bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender differences of patients at-risk for psychosis regarding symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity and functioning – Results from the EU-GEI study
Authors: Menghini-Müller Stephanie , Studerus Erich , Ittig Sarah , Heitz Ulrike , Egloff Laura , Andreou Christina , Valmaggia Lucia R. , Kempton Matthew J. , van der Gaag Mark , de Haan Lieuwe , Nelson Barnaby , Barrantes-Vidal Neus , Nordentoft Merete , Ruhrmann Stephan , Sachs Gabriele , Rutten Bart P. , Os Jim van , Riecher-Rössler Anita ,   EU-GEI High Risk Study Group
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground:Gender differences in symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia and first episode psychosis patients have often been reported. However, little is known about gender differences in those at risk of psychotic disorders. This study investigated gender differences in symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity (i.e. substance use, affective and anxiety disorders) and global functioning in patients with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis.Methods:The sample consisted of 336 ARMS patients (159 women) from the prodromal work package of the EUropean network of national schizophrenia networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI; 11 centers). Clinical symptoms, drug use, comorbidity and functioning were assessed at first presentation to an early detection center using structured interviews.Results:In unadjusted analyses, men were found to have significantly higher rates of negative symptoms and current cannabis use while women showed higher rates of general psychopathology and more often displayed comorbid affective and anxiety disorders. No gender differences were found for global functioning. The results generally did not change when corrected for possible cofounders (e.g. cannabis use). However, most differences did not withstand correction for multiple testing.Conclusions:Findings indicate that gender differences in symptomatology and comorbidity in ARMS are similar to those seen in overt psychosis and in healthy controls. However, observed differences are small and would only be reliably detected in studies with high statistical power. Moreover, such small effects would likely not be clinically meaningful.
Promoting adoption of management practices from the outside: Insights from a randomized field experiment
Authors: Nguyen Quang , Kim Trang Huong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe conducted a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to explore the role of government information intervention on a firm's management practices and performance. Specifically, we studied whether providing managers with information regarding the benefits of Quality Management practice (QM) can enable government to influence manager perception and adoption of QM, output quality, and firm performance. Our main finding demonstrates that the information intervention improves manager perception of QM benefits; this, in turn, encourages managers to adopt QM, leading to improvements in quality and firm performance.
Ownership concentration and institutional investors’ governance through voice and exit
Authors: Jahnke Patrick 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDrawing on data collected in interviews with investors and corporates in the United States and Europe, this paper sheds light on the motives behind shareholder engagement. It explains why index funds engage in corporate governance, despite their apparent lack of financial incentive to do so. Applying Hirschman's concepts of exit and loyalty to the investment management industry, this paper suggests that for many institutional shareholders today, voice is more feasible than exit. For the largest index investors, the cost of engagement has fallen to a level where it is today negligible. The immense concentration amongst index funds, with the three largest fund managers controlling over 90 percent of assets, ensures sufficient return on their governance investments. Furthermore, interviews with activist investors suggest that they have learned to work with index investors and that index funds do not present barriers to successful campaigns. This paper therefore advocates against restricting index funds’ voting rights. Doing so would muzzle those shareholders with the deepest pockets and the greatest potential for corporate oversight. Instead what is needed is regulation to ensure greater disclosure of engagement efforts by the largest fund companies enabling greater academic and public oversight of asset managers’ engagement activities.
Right of (Northwest) Passage: Toward a Responsible Canadian Arctic Sovereignty
Authors: Geddert Jeremy Seth 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCanada has long claimed the Northwest Passage as its “internal waters,” while the United States and other countries argue it is an “international strait.” The latter “free sea” position originates in Hugo Grotius, often styled the “father of international law.” However, Grotius later qualifies his own position by granting to coastal states the right to regulate maritime traffic. Grotius's works also inspire the English School of International Relations: an “international society” approach that Canada has historically followed in its overall foreign policy. Hence, a twenty-first-century Grotian vision might suggest a compromise amenable to Canada: Canada would grant passage to conforming American vessels, thus facilitating international trade, but Canada would also gain powers of effective jurisdiction, allowing it to secure and conserve the fragile environment. Canada might thus re-envision sovereignty not as a zero-sum contest for status symbols but as the exercise of functional jurisdiction for the common good of international society.
