bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interspecific variation in susceptibility to fungal pathogens in seeds of 10 tree species in the neotropical genus Cecropia
Authors: Gallery Rachel E. , Moore David J. P. , Dalling James W. 
Published: October 2009

Summary 1. Species differences in susceptibility to pathogens acting at early life history stages may strongly influence the abundance and distribution of tropical trees. Here, we test the susceptibility of 10 congeners of the pioneer genus Cecropia to fungal seed and seedling pathogens and compare interspecific differences in intrinsic seed defences with survival. 2. Pathogens were experimentally removed through fungicide addition and/or autoclave sterilization of forest soil to determine the relative importance of fungal versus other microbial pathogens. Treatments were applied during a 4‐month seed incubation (pre‐emergence) phase or during an 8‐week germination phase to distinguish between seed and seedling mortality. 3. Overall, seedling emergence after incubation in fungicide‐treated, autoclaved soil was twice that in live soil, with significant positive effects of fungicide for six of 10 species. Pathogen infection occurred while seeds were quiescent in soil; fungicide addition during germination had no effect on emergence. Seedling emergence after burial ranged from 6 to 58%, indicating large interspecific variation in the capacity for Cecropia seeds to persist in the seed bank. Neither interspecific variation in survivorship, nor the relative strength of fungicide effects on survivorship was correlated with seed defence traits. 4. For four species, measurements of fungicide effects on emergence were coupled with direct measurements of the fungal and bacterial infection of seeds and seedlings. For two species, fungicide addition resulted in lower fungal infection rates and higher emergence success. However, Cecropia peltata, the species with the highest overall emergence success, also had the highest fungal infection rate. This suggests that either C. peltata was infected by a different suite of fungi than other congeners, or that fungi had low pathogenicity when colonizing this host species. 5. Synthesis. Our study shows strong interspecific variation in seed survival and susceptibility to fungal infection among congeneric tree species with similar life history. These differences are likely to influence recruitment success from the soil seed bank and may play a role in species coexistence.
Reducing scanning electron microscope charging by using exponential contrast stretching technique on post‐processing images
Authors: SIM K.S. , TAN Y.Y. , LAI M.A. , TSO C.P. , LIM W.K. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryAn exponential contrast stretching (ECS) technique is developed to reduce the charging effects on scanning electron microscope images. Compared to some of the conventional histogram equalization methods, such as bi‐histogram equalization and recursive mean‐separate histogram equalization, the proposed ECS method yields better image compensation. Diode sample chips with insulating and conductive surfaces are used as test samples to evaluate the efficiency of the developed algorithm. The algorithm is implemented in software with a frame grabber card, forming the front‐end video capture element.
NanoSIMS imaging ofBacillusspores sectioned by focused ion beam
Authors: WEBER P.K. , GRAHAM G.A. , TESLICH N.E. , CHAN W. MOBERLY , GHOSAL S. , LEIGHTON T.J. , WHEELER K.E. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryPreparation and sectioning of bacterial spores by focused ion beam and subsequent high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry analytical imaging is demonstrated. Scanning transmission electron microscopy mode imaging in a scanning electron microscope is used to show that the internal structure of the bacterial spore can be preserved during focused ion beam sectioning and can be imaged without contrast staining. Ion images of the sections show that the internal elemental distributions of the sectioned spores are preserved. A rapid focused ion beam top‐sectioning method is demonstrated to yield comparable ion images without the need for sample trenching and section lift‐out. The lift‐out and thinning method enable correlated transmission electron microscopy and high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses. The top‐cutting method is preferable if only secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses are performed because this method is faster and yields more sample material for analysis; depth of useful sample material is ∼300 nm for top‐cut sections versus ∼100 nm for electron‐transparent sections.
Sexual selection and condition‐dependence
Authors: JOHNSTONE R. A. , RANDS S. A. , EVANS M. R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe handicap theory of sexual selection suggests that females prefer mates who display extravagant ornaments that advertise their quality or condition. It is often assumed that as such ornamental traits undergo sexually‐selected exaggeration, they must inevitably become more sensitive to condition, and thus more informative. Here, we show that this is not necessarily the case. Depending on the precise form of the relationship between trait size and cost, expression may become more or less condition‐dependent as the trait undergoes exaggeration, or may remain unchanged. This leads us to question how much of the information content of sexual signals can be attributed to sexual selection, and how much to pre‐existing, naturally‐selected condition‐dependence.
