bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy loss after chorionic villus sampling and genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies: a systematic review
Authors: Agarwal K. , Alfirevic Z. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo review the available evidence regarding pregnancy loss following first‐trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and mid‐trimester genetic amniocentesis in twins.MethodsWe searched the MEDLINE database from January 1990 to May 2011 for randomized and cohort studies reporting on the risk of pregnancy loss after first‐trimester CVS performed between 9 and 14 weeks and after genetic amniocentesis performed between 14 and 22 weeks. Where appropriate, we calculated pooled proportions and relative risks with 95% CI.ResultsNo randomized studies were found. For CVS, nine studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall pregnancy‐loss rate was 3.84% (95% CI, 2.48–5.47; n = 4). The rate of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks was 2.75% (95% CI, 1.28–4.75; n = 3) and before 28 weeks was 3.44% (95% CI, 1.67–5.81; n = 3). For amniocentesis, the overall pregnancy‐loss rate was 3.07% (95% CI, 1.83–4.61; n = 4). The rate of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks was 2.25% (95% CI, 1.23–3.57; n = 2), before 24 weeks was 2.54% (95% CI, 1.43–3.96; n = 9) and before 28 weeks was 1.70% (95% CI, 0.37–3.97; n = 5). Pooled data from four case–control studies showed a higher risk (2.59% vs. 1.53%) of pregnancy loss before 24 weeks following amniocentesis (relative risk = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.02–3.19). There were no statistically significant differences in reported pregnancy loss between transabdominal and transcervical approaches, use of a single‐needle system vs. a double‐needle system and single uterine entry vs. double uterine entry in the CVS group. Similarly, in the amniocentesis group, there was no statistically significant difference in fetal loss between the single uterine entry vs. the double uterine entry.ConclusionIn the absence of randomized studies, it is not possible to estimate accurately the excess risk following invasive procedures in twins. Currently available data show similar overall pregnancy‐loss rates for both amniocentesis and CVS with the excess risk of around 1% above the background risk. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incontinence after primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter tears is related to relative length of reconstructed external sphincter: a case–control study
Authors: Norderval S. , Røssaak K. , Markskog A. , Vonen B. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if anatomic primary repair with end‐to‐end reconstruction of the external anal sphincter (EAS) in its full length combined with separate repair of coexisting internal anal sphincter (IAS) tear, when present, results in less incontinence and better anal sphincter integrity compared with conventional primary end‐to‐end repair in which the IAS is not actively reconstructed.MethodsWomen who sustained third‐ or fourth‐degree obstetric tears were included prospectively in the study following anatomic primary repair. Women treated with conventional primary repair prior to the study period comprised the control group. Three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (3D‐EAUS) images were classified according to the EAUS defect score, and incontinence according to St Mark's score.ResultsSixty‐three women were included in the study group and 61 in the control group, with mean follow‐up times of 11 and 21 months, respectively. Among women who had not delivered vaginally prior to the tear, St Mark's score ≥ 3 was reported by 9.6% (5/52) in the study group and 37.5% (15/40) in the control group at follow‐up (P = 0.002). The corresponding numbers among women who had previously delivered vaginally were 36.4% (4/11) and 42.9% (9/21), respectively (non‐significant). St Mark's score correlated with the EAUS defect score (P = 0.017). An EAS defect exceeding 50% of the sphincter length was significantly less common in the study group, and in a multivariable logistic regression model, mode of repair (anatomic vs conventional) was the only factor explaining the difference in EAS sphincter length between the two groups (P = 0.007).ConclusionImproved continence status after anatomic primary repair was associated with a better longitudinal reconstruction of the EAS, while the integrity of the IAS did not differ between the groups. Women with a history of vaginal delivery prior to the sphincter tear had an inferior outcome regardless of mode of repair. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A middleware for assured clouds
Authors: Campbell Roy H. , Montanari Mirko , Farivar Reza 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
This paper considers mission assurance for critical cloud applications, a set of applications with growing importance to governments and military organizations. Specifically, we consider applications in which assigned tasks or duties are performed in accordance with an intended purpose or plan in order to accomplish an assured mission. Mission-critical cloud computing may possibly involve hybrid (public, private, heterogeneous) clouds and require the realization of “end-to-end” and “cross-layered” security, dependability, and timeliness. We propose the properties and building blocks of a middleware for assured cloud computing that can support critical missions. In this approach, we assume that mission critical cloud computing must be designed with assurance in mind. In particular, the middleware in such systems must include sophisticated monitoring, assessment of policies, and response to manage the configuration and management of dynamic systems-of-systems with both trusted and partially trusted resources (data, sensors, networks, computers, etc.) and services sourced from multiple organizations.
