bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher Intensity, Higher Profit? Empirical Evidence from Dairy Farming in New Zealand
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Renwick Alan , Bicknell Kathryn 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOver the last two decades there have been significant and well‐documented changes in the nature and structure of New Zealand dairy production. One particular feature has been a marked shift in the ‘input intensity’ of dairy farming systems through increased use of supplementary feed. These changes have generated debate about the impact of dairy farm intensity on the performance of farm businesses and the competitiveness of the New Zealand dairy sector. Using a novel econometric approach, we assess statistically the impact of three types of dairy farming systems on milk production and financial performance, using farm business data provided by DairyBase®. Our empirical results show that higher input systems perform significantly better physically than lower input systems, but not financially. The disaggregated analysis suggests that the average treatment effects differ by region and performance quantiles.
Community structure, dispersal ability and functional profiling of microbiome existing in fat body and ovary of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Hua , Yu Na , Xu Xi‐Xia , Liu Ze‐Wen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe endosymbionts play vital roles in growth, development and reproduction in insects. Yeast‐like endosymbionts (YLSs) have been well studied in Nilaparvata lugens (N. lugens), but little is known about the tissue‐specific bacterial microbiomes, especially on the microbial intersection among internal tissues. Here, the correlation of microbial composition, structure, dispersal ability and functional profiling were illuminated in two tissues, the fat body and ovary in N. lugens. A total of 11 phyla and 105 genera were captured from all samples; Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most predominant and accounted for more than 99% in all samples. However, the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria was significantly different in ovary and fat body through Fisher's Least Significant Difference test. Microbial diversity but not the richness index in the two tissues exhibited significant difference. Furthermore, the microbial community structure of the ovary and fat body were primarily determined by tissue quality. Firmicutes showed strong dispersal ability between ovary and fat body based on the quantitative null model assessing, indicating the frequent interaction of these microbiomes in the two tissues. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of microbial participation were delineated. The ten most abundant pathways counted for over 46% of the annotation and were shared between the two tissues, mainly containing Energy Metabolism and Amino Acid Metabolism/Biosynthesis. The results will provide insights into the correlation of microbial community structure between ovary and fat body of N. lugens.
Optimal regulation of network expansion
Authors: Willems Bert , Zwart Gijsbert 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe model the regulation of irreversible capacity expansion by a firm with private information about capacity costs, where investments are financed from the firm's cash flows and demand is stochastic. The optimal mechanism is implemented by a revenue tax that increases with the price cap. If the asymmetric information has large support, then the optimal mechanism consists of a laissez‐faire regime for low‐cost firms. That is, the firm's price cap corresponds to that of an unregulated monopolist, and it is not taxed. This “maximal distortion at the top” is necessary to provide information rents, as direct subsidies are not feasible.
All‐units discounts as a partial foreclosure device
Authors: Chao Yong , Tan Guofu , Wong Adam Chi Leung 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe investigate the strategic effects of all‐units discounts (AUDs) used by a dominant firm in the presence of a capacity‐constrained rival. Due to the limited capacity of the rival, the dominant firm has a captive portion of the buyer's demand for the single product. As compared to linear pricing, the dominant firm can use AUDs to go beyond its captive portion by tying its captive demand with part of the competitive demand and partially foreclose its small rival. When the rival's capacity level is well below relevant demand, AUDs reduce the buyer's surplus.
Bundling and quality assurance
Authors: Dana James D. , Spier Kathryn E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWith imperfect private monitoring, a firm selling two experience goods can increase both producer and consumer surplus by bundling. Bundling constrains consumers to buy two products, making consumers better informed and ensuring that they use tougher punishment strategies. Both increased monitoring and increased punishment benefit other consumers, so bundling overcomes a free‐rider problem. The social value of bundling is even larger if consumers cannot attribute a negative signal to the specific product that generated it, or if one of the two goods is a durable and the other is a complementary nondurable. Our results are robust to mixed bundling.
