bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Value of Crowdsourced Earnings Forecasts
Authors: JAME RUSSELL , JOHNSTON RICK , MARKOV STANIMIR , WOLFE MICHAEL C. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTCrowdsourcing—when a task normally performed by employees is outsourced to a large network of people via an open call—is making inroads into the investment research industry. We shed light on this new phenomenon by examining the value of crowdsourced earnings forecasts. Our sample includes 51,012 forecasts provided by Estimize, an open platform that solicits and reports forecasts from over 3,000 contributors. We find that Estimize forecasts are incrementally useful in forecasting earnings and measuring the market's expectations of earnings. Our results are stronger when the number of Estimize contributors is larger, consistent with the benefits of crowdsourcing increasing with the size of the crowd. Finally, Estimize consensus revisions generate significant two‐day size‐adjusted returns. The combined evidence suggests that crowdsourced forecasts are a useful supplementary source of information in capital markets.
Productivity and Convergence in European Agriculture
Authors: Baráth Lajos , Fertő Imre 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe investigate relative productivity levels and decompose productivity change for European agriculture between 2004 and 2013. Specifically (i) we contribute to the debate on whether agricultural Total Factor Productivity (TFP) has declined or not in the European Union (EU); (ii) we compare the relative TFP level across EU Member States and investigate the difference between ‘old’ Member States (OMS, i.e. the EU‐15) and ‘new’ Member States (NMS); and (iii) we test whether TFP is converging or not among Member States. The empirical analysis applies an aggregate quantity framework to country‐level panel data from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture for 23 EU Member States. The results imply that TFP has slightly decreased in the EU over the analysed period; however there are significant differences between the OMS and NMS and across Member States. Finally, our estimates suggest that productivity is generally converging over this period, albeit slowly.
Identifying the number of population clusters with structure: problems and solutions
Authors: Gilbert Kimberly J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe program structure has been used extensively to understand and visualize population genetic structure. It is one of the most commonly used clustering algorithms, cited over 11 500 times in Web of Science since its introduction in 2000. The method estimates ancestry proportions to assign individuals to clusters, and post hoc analyses of results may indicate the most likely number of clusters, or populations, on the landscape. However, as has been shown in this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources by Puechmaille (), when sampling is uneven across populations or across hierarchical levels of population structure, these post hoc analyses can be inaccurate and identify an incorrect number of population clusters. To solve this problem, Puechmaille () presents strategies for subsampling and new analysis methods that are robust to uneven sampling to improve inferences of the number of population clusters.
Increased fatty acid β‐oxidation as a possible mechanism for fat‐reducing effect of betaine in broilers
Authors: Leng Zhixian , Fu Qin , Yang Xue , Ding Liren , Wen Chao , Zhou Yanmin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTwo hundred and forty 1‐day‐old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates of eight chickens per replicate cage for a 42‐day feeding trial. Broiler chickens were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 250, 500, 750 or 1000 mg/kg betaine, respectively. Growth performance was not affected by betaine. Incremental levels of betaine decreased the absolute and relative weight of abdominal fat (linear P < 0.05, quadratic P < 0.01), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) (linear P < 0.05), and increased concentration of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) (linear P = 0.038, quadratic P = 0.003) in serum of broilers. Moreover, incremental levels of betaine increased linearly (P < 0.05) the proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα), the carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐I (CPT‐I) and 3‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HADH) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, but decreased linearly (P < 0.05) the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and 3‐hydroxyl‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMGR) mRNA expression in liver of broilers. In conclusion, this study indicated that betaine supplementation did not affect growth performance of broilers, but was effective in reducing abdominal fat deposition in a dose‐dependent manner, which was probably caused by combinations of a decrease in fatty acid synthesis and an increase in β‐oxidation.
Teachers pedagogical change framework: a diagnostic tool for changing teachers’ uses of emerging technologies
Authors: Tarling Isabel , Ng'ambi Dick 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOne of the challenges facing education systems in general and the South African education system in particular is how to understand ways that teachers change from nonusers of technologies to becoming transformative teachers with technology. Despite numerous initiatives, not limited to training, workshops and so forth, to bring about sustained and wide‐spread teacher change, transmission/delivery‐based pedagogies and chalk‐and‐talk methods continue to dominate. While policy directives and professional development programmes aim to effect change in teachers’ practice, they tend to fail to create sustainable change in teachers’ practice of using emerging technologies (ETs). This paper reports on a study that sought to understand how teachers change their pedagogy of teaching with ETs. Using a Design‐Based Research approach, the paper reports on the teachers’ pedagogical change framework (Teaching Change Frame ‐TCF) as a diagnostic tool for locating and mapping how teachers’ change. The TCF maps teachers’ existing pedagogies and ET uses, and designs a pathway of a change process to effect the desired change. The TCF was tested and refined using data from 325 teachers drawn from rural, resource‐constrained schools, urban, well‐resourced schools and from preservice teaching students in a decontextualized environment. Following three iterations it was found that teachers’ use of ETs in regulated, restrictive ways correlate with transmission pedagogies, unregulated, dispersed ways correlate with transformative pedagogies. The use of TCF not only located teaching pedagogies but also provide different pathways to ensure sustainable change. Findings emphasize the need for teachers to encourage learners to build/create/construct with ETs and for increased interaction in fostering nonregulated dispersed use of ETs.
