bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stallion spermatozoa selected by single layer centrifugation are capable of fertilization after storage for up to 96 h at 6°C prior to artificial insemination
Authors: Lindahl Johanna , Dalin Anne-Marie , Stuhtmann Gesa , Morrell Jane M 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
One of the challenges faced by equine breeders is ensuring delivery of good quality semen doses for artificial insemination when the mare is due to ovulate. Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) has been shown to select morphologically normal spermatozoa with intact chromatin and good progressive motility from the rest of the ejaculate, and to prolong the life of these selected spermatozoa in vitro. The objective of the present study was a proof of concept, to determine whether fertilizing ability was retained in SLC-selected spermatozoa during prolonged storage.

Findings
Sixteen mares were inseminated with SLC-selected sperm doses that had been cooled and stored at 6°C for 48 h, 72 h or 96 h. Embryos were identified in 11 mares by ultrasound examination 16–18 days after presumed ovulation.

Conclusion
SLC-selected stallion spermatozoa stored for up to 96 h are capable of fertilization.
Impact of physical incompatibility on drug mass flow rates: example of furosemide-midazolam incompatibility
Authors: Foinard Aurélie , Décaudin Bertrand , Barthélémy Christine , Debaene Bertrand , Odou Pascal 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Patients in intensive care units receive many drugs simultaneously but through limited venous accesses. Several intravenous therapies have to be administered through the same catheter, thus increasing the risk of physicochemical incompatibility. The purpose of this work was to assess and to quantify the impact of physical incompatibility on the mass flow rates of drugs infused simultaneously to the patient, through an in vitro study.

Methods
Furosemide-midazolam incompatibility was used to assess the impact of physical incompatibility on drug mass flow rates. Furosemide, midazolam, and saline were simultaneously infused. A filter was added at the end of the infusion line to retain visible particles. Two infusion conditions were tested with and without visible particles. A partial least square method on UV spectra was used to determine simultaneously the concentrations of the two drugs at the egress of the terminal extension line. The drug mass flow rate (expressed as mg/h) was calculated as the product of drug concentration versus total flow rate. Observed/theoretical mass flow rate ratios for each drug (%) were determined per infusion condition.

Results
Even in the absence of visible particles, precipitation of furosemide led to a drug loss estimated at between 10% and 15%. Furosemide is more impacted by interaction because the pH of the mixture is acid and this form is poorly soluble in an aqueous solution.

Conclusions
Physical incompatibility between furosemide and midazolam leads to a significant reduction in drug delivered to the patient and may result in treatment failure.
Stable isotope enrichment in muscle, liver, and whole fish tissues of brown-marbled groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)
Authors: Chen Gang , Zhou Hui , Ji Duoliang , Gu Binhe 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to assess enrichments in stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in brown-marbled groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), a marine fish that has been widely used in aquaculture. Stable isotope analysis has been used to evaluate dietary sources and the trophic position of fish. There is the need to better understand the pattern of isotope enrichment between consumers and diets under laboratory conditions.

Methods
We studied the changes in stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of juvenile brown-marbled groupers during a feeding experiment in 2009. Fish were grown in aquaria and fed a sole source of protein for 56 days and analyzed for δ13C and δ15N ratios in whole fish, muscle, and liver tissues.

Results
At the end of the 56-day feeding experiment, fish grew to an average of 55.6 g from an average of 22.5 g. Compared to the dietary isotope compositions, whole fish and muscle tissues of the juvenile groupers were enriched in δ13C by 1.6 and 0.5‰, while the liver was depleted by 1.3‰. The δ15N enrichments were 1.6‰ for whole fish, 1.3‰ for muscle, and 1.0‰ for liver. Except for liver, δ15N isotope values increased significantly with time.

