bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public Internet‐connected cameras used as a cross‐continental ground‐based plant phenology monitoring system
Authors: GRAHAM ERIC A. , RIORDAN ERIN C. , YUEN ERIC M. , ESTRIN DEBORAH , RUNDEL PHILIP W. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPlant phenology is highly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and can vary widely across landscapes. Current observation methods are either manual for small‐scale, high precision measurements or by satellite remote sensing for large‐scale, low spatial resolution measurement. The development of inexpensive approaches is necessary to advance large scale, high precision phenology monitoring. The use of publicly available, Internet‐connected cameras, often associated with airports, national parks, and roadway conditions, for detecting and monitoring plant phenology at a continental scale can augment existing ground and satellite‐based methodologies. We collected twice‐daily images from over 1100 georeferenced public cameras across North America from February 2008 to 2009. Using a test subset of these cameras, we compared modeled spring ‘green‐up’ with that from co‐occurring remote sensing products. Although varying image exposure and color correction introduced noise to camera measurements, we were able to correlate spring green‐up across North America with visual validation from images and detect a latitudinal trend. Public cameras had an equivalent or higher ability to detect spring compared with satellite‐based data for corresponding locations, with fewer numbers of poor quality days, shorter continuous bad data days, and significantly lower errors of spring estimates. Manual image segmentation into deciduous, evergreen, and understory vegetation allowed detection of spring and fall onset for multiple vegetation types. Additional advantages of a public camera‐based monitoring system include frequent image capture (subdaily) and the potential to detect quantitative responses to environmental changes in organisms, species, and communities. Public cameras represent a relatively untapped and freely available resource for supporting large‐scale ecological and environmental monitoring.
Trophic level asynchrony in rates of phenological change for marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments
Authors: THACKERAY STEPHEN J. , SPARKS TIMOTHY H. , FREDERIKSEN MORTEN , BURTHE SARAH , BACON PHILIP J. , BELL JAMES R. , BOTHAM MARC S. , BRERETON TOM M. , BRIGHT PAUL W. , CARVALHO LAURENCE , CLUTTON‐BROCK TIM , DAWSON ALISTAIR , EDWARDS MARTIN , ELLIOTT J. MALCOLM , HARRINGTON RICHARD , JOHNS DAVID , JONES IAN D. , JONES JAMES T. , LEECH DAVID I. , ROY DAVID B. , SCOTT W. ANDY , SMITH MATT , SMITHERS RICHARD J. , WINFIELD IAN J. , WANLESS SARAH 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRecent changes in the seasonal timing (phenology) of familiar biological events have been one of the most conspicuous signs of climate change. However, the lack of a standardized approach to analysing change has hampered assessment of consistency in such changes among different taxa and trophic levels and across freshwater, terrestrial and marine environments. We present a standardized assessment of 25 532 rates of phenological change for 726 UK terrestrial, freshwater and marine taxa. The majority of spring and summer events have advanced, and more rapidly than previously documented. Such consistency is indicative of shared large scale drivers. Furthermore, average rates of change have accelerated in a way that is consistent with observed warming trends. Less coherent patterns in some groups of organisms point to the agency of more local scale processes and multiple drivers. For the first time we show a broad scale signal of differential phenological change among trophic levels; across environments advances in timing were slowest for secondary consumers, thus heightening the potential risk of temporal mismatch in key trophic interactions. If current patterns and rates of phenological change are indicative of future trends, future climate warming may exacerbate trophic mismatching, further disrupting the functioning, persistence and resilience of many ecosystems and having a major impact on ecosystem services.
