bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community convergence in a simple microbial food web
Authors: Price Jennifer E. , Morin Peter J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPrevious studies of communities implicate many potential mechanisms that can create alternate stable states. These include density‐dependent foraging behavior, size refuges reached by early colonists, environmental feedback following disturbance, and different initial densities of intraguild predators. Previous work shows that alternate states of varying stability can occur in food webs containing the intraguild predators Blepharisma americanum and Tetrahymena vorax. Differences in colonization history could create the alternate states, consisting of dominance by either Blepharisma or Tetrahymena, but it was unclear whether results depended on effects of initial density or only on changes in the resource base. We manipulated initial densities of both species to determine if density effects alone could create alternate stable states. Convergence of these communities over time indicated that differences in initial density did not create alternate stable states. By default, other factors influenced by colonization history, such as resource availability, may produce alternate states. Models of alternate stable‐state phenomena should incorporate differences in resource availability in addition to direct competitive and predatory interactions to provide a more complete depiction of the causes of differences in community composition in otherwise similar habitats.
“GOD HAS CALLED ME TO BE FREE”: ALEPPAN NUNS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF CATHOLICISM IN 18TH-CENTURY BILAD AL-SHAM
Authors: Khater Akram 
Published: July 2008

On 10 June 1738 Maria Qari wrote her Catholic Melkite bishop, Athnasius Dahhan, an emphatic letter rejecting the authority of the Melkite church to impose the Eastern rite Rule of Saint Basil upon her and her fellowʿabidāt(devotees). She unequivocally states, “It is important that your Excellency knows once and for all that I will only adopt the Augustinian Rule with the Ordinances of Saint Francis de Sales. I will not become a nun under any other circumstances, for God has called me to be free from all that binds my spirit, and I will not accept any oversight [from the Melkite church] . . . Four Jesuit missionaries are in agreement with me on this point.” This is but one missive in a voluminous record of equally rancorous discourses that spanned the better part of two decades (1730–48) and entangled the ten Aleppan devotees, their Jesuit confessors and supporters, the Melkite Church, and the Vatican.
Perceived vocal morbidity in a problem asthma clinic
Authors: Stanton A E , Sellars C , MacKenzie K , McConnachie A , Bucknall C E 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAims:Asthma treatment has the potential to affect patients' voices. We undertook detailed characterisation of voice morbidity in patients attending a problem asthma clinic, and we determined how patients' perceptions related to objective assessment by an experienced observer.Methods:Forty-three patients took part in the study. Subjects completed the self-administered voice symptom score (VoiSS) questionnaire and underwent digital voice recording. These voice recordings were scored using the grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenicity–strain system (GRBAS). Laryngoscopy was also performed.Results:The median VoiSS was 26 (range three to 83). VoiSS were significantly lower in the 17 patients with normal laryngeal structure and function (range four to 46; median 22), compared with the 26 patients with functional or structural laryngeal abnormality (range three to 83; median 33) (95 per cent confidence intervals for difference 0.0–21.0;p = 0.044). The overall grade score for the GRBAS scale did not differ between these two groups, and only 13 patients had a GRBAS score of one or more, recognised as indicating a voice problem. There were positive correlations between related GRBAS score and voice symptom score subscales. Although voice symptom scores were significantly more abnormal in patients with structural and functional abnormalities, this score performed only moderately well as a predictive tool (sensitivity 54 per cent; specificity 71 per cent). Nevertheless, the voice symptom score performed as well as the more labour-intensive GRBAS score (sensitivity 57 per cent; specificity 60 per cent). Patients' inhaled corticosteroid dose (median dose 1000 µg beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent) had a statistically significant relationship with their overall grade score for the GRBAS scale (r = 0.56;p < 0.001), but not with their VoiSS. Only one patient had evidence of laryngeal candidiasis, and only two had any evidence of abnormality suggesting steroid-induced myopathy.Conclusions:Vocal morbidity is common in patients with asthma, and should not be immediately attributed to steroid-related candidiasis. The VoiSS merits further, prospective validation as a screening tool for ENT and/or speech and language therapy referral in patients with asthma.
