bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between plasma concentrations of N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide and the characteristics and outcome of patients with a clinical diagnosis of diastolic heart failure: a report from the PEP‐CHF study
Authors: Cleland John G.F. , Taylor Jacqueline , Freemantle Nick , Goode Kevin M. , Rigby Alan S. , Tendera Michal 
Published: April 2012

AimThe aim of this study was to explore the relationships between plasma concentrations of N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and characteristics and prognosis of patients with heart failure and preserved (HFPEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). No substantial trial has shown that treatment alters prognosis in patients with HFPEF due, in part, to much lower than anticipated event rates. The lack of a simple, objective test to identify patients with HFPEF at increased risk of cardiovascular events would be valuable.Methods and resultsThe Perindopril in Elderly People with Chronic Heart Failure Trial (PEP‐CHF) was a randomized, controlled trial comparing perindopril and placebo in patients with symptoms and signs of heart failure who had an LVEF >40% and evidence of LV diastolic dysfunction. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality or heart failure‐related hospitalization. NT‐proBNP was measured in 375 patients. Quartile thresholds were 176, 409, and 1035 pg/mL. Patients in the highest quartile of NT‐proBNP were older, had lower body mass, more often had atrial fibrillation, had greater atrial and ventricular dimensions and a lower LVEF, and were more likely to receive loop diuretic therapy. Compared with the first quartile of NT‐proBNP, the hazard ratios for the primary endpoint in the second {1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–2.99]}, third [2.84 (95% CI 1.42–5.72)], and fourth [4.47 (95% CI 2.30–8.72)] quartiles were increased. In a multivariable model, NT‐proBNP, but not echocardiographic measures, was associated with outcome.ConclusionsNT‐proBNP is a powerful prognostic marker in patients with HFPEF.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union and the Productivity of American Mathematicians*
Authors: Borjas George J. , Doran Kirk B. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
It has been difficult to open up the black box of knowledge production. We use unique international data on the publications, citations, and affiliations of mathematicians to examine the impact of a large, post-1992 influx of Soviet mathematicians on the productivity of their U.S. counterparts. We find a negative productivity effect on those mathematicians whose research overlapped with that of the Soviets. We also document an increased mobility rate (to lower quality institutions and out of active publishing) and a reduced likelihood of producing “home run” papers. Although the total product of the preexisting American mathematicians shrank, the Soviet contribution to American mathematics filled in the gap. However, there is no evidence that the Soviets greatly increased the size of the “mathematics pie.” Finally, we find that there are significant international differences in the productivity effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union, and these international differences can be explained by both differences in the size of the émigré flow into the various countries and in how connected each country is to the global market for mathematical publications.
Tomato infectious chlorosis virus Associated with Tomato Diseases in Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Méndez-Lozano J. , Magallanes-Tapia M. A. , Romero-Romero J. L. , Camacho-Beltrán E. , Vega W. L. Orduño , Leyva-López N. E. , Santos-Cervantes M. E. , Félix-Gastélum R. 
