bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐lethal management of carnivore predation: long‐term tests with a startle reflex‐based deterrence system on a fish farm
Authors: Götz T. , Janik V. M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCarnivore depredation on human livestock is a worldwide problem with few viable solutions. Non‐lethal management tools such as acoustic devices show highly varying success and often pose a conservation risk due to noise pollution and habitat degradation. We tested the long‐term effectiveness of a deterrence system which harnesses an autonomous reflex (startle) to selectively inflict avoidance responses in a target species (phocid seals) by emitting band‐limited noise pulses with sharp onset times. Seal predation was monitored at a marine salmon farm (test site) over a full production cycle (19 month) with a multi‐transducer deterrent system deployed for the final year. Predation was also monitored for several months at two control sites and additional short‐term tests were carried out at sites which suffered higher predation rates. Generalized linear (mixed) models revealed that sound exposure caused a 91% reduction in lost fish when comparing predation levels within the test site and 97% when comparing the test site against both control sites. Similarly, sound exposure led to a 93% reduction in the number of fish lost due to seal damage at a short‐term test site. Visual monitoring of marine mammals around the long‐term test site showed that the number of seal surfacings within 100 m from the loudspeakers was only slightly lower during sound exposure. Harbour porpoise and otter distribution around the farm was not affected by sound exposure. By adjusting the frequency composition of startle stimuli, our method has the potential to provide solutions for managing human–wildlife conflicts in terrestrial and marine habitats by selectively deterring target species.
Statistical Analysis of Heat Waves in the State of Victoria in Australia
Authors: Wong T. S. T. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe recent blistering heat waves of 2009 in the state of Victoria in Australia were so unprecedented in terms of duration and intensity that society was largely unprepared. These heat waves caused serious health, social and economic problems. In this paper, the daily maximum temperatures at ten selected stations are studied. Auto‐regressive integrated moving‐average models are used to prewhiten the time series. Uncorrelated, non‐normal and heavy‐tailed residuals are analyzed by means of a new skew t‐mixture distribution. The number of mixture components is effectively determined by an innovative penalisation procedure. It is shown that the resulting skew t‐mixture models provide an acceptable fit in all cases. Possible future temperature patterns are obtained through simulation. It is forecast that the average duration of high temperature episodes will increase by two to three days per year and a new eight‐year high temperature level is very likely in the coming few years. The relationship between heavy tail behaviour of the fitted distribution and heat waves is noteworthy.
Cilengitide restrains the osteoclast‐like bone resorbing activity of myeloma plasma cells
Authors: Tucci Marco , Stucci Stefania , Felici Claudia , Cafforio Paola , Resta Leonardo , Rossi Roberta , Silvestris Franco 
Published: January 2016

SummaryCilengitide (CLG) is an inhibitor of both αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins, with a defined anti‐tumour effect in glioblastoma. Pre‐clinical studies demonstrate its ability to restrain the bone resorbing property of metastatic osteotropic tumours and we have previously shown that the disablement of αvβ3 in multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells results in exhaustion of their in vitro osteoclast (OC)‐like activity on bone substrate. Here, we investigated the effect of CLG on this functional property of MM cells. Both αvβ3 and αvβ5 were measured on primary marrow MM cells from 19 patients, and the effect of CLG on proliferation, apoptosis and adhesion was investigated in parallel with MM cell lines and OCs from healthy donors. In addition, the effect of CLG on the capability of malignant plasma cells to produce erosive lacunae on calcium phosphate was explored in relation to the activation of intracellular kinases of molecular pathways of both integrins. Ultrastructural microscopy was used to evaluate the morphological changes in MM cells due to the effect of CLG on cell adhesion. The data from our study demonstrate that CLG restrains the bone resorbing function of MM cells by disabling their adhesion properties. Further investigations in pre‐clinical studies of osteotropic tumours are warranted.
A phase 2 study of Rituximab‐Bendamustine and Rituximab‐Cytarabine for transplant‐eligible patients with mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Armand Philippe , Redd Robert , Bsat Jad , Mayuram Sangeetha , Giardino Angela , Fisher David C. , LaCasce Ann S. , Jacobson Caron , Davids Matthew S. , Brown Jennifer R. , Weng Li , Wilkins Jennifer , Faham Malek , Freedman Arnold S. , Joyce Robin , Jacobsen Eric D. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryChemoimmunotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard therapy for transplant‐eligible patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The achievement of complete remission (CR) and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity are associated with better outcomes. We tested an induction regimen of rituximab/bendamustine followed by rituximab/high‐dose cytarabine (RB/RC). This phase 2 study (NCT01661881) enrolled 23 transplant‐eligible patients aged 42–69, of whom 70% were MCL international prognostic index low‐risk. Patients received three cycles of RB followed by three cycles of RC. The primary endpoint of the trial was the rate of CR after six cycles of therapy, with a rate of 75% considered promising. 96% of patients achieved a CR/unconfirmed CR after treatment, meeting the primary objective. One patient progressed on study, one declined ASCT in CR, and the remaining 21 underwent successful stem cell collection and ASCT. After a median follow‐up of 13 months, the progression‐free survival rate was 96%. Among 15 MRD‐evaluable patients who completed treatment, 93% achieved MRD negativity after RB/RC. In conclusion, RB/RC achieves very high CR and MRD negativity rates in transplant‐eligible patients, with a favourable safety profile. RB/RC warrants further comparative studies, and may become a useful alternative to RCHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone)‐based induction regimens in this patient population.
