bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf‐out phenology of temperate woody plants: from trees to ecosystems
Authors: Polgar Caroline A. , Primack Richard B. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryLeafing‐out of woody plants begins the growing season in temperate forests and is one of the most important drivers of ecosystem processes. There is substantial variation in the timing of leaf‐out, both within and among species, but the leaf development of almost all temperate tree and shrub species is highly sensitive to temperature. As a result, leaf‐out times of temperate forests are valuable for observing the effects of climate change. Analysis of phenology data from around the world indicates that leaf‐out is generally earlier in warmer years than in cooler years and that the onset of leaf‐out has advanced in many locations. Changes in the timing of leaf‐out will affect carbon sequestration, plant–animal interactions, and other essential ecosystem processes. The development of remote sensing methods has expanded the scope of leaf‐out monitoring from the level of an individual plant or forest to an entire region. Meanwhile, historical data have informed modeling and experimental studies addressing questions about leaf‐out timing. For most species, onset of leaf‐out will continue to advance, although advancement may be slowed for some species because of unmet chilling requirements. More information is needed to reduce the uncertainty in predicting the timing of future spring onset.

Contents

Summary
926

I.
Introduction
927

II.
What triggers a plant to leaf‐out?
928

III.
Variation in leaf‐out among species
929

IV.
Leaf‐out and climate change
932

V.
Conclusions
937

Acknowledgements
937

References
937
Assessing the malignant potential of ovarian inclusion cysts in postmenopausal women within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a prospective cohort study
Authors: Sharma A , Gentry‐Maharaj A , Burnell M , Fourkala E‐O , Campbell S , Amso N , Seif MW , Ryan A , Parmar M , Jacobs I , Menon U ,   for the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS)
Published: July 2011

Please cite this paper as: Sharma A, Gentry‐Maharaj A, Burnell M, Fourkala E, Campbell S, Amso N, Seif M, Ryan A, Parmar M, Jacobs I, Menon U, for the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). Assessing the malignant potential of ovarian inclusion cysts in postmenopausal women within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:207–219.Objective  To evaluate the malignant potential of ultrasound‐detected ovarian inclusion cysts in the development of ovarian cancer (OC) in postmenopausal women.Design  Prospective cohort study.Setting  UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).Population  Postmenopausal women.Methods  In UKCTOCS, women in the ultrasound group have annual scans. Women with inclusion cysts (single/multiple anechoic ≤10‐mm ovarian cysts) and normal ovaries (both uniform hypoechogenicity) on their first scan were identified and followed up through cancer registry/questionnaires.Main outcome measures  Relative risk (RR) of developing OC, invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (iEOC), breast cancer (BC) and endometrial cancer (EC) in women with inclusion cysts relative to those with normal ovaries. The incidence was compared with UK age‐adjusted expected rates (Office for National Statistics, 2005).Results  Postmenopausal women (n = 48 230) attended the year 1 (11 June 2001–6 December 2006) screen; 1234 (2.5%) had inclusion cysts alone and 22 914 had normal scans. By 1 November 2009 (median follow‐up, 6.13 years; interquartile range, 4.96–6.98 years), four, three (one Type II), seven and 22 women with inclusion cysts and 32, 29 (20 Type II), 90 and 397 women with normal ovaries were diagnosed with OC, iEOC, EC and BC, respectively. The RR values for the respective cancers (OC [RR, 2.32; confidence interval [CI], 0.86–6.28], iEOC [RR, 1.92; CI, 0.62–5.92], EC [RR, 1.44; CI, 0.68–3.05], BC [RR, 1.12; CI, 0.73–1.73]) were not increased. There was no difference between the observed versus expected incidence rates for these cancers in women with inclusion cysts.Conclusions  Postmenopausal women with ultrasound‐detected inclusion cysts do not seem to be at increased risk of ovarian or breast/endometrial (hormone‐dependent) cancers.
Validity and interaction in the ZPD: interpreting learner development through L2 Dynamic Assessment
Authors: Poehner Matthew E. 
Published: July 2011

