bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predation effects on matrotrophy, superfetation and other life history traits in Phalloceros harpagos
Authors: Gorini‐Pacheco Bruno , Zandonà Eugenia , Mazzoni Rosana 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of a predation gradient on the female life history traits of the poeciliid live‐bearing fish Phalloceros harpagos from a tropical stream in Brazil. Females’ length at maturity, somatic dry mass, reproductive allotment and fecundity varied significantly among predation sites. Phalloceros harpagos from the high‐predation site showed smaller size at maturity and somatic dry mass, greater reproductive allotment and higher fecundity than the nonpredation site. In all sites, we observed superfetation: pregnant females with two broods at different developmental stages. The presence of superfetation was not observed before in other congeneric species, and it may represent an additional independent evolutionary origin of superfetation in the fish family Poeciliidae. Matrotrophy, the postfertilisation maternal provisioning of nutrients to developing embryos throughout gestation, was observed in all three sites, with values of the matrotrophy index above two. The population under high predation pressure showed the highest degree of matrotrophy (embryos quadruplicate their dry mass during development) and the greatest percentage of females with superfetation (44.4%). Some life history traits responded more strongly to predators’ presence and others to predator density. These results suggest that different predation regimes shape female life history traits, increasing fecundity in high‐predation sites. The results also suggest a link between the cost of reproduction and the evolution of matrotrophy and superfetation, potentially to reduce the risk of predation without reducing fecundity.
The ecology of cooperative breeding behaviour
Authors: Shen Sheng‐Feng , Emlen Stephen T. , Koenig Walter D. , Rubenstein Dustin R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEcology is a fundamental driving force for the evolutionary transition from solitary living to breeding cooperatively in groups. However, the fact that both benign and harsh, as well as stable and fluctuating, environments can favour the evolution of cooperative breeding behaviour constitutes a paradox of environmental quality and sociality. Here, we propose a new model – the dual benefits framework – for resolving this paradox. Our framework distinguishes between two categories of grouping benefits – resource defence benefits that derive from group‐defended critical resources and collective action benefits that result from social cooperation among group members – and uses insider–outsider conflict theory to simultaneously consider the interests of current group members (insiders) and potential joiners (outsiders) in determining optimal group size. We argue that the different grouping benefits realised from resource defence and collective action profoundly affect insider–outsider conflict resolution, resulting in predictable differences in theper capitaproductivity, stable group size, kin structure and stability of the social group. We also suggest that different types of environmental variation (spatial vs. temporal) select for societies that form because of the different grouping benefits, thus helping to resolve the paradox of why cooperative breeding evolves in such different types of environments.
Efficacy and safety of pramipexole extended‐release in Parkinson's disease: a review based on meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shen T. , Ye R. , Zhang B. 
Published: May 2017

Background and purposeWe performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pramipexole extended‐release (pramipexole ER) versus pramipexole immediate‐release (pramipexole IR) or placebo in Parkinson's disease.MethodsWe performed a systematic online search for clinical trials for pramipexole ER treatment up to 1 August 2016. We assessed differences in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores, percentage of ‘on’ time or ‘off’ time, withdrawals, adverse events (AEs) and life quality between pramipexole ER and pramipexole IR or placebo. Data analyses were performed by the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.3 software.ResultsSix randomized controlled trials were included. Compared with placebo, pramipexole ER achieved a significant improvement in the UPDRS Part II + III score [weighted mean difference, −4.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), −6.40 to −3.23], whereas no significant difference was found in the UPDRS Part III + III score between pramipexole ER and pramipexole IR groups (weighted mean difference, −0.26; 95% CI, −1.15 to 0.64). No differences were found in total AEs (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.03), drug‐related AEs (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.03) or the commonly reported AEs between pramipexole ER and pramipexole IR.ConclusionsPramipexole ER is as safe and effective as pramipexole IR in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Plant litter chemistry alters the content and composition of organic carbon associated with soil mineral and aggregate fractions in invaded ecosystems