Conclusions
The small change in δ13C between the diet and fish suggests that little isotope alteration is occurring during the assimilation of dietary carbon. This provides a basis for estimates of the importance of different sources of dietary components when contrasted with the isotope values from a formulated diet with known isotope values of the different components. The smaller than expected δ15N enrichment in all tissue suggests that isotope values from a wild fish sample may not always reach isotope equilibrium with the current diet, and an inference about recent dietary sources and an estimate of the consumer’s trophic position should be evaluated with caution.
Investigation on the dependence of optical spectra of silver chiral nanostructures on shape, dimensions and incident light by discrete dipole approximation
Authors: Abdi Fatemeh , Siabi-Garjan Araz , Savaloni Hadi 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Extinction spectra of chiral silver nanostructures are calculated by means of Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA). Dependence of Plasmonic peaks to both structural parameters of nanostructures and direction of the incident light are obtained. This dependence is investigated on variation of chiral dimensions, chiral shape and direction of incident light. We have observed a resonance peak of transverse mode (TM) for the extinction spectra of chiral structure at normal incidence. However, for oblique angle incident light, in addition to the TM mode, a longitudinal mode (LM) appears at longer wavelengths. The latter undergoes a shift to longer wavelengths with increasing the diameter of chirl arm. When the cross-section of chiral is changed to an oval this resonance peak disappears, while some other peaks appear at longer wavelengths that were not present for a chiral with circular cross-section. Extinction spectra of chiral nanostructure with different structural parameters and different rise angles (slanted chirals) showed dependence on the incident light direction.
Paracrine interactions between primary human macrophages and human fibroblasts enhance murine mammary gland humanization in vivo
Authors: Fleming Jodie M , Miller Tyler C , Kidacki Michal , Ginsburg Erika , Stuelten Christina H , Stewart Delisha A , Troester Melissa A , Vonderhaar Barbara K 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Macrophages comprise an essential component of the mammary microenvironment necessary for normal gland development. However, there is no viable in vivo model to study their role in normal human breast function. We hypothesized that adding primary human macrophages to the murine mammary gland would enhance and provide a novel approach to examine immune-stromal cell interactions during the humanization process.

Methods
Primary human macrophages, in the presence or absence of ectopic estrogen stimulation, were used to humanize mouse mammary glands. Mechanisms of enhanced humanization were identified by cytokine/chemokine ELISAs, zymography, western analysis, invasion and proliferation assays; results were confirmed with immunohistological analysis.

Results
The combined treatment of macrophages and estrogen stimulation significantly enhanced the percentage of the total gland humanized and the engraftment/outgrowth success rate. Timecourse analysis revealed the disappearance of the human macrophages by two weeks post-injection, suggesting that the improved overall growth and invasiveness of the fibroblasts provided a larger stromal bed for epithelial cell proliferation and structure formation. Confirming their promotion of fibroblasts humanization, estrogen-stimulated macrophages significantly enhanced fibroblast proliferation and invasion in vitro, as well as significantly increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells in humanized glands. Cytokine/chemokine ELISAs, zymography and western analyses identified TNFα and MMP9 as potential mechanisms by which estrogen-stimulated macrophages enhanced humanization. Specific inhibitors to TNFα and MMP9 validated the effects of these molecules on fibroblast behavior in vitro, as well as by immunohistochemical analysis of humanized glands for human-specific MMP9 expression. Lastly, glands humanized with macrophages had enhanced engraftment and tumor growth compared to glands humanized with fibroblasts alone.

Conclusions
Herein, we demonstrate intricate immune and stromal cell paracrine interactions in a humanized in vivo model system. We confirmed our in vivo results with in vitro analyses, highlighting the value of this model to interchangeably substantiate in vitro and in vivo results. It is critical to understand the signaling networks that drive paracrine cell interactions, for tumor cells exploit these signaling mechanisms to support their growth and invasive properties. This report presents a dynamic in vivo model to study primary human immune/fibroblast/epithelial interactions and to advance our knowledge of the stromal-derived signals that promote tumorigenesis.
One-year mortality among Danish intensive care patients with acute kidney injury: a cohort study
Authors: Gammelager Henrik , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Johansen Martin Berg , Tønnesen Else , Jespersen Bente , Sørensen Henrik Toft 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Introduction
There are few studies on long-term mortality among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). We assessed the prevalence of AKI at ICU admission, its impact on mortality during one year of follow-up, and whether the influence of AKI varied in subgroups of ICU patients.

