bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulatory Effects of Bovine Seminal Plasma on Uterine Inflammatory Processes
Authors: Aloé S , Weber F , Behr B , Sauter‐Louis C , Zerbe H 
Published: April 2011

ContentsIn this study, a simple model to simulate a uterine environment affected by subclinical endometritis was established by culturing isolated primary bovine uterine epithelial cells (pbUEC). Co‐incubation of pbUEC and polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes derived from peripheral bovine blood samples, was performed before testing the cell culture supernatant for production of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) via ELISA. Cytokine secretion was only detectable after co‐incubation of pbUEC with PMN, whereas neither pbUEC nor PMN alone generated IL‐8 in relevant chemo attractive doses. Another objective was to examine the influence of bovine seminal plasma (SP) and vesicular gland fluid (VGF) on various functional parameters of PMN including cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species and chemotaxis. Analysis of these effects was conducted by flow cytometry. Viability of PMN was determined by staining the cells with propidium iodide. Seminal plasma was added to suspensions of PMN in increasing increments and resulted in a significant increase of cell membrane damaged PMN when using SP concentrations above 0.2%. The reactive oxygen species production of PMN suspensions, stimulated with phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate, was significantly decreased by 30% up to 90% when adding 0.06–30‰ of either SP or VGF. The PMN transmigration induced by IL‐8 was diminished by 50% when 0.4‰ of either SP or VGF were added. The results of this study indicate a potential regulatory impact of SP and VGF on inflammatory processes in the bovine uterus.
Severity of chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcome
Authors: Sato Miho , Nishimaki Shigeru , Yokota Shumpei , Seki Kazuo , Horiguchi Haruko , An Hiromi , Ishida Fumihiko , Fujita Shujiro , Ao Kota , Yatake Haruko 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study is to elucidate whether the stage of chorioamnionitis is or is not associated with the development of neonatal diseases.Material & Methods:  We reviewed the neonatal intensive care unit discharge files and placental pathology reports of 302 preterm infants. The presence of various stages of chorioamnionitis as well as absence of an association with chorioamnionitis (non‐chorioamnionitis) were compared among neonatal diseases.Results:  Preterm infants were grouped according to three stages of chorioamnionitis or the absence of an association with chorioamnionitis. Gestational age differed significantly between these groups. Before controlling for gestational age, the chorioamnionitis stage was significantly higher among infants with chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage than in infants without these diseases. On the other hand, the chorioamnionitis stage was lower in infants with respiratory distress syndrome than without. After controlling for gestational age, the stage of chorioamnionitis was significantly lower in infants with respiratory distress syndrome than in infants without respiratory distress syndrome, whereas, significant differences were not detected between the presence and absence of chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage. Furthermore, gestational age was a significant risk factor for chronic lung disease, respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage.Conclusions:  We found no significant differences in stages of chorioamnionitis between infants with and without neonatal diseases except for respiratory distress syndrome. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the stage of chorioamnionitis and development of respiratory distress syndrome.
Diffusion‐Based Snow Cover Generation
Authors: Festenberg Niels v. , Gumhold Stefan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe present a method to generate snow covers on complex scene geometries. Both volumetric snow shapes and photorealistic texturing are computed. We formulate snow accumulation as a diffusive distribution process on a ground scene. Our theoretical framework is motivated by models for granular material deposition. With the framework we can capture the most relevant features of natural snow cover geometries in a concise local computation scheme. Snow bridges and overhangs are also included. Snow surface texture coordinates are computed to create realistic ground–snow interfaces. Several example scenes and a supplementary snow cover growth animation demonstrate the method's efficiency.
ARE THERE PRODUCTIVITY SPILLOVERS FROM FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN CHINA?
Authors: HALE GALINA , LONG CHERYL 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe review previous literature on productivity spillovers of foreign direct investment (FDI) in China and conduct our own analysis using a firm‐level data set from a World Bank survey. We find that the evidence of FDI spillovers on the productivity of Chinese domestic firms is mixed, with many positive results largely due to aggregation bias or failure to control for endogeneity of FDI. Attempting over 6000 specifications that take into account forward and backward linkages, we fail to find evidence of systematic positive productivity spillovers from FDI in China.
