bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct fitness of group living mammals varies with breeding strategy, climate and fitness estimates
Authors: Ebensperger Luis A. , Rivera Daniela S. , Hayes Loren D. 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Understanding how variation in fitness relates to variation in group living remains critical to determine whether this major aspect of social behaviour is currently adaptive.2. Available evidence in social mammals aimed to examine this issue remains controversial. Studies show positive (i.e. potentially adaptive), neutral or even negative fitness effects of group living.3. Attempts to explain this variation rely on intrinsic and extrinsic factors to social groups. Thus, relatively more positive fitness effects are predicted in singularly breeding as opposed to plural breeding species. Fitness effects of sociality in turn may depend on ecological conditions (i.e. extrinsic factors) that influence associated benefits and costs.4. We used meta‐analytic tools to review how breeding strategy or ecological conditions influence the effect size associated with direct fitness‐sociality relationships reported in the mammalian literature. Additionally, we determined how taxonomic affiliation of species studied, different fitness and sociality measures used, and major climatic conditions of study sites explained any variation in direct fitness effect size.5. We found group living had modest, yet positive effects on direct fitness. This generally adaptive scenario was contingent not only upon breeding strategy and climate of study sites, but also on fitness measures examined. Thus, positive and significant effects characterized singular as opposed to plural breeding strategies.6. We found more positive fitness effects on studies conducted in tropical as opposed to temperate or arid climates. More positive and significant effects were noted on studies that relied on group fecundity, male fecundity and offspring survival as measures of fitness.7. To conclude, direct fitness consequences of mammalian group living are driven by interspecific differences in breeding strategy and climate conditions. Other factors not examined in this study, namely individual variation in direct and indirect fitness benefits and potential interactions between social and ecological conditions, may be important and require further studies.
Quantitative Epstein–Barr virus shedding and its correlation with the risk of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Holman Carol J. , Karger Amy B. , Mullan Beth D. , Brundage Richard C. , Balfour Henry H. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe postulated that quantitative monitoring of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) shedding after transplantation could distinguish EBV‐associated illnesses and predict clinical outcome. EBV DNA was measured in solid organ (SOT) and hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) using our own real‐time TaqMan EBV PCR. The proportion of patients who had EBV DNAemia post‐transplant was significantly lower in HCT vs. SOT (p < 0.001). Over a 7.5‐yr period, post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) occurred in 66 (5.8%) of 1131 patients who met adequate monitoring criteria. SOT recipients developed PTLD significantly later than HCT recipients (median, 2.8 yr vs. 121 d; p < 0.001). PTLD was documented in 53 (14%) of 376 patients who had EBV in ≥1 whole blood sample vs. 13 (2%) of 755 patients who had at least three EBV‐negative blood samples and were never positive. PTLD risk in viremic patients increased with the peak quantity of EBV DNAemia (p < 0.001). PTLD occurred in 37/333 (11%) of patients with peak blood levels 103–105 copies/mL vs. 16/43 (37%) of patients with levels >105 (p < 0.001). EBV PCR was predictive in 29 (78%) of 37 patients tested within three wk prior to tissue diagnosis of PTLD, and thus, we conclude that EBV PCR with careful attention paid to changes in EBV DNAemia could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of PTLD.
