bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does asymmetric information affect the premium in mergers and acquisitions?
Authors: Dionne Georges , La Haye Mélissa , Bergerès Anne‐Sophie 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe test the influence of information asymmetry on the premium paid for an acquisition. We analyze mergers and acquisitions as English auctions. The theory of dynamic auctions with private and common value predicts that more informed bidders may pay a lower price. We test that prediction with a sample of 1,026 acquisitions in the United States between 1990 and 2007. We assume that blockholders of the target's shares are better informed than other bidders because they possess privileged information on the target. Our empirical results show that blockholders pay a much lower premium than do other buyers
Readability of Invasive Procedure Consent Forms
Authors: Eltorai Adam E. M. , Naqvi Syed S. , Ghanian Soha , Eberson Craig P. , Weiss Arnold‐Peter C. , Born Christopher T. , Daniels Alan H. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundInformed consent is a pillar of ethical medicine which requires patients to fully comprehend relevant issues including the risks, benefits, and alternatives of an intervention. Given the average reading skill of US adults is at the 8th grade level, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend patient information materials should not exceed a 6th grade reading level. We hypothesized that text provided in invasive procedure consent forms would exceed recommended readability guidelines for medical information.Materials and methodsTo test this hypothesis, we gathered procedure consent forms from all surgical inpatient hospitals in the state of Rhode Island. For each consent form, readability analysis was measured with the following measures: Flesch Reading Ease Formula, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Fog Scale, SMOG Index, Coleman–Liau Index, Automated Readability Index, and Linsear Write Formula. These readability scores were used to calculate a composite Text Readability Consensus Grade Level.ResultsInvasive procedure consent forms were found to be written at an average of 15th grade level (i.e., third year of college), which is significantly higher than the average US adult reading level of 8th grade (p < 0.0001) and the AMA/NIH recommended readability guidelines for patient materials of 6th grade (p < 0.0001).ConclusionInvasive procedure consent forms have readability levels which makes comprehension difficult or impossible for many patients. Efforts to improve the readability of procedural consent forms should improve patient understanding regarding their healthcare decisions.
Acquired haemophilia: an overview for clinical practice
Authors: Kessler Craig M. , Knöbl Paul 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAcquired haemophilia is a potentially life‐threatening bleeding disorder caused by the development of autoantibodies against coagulation factors, most commonly against factor (F) VIII (acquired haemophilia A; AHA). In around half of patients, an underlying disorder is associated with AHA; the remaining cases are idiopathic. Typically, the disorder presents with bleeding, ranging from mild to life‐ and limb‐threatening, in patients with no personal or family bleeding history. Diagnosis involves an isolated prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, without correction in mixing studies, low FVIII activity levels and evidence of a FVIII inhibitor. As AHA is rare, a lack of familiarity of the condition may result in delayed diagnosis, and prompt haemostatic control is required to reduce morbidity and mortality. Bypassing agents (recombinant activated factor VII or activated prothrombin complex concentrates) can be used to control acute bleeding, and immunosuppression is necessary to eradicate the inhibitor. As clinical trials in this rare and heterogeneous disease are difficult, current evidence comes from observational studies, including registries. This review will focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of AHA and summarise how understanding of this complex condition has increased based on recent registry data.
Sex‐Specific Parental Care in Response to Predation Risk in the European Roller, Coracias garrulus
Authors: Expósito‐Granados Mónica , Parejo Deseada , Avilés Jesús M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSublethal effects of predation constitute an important part of predation effects, which may modulate prey population and community dynamics. In birds, the risk of nest predation may cause a reduction in parental activity in the care of offspring to reduce the chance of being detected by predators. In addition, parents may modify their parental food allocation preferences within the brood in response to predation risk. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effects of risk of nest predation on parental care and within‐nest food allocation in the European Roller (Coracias garrulus), an asynchronously hatching bird. We manipulated brood predation risk by placing a snake model near the nests that simulates the most common nest predator in the Mediterranean region. Our results show that males but not females increased their provisioning rate when they were exposed to the model and that despite this, nestlings’ body mass decreased in response to this temporary increase in predation risk. We did not find evidence that parents changed their food allocation strategy towards senior or junior nestlings in their nests in response to predation risk. These results show that the European roller modifies parental care in response to their perception of predation risk in the nest and a sex‐specific sensitivity to the threat, which suggests a different perception of offspring reproductive value by parents. Finally, our results show that changes in parental behaviour in response to nest predation risk might have consequences for nestling fitness prospects.