Published: April 2012

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Mexico. The national production in 2009 was 2,043,814 metric tons with a value of $163,560,636 US. Since 2007, abnormal yellow and crispy leaves were observed in commercial tomato fields in Ensenada County, Baja California, Mexico. In affected fields from two localities (San Quintín Valley and Ensenada), symptomatic plants were randomly distributed and symptoms resembled previous descriptions of crinivirus infections in tomato (3). The symptoms and the presence of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum) in the affected fields suggested a viral etiology. Leaf samples of 143 symptomatic tomato plants were collected in the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV). Degenerate primers (HS-11/HS-12) were used in combination with specific primers (TIC-3/TIC-4 and ToC-5/ToC-6) for detection of these viruses by nested-PCR (2). A PCR fragment of the expected size for TICV (223 bp) was amplified in 26 of 143 samples. None of the samples tested positive for ToCV. In addition, considering that whiteflies are vectors of begomoviruses, samples were also tested for presence of viral DNA. Results showed 30 positive samples and one with mixed infection. It is therefore possible that the viral disease symptoms observed could be caused in part by viruses other than TICV. Three amplicons from RT-PCR of tomato samples were cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector system II (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI) and sequenced. The sequence of one amplicon (GenBank Accession No. FJ609651) was compared with the sequences of other criniviruses reported in the NCBI/GenBank database using the Clustal V alignment method of the sequence analysis software suite Lasergene (MegAling, DNASTAR Inc., Madison, WI). Sequence analysis of the 223-bp PCR fragment corresponding to TICV showed 99.1% identity with a TICV isolate from Japan (GenBank Accession No. AB085602) and 100% identity with TICV isolates from the United States (GenBank Accession No. TIU67449). Although the presence of another crinivirus, ToCV, was reported previously in Mexico associated with tomato crops and two native weeds, S. nigrescens and Datura stramonium (1), this virus was not detected in Baja California during the present work. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TICV associated with tomato diseases in Mexico. The emerging of a previously unreported virus disease in tomato production areas of Mexico complicates disease management efforts. References: (1) P. Álvarez-Ruíz et al. Plant Pathol. 56:1043, 2007. (2) C. I. Dovas et al. Plant Dis. 86:1345, 2002. (3) G. C. Wisler et al. Plant Dis. 82:270, 1998.
Phylogenetic analyses of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in university students at Tobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Inoue Emi , Ieko Masahiro , Takahashi Nobuhiko , Osawa Yoshiaki , Okazaki Katsunori 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPandemic influenza H1N1 virus (A[H1N1]pdm09) emerged in 2009. To determine the phylogeography of A(H1N1)pdm09 in a single population, 70 strains of the virus were isolated from university students or trainee doctors at Tobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, between September and December 2009. The nucleotide sequences of the HA1 region of the HA genes and described phylogenetic relationships of the strains circulating among them were analyzed. It was found that the 70 isolates could be phylogenetically separated into three groups and that two epidemics were caused by different groups of the virus. The three groups were also distinguishable from each other by three amino acid changes: A197T, S203T and Q293H. The substitution of S203T, which is located in the antigenic site, suggests antigenic drift of the virus.
Clinical predictors of apnoea‐hypopnoea during propofol sedation in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia*
Authors: Kim G. H. , Lee J. J. , Choi S. J. , Shin B. S. , Lee A. R. , Lee S. H. , Kim M. H. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThis study assessed the relationship between the occurrence of apnoea‐hypopnoea during propofol sedation for spinal anaesthesia and two different predictive tests of sleep apnoea: the STOP‐Bang score (snoring while sleeping, daytime tiredness, observed breathing stoppages, high blood pressure–body mass index, age, neck circumference, gender); and the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) score. Thirty‐four middle‐aged men not diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea received propofol infusions adjusted to produce a bispectral index of 70–75. ApnoeaLinkTM was used to estimate the incidence of apnoea‐hypopnoea. The median (IQR [range]) apnoea‐hypopnoea index was 17 (8–24 [0–70]) events.h−1 and correlated weakly with the STOP‐Bang score (p = 0.022, r = 0.423) and moderately with the OSA score (p < 0.001, r = 0.693). Severe apnoea‐hypopnoea developed more frequently in patients with a higher OSA score (34.5% vs 0%) or higher STOP‐Bang score (27.6% vs 6.9%). Both assessment tools have some predictive value for the occurrence of apnoea‐hypopnoea during propofol sedation in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia.