Scale-dependent patterns of variability in species assemblages of the rocky intertidal at Helgoland (German Bight, North Sea)
Authors: Reichert Katharina , Buchholz Friedrich , Bartsch Inka , Kersten Thomas , Giménez Luis 
Published: July 2008

A growing body of literature shows that benthic communities are hierarchically structured on spatial and temporal scales. In two study locations at Helgoland (North Sea), the northern and the western locations, we: (1) investigated the variation in abundance of specific algae and invertebrates at two spatial scales; and (2) evaluated the relationship between elevation and specific species at these scales. We were also interested in using this information about the spatial pattern of individual algae and invertebrates as well as the patterns of elevation to help develop a monitoring programme of the rocky intertidal. We examined the variation of individual algae and invertebrates by means of a hierarchical nested design. Data were taken from five replicates per plot, with plots located in transects (two transects per location).At the northern location, the highest variability in cover of most algae and invertebrates occurred at the scale separated by about 50 m (scale: transect). This was a direct result of differences between the high- and the low-shore. Most species at high-shore showed a relatively low frequency of occurrence in contrast to a highest frequency of occurence (~100%) and maximal values of cover at low-shore. However, neither a linear nor a non-linear relationship between elevation and the specific species occurred. At the western location, the highest variability in most macroalgae and invertebrates investigated was among replicates (10s of centimetres apart). No relationship between elevation and individual species occurred at this location. Macroalgae at both locations were more consistent over time than invertebrate species. Our results suggest that the relevant processes shaping the individual macroalgae and invertebrates at the Helgoland rocky intertidal vary between locations and the specific species.The potential causes of variation in macroalgal and invertebrate species at different spatial scales are discussed and suggestions for a future monitoring programme are given. Temporal inconsistency in the spatial patterns, and the fact that some individual algae and invertebrates comprising the benthic assemblages vary at different scales, speak in favour of a multiple-scale sampling approach for monitoring change in the intertidal communities at Helgoland.
The effects, costs and benefits of Salmonella control in the Danish table-egg sector
Authors: KORSGAARD H. , MADSEN M. , FELD N. C. , MYGIND J. , HALD T. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYA public plan for eradicating Salmonella in Danish table-egg production was implemented in 1996. During 2002, the poultry industry took over the responsibility of the programme. The proportion of infected layer flocks was reduced from 13·4% in 1998 to 0·4% in 2006. The public-health impact of the plan has been quite marked. In 1997, 55–65% of the 5015 cases of human salmonellosis were estimated to be associated with eggs. In 2006, these figures were reduced to 1658 and 5–7%, respectively. Based on an assessment of the number of human cases attributable to table eggs, we used probabilistic modelling to estimate the avoided societal costs (health care and lost labour), and compared these with the public costs of control. The probable avoided societal costs during 1998–2002 were estimated to be 23·3 million euros (95% CI 16·3–34·9), and the results showed a continuous decreasing cost–benefit ratio reaching well below 1 in 2002. Further reductions in the primary production based on effective surveillance and control are required to ensure continued success.
