bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot evaluation of the efficacy of shampoo treatment with ultrapure soft water for canine pruritus
Authors: Ohmori Keitaro , Tanaka Akane , Makita Yuka , Takai Masaki , Yoshinari Yuji , Matsuda Hiroshi 
Published: May 2010

AbstractUltrapure soft water (UPSW) is water in which calcium and magnesium ions have been replaced with sodium ions using a cation‐exchange resin. We recently demonstrated that washing with soap and UPSW reduced the clinical severity of dermatitis and improved the skin barrier function in NC/NgaTnd mice, a murine model for human atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of shampoo treatment with UPSW for dogs with pruritus. Eleven dogs with pruritus were randomly assigned to two groups depending on whether they received weekly shampoo treatment with UPSW or tap water for 4 weeks. After a washout period, the treatment protocol was switched such that each dog received both treatments. The pre‐treatment and post‐treatment values of the following were compared: pruritus scores assessed by the owners; dermatitis scores recorded by an investigator; and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Shampoo treatment with UPSW significantly decreased pruritus and dermatitis scores in the dogs, whereas shampoo treatment with tap water did not. In addition, shampoo treatment with UPSW, but not with tap water, significantly reduced TEWL in the dogs. Adverse events due to the treatment were not observed in the dogs. Furthermore, we found that topical application of UPSW for barrier‐disrupted skin caused by tape stripping in healthy dogs decreased TEWL more rapidly than topical application of tap water. Our findings suggest that shampoo treatment with UPSW promotes skin barrier recovery and thus could be considered as a possible therapeutic option in the management of pruritus and dermatitis in dogs.
Competition between relatives and the evolution of dispersal in a parasitoid wasp
Authors: INNOCENT T. M. , ABE J. , WEST S. A. , REECE S. E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractEvolutionary theory predicts that levels of dispersal vary in response to the extent of local competition for resources and the relatedness between potential competitors. Here, we test these predictions by making use of a female dispersal dimorphism in the parasitoid wasp Melittobia australica. We show that there are two distinct female morphs, which differ in morphology, pattern of egg production, and dispersal behaviour. As predicted by theory, we found that greater competition for resources resulted in increased production of dispersing females. In contrast, we did not find support for the prediction that high relatedness between competitors increases the production of dispersing females in Melittobia. Finally, we exploit the close links between the evolutionary processes leading to selection for dispersal and for biased sex ratios to examine whether the pattern of dispersal can help distinguish between competing hypotheses for the lack of sex ratio adjustment in Melittobia.
Geographical and individual variation in echolocation calls of the intermediate leaf‐nosed bat, Hipposideros larvatus
Authors: Jiang Tinglei , Liu Rong , Metzner Walter , You Yuyan , Li Shi , Liu Sen , Feng Jiang 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe cause and significance of variation in echolocation call frequency within hipposiderid bats is not well understood despite an increasing number of allopatric and sympatric examples being documented. We examined variation patterns in the resting frequency (RF) of echolocation calls emitted by the intermediate leaf‐nosed bat, Hipposideros larvatus, on a broad geographical scale. Data mining technology and Kruskal–Wallis test both showed substantial variation with a longitudinal pattern in RF in H. larvatus among colonies, and this variation was associated with geographical distance and not body size. In addition, we found that a high degree of variability between individuals was hidden under the geographical variation. The results support an effect of random cultural drift, and challenge the prey detection hypothesis. Moreover, an acoustic difference among local island colonies may be indicative of a vocal dialect. We found that each colony of H. larvatus seems to maintain a ‘private bandwidth’, which could be used for colony identity and individual communication thus helping individuals and colonies to get a number of fitness benefits.
Chronic telogen effluvium is due to a reduction in the variance of anagen duration
Authors: Gilmore Stephen , Sinclair Rodney 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives:  Chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss in women are well‐described clinical entities characterized by chronic and fluctuating increases in hair shedding without loss of hair volume. We sought to investigate the follicular dynamics of chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss using a previously validated computer simulation known as the follicular automaton.Methods:  Using our model, we were able to simulate reductions in both the mean and variance of anagen duration and thus investigate their consequences with respect to both hair volume and hair shedding.Results:  We showed that reducing the mean anagen duration results in a loss of hair volume without prominent fluctuations in hair fall: findings that reproduced the key features in androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, a reduction in the variance of anagen duration generated follicular dynamics that accurately reproduced the known key features of chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse cyclical hair loss: acute exacerbations, periodicity and only minimal reductions in long‐term hair volume.Conclusions:  We provide evidence that suggests chronic telogen effluvium may be secondary to a reduction in the variance of anagen and suggest this pathological state represents a new functional type of recurrent hair shedding.
