bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of malleable stylet and reusable and disposable bougies by paramedics in a simulated difficult intubation
Authors: Gregory P. , Woollard M. , Lighton D. , Munro G. , Jenkinson E. , Newcombe R. G. , O’Meara P. , Hamilton L. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryIn a randomised crossover study, 60 ambulance paramedics attempted tracheal intubation of a manikin model of a Cormack and Lehane grade 3/4 view using a Portex stylet, Portex and Frova single‐use bougies, and a Portex reusable bougie. Tracheal intubation within 30 s was achieved by 34/60 (57%) using the stylet, 18/60 (30%) using a Portex single‐use bougie, 16/60 (27%) using a Frova single‐use bougie and 5/60 (8%) using a Portex reusable bougie. The proportion intubating within 30 s was significantly higher with the stylet compared with any bougie (p < 0.001), but significantly lower with a Portex reusable bougie than any other device (p < 0.004). Participants rated the Portex reusable bougie as significantly more difficult to use than the other devices (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of a relationship between previous experience and success rate for any device.
Distinct temporal patterns of immediate asthmatic reactions due to high‐ and low‐molecular‐weight agents
Authors: Malo J.‐L. , Ghezzo H. , L'Archevêque J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundExposure to occupational agents can cause immediate asthmatic reactions.ObjectiveIt can be hypothesized that the pattern of immediate reactions is different for high (HMW)‐ and low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) agents. To test this, we studied the temporal features of reactions in workers who underwent specific inhalation challenges for possible occupational asthma.MethodsWe examined 467 immediate reactions due to HMW (n = 248, 53%) and LWW (n = 219, 47%) agents in regards to timing of the maximum reaction and recovery.ResultsThe median duration of exposure to elicit significant immediate reactions was comparable for HMW and LMW agents (15 min). The median maximum fall in FEV
1 occurred after 20 min for LMW by comparison with 10 min for HMW agents (P < 0.001). The median timing of recovery of FEV
1 to 10% baseline was shorter for HMW (60 min) than for LMW (90 min) agents (P < 0.01), and significantly more subjects recovered to 10% baseline (89.5%) for HMW than for LMW agents (72.6%) (P < 0.001). Confounding variables such as age, atopy, baseline airway calibre and the maximum fall in FEV
1 at the time of the immediate reaction did not alter the significant effect of the nature of the agent per se. Immediate reactions were followed by a late asthmatic reaction more often in the case of LMW (37.3%) than HMW (26.2%) agents (P < 0.05). Significant changes in non‐specific bronchial responsiveness were significantly (P = 0.02) more frequent after reactions to LMW (31.9%) than to HMW (21.4%) agents. We found similar trends by comparing reactions to flour (n = 113), the principal cause of reactions to HMW agents, and diisocyanates (n = 111), the principal LMW agent.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThis study shows distinct patterns for immediate reactions due to occupational agents. These results can provide useful guidelines for performing specific inhalation challenges and improve the safety of the procedure.
Effective elimination of subharmonic ghost events from vibroseis data
Authors: Stiller M. , Jaeckel K.‐H. , Weber M. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTHarmonic or subharmonic noise is often present in vibroseis data as reverberation‐like, laterally coherent bands occurring parallel to and before or after, the main events. Such periodic noise is typically generated during the standard correlation process when the actual source signal travelling through the subsurface is, for whatever reason, different from the desired source signal, i.e., the pilot‐sweep controlling the baseplate and used for correlation. A typical cause can be that harmonic or subharmonic frequency partials are generated in addition to the vibroseis sweep's desired fundamental frequencies. These harmonics produce strong ‘ghost events’ during correlation of the geophone trace with the pilot‐sweep, originating from additional correlations between the fundamental and harmonic frequencies. Especially subharmonic ‘ghosts’ will overlap with ‘good’ fundamental signals, since for typically used up‐sweeps they are folded to later traveltimes, where the signal/noise‐ratio is already lower, thus aggravating or preventing a reliable interpretation of possible later reflections.Here, a method is introduced to remove these unwanted noise trains (with only negligible impact on the fundamental signal) by transforming the seismogram traces into a so‐called ‘(sub)harmonic domain’. In this domain, the respective harmonic noise portions are focused and separated from the fundamental signals, enabling easier detection and appropriate suppression. After back‐transformation to the x‐T domain, the records are free from the corresponding harmonic contamination and can then be processed as usual. The method operates in a data‐driven fashion, i.e., the traces are not uniformly processed but are processed depending upon their actual (sub)harmonic content. The decontamination procedure can be applied universally, i.e., to uncorrelated/correlated and/or vertically unstacked/stacked data either in a manual, semiautomated or fully automated manner. The method works perfectly for synthetic vibroseis traces with or without harmonic/subharmonic portions. The application to real, crustal‐scale vibroseis records that were acquired in 2006 in the Dead Sea region, Israel and that were severely contaminated by subharmonic ground‐roll ghosts covering reflectivity from the basement to the Moho, shows the robustness and success of the presented method.