Factors associated with back pain in nursing staff: A survey in Athens, Greece
Authors: Vasiliadou Aspasia , Karvountzis Gerasimos , Roumeliotis Dimitrios , Soumilas Agisilaos , Plati Chrisanthy , Nomikos Iakovos 
Published: October 2009

Vasiliadou A, Karvountzis G, Roumeliotis D, Soumilas A, Plati C & Nomikos I. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 15–20 Factors associated with back pain in nursing staff: A survey in Athens, Greece Factors associated with self‐reported back pain were investigated using questionnaire data on 407 female nurses from a large hospital in Athens, Greece. Factor analysis was used to construct indices of pain and its impact on normal life, and also to summarize work load descriptions. Pain factors were examined in relation to work load and personal characteristics by logistic regression. Statistically significant items, in relation both to pain and impact, were the existence of previous back injury, self‐reported headaches and the ‘carrying and lifting’ factor of work load which principally included moving equipment. Age, height and weight were not associated with back pain. Compared to a similar study by Harber and colleagues in California, United States of Amercia, the factors associated with back pain were quite similar in this study even though the prevalence of back pain was much higher among Greek nurses and their work load was physically much more demanding.
Quality of life: Perceptions of residential care
Authors: Byrne Heather , MacLean Douglas 
Published: October 2009

Byrne H & MacLean D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 21–28 Quality of life: Perceptions of residential care Residents in selected aged care facilities in Australia (n=185) and New Zealand (n=44) completed a 56 item quality of life instrument derived and refined through grounded theory. Ten scales were developed from the items. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no main differences as a function of cohort (Alzheimer’s or non‐Alzheimer’s) or country of residence (Australia or New Zealand). Significant differences emerged as a function of the source of help in completing the instrument. Where nursing staff assisted residents complete the instrument, scoring indicated that residents enjoyed a better quality of life than if the instrument was completed by the resident alone, or with assistance from non‐nursing staff and others, including relatives, welfare students and diversional therapists. Nursing staff rather than non‐professional nursing staff tended to work more with non‐Alzheimer residents when completing the questionnaire. Significant differences were also discovered in the ranking of concerns on the basis of cohort and country of residence.
Preventive effects of Schistosoma japonicum ova on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid‐induced colitis and bacterial translocation in mice
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Zhang Shuncai , Jiang Li , Jiang Jie , Liu Hongchun 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAims:  To evaluate the preventive effects of Schistosoma japonicum ova on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced colitis and bacterial translocation in mice.Methods:  BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group; TNBS+Ova‐ group; and TNBS+Ova+ group. Mice of the TNBS+Ova+ group were exposed to 10 000 freeze‐killed S. japonicum ova by i.p. injection on day 1 and day 11. On day 15, mice were challenged with TNBS to induce colitis. The following variables were assessed: colon pathological changes; serum expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10); expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in colon; IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and TLR4 mRNA expression in colon; and the bacterial translocation rate.Results:  Compared to TNBS+Ova‐ group, the colonic inflammation in the TNBS+Ova+ group were relieved. A highly significant elevation of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α were observed in the TNBS‐induced colitis group. After exposure to the eggs, IFN‐γ was significantly decreased, while TNF‐α was similar to that of the TNBS+ova‐ group. No obvious variation was seen in IL‐10 expression in TNBS‐induced colitis, compared to the controls. Exposure to the eggs led to a significant upregulation of IL‐10 expression. TLR4 expression was elevated after injected with TNBS and was downregulated in the eggs group. Less intestinal bacterial translocation frequency was observed when exposed to eggs.Conclusion:  S. japonicum ova can prevent the TNBS‐induced colitis and reduce the bacterial translocation frequency in mice. The mechanisms were supposed to be due to the regulation of T‐helper cell 1/2 balance and TLR4 expression.
Protecting effects of a large dose of dexamethasone on spleen injury of rats with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Xiping Zhang , Ruiping Zhang , Binyan Yu , Li Zhou , Hanqing Chen , Wei Zhu , Rongchao Ying , Jing Ye , Wenqin Yuan , Jinjin Bai 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  To explore the protecting effects and mechanisms of dexamethasone on spleen injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:  The rats were randomly divided into a model control group, treated group and sham‐operated group. The contents of plasma endotoxin, serum NO, phospholipase A2 enzyme (PLA2) and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) were determined. The mortality rate, pathological changes and changes of Bax and Bcl‐2 protein expression levels and apoptotic indexes in the spleen of rats were observed in all groups, respectively, at 3, 6 and 12 h after operation.Results:  Although the survival rate was significantly higher in the treated group than in the model control group, there was no significantly different between them (P > 0.05). The expression levels of Bax and Bcl‐2 proteins and apoptotic indexes were significantly higher in the treated group than in the model control group at different time points (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while other blood indexes contents and pathological severity scores of spleen were significantly lower in the treated group than in the model control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Dexamethasone can protect spleen from injury during SAP mainly by reducing the content of inflammatory mediators in blood.
