bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Joint programmes in paediatric cardiothoracic surgery: a survey and descriptive analysis
Authors: DeCampli William M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundJoint programmes, as opposed to regionalisation of paediatric cardiac care, may improve outcomes while preserving accessibility. We determined the prevalence and nature of joint programmes.MethodsWe sent an online survey to 125 paediatric cardiac surgeons in the United States in November, 2009 querying the past or present existence of a joint programme, its mission, structure, function, and perceived success.ResultsA total of 65 surgeon responses from 65 institutions met the criteria for inclusion. Of the 65 institutions, 22 currently or previously conducted a joint programme. Compared with primary institutions, partner institutions were less often children's hospitals (p = 0.0004), had fewer paediatric beds (p = 0.005), and performed fewer cardiac cases (p = 0.03). Approximately 47% of partner hospitals performed fewer than 50 cases per year. The median distance range between hospitals was 41–60 miles, ranging from 5 to 1000 miles. Approximately 54% of partner hospitals had no surgeon working primarily on-site, and 31% of the programmes conducted joint conferences. Approximately 67% of the programmes limited the complexity of cases at the partner hospital, and 83% of the programmes had formal contracts between hospitals. Of the six programmes whose main mission was to increase referrals to the primary hospital, three were felt to have failed. Of the nine programmes whose mission was to increase regional quality, eight were felt to be successful.ConclusionJoint programmes in paediatric cardiac surgery are common but are heterogeneous in structure and function. Programmes whose mission is to improve the quality of regional care seem more likely to succeed. Joint programmes may be a practical alternative to regionalisation to achieve better outcomes.
Insignificant change in Antarctic snowmelt volume since 1979
Authors: Kuipers Munneke P. , Picard G. , van den Broeke M. R. , Lenaerts J. T. M. , van Meijgaard E. 
Published: December 2011

Surface snowmelt is widespread in coastal Antarctica. Satellite‐based microwave sensors have been observing melt area and duration for over three decades. However, these observations do not reveal the total volume of meltwater produced on the ice sheet. Here we present an Antarctic melt volume climatology for the period 1979–2010, obtained using a regional climate model equipped with realistic snow physics. We find that mean continent‐wide meltwater volume (1979–2010) amounts to 89 Gt y−1 with large interannual variability (σ = 41 Gt y−1). Of this amount, 57 Gt y−1 (64%) is produced on the floating ice shelves extending from the grounded ice sheet, and 71 Gt y−1in West‐Antarctica, including the Antarctic Peninsula. We find no statistically significant trend in either continent‐wide or regional meltwater volume for the 31‐year period 1979–2010.
Modeling of gas and aerosol with WRF/Chem over Europe: Evaluation and sensitivity study
Authors: Tuccella Paolo , Curci Gabriele , Visconti Guido , Bessagnet Bertrand , Menut Laurent , Park Rokjin J. 
Published: December 2011

The “online” meteorological and chemical transport Weather Research and Forecasting/Chemistry (WRF/Chem) model has been implemented over a European domain, run without aerosol‐cloud feedbacks for the year 2007, and validated against ground‐based observations. To this end, we integrated the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) anthropogenic emission inventory into the model pre‐processor. The simulated average temperature shows a very small negative bias, the relative humidity and the wind speed are overpredicted by 1.5% (8%) and 1.0 m/s (76%), respectively. Hourly ozone (O3) exhibits a correlation with observations of 0.62 and daily maxima are underestimated by about 4%. A general ozone underestimation (overestimation) is found in spring (fall), probably related to misrepresentation of intercontinental transport with time‐invariant boundary conditions. Daily nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is reproduced within ±15% with a correlation of 0.57. Daily PM2.5 aerosol mass shows mean bias of about −4.0 μg/m3 (−7.3%), mainly attributable to the carbonaceous fraction. The model underpredicts particulate sulphate by a factor of 2, and overpredicts ammonium and nitrate by about factor of 2. Possible reasons for this bias are investigated with sensitivity tests and revealed that the aqueous phase oxidation of sulphur dioxide (SO2) by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and O3, missing in the configuration of WRF/Chem without aerosol‐cloud feedbacks, explains the discrepancy.
The Completeness and Reliability of Threshold and False-discovery Rate Source Extraction Algorithms for Compact Continuum Sources
Authors: Huynh M. T. , Hopkins A. , Norris R. , Hancock P. , Murphy T. , Jurek R. , Whiting M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe process of determining the number and characteristics of sources in astronomical images is so fundamental to a large range of astronomical problems that it is perhaps surprising that no standard procedure has ever been defined that has well-understood properties with a high degree of statistical rigour on completeness and reliability. The Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a continuum survey of the Southern Hemisphere up to declination +30°, aims to utilise an automated source identification and measurement approach that is demonstrably optimal, to maximise the reliability, utility and robustness of the resulting radio source catalogues. A key stage in source extraction methods is the background estimation (background level and noise level) and the choice of a threshold high enough to reject false sources, yet not so high that the catalogues are significantly incomplete. In this analysis, we present results from testing the SExtractor, Selavy (Duchamp), and SFIND source extraction tools on simulated data. In particular, the effects of background estimation, threshold and false-discovery rate settings are explored. For parameters that give similar completeness, we find the false-discovery rate method employed by SFIND results in a more reliable catalogue compared to the peak threshold methods of SExtractor and Selavy.
Cumulative impacts of mountaintop mining on an Appalachian watershed
Authors: Lindberg T. Ty , Bernhardt Emily S. , Bier Raven , Helton A. M. , Merola R. Brittany , Vengosh Avner , Di Giulio Richard T. 
Published: December 2011

