bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information Content and Intra‐industry Effects of Cash Refund Capital Reduction Announcements in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Chu‐hsuan , Lu Te‐kang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCapital reduction through returning cash to shareholders is one mechanism by which firms distribute their surpluses. While distribution of excess funds can lower agency costs, it may also signal a decline in the firm's future investment opportunities. In this paper, we examine the information content and information transfer effects of the announcement of capital reduction and cash distribution in Taiwan during the period 2002–2010. We find that there is a significantly positive market reaction when Taiwanese firms announce a reduction in their capital and return cash to shareowners. We also document contagion intra‐industry effects by showing that portfolios of rival firms in the same industry experience a significant and contemporaneous positive stock price performance. Consistently, our results support the free cash flow hypothesis of contagion intra‐industry effects in the long‐run stock return and operating performance of firms following cash refund capital reduction announcements. Moreover, multivariate analysis indicates that these contagion effects are influenced by competitors' features, which are negatively correlated with competitors' size and growth opportunity, and positively influenced by their dividend policy and ownership structure.
Derivation of Corporate Debt Pricing Model and Its Empirical Implications
Authors: Kang Won , Shin Jungsoon 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOne of the reasons the empirical capital asset pricing model (CAPM) fails to confirm the theory is because historical returns on stocks are used. On the other hand, the bond returns observed at the time of issuance are expected returns. We combine the empirical CAPM with the Modigliani‐Miller propositions adjusted for risky debts, and propose a corporate debt pricing model (CDPM) which is the flipside of the empirical CAPM. The model shows that the systematic risk of defaultable corporate debt can be measured by the covariance between the returns on debt and equity market index. Using individual firm data, we test three versions of CDPM. All validate the positive relationship between individual deltas and returns with full or partial samples. Since CDPM is directly derived from CAPM, the results prove that CAPM can be validated even with individual firm data if proper expected returns are used in the test.
Enrichment and in vitro features of the putative gonocytes from cryopreserved testicular tissue of neonatal bulls
Authors: Cai H. , Tang B. , Wu J. Y. , Zhao X. X. , Wang Z. Z. , An X. L. , Lai L. X. , Li Z. Y. , Zhang X. M. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryEnrichment and propagation of gonocytes or spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from cryopreserved testicular tissue is essential to applySSCs‐related techniques in large domestic animals. We previously reported the cryopreservation of adult bovine testicular tissue. Here, we conducted the enrichment and culture of putative gonocytes from cryopreserved testicular tissues of post‐natal 1‐day‐old bulls. The testicular structure was well maintained after freezing and thawing. HighermRNAlevels of gonocyte/SSCs markers (PLZF,GFRα1, andUCHL‐1) than those of pluripotency genes (Oct4,Sox2, andNanog) were detected in the frozen–thawed sex cords.GFRα1 was specifically detected in the membrane and cytoplasm of gonocytes by immunostaining. Differential plating provided 40–50% enrichment of putative gonocytes. They were single, paired‐, aligned‐cells, or grape cluster‐like colonies in minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 2.5%FBS + 2 mM glutamine + 100 IU/mLpenicillin‐streptomycin + 40 μg/mLgentamycin + 15 mM HEPES + 10 mM β‐mercaptoethanol + 0.1 mM non‐essential amino acids + 1 mM sodium pyruvate. On day 3, gonocyte progeny increased and the contaminated somatic cells spread and concurrently divided slowly. On day 5, gonocyte progeny proliferated continuously and typical intercellular bridges formed by incomplete cytokinesis in paired‐cells or aligned‐cysts were observed. Immunochemically, they were stillGFRα1 andPLZFpositive. These cells expressed significantly higher gonocyte/SSCs markermRNAs than pluripotency genemRNAs, concomitant with a higher level of differentiated spermatogonia markerc‐kit. With time, gonocyte progeny colonies appeared in varied sizes and expanded dramatically on day 7. After cultured for 9–10 days, however, large colonies collapsed and dispersed as some single cells and small syncytial cysts. Together,MEMcontaining 10% dimethyl sulfoxide + 2.5% newborn calf serum provides efficient cryoprotection for the testicular tissue from 1‐day‐old neonatal bulls. Putative gonocytes enriched from these nascent tissues present robust proliferation capacity, conserved gonocyte/SSCs markers, andSSCs‐like in vitro features.