Ectodomain shedding of Fcα receptor is mediated by ADAM10 and ADAM17
Authors: Peng Min , Guo Sha , Yin Na , Xue Jing , Shen Lian , Zhao Qing , Zhang Wei 
Published: January 2010

SummaryFcαR (CD89) plays important roles in immunoglobulin A (IgA)‐mediated immune responses. Soluble forms of FcαR (sFcαR) are found in the culture supernatants of FcαR‐expressing cells, in human serum and in the serum of FcαR transgenic mice, and have been suggested to be produced through a proteolytic process. However, little is known about the mechanism involved in the proteolytic release of sFcαR. In this study, we investigated the shedding mechanism of FcαR and determined the nature of the proteinase involved in FcαR shedding. In chemical inhibitor assays, shedding of FcαR was dramatically inhibited by EDTA, EGTA and a broad‐spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor, GM6001, suggesting that a metalloproteinase was responsible for FcαR shedding. Overexpression of dominant‐negative mutants of ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) 10 and ADAM17 markedly inhibited the production of sFcαR. Finally, knockdown of both endogenous ADAM10 and endogenous ADAM17 inhibited FcαR shedding, demonstrating that ADAM10 and ADAM17 were involved in the shedding of FcαR. The characterization of ADAM10 and ADAM17 as sFcαR‐releasing enzymes provides a novel insight into the molecular mechanism of sFcαR production and will help in further elucidation of the physiological and pathological roles of sFcαR.
Evaluation of erectile dysfunction and associated cardiovascular risk using structured questionnaires in Chinese type 2 diabetic men
Authors: Yu L. W. , Kong A. P. , Tong P. C. , Tam C. , Ko G. T. , Ho C.‐S. , So W.‐Y. , Ma R. C. , Chow C.‐C. , Chan J. C. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryErectile dysfunction (ED) is not uncommon, but frequently underdiagnosed in type 2 diabetic men. In this study, we aimed to explore the frequency and severity of ED in Chinese type 2 diabetic men using a structured questionnaire. We furthermore sought to investigate the associations of ED with diabetes‐related complications and metabolic indices. A consecutive cohort of 313 Chinese type 2 diabetic men aged between 25 and 76 years attending a diabetic centre were recruited between October 2006 and June 2007. Of the study population, the frequency of ED was 39.3% according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference criteria, compared with 84.3% (41.7% of them having moderate to severe ED) as diagnosed by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) questionnaire. After adjusting for potential confounding factors by multivariable logistic regression, ED defined by NIH criterion was associated with advanced age [OR = 1.05 (95% CI 1.01–1.09), p = 0.012], the presence of diabetic retinopathy [OR = 2.43 (95% CI 1.27–4.66), p = 0.008] and coronary heart disease [OR = 2.63 (95% CI 1.21–5.70), p = 0.015]. ED defined by IIEF‐5 was associated with advanced age [OR = 1.12 (95% CI 1.06–1.17), p < 0.0001], use of insulin therapy [OR = 2.94 (95% CI 1.12–7.73), p = 0.029] and urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio [OR = 2.29 (95% CI 1.05–5.01), p = 0.037]. In conclusion, ED was highly prevalent in Chinese type 2 diabetic men and was associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and complications. Advanced age, use of insulin therapy, the existence of microvascular complications such as retinopathy, albuminuria and coronary heart disease were associated with ED. NIH criteria diagnosed a much lower rate of ED compared with IIEF‐5. Overall, structured questionnaires are useful and objective tools to detect ED, which should prompt a comprehensive risk assessment in these subjects.
Survival benefits of post‐fledging care: experimental approach to a critical part of avian reproductive strategies
Authors: Grüebler Martin U. , Naef‐Daenzer Beat 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. Caring for offspring beyond leaving the nest is an important but under‐studied part of avian life histories. Theory predicts that prolonged post‐fledging parental care should yield fitness benefits such as increased fledgling survival. Post‐fledging care is also costly in terms of time and energy available for subsequent reproduction, moult or migration. So far, direct measurements of the fitness effects of the duration of post‐fledging parental care are lacking. 2. In a partial cross‐fostering experiment, barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) chicks were exchanged among broods close to fledging. Thereby, we separated the effects of post‐fledging care from those of pre‐fledging origin on juvenile survival. 3. Prolonging post‐fledging care substantially increased juvenile survival up to 3 weeks post‐fledging. Juvenile mortality was maximal in the days following the termination of parental care, and prolonging care delayed and reduced this peak mortality. Survival of fledglings experiencing 6 days of care was Φ = 0·227, whereas fledglings experiencing 14 days of care showed a survival of Φ = 0·571. 4. Offspring from pairs providing short care showed lower post‐fledging survival than did offspring from pairs providing long care, irrespective of the actual duration of care experienced. This gives evidence for an additional survival effect of pre‐fledging factors associated with the parental duration of care. 5. The results suggest that differential survival in relation to post‐fledging parental care is a major fitness component. This relationship has profound effects on the reproductive trade‐offs underlying the evolution of avian life histories.