Does the Entry of Third‐Party Remanufacturers Always Hurt Original Equipment Manufacturers?
Authors: Wu Xiaole , Zhou Yu 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTResearchers and managers broadly agree that the entry of third‐party remanufacturers (TPRs) hurts original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) because of the cannibalization problem. Thus, OEMs should always try to deter the entry of TPRs. In this article, we present a contrasting view: Competing OEMs without remanufacturing capacities sometimes benefit from the entry of TPRs. The key feature of our model is that there exists a group of newness‐conscious consumers in the market who do not buy the remanufactured product regardless of the price, whereas a group of functionality‐oriented consumers (FOCs) may buy a remanufactured one at a low price. In a steady‐state‐period setting, we investigate how the number of TPRs affects the OEMs’ profits. We find that, from the perspective of two competing OEMs: (i) The entry of one or many TPRs may lead to a higher profit; (ii) The entry of many TPRs may be better than the entry of one TPR; and (iii) The impact of the entry of one or many TPRs may be reversed as FOCs’ willingness‐to‐pay for the remanufactured product increases.
Intact FGF23 and α‐klotho during acute inflammation/sepsis in CKD patients
Authors: Dounousi Evangelia , Torino Claudia , Pizzini Patrizia , Cutrupi Sebastiano , Panuccio Vincenzo , D'Arrigo Graziella , Abd ElHafeez Samar , Tripepi Giovanni , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundHigh FGF23 and low α‐Klotho levels associate with systemic inflammation and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, but the dynamics of this relationship in patients with CKD has not been investigated.MethodsWe sequentially measured serum intact FGF23 and carboxyl‐terminal (iFGF23, cFGF23), the iFGF23/cFGF23 ratio, αKlotho, biomarkers of inflammation (hs‐CRP, IL‐6 and TNF‐α) and sepsis (procalcitonin), nitrotyrosine (reflecting NO synthesis and oxidative stress), serum iron and ferritin and CKD‐MBD biomarkers, PTH, 25(OH)VD, 1,25(OH)2VD at peak of intercurrent sepsis and after complete resolution in a series of 17 patients with CKD.ResultsAt peak infection, biomarkers of inflammation/sepsis, ferritin and nitrotyrosine were all very high (all P < 0·01) and declined towards the normal range thereafter (P < 0·01). iFGF23 was 191 ± 10 pg/ml (geometric mean, SD) and doubled to 371 ± 8 pg/ml (P = 0·003) after the resolution of infection, while cFGF23 did not change (246 ± 5 pg/mL vs. 248 ± 5 pg/mL, P = 0·50). As a consequence, the iFGF23/cFGF23 ratio, an indicator of the proteolytic cleavage of the FGF23 molecule, was 0·78 ± 3·87 at peak infection and increased to 1·49 ± 3·00 after resolution of infection (P < 0·001). In contrast, serum α‐Klotho levels were upregulated at peak infection (peak infection: 526 ± 4 pg/ml, postinfection: 447 ± 4 pg/ml, P = 0·001). The eGFR, PTH and vitamin D did not change significantly throughout.ConclusionsAcute inflammation/sepsis suppresses the active form of FGF23 and activates α‐Klotho, the latter effect being likely attributable to enhance proteolysis of FGF23 molecule. iFGF23 downregulation and α‐Klotho upregulation during acute sepsis may participate into the counter‐regulatory response to severe inflammation in CKD patients with sepsis.
Progranulin and short‐term outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Xie S. , Lu L. , Liu L. , Bi G. , Zheng L. 