Cofilin is correlated with sperm quality and influences sperm fertilizing capacity in humans
Authors: Chen S. M. , Chen X. M. , Lu Y. L. , Liu B. , Jiang M. , Ma Y. X. 
Published: July 2016

SummarySpermatozoa should undergo a series of biochemical modifications in female reproduction tract, which is collectively called sperm capacitation. The capacitated spermatozoa can bind to the egg zona pellucida, resulting in the occurrence of acrosome reaction which enabled spermatozoa penetrate into the egg. The formation of actin plays an important role in these processes. Actin polymerized during sperm capacitation, but the polymers dispersed before acrosome reaction. In this study, we take our focus on actin‐binding protein, cofilin. Our results showed that the % and intensity of sperm expressing cofilin in normal sperm were significantly higher than in abnormal sperm, and the sperm expressing cofilin was correlated with sperm quality. Furthermore, treatment with anti‐cofilin antibody increased the percentage of sperm capacitation and inhibited progesterone‐ or A23187‐ induced acrosome reaction in a dose‐dependent manner. The presence of 100 ng/mL anti‐cofilin antibodies markedly blocked the sperm penetration of zona‐free hamster eggs. Besides, immunofluorescence results revealed that cofilin was colocalized with F‐actin in the midpiece of spermatozoa; however, phospho‐cofilin was expressed in the tail rather than in the midpiece of spermatozoa, which was not colocalized with F‐actin in spermatozoa. Moreover, western blot revealed that phospho‐cofilin increased in sperm capacitation, and the total cofilin and cofilin in insoluble fraction increased in acrosome reaction; immunofluorescence results showed that the amount of cofilin in acrosome increased in sperm capacitation. In conclusion, our study revealed that cofilin expression in human sperm is correlated with sperm quality and the alterations of cofilin and phospho‐cofilin in fertilization affects sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and spermatozoa–oocyte fusion.
Peak systolic velocity thresholds of cavernosal penile arteries in patients with and without risk factors for arterial erectile deficiency
Authors: Cavallini G. , Scroppo F. I. , Zucchi A. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryTo simultaneously assess the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the end‐diastolic velocity (EDV) at dynamic duplex examination of the cavernosal penile arteries, and penile rigidity in subjects with satisfactory erectile function with and without risk factors for arterial erectile deficiency (ED). This multicenter prospective study examined two populations having satisfactory sexual function with dynamic duplex examination of the cavernosal arteries; one population had risk factors for arterial ED (65 patients, Group 1) and the other (60 patients, Group 2) had no risk factors. Penile rigidity was assessed using the Schramek grading system score (SGSS). The PSV, the EDV, and the SGSS values of Group 1 and of Group 2 were measured and compared using analysis of variance. The EDV and PSV data presented in this abstract are the arithmetical means of the data of the left and right cavernosal arteries. The Group 1 patients showed a mean ± standard deviation PSV of 26.4 ± 13.2 cm/sec and the Group 2 patients showed a PSV of 44.7 ± 9.6 cm/sec (p = 0.002). The EDV of Group 1 was −15.6 ± 16.1 cm/sec and the EDV of Group 2 was −14.9 ± 13.7 cm/sec (p = 0.329). The SGSS in Group 1 was 3.2 ± 0.3 and the SGSS in Group 2 was 4.8 ± 0.2 (p = 0.008). Intra‐ and inter‐operator variability were not statistically significant. The PSVs and the SGSSs of patients with risk factors for ED and satisfactory erectile function were subnormal and significantly lower than the PSVs and the SGSSs of patients without risk factors. It has been hypothesized that compensatory mechanisms, probably of psychological origin, might allow satisfactory erectile response, even in the presence of a subnormal PSV.