Tertiary sedimentary development of the Broad Fourteens area, the Netherlands
Authors: Wong Th.E. , Parker N. , Horst P. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Broad Fourteens Basin is a NW-SE trending Mesozoic structural element that was affected by inversion movements during the Late Cretaceous (Subhercynian Phase) and Early Tertiary (Laramide Phase). Since the overlying Tertiary section of this area is relatively little studied, a multi-disciplinary investigation was initiated using both seismic and well data. The present study is the first phase of that project and deals exclusively with the stratigraphical framework and sedimentary development based on well logs from approximately forty wells.The Tertiary sedimentary section in this area (maximum thickness up to approximately 800 m) consists of siliciclastic rocks that generally correlate well with the established lithostratigraphical framework of the Netherlands. However, the highly variable thickness of these lithological units, illustrated by isopach maps for all units, reflect the intricate pattern of sea level movements, differential vertical movements and the ensuing erosion, that took place in this tectonically active area.Well P06-02, one of the most complete sections in the center of the area, was selected for detailed biostratigraphical analysis to support further stratigraphical subdivision and correlation. This yielded information on both the distribution pattern of various lithological units and the influence of large, partly global, events during basin development. It is concluded that application of detailed sequence stratigraphy in the study area is very problematic and only 2ndand some 3rdorder cycles could be recognized.
FT-IR and Raman microscopic study at 293 K and 77 K of celestine, SrS04, from the middle triassic limestone (Muschelkalk) in Winterswijk, The Netherlands
Authors: Theo Kloprogge J. , Ruan Huada , Duong Loc V. , Frost Ray L. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper describes the Raman and infrared spectroscopy of SrSO4 or celestine from the Muschelkalk of Winterswijk, The Netherlands. The infrared absorption spectrum is characterised by the SO42-modes V1 at 991 cm-1, v3 at 1201, 1138 and 1091 cm-1, and v4 at 643 and 611 cm-1. An unidentified band is observed at 1248 cm-1. In the Raman spectrum at 293 K the V1 mode is found at 1000 cm-1 and is split in two bands at 1001 and 1003 cm-1 upon cooling to 77 K.The v2 mode, not observed in the infrared spectrum, is observed as a doublet at 460 and 453 cm-1. The v3 mode is represented by four bands in the Raman spectrum at 1187, 1158, 1110 and 1093 cm-1 and the v4 mode as three bands at 656, 638 and 620 cm-1. Cooling to 77 K results in a general decrease in bandwidth and a minor shift in frequencies. A decrease in intensities is observed upon cooling to 77 K due to movement of the Sr atom towards one or more of the oxygen atoms in the sulfate group.
Chain-finite operators and locally chain-finite operators
Authors: Bermúdez Teresa , Martinón Antonio 
Published: May 2019

We give algebraic conditions characterizing chain-finite operators and locally chain-finite operators on Banach spaces. For instance, it is shown that T is a chain-finite operator if and only if some power of T is relatively regular and commutes with some generalized inverse; that is there are a bounded linear operator B and a positive integer k such that TkBTk =Tk and TkB=BTk. Moreover, we obtain an algebraic characterization of locally chain-finite operators similar to (1).
Reproductive patterns of the black starry sea urchin Arbacia stellata in Punta Banda, Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Díaz-Martínez Julia Patricia , Carpizo-Ituarte Eugenio De Jesús , Benítez-Villalobos Francisco 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWidely distributed species such asArbacia stellataadjust patterns of their life history according to local conditions. In the present study the reproductive cycle of this species was analysed throughout a sampling year. Gonadal development cycle, sex ratio, actual fecundity and oocyte size distribution were characterized and the relationship of these reproductive characteristics with environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, photoperiod, chlorophyllaand net primary production evaluated. Our results showed thatA. stellatais a gonochoric sea urchin. Gametogenesis was classified into six stages for both sexes (immature, growth, pre-maturity I, pre-maturity II, mature and spawning) and no synchrony was observed for the gonads between individuals. The female to male ratio was close to 1:1 in most months. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed significant differences between sexes or months; however, the highest values were observed during spring, with positive correlation with chlorophylla. No significant differences were observed in the maturity index (MI) between sexes, with a positive correlation with temperature but negative with chlorophyll. Actual fecundity showed wide variations throughout the year and correlation with chlorophyllaand temperature. Oocyte size distribution was unimodal and the predominant frequency was that of mature oocytes. The reproductive cycle ofA. stellatahas a semi-continuous pattern for both sexes and partial spawning throughout the year in the sampling site. We observed nutrient assimilation in the gonads during spring and a larger reproductive activity from late summer to early winter.
