bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASSESSING INNOVATIONS LACKING DEVELOPED SUPPLY MARKETS: A SIMPLE EX ANTE MODEL APPLIED TO ROCK PHOSPHATE USE IN RICE IN WEST AFRICA
Authors: ERENSTEIN OLAF 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYNew technologies often lack a developed supply market, which makes it problematic to estimate future profitability. This paper develops a simple methodology to circumvent this problem based on the concepts of break-even and expected marginal rate of return. The methodology estimates ex ante a range of target threshold prices: the range of maximum prices that farmers are likely to be willing to pay. Only if the future market is able to supply the new technology within or below the threshold price range is significant adoption likely. The target threshold prices can be used to reorient technology development and delimit recommendation domains. The paper applies the methodology to the case of rock phosphate in upland rice in western Cote d'Ivoire. The paper shows that for rock phosphate to be viable for upland rice farmers its on-farm price should generally not surpass Euro cents 5.7–8.1 per kg of rock phosphate.
Vagrant benthos (Annelida; Polychaeta) associated with Upper Ordovician carbonate mud-mounds of subsurface Gotland, Sweden
Authors: ERIKSSON MATS E. , HINTS OLLE 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMicropalaeontological investigations of Upper Ordovician carbonate mud-mounds and enclosing strata of subsurface Gotland, Sweden, demonstrate that jaw-bearing polychaetes formed the most diverse faunal element associated with these build-ups. Although not present within the mound cores (intra-mound facies), scolecodonts, or polychaete jaws, occur abundantly immediately below and particularly above the mounds; the supra-mound facies also has the most diverse fossil assemblages. By contrast to the scolecodont distribution, the most diverse conodont faunas were recorded in the intra-mound facies. This reinforces the fact that scolecodont and conodont abundance and diversity numbers are commonly inverse to one another, suggesting that these metazoans occupied different niches and responded differently to taphonomical processes. The polychaete assemblage has no less than 27 species belonging to 12 genera, of whichOenonites,MochtyellaandPistoprionare the most abundant. The assemblage has a characteristic Baltic signature and is similar in taxonomic composition to coeval ones from other areas of the Baltoscandian palaeobasin, such as that of present-day Estonia. A principal component analysis clusters the Gotland assemblage most closely to those recorded from shallow to transitional shelf environments of Estonia, indicating that the mud-mounds were formed in such environments.
Narrative performance and parental scaffolding of shy and nonshy children
Authors: REYNOLDS KAILEY PEARL , EVANS MARY ANN 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis study examined differences in performance between 20 shy and 20 matched nonshy children on a narrative task and in the way parents scaffolded their narrative performance when reading the wordless bookFrog, Where Are You, by Mercer Mayer. Consistent with previous research, results demonstrated that shy children spoke less than their nonshy peers and volunteered less story content. Parents, however, did not differ in how they scaffolded their children's speech turns, nor in the amount of semantic information they provided. Thus, these communicative differences were not accounted for by differential adult scaffolding. Implications for encouraging more verbal behavior from shy children and for the design of wordless storybooks are discussed.
VALIDITY OF SUBSAMPLING AND “PLUG-IN ASYMPTOTIC” INFERENCE FOR PARAMETERS DEFINED BY MOMENT INEQUALITIES
Authors: Andrews Donald W.K. , Guggenberger Patrik 
Published: February 2009

This paper considers inference for parameters defined by moment inequalities and equalities. The parameters need not be identified. For a specified class of test statistics, this paper establishes the uniform asymptotic validity of subsampling,mout ofnbootstrap, and “plug-in asymptotic” tests and confidence intervals for such parameters. Establishing uniform asymptotic validity is crucial in moment inequality problems because the pointwise asymptotic distributions of the test statistics of interest have discontinuities as functions of the true distribution that generates the observations.The size results are quite general because they hold without specifying the particular form of the moment conditions—only 2 +δmoments finite are required. The results allow for independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) and dependent observations and for preliminary consistent estimation of identified parameters.