Development of a behavioural marker system for scrub practitioners' non‐technical skills (SPLINTS system)
Authors: Mitchell Lucy , Flin Rhona , Yule Steven , Mitchell Janet , Coutts Kathy , Youngson George 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Adverse events still occur despite ongoing efforts to reduce harm to patients. Contributory factors to adverse events are often due to limitations in clinicians’ non‐technical skills (e.g. communication, situation awareness), rather than deficiencies in technical competence. We developed a behavioural rating system to provide a structured means for teaching and assessing scrub practitioners’ (i.e. nurse, technician, operating department practitioner) non‐technical skills.Method  Psychologists facilitated focus groups (n = 4) with experienced scrub practitioners (n = 16; 4 in each group) to develop a preliminary taxonomy. Focus groups reviewed lists of non‐technical‐skill‐related behaviours that were extracted from an interview study. The focus groups labelled skill categories and elements and also provided examples of good and poor behaviours for those skills. An expert panel (n = 2 psychologists; n = 1 expert nurse) then used an iterative process to individually and collaboratively review and refine those data to produce a prototype skills taxonomy.Results  A preliminary taxonomy containing eight non‐technical skill categories with 28 underlying elements was produced. The expert panel reduced this to three categories (situation awareness, communication and teamwork, task management), each with three underlying elements. The system was called the Scrub Practitioners’ List of Intraoperative Non‐Technical Skills system. A scoring system and a user handbook were also developed.Conclusion  A prototype behavioural rating system for scrub practitioners’ non‐technical skills was developed, to aid in teaching and providing formative assessment. This important aspect of performance is not currently explicitly addressed in any educational route to qualify as a scrub practitioner.
The role of OsCOM1 in homologous chromosome synapsis and recombination in rice meiosis
Authors: Ji Jianhui , Tang Ding , Wang Kejian , Wang Mo , Che Lixiao , Li Ming , Cheng Zhukuan 
Published: April 2012

SummaryCOM1/SAE2 is a highly conserved gene from yeast to higher eukaryotes. Its orthologs, known to cooperate with the MRX complex (Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2), are required for meiotic DNA double‐strand break (DSB) ends resection and specific mitotic DSB repair events. Here, the rice (Oryza sativa, 2n = 2x = 24) COM1/SAE2 homolog was identified through positional cloning, termed OsCOM1. Four independent mutants of OsCOM1 were isolated and characterized. In Oscom1 mutants, synaptonemal complex (SC) formation, homologous pairing and recombination were severely inhibited, whereas aberrant non‐homologous chromosome entanglements occurred constantly. Several key meiotic proteins, including ZEP1 and OsMER3, were not loaded normally onto chromosomes in Oscom1 mutants, whereas the localization of OsREC8, PAIR2 and PAIR3 seemed to be normal. Moreover, OsCOM1 was loaded normally onto meiotic chromosomes in Osrec8, zep1 and Osmer3 mutants, but could not be properly loaded in Osam1, pair2 and OsSPO11‐1RNAi plants. These results provide direct evidence for the functions of OsCOM1 in promoting homologous synapsis and recombination in rice meiosis.
An approach to the determination of winter chill requirements for different Ribes cultivars
Authors: Jones H. G. , Hillis R. M. , Gordon S. L. , Brennan R. M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWinter chilling is critical for flowering and fruiting of many temperate fruits, with evidence that blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) cropping has been adversely affected by warm winters. Accurate models of chill accumulation in blackcurrant are required so that breeding strategies can be formulated for the generation of new cultivars with resilience to future climates. Existing models for chill accumulation have largely been derived from statistical correlation; here we report the derivation of improved models for blackcurrant using controlled environment treatments. Hardwood cuttings from a diverse set of cultivars were exposed to constant or varying chilling temperatures and the effects on bud break after transfer to a warm, permissive environment evaluated. The impact of different combinations of temperature and chilling periods were described in terms of their overall ‘Effectiveness’ (E). Clear genotypic differences were found, with excessive chilling often inhibiting bud break. There was a significant interaction between observed chilling response and the period of low temperature exposure. A number of chilling models to explain observed interactions between chilling temperature and time of exposure on bud break were compared; the most effective involved an optimal response to increasing chill accumulation. The effects of varying temperatures during chilling on bud break were complex, with warm temperature breaks substantially inhibiting bud development and cooler temperature breaks tending to enhance bud burst. The relevance of these models to generic studies of endodormancy is discussed, together with their potential application to the development of phenotyping screens for future breeding using diverse blackcurrant germplasm.
