessment of habitat suitability should encompass the entire establishment process.2. Here, we test the DrD hypothesis against a null model of random dispersal (RD) in an arid ecosystem where fleshy‐fruited perennial Ochradenus baccatus shrubs are dispersed by two resident passerines. Acacia trees were predicted to present the favourable habitat in our system through the nurse‐plant effect facilitating O. baccatus early establishment.3. We determined expected seed arrival by monitoring the dispersers’ time allocation among the different habitats and assessed habitat quality for different establishment phases: seed‐phase survival (post‐dispersal survival and germination) was determined by line transects, while early seedling survival was estimated by monitoring seedlings throughout the first dry season. Additionally, subsequent recruitment success was assessed by comparing the distribution of adult shrubs to that expected from the observed germination patterns.4. When considering the expected seed arrival and early establishment (seed‐phase and early seedling survival), the DrD hypothesis is supported: birds preferentially deposited seeds in habitats where conditions are favourable (e.g. under Acacia trees). Yet, considering recruitment success during later phases, the dispersal service provided by the birds was less beneficial than RD.5. Effective density was indexed using the zone‐of‐influence approach in which densities are corrected by phase‐specific sizes. We suggest that intense seed deposition into favourable habitats has led to strong DDM (presumably through competition) in those habitats during late establishment phases and was responsible, at least partially, for changes in habitat suitability across the recruitment phases.6. Synthesis. Our results show that assessment of the DrD hypothesis depends on the context of the study (in terms of recruitment phases) since sites of enhanced seed arrival and high seed‐to‐seedling survival can ultimately prove unfavourable to the plant if density‐dependent or other effects might increase mortality in these sites during later recruitment phases.
454‐sequencing reveals stochastic local reassembly and high disturbance tolerance within arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities
Authors: Lekberg Ylva , Schnoor Tim , Kjøller Rasmus , Gibbons Sean M. , Hansen Lars H. , Al‐Soud Waleed A. , Sørensen Søren J. , Rosendahl Søren 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. Disturbance is assumed to be a major driver of plant community composition, but whether similar processes operate on associated soil microbial communities is less known. Based on the assumed trade‐off between disturbance tolerance and competiveness, we hypothesize that a severe disturbance applied within a semi‐natural grassland would shift the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community towards disturbance‐tolerant fungi that are rare in undisturbed soils.2. We used 454‐sequencing of the large subunit rDNA region to characterize AM fungal communities in Plantago lanceolata roots grown in the field for 4 months and exposed either to no disturbance or to severe disturbance where fungi from undisturbed soil were either permitted or prevented from re‐colonizing the disturbed area. This allowed for a distinction between AM fungi that survived the disturbance and those that quickly re‐colonized after a disturbance. To identify AM fungi that could potentially colonize the experimental plants, we also analysed roots from adjacent, undisturbed vegetation.3. We found 32 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) distributed across five known AM fungal families. Contrary to our expectations, disturbance did not significantly alter the community composition and OTU richness. Instead, OTU abundances were positively correlated across treatments; i.e., common OTUs in undisturbed soil were also common after the severe disturbance. However, the distribution of OTUs within and between plots was largely unpredictable, with approximately 40% of all sequences within a sample belonging to a single OTU of varying identity. The distribution of two plant species that are often poorly colonized by AM fungi (Dianthus deltoides and Carex arenaria) correlated significantly with the OTU composition, which may indicate that host quality could be an additional driver of fungal communities.4. Synthesis. Our results suggest that factors other than disturbance drive the relative abundance of OTUs in this grassland and question the long‐held assumption that communities shift in a predictable manner after a disturbance event. The reassembly of this fungal community indicates a high community resilience, but substantial local stochasticity and dominance by single OTUs, which could be due to priority effects among abundant AM fungi possessing a similar – and high – degree of disturbance tolerance.
Establishment, characterization and viral susceptibility of a new cell line derived from goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), tail fin
Authors: Yan W , Nie P , Lu Y 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA continuous cell line [goldfish tail fin (GFTF)] derived from a goldfish tail fin, Carassius auratus, was established and characterized. GFTF cells predominantly consist of fibroblast‐like cells that were maintained and subcultured more than 50 times over a period of 15 months. Cells grew at temperatures between 15 and 37°C, with an optimum temperature of 25°C. The growth rate of GFTF cells increased proportionally with the foetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration (5–20%), with optimum growth at 20% FBS. The chromosome numbers were 88–112, with a modal peak of 104 chromosomes. Five known fish viruses were tested to determine susceptibility. Results demonstrated that GFTF is susceptible to snakehead rhabdovirus, spring viraemia of carp virus and channel catfish virus (CCV). In addition, GFTF demonstrated a higher sensitivity to, and increased viral production of, CCV than that observed in the control cell line, channel catfish ovary cells. This suggests that GFTF cells would be useful as a diagnostic tool for viral diseases in this fish species, as well as for the isolation and study of goldfish viruses in the future. Furthermore, these cells were transfected with pEGFP‐N1 vector DNA and some fluorescent signals were observed, suggesting that GFTF cells could be a useful tool for transgenic and genetic manipulation studies.