How to Restore Fairness After Doping Infringement?
Authors: Hämäläinen Mika 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis article addresses the question how to restore the biggest possible amount of fairness after a discovery of doping infringement. I will analyse eight actions that could be taken: (1) disqualification and re‐ranking, (2) change in official result, (3) medal stripping and medal re‐awarding, (4) ban, (5) rematch, (6) legal action, (7) apology and (8) forgiveness. I conclude that the best way to restore the biggest possible amount of fairness seems to be a selected combination of actions. I also propose that re‐ranking and medal re‐awarding should be accompanied by a ceremony in which the new winners are celebrated because they typically did not have the possibility of enjoying their success in front of the original audience.
Extralevator with vs nonextralevator abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer: the RELAPe randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bianco F. , Romano G. , Tsarkov P. , Stanojevic G. , Shroyer K. , Giuratrabocchetta S. , Bergamaschi R. ,   for the International Rectal Cancer Study Group
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimA randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in circumferential resection margin (CRM) between extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) and non‐ELAPE for rectal cancer.MethodThis was a multicentre, randomized controlled trial registered as NCT01702116. Patients with rectal cancer involving the external anal sphincter were randomized to ELAPE or non‐ELAPE following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Randomization was performed according to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. The primary end‐point was CRM (in mm), defined as the shortest distance between the tumour and the cut edge of the specimen. Pathologists and centralized pathology were blinded to the patients’ study arm. Interrater reliability (IRR) was assessed using Kendall's coefficient. Intra‐operative perforation (IOP) was any rectal defect determined at pathology. Complications were classified using the Clavien–Dindo classification. Participating surgeons were retrained and credentialed. A sample size calculation showed that 34 subjects would provide sufficient power to reject the null hypothesis.ResultsThirty‐four patients underwent the allocated intervention. Seventeen patients treated with ELAPE were comparable with 17 patients treated with non‐ELAPE regarding age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class and pre‐existing comorbidities. CRM depth (7.14 ± 5.76 mm vs 2.98 ± 3.28 mm, P = 0.016) and involvement rates (5.8% vs 41.0%, P = 0.04) were significantly increased in patients treated with ELAPE. The IRR for CRM was 0.78. There were no significant differences in IOP (5.8% vs 11.7%, P = 0.77) and complication rates (29% vs 29%, P = 0.97).ConclusionsELAPE was associated with statistically improved CRM with no difference in IOP and complication rates compared with non‐ELAPE for rectal cancer involving the external anal sphincter.
Alcohol‐Focused Behavioral Couple Therapy
Authors: McCrady Barbara S. , Wilson Adam D. , Muñoz Rosa E. , Fink Brandi C. , Fokas Kathryn , Borders Adrienne 
Published: July 2016

Alcohol Behavioral Couple Therapy (ABCT) has emerged over the last 30 years as a highly efficacious treatment for those with alcohol use disorders. This review highlights the historical and conceptual underpinnings of ABCT, as well as the specific treatment elements and structure. Proposed active ingredients, moderators, and mediators of treatment outcome are discussed. Efficacy is evaluated for reductions in identified patient drinking, improved relationship functioning, and reductions in intimate partner violence. Adaptations of ABCT for substances other than alcohol are described. Other adaptations, including brief interventions, interventions addressing PTSD and TBI along with alcohol use, and interventions deliverable via technology platforms are described. Additional cost‐benefit and cost‐effectiveness findings supporting the economic value of ABCT are noted. Future directions for research in this area include possible adaptations for female identified patients, nontraditional couples, LGBT partners and dyads involving nonintimate partner relationships. The development of more flexible models and enhanced dissemination strategies may improve clinical uptake and utility as well as increasing the feasibility of this treatment for integrated healthcare settings.