Consumer search with observational learning
Authors: Garcia Daniel , Shelegia Sandro 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis article studies observational learning in a consumer search environment. Consumers observe the purchasing decision of a predecessor with similar preferences. Consumers rationally emulate by initiating their search at the firm from which their predecessor purchased, free‐riding on search effort, and reacting less to price changes. Prices are nonmonotone in search costs and may be as low as marginal costs. We discuss several extensions and show that the effect of emulation on prices is stronger when (i) the number of firms increases, (ii) consumers' first visits are more elastic with respect to market shares, and (iii) prices are adjusted more frequently.
A realistic evaluation approach highlighted the success factors and difficulties of an innovative and comprehensive malnutrition programme in Madagascar
Authors: Magnin Margot , Jeannot Emilien , Voahangy Rajaobelina , Stoll Beat 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimMalnutrition has multiple causes, not just a lack of calories. We explored the successes and barriers of an innovative, comprehensive programme in Madagascar that educated mothers in particular about nutrition.MethodsThe outpatient programme in Antananarivo treats 2400 malnourished children from 6 to 59 months each year. The 35‐day programme comprises health checks, cooking demonstrations, the distribution of enriched flour supplements and two food‐related games that are called Nutricartes and are based on boards and picture cards. In 2014, we involved 74 of the children's mothers in a realistic evaluation process, which investigates the mechanisms that produce a particular outcome in a given context.ResultsThe mechanisms of success were the community‐based aspects of the programme, the kindness and equality displayed by the nutritional assistants and improved household budgeting and hygiene. Children ate better and improved their health, which reduced medical visits and costs. Finally, the mothers became proud of their achievements and told other mothers what they had learnt. Adherence was greatest when the women were on a minimum wage and strongly motivated.ConclusionThe effect of this multifaceted programme was that the mothers received sustainable education about healthy eating and improved childhood health and nutrition.
Acenocoumarol as an alternative anticoagulant in a patient with warfarin‐related nephropathy
Authors: Behera Sapan Kumar , Xavier Alphienes Stanley , Selvarajan Sandhiya , Munuswamy Hemachandren , Haridasan Satish , Srinivas Bheemanathi Hanuman 
Published: February 2018

Adverse EventWarfarin‐related nephropathy.Drug ImplicatedWarfarin.The PatientA 31‐year‐old female, managed with warfarin for rheumatic heart disease with atrial fibrillation.Evidence that Links the Drug to the EventThere were no alternative causes of nephropathy that could have caused the adverse event in this patient.ManagementShifting the drug from warfarin to acenocoumarol.MechanismDifference in renal elimination between warfarin and acenocoumarol.Implication for TherapyClinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect of warfarin, and acenocoumarol can be considered as an alternative therapy for this condition.Hypotheses to be TestedFurther prospectively designed studies are needed to consider acenocoumarol as an alternative therapy in warfarin‐related nephropathy.
Prevalence and risk factors of drug‐resistant extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Boonsarngsuk Viboon , Mangkang Khattiya , Santanirand Pitak 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundPhysicians are usually aware of the occurrence of drug‐resistant (DR) pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), but lack concern about DR‐extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). Data regarding the prevalence and risk factors of DR‐EPTB remain limited.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and risk factors of DR‐EPTB.MethodsA retrospective study was performed in patients who had culture‐proven Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from various specimens between January 2013 and December 2015. Patients were classified into three groups: PTB, EPTB and concomitant PTB and EPTB (PTB + EPTB). Clinical data, chest radiographic extent of disease and patterns of DR were collected.ResultsThere were 1014 culture‐proven MTB specimens (716 pulmonary specimens and 298 extrapulmonary specimens) from 986 patients (648 PTB, 218 EPTB and 120 PTB + EPTB). The prevalences of isoniazid‐, rifampicin‐ and multidrug‐resistant EPTB were 7.8%, .5% and .5%, respectively, which were lower than those of PTB. When PTB and EPTB coexisted, a higher rate of DR‐TB was observed than for PTB alone. Of 338 EPTB patients, the extent of radiographic disease was associated with isoniazid‐, rifampicin‐ and multidrug‐resistant TB. Previous history of TB and use of steroids/immunosuppressive drugs were also associated with rifampicin‐ and multidrug‐resistant TB in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe prevalence of DR‐EPTB was high in patients who had concomitant PTB. Although the prevalences of rifampicin‐ and multidrug‐resistant TB were low in isolated EPTB, the prevalence of isoniazid‐resistant TB remained high. Therefore, drug susceptibility testing should be performed in EPTB patients, especially those who carry the aforementioned risk factors.