Efficient least‐squares imaging with sparsity promotion and compressive sensing
Authors: Herrmann Felix J. , Li Xiang 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTSeismic imaging is a linearized inversion problem relying on the minimization of a least‐squares misfit functional as a function of the medium perturbation. The success of this procedure hinges on our ability to handle large systems of equations – whose size grows exponentially with the demand for higher resolution images in more and more complicated areas – and our ability to invert these systems given a limited amount of computational resources. To overcome this ‘curse of dimensionality’ in problem size and computational complexity, we propose a combination of randomized dimensionality‐reduction and divide‐and‐conquer techniques. This approach allows us to take advantage of sophisticated sparsity‐promoting solvers that work on a series of smaller subproblems each involving a small randomized subset of data. These subsets correspond to artificial simultaneous‐source experiments made of random superpositions of sequential‐source experiments. By changing these subsets after each subproblem is solved, we are able to attain an inversion quality that is competitive while requiring fewer computational and possibly, fewer acquisition resources.Application of this concept to a controlled series of experiments shows the validity of our approach and the relationship between its efficiency – by reducing the number of sources and hence the number of wave‐equation solves – and the image quality. Application of our dimensionality‐reduction methodology with sparsity promotion to a complicated synthetic with a well‐log constrained structure also yields excellent results underlining the importance of sparsity promotion.
Research Note: Internal/external seismic source wavefield separation and cancellation
Authors: Thomson C.J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTA compact representation is obtained for the separation of a scalar wavefield on a closed surface into parts due to internal and external sources. The formula assumes that the total field and its gradients are known on the surface, as is the exact Green function of the medium. The derivation involves four rather straightforward applications of Green’s theorem or the representation theorem, though it is a remarkable result in that waves from either source that traverse the boundary many times are appropriately separated. The intermediate results at the four steps of the derivation also shed light on the possibility of acoustic shielding from unwanted sources without knowledge of the Green function for the medium.
Scrotal asymmetry, varicocoele and the Riace Bronzes
Authors: Bonafini B. , Pozzilli P. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryIn 1972, a pair of remarkably attractive Greek statues, later named Riace Bronzes, were found along the Mediterranean coast in the province of Reggio Calabria, Italy. We analyse the Riace Bronzes in the context of previous research on scrotal asymmetry in Greek statues. By examining their testis, one can define a more exact time of their dating by placing them beside previous observations of scrotal asymmetry, and possibly by taking a pathological condition, varicocoele, as an influencing factor in determining the appearance of the testis. In statue A of the Riace Bronzes, the left testicle is remarkably lower compared with the right one; it also appears as it looks when under physical examination varicocoele is suspected. Being located on the left testicle (as in 90% of cases) and by sight, we feel sufficiently confident to affirm that varicocoele might be diagnosed.