An interyear comparison of CO2 flux and carbon budget at a commercial‐scale land‐use transition from semi‐improved grassland to Miscanthus x giganteus
Authors: McCalmont Jon P. , McNamara Niall P. , Donnison Iain S. , Farrar Kerrie , Clifton‐Brown John C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA 6‐ha field at Aberystwyth, UK, was converted in 2012 from semi‐improved grassland to Miscanthus x giganteus for biomass production; results from transition to the end of the first 3 years are presented here. An eddy covariance sensor mast was established from year one with a second mast added from year two, improving coverage and providing replicated measurements of CO2 exchange between the ecosystem and atmosphere. Using a simple mass balance approach, above‐ground and below‐ground biomass production are combined with partitioned CO2 fluxes to estimate short‐term carbon deltas across individual years. Years one and two both ended with the site as a net source of carbon following cultivation disturbances, cumulative NEE by the end of year two was 138.57 ± 16.91 g C m−2. The site became a cumulative net sink for carbon by the end of June in the third growing season and remained so for the rest of that year; NEE by the end of year three was −616.52 ± 39.39 g C m−2. Carbon gains were primarily found in biomass pools, and SOC losses were limited to years one (−1.43 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) and two (−3.75 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Year three saw recoupment of soil carbon at 0.74 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with a further estimate of 0.78 Mg C ha−1 incorporated through litter inputs over the 3 years, suggesting a net loss of SOC at 3.7 Mg ha−1 from a 0‐ to 30‐cm baseline of 78.61 ± 3.28 Mg ha−1, down 4.7%. Assuming this sequestration rate as a minimum would suggest replacement of cultivation losses of SOC by year 8 of a potential 15‐ to 20‐year crop. Potential coal replacement per hectare of harvest over the three‐year study would offset 6–8 Mg of carbon emission, more than double the SOC losses.
Reproducibility and conflicts in immune epitope data
Authors: Vita Randi , Vasilevsky Nicole , Bandrowski Anita , Haendel Melissa , Sette Alessandro , Peters Bjoern 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe Immune Epitope Database is uniquely positioned to assess the body of research related to immune epitopes, we have manually curated all such published data. Thus, we are able to make observations on the state of these fields of research, as well as aggregate the individual data points to present a clearer picture of the immune response to specific antigens in all studied hosts. Additionally, we are able to identify where conflicts in the literature exist and where publications fall short in terms of identifiable methods and in reproducibility. Here we present guidelines to improve the quality of immune epitope data, which will benefit journals and researchers alike.
Big data, big risks
Authors: Clarke Roger 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe ‘big data’ literature, academic as well as professional, has a very strong focus on opportunities. Far less attention has been paid to the threats that arise from repurposing data, consolidating data from multiple sources, applying analytical tools to the resulting collections, drawing inferences, and acting on them. On the basis of a review of quality factors in ‘big data’ and ‘big data analytics’, illustrated by means of scenario analysis, this paper draws attention to the moral and legal responsibility of computing researchers and professionals to temper their excitement, and apply reality checks to their promotional activities.
