bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overlap and seasonal shifts in use of woody plant species amongst a guild of savanna browsers
Authors: O'Kane Christopher A. J. , Duffy Kevin J. , Page Bruce R. , Macdonald David W. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract:To clarify the potential influence of different browsers in the same guild on woody vegetation, dietary overlap and separation between elephant, giraffe, kudu, nyala and impala was assessed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. Woody species browsed, browsing heights, plant-parts browsed and browsing versus grazing were recorded over 2 y by direct observation. We obtained 3068 browse records. Niche breadth (Levins' measure) and overlap (Schoener's index) in species browsed and browsing heights were calculated. Annual and seasonal differences in these measurements, plant-part use and browsing versus grazing were assessed. Elephant utilized the largest number (n = 78) of different woody plant species. Overlap in species browsed was lower between elephant and other browsers than amongst the latter. Seasonal rainfall influenced the range of woody plants utilized, niche breadth in terms of species browsed and browsing versus grazing. Marked resource depletion caused elephant, contrary to theoretical predictions, to narrow niche breadth in terms of species browsed. However, resource depletion rarely had a significant effect on interspecific overlap in species browsed or overlap in browsing heights, on actual browsing heights or plant-parts utilized. A small suite (n = 8) of woody species formed the core diet of all guild members, implying the potential for synergistic impacts by guild members on these species and for competition between populations of different guild members.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About CRIV but Were Afraid to Ask
Authors: Myers Rob 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe Committee on Relations with Information Vendors (CRIV) is one of thirty-seven committees organized under the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The purpose of CRIV is to facilitate communications between information vendors and the members of the Association by monitoring complaints and providing constructive suggestions to vendors of legal information. The Committee also serves to educate AALL member librarians on helpful ways to communicate with information vendors. This article by Rob Myers provides a brief history of CRIV, outlines the Committee's organisation and structure, discusses its activities in pursuit of its charge, and outlines its goals for the immediate future.
Cross Currents: Charting our Future … The Second Joint ALLA/NZLLA Conference, 2010
Authors: Shakespeare Rosemary 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRosemary Shakespeare attended the 2nd Joint ALLA/NZLLA Conference. Her interest was primarily in those sessions with a worldwide focus, rather than specifically the Australasia region and this article is about digitisation projects, with particular emphasis on the Law Library Microform Consortium's work.
Examples of non-commutative Hodge structures
Authors: Hertling Claus , Sabbah Claude 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe show that, under a condition called minimality, if the Stokes matrix of a connection with a pole of order two and no ramification gives rise, when added to its adjoint, to a positive semidefinite Hermitian form, then the associated integrable twistor structure (or TERP structure, or noncommutative Hodge structure) is pure and polarized.
Farmer perceptions of sustainable agriculture practices and drought risk reduction in Nebraska, USA
Authors: Knutson C.L. , Haigh T. , Hayes M.J. , Widhalm M. , Nothwehr J. , Kleinschmidt M. , Graf L. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSocial factors, such as farming methods, have an impact on farm vulnerability to drought, but have received little research or policy attention. Some researchers and advocates have argued that sustainable agriculture systems are less vulnerable to climate risk than conventional systems because sustainable agriculture requires producers to have skills promoting adaptability. In this paper, we investigate producers’ perceptions on the use of sustainable agriculture in reducing drought risk, and what they believe would help them better adapt to drought. We surveyed and interviewed farmer members of two sustainable agriculture organizations in Nebraska, USA, during a multi-year drought period from 1999 to 2007. Producers reported implementing a range of practices, such as organic soil building techniques, reduced tillage, targeted crop selection and diversification of crop and livestock production systems, to reduce their drought vulnerability. Although some practices were implemented specifically to reduce drought risk, producers felt that the practices they implemented as part of their normal operation were largely responsible for reducing their risk. Respondents held mixed views on the effects of insurance and farm programs on their drought management decisions. Finally, producers indicated that their ability to adapt to drought is limited by a number of barriers, especially a lack of capital and the need to respond to markets and maximize production to maintain cash flows.
International law and armed non-state actors in Afghanistan
Authors: Bellal Annyssa , Giacca Gilles , Casey-Maslen Stuart 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAn effective legal regime governing the actions of armed non-state actors in Afghanistan should encompass not only international humanitarian law but also international human rights law. While the applicability of Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions to the conflict is not controversial, how and to what extent Additional Protocol II applies is more difficult to assess, in particular in relation to the various armed actors operating in the country. The applicability of international human rights law to armed non-state actors – considered by the authors as important, particularly in Afghanistan – remains highly controversial. Nevertheless, its applicability to such actors exercising control over a population is slowly becoming more accepted. In addition, violations of peremptory norms of international law can also directly engage the legal responsibility of such groups.
Protistan microbial observatory in the Cariaco Basin, Caribbean. I. Pyrosequencing vs Sanger insights into species richness
Authors: Edgcomb Virginia , Orsi William , Bunge John , Jeon Sunok , Christen Richard , Leslin Chesley , Holder Mark , Taylor Gordon T , Suarez Paula , Varela Ramon , Epstein Slava 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Microbial diversity and distribution are topics of intensive research. In two companion papers in this issue, we describe the results of the Cariaco Microbial Observatory (Caribbean Sea, Venezuela). The Basin contains the largest body of marine anoxic water, and presents an opportunity to study protistan communities across biogeochemical gradients. In the first paper, we survey 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence diversity using both Sanger- and pyrosequencing-based approaches, employing multiple PCR primers, and state-of-the-art statistical analyses to estimate microbial richness missed by the survey. Sampling the Basin at three stations, in two seasons, and at four depths with distinct biogeochemical regimes, we obtained the largest, and arguably the least biased collection of over 6000 nearly full-length protistan rRNA gene sequences from a given oceanographic regime to date, and over 80 000 pyrosequencing tags. These represent all major and many minor protistan taxa, at frequencies globally similar between the two sequence collections. This large data set provided, via the recently developed parametric modeling, the first statistically sound prediction of the total size of protistan richness in a large and varied environment, such as the Cariaco Basin: over 36 000 species, defined as almost full-length 18S rRNA gene sequence clusters sharing over 99% sequence homology. This richness is a small fraction of the grand total of known protists (over 100 000–500 000 species), suggesting a degree of protistan endemism.
Monotonicity and asymptotics of zeros of Laguerre-Sobolev-type orthogonal polynomials of higher order derivatives
Authors: Marcellán Francisco , Rafaeli Fernando 
Published: March 2011