Based on Vygotsky's articulation of the zone of proximal development, dynamic assessment (DA) involves offering mediation to help learners perform beyond their level of independent functioning while simultaneously supporting development of those abilities, and thus integrating teaching and assessment as a single activity. As with any assessment, it is imperative to determine how well L2 DA fulfills its intended purposes, namely providing insights into abilities that are still forming and promoting development. While concerns have been raised over adopting existing concepts and procedures in validation for use in the classroom, this paper relies on key validity notions of evidence, interpretations, and consequences to consider the process of mediator‐learner dialoguing on a micro level as well as outcomes of DA interactions.Basée sur le concept de la zone de développement proximal proposé par Vygotsky, l'évaluation dynamique implique que l'on offre aux apprenants des formes de médiation qui les aident à fonctionner au‐delà de leur capacité individuelle et qui soutiennent le développement de leurs compétences émergeantes au cours d'une tâche. Ainsi, l'évaluation dynamique intègre l'enseignement et l'évaluation dans une même activité. Comme toute autre approche à l'évaluation, il faut impérativement déterminer jusqu'à quel point une évaluation dynamisée répond à ses objectifs, notamment d'arriver à mieux connaître les compétences de l'apprenant encore en train de se former et de promouvoir son développement. Bien que l'application des concepts et des démarches de validation existants en contexte de salle de classe ait été mise en question, cet article s'appuie sur des notions clés de validité (e.g., indices, interprétations et conséquences) afin de considérer le processus des interactions dialogiques entre médiateur et apprenant au micro‐niveau ainsi que les résultats de ces interactions en contexte d'une évaluation dynamisée.
The types and severity of high myopic maculopathy in Chinese patients
Authors: Chen Hui , Wen Feng , Li Haitao , Zuo Chengguo , Zhang Xiongze , Huang Shizhou , Luo Guangwei 
Published: July 2011

Citation information: Chen H, Wen F, Li H, Zuo C, Zhang X, Huang S & Luo G. The types and severity of high myopic maculopathy in Chinese patients. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00861.xAbstractObjective:  To describe the severity and morphological features of high myopic maculopathy in Chinese patients and to evaluate their association with age, refractive error and visual acuity.Methods:  Six hundred and four eyes of 337 patients (ages 8–88 years) with high myopia (refractive error ≤ −6.0 D) presenting to the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent an ophthalmological examination including digital colour fundus photography. Fundus fluorescein angiography was performed in 251 patients (443 eyes) and indocyanine green angiography was performed in 35 patients (63 eyes). The type and severity of myopic degeneration were categorized in each eye. Risk factors associated with high myopic maculopathy were evaluated using General Estimating Equation models.Results:  Two hundred and fifty‐one patients (443 eyes) presented with maculopathy in this study. The most common subtype of high myopic maculopathy was lacquer cracks (prevalence 29.1%). The most commonly observed degree was M3 (choroidal pallor and tessellation, with posterior staphyloma and lacquer cracks). Older age was significantly associated with diffuse chorioretinal atrophy (p = 0.024), patchy chorioretinal atrophy (p < 0.001), choroidal neovascularisation (CNV, p < 0.001) and macular atrophy (p = 0.002). Younger age was associated with lacquer cracks (p < 0.001). A higher degree of myopia was a risk factor for almost all kinds of maculopathy: tessellated fundus (p = 0.001), lacquer cracks (p < 0.001), diffuse chorioretinal atrophy (p < 0.001), patchy chorioretinal atrophy (p = 0.025) and macular atrophy p < 0.001), whereas a lower degree of myopia was associated with CNV (p = 0.001). A worse visual acuity was associated with lacquer cracks (p = 0.001), macular atrophy (p < 0.001) and CNV p < 0.001), while better visual acuity was associated with tessellated fundus (p < 0.001) and diffuse atrophy (p = 0.002). Older age (p < 0.001), more myopic refractive error (p < 0.001) and worse visual acuity (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a greater severity of maculopathy. There was no gender difference in the type and severity of myopic maculopathy.Conclusions:  Age and refractive error are important risk factors playing different roles in the development of distinct subtypes and varying severities of high myopic maculopathy. Visual acuity is significantly associated with various subtypes and the severity of high myopic maculopathy.
Childhood ethnic differences in ametropia and ocular biometry: the Aston Eye Study
Authors: Logan Nicola S , Shah Parth , Rudnicka Alicja R , Gilmartin Bernard , Owen Christopher G 
Published: July 2011