Population size, breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni
Authors: KAMP JOHANNES , KOSHKIN MAXIM A. , SHELDON ROBERT D. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe population of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni has declined significantly during the course of the 20th century, resulting in a classification as ‘Near Threatened’ and ‘Endangered’ in the Global and European Red Data Books, respectively. Reasons for the decline are largely unknown due to a lack of information on the breeding ecology of the species. We studied breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole in two areas in Kazakhstan and evaluated a new world population estimate. Colony size ranged from two to 180 pairs and differed significantly between the study areas. Mean breeding success was 1.30 ± 0.16 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in Central Kazakhstan, and 0.59 ± 0.13 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in NE Kazakhstan. Habitat types preferred were intensively grazed natural steppe, abandoned and fallow fields, shores of freshwater and brackish lakes and solonchaks (salt pans). Factors influencing habitat selection were quantified the first time for this species: the probability of occurrence of breeding colonies was highest near human settlements, within 3km of open water and where sward heights were low or intermediate, indicating a reliance on heavy grazing and water.Using data from six surveys across the whole breeding range, we calculated a new world population estimate of 76,000–95,000 breeding pairs, which is substantially higher than previous estimates. We discuss colony size, habitat use and population trends in the light of changing landscape conditions in the steppe zone and suggest an increase in habitat available to Black-winged Pratincole due to an increase in the area of fallow fields and a change in grazing regimes since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The status of the Fuerteventura StonechatSaxicola dacotiae: a new evaluation using distance sampling and GIS
Authors: GARCIA-DEL-REY EDUARDO 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe status of the ‘Endangered’ Fuerteventura StonechatSaxicola dacotiae,a western Palearctic single island endemic, was assessed 22 years after the first population estimate of 1,300–1,700 individuals was made by Bibby and Hill (1987). Using GIS and Distance Sampling methodologies, the population on Fuerteventura in 2008 was estimated at 1,035 birds (832–1,287) with the species more abundant on hillsides than in gullies. Within the island's three main massifs (i.e. north, west and south) the highest encounter rate was recorded in the northern massif. This study supports the category of ‘Endangered’ for this species, which does face the obvious threat from development, particularly in the south of the island. The species is also on the endangered list nationally (Spain) and in Europe but has not as yet been evaluated by the Canarian Government. I suggest, based on results of this study, that serious effort should be put in to improving knowledge of the distribution range of this endemic (either by modelling or by systematic visits to sites). An official monitoring programme should be developed and implemented with special attention paid to the three main mountain ranges of this island and particularly to the southern massif which is suffering the highest rate of habitat loss.
Transcatheter closure of a patent arterial duct with the Amplatzer duct occluder in the area of a large thoracic aortic aneurysm
Authors: Ghazi Payam , Haji-Zeinali Ali-Mohammad 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe describe successful closure of a persistently patent arterial duct, using an Amplatzer occluder, in the presence of a large thoracic aortic aneurysm in the area of the ductal ampulla. Although percutaneous closure is more difficult in this setting, because of the risk of traumatising the fragile tissues, it can safely be performed. In our case, it produced a decrease in the size of the aneurysm, and permitted us to delay endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta.
Fracture and dislocation of a pulmonary stent after cardiac massage
Authors: Moszura Tomasz , Michalak Krzysztof W. , Sysa Andrzej 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFollowing a Glenn procedure, a stent was implanted into the pulmonary artery to relieve stenosis. After the procedure, the patient developed bradycardia and became asystolic. Resuscitation was successful following cardiac massage, but subsequent catheterization revealed the stent to be broken in two, with shift of the distal fragment. The two parts were stabilized and connected by implantation of an additional CP stent.
Suspicion, diagnosis, and successful surgical treatment of anomalous origin of the anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk
Authors: Semizel Evren , Bostan Ozlem M. , Cil Ergün 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAnomalous origin of the anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk is very rare. We suspected such anomalous origin in a boy aged 2.5 years owing to the echocardiographic demonstration of mitral regurgitation and abnormal diastolic flow in the ventricular septum. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography. The anomalous artery was successfully reimplanted into the aorta.