How we manage persons with hereditary angioedema
Authors: Zuraw Bruce L. , Christiansen Sandra C. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryHereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder clinically characterized by recurrent attacks of subcutaneous and mucosal swelling that can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. Several novel therapies introduced since 2008 have dramatically transformed the approach to management. In this review we will discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology of HAE, diagnostic evaluation of recurrent angioedema without urticaria, and the therapeutic approach to HAE. We advocate taking an integrative approach to care in order to normalize the lives of affected patients.
Pathways of oral health knowledge, attitudes, practices, and status in married couples
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wong May C. M. , Lo Edward C. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the pathways from modifiable risk factors to oral health status in husbands and wives, and correlation in oral health KAP and status between married couples in Hong Kong.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional survey using a combination of random household and purposive sampling. Socio‐economic status (SES), smoking, oral health knowledge (K), attitudes (A), and practices (P) of individuals were collected by questionnaire. Tooth status, periodontal status, and oral hygiene status were collected by oral examination.ResultsAltogether, 432 families (359 husbands and 419 wives) with a 5‐ to 7‐year‐old child participated in this study. Husbands' oral health status was found to be directly associated with their oral health behaviors and smoking habit and indirectly with their socio‐economic status, oral health knowledge, and attitudes. The explained variance of husbands' oral health status was 47.2%. Wives' oral health status was only directly associated with their oral health behaviors and indirectly with their socio‐economic status, oral health knowledge, and attitudes. The explained variance of wives' oral health status was 53.2%. The correlation coefficient between couple's oral health practices and status was 0.98 and 0.43, respectively.ConclusionsThe hypothesized pathways from socio‐economic status and modifiable factors to the oral health status in husbands and wives are not rejected. Oral health practices and status were correlated among married couples.
Lynn White Jr. and the greening‐of‐religion hypothesis
Authors: Taylor Bron , Van Wieren Gretel , Zaleha Bernard Daley 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLynn White Jr.’s “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis,” which was published inSciencein 1967, has played a critical role in precipitating interdisciplinary environmental studies. Although White advances a multifaceted argument, most respondents focus on his claim that the Judeo‐Christian tradition, especially Christianity, has promoted anthropocentric attitudes and environmentally destructive behaviors. Decades later, some scholars argue contrarily that Christianity in particular and the world's predominant religions in general are becoming more environmentally friendly, known as the greening‐of‐religion hypothesis. To test these claims, we conducted a comprehensive review of over 700 articles—historical, qualitative, and quantitative—that are pertinent to them. Although definitive conclusions are difficult, we identified many themes and dynamics that hinder environmental understanding and mobilization, including conservative theological orientations and beliefs about the role of divine agency in preventing or promoting natural events, whether the religion is an Abrahamic tradition or originated in Asia. On balance, we found the thrust of White's thesis is supported, whereas the greening‐of‐religion hypothesis is not. We also found that indigenous traditions often foster proenvironmental perceptions. This finding suggests that indigenous traditions may be more likely to be proenvironmental than other religious systems and that some nature‐based cosmologies and value systems function similarly. Although we conclude White's thesis and subsequent claims are largely born out, additional research is needed to better understand under what circumstances and communication strategies religious or other individuals and groups may be more effectively mobilized to respond to contemporary environmental challenges.
Thermal refugia and the survival of species in changing environments: new evidence from a nationally extinct freshwater fish.