Heat resistance throughout ontogeny: body size constrains thermal tolerance
Authors: Klockmann Michael , Günter Franziska , Fischer Klaus 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHeat tolerance is a trait of paramount ecological importance and may determine a species' ability to cope with ongoing climate change. Although critical thermal limits have consequently received substantial attention in recent years, their potential variation throughout ontogeny remained largely neglected. We investigate whether such neglect may bias conclusions regarding a species' sensitivity to climate change. Using a tropical butterfly, we found that developmental stages clearly differed in heat tolerance. It was highest in pupae followed by larvae, adults and finally eggs and hatchlings. Strikingly, most of the variation found in thermal tolerance was explained by differences in body mass, which may thus impose a severe constraint on adaptive variation in stress tolerance. Furthermore, temperature acclimation was beneficial by increasing heat knock‐down time and therefore immediate survival under heat stress, but it affected reproduction negatively. Extreme temperatures strongly reduced survival and subsequent reproductive success even in our highly plastic model organism, exemplifying the potentially dramatic impact of extreme weather events on biodiversity. We argue that predictions regarding a species' fate under changing environmental conditions should consider variation in thermal tolerance throughout ontogeny, variation in body mass and acclimation responses as important predictors of stress tolerance.
Increased autumn rainfall disrupts predator–prey interactions in fragmented boreal forests
Authors: Terraube Julien , Villers Alexandre , Poudré Léo , Varjonen Rauno , Korpimäki Erkki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThere is a pressing need to understand how changing climate interacts with land‐use change to affect predator–prey interactions in fragmented landscapes. This is particularly true in boreal ecosystems facing fast climate change and intensification in forestry practices. Here, we investigated the relative influence of autumn climate and habitat quality on the food‐storing behaviour of a generalist predator, the pygmy owl, using a unique data set of 15 850 prey items recorded in western Finland over 12 years. Our results highlighted strong effects of autumn climate (number of days with rainfall and with temperature <0 °C) on food‐store composition. Increasing frequency of days with precipitation in autumn triggered a decrease in (i) total prey biomass stored, (ii) the number of bank voles (main prey) stored, and (iii) the scaled mass index of pygmy owls. Increasing proportions of old spruce forests strengthened the functional response of owls to variations in vole abundance and were more prone to switch from main prey to alternative prey (passerine birds) depending on local climate conditions. High‐quality habitat may allow pygmy owls to buffer negative effects of inclement weather and cyclic variation in vole abundance. Additionally, our results evidenced sex‐specific trends in body condition, as the scaled mass index of smaller males increased while the scaled mass index of larger females decreased over the study period, probably due to sex‐specific foraging strategies and energy requirements. Long‐term temporal stability in local vole abundance refutes the hypothesis of climate‐driven change in vole abundance and suggests that rainier autumns could reduce the vulnerability of small mammals to predation by pygmy owls. As small rodents are key prey species for many predators in northern ecosystems, our findings raise concern about the impact of global change on boreal food webs through changes in main prey vulnerability.
Increased MicroRNA‐1266 levels as a biomarker for disease activity in psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Seifeldin Neveen Salah , El Sayed Shereen Bendary , Asaad Marwa Kamal 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence has shown that serum microRNA (miR) levels are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic value in various diseases. Psoriasis is characterized by a specific miR expression profile, with a characteristic miR signature, distinct from that of healthy skin.ObjectivesTo understand the role of miR‐1266 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and to explore if it has the potential as a blood biomarker. We assessed serum miR‐1266 levels in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment and compared it with controls. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between miR‐1266 and clinical severity in psoriasis before and after treatment.MethodsmiR‐1266 was measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction in 35 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 35 healthy controls before and after treatment. Moreover, the correlation between miR‐1266 levels and psoriasis area and severity index score was determined.ResultsSerum miR‐1266 levels were considerably higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy control subjects. Furthermore, miR‐1266 levels showed a strong positive correlation with psoriasis area and severity index score before and after treatment, having a marked decline with therapy.ConclusionmiR‐1266 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. This may presumably have possible future implications on the treatment of this chronic disease.
