bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Road Slope Revegetation in Semiarid Mediterranean Environments. Part I: Seed Dispersal and Spontaneous Colonization
Authors: Bochet Esther , García‐Fayos Patricio , Tormo Jaume 
Published: February 2007

Abstract The importance of neighboring vegetation as a seed reservoir for spontaneous colonization of adjacent road slopes was analyzed in a semiarid region of east Spain. Two independent methodological approaches were used to examine the relative contribution of seed from neighboring vegetation and the efficiency of different seed dispersal strategies in plant colonization. We first used a randomization test to compare floristic similarity between road slopes, neighboring flora, and local flora (the regional species pool found in the same climate and soil conditions as the road slopes). Second, we compared seed dispersal mechanisms of road slope vegetation with those of the surrounding area using frequency analysis. Species composition of road slopes was more similar to that of the flora of adjacent surrounding areas than expected by chance. Anemochorous (wind‐dispersed) plants were over‐represented in road slopes 8 years after road slopes were built. We concluded that seed dispersal from neighboring vegetation is an important factor in the vegetative colonization of road slopes. However, this initial species pool was also strongly shaped by the harsh environmental conditions of roadcuts and southern aspect. These results have important implications in road slope restoration because they suggest that naturally vegetated areas should be maintained adjacent to road slopes to enhance seed immigration from species adapted to local site conditions, which will accelerate the successional process. The application of this single reclamation strategy and mixed strategies that combine the use of natural colonization and soil amendment for road slope restoration in Mediterranean environmental conditions is discussed.
Roadfill Revegetation in Semiarid Mediterranean Environments. Part II: Topsoiling, Species Selection, and Hydroseeding
Authors: Tormo Jaume , Bochet Esther , García‐Fayos Patricio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractErosion is one of the main problems in roadfill restoration. Revegetation is widely used as a method to reduce erosion rates, and it is often carried out through hydroseeding. In semiarid Mediterranean conditions, this approach to revegetation often produces poor results due to climatic limitations. We evaluated whether (1) spreading topsoil and (2) hydroseeding with local rather than commercial species mixtures could improve the vegetative cover of roadfills. The study was carried out in 24 plots over a 20‐month period. At the end of the study, vegetation cover was higher in topsoiled plots (38.8%) than in nontopsoiled plots (21.5%). Locally selected species produced higher vegetative cover (61.1%) than did standard commercial species (52.2%). After 20 months, the erosion index was not different among any treatment probably due to the low sensitivity of this variable. These results suggest that amendment of soils through the addition of topsoil is an important technique in roadfill revegetation in Mediterranean environments. Additionally, hydroseeding with local species will produce better vegetative cover on roadfills than does hydroseeding with available commercial species.
Restoration of Dry Afromontane Forest Using Pioneer Shrubs as Nurse‐Plants for Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata
Authors: Aerts Raf , Negussie Aklilu , Maes Wouter , November Eva , Hermy Martin , Muys Bart 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Shrubs are often considered competitive barriers for seedlings planted in reforestation programs, although they can facilitate tree recruitment, especially in ecosystems under high abiotic stress. An alternative reforestation technique using pioneer shrubs as nurse‐plants for Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata was tested in exclosures in northern Ethiopia. Seedlings were planted in three different microhabitats, and their survival was monitored. The microhabitats were bare soil patches between shrubs, patches under the dominant shrub Acacia etbaica, and patches under Euclea racemosa, an evergreen shrub, which supports the majority of naturally established Olea recruits. The ability of shrubs to offer protection against browsing goats was tested experimentally. Controlled shading was used to determine whether solar irradiation causes seedling mortality in environments without water stress. Data were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA), and one‐way ANOVA. Olea survival was significantly higher and shoot damage by goats was lower when planted under shrub cover compared to bare soil patches, particularly under Euclea canopies, although high shade levels reduced seedling performance. Reduction of solar radiation by shrub canopies and thus control of soil–water evaporation and seedling transpiration most likely controlled the observed facilitation. Planting under shrubs may increase seedling survival and assist regeneration of dry Afromontane vegetation. Preserving pioneers also reduces soil erosion and conserves biodiversity. Excluding livestock is essential for Olea woodland restoration and allows persistent but morphologically modified Olea shrubs to develop vigorous regrowth. Facilitative processes are guiding principles for assisted forest restoration, but above‐average rains may be critical to restore higher biomass levels in semiarid areas.