Diclofenac–tramadol vs. diclofenac–acetaminophen combinations for pain relief after caesarean section
Authors: MITRA S. , KHANDELWAL P. , SEHGAL A. 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundWe compared the analgesic efficacy of diclofenac–acetaminophen combination with diclofenac–tramadol combination to optimize multimodal post‐operative analgesia in women undergoing caesarean section.MethodsIn this randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group controlled trial, 204 women undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine received rectal suppository diclofenac 100 mg (8 hourly till 24 h) plus either intravenous acetaminophen (1 g 6 hourly) or tramadol (75 mg 6 hourly) post‐operatively. The primary outcome measure was the summed pain intensities during the entire observation period, calculated as the sum of time‐weighted pain intensity scores as an area under the curve (AUC). Secondary outcome was the use of rescue analgesic, administered if the patient's numeric rating scale (NRS) scores ≥ 4.ResultsThe overall pain score for the entire observation period measured as AUC was significantly lower in the diclofenac–tramadol group. However, diclofenac–tramadol combination produced Bonferroni‐corrected statistically significant lower NRS pain scores only on movement at 24 h. Rescue analgesic consumption was comparable between the groups (13% vs. 12%, P = 0.872). Overall, the pain scores were low in both of the groups across various time intervals (median NRS scores 0–2 for pain both at rest and on movement), indicating satisfactory pain control in both groups. Side effects were few and comparable, except nausea (significantly more in tramadol group than acetaminophen group, 15% vs. 2%, P = 0.001).ConclusionBoth diclofenac–tramadol and diclofenac–acetaminophen combinations can achieve satisfactory post‐operative pain control in women undergoing caesarean section. The diclofenac–tramadol combination was overall more efficacious but associated with higher incidence of post‐operative nausea.
Diversity and distribution of gelatinous zooplankton in the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Touzri Chema , Hamdi Hedi , Goy Jacqueline , Daly Yahia Mohamed N. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractGelatinous zooplankton species composition, distribution and abundance were investigated in the bay and the lagoon of Bizerte (North Tunisian coast) from January 2004 to December 2005. In total, 48 species were identified in the study area: 24 medusae, 11 siphonophores, four appendicularians, six chaetognaths, two pteropods and one doliolid. The hydromedusaEutima mirawas recorded for the first time in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The diversity in the Bay of Bizerte was greater than the diversity in the Bizerte lagoon. There was a loss of species diversity. Siphonophores were the most sensitive group to anthropogenic discharge. Only two species of siphonophores were recorded in the lagoon. Four species of gelatinous zooplankton,Muggiaea kochi,Lensia conoidea,Oikopleura longicaudaandPodocorynoides minimawere the most frequent species in the lagoon and may benefit from eutrophication. Appendicularians were numerically the most dominant group in the bay and the lagoon of Bizerte. Mesozooplankton density declined significantly in autumn and winter of 2004 and 2005 in relation to the dense aggregations of the scyphomedusaePelagia noctiluca. Statistical analysis divided the study area into three zones: lagoon zone, bay zone and channel zone.
Control of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) infestations in wooden power poles using bandages containing fipronil
Authors: Horwood Martin A , Bohringer Philip C , Kathuria Amrit 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of pole bandages containing fipronil for controlling subterranean termites in power poles. Bandages were applied to 39 in‐service termite infested poles located in country New South Wales and around Sydney. A further 21 termite infested poles in the same areas were used as untreated controls. Poles were partially excavated and bandages attached below ground. After poles were re‐buried the backfill was moistened with 8 L of water. Twelve months after treatment all poles were inspected for termites (as an indication of treatment efficacy). With treated poles, the quantity of original material lost from bandages (‘bandage depletion’) was estimated and soil samples were collected to determine fipronil concentration. After 17 months, country poles were again inspected to determine infestation status and the extent of bandage depletion. Inspection results were analysed by logistic regression. One model was fitted to all the data using treatment, location and time as factors. The odds of infestation (i.e. probability of pole being infested/probability of pole not being infested) were higher for controls than for treated poles. Odds of infestation were also higher in Sydney than in the country. Another model was fitted for data where treatment was applied using location, bandage depletion and time as factors. In this model the odds of infestation fell as bandage depletion increased, probably as a result of increasing fipronil contamination of soil around the pole. Concentrations of soil fipronil were highly variable from pole to pole. A correspondence was noted between higher mean soil fipronil levels and better termite control in country poles. This study has shown that pole bandages containing fipronil can provide termite control on par with conventional soil treatment techniques.
