bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating lion's prey species profile in an arid environment
Authors: Beukes M. , Radloff F. G. T. , Ferreira S. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractInformation on large carnivore diet composition is important when conservationists seek to address stressors such as habitat encroachment, bush meat trade and retribution killing on the persistence of populations. Detailed diet sampling approaches can contribute to effective conservation management. We compare different approaches including GPS cluster analysis, scat analysis and opportunistic observations and describe lion diet profiles in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP). We determined that a sample size of between 65–69 lion feeding events out of 278 found by GPS cluster analysis and 55–59 lion scats out of 189 samples can provide a representative description of lion diet in the KTP. Our opportunistic observations (n = 52) were found to be too few for robust deductions. Scat analysis yielded the highest prey diversity (n = 11) and best representation of prey <50 kg, but required 160 scats at ~ 263 km driven per scat collected. GPS cluster analysis provided good information for large prey, but underrepresented prey <50 kg. Kill remains were found at only 37% of the investigated GPS cluster points (n = 823). Even so, GPS cluster analysis yielded diet descriptions quicker than scat analyses. The use of GPS cluster and scat analysis in tandem is recommended for the estimation of lion diet in this arid environment.
The bothersome crow people and the silent princess: exploring the orientations of children as they play a digital narrative game
Authors: Maine Fiona 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study builds on and extends our understanding of literacy through exploring children's encounters with a digital narrative game. The research analyses different stances or orientations that children take as they progress through the game and how they draw on schematic understandings about narratives and digital gaming to support their game‐play. The study extends previous research exploring how children make meaning from visual texts and how we draw on resources across and between modes to understand narratives. Taking a socio‐cultural approach, the research suggests a framework of possible orientations that children take as they engage with the storyworld of the game, showing how this is at times strategic and critical, and at other times immersive and reactive.
Water resources management and Integrated Water Resources Management implementation in Malawi: Status and implications for lake basin management
Authors: Chidammodzi C. L. , Muhandiki V. S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMany countries, including Malawi, are implementing integrated approaches for the development, management and use of water and other natural resources. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is, arguably, one approach considered helpful in addressing water issues effectively and sustainably. This study assesses the implementation of IWRM in Malawi to the present time, in relation to the five priority areas the country's Integrated Water Resources Management/Water Efficiency (IWRM/WE) Plan (2008–2012) sought to address, as well as the potential benefits of infusing Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) in this approach. Document reviews, key informant interviews, questionnaire surveys and site visits were the employed methods in this analysis. Considering the significant importance of lakes in the country, this study, through application of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats framework, provides insight on how lake basin management issues can best be incorporated within the existing IWRM‐based framework to promote the management and utilization of lakes for sustainable use. While acknowledging the relevance of a holistic approach, the study highlights the importance for the country to ensure that its development agenda is not negatively affected in the course of implementing IWRM.
A proof of the Farkas–Minkowski theorem by a tandem method
Authors: Fujimoto Takao , Perera B. B. Upeksha P. , Giorgi Giorgio 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis note presents a proof of the Farkas–Minkowski theorem. Our proof does not presuppose the closedness of a finitely generated cone, nor employs separation theorems either. Even the concept of linear independence or invertibility of matrices is not necessary. Our new device consists in proving the Farkas–Minkowski theorem and the closedness of a finitely generated cone at the same time based upon mathematical induction. We make use of a minimization problem with an equality constraint, a method familiar to economics students.
Brain endothelial cell expression of SPARCL‐1 is specific to chronic multiple sclerosis lesions and is regulated by inflammatory mediators in vitro
Authors: Bridel C. , Koel‐Simmelink M. J. A. , Peferoen L. , Derada Troletti C. , Durieux S. , Gorter R. , Nutma E. , Gami P. , Iacobaeus E. , Brundin L. , Kuhle J. , Vrenken H. , Killestein J. , Piersma S. R. , Pham T. V. , De Vries H. E. , Amor S. , Jimenez C. R. , Teunissen C. E. 