Sandy bottom communities at the end of a cold (1971-1975) and warm (1997-1998) regime in the California Current: impacts of high and low plankton production
Authors: Oliver John , Kim Stacy , Slattery Peter , Oakden James , Hammerstrom Kamille , Barnes Ethan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThere were highly significant changes in the structure of benthic infaunal communities at the end of the last cold regime (1976) compared to the end of the last warm regime (1999) in the California Current. The warm regime is characterized by much lower plankton production, which we argue is the primary cause of the degraded infaunal community at the end of the warm regime. In 1997-98, we resampled a depth gradient along a subtidal, high-energy sandy beach (6-24m) in Monterey Bay that was sampled for five years at the end of the last cold regime (1971-75). There was a dramatic decline in the total number species, number of individuals, and biomass by the end of the warm period. There was no overlap in benthic assemblages at all water depths between the decades in either non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination or cluster analysis. In the 1970s, the community dominants in the shallow crustacean zone, centered in 9 m, were pericarid crustaceans, including predacious phoxocephilid amphipods, haustoriid amphipods, and ostracods, which all live in the sediment. The amphipods, in particular, are well adapted to burrowing in sand. The numerical dominants in the deeper polychaete zone (18-24m) were large, sedentary polychaete worms. The largest was a tube-dwelling predator (Nothria) accounting for most of the biomass. The other was a suspension and surface deposit feeding polychaete worm, Magelona. By the 1990s, the most abundant crustacean was a small, swimming amphipod; and the most abundant polychaetes were small, relatively mobile, and deposit feeding. This trend from large size, sedentary, and suspension feeding to smaller size, higher mobility, and deposit feeding also characterizes infaunal shifts from the food-rich continental shelf into the food-poor deep sea. The dominant polychaetes had more opportunistic life histories, and shallow faunal zones extended into deeper water in the 1990s. If global warming continues, the ongoing cold regime may be less productive and the sandy bottom communities should not develop the species composition and high diversity, abundance, and biomass observed in the 1970s.
The emerging role of MS in structure elucidation of protein–nucleic acid complexes
Authors: Gordiyenko Yuliya , Robinson Carol V. 
Published: July 2008

Developments in MS enable us to apply this technique to non-covalent complexes, defining their stoichiometry, subunit interactions and architectural organization. We illustrate the application of this non-covalent MS approach to uncovering the overall topological arrangements of subunits and interactions within RNA–protein complexes studied in our laboratory over the last 5 years. These studies exemplify the emerging role and potential of MS as a complementary structural biology methodology and demonstrate its unique niche in investigations of dynamic or heterogeneous protein–nucleic acid complexes, which are not accessible to classical high-resolution structural biology techniques.
Language and Literacy Connections for Children Who are African American
Authors: Connor Carol McDonald 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFocusing on the links between language and literacy, this paper discusses possible reasons for the persistent reading skill gap between African American and White children. Three theories that describe the mechanisms through which the use of African American English (AAE) might affect literacy learning include (a) teacher bias against AAE, (b) the mismatch between the phonological and morphosyntactic structure of AAE and Standard or Mainstream American English (SAE), and (c) the linguistic flexibility theory, which suggests that it is not the mismatch per se that interferes with literacy learning, but rather students' limited linguistic flexibility. Thus, children who have strong linguistic flexibility are able to switch between the phonological and morphosyntactic structures of AAE and text SAE facilely, but children with weaker linguistic flexibility do not. Plus, a disproportionate number of African American children live in poverty. Thus, they tend to have weaker language and vocabulary skills (and, hence, less linguistic flexibility) when compared to their more affluent peers. By promoting teachers' understanding and sensitivity to students' AAE use and encouraging the use of more effective instructional strategies that are responsive to students' skills and areas of weakness, SLPs can work with teachers to help them understand ways to support African American children's language and literacy learning.
How Did the Doctor Decide? What SLPs Should Know About the Medical Diagnosis of Dementia
Authors: Smith Pamela A. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Even though the speech-language pathologist (SLP) does not assign a medical diagnosis, communication disorders professionals are responsible for the provision of screening and assessment of cognitive/linguistic skills in health-care environments. When a new patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another dementing condition, or when an existing patient seems to be exhibiting cognitive decline, the SLP should be aware of the procedures that the medical profession suggests for the assignment of this medical diagnosis. Furthermore, an awareness of the co-morbid conditions that can exacerbate cognitive impairments can guide the SLP in making appropriate referrals so that patients' cognitive abilities remain at their highest potential. The purpose of this article is to review the medical literature about the recommended practices for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and other dementing conditions, to contrast the cognitive impairments that occur with some more common diseases and conditions, and to invite thoughtful reflection on the part of the SLP working with residents who have an Alzheimer's disease or other dementing diagnosis on a face sheet, a care plan, or a list of ICD-9 codes.