Citation information: Logan NS, Shah P, Rudnicka AR, Gilmartin B & Owen CG. Childhood ethnic differences in ametropia and ocular biometry: the Aston Eye Study. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 550–558. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00862.xAbstractPurpose:  To describe the methodology, sampling strategy and preliminary results for the Aston Eye Study (AES), a cross‐sectional study to determine the prevalence of refractive error and its associated ocular biometry in a large multi‐racial sample of school children from the metropolitan area of Birmingham, England.Methods:  A target sample of 1700 children aged 6–7 years and 1200 aged 12–13 years is being selected from Birmingham schools selected randomly with stratification by area deprivation index (a measure of socio‐economic status). Schools with pupils predominantly (>70%) from a single race are excluded. Sample size calculations account for the likely participation rate and the clustering of individuals within schools. Procedures involve standardised protocols to allow for comparison with international population‐based data. Visual acuity, non‐contact ocular biometry (axial length, corneal radius of curvature and anterior chamber depth) and cycloplegic autorefraction are measured in both eyes. Distance and near oculomotor balance, height and weight are also assessed. Questionnaires for parents and older children will allow the influence of environmental factors on refractive error to be examined.Results:  Recruitment and data collection are ongoing (currently N = 655). Preliminary cross‐sectional data on 213 South Asian, 44 black African Caribbean and 70 white European children aged 6–7 years and 114 South Asian, 40 black African Caribbean and 115 white European children aged 12–13 years found myopia prevalence of 9.4% and 29.4% for the two age groups respectively. A more negative mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) was observed in older children (−0.21 D vs +0.87 D). Ethnic differences in myopia prevalence are emerging with South Asian children having higher levels than white European children 36.8% vs 18.6% (for the older children). Axial length, corneal radius of curvature and anterior chamber depth were normally distributed, while SER was leptokurtic (p < 0.001) with a slight negative skew.Conclusions:  The AES will allow ethnic differences in the ocular characteristics of children from a large metropolitan area of the UK to be examined. The findings to date indicate the emergence of higher levels of myopia by early adolescence in second and third generation British South Asians, compared to white European children. The continuation of the AES will allow the early determinants of these ethnic differences to be studied.
Eclogitization of the Monviso ophiolite (W. Alps) and implications on subduction dynamics
Authors: ANGIBOUST S. , LANGDON R. , AGARD P. , WATERS D. , CHOPIN C. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTo constrain deep (40–100 km) subduction dynamics, extensive P–T data are provided on the eclogitic Monviso ophiolite derived from the subducted Liguro‐Piemontese oceanic lithosphere (which was exhumed, together with associated continental units, before the Alpine collision). The Monviso ophiolite has so far been interpreted either as a fossilized subduction channel, with tectonic blocks detached from the slab at different depths and gathered in a weak serpentinized matrix, or as a more or less continuous portion of oceanic lithosphere. To evaluate potential heterogeneities within and between the various subunits, extensive sampling was undertaken on metasedimentary rocks and Fe–Ti metagabbros. The results indicate that the Monviso ophiolite comprises two main coherent tectonic subunits (the Monviso and Lago Superiore Units) detached during subduction at different depths and later juxtaposed at epidote–blueschist facies during exhumation along the subduction interface. Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material suggests (i) a difference in peak temperature of ∼50 °C between these two subunits and (ii) a good temperature homogeneity within each subunit. Pseudosections and average P–T estimates using thermocalc in the Lago Superiore Unit suggest for the first time homogeneous HP to UHP conditions (∼550 °C, 26–27 kbar). Parageneses, peak conditions and tectonic setting are very similar to those of the Zermatt‐Saas ophiolite, 200 km northwards, thus suggesting a common detachment mechanism for the whole Western Alpine belt.
Number of recent sexual partners among blood donors in Brazil: associations with donor demographics, donation characteristics, and infectious disease markers
Authors: Patavino Giuseppina Maria , de Almeida‐Neto Cesar , Liu Jing , Wright David J. , Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Ferreira Maria Inês Lopes , de Freitas Carneiro Anna Bárbara , Custer Brian , Ferreira João Eduardo , Busch Michael P. , Sabino Ester Cerdeira ,   for the NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Study‐II (REDS‐II), International Component
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Brazilian blood centers ask candidate blood donors about the number of sexual partners in the past 12 months. Candidates who report a number over the limit are deferred. We studied the implications of this practice on blood safety.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed demographic characteristics, number of heterosexual partners, and disease marker rates among 689,868 donations from three Brazilian centers between July 2007 and December 2009. Donors were grouped based on maximum number of partners allowed in the past 12 months for each center. Chi‐square and logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine associations between demographic characteristics, number of sex partners, and individual and overall positive markers rates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T‐lymphotropic virus Types 1 and 2, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis.RESULTS: First‐time, younger, and more educated donors were associated with a higher number of recent sexual partners, as was male sex in São Paulo and Recife (p < 0.001). Serologic markers for HIV and syphilis and overall were associated with multiple partners in São Paulo and Recife (p < 0.001), but not in Belo Horizonte (p = 0.05, p = 0.94, and p = 0.75, respectively). In logistic regression analysis, number of recent sexual partners was associated with positive serologic markers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.2‐1.5), especially HIV (AOR, 1.9‐4.4).CONCLUSIONS: Number of recent heterosexual partners was associated with HIV positivity and overall rates of serologic markers of sexually transmitted infections. The association was not consistent across centers, making it difficult to define the best cutoff value. These findings suggest the use of recent heterosexual contacts as a potentially important deferral criterion to improve blood safety in Brazil.
Structural and Dielectric Properties of Bi (Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–BaTiO3 Lead‐Free Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Li Zhenrong , Li Fei , Xu Zhuo 
Published: July 2011

