bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantification and causes of the terrigeneous sediment budget at the scale of a continental margin: a new method applied to the Namibia–South Africa margin
Authors: Guillocheau F. , Rouby D. , Robin C. , Helm C. , Rolland N. , Le Carlier de Veslud C. , Braun J. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe terrigeneous sediment budget of passive margin basins records variations in continental relief triggered by either deformation or climate. Consequently, it becomes a major challenge to determine sediment accumulation histories in a large number of basins found in various geodynamic contexts. In this study, we developed a GIS‐based method to determine the sediment budget at the scale of a whole basin (from the upstream continental onlap to the most distal deepest marine deposits) and the associated uncertainties. The volume of sediments preserved in the basin for each time interval was estimated by interpolation between cross‐sections and then corrected from in situ production and porosity to obtain terrigeneous solid volumes. This approach was validated by applying it to Namibia–South African passive margin basins for which independent data are available. We determined by a statistical approach the variances associated with each parameter of the method: the geometrical extrapolation of the section (8–43%), the uncertainties on seismic velocities for the depth conversion (2–10%), on the absolute ages of stratigraphic horizons (0.2–12%), on the carbonate content (0.2–46%) and on remaining porosities estimation (3–5%). Our estimates of the accumulated volumes were validated by comparison with previous estimates at a lower temporal resolution in the same area. We discussed variations in accumulation rates observed in terms of relief variations triggered by climate and/or deformation. The high accumulation rates determined for the Lower Cretaceous, progressively decreasing to a minimum in the Mid‐Cretaceous, are consistent with the progressive relaxation of a rift‐related relief. The following increase to an Upper Cretaceous maximum is consistent with a major relief reorganization driven either by an uplift and/or a change to more humid climate conditions. The lower accumulation rate in the Cenozoic suggests a relief reorganization of lesser amplitude over that period.
TGF‐β1, EGF and FGF4 synergistically induce differentiation of the seminoma cell line TCam‐2 into a cell type resembling mixed non‐seminoma
Authors: Nettersheim D. , Gillis A. J. M. , Looijenga L. H. J. , Schorle H. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryMalignant germ‐cell tumours arise from a neoplastic precursor, the carcinoma in situ, and develop into seminomas and/or non‐seminomas (embryonal carcinomas, teratomas, yolk‐sac tumours and choriocarcinomas). Based on histological and clinical findings, it has been postulated that seminomas can eventually transform into non‐seminomas. Here, we used the cell line TCam‐2 as model for seminomas and interrogated their differentiation potential. We demonstrate that TCam‐2 cells are able to differentiate into mixed non‐seminomatous lineages after supplementing the media with TGF‐β1, EGF and FGF4. On a molecular level, the differentiation is initiated by repression of BMP/SMAD signalling. As a consequence, BLIMP1, a molecule known to inhibit the differentiation of murine primordial germ cells, is down‐regulated and differentiation‐inhibiting histone modifications are lost. The appearance of multinucleated giant cells and the expression of marker genes indicate that cells differentiate predominantly into extra‐embryonic choriocarcinoma‐like cells. This is most likely due to the presence of components of the Hippo pathway, TEAD4 and YAP1. These molecules have been described to trigger extra‐embryonic fate determination in the murine system. This study supports the model that seminomas indeed have an intrinsic ability to transform into a non‐seminoma. In addition, the data suggest that the transformation does not require an additional mutation, but can be triggered by changes in the tumour microenvironment.