Initiation and duration of proton pump inhibitors in the Australian veteran population
Authors: Gadzhanova S. V. , Roughead E. E. , Mackson J. M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAim: To determine the duration of initial treatment with high strength proton pump inhibitors prescribed for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in the veteran population in Australia and variance by the medical professional who initiated treatment.Method: Retrospective cohort study in the Australian veteran population using Department of Veterans' Affairs pharmacy claims data. Veterans who had been dispensed at least one prescription for the high strength proton pump inhibitor indicative of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2007, were eligible for full health services, and who had not been dispensed any proton pump inhibitor in the previous 12 months were included in the study. The study end‐point was time to discontinuation of initial high strength proton pump inhibitor (cessation or switch to maintenance strength) stratified by the type of initial prescriber.Results: Of the new users of high strength proton pump inhibitors (n= 41 041), 32% discontinued within 8 weeks, and 62% discontinued within 12 months. The median treatment duration was: 195 days (95% CI, 186–205) for patients with hospital‐initiated therapy (n= 12 294), 124 days (95% CI, 121–127) for patients with treatment initiated by general practitioners (n= 25 327) and 112 days (95% CI, 104–121) for patients with treatment initiated by specialist (n= 3420).Conclusions: Only one‐third of the Australian veteran patients who initiated high strength proton pump inhibitor treatment for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease discontinued (ceased or stepped down) within 8 weeks consistent with guideline recommendations. The majority continued treatment beyond recommended durations. This is not directly attributable to the initiating prescriber.
The safety of flexible fibre‐optic bronchoscopy and proceduralist‐administered sedation: a tertiary referral centre experience
Authors: Dang D. , Robinson P. C. , Winnicki S. , Jersmann H. P. A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground: Flexible fibre‐optic bronchoscopy has become an essential investigation and is widely regarded as safe, but wider published prospective data regarding delayed complications are limited. There is continuing debate concerning the safety of proceduralist‐administered sedation. We evaluated complication rates of bronchoscopy and proceduralist‐administered sedation at our tertiary institution, and their clinical significance.Methods: Prospective evaluation of all patients undergoing bronchoscopy over a 12‐month period at a tertiary referral centre. Immediate minor and major complications were documented within 4 h of bronchoscopy, delayed complications at 48 h, case notes and bronchoscopy records were reviewed 1 month later.Results: Five hundred and fifty‐eight flexible fibre‐optic bronchoscopies were performed, 216 with transbronchial biopsy or nodal aspiration, 19 had therapeutic airways intervention. The minor complication rate at 4 h was 4.12% (23), rising to 26% (145) at 48 h. All 2.2% (12) major complications occurred exclusively within 4 h of bronchoscopy. No complications could be attributed to proceduralist‐administered sedation.Discussion: Complication rates at 4 h were comparable with previously reported data. Delayed minor complications were greater than expected, and did not require additional medical input. There were no complications from proceduralist‐administered sedation. Flexible fibre‐optic bronchoscopy and proceduralist‐administered sedation within our institution's guidelines are safe.
Increased activity and improved outcome in unrelated donor haemopoietic cell transplants for acute myeloid leukaemia in Australia, 1992–2005
Authors: Nivison‐Smith I. , Dodds A. J. , Dunckley H. , Ma D. D. F. , Moore J. J. , Simpson J. M. , Szer J. , Bradstock K. F. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground/Aim:  Numbers of unrelated donor allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplants (HCT) for acute myeloid leukaemia have increased in Australia in recent years. The aims of this study were to investigate the components of this change and find contributing factors to changes in outcome.Methods:  The study method was a retrospective analysis of 213 consecutive first unrelated donor HCT for acute myeloid leukaemia performed within Australia for adult patients during the years of 1992–1997 (n= 43) and 1998–2005 (n= 170).Results:  The proportion of patients transplanted in first or second complete remission (CR) increased markedly from 21% in 1992–1997 to 52% in 1998–2005. The cumulative incidence of relapse at 1 year post HCT was significantly lower for the later cohort (22% vs 30%, P= 0.04) and for patients transplanted in CR compared with those not in CR (16% vs 31%, P= 0.01). The overall survival probability was significantly better at 5 years post HCT for patients transplanted in 1998–2005 compared with 1992–1997 (40% vs 21%, P= 0.04). Multivariate analysis identified five independent significant favourable factors for survival among the whole patient group: age under 40 years, transplant in CR1, CR2 or first relapse, patient CMV seronegativity, good performance status and year of transplant within 1998–2005.Conclusion:  The later cohort of patients had improved survival even after allowing for the effects of age, remission status and other factors, which suggests a general improvement in the safety of the procedure over time, particularly for patients in early disease stages at transplant.
Protracted speciation revitalizes the neutral theory of biodiversity
Authors: Rosindell James , Cornell Stephen J. , Hubbell Stephen P. , Etienne Rampal S. 