Trial‐to‐trial correlation between thalamic sensory response and global EEG activity
Authors: Katz (יונתן כץ) Yonatan , Okun Michael , Lampl Ilan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThalamic gating of sensory inputs to the cortex varies with behavioral conditions, such as sleep–wake cycles, or with different stages of anesthesia. Behavioral conditions in turn are accompanied by stereotypic spectral content of the EEG. In the rodent somatosensory system, the receptive field size of the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM) shrinks when anesthesia is deepened. Here we examined whether evoked thalamic responses are correlated with global EEG activity on a fine time scale of a few seconds. Trial‐by‐trial analysis of responses of VPM cells to whisker stimulation in lightly anesthetized rats indicated that increased EEG power in the delta band (1–4 Hz) was accompanied by a small, but highly significant, reduction in spontaneous and evoked thalamic firing. The opposite effect was found for the gamma EEG band (30–50 Hz). These significant correlations were not accompanied by an apparent change in the size of the receptive fields and were not EEG phase‐related. The correlation between EEG and firing rate was observed only in neurons that responded to multiple whiskers and was higher for the non‐principal whiskers. Importantly, the contributions of the two EEG bands to the modulation of VPM responses were to a large extent independent of each other. Our findings suggest that information conveyed by different whiskers can be rapidly modulated according to the global brain activity.
Partial ligation of the transposed parotid duct at the level of the parotid gland for excessive salivary secretions
Authors: Schilke Hillary K. , Sapienza John S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective  To determine the outcome and effect of a partial ligation of the transposed parotid duct at the level of the parotid gland in four dogs with excessive salivation and ocular irritation.Methods  Four dogs were previously diagnosed with absolute keratoconjunctivitis sicca. After a parotid duct transposition (PDT) surgery, these dogs experienced excessive saliva production and abundant salivary precipitates, which resulted in epiphora, moist dermatitis, blepharospasm, and keratitis. In an effort to decrease saliva production, a partial ligation of the transposed duct at the level of the parotid gland was performed. Two or three accessory branches to the primary parotid duct were ligated at the level of the salivary gland.Results  The four cases were three Yorkshire terriers and a Chihuahua. The average age of the four patients was 2.5 years. Partial ligation of accessory branches of the parotid duct at the level of the parotid gland after a PDT in this study demonstrated improved ocular comfort, decreased salivary precipitates, and adequate Schirmer tear test results without marked epiphora in three of the four animals. The male Yorkshire had epiphora after the initial partial ligations of two accessory branches were placed at the level of the parotid gland. To correct the excessive salivary flow, two additional ligatures were placed at a later date, which resolved the epiphora.Conclusion  Partial ligation of the parotid duct at the level of the parotid gland proved to be an effective technique in moderating the salivation in these four patients with excessive salivary secretions after PDT.
ARE COGNITIVE SKILLS RELEVANT IN GENDER EARNINGS DECOMPOSITIONS?
Authors: Sakellariou Chris 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTWhile cognitive skills are known to play an important role in labour market success, empirical evidence is mainly concentrated in its effect on returns to schooling. Evidence on the role of cognitive skills in gender earnings gap decompositions is virtually absent. I use two approaches to investigate the potential for cognitive skills to affect the size and pattern of the unexplained component of the earnings gap (‘relative discrimination’) across the wage distribution, using data from the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS). It has been shown that when the raw cognitive score is used to control for cognitive skills, the return to schooling cognitive skills is generally underestimated. Once a distinction is made about the origins of cognitive skills (acquired in school versus outside the school), the returns to cognitive skills can vary depending on their origin. I find that using the raw score to control for cognitive skills does not result in any significantly different estimates of the unexplained component of the gap compared to when cognitive skills are not controlled for. However, once cognitive skills by origin of skill are used in place of total cognitive skills, the results change substantially for three of the five countries examined.