Different experiences and perspectives between head and neck cancer patients and their care‐givers on their daily impact of a gastrostomy tube
Authors: Mayre‐Chilton K. M. , Talwar B. P. , Goff L. M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Gastrostomy feeding in head and neck cancer patients is recognised standard practice in some cancer centres with beneficial effects on outcomes for appropriately selected patients. However, the impact on patients and care‐givers needs consideration. The present study aimed to understand the daily impact of gastrostomy feeding on head and neck cancer patients and their care‐givers to identify improvements to services.Methods:  Twenty‐one adult patients were randomly selected from the Head and Neck centre at University College London Hospital. Six head and neck cancer patients and three care‐givers participated in focus groups. The sessions were recorded, fully transcribed and qualitatively thematically analysed, and the resulting data were tabulated.Results:  Patients and care‐givers expressed opposite experiences within knowledge and understanding of why the tube was necessary; their personal perceptions and objectives of nutritional support. Themes expressing similar experiences included: developing positive coping strategies; preventing nutritional decline; tube dependency; dentures; finance; active care; and psychological support. Furthermore, both groups expressed the benefits of retaining a support network for rehabilitation with the hospital‐based specialist team. Also patients and carers recognised that the gastrostomy tube helped patient survival and, with timely dietetic management, helped them wean off the tube reliance with more confidence.Conclusions:  It is essential that patients and care‐givers attend pretreatment clinics to discuss nutritional support via the artificial route; their quality of life can be enhanced if guided through a specialist support pathway based at the clinical site where they initiated their care, with links to key agencies.
Body mass, frequency of eating and breakfast consumption in 9–13‐year‐olds
Authors: Coppinger T. , Jeanes Y. M. , Hardwick J. , Reeves S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Unhealthy eating patterns in childhood can lead to adverse health conditions, particularly obesity. However, debate remains around the precise eating behaviours that lead to these conditions. The present study aimed to address this lack of evidence by reporting on the eating frequency, breakfast consumption and body mass index (BMI, kg m–2) of youth in the UK.Methods:  A total of 264 (133 boys and 131 girls) participants, aged 10–13 years, completed self‐report measures of dietary intake via 3‐day food/drink diaries (Friday to Sunday). Trained researchers recorded height and weight to calculate the BMI. Diaries were analysed using dietplan 6 nutritional analysis software (Forestfield Software, Horsham, UK) and multivariate linear regression was used to examine any association between breakfast consumption, frequency of eating and BMI.Results:  No relationship existed between BMI Z‐score, eating frequency and breakfast consumption. However, frequent breakfast consumers had significantly lower mean (SD) BMI Z‐scores [0.18 (1.06) versus 0.57 (1.23)] and higher intakes of iron, calcium and vitamin E than those who did not eat breakfast regularly. Those aged ≥11 years consumed breakfast less frequently [0.92 (0.20)] and were less likely to eat regularly [4.6 (1.4)] than those aged ≤10 years.Conclusions:  Older boys were the least likely to eat regularly and the least likely to consume breakfast. Promoting the importance of regular eating, particularly breakfast consumption to these boys, may be essential to ensure healthier, long‐term eating patterns. Furthermore, the lower breakfast intakes in 11–13‐year‐olds and higher BMI Z‐scores of those who did not eat breakfast regularly should be monitored.
Exome sequencing in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bras JM , Singleton AB 
Published: June 2011

Bras JM, Singleton AB. Exome sequencing in Parkinson's disease.Exome sequencing is rapidly becoming a fundamental tool for genetics and functional genomics laboratories. This methodology has enabled the discovery of novel pathogenic mutations causing mendelian diseases that had, until now, remained elusive. In this review, we discuss not only how we envisage exome sequencing being applied to a complex disease, such as Parkinson's disease, but also what are the known caveats of this approach.
Is PATCHED an important candidate gene for neural tube defects? Cranial and thoracic neural tube defects in a family with Gorlin syndrome: a case report
Authors: Roudgari H , Farndon P A , Murray A D , Hardy C , Miedzybrodzka Z 
Published: June 2011

Roudgari H, Farndon PA, Murray AD, Hardy C, Miedzybrodzka Z. Is PATCHED an important candidate gene for neural tube defects? Cranial and thoracic neural tube defects in a family with Gorlin syndrome: a case report.The relationship of mutations in the patched gene PTCH and nevoid basal cell carcinoma (NBCC) or Gorlin syndrome is well established. Animal studies have implicated the hedgehog‐patched signalling pathway in neurulation and neural tube defects (NTDs). Spina bifida occulta and bifid vertebrae are well recognized in NBCCS, but there appears to be only one report of open spina bifida. We report a father and two sons with a truncating PTCH mutation and the major features of NBCCS. One son had open thoracic spina bifida and the other had an occipital meningocoele. We believe this to be the first report of cranial NTD in NBCCS and suggest that consideration be given to including PTCH analysis in genetic association studies in NTDs as the hedgehog pathway is integral to normal human neurulation.