Methods
We identified all adults admitted to any ICU in Northern Denmark (approximately 1.15 million inhabitants) from 2005 through 2010 using population-based medical registries. AKI was defined at ICU admission based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification, using plasma creatinine changes. We included four severity levels: AKI-risk, AKI-injury, AKI-failure, and without AKI. We estimated cumulative mortality by the Kaplan-Meier method and hazard ratios (HRs) using a Cox model adjusted for potential confounders. We computed estimates for all ICU patients and for subgroups with different comorbidity levels, chronic kidney disease status, surgical status, primary hospital diagnosis, and treatment with mechanical ventilation or with inotropes/vasopressors.

Results
We identified 30,762 ICU patients, of which 4,793 (15.6%) had AKI at ICU admission. Thirty-day mortality was 35.5% for the AKI-risk group, 44.2% for the AKI-injury group, and 41.0% for the AKI-failure group, compared with 12.8% for patients without AKI. The corresponding adjusted HRs were 1.96 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80-2.13), 2.60 (95% CI 2.38 to 2.85) and 2.41 (95% CI 2.21 to 2.64), compared to patients without AKI. Among patients surviving 30 days (n = 25,539), 31- to 365 day mortality was 20.5% for the AKI-risk group, 23.8% for the AKI-injury group, and 23.2% for the AKI-failure group, compared with 10.7% for patients without AKI, corresponding to adjusted HRs of 1.33 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.51), 1.60 (95% CI 1.37 to1.87), and 1.64 (95% CI 1.42 to 1.90), respectively. The association between AKI and 30-day mortality was evident in subgroups of the ICU population, with associations persisting in most subgroups during the 31- to 365-day follow-up period, although to a lesser extent than for the 30-day period.

Conclusions
AKI at ICU admission is an important prognostic factor for mortality throughout the subsequent year.
Morale in the English mental health workforce: questionnaire survey
Authors: Johnson Sonia , Osborn David P. J. , Araya Ricardo , Wearn Elizabeth , Paul Moli , Stafford Mai , Wellman Nigel , Nolan Fiona , Killaspy Helen , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Anderson Emma , Wood Stephen J. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundHigh-quality evidence on morale in the mental health workforce is lacking.AimsTo describe staff well-being and satisfaction in a multicentre UK National Health Service (NHS) sample and explore associated factors.MethodA questionnaire-based survey (n= 2258) was conducted in 100 wards and 36 community teams in England. Measures included a set of frequently used indicators of staff morale, and measures of perceived job characteristics based on Karasek's demand–control–support model.ResultsStaff well-being and job satisfaction were fairly good on most indicators, but emotional exhaustion was high among acute general ward and community mental health team (CMHT) staff and among social workers. Most morale indicators were moderately but significantly intercorrelated. Principal components analysis yielded two components, one appearing to reflect emotional strain, the other positive engagement with work. In multilevel regression analyses factors associated with greater emotional strain included working in a CMHT or psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU), high job demands, low autonomy, limited support from managers and colleagues, age under 45 years and junior grade. Greater positive engagement was associated with high job demands, autonomy and support from managers and colleagues, Black or Asian ethnic group, being a psychiatrist or service manager and shorter length of service.ConclusionsPotential foci for interventions to increase morale include CMHTs, PICUs and general acute wards. The explanatory value of the demand–support–control model was confirmed, but job characteristics did not fully explain differences in morale indicators across service types and professions.
Impact of national policy initiatives on fatal and non-fatal
self-harm after psychiatric hospital discharge: time series
analysis
Authors: Gunnell David , Metcalfe Chris , While David , Hawton Keith , Ho Davidson , Appleby Louis , Kapur Nav 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundRisk of self-harm and suicide is greatly increased in the period after
discharge from psychiatric in-patient care.AimsTo investigate the impact on suicide of a series of policy initiatives to
enhance care in the immediate post-discharge period.MethodA time series analysis was based on 1997–2007 data from the National
Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and from Hospital Episode Statistics
for England.ResultsThere was no evidence of a reduced risk of suicide in the first 12 weeks
following discharge in 2003–2007 compared with 1997–2002. In contrast,
the relative risk of non-fatal self-harm in the 12 weeks after discharge
declined. The risk ratio for self-harm (2003–2007 v.
1997–2002) at 0–1 week post-discharge was 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.92) and at
2–4 weeks it was 0.89 (95% CI 0.85–0.94).ConclusionsThese findings provide some support for the impact of recent policy
changes on the risk of non-fatal self-harm in the immediate period after
discharge from psychiatric in-patient care.
Provincial Assemblies, Fiscal Reform, and the Language of Politics in the 1770s and 1780s
Authors: Miller Stephen 
Published: July 2012

