bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of landscape structure and sown grass margin strips on weed assemblages in arable crops and their boundaries
Authors: MARSHALL E J P 
Published: January 2009

SummaryA paired‐field study was made in southern England in arable fields, each with or without sown 6‐m wide grass margin strips. Seven field pairs were located in each of small, intermediate and open landscapes, which were based on mean field size. Ground cover, plant species diversity and assemblages were assessed in crop centres, crop edges and non‐crop field boundaries. The data were used to test for effects of sown grass margins, differences in field location, impacts on rare weed species and for landscape effects on weed assemblages. Significantly higher plant species diversity was found in boundaries protected by buffer strips. Annual weeds associated with field edges, notably Anisantha sterilis, were found at lower cover where perennial grass strips were present. Sown grass strips enhanced boundary plant diversity, particularly by increasing polycarpic species. Margin strips had a small influence on the weed flora of the crop edge, possibly reducing weed cover, but had no influence on floras of field centres. Field size and landscape context did not affect weed assemblages, which show marked field‐to‐field variability, though crop type was an important influence. Grass margins did not enhance rare arable weed species and may be a threat to them, if margins are sited where such species are known to occur in the seedbank. With this exception, grass strips are a positive influence on boundary flora diversity and reduce margin weeds in arable landscapes.
Seasonal changes in seed dormancy of Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium
Authors: TAAB A , ANDERSSON L 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe seed dormancy cycle in Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium was studied in relation to seasonal temperature. Seed lots of both species were buried in pots outdoors in a randomised complete block design with four replicates from November 2004 to November 2006. At regular intervals, samples of the seeds were randomly exhumed and tested for germination in incubators at three temperatures and light/darkness regimes. For both species, low winter temperature weakened dormancy and high temperature strengthened it. Dormancy induction mainly occurred from August to October in both species after experiencing warm temperatures. An exception from the general pattern of seed dormancy was however observed; seed germination percentages were temporarily reduced in early spring, followed by a peak in germination, before the main period of strong dormancy in S. nigrum. The same phenomenon was observed in S. physalifolium during June in the first year. This short‐lived dormancy induction might explain the late emergence of the species. Seed dormancy enables the species to maximise its chance of survival by regulating germination timing to favourable conditions. Therefore, information on the dormancy cycle can be used to predict seedling emergence and optimise weed control operations.
The crucial role of information exchange and research for effective responses to biological invasions
Authors: BROWNE M , PAGAD S , DE POORTER M 
Published: January 2009

SummaryFarmers have been fighting weeds and pests since the beginnings of agriculture, but the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on native species, habitats and ecosystem services have only been brought to the world’s attention relatively recently. Invasive plants, also known as environmental weeds, constitute an insidious ‘biological pollution’. Unlike many other types of pollution, they are not diluted in time but, on the contrary, can expand in numbers, density and geographical extent – often exponentially. This paper illustrates an increasing ability to fight back, using a number of case studies of good management practice, including prevention, ecosystem approaches, adaptive management and stakeholder involvement. It identifies some of the challenges inherent in managing IAS in complex situations and identifies areas where weed scientists and other researchers can increase their contributions. Crucially, communities, conservation groups, NGOs and agencies undertaking prevention and management activities need ready access to science‐based biological and ecological information about target species, prevention strategies and management techniques, as well as case studies from other regions facing similar problems. Information exchange is a key component of effective responses to biological invasions. A number of global‐scale information exchange mechanisms are described.
