bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paying Restitution: Experimental Analysis of the Effects of Information and Rationale
Authors: Ruback R. Barry , Gladfelter Andrew S. , Lantz Brendan 
Published: December 2014

Research SummaryMost crime victims do not receive the restitution they are owed. This study is an experiment that addresses two reasons offenders give for why they do not pay their court‐ordered restitution: (a) lack of understanding of how much they owe and where their payments are directed and (b) a belief that the sanctions are unfair. A total of 771 offenders were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 × 2 between‐subjects design in which, over a 6‐month period, three quarters of the offenders received monthly letters that contained (a) information or no information about the economic sanctions they had paid and what they still owed (Information manipulation) and (b) a statement or no statement about reasons for paying restitution (Rationale manipulation). The remaining offenders did not receive a letter. The results 1 year after the experiment began (6 months after the last letter had been sent) indicated that offenders who had received letters containing information (Information condition) paid significantly more money and made significantly more monthly payments than did offenders in the other three experimental conditions. A cost‐effectiveness analysis indicated that for every dollar spent on the experimental manipulation, approximately $6.44 in restitution was received.Policy ImplicationsResearch on deterrence has suggested that threatened punishment can lead to compliance only if the threat is real. The problem with such enforcement measures, however, is that this type of deterrence is too expensive to be broadly imposed. By contrast, inducing offenders to act based on internal motivation rather than in response to external contingencies of reward and punishment can lead to long‐term behavior change. This study suggests that informing offenders on a regular basis about how much restitution they have paid and how much they still owe can lead them to pay more restitution and to make more monthly payments. We believe these effects primarily are the result of a change in internal motivation because if it were fear of being monitored that led to the increased payments, then the absence of monitoring (i.e., no letters for 6 months) should have reduced that fear, meaning that payments should have been reduced. They were not. Although the question of the generalizability of the procedure remains open, the results of this experiment suggest that, at relatively little cost (because information about payments was gathered from individuals’ court dockets publicly available on the Web), governments can increase restitution payments, benefiting victims, society, and perhaps the offenders themselves.
Haemostatic management of cardiac surgical haemorrhage
Authors: Besser M. W. , Ortmann E. , Klein A. A. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAlmost 30 000 cardiopulmonary bypass operations are performed in the UK every year, consuming a considerable portion of the UK blood supply. Each year, in cardiac surgery, 90% of blood products are used by only 10% of patients, and over the past 25 years, much innovation and research has gone into improving peri‐operative diagnosis and therapy for these patients. Visco‐elastic tests performed at the bedside, with modifications to allow direct quantification of fibrinogen levels, are probably the biggest advancement. There is no clear advantage of thromboelastometry over thromboelastography, and the published literature remains scarce. Visco‐elastic testing has recently been coupled with the systematic replacement of clotting factors by means of factor concentrates, with objective improvement in terms of blood loss, red blood cell usage and surgical re‐exploration. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has reviewed the available evidence and recommended visco‐elastic tests as cost effective in cardiac surgery. Factor concentrates, however, carry significant risks, particularly unnecessary donor exposures, potential selective over‐correction of partial deficiencies and the possibility that the postoperative risk of venous thromboembolism is increased; as yet there are no data on risk–benefit analysis. There are a number of promising drugs used in topical haemostasis, but the requirement to apply these before major bleeding is manifest limits their use considerably. Hyperfibrinolysis is less important than in the past due to the wide spread adoption of antifibrinolytic agents and close intra‐operative monitoring of heparin effect.
Correlation analysis of hypothalamic mRNA levels of appetite regulatory neuropeptides and several metabolic parameters in 28‐day‐old layer chickens
Authors: Honda Kazuhisa , Saneyasu Takaoki , Aoki Koji , Shimatani Tomohiko , Yamaguchi Takuya , Kamisoyama Hiroshi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractVarious lines of evidence suggest that appetite‐related neuropeptides in the hypothalamus are regulated by adiposity signals such as leptin and insulin in mammals. In the present study, we examined age‐dependent changes in the weight of abdominal fat and hypothalamic mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY, an orexigenic neuropeptide) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC, a precursor of anorexigenic neuropeptides) in growing chickens at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age. Hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased after 14 days of age, whereas hypothalamic POMC mRNA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 28 days of age. The percentage of abdominal fat was significantly increased after 14 days of age in chickens. We next examined the correlation of hypothalamic NPY and POMC mRNA levels and several parameters at 28 days of age. There were no significant correlations between hypothalamic mRNA levels of NPY or POMC and the percentage of abdominal fat. These findings suggest that the gene expressions of NPY and POMC do not depend on adiposity in chickens, at least in 28‐day‐old layer chickens.
A new rolling culture‐based in vitro fertilization system capable of reducing polyspermy in porcine oocytes
Authors: Kitaji Hideki , Ookutsu Shoji , Sato Masahiro , Miyoshi Kazuchika 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe high incidence of polyspermy is one of the major obstacles during in vitro fertilization (IVF) in pigs. To overcome this, we developed a novel IVF method, which involves constant rotation. Oocytes matured in vitro were mixed with spermatozoa (0.2 × 105 sperm/mL) in an IVF medium (200 μL) using a 200 μL PCR tube. This tube was then rotated at 1 rpm for 6 h at 38.5°C in a rotation mixer (experimental group). A second PCR tube was simultaneously cultured without rotation (control group). The rate of polyspermy was evaluated 12 h after insemination and was significantly (P < 0.05; 21.0% vs. 48.3%) lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Sperm penetration rate was similar in oocytes from the experimental and control groups (75.2% vs. 83.1%). However, monospermic fertilization rate of the oocytes was significantly (P < 0.05; 44.8% vs. 21.2%) higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Furthermore, the rate of blastocyst formation (30.1% vs. 20.8%) increased in the experimental group, as compared to the control group. This present system will contribute to increase the efficacy of blastocyst production through reduction of polyspermic penetration.
