bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat preferences of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in Norte Bay, southern Brazil
Authors: Wedekin Leonardo L. , Daura-Jorge Fábio G. , Simões-Lopes Paulo C. 
Published: October 2010

Habitat preference and spatial distribution of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Norte Bay, southern Brazil, was studied from 2001 to 2005. Boat surveys (N = 91) were made to evaluate the spatial distribution of the dolphins. Seven habitat variables were integrated into a geographical information system, and habitat preference was tested using the ‘Neu method’ and a habitat index. The Guiana dolphins did not use all habitat types in the same proportion as were available. Areas used more intensively included, in order of importance: (1) areas with a steep sloping sea-floor; (2) areas further from urban areas; (3) areas further from mangroves; (4) areas near the mouth of the bay; (5) shallow water areas; (6) areas of clayey-silt sediments; and (7) areas close to shore. From 2001 to 2005 there was a shift in spatial distribution and habitat use by the dolphins. The low frequency of use of areas close to urban encroachment and its related impacts to the marine environment raises concern about the coastal habitat destruction. The Guiana dolphin may be considered a habitat specialist, despite its wide latitudinal distribution in the western Atlantic Ocean. The ecological niche of the species may be defined by a narrow strip of shallow coastal waters (mostly < 30 m) bordering the coastline. The shift in the spatial use was probably linked with changes in the abundance of important prey of the species and possibly was caused by the collapse of a fish stock in the study area region. Different habitats may favour different assemblages of prey and consequently different foraging strategies by the dolphins. Human-related habitat alterations throughout the range of this species are likely to affect dolphins' ecology in many ways and, thus, must be evaluated and mitigated to conserve their critical habitats.
ODE-based obstacle avoidance and trajectory planning for unmanned surface vessels
Authors: Soltan Reza A. , Ashrafiuon Hashem , Muske Kenneth R. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYA new method for real-time obstacle avoidance and trajectory planning of underactuated unmanned surface vessels is presented. In this method, ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are used to define transitional trajectories that can avoid obstacles and reach a final desired target trajectory using a robust tracking control law. The obstacles are approximated and enclosed by elliptical shapes. A transitional trajectory is then defined by a set of ordinary differential equations whose solution is a stable elliptical limit cycle defining the nearest obstacle on the vessel's path to the target. When no obstacle blocks the vessel's path to its target, the transitional trajectory is defined by exponentially stable ODE whose solution is the target trajectory. The planned trajectories are tracked by the vessel through a sliding mode control law that is robust to environmental disturbances and modeling uncertainties and can be computed in real time. The method is illustrated using a complex simulation example with a moving target and multiple moving and rotating obstacles and a simpler experimental example with stationary obstacles.
The Birth of Legal Aid: Gender Ideologies, Women, and the Bar in New York City, 1863–1910
Authors: Batlan Felice 
Published: October 2010

At the New York Legal Aid Society's twenty-fifth anniversary banquet in 1901, Arthur von Briesen, the Society's longtime president, ended the evening with the following acknowledgement: “Before we separate I beg to be permitted to say a few words on … the valuable aid which the Society has received from the women of New York. I want you to understand that without them we could not have prospered, without their assistance we could not have done the work… . Their energetic efforts in our behalf, their clear understanding of the duties … has enabled us to increase not only the forte and our power for good, but enabled us to create a special branch in which the cases of women can be specially considered by an able lawyer who is also a woman.” Here Briesen publicly recognized women's efforts on behalf of legal aid as benefactors, supporters, volunteers, and lawyers. The audience that evening would not have been surprised to learn that a woman lawyer now would be providing legal services to women clients, for this was not a new phenomenon. The Society already employed a number of women lawyers. Furthermore women formally untrained in law, but nonetheless acting as lawyers, had prior to the turn of the century provided legal services to poor women through New York City's Working Women's Protective Union (WWPU). As I demonstrate, the origins of legal aid lay in the provision of legal services to poor women—often by other women.
Attila takes Rome: the reception of Verdi's opera on the eve of revolution
Authors: Ipson Douglas L. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractDrawing on a wealth of new historical and musical documentation as well as the patriotic hymns of 1848, this essay places the Roman premiere of Attila at the forefront of revolutionary unrest. It also responds seriously to the claim that Verdi's Risorgimento agenda in his operas was not recognised in its own time.
Survivin is a critical regulator of spindle organization and chromosome segregation during rat oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Wang Ke , Jiang Guang-Jian , Wei Liang , Liang Xing-Wei , Miao De-Qiang , Sun Shao-Chen , Guo Lei , Wang Zhen-Bo , Lu Sheng-Sheng 
Published: October 2010