In this paper we analyze the location of the zeros of polynomials orthogonal with respect to the inner product

⟨
p
,
q
⟩
=

∫

0

∞

p
(
x
)
q
(
x
)

x

α

e

−
x

d
x
+
N

p

(
j
)

(
0
)

q

(
j
)

(
0
)
,

\begin{equation} \langle p,q\rangle = \displaystyle \int _{0}^{\infty }p(x)q(x)x^{\alpha }e^{-x}dx+Np^{(j)}(0)q^{(j)}(0), \end{equation}

where

α
>
−
1

\alpha >-1

,

N
≥
0
,

N\geq 0,

and

j
∈

N

.

j\in \mathbb {N}.

In particular, we focus our attention on their interlacing properties with respect to the zeros of Laguerre polynomials as well as on the monotonicity of each individual zero in terms of the mass

N
.

N.

Finally, we give necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of

N
N

in order for the least zero of any Laguerre-Sobolev-type orthogonal polynomial to be negative.
β2-Adrenergic Receptor Genotype and Other Variables that Contribute to Labor Pain and Progress
Authors: Reitman Elena , Conell-Price Jessamyn , Evansmith Jennifer , Olson Luke , Drosinos Sofia , Jasper Nancy , Randolph Paula , Smiley Richard M. , Shafer Steven , Flood Pamela 
Published: March 2011

Background
β2-Adrenergic receptor (β2AR) activity influences labor. Its genotype affects the incidence of preterm delivery. We determined the effect of β2AR genotype on term labor progress and maternal pain.

Methods
We prospectively enrolled 150 nulliparous parturients in the third trimester and obtained sensory thresholds, demographic information, and DNA. Cervical dilation, pain scores, and labor management data were extracted with associated times. The association of genetic and demographic factors with labor was tested using mixed effects models.

