bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant traits enabling survival in Mediterranean badlands in northeastern Spain suffering from soil erosion
Authors: Guerrero‐Campo Joaquín , Palacio Sara , Montserrat‐Martí Gabriel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestion: This study analysed the effect of severe soil erosion on species composition of plant communities by favouring species showing certain growth forms, root‐sprouting and clonal growth abilities.Location: The study area was located between the middle Ebro Valley and the Pre‐Pyrenees (northeastern Spain).Methods: Root‐sprouting and shoot‐rooting abilities, clonal reproduction and growth form were assessed for the 123 most common plant species from eroded lands in the study area. We obtained 260 vegetation relevés in three different substrata (gypsum outcrops, Miocene clays and Eocene marls) on areas with different degrees of soil erosion. The frequency of every plant trait in each relevé was estimated according to species presence. The effect of soil erosion on the frequency of plant attributes was assessed by correlation analyses.Results: Bipolar, non‐clonal plants and annual species decreased their frequency with increasing soil erosion in the three substrata analyzed, whereas root‐sprouters and woody plants (mostly sub‐shrubs) increased their frequency in most of the substrata analysed.Conclusions: Woody sub‐shrubs, root‐sprouters and clonal species are favoured in eroded lands in NE Spain. Bipolar species and annual plants might not be plastic enough to survive the high stress and frequent disturbances prevailing in such eroded areas.
Spatial structure along an altitudinal gradient in the Italian central Alps suggests competition and facilitation among coniferous species
Authors: Lingua Emanuele , Cherubini Paolo , Motta Renzo , Nola Paola 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestions:What is the structure of the anthropogenic upper forest‐grassland ecotone and are there differences in the spatial relationships between the tree species involved?Location:Valfurva Valley, Italian central Alps.Methods:We conducted a spatial distribution and structure analysis in three 1‐ha permanent plots along an altitudinal gradient, from the treeline to the sub‐alpine forest. We reconstructed the age structure from cores from each individual with diameter > 4 cm at 50 cm height.Results:All tree species and age classes examined had a clumped structure. The cluster tendency was more evident at the treeline where the environmental conditions are more severe. In the sub‐alpine forest there was a repulsion between Pinus cembra and Pinus mugo but at the treeline P. cembra was frequently found downslope from P. mugo.Conclusions:Although human influence has been the main driving force in shaping the present forest structure, in the last few decades natural dynamics have become the predominant force acting on forest structure and processes, showing a higher magnitude as altitude increases. Our results emphasize the existence of facilitating and interfering mechanisms between different species. P. cembra seems to be favoured compared to the other tree species.
Regeneration models and plant regenerative types related to the intensity of fire in Atlantic shrubland and woodland species
Authors: Reyes Otilia , Casal Mercedes 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestion: Is it possible to model the germinative and resprouting behaviour of plant species in Atlantic shrublands and woodlands in relation to fire intensity? Is it possible to recognise different functional regenerative types in these plant species?Location: Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula.Methods: We explored the patterns of germination and resprouting plant responses in relation to different intensities of fire using data from 37 trees, shrubs and herbaceous species growing in Atlantic shrublands and woodlands.Results: Synthesizing their germinative and resprouting behaviour, we created two graphical models: the Functional Germinative Model (FGM) and the Functional Sprouting Model (FSM). Integrating the germinative and resprouting responses, and taking into account fire intensity, we created the Functional Regenerative Model (FRM), which predicts the post‐fire recuperation of the populations of each species. The FRM has been validated with data from four Atlantic communities. We identified four plant functional regenerative types (PFRT) for Atlantic forest vegetation and we propose three intensities of response.Conclusions: The extracted models (FGM, FSM and FRM) and the grouping of species in four PFRTs could be applicable to more Atlantic species, to disturbance ecology in general and to population, community and landscape management.