SummarySurvivin is a novel member of the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family that bear baculoviral IAP repeats (BIRs), whose physiological roles in regulating meiotic cell cycle need to be determined. Confocal microscopy was employed to observe the localization of survivin in rat oocytes. At the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, survivin was mainly concentrated in the GV. At the prometaphase I (pro-MI) and metaphase I (MI) stage, survivin was mainly localized at the kinetochores, with a light staining detected on the chromosomes. After transition to anaphase I or telophase I stage, survivin migrated to the midbody, and signals on the kinetochores and chromosomes disappeared. At metaphase II (MII) stage, survivin became mainly localized at the kinetochores again. Microinjection of oocytes with anti-survivin antibodies at the beginning of the meiosis, thus blocking the normal function of survivin, resulted in abnormal spindle assembly, chromosome segregation and first polar body emission. These results suggest that survivin is involved in regulating the meiotic cell cycle in rat oocytes.
OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEMS FOR GENERAL GLOBAL HYBRID DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS WITH MATRIX COST FUNCTIONAL
Authors: GAO RUI , LIU XINZHI 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis paper considers an optimal control problem for a class of controlled hybrid dynamical systems (HDSs) with prescribed switchings. By using Ekeland’s variational principle and a matrix cost functional, a minimum principle for HDSs is derived, which provides a necessary condition of the aforementioned problem. The results given in this paper include both pure continuous systems and pure discrete-time systems as special cases.
Topical preparations for the treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review
Authors: Mason J. , Mason A.R. , Cork M.J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractSummary Background There is clinical uncertainty about the appropriate use of first-line topical treatments for psoriasis.Objectives To assess the relative effectiveness and tolerability of topical treatments for psoriasis suitable for use both in primary and secondary care.Methods All major medical databases of published literature were searched electronically; references of trial reports and recent reviews were searched; authors and companies were contacted for missing data from published reports. The study selection comprised: (1) randomized placebo-controlled trials of topical treatments for psoriasis; and (2) randomized head-to-head studies of the new vitamin D3 derivative treatments for psoriasis that reported clinical outcome using a Total Severity Score (TSS), Psoriasis Area Severity Index or Investigator Assessment of Global Improvement. Eligibility and validity were assessed and data extracted independently by two authors. Clinical outcomes were pooled using a random effect standardized weighted mean difference (SWMD) metric, including 3380 patients randomized in 41 placebo (vehicle)-controlled trials and 4898 patients randomized in 28 head-to-head studies.Results There was a significant benefit in favour of active treatments against vehicle, SWMD: −1·06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −1·26 to −0·86), approximately a 2-point improvement on a 12-point TSS after 6–8 weeks of treatment. The only significantly different benefit was for very potent corticosteroids: SWMD: −1·51 (95% CI: −1·76 to −1·25), approximately a 3-point improvement on a 12-point TSS. Head-to-head studies support these findings, except that calcipotriol was estimated to be more effective than dithranol, coal tar and other vitamin D3 derivatives. Polytherapy, using a potent steroid and calcipotriol, was more effective than calcipotriol alone: SWMD 0·42 (95% CI: 0·12–0·72) approximately a 0·8-point improvement on a 12-point TSS. No important differences in withdrawal or reporting of adverse events were identified.Conclusions Trials of short duration neither adequately inform the management of chronic disease nor describe the sequelae of treatment. The evidence base for long-term care, reflecting the disease pathway, should be improved. Combination therapy with topical vitamin D analogues and steroids, and maintenance therapy following treatment response merit further investigation.
No place like home: an experimental comparison of reintroduction strategies using snakes
Authors: Roe John H. , Frank Michael R. , Gibson Scott E. , Attum Omar , Kingsbury Bruce A. 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. The practice of deliberately moving animals from one site to another for conservation is increasing as a tool to re‐establish extirpated populations. Resource managers are faced with developing strategies for reintroduction attempts, but often lack experimentally derived evidence upon which to base decisions. 2. Using the northern water snake Nerodia sipedon sipedon in the USA, we compared the behaviour and performance of resident snakes with that of individuals translocated directly from the wild to a nearby nature reserve or reared in captivity prior to translocation. 3. Both translocated groups had low survivorship relative to resident snakes, but the proximal causes of their poor performance differed considerably. Captive‐reared snakes exhibited restricted surface activity and movements and abnormal habitat use, and ultimately failed to maintain appropriate body temperature and body mass, with high mortality associated with the overwintering period. Wild snakes directly translocated to an unfamiliar site maintained body temperatures and growth comparable with residents, but their more extensive movements resulted in frequent excursions off reserve and high mortality. 4.
Synthesis and applications. We contend that an individual’s prior experience is an important factor in determining their behaviour and performance during the phase of early establishment at an unfamiliar site. This suggests the existence of common underlying mechanisms influencing the outcome of reintroduction attempts, and provides a potentially useful framework for improving reintroduction efforts. Resource managers would likely improve success of reintroductions by matching habitats (and associated resources and conditions) between source and release sites, by temporarily confining animals in enclosures that force new associations to be made while limiting exploratory wanderings, or by enrichment of environmental conditions in captivity.
Choice of living arrangements
Authors: Stancliffe R. J. , Lakin K. C. , Larson S. , Engler J. , Taub S. , Fortune J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground  The rights to choose where and with whom to live are widely endorsed but commonly denied to adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The current study provides a contemporary benchmark on the degree of choice exercised by adult service users in the USA.Method  Data came from the National Core Indicators programme. Participants were 6778 adult service users living in non‐family‐home service settings in 26 US states.Results  Most adults with ID did not participate in choosing where and with whom to live. Those with more support needs because of more severe ID and/or co‐occurring conditions experienced less choice regarding living arrangements. Individuals living in their own home or an agency‐operated apartment were more likely to choose where and with whom to live than individuals in nursing homes, institutions or group homes. However, few individuals with severe or profound ID chose where and with whom to live regardless of where they lived.Conclusions  In 2008, despite community‐living policies that emphasise choice, many adult service users with ID in the USA experienced little or no choice about where and with whom to live, especially those individuals with more severe ID. Our findings provide a clear endorsement of policies promoting more individualised living settings, such as one's own home or an agency apartment, because these settings do provide substantially more choice about living arrangements.
The human metapneumovirus: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Shahda S. , Carlos W.G. , Kiel P.J. , Khan B.A. , Hage C.A. 
Published: October 2010