Extraction optimisation and antioxidant activities in vitro of polysaccharides from Allium macrostemon Bunge
Authors: Zhang Zhanjun , Wang Fuhua , Wang Mingchun , Ma Liping , Zeng Xiaoxiong 
Published: January 2012

SummaryA four‐factor and three‐level Box–Behnken design was used to optimise the extraction parameters for polysaccharides from Allium macrostemon Bunge (AMBP). As a result, the optimal conditions for AMBP extraction were the following: extraction temperature, 87 °C; ratio of water to raw material, 12 mL g−1; extraction time, 100 min; and extraction times, 3. Then, a graded ethanol precipitation was used to fractionate the water‐extractable polysaccharides, resulting in three polysaccharides fractions of AMBP40, AMBP60 and AMBP80. During in vitro antioxidant assay, AMBP40 exhibited relative stronger scavenging activities on hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical and metal chelating activity than AMBP60 and AMBP80. The differences in antioxidant activities in vitro might be due to their differences in molecular weight and uronic acid content.
Lived experiences of Iranian family member caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease: caring as ‘captured in the whirlpool of time’
Authors: Navab Elham , Negarandeh Reza , Peyrovi Hamid 
Published: January 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study aimed to understand the experiences of Iranian family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.Background.  Increasing rate of Alzheimer’s disease along with the ageing population has made this disease an urgent public health challenge worldwide. As non‐professional caregivers, family members play a significant role in delivering care to elders, most of whom have one or more chronic diseases. Family‐based caregiving has expanded with the encouragement of non‐institutionalisation but at the same time creates challenges for caregivers.Design.  A qualitative study was conducted using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology.Methods.  Eight Iranian family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease were interviewed. Interviews were audio‐taped and transcribed; data were analysed by Van Manen’s methodology.Results.  One of the most important themes that emerged was ‘captured in the whirlpool of time’, which also contained the subthemes of ‘reminiscence of past’ and ‘being afraid of the future’. Family caregivers frequently remembered their common past experiences when interacting with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, as though travelling with him/her to the past. Furthermore, caregivers continually compared the past abilities of their relative with their present condition, which resulted in feelings of loss and regret. Further, the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer’s disease created fear about the future deterioration of the condition and caregivers’ future suffering.Conclusions.  The findings demonstrated the necessity of providing continuous education and support for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses are among front‐line professionals who are in a position to support and provide information for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Missing link’ species Capsella orientalis and Capsella thracica elucidate evolution of model plant genus Capsella (Brassicaceae)
Authors: HURKA HERBERT , FRIESEN NIKOLAI , GERMAN DMITRY A. , FRANZKE ANDREAS , NEUFFER BARBARA 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo elucidate the evolutionary history of the genus Capsella, we included the hitherto poorly known species C. orientalis and C. thracica into our studies together with C. grandiflora, C. rubella and C. bursa‐pastoris. We sequenced the ITS and four loci of noncoding cpDNA regions (trnL – F, rps16, trnH –psbA and trnQ –rps16). Sequence data were evaluated with parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Divergence time estimates were carried out with the software package BEAST. We also performed isozyme, cytological, morphological and biogeographic studies. Capsella orientalis (self‐compatible, SC; 2n = 16) forms a clade (eastern lineage) with C. bursa‐pastoris (SC; 2n = 32), which is a sister clade (western lineage) to C. grandiflora (self‐incompatible, SI; 2n = 16) and C. rubella (SC; 2n = 16). Capsella bursa‐pastoris is an autopolyploid species of multiple origin, whereas the Bulgarian endemic C. thracica (SC; 2n = 32) is allopolyploid and emerged from interspecific hybridization between C. bursa‐pastoris and C. grandiflora. The common ancestor of the two lineages was diploid and SI, and its distribution ranged from eastern Europe to central Asia, predominantly confined to steppe‐like habitats. Biogeographic dynamics during the Pleistocene caused geographic and genetic subdivisions within the common ancestor giving rise to the two extant lineages.