Authors: Tamura Mioko , Suseela Vidya , Simpson Myrna , Powell Brian , Tharayil Nishanth 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThrough the input of disproportionate quantities of chemically distinct litter, invasive plants may potentially influence the fate of organic matter associated with soil mineral and aggregate fractions in some of the ecosystems they invade. Although context dependent, these native ecosystems subjected to prolonged invasion by exotic plants may be instrumental in distinguishing the role of plant–microbe–mineral interactions from the broader edaphic and climatic influences on the formation of soil organic matter (SOM). We hypothesized that the soils subjected to prolonged invasion by an exotic plant that input recalcitrant litter (Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum) would have a greater proportion of plant‐derived carbon (C) in the aggregate fractions, as compared with that in adjacent soil inhabited by native vegetation that input labile litter, whereas the soils under an invader that input labile litter (kudzu, Pueraria lobata) would have a greater proportion of microbial‐derived C in the silt‐clay fraction, as compared with that in adjacent soils that receive recalcitrant litter. At the knotweed site, the higher C content in soils under P. cuspidatum, compared with noninvaded soils inhabited by grasses and forbs, was limited to the macroaggregate fraction, which was abundant in plant biomarkers. The noninvaded soils at this site had a higher abundance of lignins in mineral and microaggregate fractions and suberin in the macroaggregate fraction, partly because of the greater root density of the native species, which might have had an overriding influence on the chemistry of the above‐ground litter input. At the kudzu site, soils under P. lobata had lower C content across all size fractions at a 0–5 cm soil depth despite receiving similar amounts of Pinus litter. Contrary to our prediction, the noninvaded soils receiving recalcitrant Pinus litter had a similar abundance of plant biomarkers across both mineral and aggregate fractions, potentially because of the higher surface area of soil minerals at this site. The plant biomarkers were lower in the aggregate fractions of the P. lobata‐invaded soils, compared with noninvaded pine stands, potentially suggesting a microbial co‐metabolism of pine‐derived compounds. These results highlight the complex interactions among litter chemistry, soil biota, and minerals in mediating soil C storage in unmanaged ecosystems; these interactions are particularly important under global changes that may alter plant species composition and hence the quantity and chemistry of litter inputs in terrestrial ecosystems.
Rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes using fluorescence immunochromatographic assay combined with immunomagnetic separation technique
Authors: Li Qianru , Zhang Sai , Cai Yanxue , Yang Yuexi , Hu Fei , Liu Xiaoyun , He Xiaowei 
Published: May 2017

SummaryTo ensure the safety and quality of food ingredients, especially meat and dairy products, a high‐throughput, rapid and sensitive method to detect Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is always on a high demand. In this work, a specific induction method to enrich and detect LM based on fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (FICA) combined with immunomagnetic separation (IMS) techniques has been developed. The immunomagnetic‐beads (IM) beads were obtained through functionalised magnetic microspheres and the conjugated reaction between the carboxyl on beads surface and amino groups of antibody. The prepared IM‐beads could be used for rapidly enriching pathogenic bacteria with fewer steps, resulting in a high specificity for four pathogenic serotypes and about a 40‐fold improvement of detection limit compared with FICA only. In addition, this method was successfully applied in LM detection in sausage, pork and milk samples with a potential for further application in rapid on‐site detection of pathogenic bacteria.
Analysis of volatile compounds in L. edodes blanched by hot water and microwave
Authors: Li Biao , Kimatu Benard Muinde , Li Chengjie , Pei Fei , Hu Qiuhui , Zhao Liyan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe comprehensive flavour characterisation and volatile compounds of raw L. edodes, hot water blanching (HB) sample and microwave blanching (MB) sample were comparatively analysed by electronic nose technology and headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS). Results indicated that volatile components in L. edodes markedly changed after HB and MB. Volatile compounds of raw L. edodes consisted mainly ketones, sulphide and alcohols, and 3‐octanone, as well as 1‐octen‐3‐one, were the major compounds. The content of ketones and sulphides in blanched samples markedly decreased, while the relative content of aldehydes, hydrocarbons and esters increased, which became the major volatile compounds of treatment samples. In addition, the percentage contents of esters, alcohols and sulphides in MB samples were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in HB samples, especially 1‐octen‐3‐ol, which contributes more to mushroom flavour. Therefore, MB is a better pretreatment method of L. edodes processing and cooking according to the results of experiment.
Antioxidant capacity of Maillard reaction products’ fractions with different molecular weight distribution from chicken bone hydrolysate – galactose system
Authors: Nie Xiaohua , Zhao Liming , Regenstein Joe M. , Xu Dan , Meng Xianghe 
Published: May 2017

SummaryMaillard reaction products (MRP) were prepared from an aqueous chicken bone hydrolysate (CBPH) – galactose systems by heating at 100 °C for up to 7.5 h without pH control, and then separated into the <3‐, 3‐ to 10‐ and >10‐kDa fractions using ultrafiltration. Antioxidant capacity and spectral properties of these MRP fractions were studied. The scavenging activity towards DPPH and hydroxyl radicals as well as reducing power of each MRP fraction increased with the heating time, in accordance with the increase in UV absorbance, browning and fluorescence intensity. For the same MRP, the fraction with high molecular weight (MW) demonstrated the stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than that with low MW. Radical scavenging activities of MRP fractions largely depended on their MW, while their reducing powers were more related to the reaction progress. These results suggested that antioxidant capacity of MRP fractions should be positively related to its molecular size.