A preliminary study of increased amygdala activation to positive affective stimuli in mania
Authors: Bermpohl Felix , Dalanay Umut , Kahnt Thorsten , Sajonz Bastian , Heimann Hannah , Ricken Roland , Stoy Meline , Hägele Claudia , Schlagenhauf Florian , Adli Mazda , Wrase Jana , Ströhle Andreas , Heinz Andreas , Bauer Michael 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  The present study in hypomanic and manic patients explored how amygdala responses to affective stimuli depend on the valence of the stimuli presented.Methods:  We compared 10 patients with 10 matched healthy control subjects. We measured blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) responses in the amygdala while subjects passively viewed photographs taken from the International Affective Picture System. After the fMRI session, subjects saw the pictures again and subjectively rated the emotional valence and intensity of each picture.Results:  Compared to healthy individuals, hypomanic or manic patients showed higher valence ratings in positive pictures and associated larger BOLD responses in the left amygdala during positive versus neutral picture viewing. This enhanced amygdala activation was correlated with Young Mania Rating Scale scores and with euphoric as opposed to irritable symptom presentation.Conclusions:  Increased valence ratings and amygdala responses to positive affective stimuli may reflect a positive processing bias contributing to elevated mood states characteristic for euphoric mania.
Augmentative repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in drug‐resistant bipolar depression
Authors: Dell’Osso Bernardo , Mundo Emanuela , D’Urso Nazario , Pozzoli Sara , Buoli Massimiliano , Ciabatti MariaTeresa , Rosanova Mario , Massimini Marcello , Bellina Valentina , Mariotti Maurizio , Carlo Altamura A 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  The efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been poorly investigated in bipolar depression. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of low‐frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) combined with brain navigation in a sample of bipolar depressed subjects.Methods:  Eleven subjects with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder and major depressive episode who did not respond to previous pharmacological treatment were treated with three weeks of open‐label rTMS at 1 Hz, 110% of motor threshold, 300 stimuli/day.Results:  All subjects completed the trial showing a statistically significant improvement on the 21‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D), Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impression severity of illness scale (ANOVAs with repeated measures: F = 22.36, p < 0.0001; F = 12.66, p < 0.0001; and F = 10.41, p < 0.0001, respectively). In addition, stimulation response, defined as an endpoint HAM‐D score reduction of ≥50% compared to baseline, was achieved by 6 out of 11 subjects, 4 of whom were considered remitters (HAM‐D endpoint score ≤ 8). Partial response (endpoint HAM‐D score reduction between 25% and 50%) was achieved by 3/11 patients. No manic/hypomanic activation was detected during the treatment according to Young Mania Rating Scale scores (ANOVAs with repeated measures: F = 0.62, p = 0.61). Side effects were slight and were limited to the first days of treatment.Conclusions:  Augmentative low‐frequency rTMS of the right DLPFC combined with brain navigation was effective and well tolerated in a small sample of drug‐resistant bipolar depressive patients, even though the lack of a sham controlled group limits confidence in the results.
TRPM2 variants and bipolar disorder risk: confirmation in a family‐based association study
Authors: Xu Chun , Li Peter P , Cooke Robert G , Parikh Sagar V , Wang KeSheng , Kennedy James L , Warsh Jerry J 
Published: January 2009

Objective:  Recent case‐control studies implicate the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel in conferring risk for bipolar disorder (BD), though the risk variants differed. As confounding effects of population structure could not be unequivocally ruled out as the basis for the discordance, we tested the association of TRPM2 with BD in a family design, which is immune to population stratification, for those TRPM2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously reported as associated with BD.Methods:  The exon 11 SNP (rs1556314) and four informative intronic SNPs (rs1785437, rs1618355, rs933151, and rs749909) were genotyped in 300 BD families by TaqMan allelic discrimination and results were analyzed using χ2 test, transmission disequilibrium test, and pedigree‐based association. SNP rs1556314 was also genotyped in our case‐control sample set comprised of 184 BD and 195 healthy Caucasian subjects.Results:  The SNP rs1556314 in exon 11 was significantly associated with bipolar disorder type I (BD‐I) (p = 0.011, ppermutation = 0.015) in the case‐control dataset and in the family design (p = 0.018, ppermutation = 0.052, TDTPHASE). Interestingly, the C‐T‐A haplotype of SNPs rs1618355, rs933151, and rs749909 was significantly associated with early age at onset in BD‐I families.Conclusion:  Significant association of TRPM2 genetic variants with BD in case‐control and family datasets further supports a role for TRPM2 in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Overtransmission of the G allele of rs1556314 at exon 11 of TRPM2 in BD‐I but not bipolar disorder type II (BD‐II) further supports different genetic contributions to the pathogenesis of these bipolar phenotypes.
Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Exam in One Case of Canine Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pires MA , Seixas F , Palmeira C , Payan‐Carreira R 
Published: January 2009

ContentsCanine endometrial carcinomas are rare, and mostly occur in geriatric bitches. In this work, the uterus of a 10‐year‐old female Boxer evidencing an endometrial carcinoma on the body of the uterus was used to describe the histopathological features of the tumour and to study its immunophenotype. In this work, a panel of immunomarkers (cytokeratins AE1/AE3 and 14, vimentin, CD10 and Ki‐67) was applied to the endometrial carcinoma to establish the staining patterns indicative of the tumour agressiveness and cellular differentiation. Additionally DNA ploidy was also performed. In this case, the tumour showed papillar pattern, with large pleomorphic, anaplastic cells and also some aberrant multinucleated and giant cells. In some areas of the tumour, it was also observed cytotrophoblastic‐like cells outlining the papillae. Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression was detected in the luminal neoplasic cells. Cytokeratin 14 positivity was sporadic and irregular, and was observed mainly in the luminal epithelium. Only stromal and aberrant cells showed a positive staining to vimentin. Positive membranous staining to CD10 was evidenced by clear epithelial, cytotrophoblastic‐like cells at the tumour surface but not by the stromal cells. The mitotic and Ki‐67 indices were low, suggestive of a weak aggressiveness of the tumour. The multinucleated and giant cells evidenced a positive immunostaining to CK AE1/AE3, and CD 10; its positivity to vimentin was sporadic. This study aims to contribute to the advancement of the knowledge in canine endometrial carcinoma immunophenotype.
Universal foliage‐stem scaling across environments and species in dicot trees: plasticity, biomechanics and Corner’s Rules
Authors: Olson Mark E. , Aguirre‐Hernández Rebeca , Rosell Julieta A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTrees range from small‐leaved, intricately branched species with slender stems to large‐leaved, coarsely branched ones with thick stems. We suggest a mechanism for this pattern, known as Corner’s Rules, based on universal scaling. We show similar crown area–stem diameter scaling between trunks and branches, environments, and species spanning a wide range of leaf size and stem biomechanics. If crown and stem maintain metabolically driven proportionality, but similar amounts of photosynthates are produced per unit crown area, then the greater leaf spacing in large‐leaved species requires lower density stem tissue and, meeting mechanical needs, thicker stems. Congruent with this scenario, we show a negative relationship between leaf size and stem Young’s modulus. Corner’s Rules emerge from these mutual adjustments, which suggest that adaptive studies cannot consider any of these features independently. The constancy of scaling despite environmental challenges identifies this trait constellation as a crucial axis of plant diversification.
THE REAL INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIAL: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE BASED ON NON‐LINEAR UNIT ROOT TESTS
Authors: Baharumshah Ahmad Zubaidi , Liew Venus Khim‐Sen , Haw Chan Tze 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper aims at testing international parity conditions by using non‐linear unit root tests advocated by Kapetanios et al. (2003, KSS). Results from the KSS tests based on 17 countries (G7 and 10 Asian countries) overwhelmingly show that the adjustment of real interest rates towards real interest rate parity (RIP) follows a non‐linear process except for the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Philippines relationships with both the USA and Japan. Overall, the empirical results are in favour of RIP using the USA and Japan as the centre countries but only if non‐linearities are accounted for in the data‐generating process. Our findings confirm that interest rate differentials, like the real exchange rates reported in recent literature, display a non‐linear mean reversion process.
THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON GROWTH: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM A HETEROGENEOUS PANEL
Authors: Gregoriou Andros , Ghosh Sugata 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the impact of government expenditure on growth, in a heterogeneous panel, for a sample of developing countries. Using generalized method of moments techniques, we show that countries with substantial government current expenditure have strong growth effects, which vary considerably across the nations.