Published: January 2016

Background and purposeStroke is a leading cause of death and severe disability worldwide. Serum biomarkers play a critical role in the assessment of the severity and prognosis in stroke patients.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, the measurement of serum progranulin (PGRN) was conducted in 316 participants, including 216 patients with an identified diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke and 100 normal control subjects. The primary end‐point was defined as all‐cause mortality for a short‐term follow‐up of 6 months. Adverse functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) was considered as the secondary end‐point.ResultsThe median value of serum PGRN for patients with acute ischaemic stroke was 64.2 ng/ml (interquartile range 54.6–73.7), which was significantly higher than the control group [59.7 (54.4–64.4) ng/ml; P < 0.001]. Multivariable linear regression suggested that PGRN levels were significantly correlated with body mass index, alcohol consumption, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum PGRN concentrations were independently associated with increased risks of all‐cause mortality and adverse functional outcome after adjustment for clinical variables. In Cox proportional hazards models, PGRN levels were associated with the risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.090, 95% confidence interval 1.033–1.150, P = 0.002). The net reclassification improvement of the model with added PGRN was 0.1902 (P = 0.0234) after adjustment for the variables in the Cox regression model for predicting all‐cause mortality, and the integrated discrimination improvement was 0.1052 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSerum PGRN levels independently predicted all‐cause mortality and adverse functional outcome in the short term in stroke patients. The discriminative power was improved by PGRN on the basis of NIHSS score.
Gaming, Accountability and Trust: DRGs and Activity‐Based Funding in Norway
Authors: Lægreid Per , Neby Simon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper examines a particular performance management instrument in Norway: DRGs used in conjunction with activity‐based funding of hospitals. We ask whether this system creates opportunities for undesirable gaming practices, how accountability arrangements deal with gaming, and how trust and institutional logic may help to explain anomalies and their resolve. From an instrumental and cultural perspective, we examine six Norwegian cases of gaming and two governmental assessments of coding and activity‐based funding. Current solutions do provide gaming opportunities, in a highly complex accountability setting. Accountability arrangements highlight tensions between trust and distrust, rather than resolving the balance between individual goals and collective norms.
How willing are landowners to supply land for bioenergy crops in the Northern Great Lakes Region?
Authors: Swinton Scott M. , Tanner Sophia , Barham Bradford L. , Mooney Daniel F. , Skevas Theodoros 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLand to produce biomass is essential if the United States is to expand bioenergy supply. Use of agriculturally marginal land avoids the food vs. fuel problems of food price rises and carbon debt that are associated with crop and forestland. Recent remote sensing studies have identified large areas of US marginal land deemed suitable for bioenergy crops. Yet the sustainability benefits of growing bioenergy crops on marginal land only pertain if land is economically available. Scant attention has been paid to the willingness of landowners to supply land for bioenergy crops. Focusing on the northern tier of the Great Lakes, where grassland transitions to forest and land prices are low, this contingent valuation study reports on the willingness of a representative sample of 1124 private, noncorporate landowners to rent land for three bioenergy crops: corn, switchgrass, and poplar. Of the 11% of land that was agriculturally marginal, they were willing to make available no more than 21% for any bioenergy crop (switchgrass preferred on marginal land) at double the prevailing land rental rate in the region. At the same generous rental rate, of the 28% that is cropland, they would rent up to 23% for bioenergy crops (corn preferred), while of the 55% that is forestland, they would rent up to 15% for bioenergy crops (poplar preferred). Regression results identified deterrents to land rental for bioenergy purposes included appreciation of environmental amenities and concern about rental disamenities. In sum, like landowners in the southern Great Lakes region, landowners in the Northern Tier are reluctant to supply marginal land for bioenergy crops. If rental markets existed, they would rent more crop and forestland for bioenergy crops than they would marginal land, which would generate carbon debt and opportunity costs in wood product and food markets.
Use of an Artificial Sweetener to Identify Sources of Groundwater Nitrate Contamination
Authors: Robertson W.D. , Van Stempvoort D.R. , Roy J.W. , Brown S.J. , Spoelstra J. , Schiff S.L. , Rudolph D.R. , Danielescu S. , Graham G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe artificial sweetener acesulfame (ACE) is a potentially useful tracer of waste water contamination in groundwater. In this study, ACE concentrations were measured in waste water and impacted groundwater at 12 septic system sites in Ontario, Canada. All samples of septic tank effluent (n = 37) had ACE >6 µg/L, all samples of groundwater from the proximal plume zones (n = 93) had ACE >1 µg/L and, almost all samples from the distal plume zones had ACE >2 µg/L. Mean mass ratios of total inorganic nitrogen/ACE at the 12 sites ranged from 680 to 3500 for the tank and proximal plume samples. At five sites, decreasing ratio values in the distal zones indicated nitrogen attenuation. These ratios were applied to three aquifers in Canada that are nitrate‐stressed and an urban stream where septic systems are present nearby to estimate the amount of waste water nitrate contamination. At the three aquifer locations that are agricultural, low ACE values (<0.02‐0.15 µg/L) indicated that waste water contributed <15% of the nitrate in most samples. In groundwater discharging to the urban stream, much higher ACE values (0.2‐11 µg/L) indicated that waste water was the likely source of >50% of the nitrate in most samples. This study confirms that ACE is a powerful tracer and demonstrates its use as a diagnostic tool for establishing whether waste water is a significant contributor to groundwater contamination or not.