In the 1770s and 1780s the monarchy embarked on an ambitious project to create provincial assemblies of landowners in the pays d’élection covering the greater part of the realm. Royal reformers hoped the assemblies would lead the upper classes to identify with the regime and pay taxes willingly. By studying the assemblies, this article raises significant historical questions about the ability of the monarchy to reform its institutions, the perspectives of elites on fiscal equality and political representation, and the development of the ideological positions of 1789. The article shows that the rivalries of grandees at the highest levels of the state crystallized opposition to reform in the assemblies. Calls for fiscal equality and political participation instead emerged outside the institutional structures of the monarchy.
Dans les années 1770–1780, la monarchie entreprit de créer des assemblées provinciales de propriétaires dans les pays d’élections englobant la plus grande partie du royaume. Les réformateurs au service du roi souhaitaient que les assemblées incitent l’aristocratie et la haute bourgeoisie à s’identifier au régime et à payer leurs impôts de leur plein gré. En délivrant une étude de ces assemblées, cet article soulève des questions historiques pertinentes concernant la capacité de la monarchie à se réformer, les comportements fiscaux et politiques des élites et les positions idéologiques qu’elles adoptèrent en 1789. L’article montre que les rivalités entre les Grands de l’Etat suscitèrent une opposition aux réformes dans les assemblées. C’est plutôt en dehors des institutions de la monarchie que sont nées les revendications pour l’égalité fiscale et la représentation politique.
Philosophes Mariés and Epouses Philosophiques: Men of Letters and Marriage in Eighteenth-Century France
Authors: Roberts Meghan K. 
Published: July 2012

This article argues that, under the sway of new sentimental ideals and norms of sociability, eighteenth-century men of letters forged a new normative ideal that celebrated intellectual companionate and collaborative marriage. Rather than focusing on homosocial friendship as sufficient proof of their sociability and virtue, as had thinkers from earlier eras, they emphasized their loving family lives as proof of those traits. Moreover, such marriages were not merely represented as affectionate but also as productive. Husbands began to depict their wives as useful and valued assistants, thereby suggesting that intellectual life could be enhanced by the experience of domestic affect. Thus, in Enlightenment France, family life and philosophy became more than just compatible: they became mutually beneficial.
Cet article avance l’argument que, influencés par de nouveaux idéaux sentimentaux et de nouvelles normes sociales, les penseurs des Lumières développèrent un nouvel idéal louant une conception collaborative du mariage, basée sur la complicité intellectuelle. A la place du modèle traditionnel de l’amitié entre hommes comme preuve de leur sociabilité et de leur vertu, les philosophes proposent comme garant de ces dispositions l’amour conjugal et familial. En outre, ces mariages n’étaient pas seulement représentés comme affectueux; ils étaient également productifs. Les maris commencèrent à décrire leurs femmes comme des assistantes utiles et appréciées, suggérant par là que la vie intellectuelle pouvait être renforcée par l’expérience des liens affectifs familiaux. Ainsi, dans la France des Lumières, la vie familiale et la vie intellectuelle deviennent plus que compatibles: elles se renforcent et se nourrissent mutuellement.
The Bonds of Concord and the Guardians of Trust: Women, Emotion, and Political Life, 1815–1848
Authors: Horowitz Sarah 
Published: July 2012