Structural characterization of nano‐sized Ce0.5Ln0.5O1.75 (Ln = Yb, Lu) mixed oxides
Authors: MAŁECKA M.A. , KĘPIŃSKI L. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThis work presents results of HRTEM and XRD studies on microstructure of ceria‐based mixed oxides subjected to high‐temperature heat treatment in air. Nano‐sized (4–5 nm) crystallites of Ce0.5Ln0.5O1.75 oxides (Ln = Yb, Lu) with narrow size distribution were prepared by a microemulsion method (W/O). Presence of an intermediate cubic phase, with oxygen vacancy ordering, was found for the Ce0.5Ln0.5O1.75 mixed oxides. A simple model of the intermediate phase has been proposed and tested.
Do common in silico tools predict the clinical consequences of amino‐acid substitutions in the CFTR gene?
Authors: Dorfman R , Nalpathamkalam T , Taylor C , Gonska T , Keenan K , Yuan XW , Corey M , Tsui L‐C , Zielenski J , Durie P 
Published: January 2010

Dorfman R, Nalpathamkalam T, Taylor C, Gonska T, Keenan K, Yuan XW, Corey M, Tsui L‐C, Zielenski J, Durie P. Do common in silico tools predict the clinical consequences of amino‐acid substitutions in the CFTR gene?Computational methods are used to predict the molecular consequences of amino‐acid substitutions on the basis of evolutionary conservation or protein structure, but their utility in clinical diagnosis or prediction of disease outcome has not been well validated. We evaluated three popular computer programs, namely, PANTHER, SIFT and PolyPhen, by comparing the predicted clinical outcomes for a group of known CFTR missense mutations against the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) and clinical manifestations in cohorts of subjects with CF‐disease and CFTR‐related disorders carrying these mutations. Owing to poor specificity, none of tools reliably distinguished between individual mutations that confer CF disease from mutations found in subjects with a CFTR‐related disorder or no disease. Prediction scores for CFTR mutations derived from PANTHER showed a significant overall statistical correlation with the spectrum of disease severity associated with mutations in the CFTR gene. In contrast, PolyPhen‐ and SIFT‐derived scores only showed significant differences between CF‐causing and non‐CF variants. Current computational methods are not recommended for establishing or excluding a CF diagnosis, notably as a newborn screening strategy or in patients with equivocal test results.
microRNAs in diseases: from candidate to modifier genes
Authors: Bandiera S , Hatem E , Lyonnet S , Henrion‐Caude A 
Published: January 2010

Bandiera S, Hatem E, Lyonnet S, Henrion‐Caude A. microRNAs in diseases: from candidate to modifier genes.Until recently, the search for genetic factors predisposing or causing Mendelian diseases focused almost exclusively on protein coding sequences. As essential components of the regulatory system of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) hold great promises into elucidating a number of inherited diseases. The herein review focuses on the genetic variations, whether copy number variation (CNV) or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), alternatively at the levels of the miRNA gene itself and of its target genes. We consider miRNA as the candidate gene, or the regulator of a disease‐causing gene, or the modifier gene. The best paradigms of the field are presented in both monogenic diseases and complex traits. The computational tools, which are essential into identifying miRNAs and characterizing miRNA targets, are overviewed.
Phylogenetic, Carbendazim Sensitivity and Mycotoxin Genotype Analyses of Fusarium graminearum Complex Species Isolated from Wheat Fusarium Head Blight in China
Authors: Wang Xuli , Cui Yunfeng , Fan Feiyu , Song Yuli , Ren Jingping , Meng Qinglin , Xu Weijun , Jiang Linghuo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractFusarium head blight (FHB) is a worldwide devastating disease of wheat, caused primarily by species in the Fusarium graminearum (Fg) complex. In this study, we obtained 55 Fusarium isolates from wheat with FHB collected from seven provinces along the north of the Yangtze River. One additional phylogenetic species of Fg complex, Fusarium meridionale, was identified for the first time from China in addition to two known ones, Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum. In addition, Fusarium acuminatum, distantly related to Fg complex, was for the first time identified in Northern China. Sensitivities of these isolates to carbendazim were examined and appeared to vary both within and between species. Mycotoxin genotype analyses indicated that F. asiaticum isolates were potential 3‐AcDON and NIV mycotoxin producers, while all F. graminearum isolates might be 15‐AcDON producers. These findings would provide useful information for developing management strategies for the control of FHB in Northern China.