By the conventional mixed oxide method (1−x)Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–xBaTiO3 ((1−x)BMT–xBT, x = 0.2−1.0) ceramics were prepared. For x ≤ 0.4, a bismuth‐rich phase was observed beside the perovskite phase. For 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 0.92 ceramics, all the compositions belong to the pseudocubic phase, while the tetragonal phases were formed when x ≥ 0.94. With the increase of BT content, a change from a relaxor‐like behavior to a normal ferroelectric behavior was observed, while the change of Tmax is in the form of “U” curve. Furthermore, stable dielectric permittivity (1500–3000) and low losses (tan δ < 2%) were obtained in the 0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 ceramics in the temperature range 200°C–400°C, indicating a potential for high‐temperature applications.
Ink‐Jet Printing of Zirconia: Coffee Staining and Line Stability
Authors: Dou Rui , Wang Tianming , Guo Yunshan , Derby Brian 
Published: July 2011

We have prepared a 10 vol% zirconium oxide (ZrO2) powder aqueous ink for ink‐jet printing. This ink shows severe segregation or coffee staining during drying on solid substrates. Coffee staining is suppressed by the addition of 10 wt% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to the ink formulation. However, coffee staining occurs with the PEG solution ink when drops are printed onto a substrate made from a preprinted ZrO2 powder layer. The mechanism for this phenomenon remains unknown but may be related to the draining of solvent into the powder. The stability of printed features is controlled by the overlap of printed drops and the range of line stability is shown to be consistent with models in the literature.
Spontaneous Formation of Nano‐fibrillar Boehmite and the Enhancement Effect of Polyethylene Glycol
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Mao , Li Xiao‐Yan , Shih Kaimin 
Published: July 2011