Bringing light to the inner life of synapses
Authors: Sigrist S.J. , Wichmann C. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Chemical synapses are pivotal for information transfer and storage within neuronal circuit­y. At the same time, various diseases of the nervous system most likely originate from disturbances in synapse structure and function. Synapses are very fast, extremely con­trolled and effective communication devices, with synaptic vesicles fusing at specialized membrane domains associated with highly-ordered protein architectures (cytomatrices) traditionally seen using electron microsco­py. Drosophila synapses with prominent cytomatrices called T-bars provide per se a highly suitable model system to apply genetic analysis to the roles of these protein architectures. Here we describe the principles behind these techniques as well as their application to the analysis of the molecular architecture of the synapse. In this context, the advent of super-resolution light microscopy methods yielding two- to 10-fold higher resolution than conventional microscopy has provided an efficient tool.
Effects of body elasticity on stability of underwater locomotion
Authors: Jing F. , Kanso E. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe examine the stability of the ‘coast’ motion of fish, that is to say, the motion of a neutrally buoyant fish at constant speed in a straight line. The forces and moments acting on the fish body are thus perfectly balanced. The fish motion is said to be unstable if a perturbation in the conditions surrounding the fish results in forces and moments that tend to increase the perturbation, and it is stable if these emerging forces tend to reduce the perturbation and return the fish to its original state. Stability may be achieved actively or passively. Active stabilization requires neurological control that activates musculo-skeletal components to compensate for the external perturbations acting against stability. Passive stabilization on the other hand requires no energy input by the fish and is dependent upon the fish morphology, i.e. geometry and elastic properties. In this paper, we use a deformable body consisting of an articulated body equipped with torsional springs at its hinge joints and submerged in an unbounded perfect fluid as a simple model to study passive stability as a function of the body geometry and spring stiffness. We show that for given body dimensions, the spring elasticity, when properly chosen, leads to passive stabilization of the (otherwise unstable) coast motion.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and dietary intake in European adolescents: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study
Authors: Cuenca-García M. , Ortega F. B. , Huybrechts I. , Ruiz J. R. , González-Gross M. , Ottevaere C. , Sjöström M. , Dìaz L. E. , Ciarapica D. , Molnar D. , Gottrand F. , Plada M. , Manios Y. , Moreno L. A. , De Henauw S. , Kersting M. , Castillo M. J. 
Published: November 2011

The present study investigated the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and dietary intake in European adolescents. The study comprised 1492 adolescents (770 females) from eight European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. CRF was assessed by the 20 m shuttle run test. Adolescents were grouped into low and high CRF levels according to the FITNESSGRAM Standards. Dietary intake was self-registered by the adolescents using a computer-based tool for 24 h dietary recalls (HELENA-Dietary Assessment Tool) on two non-consecutive days. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Higher CRF was associated with higher total energy intake in boys (P = 0·003). No association was found between CRF and macronutrient intake (as percentage of energy), yet some positive associations were found with daily intake of bread/cereals in boys and dairy products in both boys and girls (allP < 0·003), regardless of centre, age and BMI. CRF was inversely related to sweetened beverage consumption in girls. These findings were overall consistent when CRF was analysed according to the FITNESSGRAM categories (high/low CRF). A high CRF was not related to compliance with dietary recommendations, except for sweetened beverages in girls (P = 0·002). In conclusion, a high CRF is associated with a higher intake of dairy products and bread/cereals, and a lower consumption of sweetened beverages, regardless of centre, age and BMI. The present findings contribute to the understanding of the relationships between dietary factors and physiological health indicators such as CRF.