Optimizing the timing of chemotherapy for mobilizing autologous blood hematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: Hicks Michelle L. , Lonial Sagar , Langston Amelia , Flowers Christopher , Roback John D. , Smith Kenneth J. , Mossavi Sai Sarah , Teagarden Diane , Hamilton Ellie S. , Waller Edmund K. 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: Postchemotherapy mobilization results were reviewed in patients undergoing apheresis before planned autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation to improve the timing of collection procedures.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 135 attempts to collect autologous HPC were studied in 132 unique patients with lymphoid malignancies (non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease). Chemotherapy mobilization regimens included cyclophosphamide (n = 59), ICE (n = 46), or other regimens (n = 30). Granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (CSF) was administered once daily at a dose of 5 μg per kg starting 2 days after the last dose of chemotherapy; granulocyte‐macrophage–CSF was added at a daily dose of 5 μg per kg 6 days later. Apheresis was initiated when the blood CD34+ content was more than 20 per μL.RESULTS: In an initial cohort of 37 patients, 27 percent required apheresis during the weekend. An optimized timing for chemotherapy mobilization was developed based on retrospective data; prospective implementation of the new algorithm reduced the incidence of weekend apheresis to 13 percent in the subsequent 98 consecutive patients (p  < 0.05). A median of 9 × 106 (range, 0.4 × 106‐96 × 106) CD34+ cells per kg was collected from the entire cohort of 135 patients after a mean of 1.8 days of apheresis. Apheresis was initiated following a median (±SD) of 10 ± 2.7 days of cytokines.CONCLUSION: In the majority of patients, the first day of apheresis occurred 11 to 13 days after the last dose of chemotherapy with a variety of different chemotherapy regimens. Administering the last dose of chemotherapy on Thursday or Friday versus Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday was associated with a 77 percent lower incidence in the frequency of weekend apheresis collections (p  < 0.001).
Melanocytic skin lesions and pregnancy: digital dermoscopy analysis
Authors: Rubegni Pietro , Sbano Paolo , Burroni Marco , Cevenini Gabriele , Bocchi Caterina , Severi Filiberto Maria , Risulo Massimiliano , Petraglia Felice , Dell'Eva Giordana , Fimiani Michele , Andreassi Lucio 
Published: February 2007

Background: Very few studies have tried to clarify how pregnancy influences the morphology of pigmented skin lesions (PSL). Our purpose was to objectively determine, by digital dermoscopy analysis (DDA), any dermoscopic changes of acquired melanocitic nevi during pregnancy and after 1 year from delivery.Methods: Thirty‐five healthy pregnant women and 35 age‐matched female controls were enrolled in the study. Nevi of pregnant women were analysed by DDA between 5 and 8 weeks of pregnancy, between 39 and 41 weeks of pregnancy and 12 months after delivery. Nevi of control women were analysed by DDA in a month of the year matching the period of recruitment of pregnant women and 21 months later.Results: Multivariate analysis of variance (manova) for repeated measures revealed that dermoscopic variables SKIN‐GREEN‐AVERAGE, SKIN‐BLUE‐AVERAGE and CONTRAST changed during pregnancy but returned to non‐significant values after a year from delivery. The variable ENTROPY showed significant differences between initial evaluation and 1 year after delivery. Finally, the variable VARIANCE OF BORDER GRADIENT showed a significant difference between the first and the last evaluations, in both pregnant and control subjects.Conclusions: The study showed that pregnancy leads to significant modifications in PSL, especially with regard to pigment network, globules and architectural order or disorder.