Authors: Worthington Thomas A. , Van Houdt Jeroen K. J. , Hull Joshua M. , Kemp Paul S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractVariation in global climate during the Quaternary has helped shape current species distributions. The stenohaline fish fauna of the British Isles is generally thought to have colonised eastern England via a landbridge following the last glacial maximum. This theory is investigated using the nationally extinct burbot, Lota lota, as a model species. Samples were collected from 15 museum specimens of known English provenance and analysed for differences in the mitochondrial DNA control region. The DNA analysis produced eight sequences of 270 base pairs, with one sample reaching 420 base pairs in length. Genetic analysis suggests the extinct English population of the burbot was a distinct lineage, differing from those previously described from across the species’ global distribution. Despite this, network analysis suggests that the English lineage is closely related to populations in western Europe, supporting colonisation via a postglacial landbridge. The rate of genetic divergence suggests that the timing of L. lota's colonisation of English rivers was prior to the last glacial maximum. Lota lota appears to have survived the last glacial maximum in refugia within the British Isles. This study adds to the evidence for a British freshwater refugia and furthers our understanding of the colonisation history of British freshwater fishes. These results also provide valuable information for conservation strategies for L. lota indicating the western European clade as most genetically appropriate for potential future reintroductions to English rivers.
Multiple‐stressor effects on river biofilms under different hydrological conditions
Authors: Ponsatí Lídia , Corcoll Natàlia , Petrović Mira , Picó Yolanda , Ginebreda Antoni , Tornés Elisabet , Guasch Helena , Barceló Damià , Sabater Sergi 
Published: April 2016

Summary

We studied the relative importance of environmental factors (river flow, nutrients, dissolved organic matter) and organic micro‐pollutants [herbicides, insecticides, industrial organic compounds, personal care products, antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, (PhCs)] to the structure and function of epilithic biofilms under various hydrological conditions and land uses.

Biofilms from four river basins in the Iberian Peninsula (Llobregat, Ebro, Júcar and Guadalquivir) were analysed in summer–autumn during a wet period and base‐flow conditions. The sites experienced different levels of pollution.

We used variance partitioning (Redundancy Detrended Analysis, RDA) to link environmental stressors to the structure and function of biofilms, which were assessed as diatom community composition, algal biomass, photosynthetic activity, bacterial density and extracellular phosphatase activity.

RDAs showed that industrial organic compounds, herbicides and PhC products were the pollutants most strongly associated with measures of biofilm structure and function, whereas dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon and hydrological variability were the environmental factors most strongly associated with biofilm responses.

Thicker biofilms developing during base flow were most affected by pollutants and nutrients. In contrast, thinner biofilms developing during periods of high river flow were less affected by chemicals.
A prospective, randomised, controlled, multicentre clinical trial examining healing rates, safety and cost to closure of an acellular reticular allogenic human dermis versus standard of care in the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Zelen Charles M , Orgill Dennis P , Serena Thomas , Galiano Robert , Carter Marissa J , DiDomenico Lawrence A , Keller Jennifer , Kaufman Jarrod , Li William W 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAcellular dermal matrices can successfully heal wounds. This study's goal was to compare clinical outcomes of a novel, open‐structure human reticular acellular dermis matrix (HR‐ADM) to facilitate wound closure in non‐healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) versus DFUs treated with standard of care (SOC). Following a 2‐week screening period in which DFUs were treated with offloading and moist wound care, patients were randomised to either SOC alone or HR‐ADM plus SOC applied weekly for up to 12 weeks. At 6 weeks, the primary outcome time, 65% of the HR‐ADM‐treated DFUs healed (13/20) compared with 5% (1/20) of DFUs that received SOC alone. At 12 weeks, the proportions of DFUs healed were 80% and 20%, respectively. Mean time to heal within 12 weeks was 40 days for the HR‐ADM group compared with 77 days for the SOC group. There was no incidence of increased adverse or serious adverse events between groups or any adverse events related to the graft. Mean and median graft costs to closure per healed wound in the HR‐ADM group were $1475 and $963, respectively. Weekly application of HR‐ADM is an effective intervention for promoting closure of non‐healing DFUs.