Can wire‐guided cannulation reduce the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis? A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shao Li‐Ming , Chen Qing‐Yu , Chen Miao‐Yan , Cai Jian‐Ting 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The use of wire‐guided cannulation (WGC) for prevention of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the overall effect of WGC for PEP compared with conventional contrast‐assisted cannulation by carrying out a meta‐analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCT).Methods:  Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and the Science Citation Index, were searched to retrieve relevant trials. In addition, meeting abstracts and the reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed for further relevant studies. Outcome measures were the incidence of PEP.Results:  Four RCT, enrolling a total of 1413 patients, were included. The meta‐analysis failed to indicate a significant association between the use of WGC and the reduction of PEP (RR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.10–1.17; P = 0.09). Subgroup analysis including trials without cross‐over design showed a significant benefit with the use of WGC in reducing PEP (RR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.09–0.40; P < 0.00001) and trials without precut used failed to indicate a significant differences between the two group (RR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.01–11.73; P = 0.58).Conclusions:  This meta‐analysis showed only a non‐significant reduction in the rate of PEP with the use of WGC. Further well‐designed RCT are required to confirm the effect of WGC, especially in patients who were easier to cannulate.
Assessment of power law creep constants of Gr91 steel using small punch creep tests
Authors: MA Y. W. , SHIM S. , YOON K. B. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTA method for determining the power law creep constants using the small punch (SP) creep test is studied. We performed elastic‐plastic‐secondary creep finite‐element (FE) analysis of Gr91 (ASTM A387 GR91 CL2) steel using the properties at 565 °C to investigate the evolution of stress and strain rate at the weakest location of the SP creep specimen, i.e. at the annular region located at about 0.7 mm from the centre of the specimen. Empirical relations that correlate the applied load to the equivalent stress and the punch displacement rate to the equivalent creep strain rate are suggested on the basis of the finite‐element stress analysis results. These simple relations enable us to achieve the constitutive relation of equivalent stress and equivalent creep strain rate under small punch creep test condition. To validate this approach, SP creep tests were conducted and creep constants were evaluated by using the proposed relations. These evaluated creep constants were then compared with those measured from standard uniaxial creep test. It is shown that creep constants evaluated from the SP creep test and the proposed method are in a good agreement with those from the uniaxial creep test.
Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of acute haemorrhagic rectal ulcer, and endoscopic haemostatic treatment: a retrospective study of 95 patients
Authors: Motomura Y. , Akahoshi K. , Matsui N. , Kubokawa M. , Higuchi N. , Oda M. , Endo S. , Kashiwabara Y. , Okamoto R. , Nakamura K. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  Acute haemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) is characterized by sudden onset of painless and massive rectal bleeding in elderly bedridden patients who have serious illness. Endoscopic diagnosis and management of AHRU is, however, still controversial. We retrospectively investigated 95 AHRU patients to elucidate the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings and haemostatic strategies.Method  Between January 1999 and March 2007, 95 patients were diagnosed with AHRU in our hospital. Medical records and colonoscopy files were reviewed. Clinical features, colonoscopic findings, haemostatic treatment and outcome of the patients were evaluated.Results  Eighty per cent of the patients were bedridden at the onset. The most frequent underlying disorder was cerebrovascular disease (36.8%). Hypoalbuminaemia (< 3.5 g/dl) was seen in 92.6% of the patients. Endoscopic findings of AHRU were classified as circumferential ulcer (41.1%), linear or nearly round small ulcer(s) (44.2%), circumferential and small ulcer(s) (7.4%) and Dieulafoy‐like ulcer (7.4%). Primary endoscopic haemostatic treatment was performed in 45.3% of cases. Recurrent bleeding occurred in 24.2% of patients. Permanent haemostasis was achieved by secondary endoscopic treatment in 82.6% of re‐bleeding patients.Conclusion  Understanding the typical clinical and endoscopic findings and careful endoscopic examination are important for the accurate diagnosis of AHRU, and endoscopic haemostatic therapy may be effective for bleeding patients.