HNF1A variant, energy‐reduced diets and insulin resistance improvement during weight loss: The POUNDS Lost trial and DIRECT
Authors: Huang Tao , Wang Tiange , Heianza Yoriko , Sun Dianjianyi , Ivey Kerry , Durst Ronen , Schwarzfuchs Dan , Stampfer Meir J. , Bray George A. , Sacks Frank M. , Shai Iris , Qi Lu 
Published: February 2018

AimTo determine whether weight‐loss diets varying in macronutrients modulate the genetic effect of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A) rs7957197 on weight loss and improvement of insulin resistance.Materials and methodsWe analysed the interaction between HNF1A rs7957197 and weight‐loss diets with regard to weight loss and insulin resistance improvement among 722 overweight/obese adults from a 2‐year randomized weight‐loss trial, the POUNDS Lost trial. The findings were replicated in another independent 2‐year weight‐loss trial, the Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT), in 280 overweight/obese adults.ResultsIn the POUNDS Lost trial, we found that a high‐fat diet significantly modified the genetic effect of HNF1A on weight loss and reduction in waist circumference (P for interaction = .006 and .005, respectively). Borderline significant interactions for fasting insulin and insulin resistance (P for interaction = .07 and .06, respectively) were observed. We replicated the results in DIRECT. Pooled results showed similar significant interactions with weight loss, waist circumference reduction, and improvement in fasting insulin and insulin resistance (P values for interaction = .001, .005, .02 and .03, respectively). Greater decreases in weight, waist circumference, fasting insulin level and insulin resistance were observed in participants with the T allele compared to those without the T allele in the high‐fat diet group (P = .04, .03 and .01, respectively).ConclusionsOur replicable findings provide strong evidence that individuals with the HNF1A rs7957197 T allele might obtain more benefits in weight loss and improvement of insulin resistance by choosing a hypocaloric and high‐fat diet.
Documenting the unauthorized: Political responses to unauthorized immigration
Authors: Baerg Nicole Rae , Hotchkiss Julie L. , Quispe‐Agnoli Myriam 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCultural prejudice rather than self interest is the conventional wisdom for why voters respond negatively to immigration. Using a new measure of unauthorized immigrants based on self‐reported invalid social security numbers, we show that voters’ responses are more nuanced than mere prejudice against minorities. Using county level data from the U.S. state of Georgia, we find that voters in counties with above median levels of unauthorized workers are more likely to support the Republican Party. We also find that wealthier counties and wealthier voters are most likely to respond negatively to the unauthorized. Our evidence warns against arguments that depict opposition to immigration as motivated solely by xenophobia and cultural fears among lower income Whites.
Systematic Comparison of Decision Accuracy of Complex Compensatory Decision Rules Combining Multiple Tests in a Higher Education Context
Authors: Yocarini Iris E. , Bouwmeester Samantha , Smeets Guus , Arends Lidia R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis real‐data‐guided simulation study systematically evaluated the decision accuracy of complex decision rules combining multiple tests within different realistic curricula. Specifically, complex decision rules combining conjunctive aspects and compensatory aspects were evaluated. A conjunctive aspect requires a minimum level of performance, whereas a compensatory aspect requires an average level of performance. Simulations were performed to obtain students' true and observed score distributions and to manipulate several factors relevant to a higher education curriculum in practice. The results showed that the decision accuracy depends on the conjunctive (required minimum grade) and compensatory (required grade point average) aspects and their combination. Overall, within a complex compensatory decision rule the false negative rate is lower and the false positive rate higher compared to a conjunctive decision rule. For a conjunctive decision rule the reverse is true. Which rule is more accurate also depends on the average test reliability, average test correlation, and the number of reexaminations. This comparison highlights the importance of evaluating decision accuracy in high‐stake decisions, considering both the specific rule as well as the selected measures.