Results
Parturients who express Gln at the 27 position of the β2AR had slower labor (P < 0.03). They progressed from 1-10 cm dilation in approximately 21 h compared with 14 h among other patients. Asian ethnicity, previously associated with slower labor, is highly associated with this polymorphism (P < 0.0001). Heavier and black patients had slower latent labor (P < 0.01, 0.01). Neuraxial analgesia was associated with slower labor progress (P < 0.0001). It could take up to 36 h for parturients who were black and/or more than median weight (165 lb) to transition from 1 cm cervical dilation to active labor. However, after this active phase began, labor rates among these patients were similar to that of other parturients.

Conclusions
We detected a strong association between β2AR genotype and slower labor. Asian ethnicity may be a proxy for β2AR genotype. Black women and those of higher than average weight have slower latent labor. These results confirm many of the associations found when this mathematical model was applied to a large retrospective cohort, further validating this approach to description and analysis of labor progress.
Continuous Femoral Nerve Blocks
Authors: Charous Matthew T. , Madison Sarah J. , Suresh Preetham J. , Sandhu NavParkash S. , Loland Vanessa J. , Mariano Edward R. , Donohue Michael C. , Dutton Pascual H. , Ferguson Eliza J. , Ilfeld Brian M. 
Published: March 2011

Background
Whether the method of local anesthetic administration for continuous femoral nerve blocks--basal infusion versus repeated hourly bolus doses--influences block effects remains unknown.

Methods
Bilateral femoral perineural catheters were inserted in volunteers (n = 11). Ropivacaine 0.1% was concurrently administered through both catheters: a 6-h continuous 5 ml/h basal infusion on one side and 6 hourly bolus doses on the contralateral side. The primary endpoint was the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps femoris muscle at hour 6. Secondary endpoints included quadriceps MVIC at other time points, hip adductor MVIC, and cutaneous sensation 2 cm medial to the distal quadriceps tendon in the 22 h after initiation of local anesthetic administration.

Results
Quadriceps MVIC for limbs receiving 0.1% ropivacaine as a basal infusion declined by a mean (SD) of 84% (19) compared with 83% (24) for those receiving 0.1% ropivacaine as repeated bolus doses between baseline and hour 6 (paired t test P = 0.91). Intrasubject comparisons (left vs. right) also reflected a lack of difference: the mean basal-bolus difference in quadriceps MVIC at hour 6 was -1.1% (95% CI -22.0-19.8%). The similarity did not reach the a priori threshold for concluding equivalence, which was the 95% CI decreasing within ± 20%. There were similar minimal differences in the secondary endpoints during local anesthetic administration.

Conclusions
This study did not find evidence to support the hypothesis that varying the method of local anesthetic administration--basal infusion versus repeated bolus doses--influences continuous femoral nerve block effects to a clinically significant degree.
Recent advances in diagnosis, molecular pathology and therapy of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
Authors: Bacher Ulrike , Haferlach Torsten , Schnittger Susanne , Kreipe Hans , Kröger Nicolaus 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe clinical, morphological, and genetic heterogeneity of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML), has made it difficult to clearly assign this entity to a distinct haematological category. In 2001, the World Health Organization transferred CMML to a new category of mixed myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disorders, which was maintained in the last revision in 2008. Considering the rare occurrence of CMML, most pharmacotherapeutic and transplant studies combined CMML with myelodysplastic syndrome cases, but some clinical trials specifically investigated the use of demethylating agents in CMML and demonstrated stabilization of the haematological situation or even complete remission in subsets of patients. Information on the significance of other drugs is very limited. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative option for patients with CMML. Molecular studies revealed various novel genetic alterations in CMML – notably of the JAK2, TET2, CBL, IDH, or RUNX1 and RAS genes. This review summarizes the current status of pharmacotherapy and transplantation in CMML and outlines recent results of molecular research for diagnosis of this heterogeneous entity.
Hypercalciuria in children with haemophilia suggests primary skeletal pathology
Authors: Ranta Susanna , Viljakainen Heli , Mäkipernaa Anne , Mäkitie Outi 
Published: March 2011