CFD modeling of mass transfer and stripping efficiency in FCCU strippers
Authors: Gao Jinsen , Chang Jian , Lan Xingying , Yang Yong , Lu Chunxi , Xu Chunming 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article presents an experimental and computational study of mass transfer characteristics and stripping efficiency of bubbling fluidized beds within FCCU strippers. The hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics are investigated experimentally. Based on the granular kinetics theory, a two‐fluid CFD model coupled with a modified Gidaspow drag model and an empirical mass transfer model has been developed and verified against the experimental results. The overall trend of the time‐averaged bed density, concentration of tracer and stripping efficiency at various superficial gas velocities were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. It was found that stripping efficiency depends strongly on the operating conditions as well as on the internal configuration of the strippers. Increasing superficial gas velocity increases stripping efficiency. Internal baffles improve break‐up and redistribution of bubbles and enhance the gas‐solids contacting remarkably, showing a benefit for the mass transfer in the V‐baffled stripper. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Repairing the human brain after stroke: I. Mechanisms of spontaneous recovery
Authors: Cramer Steven C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractStroke remains a leading cause of adult disability. Some degree of spontaneous behavioral recovery is usually seen in the weeks after stroke onset. Variability in recovery is substantial across human patients. Some principles have emerged; for example, recovery occurs slowest in those destined to have less successful outcomes. Animal studies have extended these observations, providing insight into a broad range of underlying molecular and physiological events. Brain mapping studies in human patients have provided observations at the systems level that often parallel findings in animals. In general, the best outcomes are associated with the greatest return toward the normal state of brain functional organization. Reorganization of surviving central nervous system elements supports behavioral recovery, for example, through changes in interhemispheric lateralization, activity of association cortices linked to injured zones, and organization of cortical representational maps. A number of factors influence events supporting stroke recovery, such as demographics, behavioral experience, and perhaps genetics. Such measures gain importance when viewed as covariates in therapeutic trials of restorative agents that target stroke recovery. Ann Neurol 2008;63:272–287
Reducing harm from tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy
Authors: Coleman Tim 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn addition to the health risks that maternal tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy poses to women, this is a cause of substantial fetal morbidity and mortality. In pregnancy, maternal tobacco smoke exposure can arise because women either smoke or are passively exposed to environmental tobacco smoke as a consequence of other's smoking. This article discusses the scope for clinicians to help reduce both types of tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy, with a specific focus on available and effective interventions for smoking cessation by pregnant women. Behavioral support with smoking cessation is the only intervention that has been proven to encourage smoking cessation in pregnancy and reduces smoking rates in late pregnancy by 6 to 7%. There are physiological reasons to suspect that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) will be less or (in)effective for smoking cessation in pregnancy when compared with its use by nonpregnant smokers. However, there are also strong theoretical reasons to suspect that NRT is likely to be safer than continued smoking in pregnancy. Consequently, this article reviews evidence for the safety and effectiveness of NRT when used for smoking cessation in pregnancy and recommendations concerning the use of NRT in pregnancy are presented. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 84:73–79, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Review on genetic variants and maternal smoking in the etiology of oral clefts and other birth defects