Spider web guilds in cacao agroforestry – comparing tree, plot and landscape‐scale management
Authors: Stenchly Kathrin , Clough Yann , Buchori Damayanti , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim  Owing to their role as insect predators, web‐building spiders can be important biological control agents within agricultural systems. In complex tropical agroecosystems such as agroforests, management determines plant architecture, vegetation composition and associated ant density, but little is known on how these attributes, together with landscape context, determine spider web density. We hypothesized that all three spatial scales and the presence of Philidris ants significantly contribute to the explanation of spider web density with web types being differently affected.Location  In 42 differently managed cacao agroforestry systems in Sulawesi, Indonesia.Methods  We surveyed the distribution of five spider‐web types on 420 cacao trees to determine how these relate to habitat variables and a numerically dominant ant species at three different spatial scales, comparing tree, plot and landscape features. We fitted linear mixed‐effects model, selected the best model subset using information‐theoretic criteria and calculated the model‐averaged estimates. We used non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to determine and visualize guild level responses to the effects of the tree, plot and landscape‐scale variables.Results  The five spider guilds preferred different features of cacao tree architecture. Most frequently recorded webs belonged to the line‐ and orb‐web type. At the tree scale, overall web density was positively related to canopy openness. At the plot scale, a higher number of shade trees was related to a higher web density. At the landscape scale, the altitude determined the distribution patterns of web‐building spiders. Presence of Philidris ants was positively associated with density of orb webs, while no pattern was found for other web types.Main conclusions  Results suggest spider web density could be increased by pruning of cacao trees while keeping shade trees at high density in cacao plots. The results emphasize the need to consider scale dependency of crop management and web‐guild‐specific responses that may be related to different functional roles of spiders as a high‐density predator group in agroforestry.
The M4 muscarinic antagonist MT‐3 inhibits myopia in chick: evidence for site of action
Authors: McBrien Neville A , Arumugam Baskar , Gentle Alex , Chow Anna , Sahebjada Srujana 
Published: May 2011

Citation information: McBrien NA, Arumugam B, Gentle A, Chow A & Sahebjada S. The M4 muscarinic antagonist MT‐3 inhibits myopia in chick: evidence for site of action. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 529–539. doi:10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00841.xAbstractPurpose:  It is well established that the broad‐band muscarinic antagonist, atropine is effective at inhibiting the progression of myopia and does so by preventing the elongation of the vitreous chamber of the eye. However, uncertainty remains as to whether this effect occurs through a receptoral mechanism and, if so, which muscarinic receptor subtype mediates this effect. Previous work, in avian and mammalian models of myopia, implicates the M1 and M4 receptors as potential targets. The current study used physiologically relevant concentrations of highly selective muscarinic antagonists (MT‐3 and MT‐7) to further characterise the role of the M4 receptor in the control of myopia in the chick model of refractive development.Methods:  Nine groups of week‐old chicks underwent 5 days of monocular deprivation, with a translucent occluder, to induce myopia. These animals had either no injection, scleral puncture with a needle, or daily intravitreal injections of MT‐3 (M4‐selective), MT‐7 (M1‐selective) or vehicle. Three concentrations of each antagonist were delivered (250 nm, 2.5 μm and 10 μm). After the treatment period, keratometry, retinoscopy and A‐Scan ultrasound were used to assess ocular biometry.Results:  MT‐3 treatment produced a significant dose‐dependent reduction in relative myopia (treated−control eye) compared to vehicle treatment (vehicle −10.1 ± 1.1 D vs 10 μm MT‐3 −4.0 ± 1.5 D, p < 0.01). The majority of this effect was due to reduced relative vitreous chamber elongation in drug treated eyes (vehicle +0.26 ± 0.04 mm, 10 μm MT‐3 +0.08 ± 0.07 mm, p < 0.05). In contrast, MT‐7 had no significant effect on the development of myopia (MT‐7 10 μm: myopia, −12.1 ± 0.8 D and vitreous chamber depth, +0.23 ± 0.07 mm). Calculations indicate that the experimentally achieved concentrations of MT‐3 at intraocular receptors necessary to inhibit 50% of myopia development (between 5 and 50 nm) were consistent with published in vitro affinity constants for the M4 receptor and below those for the M1 receptor. Histology demonstrated that MT‐3 at the doses used had no gross effects on the retina, indicating a non‐toxic mode of action.Conclusions:  In the chick, which lacks a homologue of the mammalian M1 receptor, the above findings represent compelling evidence that muscarinic antagonists prevent myopia progression through an M4‐receptor mediated mechanism, most likely located in the retina.