SummarySeveral factors can compromise optimal bone mass accrual during childhood and predispose to osteoporosis later in life. Patients with haemophilia are already at risk of low bone mass during childhood, partly due to reduced physical activity related to joint bleeds and haemarthrosis. The introduction of primary prophylaxis with regular infusions of the deficient coagulation factor has enabled reduction or prevention of haemophilic arthropathy. Finnish children with severe haemophilia start prophylaxis early and are encouraged to participate in physical activities. We hypothesized that prophylactic therapy would ensure normal childhood bone mass development and carried out a case–control study in 29 children with haemophilia (2 mild, 6 moderate, 21 severe) and 58 age‐matched controls. Their bone health was determined by fracture history, blood and urine biochemistry, bone densitometry and spinal imaging. Bone mineral density was lower in children with haemophilia but there was no evidence for significantly increased fracture rate. The patients had significantly higher urinary calcium excretion and higher serum calcium concentration, and reduced bone resorption as compared with the controls. Our findings suggest primary skeletal pathology, resulting in increased urinary calcium loss and altered bone metabolism, which may over time contribute to the development of osteoporosis in patients with haemophilia.
Immunoglobulin subclass determines ability of immunoglobulin (Ig)G to capture and activate neutrophils presented as normal human IgG or disease-associated anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-IgG
Authors: Pankhurst T , Nash G , Williams J , Colman R , Hussain A , Savage C 
Published: March 2011

SummaryImmunoglobulin G (IgG) is a potent neutrophil stimulus, particularly when presented as anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) in ANCA-associated vasculitis. We assessed whether IgG subclasses had differential effects on neutrophil activation and whether differences were dependent on specific Fc-receptor engagement. Using a physiologically relevant flow model, we compared adhesion of neutrophils to different subclasses of normal IgG coated onto solid surfaces, with adhesion of neutrophils treated with different subclasses of soluble ANCA IgG to P-selectin surfaces or endothelial cells (EC). Normal IgG captured flowing neutrophils efficiently in the order IgG3 &gt; IgG1 &gt; IgG2 &gt; IgG4. Fc-receptor blockade reduced capture, IgG3 being more dependent on CD16 and IgG1/2 on CD32. Blockade of the integrin CD18 reduced neutrophil spreading, while inhibition of calcium-dependent signalling reduced both capture and spreading, suggesting that both were active processes. Neutrophils treated with ANCA IgG subclasses 1, 3 and 4 showed stabilization of adhesion to P-selectin surfaces and EC. ANCA changed neutrophil behaviour from rolling to static adhesion and the potency of the subclasses followed the same pattern as above: IgG3 &gt; IgG1 &gt; IgG4. Blockade of Fc receptors resulted in neutrophils continuing to roll, i.e. they were not ANCA-activated; differential utilization of Fc receptor by particular IgG subclasses was not as apparent as during neutrophil capture by normal IgG. IgG3 is the most effective subclass for inducing neutrophil adhesion and altered behaviour, irrespective of whether the IgG is surface bound or docks onto neutrophil surface antigens prior to engaging Fc receptors. Engagement of Fc receptors underpins these responses; the dominant Fc receptor depends on IgG subclass.
Toll-like receptor 4 signalling attenuates experimental allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: Chung S-H , Choi S H , Cho K J , Joo C-K 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAllergic conjunctivitis from an allergen-driven T helper type 2 (Th2) response is characterized by conjunctival eosinophilic infiltration. Association between signalling through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and adaptive immune responses has been observed in allergic airway disease. We examined whether administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a prototypic bacterial product that activates immune cells via TLR-4, could affect the development of allergic conjunctivitis and modify the immune response to ovalbumin (OVA) allergen in an experimental allergic conjunctivitis (EAC) model. Mice were challenged with two doses of OVA via conjunctival sac after systemic challenge with OVA in alum. Several indicators for allergy were evaluated in wild-type and TLR-4−/− mice with or without adding of different doses of LPS into OVA in alum. Mice challenged with OVA via conjunctival sac following systemic challenge with OVA in alum had severe allergic conjunctivitis. Of interest, LPS administration markedly suppressed immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated and eosinophil-dependent conjunctival inflammation. In addition, mice sensitized with OVA plus LPS had less interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and eotaxin secretion than mice sensitized with OVA only. The suppression of allergic response by LPS administration was due to Th1 shift. In contrast, the presence of LPS during sensitization with OVA had no effect on severity of allergic conjunctivitis and Th2 responses in TLR4-4−/− mice. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that LPS suppresses Th2 responses via the TLR-4-dependent pathway in the EAC model.
Decreasing trends of bacteraemia among HIV‐infected Ugandan adults: incidence, aetiology, clinical outcomes and effect of antiretroviral therapy in a semi‐urban setting (2000–2008)
Authors: Muyanja Stella Zawedde , Larke Natasha , Rutebarika Diana , Kaddu Ismael , Nakubulwa Susan , Levin Jonathan , Grosskurth Heiner , Miiro George 
Published: March 2011