S. Shahda, W.G. Carlos, P.J. Kiel, B.A. Khan, C.A. Hage. The human metapneumovirus: a case series and review of the literature Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 324–328. All rights reservedAbstract: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an emerging human pulmonary pathogen that is genetically related to respiratory syncytial virus. It has been increasingly associated with respiratory illnesses over the last few decades. Immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible with resultant morbidity and mortality. We describe our experience with 9 immunocompromised patients diagnosed with pneumonia secondary to hMPV, 2 of whom were successfully treated with aerosolized and oral ribavirin along with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). We suggest that hMPV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory illness. Ribavirin (oral and aerosolized) with IVIG is potentially an effective treatment option for those with severe disease.
Sexual Traits as Quality Indicators in Lekking Male Great Bustards
Authors: Alonso Juan C. , Magaña Marina , Martín Carlos A. , Palacín Carlos 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe studied the development of two sexual traits, whiskers and neck plumage, in relation to sexual selection in 41 free‐living great bustard, Otis tarda, males radio‐tracked at nine leks in central Spain in 1998–2001. During the pre‐breeding male–male competition period (Feb.) prior to female arrival, number and length of whiskers correlated with weight, but not with body size or age. Whiskers may thus have evolved as an intrasexual indicator of weight, which in the absence of other weapons in this species is decisive in male–male combats. Signalling through whiskers contributes to minimizing dangerous aggressive interactions in the lek. During the mating period (Apr.), both whisker and neck development were correlated with weight and age. Males reaching higher expression of both traits exhibited higher display intensity, a more prolonged display period through the mating season, and a higher estimated mating success. Moreover, interannual changes in a male’s expression of both traits were associated with changes in its display intensity and estimated mating success. Our results resolve earlier debates and contradictory results from previous authors, suggesting that these two secondary sexual traits, whiskers and neck, may function as reliable indicators of age and weight, the two main factors determining social rank of males in great bustard leks, during both rival assessment and mate choice. Their dual functions provide support for the pre‐existing trait and redundant signal hypotheses and suggest that multiple ornaments functioning as redundant signals might be more widespread than previously acknowledged.
Palliative care in end‐stage kidney disease
Authors: FASSETT ROBERT G , ROBERTSON IAIN K , MACE ROSE , YOUL LOREN , CHALLENOR SARAH , BULL ROSALIND 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTPatients with end‐stage kidney disease have significantly increased morbidity and mortality. While greater attention has been focused on advanced care planning, end‐of‐life decisions, conservative therapy and withdrawal from dialysis these must be supported by adequate palliative care incorporating symptom control. With the increase in the elderly, with their inherent comorbidities, accepted onto dialysis, patients, their nephrologists, families and multidisciplinary teams, are often faced with end‐of‐life decisions and the provision of palliative care. While dialysis may offer a better quality and quantity of life compared with conservative management, this may not always be the case; hence the patient is entitled to be well‐informed of all options and potential outcomes before embarking on such therapy. They should be assured of adequate symptom control and palliative care whichever option is selected. No randomized controlled trials have been conducted in this area and only a small number of observational studies provide guidance; thus predicting which patients will have poor outcomes is problematic. Those undertaking dialysis may benefit from being fully aware of their choices between active and conservative treatment should their functional status seriously deteriorate and this should be shared with caregivers. This clarifies treatment pathways and reduces the ambiguity surrounding decision making. If conservative therapy or withdrawal from dialysis is chosen, each should be supported by palliative care. The objective of this review is to summarize published studies and evidence‐based guidelines, core curricula, position statements, standards and tools in palliative care in end‐stage kidney disease.
Eight case reports on sex‐hormone profiles in sexually mature male Down syndrome
Authors: Suzuki Kuri , Nakajima Koichi , Kamimura Shuichi , Takasugi Keiichirou , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Sekine Hideaki , Ishii Nobuhisa 
Published: October 2010