Authors: Shi Min , Wehby George L. , Murray Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects has been linked with maternal smoking during pregnancy. This article includes a review of studies investigating interactions between genetic variants and maternal smoking in contributing to birth defects using oral clefting as a model birth defect. The primary gene‐smoking studies for other major birth defects are also summarized. Gene‐environment interaction studies for birth defects are still at an early stage with several mixed results, but evolving research findings have begun to document clinically and developmentally important interactions. As samples and data become increasingly available, more effort is needed in designing innovative analytical methods to study gene‐environment interactions. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 84:16–29, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro assessment of reproductive toxicity of tobacco smoke and its constituents
Authors: Talbot Prudence 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEpidemiological studies have repeatedly shown that reproductive processes in pregnant women are adversely affected by exposure to cigarette smoke. The potential reproductive targets of smoke during pregnancy include the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, placenta, umbilical cord, and embryo/fetus. In vitro methods for studying the effects of smoke and its individual components have been developed and applied to each of these reproductive targets. In vitro assays have been useful in determining the biological processes that are affected in the reproductive organs and in identifying the cellular and molecular targets of smoke in each organ. In vitro methods have also been used to study the mechanism of action of smoke constituents, such as nicotine, on specific processes in reproductive organs and to screen smoke solutions to identify the molecules that affect reproduction. In general, data collected in vitro have confirmed, extended, and helped explain what has been learned from epidemiological studies. This review summarizes some of the in vitro assays that have been used to study cigarette smoke's effect on the nonpregnant and pregnant female reproductive tract and spotlights examples of their applications. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 84:61–72, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Einführung in die Neuausgabe von DIN 1045‐1
Authors: Fingerloos Frank , Zilch Konrad 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAls ein Ergebnis der Bearbeitung des Nationalen Anhangs zur neuen europäischen Bemessungsnorm für Stahlbeton‐ und Spannbetontragwerke Eurocode 2 und unter Berücksichtigung der Erfahrungen mit der Anwendung und Auslegung der deutschen Bemessungsnorm ist Anfang 2008 eine konsolidierte Neuausgabe von DIN 1045‐1 erschienen. In diesem Beitrag werden die Änderungen und ihre Hintergründe in der Neuausgabe von DIN 1045‐1 erläutert. Behandelt werden die neu eingeführten oder geänderten Regelungen zu– den Feuchtigkeitsklassen bei Alkali‐Kieselsäurereaktion (AKR)– zur Betondeckung– zur effektiven Kriechzahl– zu den Temperaturbereichen für die Stahleigenschaften– zur Mindestquerkrafttragfähigkeit– zu Verbundfugen– zur Querkrafterhöhung bei Durchstanznachweisen an Wandende und ‐ecke– zu den Betonstahleigenschaften bei Ermüdung– zur rissbreitenbegrenzenden Mindestbewehrung für dicke Bauteile– zur Querbewehrung bei Übergreifungsstößen und Stützen– zur Robustheitsbewehrung
Limbecker Platz Essen. Großbauvorhaben mit technischen und logistischen Besonderheiten
Authors: Fastabend Michael , Neubauer Ralf , Schücker Barbara , Krüper Birgit 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDas Bauvorhaben Limbecker Platz stellt sowohl im Umfang als auch in Komplexität einen neuen Höhepunkt im Bau von innerstädtischen Einkaufszentren dar. Das Bauvorhaben umfasst einen Umfang von mehr als 200.000 m2 BGF und entsteht auf dem alten Standort des Karstadt‐Stammhauses in Essen in zwei jeweils einzeln funktionsfähigen Bauabschnitten. Aus den zeitlich 15 Jahre auseinanderliegenden Teilbauten ergeben sich technische und logistische Besonderheiten, die neben der reinen Größe des Bauvorhabens beachtenswert sind. Für die Funktionsfähigkeit der ausgedehnten Weißen Wanne wurden gesonderte Vorkehrungen getroffen, die Undichtigkeiten vermeiden helfen. Dies betrifft gleicher Maßen die Berücksichtigung später ggf. zu erwartender Berghebungen aus dem Abschalten der Bergbausümpfung im Ruhrgebiet. Hinsichtlich der Baustellenlogistik war die Bewältigung der enormen Baumassen ein besonderes Problem, dass sowohl personelle, als auch abwicklungstechnische Auswirkungen zeigte. Die pünktliche Teileröffnung im Frühjahr 2008 beweist die anforderungsgerechte Bewältigung der gestellten Planungs‐ und Bauaufgabe.