More from the Romano-British Poets? A Possible Metrical Inscription from East Farleigh, Kent
Authors: Mullen Alex , Tomlin R.S.O. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTA four-line inscription in Old Roman Cursive on a pot base found in excavations in East Farleigh, Kent, in 2010 appears to be written (at least in part) in metre and has close textual similarities with examples from Binchester, Co. Durham. We describe the new text and then offer some thoughts about the possible relationship of these British texts to extant Latin verse and consider how to interpret the Kentish piece in context. Although much remains uncertain in our understanding of the text, it is a significant addition to the Romano-British corpus.
Characteristics of abnormal puerperium in dairy cattle and the rationale for common treatments
Authors: Kruip T.A.M. , Wensing T. , Vos P.L.A.M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe abnormalities of the puerperium can be arbitrarily divided into two broad categories. Those which arise following a difficult calving or retained placenta are referred to as “common”, while abnormalities such as sub- and anoestrus, irregular cycles, cystic follicles, absence of ovarian activity, repeat breeding and increased number of inseminations per pregnancy are described as “special”. Since the “common” abnormalities are well understood, this paper deals in greater detail with the “special” abnormalities of the puerperium. Based on the axiom that many facets of the “special” abnormalities can be caused by dysfunction of the liver (as in the case of fatty liver), information is presented based on experiments conducted with the over-conditioned dairy cow model (AM) which suffers from both a severe negative energy balance (NEB) and fatty liver syndrome during early lactation. This cow model guarantees a severe NEB, with body weight loss and clear changes in the body condition score (BCS), lower milk production, a higher milk fat concentration, temporary decline in blood insulin and glucose concentrations, elevated blood concentrations of non esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as well as elevated liver concentrations of tri-acyl-glycerol (TAG) during the first weeks post partum. Additionally, this model leads to a higher incidence of metabolic and infectious diseases. Particular attention was paid to LH pulse frequency and to its value in predicting the occurrence of first post partum ovulation would occur, to oestrous behaviour and to oocytes quality. Cows with fatty liver (> 50 mg TAG/g liver tissue) had longer intervals between parturition and 1st ovulation and showed fewer standing heats within the first 100 days post partum, but the proportion of detected heats, compared to endocrinological “heats” was higher in confirmed AM-cows. Moreover, when AM cows come in heat, their heats lasted longer and had a higher pregnancy rate following AI. However, the developmental capacity of oocytes in AM cows, and in particular oocytes that were destined to ovulate between 80 and 120 days pp, was adversely affected. We conclude that the fatty liver condition is a trigger for many problems, including metabolic and infectious diseases, and also of reduced fertility. Prevention of over fatness at calving (BCS>3.5) is the best guarantee for a normal puerperium.
Ovarian hormone patterns and subfertility in dairy cows
Authors: Lamming G.E. , Royal M.D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDecreasing levels of fertility of dairy cows are occurring, associated with increased average annual milk yields, increased herd size and a decreased labour investment per animal. To-date, there has been no positive genetic selection in the UK for improved female fertility due to the lack of reliable recording of fertility traits. Selection is further limited by the low heritabilities of traditional fertility measures, which are subject to environmental influences and management decisions and biological restraints such as age and sex. Assessment of the hormone patterns of fertile cows and determination of the atypical patterns exhibited by subfertile animals provides an objective method of identifying the causes and assessing the impact of subfertility and for the development of remedial treatment strategies. This knowledge can then be used to identify potential physiological parameters associated with high fertility which, in future, may be used for sire breeding value estimations to select for more fertile offspring. Regular assessment of the progesterone concentrations in milk provides a non invasive method of determining progesterone patterns. The results of two studies of milk progesterone levels in cows taken between 1975/82 and 1995/98 involving over 3200 lactations have been analysed and compared. They indicate a major increase over this period in the proportion of animals showing atypical milk progesterone patterns before mating from 32 to 44% (P<0.001) associated with less animals inseminated, delays to conception and lower conception rates. There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) over this period in animals calving to first postpartum insemination from 57% to less than 40% a decrease of approximately l%per annum. This may indicate an increase in the level of early embryo mortality. An early post ovulatory progesterone rise to adequate luteal phase levels has been shown essential for normal embryo development with low post ovulatory levels occurring in some cows resulting in lower calving rates. Milk progesterone analysis provides a robust and reliable method of measuring progesterone patterns for identifying subfertile animals, for targeting remedial treatments to improve fertility and for investigations into heritable fertility parameters for future selection programmes.