Published: May 2017

AimsCell matrix modulating protein SPARCL‐1 is highly expressed by astrocytes during CNS development and following acute CNS damage. Applying NanoLC‐MS/MS to CSF of RRMS and SPMS patients, we identified SPARCL‐1 as differentially expressed between these two stages of MS, suggesting a potential as CSF biomarker to differentiate RRMS from SPMS and a role in MS pathogenesis.MethodsThis study examines the potential of SPARCL‐1 as CSF biomarker discriminating RRMS from SPMS in three independent cohorts (n = 249), analyses its expression pattern in MS lesions (n = 26), and studies its regulation in cultured human brain microvasculature endothelial cells (BEC) after exposure to MS‐relevant inflammatory mediators.ResultsSPARCL‐1 expression in CSF was significantly higher in SPMS compared to RRMS in a Dutch cohort of 76 patients. This finding was not replicated in 2 additional cohorts of MS patients from Sweden (n = 81) and Switzerland (n = 92). In chronic MS lesions, but not active lesions or NAWM, a vessel expression pattern of SPARCL‐1 was observed in addition to the expression by astrocytes. EC were found to express SPARCL‐1 in chronic MS lesions, and SPARCL‐1 expression was regulated by MS‐relevant inflammatory mediators in cultured human BEC.ConclusionsConflicting results of SPARCL‐1′s differential expression in CSF of three independent cohorts of RRMS and SPMS patients precludes its use as biomarker for disease progression. The expression of SPARCL‐1 by BEC in chronic MS lesions together with its regulation by inflammatory mediators in vitro suggest a role for SPARCL‐1 in MS neuropathology, possibly at the brain vascular level.
HCV RNA Genomic sequences and HCV‐E2 glycoprotein in sural nerve biopsies from HCV‐infected patients with peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Russi S. , Sansonno D. , Monaco S. , Mariotto S. , Ferrari S. , Pavone F. , Lauletta G. , Dammacco F. 
Published: May 2017

AimsPeripheral neuropathy (PN), the major neurological complication of chronic HCV infection, is frequently associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) and small‐vessel systemic vasculitis. While humoral and cell‐mediated immune mechanisms are suspected to act together in an aberrant immune response that results in peripheral nerve damage, the role of HCV remains largely speculative. The possible demonstration of HCV in peripheral nerve tissue would obviously assume important pathogenic implications.MethodsWe studied sural nerve biopsies from 11 HCV‐positive patients with neuropathic symptoms: five with and six without MC. In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunofluorescence studies were carried out to detect genomic and antigenomic HCV RNA sequences and HCV‐encoded E2‐glycoprotein, respectively.ResultsEpineurial vascular deposits of E2‐glycoprotein were found in four (80%) MC and in two (33.3%) non‐MC patients, respectively. These findings were enhanced by the perivascular deposition of positive‐, though not negative‐strand replicative RNA, as also found in the nerve extracts of all patients. Mild inflammatory cell infiltrates with no deposits of immunoglobulins and/or complement proteins were revealed around small vessels, without distinct vasculitis changes between MC and non‐MC patients.ConclusionsThese results indicate that nerve vascular HCV RNA/E2 deposits associated to perivascular inflammatory infiltrates were similar in chronically HCV‐infected patients, regardless of cryoglobulin occurrence. Given the failure to demonstrate HCV productive infection in the examined sural nerve biopsies, nerve damage is likely to result from virus‐triggered immune‐mediated mechanisms.