Effects of fusicoccin and gibberellic acid on the germination of embryos from dormant barley grains: roles of starch degradation and external pH
Authors: van der Meulen René M. , Lamers Gerda E.M. , Caspers Martien P.M. , Heistek Jolanda C. , de Boer Albertus H. , van Duijn Bert , Wang Mei 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAbstract In isolated embryos from dormant barley grains, synergistic effects of fusicoccin (FC) and gibberellic acid (GA3) were observed on the induction of α-amylase mRNA expression. However, no α-amylase mRNA expression could be induced by both agents in embryos from non-dormant grains. Both light- and electron-microscopy studies demonstrated that there were large numbers of starch granules present in mature embryos (mainly in scutellum) from dormant barley grains but none or almost none in embryos from non-dormant grains. Furthermore, the content of reducing sugars in embryos from dormant grains was about half of that from non-dormant grains. In contrast to GA3, FC was able to induce a strong acidification of extracellular pH (pHe). Clamping the pHeto prevent FC-induced acidification, by using 50 mM MES buffer (pH 5.6), caused an inhibition of GA3- or FC-induced α-amylase mRNA expression but did not affect the germination of embryos from dormant grains. In addition, in MES buffer, addition of FC or a combination of FC and GA3increased the germination rate of embryos isolated from dormant grains, though large numbers of starch granules were still present in these embryos. Based on these observations, the presence of starch granules and a low reducing sugar level in embryos from dormant grains is not a factor for control of grain dormancy and germination.
Temporal Processing Deficits in Hebrew Speaking Children With Reading Disabilities
Authors: Mimran Ravit Cohen- 
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess to what extent specific reading disabilities and poor phonologic processing in children who read Hebrew, a primarily consonant orthography, are related to central auditory temporal processing deficits (TPDs).Twenty-four Hebrew-speaking children (ages 10–13) with and without reading disabilities were asked to discriminate auditorily pairs of syllables (/ba/ vs. /pa/) that differ by voice onset time (VOT) only. Two paradigms were used, 1 with a short interstimulus interval (ISI) (50 ms) and 1 with a long ISI (500 ms). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured in response to the two syllables in an auditory oddball task.Results showed significantly lowered accuracy, longer reaction times, and prolonged P3 latency among the group with reading disabilities compared with the control group. No significant differences were found between the short ISI task and the long ISI task. However, significant correlations were found between the phonologic processing tasks and the short ISI task.These findings in the Hebrew language are consistent with findings from other languages and add support to the central TPD hypothesis of reading disabilities. The discussion highlights how investigating different orthographic systems can deepen our understanding of the role TPD plays in reading.
The Tonic Chord and Lacan's Object a in Selected Songs by Charles Ives
Authors: Smith Kenneth M. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTA musical response to Lacan's concept of the objet petit a – the imaginary ‘object-cause’ of desire – accounts for certain songs by Charles Ives in which ‘tonic’ chords are signified by complex networks of dominant-seventh harmonies. These objects of tonal desire adopt the structure of both lack (as absent centre) and surplus (as multiple tonal centres). In each song, Ives employs individual harmonic techniques to question the ability of tonic chords to coordinate a fractured tonality. Investigating Afterglow, Serenity, At Sea and Mists from the 1922 collection of 114 Songs, I explore the Lacanian dimensions of each text and setting, bringing out the message that each song offers about the function of the tonic. An analysis of Premonitions exemplifies a distinction Slavoj Žižek proposed between a functional system in which the object a coordinates desire as absent centre, and a system in which the object is stripped of its organizational power.