Far from being excluded from the political life of the early nineteenth century, women were central to parliamentary activity during the Restoration and the July Monarchy. Drawing on letters and memoirs, this article shows how elite women helped politicians manage their political relationships and form alliances. In an era racked by bitter ideological divisions, women became vitally important to parliamentary maneuvering because they were perceived as less factionalized than the men around them and because they were seen as having unique access to the emotions. As such, women were particularly able to build trust between politicians and factions. In turn, these roles allowed some women to exert considerable influence and to shape the politics of their day.
Loin d’être exclues de la vie politique du début du dix-neuvième siècle, les femmes eurent une place centrale dans la vie parlementaire de la Restauration et de la monarchie de Juillet. En s’appuyant sur des lettres et des mémoires, cet article examine la façon dont les femmes durent prêter leur concours aux hommes politiques, en les aidant à gérer leurs relations politiques et à former des alliances. Dans une période secouée par des fortes divisions idéologiques, les femmes jouèrent un rôle capital dans les négociations parlementaires, car elles étaient moins soumises que les hommes à l’emprise des groupes factieux, et car on les disait avoir un accès unique à l’intelligence des émotions. En vertu de ces qualités, les femmes parvinrent ainsi à établir des liens de confiance entres hommes politiques et groupes factieux, au point que certaines d’entre elles finirent par exercer une influence considérable sur le paysage politique.
Efficacy of Benthic Barriers as a Control Measure for Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Authors: Laitala Karen L. , Prather Timothy S. , Thill Donn , Kennedy Brian , Caudill Chris 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe use of benthic barriers alone or in combination with other control methods could initiate the eradication of pioneer populations of Eurasian watermilfoil and facilitate maintenance of acceptable population levels in water bodies where the weed is widely established. We evaluated the effects of duration of geotextile fabric panel placement on small Eurasian watermilfoil population control and nontarget plant abundance. In 2006, benthic barriers were placed over Eurasian watermilfoil infestations and removed at intervals of 4, 8, 10, and 12 wk. The 4-wk duration reduced Eurasian watermilfoil biomass 75%, and all other duration treatments reduced Eurasian watermilfoil biomass 100%. The 4-wk treatment had no effect on native plant biomass, whereas other treatments reduced native plant biomass by 79 to 93%. At the conclusion of the 12-wk study, Eurasian watermilfoil biomass had increased in the 4-wk treatment but did not reestablish within treatment plots of longer duration. Native plant biomass had increased to 21% of the untreated control in the 8-wk barrier treatment. Results suggest the 8-wk duration is sufficient for removal of Eurasian watermilfoil while allowing regrowth of native aquatic plants. A walk-in growth chamber experiment was established to evaluate the effect of sediment accumulation on the benthic barrier. Eurasian watermilfoil fragments grown on sediment depths of 0 to 3 cm (0 to 1.2 in) did not differ for shoot or root biomass. At sediment depths of 4 and 5 cm, Eurasian watermilfoil root and shoot biomass increased when compared with the control, suggesting benthic barrier maintenance should include sediment removal when sediment reaches a depth of 4 cm.
Progress toward Environmental Weed Eradication in New Zealand
Authors: Howell Clayson J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractData on 111 environmental weed eradication programs carried out by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) have been collected and summarized. A total of 21 programs were discontinued, and 90 are ongoing. Within the ongoing programs, four have been successful in that no plants remain at any known infestations. All four of the successful eradications had a total area across all infestations of less than 1 ha (2.5 ac); however, many similar-sized programs were not successful. Correctly assessing the extent of infestations appears to be a major problem for discontinued programs. Some of the ongoing programs are progressing toward eradication, but this is taking much longer than initially anticipated. The strongest determinant of progress toward eradication was found to be the identity of the DOC administrative area, for reasons that are only speculative. The number and area of initial infestations had no effect on progress toward eradication. However, the rate at which new infestations were located was negatively correlated with progress. Across many programs, progress was restricted by inconsistent infestation visitation. After running for a decade, DOC's weed eradication strategy has yet to provide significant dividends. Environmental weed eradication is clearly more difficult than has previously been acknowledged in New Zealand.