What We can Learn About the Behaviour of Firms from the Average Monthly Frequency of Price‐Changes: An Application to the UK CPI Data
Authors: Dixon Huw David , Tian Kun 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe monthly frequency of price‐changes is a prominent feature of many studies of the CPI micro‐data. In this paper, we see what the frequency implies for the behaviour of price‐setters in terms of the cross‐sectional distribution average of price‐spell durations across firms. We derive a lower bound for the mean duration of price‐spells averaged across firms. We use the UK CPI data at the aggregate and sectoral level and find that the actual mean is about twice the theoretical minimum consistent with the observed frequency. We construct hypothetical Bernoulli–Calvo distributions from the frequency data which we find can result in similar impulse responses to the estimated hazards when used in the Smets–Wouters (2003) model.
The boron transporter BnaC4.BOR1;1c is critical for inflorescence development and fertility under boron limitation in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhang Quan , Chen Haifei , He Mingliang , Zhao Zhuqing , Cai Hongmei , Ding Guangda , Shi Lei , Xu Fangsen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBoron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the uptake and distribution of B in allotetraploid rapeseed (Brassica napus) are unclear. Here, we identified a B transporter of rapeseed, BnaC4.BOR1;1c, which is expressed in shoot nodes and involved in distributing B to the reproductive organs. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants containing a BnaC4.BOR1;1c promoter‐driven GUS reporter gene showed strong GUS activity in roots, nodal regions of the shoots and immature floral buds. Overexpressing BnaC4.BOR1;1c in Arabidopsis wild type or in bor1‐1 mutants promoted wild‐type growth and rescued the bor1‐1 mutant phenotype. Conversely, knockdown of BnaC4.BOR1;1c in a B‐efficient rapeseed line reduced B accumulation in flower organs, eventually resulting in severe sterility and seed yield loss. BnaC4.BOR1;1c RNAi plants exhibited large amounts of disintegrated stigma papilla cells with thickened cell walls accompanied by abnormal proliferation of lignification under low‐B conditions, indicating that the sterility may be a result of altered cell wall properties in flower organs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BnaC4.BOR1;1c is a AtBOR1‐homologous B transporter gene expressing in both roots and shoot nodes that is essential for the developing inflorescence tissues, which highlights its diverse functions in allotetraploid rapeseed compared with diploid model plant Arabidopsis.
An Atopic Dermatitis Management Algorithm for Primary Care Providers and Assessment of Its Usefulness as a Clinical Tool
Authors: Miyar Maria E. , Brown Megan , Vivar Karina L. , Jablon Kimberly , Boscardin Christy , Levy Moise L. , Teng Joyce M. , Mathes Erin F. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThere is a lack of primary care provider (PCP) understanding of atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments and topical steroid use. We designed an AD management algorithm for pediatric PCPs. We hypothesized that the algorithm would improve pediatric PCPs' knowledge of AD diagnosis and management.MethodsPediatric primary care resident and attending physicians at three residency programs were invited to participate in an electronic AD algorithm survey that contained demographic and 19 knowledge‐based questions. Participants were randomized to intervention and control groups, with the intervention group receiving a short lecture and copy of our algorithm to use in an inpatient or outpatient setting for 2 months. Changes in scores between preintervention and postintervention surveys were compared.ResultsOf the 54 participants, those in the intervention group (n = 26) performed significantly better than those in the control group (n = 28) after controlling for pretest scores (β = 1.19 [95% confidence interval 0.07, 2.32], p = 0.04). The intervention group had a higher average score on the posttest knowledge questions (71% correct) than the control group (65% correct) (p = 0.06). The majority of physicians who received the algorithm agreed or strongly agreed that they liked using the algorithm.ConclusionThe use of a management algorithm improved physician knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of AD and was well accepted by physicians. Use of this management algorithm may lead to better recognition and management of AD, particularly earlier recognition of and therapy for superinfection, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients and families.
Comparison of Two Formulations of Topical Timolol for the Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas
Authors: Ng Michelle Si Ying , Tay Yong‐Kwang , Ng Shanna Shan‐Yi , Foong Alice Yee Wah , Koh Mark Jean‐Aan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis report compares the efficacy of timolol maleate 0.5% eyedrops (TM) with that of timolol maleate 0.5% ophthalmic gel‐forming solution in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Sixty‐six patients undergoing treatment with topical timolol were retrospectively reviewed; our results revealed similar therapeutic efficacies for both types of timolol formulations. Early treatment initiation (<3 mos) and superficial lesions correlated with better treatment response. TM eyedrops may be a more cost effective, equally efficacious modality of treatment for IHs.