Mountaintop mining is the dominant form of coal mining and the largest driver of land cover change in the central Appalachians. The waste rock from these surface mines is disposed of in the adjacent river valleys, leading to a burial of headwater streams and dramatic increases in salinity and trace metal concentrations immediately downstream. In this synoptic study we document the cumulative impact of more than 100 mining discharge outlets and approximately 28 km
2
of active and reclaimed surface coal mines on the Upper Mud River of West Virginia. We measured the concentrations of major and trace elements within the tributaries and the mainstem and found that upstream of the mines water quality was equivalent to state reference sites. However, as eight separate mining-impacted tributaries contributed their flow, conductivity and the concentrations of selenium, sulfate, magnesium, and other inorganic solutes increased at a rate directly proportional to the upstream areal extent of mining. We found strong linear correlations between the concentrations of these contaminants in the river and the proportion of the contributing watershed in surface mines. All tributaries draining mountaintop-mining-impacted catchments were characterized by high conductivity and increased sulfate concentration, while concentrations of some solutes such as Se, Sr, and N were lower in the two tributaries draining reclaimed mines. Our results demonstrate the cumulative impact of multiple mines within a single catchment and provide evidence that mines reclaimed nearly two decades ago continue to contribute significantly to water quality degradation within this watershed.
Cycles, trends, and residual variation in the Iberian sardine (Sardina pilchardus) recruitment series and their relationship with the environment
Authors: Santos M. Begoña , González-Quirós Rafael , Riveiro Isabel , Cabanas José M. , Porteiro Carmela , Pierce Graham J. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Santos, M. B., González-Quirós, R., Riveiro, I., Cabanas, J. M., Porteiro, C., and Pierce, G. J. 2012. Cycles, trends, and residual variation in the Iberian sardine (Sardina pilchardus) recruitment series and their relationship with the environment. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 739–750. Recruitment variability is an important component of the dynamics of Iberian sardine (Sardine pilchardus). Since 2006, poor recruitment has led to a decrease in stock biomass, the latest in a series of such crises for sardine fisheries. Understanding the mechanisms behind recruitment fluctuations has been the objective of many previous studies, and various relationships between recruitment and environmental variables have been proposed. However, such studies face several analytical challenges, including short time-series and autocorrelated data. A new analysis of empirical relationships with environmental series is presented, using statistical methods designed to cope with these issues, including dynamic factor analysis, generalized additive models, and mixed models. Relationships are identified between recruitment and global (number of sunspots), regional (NAOAutumn), and local [winter wind strength, sea surface temperature (SST), and upwelling] environmental variables. Separating these series into trend and noise components permitted further investigation of the nature of the relationships. Whereas the other three environmental variables were related to the trend in recruitment, SST was related to residual variation around the trend, providing stronger evidence for a causal link, possible mechanisms for which are discussed. After the removal of trend and cyclic components, residual variation in recruitment is also weakly related to the previous year's spawning-stock biomass.
First Report of Rice stripe virus of Proso Millet in Korea
Authors: Yoon Y. , Jung J. , Lee B. , Lee Y. , Lee J. , Kim H. , Bae S. , Nam M. , Lee K. , Yago J. 
Published: December 2011