Dietary restriction by growth in axenic medium induces discrete changes in the transcriptional output of genes involved in energy metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Castelein Natascha , Hoogewijs David , De Vreese Annemie , Braeckman Bart P. , Vanfleteren Jacques R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDietary restriction increases life span in a wide range of species, including the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. The mechanism by which it does so remains largely unknown, although it is commonly thought that a reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a pivotal role. More specifically, for C. elegans, it has been proposed that food restriction reduces energy expenditure, possibly in conjunction with an anaerobic shift in energy production, with consequent reduction in the formation of ROS. We have measured differential transcript abundance of 49 genes known to play roles in energy metabolism in axenic culture medium, which causes a nutritional deficit and leads to a substantial increase of life span. We found no evidence for a reduction in metabolic rate or a shift to anaerobic metabolism in axenic culture. Major changes induced by growth in axenic medium include down‐regulation of lipid degradation and up‐regulation of glyoxylate cycle activity glyceroneogenesis and, possibly, gluconeogenesis. The activities determined in worm extracts for pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and isocitrate lyase followed a similar trend. We conclude that growth in axenic culture is marked by a general up‐regulation of replenishing pathways.
Novel use of a modified Amplatzer Vascular Plug® to occlude a patent ductus arteriosus in two patients
Authors: Glatz Andrew C. , Petit Christopher J. , Gillespie Matthew J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe describe two cases in which a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was successfully occluded percutaneously, using the novel approach of prefilling an Amplatzer Vascular Plug® with embolization coils to decrease the risk of residual shunting through the device. One patient was a small premature neonate, and the other was a child with an aneurismal, tubular PDA with no aortic ampulla. These are situations in which more popular PDA devices such as the Amplatzer Duct Occluder® may be contraindicated. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catheter‐based treatment of the subclavian and innominate arteries
Authors: Patel Samir N. , White Christopher J. , Collins Tyrone J. , Daniel Gary A. , Jenkins J. Stephen , Reilly J.P. , Morris Rachael F. , Ramee Stephen R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives: We report outcomes in patients undergoing catheter‐based intervention for symptomatic subclavian and innominate artery (S/IA) atherosclerosis. Background: Symptomatic S/IA obstructive lesions have traditionally been treated with open surgical revascularization. Catheter‐based endovascular therapies reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery in many vascular beds. Methods: Between December 1993 and May 2006, 170 patients underwent primary stent placement in 177 S/IA arteries. Indications for revascularization included arm ischemia (57%), subclavian steal syndrome (37%), coronary‐subclavian steal syndrome (21%), and planned coronary bypass surgery with the involved internal mammary artery (8%). Results: Technical success was achieved in 98.3% (174/177) arteries, including 99.4% for stenotic lesions (155/156) and 90.5% for occlusions (19/21). There were no procedure‐related deaths and one stroke (0.6%, 1/170). Follow‐up was obtained in 151 (89%) patients at 35.2 ± 30.8 months, with a target vessel revascularization rate of 14.6% (23/157). At last follow‐up, 82% (124/151) of all treated patients remained asymptomatic with a primary patency of 83% and a secondary patency of 96%. Conclusions: Catheter‐based revascularization with stents for symptomatic S/IA lesions is safe and effective with excellent patency rates and sustained symptom resolution in the majority (>80%) of patients over 3 years of follow‐up. Percutaneous primary stent therapy is the preferred method of revascularization in patients with suitable anatomy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of five‐year outcome in African Americans versus Caucasians following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Pradhan Jyotiranjan , Schreiber Theodore L. , Niraj Ashutosh , Veeranna Vikas , Ramesh Krithi , Saigh Lisa , Afonso Luis 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground: Studies regarding short‐term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have reported no ethnic differences and data on long‐term follow‐up is conflicting and sparse. Methods: 730 