Molluscum Contagiosum of the Gluteal Cleft: Observations and Implications for Management in Five Children
Authors: Bakke Joshua R. , Stein Sarah L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMolluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common, self‐limited skin infection caused by a double‐stranded DNA virus of the family Poxviridae. Although the morphology of the disease is well described, MC presenting at unusual sites can exhibit atypical morphology, resulting in misdiagnosis. This observational, retrospective case series discusses the novel morphology of MC presenting in the intergluteal cleft of five children seen in the outpatient dermatology clinic of an academic medical center. We present this case series to highlight this novel presentation of MC in children and to emphasize a conservative approach to management given the sensitive location and the self‐limited nature of the infection.
Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors for Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum and Transient Neonatal Pustular: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Reginatto Flávia Pereira , Muller Fernanda Mello , Peruzzo Juliano , Cestari Tania Ferreira 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesErythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN) and transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) are benign pustular skin conditions that are relatively common in newborns, but the predisposing factors for these conditions are unknown. Our goal was to verify the prevalence of ETN and TNPM and their predisposing factors in a large sample of neonates.MethodsIn this prospective 1‐year multicenter study, 2,831 neonates (age ≤72 hours) born in southern Brazil were randomized to undergo skin examination by a dermatologist.ResultsMost were Caucasian (of European descent). There were 602 cases of ETN (21.3% prevalence) and 97 cases of TNPM (3.4% prevalence). ETN was more prevalent in Caucasian neonates, male neonates, those with 1‐minute Apgar scores from 8 to 10, those who had no gestational risk factors, and those not admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Positive correlations were observed between ETN and gestational age and birthweight. ETN was least frequent in the winter. No NICU admission or birth during the spring was associated with TNPM.ConclusionsAt least in the region where this study was conducted, seasonality affects these benign pustular skin conditions. The health of the child at birth, gestational age, and birthweight influenced the development of ETN. This finding may indicate a role of immune system maturity in ETN, but additional studies are needed to confirm this.
Huanglongbing pathogen CandidatusLiberibacter asiaticus exploits the energy metabolism and host defence responses of its vector Diaphorina citri
Authors: Lu Zhanjun , Killiny Nabil 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAsian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is the vector of the citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) associated bacterial agent ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas). The molecular interactions between CLas and D. citri remain unclear. In the present study, protein profiles of mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic fractions from uninfected and CLas‐infected adult D. citri are investigated using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The comparative analysis reveals a total of 18, 24 and 20 protein spots that are unique or differentially expressed in mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic proteins fractions respectively. These proteins are successfully identified by mass spectrometry. Among the 62 identified proteins, 30 are up‐regulated, whereas 32 are down‐regulated. These proteins include important components in energy metabolism such as ATP synthase, ATPase, ATP/ADP carrier protein, etc.; host stress responses such as heat shock proteins; host detoxification processes (i.e., cytochrome P450 and glutathione S‐transferase); and the cytoskeleton (such as actin, tubulin, myosin and tropomyosin). These data suggest that, after CLas infection, several proteins of D. citri, especially energy metabolism and protein biosynthesis, are altered, and extensive host defence responses are induced. In conclusion, the present study reports proteomic information that is helpful in understanding the vector–pathogen relationship between CLas and D. citri, and could be used to identify potential targets for limiting the spread of CLas, as well as to provide new insights into HLB management.