The use of patch tests in the diagnosis of delayed hypersensitivity drug eruptions
Authors: Hassoun‐Kheir Nasreen , Bergman Reuven , Weltfriend Sara 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundAdverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common. In the absence of a sufficiently sensitive and specific laboratory test, identification of the culprit drug remains a diagnostic challenge. Patch tests have recently been advocated as a means of detecting drug sensitivity.ObjectiveTo further elucidate the usefulness of patch tests in revealing the causative drugs of cutaneousADRs (CADRs).Materials and methodsWe conducted a non‐blinded, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Twenty‐five patients with a history ofCADRs were patch tested, and 25 healthy subjects who had never experiencedCADRs served as controls.ResultsA morbilliform eruption was the most frequent skin reaction. Patch tests were positive in eight of the 25 patients withCADR(32%). Specifically, five of the 13 patients with morbilliform drug eruption (38.4%) tested positive, as did one of the four patients with erythema multiforme/Stevens–Johnson syndrome (25%), and one of the two patients with the drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome. Antibiotics and anticonvulsants resulted in positive patch tests most often. Patch test sensitivity was 32%, specificity was 92%, and negative and positive predictive values were 57.5% and 80%, respectively. Significant correlation was found between the patch test result and the clinical probability of aCADRaccording to the imputability score of the drug.ConclusionsPatch testing for drugs causingADRs shows high specificity rates even though the sensitivity is low. Such tests may therefore be useful in supporting the diagnosis of delayed‐typeCADRs, particularly when antibiotics or anticonvulsants are involved and the cutaneous reaction is a morbilliform rash.
Long‐term follow‐up and management of small and medium‐sized CD4+ T cell lymphoma and CD8+ lymphoid proliferations of acral sites: a multicenter experience
Authors: Virmani Pooja , Jawed Sarah , Myskowski Patricia L. , Horwitz Steven , Skripnik Lucas Anna , Moskowitz Alison , Pulitzer Melissa , Zain Jasmine , Rosen Steven T. , Querfeld Christiane 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPrimary cutaneous CD4+ small–medium pleomorphic T cell lymphoma (SMPTCL) is a low‐grade cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Its clinical and histopathologic features are comparable with those of CD8+ lymphoid proliferations (LPs) of the ear and acral sites.ObjectivesWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients with CD4+ SMPTCL or CD8+ LP to elucidate the clinical course, prognosis, and outcomes.MethodsDemographic, clinical, and treatment data were reviewed. Histopathologic data based on architectural, cytomorphologic, and immunohistochemical features were assessed. Immunohistochemical staining for T and B cell markers was evaluated.ResultsA total of 25 patients including 22 with CD4+ SMPTCL and three with CD8+ LP were identified. All patients presented with a single lesion, predominantly on the head, neck, or upper trunk (84%). No patients showed extracutaneous disease at any evaluation. The most common histopathologic changes showed a dense nodular infiltrate of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei without significant follicular or adnexal involvement. Patients were treated with excision (48%), local radiation (28%), or topical or intralesional steroids (24%). All patients achieved complete resolution of disease. Five patients demonstrated cutaneous relapse at new sites.ConclusionsThe CD4+ SMPTCL/CD8+ LP subgroup usually presents with solitary lesions and demonstrates an indolent clinical course. Typical presentation, classic histopathology, widespread expression of follicular T helper cell markers, and loss of a T cell antigen are diagnostic features of CD4+ SMPTCL, whereas monomorphous CD8+ infiltrate without follicular T helper cell markers is consistent with CD8+ LP. Local skin‐directed therapy is appropriate in these patients.