Rice stripe virus (RSV; genus Tenuivirus) is a serious threat to rice production in Korea (2). In 1965, a disease outbreak was observed on rice in South Korea, with plants showing yellow stripe symptoms (2). Reoccurrence of RSV in rice was observed again in 1980 in Gyeonggi and Chungcheong. In 2001, RSV was estimated to be infecting approximately 4,663 ha of rice in the provinces of Gyeonggi and Gangwha and approximately 5,000 ha of riceland in the provinces of Buan and, Seocheon (3). Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is grown as a cereal grain crop and used mainly for human food in South Korea (1). In June 2009, proso millet plants that displayed yellow stripe symptoms were collected at Sinjeon-Myeon, Gangjin-Gun, and Jeollanam-do provinces, where an outbreak of RSV in rice was reported. Diseased plants tested positive to RSV with an ELISA Kit (KisanBio, Seoul, Korea). Total RNA was extracted from leaf tissue with an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). RSV coat protein specific-primers were produced (5′ TGTGGAACATAGTCCCACAGTAAGT 3′(upstream), 5′ CTAAGCCGCAACCATTCCTCCAGT 3′(downstream). Reverse transcription-PCR confirmed the presence of a 494-bp product as predicted for the presence of RSV. The coat protein of RSV isolates collected from proso millet, rice, and foxtail millet in the same area was also sequenced. Results confirmed that phylogenetic relationships were of high homology: 98.9% between RSV isolates from rice and foxtail millet, 99.2% between isolates from rice (GenBank Accession No. JN245626) and proso millet (GenBank Accession No. JN245627); 99.6% between rice and foxtail millet (GenBank Accession No. JN245628); and 99.6% between foxtail millet and proso millet. In addition, sequence comparisons showed 96 to 99% identity with known RSV sequences available in GenBank (Accession No. X53563) (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of RSV of proso millet in South Korea. The finding of this disease confirms further spread of the virus within the northern part of South Korea and the need for research to develop more effective management options to reduce the impact of RSV in proso millet. References: (1) Y. Y. Choi et al. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 69:31, 2005. (2) B. C. Lee et al. Res. Plant Dis. 10:30, 2004. (3) B. C. Lee et al. Res. Plant Dis. 14:210, 2008. (4) Y. Zhu. J. Gen. Virol. 72:763, 1991.
First Report of Fenhexamid-Resistant Botrytis cinerea Causing Gray Mold on Heurchera in a North American Greenhouse
Authors: Moorman G. W. , Walker A.-S. , May S. 
Published: December 2011

Greenhouse-grown Heuchera plants, treated with fenhexamid (Decree, SePRO, Carmel, IN; FRAC group 17 hydroxyanilide), with active gray mold were submitted to the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic in December 2010 from a commercial operation in north-central Pennsylvania. Genetic and phenotypic analyses identified the isolate as Botrytis cinerea Pers. (teleomorph Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Whetzel), HydR3 phenotype (2) and not B. pseudocinerea (previously Botrytis group I) (4), naturally resistant to fenhexamid (phenotype HydR1) (1). While 0.2 μg of fenhexamid per ml or less is required to slow mycelial growth and germ tube elongation of sensitive isolates by 50% (EC50), the radial growth EC50 of the Heuchera isolate was approximately 2,000 μg of fenhexamid per ml in culture. Five cucumber seedlings receiving 25 μl of 0.1 M dextrose containing the label rate of Decree (1,800 μg/ml) on the growing tip were inoculated with colonized agar in the drop. Five check plants received 25 μl of 0.1 M dextrose. B. cinerea from silica gel storage since 1988 was also tested. This experiment was repeated three times. The 1988 isolate killed all fungicide-free but no fenhexamid-treated plants. The Heuchera isolate killed all fungicide-free and fenhexamid-treated plants within 4 days. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea from a greenhouse in North America with fenhexamid resistance. Resistance occurs in U.S. fields (3). The Heuchera isolate's HydR3 resistance phenotype (2) has been detected in Germany, Japan, and France and has mutations affecting the 3-keto reductase protein, encoded by the erg27 gene, the specific target of fenhexamid and involved in Botrytis sterol biosynthesis. The Decree label states that it is to be used only twice on a crop before switching to a different mode of action. Greenhouses have resident Botrytis populations that are likely to be exposed to any fungicide applied in the structure. Growers should consider using fenhexamid only twice in a particular greenhouse, rather than on a particular crop, before switching to a different mode of action. References: (1) P. Leroux et al. Crop Prot. 18:687, 1999.(2) P. Leroux et al. Pest Manag. Sci. 58:876, 2002. (3) Z. Ma and T. J. Michailides. Plant Dis. 89:1083, 2005. (4) A.-S. Walker et al. Phytopathology 101:1433, 2011.
Developmental immune history affects adult immune function but not carotenoid‐based ornamentation in mallard ducks
Authors: Butler Michael W. , McGraw Kevin J. 
Published: December 2011