Managing Retail Budget Allocation between Store Labor and Marketing Activities
Authors: Perdikaki Olga , Kumar Subodha , Sriskandarajah Chelliah 
Published: May 2017

The performance of a retail store depends on its ability to attract customer traffic, match labor with incoming traffic, and convert the incoming traffic into sales. Retailers make significant investments in marketing activities (such as advertising) to bring customers into their stores and in‐store labor to convert that traffic into sales. Thus, a common trade‐off that retail store managers face concerns the allocation of a store's limited budget between advertising and labor to enhance store‐level sales. To explore that trade‐off, we develop a centralized model to allocate limited store budget between store labor and advertising with the objective of maximizing store sales. We find that a store's inherent potential to drive traffic plays an important role, among other factors, in the relative allocation between advertising and store labor. We also find that as advertising instruments become more effective in bringing traffic to stores, managers should not always capitalize this effectiveness by increasing their existing allocations to advertising. In addition, we discuss a decentralized setting where budget allocation decisions cannot be enforced by a store manager and present a simple mechanism that can achieve the centralized solution. In an extension, we address the budget allocation problem in the presence of marketing efforts to shift store traffic from peak to off peak hours and show that our initial findings are robust. Further, we illustrate how the solution from the budget allocation model can be used to facilitate store level sales force planning/scheduling decisions. Based on the results of our model, we present several insights that can help managers in budget allocation and sales force planning.
Composting to sanitize plant‐based waste infected with organisms of plant health importance
Authors: Kerins G. , Blackburn J. , Nixon T. , Daly M. , Conyers C. , Pietravalle S. , Noble R. , Henry C. M. 
Published: May 2017

The potential for using the composting process to sanitize plant waste infected with one of three plant pathogens was investigated using bench‐scale composting equipment. Two of these pathogens, the potato wart disease fungus Synchytrium endobioticum and Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) are currently subject to European quarantine regulations. The third, Polymyxa betae, a parasite of sugar beet, is regulated in some European countries when in association with Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal organism of rhizomania disease of sugar beet. Survival of test organisms following various combinations of compost temperature, exposure time and moisture was determined using RNA‐based detection methodology and/or plant‐based bioassays. Mathematically definable relationships between compost treatment (temperature/time) and organism viability were identified for P. betae and S. endobioticum; these give some indication of the practicality of using composting for dealing with infected wastes. However, for PSTVd, the considerable variability in measured susceptibility of the viroid to the composting process meant that no such definable relationship could be determined and further work would be needed to extrapolate to practical situations.
Transcriptional regulation of hormone‐synthesis and signaling pathways by overexpressing cytokinin‐synthesis contributes to improved drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass
Authors: Xu Yi , Burgess Patrick , Huang Bingru 
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate transcriptomic changes and molecular factors regulated by cytokinins that may contribute to improved drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) overexpressing adenine isopentenyltransferase (ipt). Wild‐type (WT) and ipt‐transgenic plants were maintained well irrigated or exposed to 21 days of drought stress in growth chambers. Transcriptomic analysis conducted by RNA‐seq revealed 661 and 648 upregulated and 764 and 862 downregulated drought‐responsive genes (DRGs) in the WT and ipt‐transgenic plants, respectively, under drought stress using adjusted P‐value of 0.001 and log2 fold change. Gene ontology (GO) term classification showed that a greater number of DRGs were found in ipt‐transgenic plants than in WT plants pertaining to biological functions including metabolic process, cellular process, cell structure and growth, macromolecular complex, and binding and catalytic activity, whereas fewer DRGs were found in ipt‐transgenic plants than in WT plants pertaining to response to stimulus and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, plant hormone signal transduction pathway analysis revealed three downregulated transcripts [type B – Arabidopsis response regulators (B‐ARR), ABA‐responsive element binding factor (ABF) and pyrabactin resistance/like (PYR/PYL)] and two upregulated transcripts (BIN2 and JAZ) that were significantly differentiated between ipt‐transgenic and WT plants under drought stress, which are particularly interesting for further investigation of molecular mechanisms of hormone‐regulation of drought tolerance.