Succession‐induced trait shifts across a wide range of NW European ecosystems are driven by light and modulated by initial abiotic conditions
Authors: Douma Jacob C. , de Haan Martin W. A. , Aerts Rien , Witte Jan‐Philip M. , van Bodegom Peter M. 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. For truly predictive community ecology, it is essential to understand the interplay between species traits, their environment and their impacts on the composition of plant communities. These interactions are increasingly understood for various environmental drivers, but our understanding of how traits, in general, change during succession is still modest. We hypothesize that (initial) abiotic conditions other than light drive the successional dynamics of other traits. The idea that different initial abiotic conditions lead to different trait trajectories during succession was predicted long ago but has never been tested for traits.2. In this study, we compared the successional (decades to centuries) trait trajectories of 19 ecosystem types in low‐altitude NW Europe using a database including >4700 plots. We tested which traits (out of a total of 12, including those associated with light competition strategies) show consistent shifts across ecosystems. Additionally, we investigated, through a novel partitioning of trait differences (using partial principal component analyses), whether abiotic factors can explain trait shifts that occur over and above light‐induced trait shifts.3. We show that canopy height, woodiness, leaf size and seed mass increase, and flowering onset and flowering duration decrease consistently with succession across ecosystems, while leaf economic traits and life span showed a mixed response during succession. Accounting for the effect of height revealed that the initial and prevailing abiotic conditions – particularly soil moisture – co‐determine trait shifts during succession. Therefore, different initial starting conditions may lead to different trajectories in trait space, most notably due to the differential response of specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content and life span. For example, SLA decreases in seres that become drier over time (initially very wet), while it increases in seres that become wetter over time (initially very dry).4. Synthesis. Our novel approach of partitioning successional trait shifts between the influence of competition for light and other abiotic factors showed that trajectories of ecosystems through trait space can be explained by a combination of the two: a universal response to changing light availability and a specific response depending on initial abiotic conditions.
Oral and intravenous l‐[1‐13C]phenylalanine delivery measure similar rates of elimination when gastric emptying and splanchnic extraction are accounted for in adult mixed hounds1–4
Authors: Gooding M. A. , Cant J. P. , Pencharz P. B. , Davenport G. M. , Atkinson J. L. , Shoveller A. K. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThere are few reported estimates of amino acid (AA) kinetics in adult mammals and none exist in adult dogs. The study objectives were to evaluate the use of oral isotope delivery in contrast to the more commonly used intravenous (IV) delivery to estimate AA kinetics in adult dogs and to estimate splanchnic extraction and gastric emptying using a commonly accepted mathematical model. Dogs received 25 × 1/2‐hourly meals (13 g/kg BW/day) and either an oral or IV bolus of l‐[1‐13C]Phe (12 mg/kg BW). Blood samples were taken immediately before each feeding. Concentrations of plasma Phe were measured using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. There were no differences in baseline plasma Phe concentrations (34 μm ± 0.61), Phe distribution volume, Phe pool size and rate constants between dogs when the tracer was administered IV or orally (p > 0.25). Decay curve for plasma l‐[1‐13C]Phe differed between IV and oral dosing protocols with IV dosing fit best using a two‐compartment model. Phe disappeared from plasma at a mean rate of 2.8%/min. Estimates of gastric emptying and splanchnic extraction did not differ based on oral or IV tracer dosing when the decay curves were fit with the two‐compartment model (p > 0.40). The half‐life for gastric emptying was 18 min, and first‐pass Phe extraction by the splanchnic bed was 24% of the dietary Phe. These results suggest that oral isotope dosing can be used as an alternative to IV isotope dosing in studies that utilize a primed, constant dosing approach to measure protein and amino acid kinetics.