Summary1. Sexually selected traits often honestly advertise aspects of individual quality, such as immune function. Such traits have traditionally been thought to reveal real‐time information (e.g. current health state), but they may also reflect immunological conditions experienced during ontogeny, which can fundamentally shape survival prospects, adult immune function, and reproductive performance.2. We tested the effects of immune challenges (injections of sheep red blood cells) during neonatal development on adult immune function and ornamental coloration in male mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Mallards have a carotenoid‐pigmented beak that plays a role in mate choice, and because carotenoids are also associated with immune responsiveness, carotenoid accumulation in body tissues may change as a function of immunological state during development and into adulthood.3. We found that mallards that received immune challenges at the completion of growth (8–10 weeks old) had a reduced proinflammatory response (as measured by the local swelling response to phytohemagglutinin; PHA) as adults, compared to control birds and those receiving immune challenges at other developmental time points. Mallards that received immune challenges during the acquisition of nuptial plumage (13–15 weeks old) had an increased humoral immune response as adults, as assessed by antibody production to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Body mass, adult beak colour, and carotenoid circulation were not affected by immune challenges issued at any point during development.4. Circulating carotenoid levels prior to adult immune challenge and change in carotenoid titre over the course of the adult immune assessment period were correlated with degree of response to PHA and KLH at adulthood, as well as with nitric oxide production, which is associated with innate immunity. However, the direction of these correlations varied by type of immune assessment. Surprisingly, unlike in several previous studies, we found no link between beak coloration and adult immune function.5. These findings demonstrate the importance of developmental immune challenges in shaping adult immune response, although the precise mechanisms remain unidentified. Moreover, we found support for the hypothesis that carotenoids are linked to immune function, because of the relationship between multiple immune responses and both initial and change in circulating carotenoid levels.6. However, our study does not support the hypothesis that sexual signal expression reveals developmental immune history. Taken together, our findings suggest that the relationships between carotenoid physiology, carotenoid‐based ornamentation, and immune function are complex.
Semen variation in a population of fertile donors: evaluation in a French centre over a 34‐year period
Authors: Splingart C. , Frapsauce C. , Veau S. , Barthélémy C. , Royère D. , Guérif F. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryAlthough it has been suspected that there is a decrease in semen quality over time, the results reported to date remain debatable because of methodological issues. The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the evolution of semen quality over time in a population of 1114 fertile candidates for sperm donation at CECOS, Tours, between 1976 and 2009. We investigated semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, vitality, percentage of normal forms and multiple abnormalities index of the first ejaculate in this population. We did not find a decline in semen volume, whereas we observed a significant decrease in total sperm count (from 443.2 million in 1976 to 300.2 million in 2009), motility (from 64% in 1976 to 49% in 2009) and vitality (from 88% to 80%). Moreover, a significant decline in the percentage of normal forms was noted between 1976 and 1997 (from 67% to 26%) with a steady rise in the multiple abnormalities index between 1998 and 2009 (from 1.19 to 1.65). This study involving a population of fertile men from a restricted area revealed various degrees of decline in semen parameters over a period of 34 years. These findings will have to be compared with findings in other geographical areas.
Staff and patient views of the concept of hope on a stroke unit: a qualitative study
Authors: Tutton Elizabeth , Seers Kate , Langstaff Deborah , Westwood Martin 
Published: December 2011

tutton e., seers k., langstaff d. & westwood m. (2012) Staff and patient views of the concept of hope on a stroke unit: a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(9), 2061–2069.AbstractAim.  This study explores the experience of hope for patients and staff in the context of a British stroke unit.Background.  Hope is identified as a useful concept for exploring how people find meaning in recovery from illness. Uncovering the experience of hope in acute stroke care has provided evidence that can be used to facilitate rehabilitation.Methods.  The methodology drew on the principles of ethnography, undertaking unstructured qualitative interviews with ten patients, ten multidisciplinary staff and 21 hours of participant observation including informal discussions with staff and patients. Data collection took place between November 2007 and November 2008.Findings.  Four themes were identified: suffering, struggling with no hope and despair, hope for recovery and realistic hopefulness. Hope was experienced in the context of suffering a stroke demonstrated as loss of function, loss of mental capacity and dependency. Patients struggled to maintain a sense of hopefulness while feeling close to a slippery slope towards despair and death. Hope was expressed as a strong desire to recover, get back to normal and a time to reflect on their lives so far. Staff identified realistic hopefulness as focused on keeping things real while balancing giving hope and avoiding false hope.Conclusion.  Hope is placed within the emotional challenges of suffering and struggle inherent in recovery from stroke. The staff work with patients’ hopes but offer realistic hopefulness as a practical strategy for recovery. Further interventions are required for working with feelings of despair or no hope.