Effect of room humidity on the formation of fine wrinkles in the facial skin of Japanese
Authors: Tsukahara Kazue , Hotta Mitsuyuki , Fujimura Tsutomu , Haketa Keiichi , Kitahara Takashi 
Published: February 2007

Background/purpose: Changes in humidity are commonly known to influence the condition of the skin. Previous studies of the skin dealt with variations in relative humidity (RH) either through statistical analysis or by maintaining room humidity at a constant level; however, the range of humidity and the length of acclimation varied in each study. This study aimed to determine whether the generally used ranges of RH are truly acceptable for studies of human skin.Methods: Skin conductance, elasticity and fine wrinkles were assessed on the eyelids of 20 volunteers, first after acclimation for 30 min in a high‐humidity room (70% RH) and again after acclimation for 30 min in a low‐humidity room (40% RH).Results: The study found significant decreases in skin conductance and elasticity and significant increases in fine wrinkles after acclimation to low humidity compared with high humidity.Conclusion: These results indicate that even a 30% difference in RH can affect skin properties in 30 min. The importance of humidity stabilization and the necessity of acclimation to the humidity, particularly when the study concerns wrinkles, were thus confirmed.
Dye exclusion as a means to measure wetness protection of human skin
Authors: Tate Martha , Grove Gary , Joch Rhonda , Laabs John , Menard Karen , Nelson Brenda , Shepard Kristin , Zepp Rick , Zerweck Charles , Zuleger Roxanne 
Published: February 2007

Background/purpose: Excessive skin hydration from occlusive coverings such as absorbent articles, bandages, etc. has been known to compromise the skin's barrier properties. Damage to the stratum corneum occurs from prolonged exposure to wetness and limited product breathability, which reduces evaporation. Protection from wetness may be imparted by barrier materials, such as lotions and ointments on the skin. Barrier materials are traditionally applied by hand from bulk containers (bottle or tube). In recent years, diapers have been made that contain barrier ointments designed to transfer to the skin during wear. The purpose of this research was to develop a reliable in vivo method for evaluating skin wetness protection when using personal products.Method: The means for evaluating wetness protection in vivo is dye exclusion evaluation on human skin. Dye exclusion involves application of a barrier material, followed by dye application and skin staining evaluation. The dye exclusion method may be conducted on adult forearms with direct application of the barrier material or on infant or adult torsos after wearing a diaper or incontinence product (or other personal products) that contains the barrier material. Dye exclusion on infants used cosmetic dyes (safe for use in the eye area).Results: Dye exclusion demonstrated skin protection on both adult forearms and on infant buttocks. Ointments in diapers protected the skin from the dye when diapers were worn from a few hours to several days (with appropriate changes of product).Conclusion: The dye exclusion method was able to demonstrate the advantage of barrier ointments for wetness protection and also to discriminate between ointment formulations.
Reconstruction of the Atrophic Edentulous Maxilla with Free Iliac Crest Grafts and Implants: A 3‐Year Report of a Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Sjöström Mats , Sennerby Lars , Nilson Hans , Lundgren Stefan 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTPurpose:  The purpose of this study was to perform a longitudinal follow‐up study of implant stability in grafted maxillae with the aid of clinical, radiological, and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) parameters.Materials and Methods:  The atrophic edentulous maxillae in 29 patients were reconstructed with free iliac crest grafts using onlay/inlay or interpositional grafting techniques. The endpoint of the resorption pattern in the maxilla determined the grafting technique used. Endosteal implants were placed after 6 months of bone‐graft healing. Implant stability was measured four times using RFA: when the implants were placed, after 6 to 8 months of healing, after 6 months and 3 years of bridge loading. Individual checkups were performed at the two later RFA registrations after removal of the supraconstructions (Procera® Implant Bridge, Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden). Radiological follow up of marginal bone level was performed annually.Results:  Twenty‐five patients remained for the follow‐up period. A total of 192 implants were placed and with a survival rate of 90% at the 3‐year follow up. Women and an implant position with a class 6 resorption prior to reconstruction were factors with significant increased risk for implant failure (multivariate logistic regression). Twelve of the 20 failed implants were lost before loading (early failures). The change in the marginal bone level was 0.3 ± 0.3 mm between baseline (bridge delivery) and the 3‐year follow up. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) value for all implants differed significantly between abutment connection (60.2 ± 7.3) and after 6 months of bridge loading (62.5 ± 5.5) (Wilcoxon signed ranks test for paired data, p=.05) but were nonsignificant between 6 months of bridge loading and 3 years of bridge loading (61.8 ± 5.5). There was a significant difference between successful and failed implants when the ISQ values were compared for individual implants at placement (Mann‐Whitney U test, p=.004). All 25 patients were provided with fixed implant bridges at the time of the 3‐year follow up.Conclusion:  This clinical follow up using radiological examinations and RFA measurements indicates a predictable and stable long‐term result for patients with atrophic edentulous maxillae reconstructed with autogenous bone and with delayed placement of endosteal implants. The ISQ value at the time of placement can probably serve as an indicator of level of risk for implant failure.