The Significance of Post–insemination Display by Male Centris pallida (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)
Authors: Alcock John , Buchmann Stephen L. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract and SummaryThe post–insemination display of males of the anthophorid bee, Centris pallida, is described with special reference to its acoustical component. Males of the anthophorid bee Centris pallida do not release their mates immediately after having transferred sperm to them but instead engage in a complex post–insemination display involving tactile and acoustical elements. Females that are experimentally prevented from experiencing this stimulation often retain their receptivity and will mate again with another male, despite having received a complement of sperm from their original partner. In dense emergence sites in which competition for emerging virgins is severe, small males are sometimes displaced from a mate by larger rivals before the small individual can provide the display. Therefore the female's requirement for post–insemination stimulation may improve her chances of receiving sperm from a large dominant male.ZusammenfassungMännliche Centris pallida–Bienen entlassen ihre Partner nicht direkt nach der Begattung, sondern vollführen mit ihnen ein komplexes Nachspiel, das taktile und akustische Elemente umfaßt. Weibchen, die experimentell von diesem Nachspiel ausgeschlossen werden, bleiben oft begattungsbereit und paaren sich erneut mit einem anderen Männchen, obwohl sie bereits erfolgreich begattet sind. Auf kleinen Flachen, wo viele Tiere schlupfen und die Konkurrenz um jungfrauliche Weibchen hoch ist, werden kleine Männchen manchmal von einem größeren Rivalen verdrängt, bevor sie das Nachspiel einleiten konnten. Die Erfordernis eines Begattungs–Nachspiels erhöht für das Weibchen möglicherweise die Chance, Sperma von großen dominanten Männchen zu empfangen.
CenteringPregnancy and the Current State of Prenatal Care
Authors: Novick Gina 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTPrenatal care is often credited with improving pregnancy outcomes. Yet rates of low birthweight (LBW) and prematurity have risen in recent decades, calling into question the efficacy of traditional prenatal routines. Proposals have included broadening the objectives of prenatal care beyond prevention of LBW and enriching care to provide education and support for pregnant women. CenteringPregnancy, an innovative model of prenatal care that integrates extensive health education and group support with the standard prenatal exam, incorporates many of these elements. Impediments to wider implementation of CenteringPregnancy are explored, as well as proposals for addressing these challenges.
A Death in the Family: Parental Bereavement in the First Year
Authors: Cook Judith A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article examines parents' descriptions of their experiences in the first year after a child's death from cancer or a blood disorder. Interviews and questionnaires were used to gather information from 145 parents of children treated for oncologic or hematological diseases at a large, urban pediatric hospital who died during the years 1975 through 1979. Descriptive and survey data revealed differences between maternal and paternal mourning. Men and women differed significantly in the extent to which they encountered distance and lack of comfort in spousal relationships and difficulty during first year post‐death holidays. Findings are discussed in light of the nature of relationships with the deceased child and other family members.
Aokigahara‐jukai: Suicide and Amnesia in Mt. Fuji's Black Forest
Authors: Takahashi Yoshitomo 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTAokigahara‐jukai (Jukai), a dense forest at the foot of Mt. Fuji, is well known as the leading suicide site in Japan, with about 30 people committing suicide there every year. This paper describes Jukai and three cases of psychogenic amnesia following attempted suicide there. Amnesia as an alternative to suicide and the significance of death in Jukai are discussed.
Comparison of Chromosome 4 gene expression profile between lung telocytes and other local cell types
Authors: Song Dongli , Cretoiu Dragos , Zheng Minghuan , Qian Mengjia , Zhang Miaomiao , Cretoiu Sanda M. , Chen Luonan , Fang Hao , Popescu Laurentiu M. , Wang Xiangdong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTelocytes (TCs) are new cellular entities of mesenchymal origin described almost ubiquitously in human and mammalian organs (www.telocytes.com). Different subtypes of TCs were described, all forming networks in the interstitial space by homo‐ and heterocellular junctions. Previous studies analysed the gene expression profiles of chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18 of murine pulmonary TCs. In this study, we analysed by bioinformatics tools the gene expression profiles of chromosome 4 for murine pulmonary TCs and compared it with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fibroblasts (Fbs), alveolar type II cells (ATII), airway basal cells, proximal airway cells, CD8(+) T cells from bronchial lymph nodes (T‐BL) and CD8(+) T cells from lungs (T‐L). Key functional genes were identified with the aid of the reference library of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database. Seventeen genes were up‐regulated and 56 genes were down‐regulated in chromosome 4 of TCs compared with other cells. Four genes (Akap2, Gpr153, Sdc3 and Tbc1d2) were up‐regulated between one and fourfold and one gene, Svep1, was overexpressed over fourfold. The main functional networks were identified and analysed, pointing out to a TCs involvement in cellular signalling, regulation of tissue inflammation and cell expansion and movement.