Smoking Cessation Counseling for Parents During Child Hospitalization: A National Survey of Pediatric Nurses
Authors: Geller Alan C. , Brooks Daniel R. , Woodring Barbara , Oppenheimer Sarah , McCabe Margaret , Rogers Jayne , Timm Alison , Resnick Elissa A. , Winickoff Jonathan P. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT Objective: Given the central role played by pediatric nurses in intake assessment, discharge planning, and education for families of hospitalized pediatric patients, a child's hospitalization may provide a unique opportunity for counseling parents about smoking. We sought to determine if hospital policies can support nurses in effectively counseling parents about smoking.
Design and Sample: We conducted a national survey of pediatric staff nurses and administrators/educators who were members of the Society of Pediatric Nurses in 2008 (n=888) to explore counseling practices for tobacco control.
Measures: Questionnaires included data on demographics, personal and work environment characteristics, hospital policy characteristics, work attitudes and barriers and the main outcome—5As for smoking cessation counseling—Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange.
Results: Overall, routine screening for household smokers was most common (43%), followed by advice to quit (25%), assessing willingness to quit (19%), assisting with a quit plan (6%), and arranging follow‐up contact (3%). Nurses working in hospitals with admission assessments specifically asking about household members who smoke were 7 times more likely than those without such assessments to routinely ask about smoking (OR: 7.2, 95% CI: 4.9–10.5).
Conclusion: Future research should test the efficacy of developing comprehensive hospital‐wide policies to deliver smoking cessation for parents during a child's hospitalization.
Surgical Treatment of Disk‐Associated Wobbler Syndrome by a Distractable Vertebral Titanium Cage in Seven Dogs
Authors: De Decker Steven , Caemaert Jacques , Tshamala Mulenda C. , Gielen Ingrid M. V. L. , Van Bree Henri J. J. , Bosmans Tim , Wegge Beatrice , Van Ham Luc M. L. 
Published: May 2011

Objective:To evaluate a distractable titanium cage for the treatment of disk‐associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS).Study Design:Prospective study.Animals:Dogs (n=7) with DAWS.Methods:After total discectomy of C5–C6 and C6–C7, the median part of the vertebral body of C6 was removed with preservation of the lateral walls and dorsal cortex. The removed cancellous bone was collected. The implant was placed in the bony defect of C6. After placement, the titanium cage was distracted and affixed by 4 screws. Finally, the implant was filled and covered with cancellous bone. Dogs had follow‐up examinations at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Six months after surgery, cervical radiographs and computed tomography (CT) were performed.Results:Although no intraoperative complications occurred, correct placement of the cage was technically challenging. Revision surgery was necessary in 2 dogs because of implant loosening and aggravation of vertebral tilting. All dogs improved after discharge from the hospital. In 1 dog, recurrence of clinical signs caused by articular facet proliferation at an adjacent intervertebral disk space occurred. Radiographs at 6 months demonstrated cage subsidence in 4 dogs. In all dogs, CT was suggestive for fusion of the bone graft with the vertebral body.Conclusions:Although results are promising, technical adaptations will be necessary to make this specific surgical technique, designed for humans, suitable for routine use in dogs.