FINANCIAL MARKET COMPETITION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW PROFITS ARE RETURNED
Authors: Roberts Mark A. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTIf households have finite lives, the effect of imperfect competition in the financial sector on economic growth depends also on how its profits are returned. The return may be exogenous though fiscal transfers to the young and/or the old or endogenous through dividend payments to a subset of old households that have acquired financial sector equity. Returning financial profits to the old, either exogenously or endogenously, unambiguously reduces growth, but through the two respective mechanisms of consumption‐smoothing and of encouraging ‘unproductive saving’. As the latter is the more powerful, a public pension paid for by taxing financial profits will raise steady‐state growth rate. However, the main results are that if profits are returned to the young, growth will be highest with monopolistic finance, if the elasticity of intertemporal substitution is sufficiently low; and, generally, the number of Nash–Cournot financial firms that maximizes growth is increasing in the value of this parameter.
Avoid Delivering Therapies for Nonsustained Fast Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter/Defibrillator: The ADVANCE III Trial
Authors: SCHWAB JOERG O. , GASPARINI MAURIZIO , LUNATI MAURIZIO , PROCLEMER ALESSANDRO , KAUP BERND , SANTI ELISABETTA , LIGORIO GUISEPPE , KLERSY CATHERINE , DE SOUSA JOÃO , OKREGLICKI ANDRZEJ , ARENAL ANGEL , WIJFFELS MAURITS , LEMKE BERND 
Published: January 2009

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate whether a prolonged detection interval for life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) is able to reduce therapies (Rx) delivered by an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD). Until now, only the PREPARE trial demonstrated a reduction of ICD Rx in a cohort of primary prevention patients. Methods and Results: The ADVANCE III study is a prospective, randomized, parallel trial with 2 arms evaluating different intervals to detect (NID), i.e., 18/24 (as currently used) versus 30/40. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate a 20% reduction of ICD Rx (antitachycardia pacing or shocks) delivered to terminate spontaneous VT with a cycle length ≤320 ms in patients with Class I‐IIA indication for ICD therapy, regardless of cardiac resynchronization capabilities. The worldwide investigation started in spring 2008 and is expected to be finished in 2011. Conclusions: The ADVANCE III trial is the first randomized investigation evaluating the reduction of ICD Rx for fast VT due to a prolongation of NID in a general ICD patient cohort.
Initial Clinical Experience with the New Irrigated Tip Magnetic Catheter for Ablation of Scar‐Related Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia: A Small Case Series
Authors: HAGHJOO MAJID , HINDRICKS GERHARD , BODE KERSTIN , PIORKOWSKI CHRISTOPHER , BOLLMANN ANDREAS , ARYA ARASH 
Published: January 2009

Background: A remote magnetic navigation system (MNS) has been used with a nonirrigated magnetic catheter for ablation of some supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the irrigated tip catheter has not been evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of the newly available irrigated tip magnetic catheter for radiofrequency ablation (RF) of electrical storm due to scar‐related ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: Between January and March 2008, a total of 4 consecutive patients (4 men, mean age 67.7 years) with electrical storm who had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator underwent radiofrequency ablation using a remote MNS and the new magnetic irrigated catheter. Results: Five ablation procedures were performed in study patients. Acute success, defined as noninducibility of any monomorphic VT, was obtained in 3 patients. In 1 patient, a nonclinical VT remained inducible. A monomorphic VT corresponding to clinical VT with the median (range) cycle length of 485 (440–580) ms was induced in all patients. The duration of ablation was 2,273 (985–3087) seconds, with median total procedure and fluoroscopy times of 135 (100–150) minutes and 6.5 (5–9) minutes, respectively. One recurrence occurred 1 week after ablation, which was ablated successfully in the second session. No complication was observed after ablation. During mean follow‐up of 4.2 months, all patients were in sinus rhythm, they received no ICD therapy, and no mortality occurred. Conclusions: Irrigated ablation of scar‐related ventricular tachycardia guided by remote MNS is a feasible and effective modality for management of the electrical storm in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with minimal radiation exposure.