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is a congenital disorder usually caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Although the number of postpubertal patients with DS is increasing, only limited information is available on their gonadal and sexual development. The aim of this case report was to examine sex‐hormone profiles in sexually mature male patients with DS. Eight postpubertal male patients with trisomy 21 (mean age 28 years, range 15–54 years) participated in this study. The serum level of luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone was significantly elevated and testosterone was slightly decreased. The testicular volume was smaller in all eight cases than that observed in healthy male subjects. The elevated luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone levels, the lower testosterone levels and a smaller testicular volume observed in all eight cases suggest a significant degree of germinal cell hypoplasia in mature male patients with DS.
Characteristics and prognosis of chromophobe non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A multicenter study
Authors: Lee Won Ki , Byun Seok‐Soo , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Rha Koon Ho , Hwang Tae‐Kon , Sung Gyung Tak , Lee Wan , Lim Jae Sung , Jeong Young Beom , Kwon Tae Gyun 
Published: October 2010

Objectives:  To analyze the characteristics and the prognostic significance of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (chRCC).Methods:  Data about 2981 patients with non‐metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCC) at the time of surgery were retrospectively collected from 26 institutions between 1998 and 2008. All patients had undergone partial or radical nephrectomies. Of the 2981 patients, 2602 patients with conventional RCC (cRCC) and 148 with chRCC were studied. Clinical and pathological parameters were determined in all patients. Recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were assessed.Results:  Patients with chRCC differed significantly from those with cRCC on the following parameters: younger age (P = 0.026), greater female ratio (P < 0.001), and larger tumor diameter (P < 0.001). Both groups were alike with respect to body mass index (P = 0.943), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P = 0.163), T stage (P = 0.375), and Fuhrman's grade (P = 0.134). The 5‐year RFS rates in patients with chRCC and cRCC were 82.7% and 83.3%, respectively (P = 0.762). The 5‐year CSS rates in patients with chRCC and cRCC were 88.8% and 92.2%, respectively (P = 0.980). Both groups showed equivalent oncological outcomes in terms of RFS and CSS for cases stratified by T stage and Fuhrman's grade. In multivariate analysis, the histological subtype was not retained as an independent prognostic variable (RFS: P = 0.893; CSS: P = 0.729).Conclusions:  Despite being significantly different from cRCC in terms of several clinical and pathological parameters, chRCC shows equivalent oncological outcomes.
Efficacy of extended‐release tolterodine for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and/or low‐compliance bladder
Authors: Watanabe Miho , Yamanishi Tomonori , Honda Mikihiko , Sakakibara Ryuji , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Yoshida Ken‐Ichiro 
Published: October 2010

Objective:  To evaluate the efficacy of extended‐release (ER) tolterodine 4 mg/day for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and/or low‐compliance bladder by assessing urodynamic parameters.Methods:  Forty‐six patients (25 male, 21 female; mean age 57.6 ± 20.7 years) with NDO (n = 39) and/or low‐compliance bladder (n = 7) were included in this 12‐week single‐arm study. Twenty‐one patients (46%) were on clean intermittent catheterization and other patients could void on their own. A video urodynamic study was performed before and at 3 months after treatment. Changes in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) as well as changes in number of voids, amount of each void, and number of leaks in 24 h according to the 3‐day voiding diary were also evaluated before treatment and at weeks 4 and 12 after treatment.Results:  Bladder capacity at first sensation and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly, by an average of 36.8 mL (P = 0.0402) and 82.3 mL (P < 0.0001), respectively. Maximum cystometric capacity increased by more than 50 mL in 19 patients (49%) following treatment. Detrusor overactivity disappeared in three of 32 patients (9%), bladder capacity at first involuntary contraction increased significantly (P = 0.0009), and amplitude of detrusor overactivity decreased significantly (P = 0.0025). In patients with low‐compliance bladder, bladder compliance increased significantly (P = 0.0156). Overactive bladder symptom score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form score, number of voids (per 24 h and night‐time), number of urgency episodes in 24 h, number and amount of leaks in 24 h, and amount of mean and maximum voided volumes all decreased significantly after treatment.Conclusion:  Tolterodine is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of NDO and/or low‐compliance bladder in patients with neurogenic bladder.