Evolutionary implications of mitochondrial genetic variation: mitochondrial genetic effects on OXPHOS respiration and mitochondrial quantity change with age and sex in fruit flies
Authors: Wolff J. N. , Pichaud N. , Camus M. F. , Côté G. , Blier P. U. , Dowling D. K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe ancient acquisition of the mitochondrion into the ancestor of modern‐day eukaryotes is thought to have been pivotal in facilitating the evolution of complex life. Mitochondria retain their own diminutive genome, with mitochondrial genes encoding core subunits involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Traditionally, it was assumed that there was little scope for genetic variation to accumulate and be maintained within the mitochondrial genome. However, in the past decade, mitochondrial genetic variation has been routinely tied to the expression of life‐history traits such as fertility, development and longevity. To examine whether these broad‐scale effects on life‐history trait expression might ultimately find their root in mitochondrially mediated effects on core bioenergetic function, we measured the effects of genetic variation across twelve different mitochondrial haplotypes on respiratory capacity and mitochondrial quantity in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. We used strains of flies that differed only in their mitochondrial haplotype, and tested each sex separately at two different adult ages. Mitochondrial haplotypes affected both respiratory capacity and mitochondrial quantity. However, these effects were highly context‐dependent, with the genetic effects contingent on both the sex and the age of the flies. These sex‐ and age‐specific genetic effects are likely to resonate across the entire organismal life‐history, providing insights into how mitochondrial genetic variation may contribute to sex‐specific trajectories of life‐history evolution.
A multigenerational effect of parental age on offspring size but not fitness in common duckweed (Lemna minor)
Authors: Barks P. M. , Laird R. A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractClassic theories on the evolution of senescence make the simplifying assumption that all offspring are of equal quality, so that demographic senescence only manifests through declining rates of survival or fecundity. However, there is now evidence that, in addition to declining rates of survival and fecundity, many organisms are subject to age‐related declines in the quality of offspring produced (i.e. parental age effects). Recent modelling approaches allow for the incorporation of parental age effects into classic demographic analyses, assuming that such effects are limited to a single generation. Does this ‘single‐generation’ assumption hold? To find out, we conducted a laboratory study with the aquatic plant Lemna minor, a species for which parental age effects have been demonstrated previously. We compared the size and fitness of 423 laboratory‐cultured plants (asexually derived ramets) representing various birth orders, and ancestral ‘birth‐order genealogies’. We found that offspring size and fitness both declined with increasing ‘immediate’ birth order (i.e. birth order with respect to the immediate parent), but only offspring size was affected by ancestral birth order. Thus, the assumption that parental age effects on offspring fitness are limited to a single generation does in fact hold for L. minor. This result will guide theorists aiming to refine and generalize modelling approaches that incorporate parental age effects into evolutionary theory on senescence.
Concentration of Polyphenolic Compounds in Blackberry (Rubus Adenotrichos Schltdl.) Juice by Nanofiltration
Authors: Acosta Oscar , Vaillant Fabrice , Pérez Ana M. , Dornier Manuel 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNanofiltration membranes with molecular weight cut‐off around 200 Da were evaluated to concentrate anthocyanins and ellagitannins in a blackberry juice. Temperature was 30°C and cross‐flow velocity 0.3 m/s. Transmembrane pressures varied from 0.5 to 3 MPa. At volumetric reduction ratio (VRR) of 1, higher transmembrane pressures caused an increase of permeate flux and of retention of total anthocyanins (>94%) and total soluble solids (44–97%). Every membrane presented 100% of total ellagitannin retention. Results were represented using the solution‐diffusion model. NF270 membrane at 3 MPa showed the highest potential for concentration of blackberry's main polyphenolic compounds (highest permeate flux and solute retention). Nevertheless, a simulated increase of VRR showed that permeate flux declined as the concentration of the feed solution increased. NF270 membrane may also be of interest to deacidify the juice, since at high pressures, sugars were completely retained and retention of acids was under 90%.Practical ApplicationsThe concentration of phytochemicals by means of membrane technologies is of interest to the food industry, because the operations replace evaporation processes that are energy‐intensive and use high temperatures that can reduce the compounds’ bioactivities. The results presented in this study may be valuable for processors that aim to concentrate fruit juices and extracts enriched with phytochemicals (such as anthocyanins and ellagitannins), by using nanofiltration. Furthermore, results show that nanofiltration membranes at specific operating conditions may not only be employed to concentrate, but also to deacidify fruit juices and extracts. This operation provides advantages when compared to other technologies such as calcium salt precipitation, ion‐exchange resins and electrodialysis.