Published: May 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 716–727AbstractUnderstanding the maintenance and origin of biodiversity is a formidable task, yet many ubiquitous ecological patterns are predicted by a surprisingly simple and widely studied neutral model that ignores functional differences between species. However, this model assumes that new species arise instantaneously as singletons and consequently makes unrealistic predictions about species lifetimes, speciation rates and number of rare species. Here, we resolve these anomalies – without compromising any of the original model's existing achievements and retaining computational and analytical tractability – by modelling speciation as a gradual, protracted, process rather than an instantaneous event. Our model also makes new predictions about the diversity of ‘incipient’ species and rare species in the metacommunity. We show that it is both necessary and straightforward to incorporate protracted speciation in future studies of neutral models, and argue that non‐neutral models should also model speciation as a gradual process rather than an instantaneous one.
Diversification of honest signals in a predator–prey system
Authors: Speed Michael P. , Ruxton Graeme D. , Blount Jon D. , Stephens Philip A. 
Published: May 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 744–753AbstractMany animals use bright colouration to advertise their toxicity to predators. It is now well established that both toxicity and colouration are often variable within prey populations, yet it is an open question whether or not brighter signals should be used by the more toxic members of the population. We therefore describe a model in which signal honesty can easily be explained. We assumed that prey toxicity is environmentally conferred and variable between individuals, and that signalling bears a cost through attracting the attention of predators. A key assumption is that predators know the mean toxicity associated with each signalling level, so that the probability of attack for each signal value declines as mean toxicity associated with that signal increases. The probability of death given attack for each individual, however, declines with the precise value of its own toxicity, and prey must evolve the optimal level of signal to match the toxicity level that they acquire from their environments. At the start of our simulations there is no signalling system, as neither prey nor predators have biases that favour signal diversification. Over evolutionary time, however, a positive correlation emerges between signal strength and the mean toxicity associated with each signal level. When stability is reached, predators change their behaviour so that they now tend to avoid prey that signal conspicuously. In addition to predicting within‐species signal reliability, our model can explain the initial evolution of aposematic displays without the need to assume special biases in predators.
Lake secondary production fueled by rapid transfer of low molecular weight organic carbon from terrestrial sources to aquatic consumers
Authors: Berggren M. , Ström L. , Laudon H. , Karlsson J. , Jonsson A. , Giesler R. , Bergström A.‐K. , Jansson M. 
Published: May 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 870–880AbstractCarbon of terrestrial origin often makes up a significant share of consumer biomass in unproductive lake ecosystems. However, the mechanisms for terrestrial support of lake secondary production are largely unclear. By using a modelling approach, we show that terrestrial export of dissolved labile low molecular weight carbon (LMWC) compounds supported 80% (34–95%), 54% (19–90%) and 23% (7–45%) of the secondary production by bacteria, protozoa and metazoa, respectively, in a 7‐km2 boreal lake (conservative to liberal estimates in brackets). Bacterial growth on LMWC was of similar magnitude as that of primary production (PP), and grazing on bacteria effectively channelled the LMWC carbon to higher trophic levels. We suggest that rapid turnover of forest LMWC pools enables continuous export of fresh photosynthates and other labile metabolites to aquatic systems, and that substantial transfer of LMWC from terrestrial sources to lake consumers can occur within a few days. Sequestration of LMWC of terrestrial origin, thus, helps explain high shares of terrestrial carbon in lake organisms and implies that lake food webs can be closely dependent on recent terrestrial PP.
Life‐history traits predict species responses to habitat area and isolation: a cross‐continental synthesis
Authors: Öckinger Erik , Schweiger Oliver , Crist Thomas O. , Debinski Diane M. , Krauss Jochen , Kuussaari Mikko , Petersen Jessica D. , Pöyry Juha , Settele Josef , Summerville Keith S. , Bommarco Riccardo 
Published: May 2010

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 969–979AbstractThere is a lack of quantitative syntheses of fragmentation effects across species and biogeographic regions, especially with respect to species life‐history traits. We used data from 24 independent studies of butterflies and moths from a wide range of habitats and landscapes in Europe and North America to test whether traits associated with dispersal capacity, niche breadth and reproductive rate modify the effect of habitat fragmentation on species richness. Overall, species richness increased with habitat patch area and connectivity. Life‐history traits improved the explanatory power of the statistical models considerably and modified the butterfly species–area relationship. Species with low mobility, a narrow feeding niche and low reproduction were most strongly affected by habitat loss. This demonstrates the importance of considering life‐history traits in fragmentation studies and implies that both species richness and composition change in a predictable manner with habitat loss and fragmentation.