A new method for focal transient cerebral ischaemia by distal compression of the middle cerebral artery
Authors: Morancho Anna , García‐Bonilla Lidia , Barceló Verónica , Giralt Dolors , Campos‐Martorell Mireia , Garcia Sandra , Montaner Joan , Rosell Anna 
Published: January 2012

A. Morancho, L. García‐Bonilla, V. Barceló, D. Giralt, M. Campos‐Martorell, S. Garcia, J. Montaner and A. Rosell (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 617–627A new method for focal transient cerebral ischaemia by distal compression of the middle cerebral arteryAims: Rodent experimental models are essential for in vivo study of stroke. Our aim was to develop a reproducible method of mouse transient focal cerebral ischaemia by distal artery compression. Methods: The distal middle cerebral artery (dMCA) was occluded by compression with a blunted needle, and cerebral blood flow was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry to ensure appropriate occlusion and reperfusion in Balb/c mice. The ischaemic lesion was evaluated 24 h after occlusion by TTC staining and immunolabelling (NeuN, CD31, GFAP and Iba‐1) while the established permanent dMCA occlusion (dMCAO) model was used as a control. The corner test was performed to evaluate neurological behaviour. Results: Laser Doppler flowmetry register showed a homogenous arterial occlusion among animals. Forty‐five minutes of arterial occlusion did not lead brain infarction when evaluated by TTC staining 24 h after occlusion. Extending the cerebral ischaemia period to 60 min induced a cortically localized homogeneous brain infarct. No differences in infarct volume were detected between animals submitted to permanent or 60‐min transient dMCAO (42.33 ± 9.88 mm3 and 37.63 ± 12.09 mm3 respectively). The ischaemic injury was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in the 60‐min transient dMCAO model but not in the 45‐min model. Neurological deficits assessed with the corner test were significant only during the first 48 h but not at long term. Conclusions: This work shows an easy‐to‐perform method for the induction of brain ischaemia and reperfusion to assess stroke repair and treatment screening, with cortically localized ischaemic cell damage, low mortality and neurological impairment in the acute phase.
California Very Preterm Birth Study: design and characteristics of the population‐ and biospecimen bank‐based nested case–control study
Authors: Kharrazi Martin , Pearl Michelle , Yang Juan , DeLorenze Gerald N. , Bean Christopher J. , Callaghan William M. , Grant Althea , Lackritz Eve , Romero Roberto , Satten Glen A. , Simhan Hyagriv , Torres Anthony R. , Westover Jonna B. , Yolken Robert , Williamson Dhelia M. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryKharrazi M, Pearl M, Yang J, DeLorenze GN, Bean CJ, Callaghan WM, Grant A, Lackritz E, Romero R, Satten GA, Simhan H, Torres AR, Westover JB, Yolken R, Williamson DM. California Very Preterm Birth Study: design and characteristics of the population‐ and biospecimen bank‐based nested case–control study. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 250–263.Very preterm birth (VPTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality, morbidity and racial disparity in the US. The underlying causes of VPTB are multiple and poorly understood. The California Very Preterm Birth Study was conducted to discover maternal and infant genetic and environmental factors associated with VPTB. This paper describes the study design, population, data and specimen collection, laboratory methods and characteristics of the study population. Using a large, population‐based cohort created through record linkage of livebirths delivered from 2000 to 2007 in five counties of southern California, and existing data and banked specimens from statewide prenatal and newborn screening, 1100 VPTB cases and 796 control mother–infant pairs were selected for study (385/200 White, 385/253 Hispanic and 330/343 Black cases/controls, respectively). Medical record abstraction of cases was conducted at over 50 hospitals to identify spontaneous VPTB, improve accuracy of gestational age, obtain relevant clinical data and exclude cases that did not meet eligibility criteria. VPTB was defined as birth at <32 weeks in Whites and Hispanics and <34 weeks in Blacks. Approximately 55% of all VPTBs were spontaneous and 45% had medical indications or other exclusions. Of the spontaneous VPTBs, approximately 41% were reported to have chorioamnionitis. While the current focus of the California Very Preterm Birth Study is to assess the role of candidate genetic markers on spontaneous VPTB, its design enables the pursuit of other research opportunities to identify social, clinical and biological determinants of different types of VPTB with the ultimate aim of reducing infant mortality, morbidity and racial disparities in these health outcomes in the US and elsewhere.