Sampling forest canopy arthropod biodiversity with three novel minimal‐cost trap designs
Authors: Bar‐Ness Yoav D , McQuillan Peter B , Whitman Melissa , Junker Robert R , Cracknell Matthew , Barrows Abigail 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSampling arthropods in the upper canopy of tall trees presents a range of challenges associated with portability, cost, placement, replication and collection. Detailed schematics and instructions are presented here for three trap designs: sticky CD cases, plastic bottle hanging flight‐intercept traps and drink bottleneck funnel crawl traps. By using simple and salvageable materials such as plastic drink bottles and compact disc cases, the financial cost of an arthropod sampling regime in the crowns of old‐growth Tasmanian stringybark trees Eucalyptus obliqua (L'Herit) was kept to a minimum. The traps collected comparatively diverse communities: the sticky traps catching high levels of Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera; the funnel traps catching Diptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera; and the hanging traps catching Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. The sticky traps were ranked best, and the funnels worst, when integrating relative merits of cost, transport, durability, construction, placement, retrieval, sorting and arthropod condition.
The formal analogy between Tanaka–Mura and Weibull models for high‐cycle fatigue
Authors: BALDISSERA P. , DELPRETE C. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe micro‐mechanical model for fatigue crack initiation proposed by K. Tanaka and A. Mura in 1981 is analysed and rewritten in a different form, which allows highlighting its formal analogy with an empirical model previously introduced by W. Weibull in 1934. The result is a unified phenomenological model that can be used for both fatigue data fitting and life predictions. Strengths and limitations of the model are discussed and a case study of experimental data fitting is presented. In the example application, the model parameters of 18NiCrMo5 carburized steel are obtained through the likelihood maximization over fatigue test data. A comparison between the estimated parameters for the material in two different conditions (untreated and deep cryogenically treated) is then given to confirm the micro‐mechanical changes that should be induced by the cold processing and to point out the direction for further investigations.
The Consequences of Implementing a Child Care Voucher Scheme: Evidence from Australia, the Netherlands and the USA
Authors: Warner Mildred E. , Gradus Raymond H. J. M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn the Netherlands, the USA and Australia, public funding has promoted parental choice by introducing a voucher scheme for child care, where parents are free to choose the provider. The policy experiments and the outcomes in these three countries provide useful information about the consequences of introducing a voucher scheme in the child care market. We show the voucher system can be effective in increasing demand, but there can be uneven supply responses. The structure of the voucher income scheme and quality controls affect the nature of the supply response. We argue that voucher schemes must take into account the complex nature of the child care market and the substitutability among free public care, private market care and unpaid household care. To secure quality and access, government also must play a coordinating role that vouchers alone cannot supply.
Effectiveness of Social Welfare Programmes in East Asia: A Case Study of Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chien‐Chung , Ku Yeun‐Wen 
Published: June 2011

AbstractUsing the 2008 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, this study examined the effectiveness of social welfare programmes in Taiwan. The empirical evidence shows that most types of social welfare spending were limited in 2008. However, the social welfare programmes that were in place substantially reduced income inequality in Taiwan. Using the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) poverty threshold, the results reveal that 14 per cent of the sample's families were poor in terms of market income, but this figure decreased to 7 per cent after government intervention. Income inequality in Taiwan was similar to that of other East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, but Taiwan spent much less money on social welfare programmes than OECD countries, and therefore Taiwan's reduction of poverty was much lower as well.