Unexpected heterogeneity derived from Cas9 ribonucleoprotein‐introduced clonal cells at the HPRT1 locus
Authors: Sakuma Tetsushi , Mochida Keiji , Nakade Shota , Ezure Toru , Minagawa Sachi , Yamamoto Takashi 
Published: February 2018

Single‐cell cloning is an essential technique for establishing genome‐edited cell clones mediated by programmable nucleases such as CRISPR‐Cas9. However, residual genome‐editing activity after single‐cell cloning may cause heterogeneity in the clonal cells. Previous studies showed efficient mutagenesis and rapid degradation of CRISPR‐Cas9 components in cultured cells by introducing Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). In this study, we investigated how the timing for single‐cell cloning of Cas9 RNP‐transfected cells affected the heterogeneity of the resultant clones. We carried out transfection of Cas9 RNPs targeting several loci in the HPRT1 gene in HCT116 cells, followed by single‐cell cloning at 24, 48, 72 hr and 1 week post‐transfection. After approximately 3 weeks of incubation, the clonal cells were collected and genotyped by high‐resolution microchip electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing. Unexpectedly, long‐term incubation before single‐cell cloning resulted in highly heterogeneous clones. We used a lipofection method for transfection, and the media containing transfectable RNPs were not removed before single‐cell cloning. Therefore, the active Cas9 RNPs were considered to be continuously incorporated into cells during the precloning incubation. Our findings provide a warning that lipofection of Cas9 RNPs may cause continuous introduction of gene mutations depending on the experimental procedures.
Integrin αM activation and upregulation on esophageal eosinophils and periostin‐mediated eosinophil survival in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Vimalathas Praveen , Farris Alexandra , Letner Dorothea , Deshpande Vikram , Yajnik Vijay , Shreffler Wayne , Garber John 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly recognized allergic disease associated with dysphagia and esophageal fibrosis. We aimed to determine expression patterns of specific eosinophil integrins that promote eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium, and to determine how key EoE‐related cytokines influence eosinophil activation and survival. Esophageal and peripheral eosinophils were isolated from 20 adult subjects with EoE for immunophenotyping and integrin profiling using multicolor flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Expression signatures of eosinophil integrins were further assessed by immunohistochemistry using serial sections of esophageal biopsy specimens. Purified eosinophils were used to assess the effect of EoE‐relevant cytokines and recombinant periostin on expression of known eosinophil integrins and eosinophil survival and activation. We found that resting eosinophils express high levels of the β2‐pairing integrins αL and αM, and lower levels of α4, α6 and α4β7. The migration of peripheral eosinophils to the esophagus is characterized by the specific induction of αM, and a significant increase in the proportion of αM in high‐activity conformation. Periostin, a secreted extracellular matrix protein that is significantly overexpressed in EoE, enhances eosinophil survival, and this effect is mediated by αM interaction. Integrin αM is a specific marker of activated tissue eosinophils in EoE, and promotes eosinophil survival through interactions with periostin. The ability of αMβ2 to mediate eosinophil tissue residency via periostin represents a key mechanism for disease development and a potential therapeutic target in EoE.