A multicentre, randomized, single‐blind comparison of topical clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% once‐daily gel versus clindamycin 1% twice‐daily gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris in Chinese patients
Authors: Xu J.H. , Lu Q.J. , Huang J.H. , Hao F. , Sun Q.N. , Fang H. , Gu J. , Dong X.Q. , Zheng J. , Luo D. , Li F.Q. , Wang G. , Gu H. , Tian H.Q. , Yang H.L. , Xi L.Y. , Li M. , Zheng M. , Wu Y. , Tu Y.T. , He Y.L. , Zhao G. , Sheng W.X. , Li J. , Hamedani A.G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundAcne vulgaris affects up to 54% of Chinese adolescents. Combination therapy has become the recommended standard of care for acne.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of clindamycin (1%) and benzoyl peroxide (5%) (CDP/BPO) gel once daily vs. clindamycin (1%) (CDP) monotherapy gel twice daily in Chinese patients with mild to moderate acne.Methods1020 patients (aged 12–45 years) with mild to moderate acne were randomized (1 : 1); 1016 patients were treated with CDP/BPO (n = 500) or CDP (n = 516) for a 12‐week treatment period. Efficacy assessments were performed at baseline, and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12; and primarily included change in total lesion count (inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesions), and proportion of patients with a minimum 2‐grade improvement in Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score. Patient safety and local tolerability were also evaluated.ResultsPatients in CDP/BPO group showed a greater per cent reduction in total lesion count compared with patients in CDP group at week 12 (delta = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.09, −0.02; P = 0.003); statistically significant reduction in lesion count was noted as early as week 1 and continued through week 12. A greater proportion of patients in CDP/BPO group showed a ≥2‐grade improvement in ISGA score at week 12 compared with CDP group (30.2% vs. 22.7%; P = 0.018). Overall, the incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher in the CDP/BPO group (14.4%) than in the CDP group (7.9%); the most commonly reported events were generally related to application site reactions (erythema, pruritus and swelling). Incidence of drug‐related AEs was 8.6% in CDP/BPO group and 1.2% in CDP group. Both groups showed trends towards reduction in investigator and subject rated local tolerability scores.ConclusionCDP/BPO gel demonstrated superior efficacy over CDP gel along with acceptable safety and tolerability in Chinese patients with mild to moderate acne.Clinical Trials.gov number: NCT01915732
Treatment of psoriasis with etanercept: the typical patient profile
Authors: Prinz J.C. , Puig L. , Girolomoni G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe chronic nature of psoriasis means that patients often require lifetime treatment. Over this time, treatment frequently has to be adapted to meet variable demands resulting from changes in life course and life events. Biological drugs used to treat psoriasis vary in their dosing regimens, convenience and flexibility. Dermatologists need to understand which biologic agent is best suited for each individual patient. A wealth of evidence supports the safe and effective use of etanercept, which offers a rapid and sustained response, flexibility of dosing, maintenance of response after dose reduction or interruption, and efficacy against non‐skin manifestations such as psoriatic arthritis. An expert panel met to agree the typical patient profile of a psoriasis patient treated with etanercept, the main benefits of etanercept in psoriasis, and the patient group most likely to benefit from its use. They agreed that flexibility of dosing, the potential to individualize therapy by stopping and starting treatment while maintaining efficacy, and the possibility of cost saving through the use of flexible treatment regimens were important benefits supporting the use of etanercept in many patients with psoriasis.
Migration Kinetics of Ethylene Glycol Monomer from Pet Bottles into Acidic Food Simulant: Effects of Nanoparticle Presence and Matrix Morphology
Authors: Farhoodi Mehdi , Mohammadifar Mohammad Amin , Mousavi Mohammad , Sotudeh‐Gharebagh Rahmat , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn this study, migration of ethylene glycol from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (neat PET and PET nanocomposites) into acidic food simulant is investigated. Nanocomposite pellets were prepared by melt blending of PET and TiO2 nanoparticles. The stretch blow molding machine was used to make the preforms and bottles from neat PET and nanocomposites. DSC analyses showed that the presence of nanoparticles at 3 wt % noticeably affected the crystallization temperature, Tc, and the final degree of crystallinity of PET. The incorporation of nanoparticles in the PET matrix leads to a substantial decrease of water vapor permeability. Nanoparticles also decreased the diffusivity of migrants due to the higher degree of crystallinity. The acetic acid samples were stored at 45C for 15 days. Gas chromatography analysis demonstrated that the migration of ethylene glycol from nanocomposite bottles was less than the neat PET. The polymer‐specific parameters (AP values) from mathematical migration models were derived from the experimental data. The diffusion coefficients (DP) based on Piringer's model showed a considerable difference between DP of nanocomposites and neat PET. It was concluded that the migration of monomers from food contact materials considerably depends on the structure of the manufactured packaging plastic.Practical ApplicationsPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanocomposite pellets containing 3% wt TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by melt blending and PET bottles were made by injection stretch blow molding. The results showed that incorporation of TiO2 nano‐fillers in PET matrix considerably increased crystallinity and rigidity of PET packaging material and decreased the amorphous region in the polymer matrix. TiO2 nanoparticles with uniform distribution in the polymer matrix created a tortuous path, leading to reduce in monomer migration from packaging material into food simulant. Mathematical model used in this study was a practical tool for better understanding of migration process. Improved barrier properties and lower monomer migration from PET bottles into food could increase the application of PET nanocomposites in food packaging.