Exit, Voice and Quality in the English Education Sector
Authors: Wilson Deborah 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe use of choice as a mechanism to improve public service delivery is now well established in the UK. Current policy discourse additionally considers voice as a further, complementary, user‐driven mechanism. In this article I scrutinize the assumption that choice (exit) and voice complement each other in creating user‐driven incentives to increase quality for all consumers in the context of education. I do this by going back to Hirschman's thesis on ‘Exit, Voice and Loyalty’, focusing in particular on the definitions of quality put forward by him. I apply his analysis to the English education sector and show that, while the current policy discourse evokes the language of Hirschman, it doesn't follow through on the actual implications of his analysis. In particular, I argue that in the current system, choice and voice may complement each other for only a subset of consumers.
A Comparative Discussion of the Gendered Implications of Cash‐for‐Care Schemes: Markets, Independence and Social Citizenship in Crisis?
Authors: Rummery Kirstein 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThere are moves across many countries away from state‐led provision of services for disabled people towards cash‐based systems, which have been welcomed by disabled people as increasing choice and control over services and support, and increasing independence and social participation. However, feminist scholars have long warned about the implications of commodifying care for women, and the possible consequences of substituting cash for services for social citizenship have remained underexplored, for both disabled people generally, disabled women and mothers more particularly, and for personal assistants/care workers. This article will attempt to address that gap by carrying out a comparative literature review and policy analysis of the role of policy development and outcomes in cash‐for‐care schemes, looking comparatively across policy developments in several countries, as well as developed welfare states beyond Europe to examine: (a) the impact of the tensions between various governance levels, particularly local and national government; (b) the gendered impact of such policies on (for example) gendered divisions of paid and unpaid work, citizenship and social participation; (c) the impact such policies have, or are likely to have, on different groups of men and women across the life course and across different social and economic groups; and (d) how such policies can contribute to the well‐being and/or detriment of different groups of women (and men) within different social, political, economic and historical contexts.
Liberalization of Opening Hours with Free Entry
Authors: Wenzel Tobias 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
This paper studies competition in prices and opening hours in a model with free entry. It is shown that under free competition market failures arise: Entry is excessive and opening hours are under-provided. The larger the demand elasticity, the larger market failures are going to be. Restrictions on opening hours aggravate this failure. We analyze the impact of a liberalization of opening hours. The model predicts that prices will remain constant in the short run but increase in the long run. Concentration in the retail sector will rise. Additionally, employment in the retail sector increases.
Modulation ofAanatgene transcription in the rat pineal gland
Authors: Ho Anthony K. , Chik Constance L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe main function of the rat pineal gland is to transform the circadian rhythm generated in the suprachiasmatic nucleus into a rhythmic signal of circulating melatonin characterized by a large nocturnal increase that closely reflects the duration of night period. This is achieved through the tight coupling between environmental lighting and the expression of arylalkylamine‐N‐acetyltransferase, the rhythm‐controlling enzyme in melatonin synthesis. The initiation ofAanattranscription at night is controlled largely by the norepinephrine‐stimulated phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein by protein kinase A. However, to accurately reflect the duration of darkness, additional signaling mechanisms also participate to fine‐tune the temporal profile of adrenergic‐inducedAanattranscription. Here, we reviewed some of these signaling mechanisms, with emphasis on the more recent findings. These signaling mechanisms can be divided into two groups: those involving modification of constitutively expressed proteins and those requiring synthesis of new proteins. This review highlights the pineal gland as an excellent model system for studying neurotransmitter‐regulated rhythmic gene expression.
Seasonality as a risk factor for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A study in a large cohort
Authors: Bell Gail S. , Peacock Janet L. , Sander Josemir W. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryPurpose:  We attempted to establish whether month and season, or lunar phase, are risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), as these have all been suggested as potential risk factors.Methods:  We used the dataset of the National Sentinel Clinical Audit of Epilepsy‐Related Death; all death certificates of people who died in England and Wales between September 1999 and August 2000 and in which epilepsy was mentioned were reviewed. We identified people who probably died of SUDEP during that time. We compared the number of observed SUDEP cases with those expected according to month of death, season of death, minimum external temperature, mean external temperature, and lunar phase.Results:  Of 2,412 deaths, we identified 409 probable SUDEPs. We found no evidence for an association between either mean temperature group or minimum temperature group and SUDEP, although there appeared to be a slight excess of sudden deaths in the coldest (mean temperature) groups. We also found no association between SUDEP and month, season, or lunar phase.Discussion:  Some causes of death appear to be related to temperature, but we found no convincing evidence to support a link between temperatures or seasons and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. It is important to identify risk factors for SUDEP, but it is also important that evidence is established before hypotheses are accepted.