Nutrient supply to high-yielding dairy cows
Authors: Beever D E , Hattan A , Reynolds C.K. , Cammell S B 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe last decade of the 20thcentury has seen unprecedented change within the UK dairy industry, with consolidated of production quotas, payment schemes based on milk solids, deregulation of the milk market with the demise of the Milk Marketing Board and more recently a major downward pressure on milk prices. All of these have contributed to further intensification of a large part of the industry. However the largest change has been the introduction of improved genetics, with the accompanying increase in Holsteins (now the preferred breed) at the expense of Friesians. As a consequence individual cow yields have increased dramatically and such cows are becoming an increasing problem in respect of nutritional management, as it relates to optimisation of milk solids content and yield and maintenance of reproductive competence. This paper has attempted to examine some of these issues by first describing the changes in more detail and then from a theoretical consideration of the biochemical principles associated with milk solids production to provide information which may permit better decisions to be made in relation to the feeding of such cows. In this respect the importance of glucose is established as well as the potentially competing processes of energy use for body maintenance or milk fat synthesis. Two experimental studies from this laboratory with high genetic merit cows are used to illustrate how the overall utilisation of energy for lactation and body tissue metabolism may be affected, especially when energy intake in early lactation fails to meet whole body energy demands. Subsequently, the nutrient costs of pregnancy, an important but often forgotten part of the ‘annual’ life cycle of dairy cows, are also considered and it is concluded that increased emphasis needs to be put on the management of cows for lifetime performance rather than simply for lactational output. Finally, whilst recognising that high yielding cows represent a major challenge to all management systems, the paper concludes that existing feeding systems which rely solely on nutritional entities such as metabolisable energy will need to be abandoned in favour of those which recognise specific nutrients, if the full potential of high genetic merit cows is ever to be achieved
Nutritional effects on resumption of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate in postpartum dairy cows
Authors: Butler W.R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIncreased genetic potential for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Following parturition the nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation thereby affecting ovarian cycles before and during the subsequent breeding period The effects of NEBAL on reinitiation of ovulation are manifested through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-I in blood that collectively restrain oestrogen production by dominant follicles. Upregulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir increases the likelihood that emerging dominant follicles will ovulate. The legacy of NEBAL is reduced fertility after insemination in conjunction with reduced serum progesterone concentrations. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but may be detrimental to reproductive performance. Depending upon protein quantity and composition, serum concentrations of progesterone may be lower and the uterine luminal environment is altered. High protein intake is correlated with plasma urea concentrations that are inversely related to uterine pH and fertility. The direct effects of high dietary protein and plasma urea on embryo quality and development in cattle are inconsistent. In conclusion, the poor fertility of high producing dairy cows reflects the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and may be further compromised by the effects of urea resultingfrom intake of high dietary protein.
Relationships between nutrition and fertility in dairy cattle
Authors: O'Callaghan D. , Lozano J.M. , Fahey J. , Gath V. , Snijders S. , Boland M.P. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe reduced fertility that is becoming more evident in high yielding dairy cows may be related to many factors including changes in milk production, food intake and fluctuations in body condition. Metabolic and production markers have been studied as a way of predicting success to a particular artificial insemination. Successful conception to a particular service was not associated with milk production, body condition or plasma concentrations of several indicators of metabolic state around the time if insemination. This highlights the importance of time of information collection in fertility management programmes. Increased food intake may reduce systemic progesterone concentrations. This is more evident in sheep than cattle, but a positive relationship between systemic progesterone early post mating and establishment of pregnancy in cattle has been reported. However, progesterone concentrations in the ovarian vein and endometrium are not strongly correlated with systemic progesterone. Thus, the significance of modest changes in systemic progesterone in affecting oocyte and embryo development must be questioned. Blood urea concentrations can be altered by diet, and reduced pregnancy rates have been reported in cows with high urea concentrations. However, in other recent studies, no difference was reported in serum urea in cows that conceived and those that failed to conceive. Pregnancy rate was equally high in heifers when in-vitro produced embryos were transferred to heifers on high and low urea diets. When embryos were produced in sheep on high and low dietary urea, the effects on embryo development appear to occur early in the developmental process, suggesting a substantial effect on the development of the oocyte. The developmental capacity of oocytes and quality of embryos is reduced in cattle maintained on extremely high dietary intakes. Oocyte developmental capacity is reduced in cows of higher genetic merit and embryo quality can be substantially reduced in the early postpartum period. Collectively, these results suggest that high dietary intake or high metabolic load is deleterious to normal oocyte development and establishment of pregnancy. This highlights the importance of further studies on the effect of dietary intake on metabolic state and follicle, oocyte and embryo development. In a practical context, these results highlight the importance of nutritional management and avoiding changes in the amount or type of diet around the time of mating in high-production dairy cows.