Evaluation of OSMOCELLS, a new semi‐automatic device for osmotic fragility assessment
Authors: Gérard D. , Fattet A‐J. , Brakta C. , Phulpin A. , Steschenko D. , Lesesve J‐F. , Perrin J. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIntroductionThe osmotic fragility (OF) test was a central test for the diagnosis of hereditary red blood cell (RBC) disorders (mostly hereditary spherocytosis (HS), but thalassaemia as well). Nowadays although the traditional multitubes method has lost a prominent place, many laboratories still perform such a laboured test, despite the lack of standardization. In fact, the evaluation of OF may offer an inexpensive screening for RBC disorders. We present a new semi‐automatic device, allowing the continuous recording of OF, by an updated dialysis method.MethodsRepeatability, stability over time, influence of the anticoagulant were evaluated among a population of healthy blood donors. The test was then performed among patients presenting inherited RBC disorders (HS or haemoglobinopathies) where OF is typically altered.ResultsRepeatability was excellent; the parameters were greatly influenced by the nature of the anticoagulant and interestingly appeared stable for 48 h. Patients with RBC disorders displayed the expected profile in regard with their disease: patients with HS all presented an increased OF while patients with haemoglobinopathy displayed resistant profiles.ConclusionThe device offers a substantial improvement in terms of standardization and consistency of the results and may offer a considerable gain for general laboratories.
Counterproductive behaviors: Relations across life domains, etiology, and implications for applied practice
Authors: Stanek Kevin C. , Ones Deniz S. , McGue Matt 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPrevious research on counterproductive work behavior (CWB) has shown that workplace deviance can be predicted from individual differences and environmental variables, but relatively little is known about CWBs’ relations with counterproductive behaviors in other domains of an individual's life. Data from 500 male twins were used to examine relations among counterproductive behaviors from several life domains, including school, non‐work, substance use, and work. The results supported the hypotheses that counterproductivity in work and a variety of personal life domains, previous and contemporaneous, are strongly and positively related. A general counterproductivity factor, giving rise to rule‐ and norm‐breaking behavioral repertoire of individuals, accounted for approximately half the variance across measures of counterproductivity in specific life domains. To inform theory and research, the etiology of inter‐individual differences in counterproductivity was examined. Biometric analyses revealed that most of the variance in the counterproductivity domains examined, including CWB, is attributable to genetic and unique (nonshared) environmental factors. The general counterproductivity factor spanning different counterproductivity domains was most influenced by genetic factors (75.4%), but was also influenced by unique environmental factors (24.6%). Biometric analyses indicated that 27% of the variance in CWB is attributable to genetic influences arising from the general factor of counterproductivity and 20% from genetic factors specific to CWB. Unique environmental influences associated with the work domain explained 12% of the variance in CWB. For the CWB criterion, regression analyses explored the usefulness of information from other counterproductivity domains for prediction and employee selection. Counterproductivity from academic and non‐work domains are potent predictors of counterproductivity at work (multiple Rs ranging between .50 and .54).
Big Five traits: Predictors of retesting propensity and score improvement
Authors: Barron Laura G. , Randall Jason G. , Trent John D. , Johnson James F. , Villado Anton J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlthough most high‐stakes admissions, credentialing, and pre‐employment tests allow candidates to retest, relatively little is known about the personal traits of candidates who persist in retesting upon initial failure. In this study we investigated whether Big Five traits may predispose initially unsuccessful applicants to retest and subsequently improve on high‐stakes cognitive ability and knowledge tests required for personnel selection. In this study personality measures (unlike the cognitive tests) did not affect selection outcomes and hence did not provide applicants incentive to distort their personality responses to gain entry into the organization. Applicants higher in conscientiousness were more likely to retest, and emotional stability positively predicted cognitive test score improvement. We discuss implications of these results for organizations considering retesting policies.
An applied examination of the computerized adaptive rating scale for assessing performance
Authors: Darr Wendy , Borman Walter C. , St‐Pierre Line , Kubisiak Christean , Grossman Matthew 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn the present research, we developed and conducted a field test of the computerized adaptive rating scale (CARS) for assessing military officer performance. Participants completed the CARS and a behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) which were both designed to assess five leadership competencies (action orientation/initiative, communication, developing self and others, behavioral flexibility, and teamwork). We obtained data from 116 supervisors and 207 peers who provided ratings on 126 officer ratees. Although interrater reliability estimates were lower for CARS ratings on some competencies, there was a 20–25% improvement in standard error of measurement, the measurement precision in CARS ratings compared to the BARS. Results support findings from a previous lab study.