The carbon star IRC+10216: linking the complex inner region with its spherical large-scale structures
Authors: Menut J.-L. , Gendron E. , Schartmann M. , Tuthill P. , Lopez B. , Danchi W. C. , Wolf S. , Lagrange A.-M. , Flament S. , Rouan D. , Clénet Y. , Berruyer N. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
IRC+10216 is located at the tip of the asymptotic giant branch of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram in a transition phase toward the post-asymptotic giant branch stage. Its study contributes to our knowledge of the late stage of stellar evolution of low- and intermediate-mass stars, when the circumstellar matter begins to adopt the asymmetric or bipolar forms commonly found in planetary nebulae. Using the NAOS–CONICA (NACO) adaptive optics system, we have mapped the circumstellar environment of IRC+1O216 at several wavelengths and three different epochs. The NACO study provides high-resolution and high-dynamic-range information on the different features displayed by the circumstellar envelope: clumpiness and a peanut- or bipolar-like shape at small scales. The link between the inner regions and the spherical-like shells observed at large scales is displayed in these high-dynamic-range data.
On the size of Hii regions around high-redshift quasars
Authors: Maselli A. , Gallerani S. , Ferrara A. , Choudhury T. R. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
We investigate the possibility of constraining the ionization state of the intergalactic medium (IGM) close to the end of reionization (z≈ 6) by measuring the size of H ii regions in high-z quasar spectra. We perform a combination of multiphase smoothed particle hydrodynamics and three-dimensional radiative transfer simulations to predict reliably the properties of typical high-z quasar H ii regions, embedded in a partly neutral IGM (xH i= 0.1). In this work we assume a fixed configuration for the quasar lifetime and luminosity, i.e. tQ= 107 yr and . From the analysis of mock spectra along lines of sight through the simulated QSO environment, we find that the H ii region size derived from quasar spectra is on average 30 per cent smaller than the physical one. Additional maximum likelihood analysis shows that this offset induces an overestimate of the neutral hydrogen fraction, xH i, by a factor of ≈3. By applying the same statistical method to a sample of observed QSOs, our study favours a mostly ionized (xH i &lt; 0.06) universe at z= 6.1.
TEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF MUSCLES
Authors: SEGARS RONALD A. , NORDSTROM HAROLD A. , KAPSALIS JOHN G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUniaxial compression tests were performed on raw and cooked meat samples prepared from five muscles excised from a single beef hindquarter. The greatest variation of mechanical properties was across the muscle (lateral to medial) rather than along the muscle (origin to insertion). Active muscles showed greater variation and were generally tougher than inactive muscles. By carefully following regions of similar characteristics from raw to cooked slices, linear regression curves for raw vs cooked beef were obtained having correlation coefficients averaging 0.87.
OBSERVATIONS ON TEXTURE MEASUREMENT OF RAW CUCUMBERS WITH THE FRUIT PRESSURE TESTER*
Authors: BREENE WILLIAM M. , JEON I. J. , BERNARD STUART N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRaw fruit of a ‘firm’ (Explorer) and a ‘soft’ (Green F) cucumber cultivar were puncture tested with the Magness‐Taylor fruit pressure tester (FPT) manually, and also with the FPT or only FPT tip mounted in the Instron. Puncture‐values for flesh only were 70–75 % of those for intact fruit. Neither the cucumber size (1–2.5 in. diam) nor the test speed (5–50 cm min‐1) appreciably affected the puncture test values.