Family‐centered prevention ameliorates the longitudinal association between risky family processes and epigenetic aging
Authors: Brody Gene H. , Yu Tianyi , Chen Edith , Beach Steven R.H. , Miller Gregory E. 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundResearch has suggested that ‘risky’ family processes have unforeseen negative consequences for health later in life. The purpose of this study was to further understanding of risky family environments and development of health vulnerabilities by (a) examining the likelihood that elevated levels of parental depressive symptoms when children are age 11 forecast accelerated epigenetic aging 9 years later at age 20; (b) determining whether participation in an efficacious family‐centered prevention program focused on enhancing supportive parenting and strengthening family relationships will ameliorate this association; and (c) testing a moderation‐mediation hypothesis that prevention‐induced reductions in harsh parenting across adolescence will account for prevention effects in reducing accelerated epigenetic aging.MethodsIn the rural southeastern United States, parents and 11‐year‐old children from 399 families participated in the Strong African American Families (SAAF) program or a control condition. Parents reported their own depressive symptoms when their children were 11, and both youths and parents reported youth exposure to harsh parenting at ages 11 and 16. Blood was drawn from youths at age 20 to measure accelerated epigenetic aging using a marker derived from the DNA methylation of cells.ResultsElevated parental depressive symptoms forecast accelerated epigenetic aging among youths in the control condition, but not among SAAF participants. Moderated‐mediation analyses confirmed that reductions in harsh parenting accounted for SAAF's protective effects on epigenetic aging. Subsequent exploratory analyses indicated that accelerated epigenetic aging forecast emotional distress among young adults in the control condition but not among those who participated in SAAF.ConclusionsThis study is unique in using a randomized prevention trial to test hypotheses about the ways risky family processes contribute to accelerated epigenetic aging. The results suggest that developmentally appropriate family‐centered interventions designed to enhance parenting and strengthen families can buffer the biological residue of life in a risky family.
Evaluation of Diluents and A Selective Agar for Enumerating the Viable Number of Vibrio Spp. in Laboratory Broth and on Mackerel
Authors: Yoon Jae‐Hyun , Bae Young‐Min , Lee Sun‐Young 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study aimed at enumerating the viable number of various Vibrio spp., which cultured in tryptic soy broth with 3% NaCl (TSBN3) or inoculated in mackerels, on thiosulphate‐citrate‐bile salts‐sugar (TCBS) agar and tryptic soy agar with 3% NaCl (TSAN3), before and after storage at 4C for 3 or 7 days, depending on the use of seven diluents, including alkaline peptone water, phosphate buffered saline, artificial sea water with 2.5% NaCl (ASW2.5) or 0.75% NaCl (ASW0.75), deionized water with 3% NaCl (SSN3) or 0.85% NaCl (SSN0.85) and TSBN3. As a result, TSBN3 was the most effective, showing by 5.25 log10 cfu/mL on TCBS and 6.72 log10 cfu/mL on TSAN3 before storage. The highest numbers of Vibrio spp. were achieved when diluted in SSN3 after storage for 3 days. Importantly, TCBS caused significant (P < 0.05) underestimations for enumerating the actual number of Vibrio spp. In addition, the use of ASW2.5 caused significant decreases in enumerating Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in mackerels (P < 0.05) after storage at 4C for 7 days. It was determined that enumerating Vibrio spp. could be influenced, depending on the use of diluents and a selective medium.Practical ApplicationsVibrio spp. with high pathogenicity may cause serious illnesses to human beings. Then, effective detecting methods have been required for analyzing the presence of Vibrio spp. from various seafood accurately/rapidly. However, it was revealed that concomitant results achieved after application of such methods would be different, depending on the use of diluents and a selective medium. These results would lead to the potential of not only a significant underestimation for enumerating the actual number of Vibrio spp., but also causing foodborne outbreaks associated with seafood. Therefore, the present study investigated effects of various diluents and a selective medium for enumerating Vibrio spp. in seafood. This research will provide scientific information that can be used for developing a program linked to effective detection of pathogenic bacteria in food.