A Bedrock of Support? Trends in Welfare State Attitudes in Sweden, 1981–2010
Authors: Svallfors Stefan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis article reports findings about Swedes' attitudes towards the welfare state from 1981 to 2010, building on data from the Swedish Welfare State Surveys. Attitudes towards social spending, willingness to pay taxes, attitudes towards collective financing and public organization, suspicion about welfare abuse, and trust in the task performance of the welfare state are tracked. Overall, there is a large degree of stability in attitudes, and where change is registered, it tends to go in the direction of increasing support. More people state their willingness to pay higher taxes for welfare policy purposes; more people want collective financing of welfare policies; and fewer people perceive extensive welfare abuse in 2010 than was the case in previous surveys. Class patterns change so that the salaried and the self‐employed become more similar to workers in their attitudes. Hence, the unprecedented election loss of the Swedish Social Democrats in 2010, and the rise of the Moderates (conservatives) as the dominant party cannot be explained by changing attitudes towards the welfare state. Nor can any corrosive effects from increased marketization of the Swedish welfare state on public support for welfare policies be detected.
Management of Phrenic Stimulation in CRT Patients over the Long Term: Still an Unmet Need ?
Authors: BIFFI MAURO , BERTINI MATTEO , ZIACCHI MATTEO , GARDINI BEATRICE , MAZZOTTI ANDREA , MASSARO GIULIA , DIEMBERGER IGOR , MARTIGNANI CRISTIAN , VALZANIA CINZIA , BORIANI GIUSEPPE 
Published: June 2011

Background:
Phrenic stimulation (PS) may cause intolerable symptoms and prevent CRT delivery in 2–5% of patients. We sought to ensure effective cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) delivery by management of PS at the left ventricular (LV) target site.
Methods and Results
: Two hundred and eleven consecutive patients received a CRT device despite PS occurrence at the LV target site at implantation, when a PS‐LV difference >2V was achieved by LV stimulation programming (cathode, pacing vector). PS management strategy both at implantation and at follow‐up (FU) aimed to keep the target LV implantation site. LV reverse remodeling was assessed by echocardiography before implantation and at follow‐up.LV lead placement was lateral/posterolateral in all the 211 patients; 51 of 211 had detectable PS at FU, 26 of 211 (12.3%) were symptomatic. Symptoms occurred more frequently when PS‐LV difference was <3V (16/16 vs 10/35, P < 0.001). Cathode and pacing vector reprogramming improved the PS‐LV difference and symptoms in 14 of 23 patients. LV output as threshold +0.5V was helpful to manage PS symptoms in patients with a PS‐LV ≤2V at FU. Median FU was 34.9 (16–50) months: 12 patients had tolerable PS symptoms, 76% (39/51) were objective responders at echocardiography compared to 74% (119/160) in patients without PS (P = NS).
Conclusions
: CRT delivery at long term is feasible despite PS at the target LV site. PS management is mandatory in about 12.3% of patients at FU, with 6.6% remaining symptomatic. Symptoms improve at FU when a PS‐LV >3V is achieved. Further improvement in lead manufacturing and pacing electronics are awaited to meet this clinical need. (PACE 2011; 34:1201–1208)
Correlation between AF Substrate Ablation Difficulty and Left Atrial Fibrosis Quantified by Delayed‐Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
Authors: SEITZ JULIEN , HORVILLEUR JÉRÔME , LACOTTE JÉRÔME , O H‐ICI DARACH , MOUHOUB YAMINA , MALTRET ALICE , SALERNO FIORELLA , MYLOTTE DARREN , MONCHI MEHRAN , GAROT JÉRÔME 
Published: June 2011

Background:
Studies have shown that the presence of left atrial (LA) fibrosis can be assessed by LA delayed‐enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LA DE‐CMR) and may be predictive of outcome after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to test the hypothesis that the amount of LA fibrosis evaluated by DE‐CMR correlates with the difficulty of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) ablation.
Methods:
Twenty‐two consecutive patients (86.4% nonparoxysmal AF) underwent substrate CFAE radiofrequency (RF) ablation (±Pulmonary veins isolation) with AF termination as the endpoint. LA DE‐CMR was performed prior to ablation. A global index of DE was defined by an average of six LA segmental scores based on a four‐grade scale (no enhancement to maximum enhancement). Time between first RF application and AF termination, and RF duration until AF termination, was recorded. CFAE area/total LA surface was also measured on CARTO maps (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). These measures served to evaluate ablation difficulty, and were correlated with CMR images by double‐blinded analysis.