A fresh look at NASH pathogenesis. Part 1: The metabolic movers
Authors: Larter Claire Z , Chitturi Shiv , Heydet Déborah , Farrell Geoffrey C 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe strong relationship between over‐nutrition, central obesity, insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) suggest pathogenic interactions, but key questions remain. NAFLD starts with over‐nutrition, imbalance between energy input and output for which the roles of genetic predisposition and environmental factors (diet, physical activity) are being redefined. Regulation of energy balance operates at both central nervous system and peripheral sites, including adipose and liver. For example, the endocannabinoid system could potentially be modulated to provide effective pharmacotherapy of NAFLD. The more profound the metabolic abnormalities complicating over‐nutrition (glucose intolerance, hypoadiponectinemia, metabolic syndrome), the more likely is NAFLD to take on its progressive guise of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Interactions between steatosis and insulin resistance, visceral adipose expansion and subcutaneous adipose failure (with insulin resistance, inflammation and hypoadiponectinemia) trigger amplifying mechanisms for liver disease. Thus, transition from simple steatosis to NASH could be explained by unmitigated hepatic lipid partitioning with failure of local adaptive mechanisms leading to lipotoxicity. In part one of this review, we discuss newer concepts of appetite and metabolic regulation, bodily lipid distribution, hepatic lipid turnover, insulin resistance and adipose failure affecting adiponectin secretion. We review evidence that NASH only occurs when over‐nutrition is complicated by insulin resistance and a highly disordered metabolic milieu, the same ‘metabolic movers’ that promote type 2 diabetes and atheromatous cardiovascular disease. The net effect is accumulation of lipid molecules in the liver. Which lipids and how they cause injury, inflammation and fibrosis will be discussed in part two.
Modelling the Appearance and Behaviour of Urban Spaces
Authors: Vanegas C. A. , Aliaga D. G. , Wonka P. , Müller P. , Waddell P. , Watson B. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractUrban spaces consist of a complex collection of buildings, parcels, blocks and neighbourhoods interconnected by streets. Accurately modelling both the appearance and the behaviour of dense urban spaces is a significant challenge. The recent surge in urban data and its availability via the Internet has fomented a significant amount of research in computer graphics and in a number of applications in urban planning, emergency management and visualization. In this paper, we seek to provide an overview of methods spanning computer graphics and related fields involved in this goal. Our paper reports the most prominent methods in urban modelling and rendering, urban visualization and urban simulation models. A reader will be well versed in the key problems and current solution methods.
Mode of delivery in HIV‐infected pregnant women and prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission: changing practices in Western Europe
Authors:   European Collaborative Study
Published: January 2010

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to examine temporal and geographical patterns of mode of delivery in the European Collaborative Study (ECS), identify factors associated with elective caesarean section (CS) delivery in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era and explore associations between mode of delivery and mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT).MethodsThe ECS is a cohort study in which HIV‐infected pregnant women are enrolled and their infants prospectively followed. Data on 5238 mother–child pairs (MCPs) enrolled in Western European ECS sites between 1985 and 2007 were analysed.ResultsThe elective CS rate increased from 16% in 1985–1993 to 67% in 1999–2001, declining to 51% by 2005–2007. In 2002–2004, 10% of infants were delivered vaginally, increasing to 34% by 2005–2007. During the HAART era, women in Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were less likely to deliver by elective CS than those in Italy and Spain [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04–0.12]. The MTCT rate in 2005–2007 was 1%. Among MCPs with maternal HIV RNA<400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL (n=960), elective CS was associated with 80% decreased MTCT risk (AOR 0.20; 95% CI 0.05–0.65) adjusting for HAART and prematurity. Two infants born to 559 women with viral loads <50 copies/mL were infected, one of whom was delivered by elective CS (MTCT rate 0.4%; 95% CI 0.04–1.29).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that elective CS prevents MTCT even at low maternal viral loads, but the study was insufficiently powered to enable a conclusion to be drawn as to whether this applies for viral loads <50 copies/mL. Diverging mode of delivery patterns in Europe reflect uncertainties regarding the risk–benefit balance of elective CS for women on successful HAART.