New Insights in the Life Cycle and Epidemics of Phytophthora porri on Leek
Authors: Declercq Bart , Devlamynck Jasper , De Vleesschauwer David , Cap Nathalie , De Nies Joris , Pollet Sabien , Höfte Monica 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWhite tip, caused by Phytophthora porri, is a devastating disease in the autumn and winter production of leek (Allium porrum) in Europe. This study investigated the disease cycle of P. porri in laboratory and field conditions. Oospores readily germinated in the presence of non‐sterile soil extract at any temperature between 4 and 22°C, with the formation of sporangia which released zoospores. The zoospores survived at least 7 weeks in water at a temperature range of 0 till 24°C. Microscopic examinations revealed that zoospores encysted and germinated on the leek leaf surface and hyphae entered the leaf directly through stomata or by penetrating via appressoria. Oospores were formed in the leaves within 6 days, while sporangia were not produced. By monitoring disease progress in fields with a different cropping history of leek, it could be deduced that P. porri survives in soil for up to 4 years. Disease progress during three consecutive years was correlated with average daily rainfall in the infection period. Disease incidence on leek was reduced when rain splash was excluded by growing the plants in an open hoop greenhouse. Based on these findings, we propose a disease cycle for P. porri in which oospores germinate in puddles, and zoospores reach the leaves by rain splash and survive in water in the leaf axils, from where they infect the plant by direct penetration or via stomata. When conditions become unfavourable, oospores are produced in the leaves which again reach the soil when leaves decay. Secondary spread of the disease by sporangia does not seem to be important.
Human norovirus occurrence and diversity in the Llobregat river catchment, Spain
Authors: Pérez‐Sautu Unai , Sano Daisuke , Guix Susana , Kasimir Georg , Pintó Rosa M. , Bosch Albert 
Published: November 2011

SummaryHuman noroviruses (NoV) were quantified and characterized in an 18 month survey conducted along the Llobregat river catchment in Spain. Sample types included freshwater, untreated and treated wastewater and drinking water. High NoV genome copy numbers were reported, reaching up to 106 l−1 and 109 l−1 in freshwater and raw sewage respectively. In both types of samples, GII NoV genome copies outnumbered those of GI, although without significance. All samples of semi‐treated and treated drinking water were negative for NoV. A clear seasonality of NoV occurrence was observed both in river water and sewage samples, with significantly higher genome copy numbers in the cold than in the warm months period. Mean NoV log reduction rates after biological treatment of sewage were 2.2 and 3.1 for GI and GII respectively. A total of 77 NoV strains isolated in the Llobregat river catchment could be phylogenetically characterized, 44 belonging to GI and 33 to GII. The most prevalent genotype was GI.4, followed by GII.4 and GII.21. Several variants of the pandemic GII.4 strain were detected in the environment, corroborating their circulation among the population.
Acquisition of iron by Trichodesmium and associated bacteria in culture
Authors: Roe Kelly L. , Barbeau Katherine , Mann Elizabeth L. , Haygood Margo G. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryTrichodesmium colonies contain an abundant microbial consortium that is likely to play a role in nutrient cycling within the colony. This study used laboratory cultures of Trichodesmium and two genome‐sequenced strains of bacteria typical of Trichodesmium‐associated microbes to develop an understanding of the cycling of iron, a potentially limiting micronutrient, within Trichodesmium colonies. We found that the ferric siderophores desferrioxamine B and aerobactin were not readily bioavailable to Trichodesmium, relative to ferric chloride or citrate‐associated iron. In contrast, the representative bacterial strains we studied were able to acquire iron from all of the iron sources, implying that naturally occurring Trichodesmium‐associated bacteria may be capable of utilizing a more diverse array of iron sources than Trichodesmium. From the organism‐specific uptake data collected in this study, a theoretical Trichodesmium colony was designed to model whole colony iron uptake. The bacteria accounted for most (> 70%) of the iron acquired by the colony, highlighting the importance of determining organism‐specific uptake in a complex environment. Our findings suggest that, although they may share the same micro‐environment, Trichodesmium and its colony‐associated microbial cohort may differ substantially in terms of iron acquisition strategy.