MRI assessment of liver iron content in thalassamic patients with three different protocols: comparisons and correlations
Authors: Christoforidis Athanasios , Perifanis Vassilios , Spanos George , Vlachaki Efthimia , Economou Marina , Tsatra Ioanna , Athanassiou‐Metaxa Miranda 
Published: January 2009

AbstractOur aim was to assess liver iron content, in thalassaemic patients, by using three different MR protocols and compare their data. Ninety‐four thalassaemic patients (44 M and 50 F, mean age 25.82 ± 8.3 yrs), were enrolled in the study. In each patient, three measurements of the liver iron content were performed, with the use of a single imager, equipped with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. Liver R2* was measured on gradient‐echo sequence. Calculation of MR‐HIC values was based on an algorithm using liver to muscle (L/M) ratios in five axial gradient‐echo sequences. Finally, determination of liver R2 employed a 16‐echo, spin‐echo pulse sequence. Additionally, myocardial R2* value was determined for each patient. Results showed that all three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods were highly correlated to each other and significantly correlated to serum ferritin concentrations. Liver R2 method showed an increased sensitivity in detecting liver iron contents in the upper range. No correlation occurred between each liver MRI parameter and myocardial R2* values. Finally, we managed to provide formulae for equating values obtaining with any of these three MRI methods.
Conventional cytogenetics in myelofibrosis: literature review and discussion
Authors: Hussein Kebede , Van Dyke Daniel L. , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe clinical phenotype of myelofibrosis (MF) is recognized either de novo (primary) or in the setting of polycythemia vera (post‐PV) or essential thrombocythemia (post‐ET). Approximately one‐third of patients with primary MF (PMF) present with cytogenetic abnormalities; the most frequent are del(20q), del(13q), trisomy 8 and 9, and abnormalities of chromosome 1 including duplication 1q. Other less frequent lesions include −7/del(7q), del(5q), del(12p), +21 and der(6)t(1;6)(q21;p21.3). In general, cytogenetic abnormalities are qualitatively similar among PMF, post‐ET MF and post‐PV MF although their individual frequencies may differ. Based on prognostic effect, cytogenetic findings in MF are classified as either ‘favorable’ or ‘unfavorable’. The former include normal karyotype or isolated del(20q) or del(13q) and the latter all other abnormalities. Unfavorable cytogenetic profile in both PMF and post‐PV/ET MF confers an independent adverse effect on survival; it is also associated with higher JAK2V617F mutational frequency. In addition to their prognostic value, cytogenetic studies in MF ensure diagnostic exclusion of other myeloid neoplasms that are sometimes associated with bone marrow fibrosis (e.g. BCR‐ABL1‐positive or PDGFRB‐rearranged) and also assist in specific treatment selection (e.g. lenalidomide therapy is active in MF associated with del(5q).
Complex epileptic (Foix–Chavany–Marie like) syndrome in a child with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and bilateral (opercular and paracentral) polymicrogyria
Authors: Mastrangelo Mario , Mariani Rosanna , Spalice Alberto , Ruggieri Martino , Iannetti Paola 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe association of brain malformations and symptomatic epilepsy in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is rarely reported. When it occurs, patients can present clinically with infantile spasms, focal seizures, generalized tonic clonic seizures or atypical absences. We report on a 10‐year‐old (molecularly proven) NF1 girl manifesting a complex epileptic syndrome resembling the Foix–Chavany–Marie spectrum (also known as opercular syndrome) associated with bilateral (opercular and paracentral lobular) polymicrogyria (PMG). Anecdotal cases of unilateral PMG in the setting of NF1 have been described in association with other‐than‐opercular epileptic syndromes. The typical clinical opercular syndrome consisting in mild mental retardation, epilepsy and pseudobulbar palsy is usually associated to bilateral perisylvian PMG (BPP)Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the complex epileptic syndrome hereby reported has not been previously recorded in the setting of NF1. In addition, the present girl manifested all the clinical features of an opercular syndrome but had an asymmetrical PMG (not a BPP).