Nano‐fibrillar boehmite is a desirable product due to its high specific surface area and potential application in a wide variety of engineering applications. Inorganic salts are the preferred raw materials for fabricating such products because of their low cost. In this study, nano‐sized (10–20 nm in diameter) boehmite fibrils were fabricated by the hydrothermal (105°C) digestion of a suspension prepared from either aluminum sulfate or nitrate salt under a neutral pH. It appears that the formation of fibrils is spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. The presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was found to further enhance the formation of fibrils by promoting the transportation of aluminum ions to the crystal nuclei. The growth direction of the crystals in the fibrils is normal to the boehmite (020) plane. The formation of boehmite fibrils was greatly reduced under an acidic pH and at a lower digestion temperature due to kinetic restriction. The structures of the immediate products generated from aluminum sulfate and aluminum nitrate were different, which is probably due to the stronger adsorption of sulfate ions on the surface of gelatinous aggregates. The fibrils derived from as‐precipitated and coagulated amorphous aluminum hydroxide grains experienced a series of structural evolutions in which they progressed from a sponge‐like structure to a fibrillar structure with time.
Synthesis of Spherical Non‐Oxide Silicon Carbonitride Ceramic Particles
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Chen Yaohan , Xu Chengying , Fang Jiyu , An Linan 
Published: July 2011

In this article, we report a simple technique for synthesizing spherical non‐oxide silicon carbonitride ceramic particles from a polysilazane precursor. In this technique, the spherical particles of the polysilazane precursor were synthesized first via a precipitation polymerization process and then converted to ceramic particles by pyrolysis. The resultant ceramic particles exhibited a close‐to‐perfect spherical shape and a narrow size distribution around 430 nm. The precipitation and pyrolysis processes were characterized using SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD to illustrate the formation mechanisms of the ceramic particles.
Biomarkers to Distinguish Surgical Etiologies in Females With Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain
Authors: Reed Jennifer L. , Strait Rick T. , Kachelmeyer Andrea M. , Byczkowski Terri L. , Ho Mona L. , Huppert Jill S. 
Published: July 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:686–691 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  Lower abdominal pain is a common complaint in girls and young women presenting to a pediatric emergency department (PED). An extensive evaluation may be required to exclude surgical emergencies such as appendicitis and ovarian torsion. However, clinicians and families prefer to limit invasive procedures and radiation exposure. The literature suggests that serum biomarkers such as the cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) can predict ovarian torsion in adults, while the membrane glycoprotein cluster of differentiation‐64 (CD64) has been linked with bacterial infections and sepsis. Therefore, the study objective was to assess whether plasma IL‐6 or neutrophil CD64 surface levels would assist clinicians in distinguishing surgical diagnoses (ovarian torsion and appendicitis) from nonsurgical diagnoses in young females with lower abdominal pain.Methods:  This study was a prospective, cross‐sectional, pilot study of young females presenting with lower abdominal pain. Demographics, clinical and laboratory data, and final diagnoses were recorded. Plasma IL‐6 and neutrophil CD64 were quantified. Nonparametric Kruskal‐Wallis test was used to detect significant differences in IL‐6 and CD64 values between surgical and nonsurgical patients. Further analysis was done to detect differences among the surgical patients (appendicitis vs. ovarian torsion). A bivariate analysis using the Wilcoxon rank sum was used to test for significant differences in IL‐6 and CD64 by selected clinical factors.Results:  There were 112 female subjects ages 6 to 21 years enrolled. Final diagnoses were grouped as appendicitis (n = 38, 34%), ovarian torsion (n = 15, 13%), and nonsurgical (n = 59, 53%). Surgical cases had significantly higher levels of IL‐6 compared to nonsurgical cases (p < 0.0001), and appendicitis patients had significantly higher CD64 indexes compared to ovarian torsion patients (p = 0.007). The clinical characteristics of fever of ≥38°C (p = 0.0002) and constant pain (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with elevated IL‐6. Fever of ≥38°C (p = 0.02) was significantly associated with a higher CD64 index.Conclusions:  Interleukin‐6 was significantly elevated in surgical patients compared to nonsurgical patients in this sample of young females, and CD64 was significantly elevated in appendicitis patients compared to ovarian torsion patients. These data suggest that with larger sample sizes and future confirmatory studies, these biomarkers may be useful in the evaluation of young women with lower quadrant abdominal pain.