Genetic causes of syndromic and non‐syndromic autism
Authors: CAGLAYAN AHMET O 
Published: January 2010

Aims  Over the past decade, genetic tests have become available for numerous heritable disorders, especially those whose inheritance follows the Mendelian model. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a group of developmental disorders with a strong genetic basis. During the past few years, genetic research in ASDs has been successful in identifying several vulnerability loci and a few cytogenetic abnormalities or single‐base mutations implicated in the causation of autism.Method  In this study the literature was reviewed to highlight genotype–phenotype correlations between causal gene mutations or cytogenetic abnormalities and behavioural or morphological phenotypes.Results  Based on this knowledge, practical information is offered to help clinicians pursue targeted genetic testing of individuals with autism whose clinical phenotype is suggestive of a specific genetic or genomic aetiology.Interpretation  Comprehensive research into the molecular mechanism of autism is required to aid the development of disease‐specific targeted therapies. In order to transfer this recently acquired knowledge into clinical practice, it is critical to define a set of phenotypic inclusion criteria that must be met by affected probands to justify their enrolment in a specific genetic testing programme.
How Do Patients Aged 85 and Older Fare with Abdominal Surgery?
Authors: Mirbagheri Naseem , Dark Jonathan G. , Watters David A. K. 
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVES: To review the outcomes of patients aged 85 and older after abdominal surgery in terms of mortality, morbidity, and change in residential status and to analyze factors predicting such outcomes.DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study.SETTING: A tertiary regional hospital in Victoria, Australia.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy‐nine patients aged 85 and older who had abdominal surgery between 1998 and 2008.MEASUREMENTS: Mortality, complications (morbidity), and change in residential status.RESULTS: The patient sample had a mean age of 88.6, a mortality rate of 17.3%, and a morbidity rate of 62.8%. Approximately two‐thirds (64%) of all abdominal surgeries were emergency surgeries. Factors predicting mortality included American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and premorbid residential status. Risk factors predicting severity of complications were ASA score and emergency surgery. Significant factors contributing to change in residential status were ASA score and severity of complications. Age, sex, and number of comorbidities were not significant factors.CONCLUSION: Patients aged 85 and older experienced mortality rates of 17.3% after abdominal surgery. ASA score and premorbid residential status appear to be more important than age in determining risk for abdominal surgery in older persons.
Effects of a Restraint Minimization Program on Staff Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Authors: Pellfolk Tony J.‐E. , Gustafson Yngve , Bucht Gösta , Karlsson Stig 
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a restraint minimization education program on staff knowledge and attitudes and use of physical restraints.DESIGN: Cluster‐randomized controlled trial with nursing units as the basis for randomization.SETTING: Forty group dwelling units for people with dementia.PARTICIPANTS: At baseline, there were 184 staff and 191 residents in the intervention group and 162 staff and 162 residents in the control group. At the 6‐month follow‐up, there were 156 staff and 185 residents (36 newly admitted) in the intervention group and 133 staff and 165 residents (26 newly admitted) in the control group.INTERVENTION: A 6‐month education program for all nursing staff.MEASUREMENTS: Staff knowledge and attitudes and physical restraint use were measured before and after the education program.RESULTS: In the intervention group, staff knowledge about and attitudes toward restraint use changed, and the overall use of physical restraints decreased. A comparison including only residents present during the whole study period showed that the level of use was similar between the groups at baseline, whereas it was significantly lower in the intervention group at follow‐up. Adjusted analyses showed that the odds of being restrained at follow‐up were lower in the intervention group than in the control group. There was no significant change in the number of falls or use of psychoactive medication.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that staff education can increase knowledge, change attitudes, and reduce the use of physical restraints without any change in the incidence of falls or use of psychoactive drugs.