Soluble and filamentous proteins in Arabidopsis sieve elements
Authors: BATAILLER BRIGITTE , LEMAÎTRE THOMAS , VILAINE FRANÇOISE , SANCHEZ CHRISTIAN , RENARD DENIS , CAYLA THIBAUD , BENETEAU JULIE , DINANT SYLVIE 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTPhloem sieve elements are highly differentiated cells involved in the long‐distance transport of photoassimilates. These cells contain both aggregated phloem‐proteins (P‐proteins) and soluble proteins, which are also translocated by mass flow. We used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) to carry out a proteomic survey of the phloem exudate of Arabidopsis thaliana, collected by the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)‐facilitated method. We identified 287 proteins, a large proportion of which were enzymes involved in the metabolic precursor generation and amino acid synthesis, suggesting that sieve tubes display high levels of metabolic activity. RNA‐binding proteins, defence proteins and lectins were also found. No putative P‐proteins were detected in the EDTA‐exudate fraction, indicating a lack of long‐distance translocation of such proteins in Arabidopsis. In parallel, we investigated the organization of P‐proteins, by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and the localization of the phloem lectin PP2, a putative P‐protein component, by immunolocalization with antibodies against PP2‐A1. Transmission electron microscopy observations of P‐proteins revealed bundles of filaments resembling strings of beads. PP2‐A1 was found weakly associated with these structures in the sieve elements and bound to plastids. These observations suggest that PP2‐A1 is anchored to P‐proteins and organelles rather than being a structural component of P‐proteins.
Mutations in the NOG gene are commonly found in congenital stapes ankylosis with symphalangism, but not in otosclerosis
Authors: Usami S , Abe S , Nishio S , Sakurai Y , Kojima H , Tono T , Suzuki N 
Published: January 2012

Usami S, Abe S, Nishio S, Sakurai Y, Kojima H, Tono T, Suzuki N. Mutations in the NOG gene are commonly found in congenital stapes ankylosis with symphalangism, but not in otosclerosis.Human noggin (NOG) is a responsible gene for multiple synostosis syndrome (SYNS1) and proximal symphalangism (SYM1), two conditions that are recently known to be within a wider range of clinical manifestations of stapes ankylosis with symphalangism. This study was performed to determine the range of phenotype caused by NOG mutations, using Japanese patients with various phenotypes including sporadic inherited SYM1, dominantly inherited SYM1, stapes ankylosis with broad thumb and toes (Teunissen and Cremer syndrome). In addition, 33 patients with typical otosclerosis (without symphalangism) were studied. Direct sequencing analysis disclosed three novel mutations of the NOG gene in three SYM1 families. None of the otosclerosis patients without symphalangism had NOG mutations, indicating that NOG mutations may be restrictively found within patients with various skeletal abnormalities. These results together with the literature review indicated that there are no clear genotype–phenotype correlations for NOG mutations. With regard to surgical outcome, most of the patients in these three families with NOG mutations showed remarkable air–bone gap recovery after stapes surgery. Molecular genetic testing is useful to differentiate syndromic stapes ankylosis from otosclerosis, and even mild skeletal anomalies can be a diagnostic indicator of NOG‐associated disease.
Seismic Signaling is Crucial for Female Mate Choice in a Multimodal Signaling Wolf Spider
Authors: Wilgers Dustin J. , Hebets Eileen A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractComplex courtship signals can be dissected into distinct components that can either function independently or via interactions with one another. Male Rabidosa rabida wolf spiders use courtship displays that couple a seismic signal with the waving of an ornamented foreleg. While previous studies suggest that female R. rabida exhibit mate choice and that both the seismic and visual modalities are important in mating interactions, it remains unclear how variation in each component influences female mating decisions. To investigate this, we ran two separate experiments in which we manipulated (1) male diets, to induce variation in the seismic courtship signal, and (2) male foreleg color, to artificially induce variation in visual foreleg ornamentation. To determine the influence of variation in each component independently, females were paired with males in environments that allowed the detection of only the manipulated signal component (e.g. seismic signal only and visual signal only). Variability in the seismic signal alone influenced female mate choice, but variability in visual ornamentation alone did not. In a third experiment, we manipulated foreleg color and allowed it to interact with the seismic signal to determine whether inter‐signal interactions influence female mating decisions. When females were able to detect both signal components, variation in visual ornamentation did influence mate choice – females preferred ornamented males. Together, these results suggest that the seismic signal of male R. rabida is integral for female mate choice and that the components of the courtship display interact to influence female mating decisions.