Efficiently Simulating the Bokeh of Polygonal Apertures in a Post‐Process Depth of Field Shader
Authors: McIntosh L. , Riecke B. E. , DiPaola S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe effect of aperture shape on an image, known in photography as ‘bokeh’, is an important characteristic of depth of field in real‐world cameras. However, most real‐time depth of field techniques produce Gaussian bokeh rather than the circular or polygonal bokeh that is almost universal in real‐world cameras. ‘Scattering’ (i.e. point‐splatting) techniques provide a flexible way to model any aperture shape, but tend to have prohibitively slow performance, and require geometry‐shaders or significant engine changes to implement. This paper shows that simple post‐process ‘gathering’ depth of field shaders can be easily extended to simulate certain bokeh effects. Specifically we show that it is possible to efficiently model the bokeh effects of square, hexagonal and octagonal apertures using a novel separable filtering approach. Performance data from a video game engine test demonstrates that our shaders attain much better frame rates than a naive non‐separable approach.
The negotiation of the sick role: general practitioners’ classification of patients with medically unexplained symptoms
Authors: Mik‐Meyer Nanna , Obling Anne Roelsgaard 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn encounters between general practitioners (GPs) and patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), the negotiation of the sick role is a social process. In this process, GPs not only use traditional biomedical diagnostic tools but also rely on their own opinions and evaluations of a patient’s particular circumstances in deciding whether that patient is legitimately sick. The doctor is thus a gatekeeper of legitimacy. This article presents results from a qualitative interview study conducted in Denmark with GPs concerning their approach to patients with MUS. We employ a symbolic interaction approach that pays special attention to the external validation of the sick role, making GPs’ accounts of such patients particularly relevant. One of the article’s main findings is that GPs’ criteria for judging the legitimacy of claims by those patients that present with MUS are influenced by the extent to which GPs are able to constitute these patients as people with social problems and problematic personality traits.
Legitimising and rationalising in talk about satisfaction with formal healthcare among bereaved family members
Authors: Funk Laura M. , Stajduhar Kelli I. , Robin Cohen S. , Heyland Daren K. , Williams Allison 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWhile there is a fair amount of knowledge regarding substantive features of end of life care that family members desire and appreciate, we lack full understanding of the process whereby family members formulate care evaluations. In this article we draw on an analysis of interview data from 24 bereaved family members to explicate how they interpret their experiences and formulate evaluations of end of life care services. Most participants wove between expressing and legitimising dissatisfaction, and qualifying or diffusing it. This occurred through processes of comparisons against prior care experiences and expectations, personalising (drawing on personal situations and knowledge), collectivising (drawing on conversations with and observations of others) and attempting to understand causes for their negative care experiences and to attribute responsibility. The findings suggest that dissatisfaction might be diffused even where care is experienced negatively, primarily through the acknowledgement of mitigating circumstances. To a lesser extent, some participants attributed responsibility to the ‘system’ (policy and decision‐makers) and individual staff members. The findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical understanding of satisfaction and evaluation processes and how satisfaction data might inform improvements to care quality.
INTEREST‐RELATIVE INVARIANTISM AND KNOWLEDGE FROM IGNORANCE
Authors: LUZZI FEDERICO 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe principle of Counter‐Closure embodies the widespread view that when a proposition is believed solely as the conclusion of single‐premise deduction, it can be known only if the premise is also known. I raise a problem for the compatibility of Jason Stanley's Interest‐Relative Invariantism (IRI) with Counter‐Closure. I explore the landscape of options that might help Stanley resolve this tension and argue that a trilemma confronts Stanley: he must either (i) renounce a key intuition that lies at the foundation of his view; or (ii) admit into his epistemology an IRI‐specific novel brand of Gettier case; or (iii) abandon Counter‐Closure.