EFFECT OF PRETREATMENTS ON PERFORMANCE OF SCREW PRESSING FOR FLAXSEED
Authors: SINGH K.K. , JHAMB S.A. , KUMAR R. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe influence of different pretreatment conditions and moisture content of flaxseed prior to pressing was studied on the screw press performance. Oil recovery, residual oil in cake, press rate and sediment content were measured as a function of pretreatments and moisture content for screw pressing of flaxseed. The pretreatments had significant effect on residual oil and press rate but nonsignificant effect on oil recovery and sediment content. An inverse relationship between seed moisture content and oil recovery was observed in pressing flaxseed that means decreased moisture content in the range of 13.8 to 6.5% resulted increased oil recovery from 44.4 to 73.3%, 36.4 to 76.6% and 45.4 to 81% for the only moisture conditioned, steam‐ and enzyme‐treated seeds, respectively. The residual oil decreased significantly with decrease in moisture content from 13.8 to 6.5% while the press rate and sediment content were not affected significantly with decreased moisture content. Therefore, pressing of flaxseed at lower moisture content appears to offer more benefits rather than other pretreatments, steam and enzyme treatments attempted in this study.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe screw presses are used for the small scale processing of flaxseed. The performance of the screw presses could be improved by selection of appropriate pretreatments prior to screw pressing. Hence, the information generated in this study would directly benefit the processors in selection of pretreatment conditions for better screw press performance. It would also be useful for the researchers to have better understanding of screw pressing under different pretreatment conditions.
“Porpicide” in California: Killing of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) by coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Cotter Mark P. , Maldini Daniela , Jefferson Thomas A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBetween 2007 and 2009, we witnessed three aggressive interactions between harbor porpoises and bottlenose dolphins in Monterey Bay, California. This is the first time such aggression has been documented in the Pacific, and the first time a harbor porpoise was collected immediately after witnessing its death, inflicted by bottlenose dolphins. Of the bottlenose dolphins present, 92% were males either confirmed (61%) or putative (31%). Since 2005, 44 harbor porpoise deaths inflicted by bottlenose dolphins were documented in California. Aberrant behavior was rejected as a cause of aggression, based on widespread documentation of similar behaviors in other populations of free‐ranging bottlenose dolphins. The evidence for interspecies territoriality as a form of competition for prey was weak: there is little dietary overlap and there are differences in bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise distribution patterns in California. Object‐oriented play was plausible as a form of practice to maintain intraspecific infanticidal skills or a form of play to maintain fighting skills between male associates. Contributing factors could be high‐testosterone levels, as attacks occurred at the height of the breeding season, and/or a skewed operational sex ratio. Ultimately, we need more information about bottlenose dolphin social structure at the time of the aggression.
The Comparative Use of Ancient Near Eastern Texts in the Study of the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Chavalas Mark W. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis present research is intended as a synthesis of the current state of research in the comparative study of ancient Near Eastern texts and the Hebrew Bible. This will involve a discussion of new texts that have been discovered, as well as the many reevaluations of texts found in previous decades. Beginning with a brief study of the nature of comparative research, this study will then survey textual material from each of the traditional ancient Near Eastern regions: Syria‐Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Syria‐Canaan, emphasizing documents that come from the sixth centurybceor earlier. One can conclude that new ancient Near Eastern discoveries continue to supply important material for furthering our historical understanding of the Hebrew Bible.
Conversation Analysis and Language Classroom Discourse
Authors: Huth Thorsten 
Published: May 2011

AbstractLanguage classrooms are educational settings in which face‐to‐face talk is viewed as the pivotal factor driving its major functions and goals. Conversation analysis (CA) has increasingly been applied to the analysis of language classroom discourse in pursuit of studies that may further our understanding of what language teachers and learners actually ‘do’ interactionally. This article provides an introduction to the larger strands of CA research in this vein, focusing on language classroom discourse in the context of and beyond tasks, repair and feedback, identity and code switching, and language development.