Vision and Perception Deficits Associated With Dementia
Authors: Robinson Monica 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Sensory declines represent a broad category of normal age-related changes that can lead to diminished quality of life for the elderly individual, loss of independence, and increased costs for society as a whole (National Institute of Health, [NIH, 1999). As an individual ages, some of the most prevalent sensory losses are those related to vision and perception. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI, 2004), 3.3 million adult Americans have low vision or blindness and this figure is estimated to increase to 5.5 million by 2020. Vision deficits increase with age; sixty-nine percent of the population who are legally blind are those individuals 80 years old and older. Furthermore, as the population ages, so does the prevalence of multiple age-related diagnoses or conditions that effect vision and/or perception, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, hemianopsia secondary to a stroke, and dementia.
The Inhibitory Effects of Carvedilol Against Arrhythmias Induced by Coronary Reperfusion in Anesthetized Rats
Authors: Takusagawa Masahiro , Komori Sadayoshi , Matsumura Kuniyoshi , Osada Mitsuru , Kohno Isao , Umetani Ken , Ishihara Tsukasa , Sawanobori Takao , Ijiri Hiroshi , Tamura Kohji 
Published: July 2008

Background: Previous study has shown the antiarrhythmic effects of carvedilol on isolated rat hearts, but little is known about the mechanism of this protective action. This article examines the inhibitory effect of carvedilol against arrhythmias induced by reperfusion in anesthetized rats. In addition, the results are compared with those with propranolol, super oxide dismutase (SOD) plus catalase, and a combination of both in order to elucidate the mechanism of the protective actions. Methods and Materials: Ninety percent of the rats in the control group showed lethal ventricular fibrillation (VF). Carvedilol at the doses of 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg significantly reduced the incidence of lethal VF to 0%, 0%, and 10%, respectively ( P < .05). In contrast, propranolol at the doses of 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg and SOD (35,000 units/kg) plus catalase (400,000 units/kg) did not reduce the incidence of lethal VF (80%, 60%, 70%, and 70%, respectively). However, administration of a combination of propranolol (1.0 mg/kg) and SOD plus catalase completely inhibited the occurrence of lethal VF to 0% ( P < .05). Conclusion: These results indicate that carvedilol has the inhibitory effect against reperfusion arrhythmias in rats and suggest that the mechanism of action of this compound is related to the combined effects of beta-blocking and antioxidant.
Captopril and L-Arginine Have a Synergistic Cardioprotective Effect in Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury in the Isolated Rat Heart
Authors: Greenberg Shai , Chemin Gil , Shapira Itzhak , George Jacob , Wollman Yoram , Laniado Shlomo , Keren Gad 
Published: July 2008

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the possible effect of the combined administration of both captopril (Cap) and L-arginine (L-a) in the isolated ischemic rat heart model.Background: Recent studies suggest that L-arginine and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors possess independent cardioprotective effects in ischemic hearts. The pharmacological effect of the combination of both drugs has not yet been investigated in the ischemic myocardium.Methods: Using the modified Langendorf model, rats were perfused with either Cap 360 μmol/L (n = 6) or (L-a) 3mmol/L (n = 6), both captopril and L-arginine (Cap+L-a) (n = 8), or saline control (Con) (n = 8). The study design included 30 minutes of perfusion, 30 minutes of global ischemia, and 30 minutes of reperfusion thereafter.Results: Hearts treated with both Cap+L-a demonstrated an improved performance in all parameters. After 10 minutes of reperfusion, the Pmaxin the Cap+L-a group was 98 ± 8 mmHg ( P < .001), 59 ± 14 mmHg in the Cap group ( P < .02). and 44.3 ± 10 mmHg in the L-a group ( P = NS), compared with only 42 ± 8 mmHg in the control. After 10 minutes of reperfusion the dP/dtminwas: in the Cap+L-a group: -1,650 ± 223 mmHg/s ( P < .006); in the Cap group: -1,051 ± 302 mmHb/s ( P < .03); in the L-a group: -870 ± 131 mmHg/s ( P = NS), compared with only -487 ± 131 mmHb/s in the control. Coronary flow was significantly increased in all 3 groups: Cap+L-a group: 22.3 ± 1.5 mL/min ( P < .001); Cap group: 18 ± 1.6 mL/min ( P <.01); L-a group : 19.8 ± 0.9 mL/min ( P < .02), compared with 12.6 ± 0.9 mL/min in the Con group. Total NO level was significantly increased in the Cap+L-a group: 13.4 ± 2 μmol ( P < .03) vs. 6.1 ± 1 μmol for the L-a group. NO levels of both the Cap group and the Con group were beneath detectable values.Conclusion: Combined administration of captopril and L-arginine has a synergistic, protective effect on heart function and coronary flow that may be mediated by enhanced NO production.