RETRACTED: HSP27 associates with epithelial–mesenchymal transition, stemness and radioresistance of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Chen Wei , Ren Xiaohua , Wu Jiashun , Gao Xiaolei , Cen Xiao , Wang Shasha , Sheng Surui , Chen Qianming , Tang Ya‐jie , Liang Xin‐hua , Tang Ya‐ling 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to associate with cancer stem cells and radioresistance. However, it is obscure whether EMT itself or specific EMT regulators play causal roles in these properties of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Here, we exhibited that overexpression of HSP27 drove the migration and invasion, induced EMT, as well as mediated TGF‐β1‐induced EMT in SACC cells, accompanying the up‐regulation of Snail1 and Prrx1. Conversely, HSP27 silencing reduced the migration and invasion and contributed to MET of SACC cells. HSP27 indirectly down‐regulates the expression of E‐cadherin through activating Snail1 and Prrx1 expressions. Overexpression of Snail1 or Prrx1 restored the migration and invasion in HSP27 knockdown cells. Enforced expression of HSP27 enhanced colony formation, CD133+/CD44+ population and radioresistance of SACC cell lines. In addition, HSP27 expression was positively associated with radioresistance and poor prognosis of SACC patients as well as with the expression of Prrx1 or Snail1 in SACC tissues. The data confirm an important function for HSP27 in SACC progression through regulating EMT and stemness, and they imply the possible association between EMT and radioresistance of SACC.
Association of lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 mass with asymptomatic cerebral artery stenosis
Authors: Wang Youxin , Zhou Bin , Zhou Pingan , Yao Yan , Cui Qinghua , Liu Yingping , Yang Jichun , Wu Shouling , Zhao Xingquan , Zhou Yong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCerebral artery stenosis (CAS) is the most important causes of ischaemic stroke. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) plays 2 diverse roles in atherosclerosis (pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory), and the association between Lp‐PLA2 mass and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events is inconsistent among previous studies. A cross‐sectional study including 2012 North Chinese adults aged ≥40 years was performed in 2010‐2011 to investigate whether Lp‐PLA2 mass is associated with asymptomatic cerebral artery stenosis (ACAS). Serum Lp‐PLA2 mass was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All participants underwent transcranial Doppler (TCD) and bilateral carotid duplex ultrasound to evaluate intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) and extracranial arterial stenosis (ECAS). The median serum Lp‐PLA2 mass of the participants was 140.74 ng/mL (interquartile range: 131.79‐158.07 ng/mL). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) when comparing the 4th quartile to the 1st quartile of Lp‐PLA2 was 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42‐2.78), 1.79 (95% CI: 1.08‐2.94) and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.28‐2.73) for the occurrence of ACAS, asymptomatic ECAS and asymptomatic ICAS, respectively, after controlling for vascular risk factors. These independently significant associations remained statistically significant in the male or elderly subgroups, but not in females or middle‐aged participants. Lp‐PLA2 mass is positively correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis determined by ACAS, ICAS and ECAS in North Chinese, particularly in male and older participants, suggesting that serum Lp‐PLA2 mass might be potential biomarker for the detection of ACAS in the adults.
Mouse models of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: A reflection on recent literature
Authors: Haczeyni Fahrettin , Yeh Matthew M , Ioannou George N , Leclercq Isabelle A , Goldin Robert , Dan Yock Young , Yu Jun , Teoh Narcissus C , Farrell Geoffrey C 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNon‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is strongly associated with overnutrition, insulin resistance, and predisposition to type 2 diabetes. To critically analyze the translational significance of currently used animal models of NASH, we reviewed articles published during the last 3 years that studied NASH pathogenesis using mouse models. Among 146 articles, 34 (23%) used models in which overnutrition was reported, and 36 (25%) demonstrated insulin resistance, with or without glucose intolerance. Half the articles contained no information on whether mice exhibited overnutrition or insulin resistance. While 75 papers (52%) reported > 2‐fold increase of serum/plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) compared with controls, ALT levels were near normal or not reported in 48%. Liver pathology was assessed by a pathologist with an interest in liver pathology in 53% of articles published in gastroenterology/hepatology journals, versus 43–44% in other journals. While there appears to be a trend to use models that are potentially relevant to the pathogenesis of human NASH, journals currently publish data on mouse models in which overnutrition and insulin resistance do not occur, without ALT increase or appropriate analysis of NASH pathology. We recommend that investigators, reviewers, and journal editors carefully consider the validity of NASH models in current use and that moves are made to reach a consensus on what the minimal criteria should be.