Effekte des adaptiven Testens auf die Motivation zur Testbearbeitung am Beispiel des Frankfurter Adaptiven Konzentrationsleistungs-Tests
Authors: Frey Andreas , Hartig Johannes , Moosbrugger Helfried 
Published: February 2009

Zusammenfassung. Seit den 1970er Jahren wird weithin angenommen, dass adaptives Testen im Vergleich zu nicht-adaptivem Testen eine motivationssteigernde Wirkung hat. In den letzten Jahren wurde jedoch wiederholt auch die gegensätzliche Sichtweise vertreten, dass sich adaptives Testen motivationsmindernd auswirken kann. Zur Klärung dieser Kontroverse wurde der Effekt adaptiven Testens mit dem Frankfurter Adaptiven Konzentrationsleistungs-Test (FAKT; Moosbrugger & Heyden, 1997 ) auf die Motivation zur Testbearbeitung experimentell untersucht (N = 79). Zwei unabhängige Stichproben bearbeiteten entweder eine adaptive oder eine nicht-adaptive Testform des FAKT. Die Motivation zur Testbearbeitung fiel in der adaptiven Versuchsbedingung signifikant niedriger aus als in der nicht-adaptiven Versuchsbedingung, p = .045, η2 = .051. Das Ergebnis widerspricht dem seit drei Dekaden weitgehend als Faktum angenommenen motivationssteigernden Effekt adaptiven Testens. Weitere Analysen zeigen, dass der motivationsmindernde Effekt adaptiven Testens vor allem auf die subjektive Einschätzung der Erfolgswahrscheinlichkeit zurückzuführen ist und nicht auf andere motivationale Komponenten wie die subjektive Misserfolgsbefürchtung oder die empfundene Herausforderung.
Siderophore production and biofilm formation as linked social traits
Authors: Harrison Freya , Buckling Angus 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The virulence of pathogenic microbes can depend on individual cells cooperating in the concerted production of molecules that facilitate host colonization or exploitation. However, cooperating groups can be exploited by social defectors or ‘cheats’. Understanding the ecology and evolution of cooperation is therefore relevant to clinical microbiology. We studied two genetically linked cooperative traits involved in host exploitation by the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clones that defected from cooperative production of iron-scavenging siderophores were deficient in biofilm formation. The presence of such clones in mixed biofilms with a wild-type clone led to reduced biofilm mass. The fitness advantage of siderophore-deficient mutants in the presence of wild-type bacteria was no greater in biofilm than in planktonic culture, suggesting that these mutants did not gain an additional advantage by exploiting wild-type biofilm polymer. Reduced biofilm formation therefore represents a pleiotropic cost of defection from siderophore production.
Functional ENaC Channels Expressed in Endothelial Cells: a New Candidate for Mediating Shear Force
Authors: WANG SU , MENG FEI , MOHAN SINDU , CHAMPANERI BIPIN , GU YUCHUN 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTEndothelial cells (ECs) are regulated not only by circulating hormones, but also by mechanical stresses, such as shear force. Ion channels in ECs can signal rapid changes of shear forces and are involved in controling EC permeability, proliferation, and angiogenesis. In this study, we employed patch clamping and molecular biology approaches to clarify whether the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is functionally expressed in ECs. The α‐subunit of the ENaC was expressed in cultured human ECs and in intact ECs from a variety of rat arteries. In either inside‐ or outside‐out current recordings, inward currents with a conductance of 4.83 pS were detected in cultured human ECs, where these were sensitive to micromolar amiloride. The right shift of the I‐V curve in the condition of low cytoplasmic Na+implicated that these currents were carried by Na+. The currents were mediated by ENaC channels, as confirmed by ENaC knockdown experiments. However, the activity of ENaC was nearly absent in intact ECs, because its activity was greatly inhibited by cellular molecules, partly due to 11,12‐epoxyeicosatrienoic acid. In the outside‐out configuration, laminar flow directly enhanced ENaC opening probability, suggesting a potential role for ENaC in mediating shear force signaling events.