Effect of Plasma Nitriding Surface Modification on the Adhesion of Food Pathogens to Stainless Steel AISI 316 and AISI 304
Authors: Casarin Letícia Sopeña , de Oliveira Casarin Fabrício , Soares Tatiana Pacheco , Aguzzoli Cesar , Figueroa Carlos Alejandro , Soares Gabriel Vieira , Brandelli Adriano , Tondo Eduardo Cesar 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFood pathogens like Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes can attach to surfaces commonly found in food processing environment, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases. Therefore, the use of effective strategies to reduce bacterial adhesion on equipment surfaces is a subject of great interest for food industries. The plasma nitriding treatment has been investigated for surface modification of biomedical materials, aiming to reduce bacterial attachment. However, this technology has not yet used in food equipment surfaces. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plasma nitriding surface modification of stainless steels on the adhesion of S. Enteritidis and L. monocytogenes. Coupons of stainless steel AISI 316 and AISI 304 were treated with plasma nitriding (30 Pa, 100 W), and bacterial adhesion was compared with untreated coupons. Bacterial counts and surface hydrophobicity were analyzed before and after treatment. Results showed that plasma nitriding treatment modified the hydrophobicity of the stainless steel surfaces, and the number of attached cells was reduced when compared to untreated stainless steel coupons. Based on these results, plasma nitriding treatment may be a promising technology, which can be used to hinder bacterial attachment on stainless steel surfaces.Practical ApplicationsThe modification of stainless steel surfaces with plasma nitriding can influence on the bacterial adhesion, contributing with food safety. This surface treatment can be used in industrial scale before the manufacture of stainless steel equipment used in food industries. The use of equipment treated with plasma nitriding do not compromise food with chemical or physical residues, however, it should be used as an additional control measure to microbial hazards and do not substitute Good Hygiene Practices.
Microbiology and resistance in first episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: implications for management and prognosis
Authors: Friedrich Kilian , Nüssle Simone , Rehlen Tobias , Stremmel Wolfgang , Mischnik Alexander , Eisenbach Christoph 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPurposeInternational guidelines for antibiotic treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are based on studies conducted decades ago and do not reflect regional differences of bacterial epidemiology.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed epidemiology of agents, antibiotic resistance patterns, and survival in liver cirrhosis patients with their first episode of SBP during the years 2007–2013.ResultsOf the 311 patients included, 114 patients had a positive ascites culture, and 197 had an ascitic neutrophil count >250 μL. Gram‐positive bacteria (47.8%) were more frequently found than Gram‐negatives (44.9%), fungi in 7.2%. Enterobacter spp. (40.6%), Enterococcus spp. (26.1%), and Staphylcoccus spp. (13.8%) were the most frequently isolated agents. Third‐generation cephalosporins covered 70.2% of non‐nosocomial and 56.3% of nosocomial‐acquired SBP cases.When SBP was diagnosed by a positive ascitic culture, survival was highly significantly reduced (mean: 13.9 ± 2.9 months; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.1–19.8) compared with culture‐negative SBP patients (mean: 44.1 ± 5.4 months; 95% CI: 33.4–54.9; P = 0.000). Along with model of end‐stage liver disease score and intensive care unit contact, a positive ascites culture remained an independent risk factor associated with poor survival (odds ratio: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.09–2.03) in multivariate analysis; piperacillin/tazobactam proved to be an adequate antibiotic for nosocomial and non‐nosocomial SBP in 85.1% and 92.5%, respectively. SBP infection with Enterococcus spp. was associated with poor patient survival (P = 0.048).ConclusionsThird‐generation cephalosporins have poor microbial coverage for treatment of SBP. Current guidelines need to adapt for the emerging number of Gram‐positive infectious agents in SBP patients.