Planning Practice between Ethics and the Power Game: Making and Applying an Ethical Code for Planning Agencies
Authors: Hoekveld Gerard , Needham Barrie 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWhen considering how ethical considerations should be applied to the practice of spatial planning, most attention has been given to how individual spatial planners should do that. Our focus in this article is different: it is on the public agencies that carry out spatial planning. What ethical principles should they follow, both for determining the content of the planning policy and the procedures by which those principles are applied? We argue that it is possible to construct a ‘domain ethics’ specifically for spatial planning, a set of normative principles based on widely shared values and taking account of the peculiar features of spatial planning. Using four sources — some ‘middle‐range’ ethical principles, national law, international law, and the principles behind the idea of ‘due process’— a domain ethics for spatial planning is put forward. In the ‘power game’ of planning practice, the public agency should adhere to these ethical principles. Ultimately, this is a task for the individual planner acting responsibly within the organization. We argue that planners should construct an ethical frame of reference, specifically adapted to every situation, which takes into account the nature and motivations of the other partners in that power game. That frame of reference should be established before the discussions and negotiations begin, and it should be used to influence them.RésuméDans les études sur l'intégration de considérations déontologiques dans l'exercice de l'aménagement du territoire, on s'est attachéà la conduite à tenir par les aménageurs individuels. Cet article s'intéresse quant à lui aux organismes publics qui réalisent ce type d'aménagement. Quels principes éthiques devraient‐ils suivre pour décider à la fois la teneur des politiques d'aménagement et les procédures de mise en œuvre de ces principes? Il est possible d'élaborer une ‘éthique du domaine’ spécifique à l'aménagement du territoire, ensemble de principes normatifs fondés sur des valeurs partagées de manière générale et tenant compte des particularités de cette activité. Pour présenter cette déontologie, quatre sources sont exploitées: quelques principes éthiques ‘de consensus’, la législation nationale, le droit international, ainsi que les principes qui sous‐tendent la notion de régularité de la procédure (au sens de due process). Dans le ‘jeu de pouvoir’ liéà la pratique de l'aménagement, l'organisme public devrait respecter ces principes éthiques. Pour finir, il revient à chaque aménageur d'agir de manière responsable au sein de la structure concernée. Il conviendrait que les aménageurs élaborent un cadre de référence éthique, adaptéà chaque situation et tenant compte de la nature et des motivations des autres acteurs de ce jeu de pouvoir. Ce cadre de référence devrait être défini avant le début de toutes discussions ou négociations afin de pouvoir servir à les d'influencer.
From a Single Whole Exome Read to Notions of Clinical Screening: Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and RSPH9 p.Lys268del in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: AlSaadi Muslim M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Boustred Christopher R. , Guthrie Philip A. I. , Liu Xuan , Lenzi Luca , Rainbow Lucille , Hall Neil , Alharbi Khalid K. , Day Ian N. M. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryPrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disorder, usually autosomal recessive, causing early respiratory disease and later subfertility. Whole exome sequencing may enable efficient analysis for locus heterogeneous disorders such as PCD. We whole‐exome‐sequenced one consanguineous Saudi Arabian with clinically diagnosed PCD and normal laterality, to attempt ab initio molecular diagnosis.We reviewed 13 known PCD genes and potentially autozygous regions (extended homozygosity) for homozygous exon deletions, non‐dbSNP codon, splice‐site base variants or small indels. Homozygous non‐dbSNP changes were also reviewed exome‐wide. One single molecular read representing RSPH9 p.Lys268del was observed, with no wild‐type reads, and a notable deficiency of mapped reads at this location. Among all observations, RSPH9 was the strongest candidate for causality. Searching unmapped reads revealed seven more mutant reads. Direct assay for p.Lys268del (MboII digest) confirmed homozygosity in the affected individual, then confirmed homozygosity in three siblings with bronchiectasis. Our finding in southwest Saudi Arabia indicates that p.Lys268del, previously observed in two Bedouin families (Israel, UAE), is geographically widespread in the Arabian Peninsula. Analogous with cystic fibrosis CFTR p.Phe508del, screening for RSPH9 p.Lys268del (which lacks sentinel dextrocardia) in those at risk would help in early diagnosis, tailored clinical management, genetic counselling and primary prevention.