Equivalence of unproctored internet testing and proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing of the Big Five
Authors: Le Corff Yann , Gingras Véronique , Busque‐Carrier Mathieu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe use of unproctored Internet‐based testing (IBT) for personality assessment is increasingly popular, especially in personnel selection. Previous studies on its equivalence to traditional proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing (PPT) have used between‐subjects designs, which makes it difficult to separate intergroup effects from format effects, and have shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to assess the quantitative, qualitative, and auxiliary equivalence of unproctored IBT and proctored PPT of personality, using a within‐sample design. Undergraduate students (n = 407) completed both an Internet and a paper‐and‐pencil version of a measure of the Big Five, with a 1 to 3 week interval. The proctored paper‐and‐pencil assessment was completed in class and the unproctored Internet assessment was completed at the time and place chosen by the participants. Results showed effect sizes for mean differences to vary from null to small. Skewness and kurtosis indices, reliability coefficients, intercorrelations magnitudes, as well as factor solutions, were highly similar across formats. Respondents did not prefer IBT over PPT on a series of statement about their perceptions and reactions to IBT. In conclusion, results suggest that IBT and PPT of the Big Five personality traits are equivalent, and that the data obtained are comparable across formats.
An exploratory study of current performance management practices: Human resource executives’ perspectives
Authors: Gorman C. Allen , Meriac John P. , Roch Sylvia G. , Ray Joshua L. , Gamble Jason S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA survey of performance management (PM) practices in 101 U.S. organizations explored whether their PM systems, as perceived by human resources (HR) executives, reflect the best practices advocated by researchers to provide a benchmark of current PM practices. Results suggest that many of the PM practices recommended in the research literature are employed across the organizations surveyed, but several gaps between research and practice remain. Results also indicated that the majority of PM systems are viewed by HR executives as effective and fair. Implications for the science and practice of PM are discussed.
Self‐efficacy and justice perceptions in personnel selection: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Mariani Marco Giovanni , Chiesa Rita , Gill Harjinder 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe study investigated the role of self‐efficacy (general and task‐specific) and justice perceptions in determining the expectations of success in personnel selection procedures. We hypothesized that personnel selection self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between general self‐efficacy and outcome expectations, and that justice perceptions moderated these relationships. Our sample consisted of 206 respondents who had just graduated or were about to graduate and had previous experience in selection procedures. The moderated mediation model indicated that personnel selection self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between general self‐efficacy and outcome expectations, but only in the case of high justice perceptions, whereas general self‐efficacy had a direct effect on outcome expectations only in the case of low justice perceptions. The findings encourage more research on applicants’ expectations.
Unravelling causal and temporal influences underpinning monitoring systems success: A typological approach
Authors: Iannacci Federico , Cornford Tony 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the causal and temporal underpinnings of information systems success. It uses a typological approach based on fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis and process tracing. It investigates success across multiple cases of information systems adopted for monitoring the disbursement and use of resources within the European Social Fund. The study unravels the causal mechanisms and temporal pathways underpinning success in these systems. It develops a typological theory of monitoring systems success that reveals the temporal pathways embedded within individual cases, as well as broader theoretical patterns emerging across cases. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.
The Cost of Stability: Consumption‐Based Fixed Rate Billing for Water Utilities
Authors: Schmidt Amy , Lewis Lynne 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMunicipal water utilities in the United States face the challenge of balancing the potentially conflicting goals of sending signals about water scarcity and maintaining revenue stability. Times of extreme shortage such as the current extended drought in California seriously challenge and can jeopardize this delicate balance. Mandatory or voluntary conservation strategies can be detrimental to revenue stability. This study explores the ability of the Consumption‐Based Fixed Rates (CBFR) pricing method to solve this dual dilemma of scarcity pricing and revenue stability in both normal times and times of drought. CBFR proposes using a proportional consumer pricing system directly based on utility supply costs. We utilize utility‐side cost data from Lomita, CA and Longmont, CO, to estimate how consumer prices change under the CBFR method. Using simulations comparing current pricing mechanisms with the CBFR, we find that the latter solves the revenue problem, but creates greater problems with equity and scarcity versus the former. A modified structure of CBFR, with prices based partially on household income, seems to alleviate some of these problems and could prove to be a useful tool during times of drought.