Modulation of Vascular O2Responses by Cytochrome 450‐4A ω‐Hydroxylase Metabolites In Dahl Salt‐Sensitive Rats
Authors: WANG JINGLI , SCHMIDT JAMES R. , ROMAN RICHARD J. , ANJAIAH SIDDAM , FALCK JOHN R. , LOMBARD JULIAN H. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:This study evaluated the role of the 20‐HETE/cytochrome P450‐4A ω‐hydroxylase (CYP450‐4A) system in microvascular regulation in the skeletal muscle circulation following short‐term (three‐day) exposure to a high‐salt (HS) diet in Dahl salt‐sensitive (SS) rats.Methods:The effects of inhibiting CYP450‐4A on resting diameter, O2‐induced constriction, and vasodilator responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and the nitric oxide (NO) donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), were evaluated in cremasteric arterioles of SS rats fed a low‐ (LS; 0.4% NaCl) or high‐salt (HS; 4% NaCl) diet for three days.Results:The HS diet upregulated CYP450‐4A mRNA expression and led to an enhanced constriction of arterioles in response to elevated PO2in SS rats, which could be blocked by inhibiting CYP450‐4A enzymes with dibromododecenyl methylsulfimide (DDMS). DDMS also inhibited resting tone significantly in SS rats fed the HS, but not the LS, diet, despite similar resting diameters and active tone in the two groups. Arteriolar dilations in response to ACh and SNP were similar in SS rats fed the LS vs. the HS diet and were unaffected by DDMS.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CYP450‐4A enzymes contribute to resting tone and to an enhanced response to elevated PO2in arterioles of Dahl‐SS rats fed the HS diet.
Enhanced myogenic constriction of mesenteric artery in heart failure relates to decreased smooth muscle cell caveolae numbers and altered AT1‐ and epidermal growth factor‐receptor function
Authors: Xu Ying , Henning Rob H. , Sandovici Maria , van der Want Johannes J. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Buikema Hendrik 
Published: February 2009

AimsWe previously showed that enhanced myogenic constriction (MC) of peripheral resistance arteries involves active AT1 receptors in chronic heart failure (CHF). Recent data suggest both transactivation of EGF receptors and caveolae‐like microdomains to be implicated in the activity of AT1 receptors. Thus, we assessed their roles in increased MC in mesenteric arteries of CHF rats.Methods and resultsMale Wistar rats underwent myocardial infarction to induce CHF and were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The number of caveolae in smooth muscle cells (SMC) of mesenteric arteries of CHF rats was decreased by 43.6 ± 4.0%, this was accompanied by increased MC, which was fully normalized to the level of sham by antagonists of the AT1‐receptor (losartan) or EGF‐receptor (AG1478). Acute disruption of caveolae in sham rats affected caveolae numbers and MC to a similar extent as CHF, however MC was only reversed by the antagonist of the EGF‐receptor, but not by the AT1‐receptor antagonist. Further, in sham rats, MC was increased by a sub‐threshold concentration of angiotensin II and reversed by both AT1‐ as well as EGF‐receptor inhibition. In contrast, increased MC by a sub‐threshold concentration of EGF was only reversed by EGF receptor inhibition.ConclusionThese findings provide the first evidence that decreased SMC caveolae numbers are involved in enhanced MC in small mesenteric arteries, by affecting AT1‐ and EGF‐receptor function. This suggests a novel mechanism involved in increased peripheral resistance in CHF.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy and atrial overdrive pacing for the treatment of central sleep apnoea
Authors: Lüthje Lars , Renner Bernd , Kessels Roger , Vollmann Dirk , Raupach Tobias , Gerritse Bart , Tasci Selcuk , Schwab Jörg O. , Zabel Markus , Zenker Dieter , Schott Peter , Hasenfuss Gerd , Unterberg‐Buchwald Christina , Andreas Stefan 
Published: February 2009

AimsThe combined therapeutic impact of atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on central sleep apnoea (CSA) in chronic heart failure (CHF) so far has not been investigated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CRT alone and CRT + AOP on CSA in CHF patients and to compare the influence of CRT on CHF between CSA positive and CSA negative patients.Methods and resultsThirty patients with CRT indication underwent full night polysomnography, echocardiography, exercise testing, and neurohumoral evaluation before and 3 months after CRT implantation. In CSA positive patients (60%), two additional sleep studies were conducted after 3 months of CRT, with CRT alone or CRT + AOP, in random order. Cardiac resynchronization therapy resulted in significant improvements of NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction, N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, VO2max, and quality of life irrespective of the presence of CSA. Cardiac resynchronization therapy also reduced the central apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) (33.6 ± 14.3 vs. 23.8 ± 16.9 h−1; P < 0.01) and central apnoea index (17.3 ± 14.1 vs. 10.9 ± 13.9 h−1; P < 0.01) without altering sleep stages. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with atrial overdrive pacing resulted in a small but significant additional decrease of the central AHI (23.8 ± 16.9 vs. 21.5 ± 16.9 h−1; P < 0.01).ConclusionIn this study, CRT significantly improved CSA without altering sleep stages. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with atrial overdrive pacing resulted in a significant but minor additional improvement of CSA. Positive effects of CRT were irrespective of the presence of CSA.