Psychology as Space: Embodied Relationality
Authors: Tucker Ian 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe relationship between bodies and space is not one that often concerns social psychology, or for that matter, the social sciences more broadly (cultural geography being an exception). This is largely due to bodies and space being facets of the world that are not usually considered as psychological. The former are traditionally seen as biological whilst the latter are thought of as geographical. In this paper, I will explore the idea that bodies and space are intrinsic to social psychological living, and as such, both should enter the list of key concerns for the discipline. Moreover, I will suggest that bodies and space are best thought of as products of inter‐connecting processes, rather than separate entities each with their own inherent properties. In doing so, the work of relational process philosophy will be drawn upon to ground the arguments made. The aim of the paper is to offer an understanding of social psychological experience as grounded in processes that are at the same time, embodied and spatialised.
Cultural Meanings of Brands and Consumption: A Window into the Cultural Psychology of Globalization
Authors: Torelli Carlos , Cheng Shirley 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWith globalization, the number of individuals with knowledge about multiple cultures is on the rise. This article illustrates how studying consumer reactions to brands that are loaded with cultural meanings can contribute to developing a cultural psychology of globalization. Our review demonstrates that brands can be considered cultural ‘products’– they are tangible, public representations of meanings and ideas shared in a culture. As such, incidental exposure to culturally symbolic brands can spontaneously evoke its attendant cultural meanings and trigger culturally appropriate behavioral decisions. Because globalization makes these brands readily available in diverse cultural contexts, consumer reactions to culturally symbolic brands often reflect people’s views about the cultural effects of globalization. Consumers would respond favorably to these brands when the associated cultural meanings reinforce the consumers’ cultural identity. In contrast, consumers would react negatively toward these brands when they are perceived to be a threat to the local culture. We identify the factors that promote one type of reaction over the other, and discuss how this line of research can further contribute to building a cultural psychology of globalization.
Identifying Patients Harboring Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae on Hospital Admission: Derivation and Validation of a Scoring System
Authors: Tumbarello Mario , Trecarichi Enrico Maria , Bassetti Matteo , De Rosa Francesco Giuseppe , Spanu Teresa , Di Meco Eugenia , Losito Angela Raffaella , Parisini Andrea , Pagani Nicole , Cauda Roberto 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Increases in community-acquired infections caused by extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
have important implications for hospital infection control and empirical antibiotic therapy protocols. We developed and validated a tool for identifying patients harboring these organisms at hospital admission. We retrospectively analyzed chart data for 849 adult inpatients. The derivation cohort included 339 patients admitted to a large hospital in Rome during 2008, with (
n
= 113) or without (
n
= 226) culture positivity for ESBL-producing
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella
spp., or
Proteus mirabilis
within 48 h after admission. Logistic-regression-based prediction scores were calculated based on variables independently associated with the outcome. The model was validated in a second cohort (
n
= 510) selected with identical criteria in hospitals in Genoa and Turin during 2009. Prediction scores were based on the following six variables (reported with odds ratio for study outcome and the 95% confidence intervals in brackets): recent (≤12 months before admission) hospitalization (5.69 [2.94 to 10.99]), transfer from another health care facility (5.61 [1.65 to 19.08]), Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 4 (3.80 [1.90 to 7.59]), recent (≤3 months before admission) β-lactam and/or fluoroquinolone treatment (3.68 [1.96 to 6.91]), recent urinary catheterization (3.52 [1.96 to 6.91]), and age ≥ 70 years (3.20 [1.79 to 5.70]). The model displayed good calibration and good-to-excellent discrimination in the derivation and validation sets (Hosmer-Lemshow χ
2
= 15.28 and 14.07;
P
= 0.17 and 0.23; areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.83 and 0.92). It reliably identified patients likely to be harboring ESBL-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
at hospital admission who may need special infection control measures. Further study is needed to confirm this model's potential as a guide for prescribing empirical antibiotic therapy.