Analysing quantitative parent‐of‐origin effects with examples from ultrasonic measures of body composition In Australian beef cattle
Authors: Tier B. , Meyer K. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryParent‐of‐origin effects arise when an individual’s genes are modified during gametogenesis. Commonly known as imprinting, affected genes may be completely, or partially, suppressed. Individual loci in mice, human and sheep are known to be imprinted, and the quantitative effects of imprinted loci have been found for many carcass traits in cattle and pigs. Differentiating between five types of loci – direct additive loci and partially and completely imprinted loci by sires and dams – is not possible as their effects are confounded such that only three of seven parameters can be estimated. An analysis of Australian Hereford and Angus heifers and bulls for four ultrasonic measures of body composition – eye muscle area, rib fat, rump fat and intramuscular fat per cent – found parent‐of‐origin effects for both parents in most trait‐gender data sets and that they were an average of 28% of the total genetic variance. No parent‐of‐origin effects were found for Hereford bull intramuscular fat per cent and the maternal parent‐of‐origin effects were not significant for Angus Heifer eye muscle area.
Calculation of identity‐by‐descent probabilities of short chromosome segments
Authors: Tuchscherer A. , Teuscher F. , Reinsch N. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryFor some purposes, identity‐by‐descent (IBD) probabilities for entire chromosome segments are required. Making use of pedigree information, length of the segment and the assumption of no crossing‐over, a generalization of a previously published graph theory oriented algorithm accounting for nonzero IBD of common ancestors is given, which can be viewed as method of path coefficients for entire chromosome segments. Furthermore, rules for setting up a gametic version of a segmental IBD matrix are presented. Results from the generalized graph theory oriented method, the gametic segmental IBD matrix and the segmental IBD matrix for individuals are identical.
Feeding and oviposition preference of Frankliniella occidentalis for crops and weeds in Kenyan French bean fields
Authors: Nyasani J. O. , Meyhöfer R. , Subramanian S. , Poehling H.‐M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWestern flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important pest of French beans in Kenya. However, information on the feeding activity and oviposition preference of WFT on crop and weed hosts associated with French beans in Kenya and other parts of the world is lacking. To determine the feeding and oviposition preference of WFT for crop and weed plants commonly encountered in French bean fields in Kenya, no‐choice and choice experiments were conducted using four important crop and weed plants. Among the crop plants tested, highest feeding and oviposition activity of WFT was recorded on courgette/zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Spinach beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were of relatively minor importance for feeding and oviposition. Among the weeds tested, gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) was the most preferred host plant for feeding and oviposition compared with Chinese lantern (Nicandra physaloides L.), wild crucifer (Erucastrum arabicum Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) and pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). Phaseolus vulgaris was the most preferred host for feeding and oviposition in the presence of G. parviflora, E. arabicum and A. hybridus. A positive correlation between the number of feeding punctures and the number of eggs oviposited by WFT on crop and weed plants was observed. The results of this study show that P. vulgaris, C. pepo and G. parviflora are both relatively good feeding and oviposition hosts of WFT. Cucurbita pepo and G. parviflora may serve as potential sources of WFT outbreaks within French bean fields.
Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens on Soybean in Germany – A Threat for Farming
Authors: Sammer Ulrike F. , Reiher Katharina 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPlant diseases caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff) are distributed in North and South America as well as in South and East Europe and occur mostly on beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). This is the first report of Cff on soybean in Germany. Cff was detected in complex with Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea on field‐grown soybeans that were not treated with pesticides. Cff, the causal agent of bacterial tan spot disease, was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and by artificial infection and re‐isolation from the host plants soybean (Glycine max) and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).
Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren
Authors: Rerksuppaphol Sanguansak , Rerksuppaphol Lakkana 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  The common cold is responsible for the largest proportion of school and work absenteeism and causes a huge economic burden. None of the current interventions is greatly effective for prevention. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of a two‐strain combination probiotic for prevention of common cold symptoms in healthy schoolchildren.Methods:  A double‐blind randomized controlled trial was performed during the winter season in a public school of central Thailand. Children, aged 8–13 years, were randomized to receive either a two‐strain combination probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) or placebo given twice a day for 3 months. The primary outcome was any symptom of cold during the 3‐month study period while vomiting, diarrhea, use of antibiotics, school absence due to any cause, school absence due to cold and duration of all symptoms were secondary outcomes.Results:  Of the 40 children in each group, 31 (77%) in the probiotic group, compared to 38 (95%) in the placebo group (P= 0.048), developed at least one symptom of cold. Children in the probiotics group had significantly lower risk of fever, cough, rhinorrhea, school absence and school absence related to common cold compared to children in the placebo group. There was no impact on diarrhea and vomiting.Conclusion:  A two‐strain probiotic combination given twice a day for 3 months was able to reduce the symptoms of the common cold and school absenteeism in schoolchildren.
The Hanseatic League and the Concept of Functional Overlapping Competing Jurisdictions
Authors: Fink Alexander 
Published: April 2012

SummaryI explore the medieval phenomenon of theHanseaticLeague. I use the concept offunctional overlapping competing jurisdictions(FOCJ) discussed byFrey andEichenberger (1996,1999,2000) as framework for my analysis of the medieval association of northernEuropean traders and cities. I show that theHanseaticLeague came close to representing an example of aFOCJ. But I find that in contrast to theFOCJoutlined byFrey andEichenberger the polycentricHanseaticLeague as an inter‐regional structure lacked the characteristic of a jurisdiction. It was not a political authority with the power to tax and regulate its members. The arrangements between the members of theHanseaticLeague therefore had to be self‐enforcing. Building on my investigation of theHanseaticLeague, I further provide a general discussion of the costs and benefits of a central political authority in a system of functional overlapping competing units.
Seasteading: Competitive Governments on the Ocean
Authors: Friedman Patri , Taylor Brad 
Published: April 2012

SummaryWe argue that those advocating the reform of current political systems in order to promote jurisdictional competition are in a catch‐22: jurisdictional competition has the potential to improve policy, but reforms to increase competition must be enacted by currently uncompetitive governments. If such governments could be relied upon to enact such reforms, they would likely not be necessary. Since existing governments are resistant to change, we argue that the only way to overcome the deep problem of reform is by focusing on the bare‐metal layer of society – the technological environment in which governments are embedded. Developing the technology to create settlements in international waters, which we refer to as seasteading, changes the technological environment rather than attempting to push against the incentives of existing political systems. As such, it sidesteps the problem of reform and is more likely than more conventional approaches to significantly alter the policy equilibrium.
Who Are the Giants on Whose Shoulders We Stand?
Authors: Laband David N. , Majumdar Suman 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe scientific community is just that – a community – and the success/influence of any one individual likely reflects, at least in certain measure, the contributions made previously by others. This suggests that rather than merely ranking economists on the basis of raw citation counts, one might gain real insights about the giants laboring in relative obscurity by identifying who the authors of exceptionally influential papers drew their inspiration from. We identify the most‐highly‐cited (409) papers published in economics from 2001–2005, then examine who the authors of these high‐impact papers drew from in terms of developing the ideas/arguments/applications presented in these papers. We find that a very small group of individuals had a comparatively large impact on the economics profession, in terms of influencing the subsequent work of authors of extraordinarily highly‐cited papers. Further, there is relatively little consistency between our list of ‘giants’ and Nobel Prize winners in Economics.