Review article: issues in acid‐related disorders in children in Asian countries
Authors: CHAN F. K. L. , GOLD B. D. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryMajor points of controversy identified by the workshop included:(i) symptom assessment of acid‐related disorders in children, where vomiting was identified as a potential confounding feature, abdominal pain as a common feature of paediatric gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease;(ii) extra‐oesophageal manifestations of paediatric gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease;(iii) abdominal pain perceived as a common feature of Helicobacter pylori‐related disorders;(iv) role of testing for H. pylori in children;(v) test‐and‐treat strategies for H. pylori infection in children before long‐term proton pump inhibitor therapy;(vi) an underutilization of triple therapy and proton pump inhibitors in children in areas with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection;(vii) the role of empiric proton pump inhibitor therapy in children.
Review article: exploring strategies to improve treatment outcomes and compliance in specific patient groups with acid–related disorders
Authors: GOLD B. D. , KINOSHITA Y. , CHANG W.‐H. , VIVATVAKIN B. , OVARLARNPORN B. , CHAN F. K. L. 
Published: February 2007

SummarySpecific patient groups consisting of those with nasogastric or gastrostom feeding tubes such as those with stroke neurological impairment or other etiologies, patients with difficulty swallowing (i.e. oral pharyngeal dysfunction), unconscious patients and children who dislike or refuse taking or cannot swallow tablets require special attention with regard to the pharmacological treatment of acid‐related disorders.In particular, these groups of patients require special formulations in order to achieve optimal compliance with acid suppression therapy. Formulations such as the syrup histamine (H2)‐receptor antagonist in a syrup formulation, or for proton pump inhibitors, either the multiple unit pellet capsules, fast dissolving tablets or intravenous formulations, can be used to overcome swallowing problems or bitter taste.
Fast screening of municipal wastewater components by reversed‐phase chromatography coupled to ultraviolet‐diode array detection
Authors: Vlessidis Athanasios G. , Kotti Melina E. , Giokas Dimosthenis L. , Evmiridis Nicholaos P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe screening of ingredients in municipal wastewater samples was studied, by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) implemented with a ultraviolet (UV)‐diode array detector, in an effort to establish a quick screening method for finding the main UV‐absorbing components of the wastewater that enters the biological treatment plant. For the purposes of direct comparison of the chromatograms obtained, a single sample taken from the inlet of municipal biological treatment plant was used for all experimental tests and the optimal elution conditions were established by detailed investigation through isocratic and gradient elution techniques. The optimal column resolution was reached by testing a broad range of capacity and selectivity factor values. The criterion used for validating the complete separation of solutes was based on the spectral purity of eluted chromatogram peaks and on the stability of retention time of a peak in real‐time chromatograms taken at different wavelengths during the elution process. From this research work, it was found that the overall chromatogram peak pattern was sensitive to the mobile phase composition and solvent system but under fixed elution conditions, the pattern of the major peaks was stable and depended on the composition of the wastewater sample. By testing different types of elution modes, it was found that the best column resolution was obtained under programmed isocratic‐gradient elution using a binary mobile phase. Finally, a relatively high column resolution method is reported for fragmentation of municipal wastewater samples.
Simples and Gunk
Authors: Hudson Hud 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAre there any non‐composite objects? Are there any objects every part of which is composite? Are items of either kind even possible? What would they be like? Of what significance would they be? How best can we come to have reasonable beliefs about the answers to these inquiries? Such questions – about the actuality and possibility, the analysis and significance, the methodology and epistemology of simples and pieces of gunk – have been center stage in recent contemporary analytic metaphysics. The following article provides a general overview of some of the current debates on their proper answers as well as a pair of slightly more detailed investigations into two issues of special interest in the recent literature devoted to these topics.