Home telemonitoring in heart failure patients: the HHH study (Home or Hospital in Heart Failure)
Authors: Mortara Andrea , Pinna Gian Domenico , Johnson Paul , Maestri Roberto , Capomolla Soccorso , La Rovere Maria Teresa , Ponikowski Piotr , Tavazzi Luigi , Sleight Peter ,   on behalf of the HHH Investigators
Published: February 2009

AimsThe Home or Hospital in Heart failure (HHH) study was a European Community‐funded, multinational, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in the UK, Poland, and Italy, to assess the feasibility of a new system of home telemonitoring (HT). The HT system was used to monitor clinical and physiological parameters, and its effectiveness (compared with usual care) in reducing cardiac events in heart failure (HF) patients was evaluated. Measurements were patient‐managed.Methods and resultsFrom 2002 to 2004, 461 HF patients (age 60 ± 11 years, New York Heart Association class 2.4 ± 0.6, left ventricular ejection fraction 29 ± 7%) were enrolled at 11 centres and randomized (1:2) to either usual outpatient care or HT administered as three randomized strategies: (i) monthly telephone contact; (ii) strategy 1 plus weekly transmission of vital signs; and (iii) strategy 2 plus monthly 24 h recording of cardiorespiratory activity. Patients completed 81% of vital signs transmissions, as well as 92% of cardiorespiratory recordings. Over a 12‐month follow‐up, there was no significant effect of HT in reducing bed‐days occupancy for HF or cardiac death plus HF hospitalization. Post hoc analysis revealed a heterogeneous effect of HT in the three countries with a trend towards a reduction of events in Italy.ConclusionHome or Hospital in Heart failure indicates that self‐managed HT of clinical and physiological parameters is feasible in HF patients, with surprisingly high compliance. Whether HT contributes to a reduction of cardiac events requires further investigation.
Trends in the Management of Pediatric Chronic Sinusitis: Survey of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Authors: Sobol Steven E. , Samadi Daniel S. , Kazahaya Ken , Tom Lawrence W. C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: The management of chronic sinusitis (CS) in children has yet to be fully elucidated. The objective of this study is to assess practice trends within the pediatric otolaryngology community for the management of children with CS.Methods: A multiple choice survey of the members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) was performed to assess for various factors related to the management of CS in children.Results: A total of 175 ASPO members responded to the survey. The majority of respondents initially treat patients medically with oral antibiotics (95%), topical steroids (90%), and nasal saline sprays (68%). Fifty‐five percent performed adenoidectomy as part of the treatment of CS, with 81% performing the operation before endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Compared with 3 years before the survey, 47% of respondents performed approximately the same number of ESS cases, whereas 35% reported doing fewer cases annually. Seventy‐two percent of practitioners do not routinely perform a second‐look surgery.Conclusions: The majority of pediatric otolaryngologists use oral antibiotics, nasal steroids, and saline lavage, and will perform adenoidectomy when managing patients with CS. More than a third of pediatric otolaryngologists are using more stringent criteria for surgery and performing less extensive surgery than 3 years before the survey. Surgical outcomes for CS do not appear to have changed over the past 3 years.