Results:
Ablation restored sinus rhythm in 20 of 22 patients (91%), with a time to terminate AF of 140 ± 91 minutes. There was a significant correlation between the global averaged DE‐CMR fibrosis grade and the electrophysiological substrate indexes such as “time to terminate AF” (Rho = 0.70, P = 0.0003), “RF duration until AF termination” (Rho = 0.65, P = 0.001), and a trend toward correlation with “CFAE area/LA surface” (Rho = 0.47, P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
LA DE‐CMR can predict increased difficulty of CFAE ablation in AF. This tool may be beneficial in both selection of patients and ablation strategy. (PACE 2011; 34:1267–1277)
Elevated sensitivity: riparian vegetation in upper mountain zones is especially vulnerable to livestock grazing
Authors: Samuelson Glenda M. , Rood Stewart B. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractQuestion: Riparian zones provide ecologically rich interfaces between land and flowing water, and are favoured areas for grazing by native ungulates and livestock. Overgrazing can degrade riparian vegetation. Will sensitivity and vulnerability to grazing increase in upper mountain zones because of the harsh physical environment?Location: We compared the impact of cattle grazing along natural elevational corridors provided by two first‐order creeks in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada.Methods: Substrate and vegetation characteristics were assessed in quadrats within transects positioned in ungrazed or lightly grazed, versus moderately to heavily grazed sites extending from the alpine down through the subalpine, montane, parkland and prairie zones.Results: Analyses revealed that 18 of 19 substrate and vegetation characteristics varied along the elevational profile (17 P<0.05; 1 P<0.1). Fifteen differed with grazing (12 P<0.05; 3 P<0.1), which was associated with coarser substrate with lower pH, reduced diversity and density of shrubs and trees, reduced vegetation cover, increased percent cover and species of weeds and changes in proportions of particular plants such as increasing yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and decreasing mountain valerian (Valeriana sitchensis). Significant grazing × elevation interactions for seven characteristics (5 P<0.05; 2 P<0.1) indicated greater impacts at higher elevations.Conclusions: This study revealed that the upper elevations were heavily affected, despite their shorter, seasonally restricted grazing history. This indicates that riparian zones in upper mountain environments are particularly vulnerable to livestock grazing.
Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Successfully Treated With Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorption Apheresis
Authors: Fujisawa Tomomi , Murase Kana , Okumura Yoko , Kanoh Hiroyuki , Doi Tomoaki , Yoshida Shouzo , Ogura Shinji , Seishima Mariko 
Published: June 2011

AbstractGeneralized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is one of the neutrophilic dermatoses mainly caused by activated neutrophils and monocytes. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) is a useful extracorporeal circulation therapy for removal of activated granulocytes and monocytes. In this study, GCAP was used to treat three patients with different types of GPP; the diagnoses indicated patient 1 had GPP, patient 2 had GPP developed from psoriasis vulgaris and patient 3 had GPP based on psoriatic erythroderma. We performed GCAP on each of these patients once a week, for a total of five times. We found that the patients' pustules and edema disappeared and their erythema was reduced by GCAP therapy. Moreover, no adverse effects were observed. Thus, we conclude GCAP could be effective for treating various types of GPP.
Investigation of flow properties in natural streams using the entropy concept
Authors: Ardiclioglu Mehmet , Genc Onur , Kalin Latif , Agiralioglu Necati 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis paper examines the discharge and velocity distributions in natural open channel flows using the entropy theory. Flow measurements were carried out at four different cross‐sections in central Turkey. The mean and maximum velocities at these stations exhibited a linear distribution and the entropy parameter was calculated to be M=1.31. Using this value, discharges for all flow conditions were calculated as a function of the measured maximum velocities (umax). It was observed that the umax/H and zmax/H ratios remained relatively constant when 0.2≤y/T≤0.8, especially for the wider channels. Using these constant values for each station, umax and zmax could be determined solely as a function of the water depth H. Although the calculated velocities were higher than those measured at some verticals, the entropy‐based approach presents an attractive alternative to the traditional flow‐measurement techniques for the determination of flow properties because of its simplicity and quick application.