consecutive patients (67% African American) undergoing PCI from January 1999 to December 2000 at a tertiary care center in Detroit, MI, were followed up. End points studied included either all cause mortality collected from Social Security Death Index or first hospital admission after the index procedure due to myocardial infarction(MI), congestive heart failure(CHF), and revascularization (PCI or coronary artery bypass graft surgery). Results: African‐Americans undergoing PCI had significant differences in baseline cardiovascular co‐morbidity and were more likely to present with acute myocardial infarction than Caucasians. On Kaplan Meier survival analysis and log rank test, each ethnic group had equivalent survival for cumulative end points upto 6‐month follow‐up, however longer follow‐up to 5 year was characterized by lower survival rate in African Americans compared to Caucasians (41% vs. 54%, log rank P 0.01). After adjustment for potential confounders, AA ethnicity (Adjusted HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.01–1.28, P 0.04) remained a predictor of adverse cardiac outcome (Death/MI/CHF) at five‐year follow‐up (Cox regression propensity adjusted hazard analysis). Conclusions: African American patients undergoing PCI had unfavorable baseline cardiovascular characteristics but comparable short‐term outcome compared to whites. However, at 5‐year follow‐up, African Americans had worse clinical outcome, higher incidence of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and significantly lower long‐term survival. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical Investigation of Clusters of Phosphorus and Arsenic: Fascination and Temptation of High Symmetries
Authors: Nava Paola , Ahlrichs Reinhart 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe present a theoretical study of the energetic and thermodynamic stability of selected phosphorus and arsenic clusters containing 18 to 168 atoms. For this purpose we employ MP2 as well as DFT functionals BP86 and B3LYP with extended basis sets. All procedures predict the family of one‐dimensional polymers X18+12n, each with 2n−1 isomers of virtually identical energy, to be more stable than other structures investigated so far. Furthermore, islands of stability result for ring‐shaped clusters X24n with Dnd symmetry for n=4 (only for arsenic), 5, 6, and 7. Phosphorus and arsenic show otherwise a very similar behavior. An investigation of basis set effects shows that a doubly polarized triple zeta valence basis (TZVPP) is both necessary and sufficient. In comparison to the reliable spin component scaled MP2 (SCS‐MP2) procedure, DFT methods underestimate and MP2 overestimates the stability of larger clusters; the discrepancy increases with the number of atoms. The addition of a long‐range dispersion correction to B3LYP energies does not rectify the shortcomings of DFT in comparison with SCS‐MP2.
Worse Prognosis with Gene Mutations of Beta‐myosin Heavy Chain than Myosin‐Binding Protein C in Chinese Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hui Rutai , Wang Shuxia , Zou Yubao , Fu Chunyan , Xu Xiqi , Wang Jizheng , Song Lei , Wang Hu , Chen Jingzhou , Wang Jianwei , Huan Tujun 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundNo data are available on survival analysis and longitudinal evolution of patients with gene mutations of beta‐myosin heavy chain (MYH7) and myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) in Chinese.HypothesisTo prospectively investigate whether different gene mutations confer distinct prognosis.MethodsWe performed a prospective study in 70 HCM patients and 46 genetically affected family members without HCM‐phenotype with direct DNA sequencing of MYH7 and MYBPC3, clinical assessments, and 5.8 ± 1.8 years follow‐up.ResultsAfter follow‐up, more surgical intervention (8/52 versus 0/18, p < 0.001), higher sudden death risk (7/52 versus 0/18, p < 0.001) and shorter life span were found in patients with MYH7 mutations than in patients with MYBPC3 mutations (45.1 ± 14.0 versus 73.5 ± 7.5 years, p = 0.03). Seven of the 27 mutation carriers of MYH7 had clinical presentations of HCM, but no carriers of MYBPC3 mutations developed to HCM during follow‐up. Maximal wall thickness was thicker in the patients carrying mutations in the global region of MYH7 than in those carrying mutations in the rod region of MYH7 (21.5 ± 6.6 versus 15 ± 6.1 mm, p < 0.05) at baseline. More sudden death (7/41 versus 0/11) and left ventricular dysfunction (NYHA Class III ∼ IV, 17/32 versus 1/10) were identified in patients with mutations in the global region of MYH7 than in patients with other mutations.ConclusionsMYH7 mutations, especially in the global region, cause malignant clinical phenotypes Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.