SummaryObjective  To investigate the effect of antiretroviral therapy on trends of incidence, aetiology and clinical outcomes of bacteraemia among HIV‐infected Ugandans in a semi‐urban setting.Methods  A cohort of HIV‐1‐infected Ugandans aged 15 or older was followed from 2000 to 2008. Clinical, haematological and immunological measurements were taken at 6‐monthly visits. Additionally, patients reported to outpatient clinics whenever they were ill. Patients with elevated axillary temperature above 37.4 °C consistently triggered clinical assessment (with mandatory blood cultures) and empirical management protocol. Daily cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were introduced stepwise to eligible patients in August 2000 and February 2003, respectively. We compared the rates of bacteraemia across five calendar periods using random‐effects Poisson regression for the effect of HAART at the population level.Results  A total of 246 bacteraemia episodes (including multiple episodes) were documented among 188 individuals (crude incidence: 42.4 events per 1000 person‐years; 95% CI: 35.0, 51.4). The most common species isolated was Streptococcus pneumoniae. After adjustment for current age, clinical characteristics at enrolment (CD4+ T‐cell counts and WHO stage) and time since enrolment, the incidence of bacteraemia dropped significantly when HAART was widely available compared with the period when treatment was not available (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.35). No poor health outcomes (death or lack of clinical response to antibiotics) after bacteraemia occurred after complete access to HAART.Conclusions  HAART availability in a resource‐poor setting substantially reduced the trends of bacteraemia among HIV‐infected adults. This may further impact on future morbidity and healthcare costs of HIV‐infected people.
Papillomaviral DNA and increased p16CDKN2A protein are frequently present within feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in ultraviolet‐protected skin
Authors: Munday John S. , Gibson Isobel , French Adrienne F. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSquamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common feline skin tumours. While exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes some SCCs, a subset develop in UV‐protected skin. In cats, papillomaviruses (PVs) cause viral plaques and Bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISCs). As both may progress to SCC, it was hypothesized that SCCs in UV‐protected skin may represent neoplastic transformation of a PV‐induced lesion. To investigate this hypothesis, PCR was used to amplify PV DNA from 25 UV‐protected and 45 UV‐exposed SCCs. Oncogenic human PVs cause neoplasia by mechanisms that also increase p16CDKN2A protein (p16). As increased p16 is present in feline viral plaques and BISCs, immunohistochemistry was used to detect p16 within the SCCs. Papillomaviral DNA was amplified from 76% of UV‐protected SCCs, but only 42% of UV‐exposed SCCs. Increased p16 was present in 84% of UV‐protected SCCs, but only 40% of UV‐exposed SCCs. The more frequent detection of PV DNA and increased p16 within UV‐protected SCCs supports the hypothesis that some develop from a PV‐induced plaque or BISC. Felis domesticus PV‐2 is thought to cause viral plaques and BISCs. This PV was detected most frequently within the UV‐protected SCCs, supporting development from a PV‐induced lesion. Increased p16 and PV DNA were less frequent within UV‐exposed SCCs, presumably because these developed from actinic keratosis rather than a PV‐induced lesion. The results support the hypothesis that some feline cutaneous SCCs are caused by PV infection and suggest that PVs may cause neoplasia by mechanisms that also increase p16.