Intraoperative frozen section assessment of pelvic lymph nodes during radical prostatectomy is of limited value
Authors: Song Jie , Li Mei , Zagaja Gregory P. , Taxy Jerome B. , Shalhav Arieh L. , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat A. 
Published: May 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of frozen section (FS) assessment of pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) during radical prostatectomy (RP) in a large contemporary cohort; and to analyse the contribution of FS to surgical decision making in this setting.PATIENTS AND METHODSDuring a 4‐year period at a single institution, RPs with PLN dissection (PLND) were reviewed. The number and size of the PLNs, and the size of metastases were measured.RESULTSFS was performed on 349 bilateral PLNDs. Overall, 28 (8%) cases were positive for metastasis, 11 of which were detected by FS (39%). The 17 false negatives, all of which contained metastases smaller than 5 mm, were due to failure to identify and freeze the positive PLNs (11), failure to section at the level of the metastatic tumour (four), or interpretative error (two). The sensitivity was not affected by the number of sampled nodes. The size of metastasis was the determining factor for the accuracy of FS, with metastases of ≥5 mm having a sensitivity of 100%, and metastases of <5 mm having a sensitivity of 10%. Among the 11 true positives, RP was aborted in eight cases and continued in three. During the same period, 261 PLNDs were performed without FS, and 18 (6.9%) had metastases.CONCLUSIONSFS is highly accurate in detecting large, grossly evident metastases, but performs poorly on micrometastases. It is recommended that a two‐step approach applied to routine FS starting with a careful gross examination followed by FS for only grossly suspicious PLNs.
Impact of second‐language experience in infancy: brain measures of first‐ and second‐language speech perception
Authors: Conboy Barbara T. , Kuhl Patricia K. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractLanguage experience ‘narrows’ speech perception by the end of infants’ first year, reducing discrimination of non‐native phoneme contrasts while improving native‐contrast discrimination. Previous research showed that declines in non‐native discrimination were reversed by second‐language experience provided at 9–10 months, but it is not known whether second‐language experience affects first‐language speech sound processing. Using event‐related potentials (ERPs), we examined learning‐related changes in brain activity to Spanish and English phoneme contrasts in monolingual English‐learning infants pre‐ and post‐exposure to Spanish from 9.5 to 10.5 months of age. Infants showed a significant discriminatory ERP response to the Spanish contrast at 11 months (post‐exposure), but not at 9 months (pre‐exposure). The English contrast elicited an earlier discriminatory response at 11 months than at 9 months, suggesting improvement in native‐language processing. The results show that infants rapidly encode new phonetic information, and that improvement in native speech processing can occur during second‐language learning in infancy.
A Remark on Color‐Blind Affirmative Action
Authors: RAY DEBRAJ , SETHI RAJIV 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFaced with legal challenges to explicitly race‐contingent admissions policies, elite educational institutions have turned to criteria that meet diversity goals without being formally contingent on applicant identity. We establish that under weak conditions that apply generically, such color‐blind affirmative action policies must be nonmonotone, in the sense that within each social group, some students with lower scores are admitted while others with higher scores are denied. In addition, we argue that blind rules can generate greater disparities in mean scores across groups conditional on acceptance than would arise if explicitly race‐contingent policies were permitted.
Networks of Free Trade Agreements among Heterogeneous Countries
Authors: MAULEON ANA , SONG HUASHENG , VANNETELBOSCH VINCENT 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe paper examines the formation of free trade agreements as a network formation game. We consider an n‐country model in which international trade occurs between economies with imperfectly competitive product markets. In each country, the labor market is either unionized or non‐unionized. We show that, if all countries are non‐unionized, the global free trade network is both the unique pairwise stable network and the unique efficient network. If all countries are unionized, the global free trade network is pairwise stable and the unique efficient network among the class of symmetric networks. If some countries are unionized while others are non‐unionized, other networks apart from the global free trade network may be pairwise stable. However, the efficient network is still the global free trade network. Thus, a conflict between stability and efficiency may occur. Moreover, starting from the network in which no country has signed a free trade agreement, all sequences of networks due to continuously profitable deviations do not lead (in most cases) to the global free trade network, even when global free trade is stable.
Career Paths, Unemployment, and the Efficiency of the Labor Market: Should Youth Employment Be Subsidized?
Authors: GAVREL FRÉDÉRIC , LEBON ISABELLE , REBIÈRE THERESE 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis paper studies the implications of learning‐by‐doing on youth unemployment and market efficiency when workers benefiting from this kind of training experience search (while on the job) for a higher skill job. Firms with low‐skill jobs suffer from a poaching behavior by firms with high‐skill jobs, causing a shortage of low‐skill jobs and excessive youth unemployment. An optimal policy, consisting of taxing the output of high‐skill jobs and subsidizing the output of low‐skill jobs, restores market efficiency and reduces youth unemployment.