Cardioprotection Induced by AT1R Blockade After Reperfused Myocardial Infarction: Association With Regional Increase in AT2R, IP3R and PKCε Proteins and cGMP
Authors: Jugdutt Bodh I. , Yi Xu  , Balghith Mohammad , Moudgil Rohit , Menon Vijayan 
Published: July 2008

Background: We hypothesized that the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT,R) blockade during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion (IR) might be associated with an increase in AngII type 2 receptor (AT2R) protein, as well as 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate type 2 receptor (IP3R) and protein kinase Cε, (PKCε) proteins and cyclic guanosine 3',5' monophosphate (cGMP).Methods and Results: We studied the effects of the AT1R blocker, candesartan, on in vivo left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and remodeling (echocardiogram/Doppler) and hemodynamics during canine reperfused anterior infarction (90-minute ischemia, 120-minute reperfusion), and ex vivo infarct size and AT1R/AT2R, IP3R, and PKCεproteins (immunoblots), and cGMP (enzyme immunoassay). Compared with controls, candesartan (1 mg/kg intravenously over 30-minute preischemia) inhibited the AngII pressor response, decreased preload and afterload, improved LV systolic and diastolic function, limited LV remodeling, decreased infarct size (55% vs 27% risk; P < .000003), markedly increased AT2R, IP3R, and PKCεproteins in the infarct zone, but not the AT,R protein, and increased infarct more than noninfarct cGMP.Conclusions: The overall results suggest that cardioprotective effects of AT1R blockade on acute IR injury might involve AT2R activation and downstream signaling via IP3R, PKCε, and cGMP.
Reprocessing and Reuse of Single-Use Medical Devices Used During Hemodynamic Procedures in Brazil: A Widespread and Largely Overlooked Problem
Authors: Amarante Jorge M. Buchdid , Toscano Cristiana M. , Pearson Michele L. , Roth Virginia , Jarvis William R. , Levin Anna S. 
Published: July 2008

Background.Several medical devices used during hemodynamic procedures, particularly angiographic diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheters, are manufactured for single use only. However, reprocessing and reuse of these devices has been reported, to determine the frequency of reuse and reprocessing of single-use medical devices used during hemodynamic procedures in Brazil and to evaluate how reprocessing is performed.Design.National survey, conducted from December 1999 to July 2001.Methods.Most of the institutions affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Hemodynamic and Interventional Cardiology were surveyed by use of a questionnaire sent in the mail.Results.The questionnaire response rate was 50% (119 of 240 institutions). Of the 119 institutions that responded, 116 (97%) reported reuse of single-use devices used during hemodynamic procedures, and only 26 (22%) reported use of a standardized reprocessing protocol. Cleaning, flushing, rinsing, drying, sterilizing and packaging methods varied greatly and were mostly inadequate. Criteria for discarding reused devices varied widely. Of the 119 institutions that responded, 80 (67%) reported having a surveillance system for adverse events associated with the reuse of medical devices, although most of these institutions did not routinely review the data, and only 38 (32%) described a training program for the personnel who reprocessed single-use devices.Conclusions.The reuse of single-use devices used during hemodynamic procedures was very frequent in hospitals in Brazil. Basic guidance on how to reuse and reprocess single-use medical devices is urgently needed, because, despite the lack of studies to support reusing and reprocessing single-use medical devices, such devices are necessary in limited-resource areas in which these practices are current.