Effects of hypothalamic dopamine on growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐induced growth hormone secretion and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced prolactin secretion in goats
Authors: Jin Jin , Hashizume Tsutomu 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. The GH‐releasing response to an intravenous (i.v.) injection of GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH, 0.25 μg/kg body weight (BW)) was examined after treatments to augment central DA using carbidopa (carbi, 1 mg/kg BW) and L‐dopa (1 mg/kg BW) in male and female goats under a 16‐h photoperiod (16 h light, 8 h dark) condition. GHRH significantly and rapidly stimulated the release of GH after its i.v. administration to goats (P < 0.05). The carbi and L‐dopa treatments completely suppressed GH‐releasing responses to GHRH in both male and female goats (P < 0.05). The prolactin (PRL)‐releasing response to an i.v. injection of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 μg/kg BW) was additionally examined in male goats in this study to confirm modifications to central DA concentrations. The treatments with carbi and L‐dopa significantly reduced TRH‐induced PRL release in goats (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that hypothalamic DA was involved in the regulatory mechanisms of GH, as well as PRL secretion in goats.
Beyond the Union‐Centred Approach: A Critical Evaluation of Recent Trade Union Elections in China
Authors: Hui Elaine Sio‐ieng , Chan Chris King‐chi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMany Western scholars have regarded union democracy and elections as affairs that are internal to trade unions and unconnected with outside forces. Going beyond the mainstream union‐centred approach, this study critically assesses one significant type of union election that has been emerging in China since 2010 and that has been driven by different forces from previous elections. Previous workplace union elections had been ‘top‐down’ — initiated by the party‐state or its apparatuses, or else transnational corporation‐induced — but this newer type of election has been driven by workers' strikes. This study illustrates how the dynamics among the quadripartite actors — party‐state, higher‐level trade unions, capital and labour — have shaped these strike‐driven elections. Contrary to the claim that these elections have been ‘direct’ and ‘democratic’, our case studies show that they have been indirect and quasi‐democratic in nature.
Encoding of point of view during action observation in the local field potentials of macaque area F5
Authors: Caggiano Vittorio , Giese Martin , Thier Peter , Casile Antonino 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe discovery of mirror neurons compellingly shows that the monkey premotor area F5 is active not only during the execution but also during the observation of goal‐directed motor acts. Previous studies have addressed the functioning of the mirror‐neuron system at the single‐unit level. Here, we tackled this research question at the network level by analysing local field potentials in area F5 while the monkey was presented with goal‐directed actions executed by a human or monkey actor and observed either from a first‐person or third‐person perspective. Our analysis showed that rhythmic responses are not only present in area F5 during action observation, but are also modulated by the point of view. Observing an action from a subjective point of view produced significantly higher power in the low‐frequency band (2–10 Hz) than observing the same action from a frontal view. Interestingly, an increase in power in the 2–10 Hz band was also produced by the execution of goal‐directed motor acts. Independently of the point of view, action observation also produced a significant decrease in power in the 15–40 Hz band and an increase in the 60–100 Hz band. These results suggest that, depending on the point of view, action observation might activate different processes in area F5. Furthermore, they may provide information about the functional architecture of action perception in primates.
Association between alcohol consumption and periodontal disease among older Nigerians in plateau state: a preliminary study
Authors: Akpata E. Samuel , Adeniyi Abiola A. , Enwonwu Cyril O. , Adeleke Oyeladun A. , Otoh Emmanuel C. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo report the periodontal status of older adults in Plateau State, Nigeria, and determine its Association with alcohol consumption.BackgroundPeriodontal disease is common among Nigerians, and the prevalence increases with age. The role that alcohol consumption plays in the occurrence of the disease among Africans is uncertain.Materials and methodsSample selection was performed using a multistage cluster sampling technique among older adults in Plateau State, Nigeria. Interviews, using structured questionnaires, were conducted for each of the participants. Clinical examinations were then carried out to determine the occurrence of periodontal disease, assessed by clinical attachment loss and probing depth.ResultsThe prevalence of periodontal disease was 79%, being severe in 46% of the population. Almost half of the participants (46.7%) examined were still actively consuming alcohol, among which 48% reported a history of intoxication. There was no statistically significant relationship between periodontal disease and the frequency of alcohol consumption, or quantity consumed on each occasion. However, alcohol consumption was highly correlated with periodontal disease among those who reported intoxication from the drink (r = 0.095; p = 0.033). A history of intoxication with alcohol was the only significant predictor of periodontal disease, after adjusting for age and gender.ConclusionPeriodontal disease was highly prevalent among older Nigerians in this study. Apart from those who reported intoxication from alcohol, there was no statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of periodontal disease and the frequency of alcohol consumption or the quantity consumed on each occasion.
Vanishing bile duct syndrome and immunodeficiency preceding the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Yeh P. , Lokan J. , Anantharajah A. , Grigg A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractVanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) in association with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is well described but not well understood. We report an unusual case of a 75‐year‐old patient presenting with biopsy‐proven VBDS and immunodeficiency, without identifiable cause, which showed a waxing and waning course, culminating in the development of HL 18 months later. To our knowledge, this is the first adult case in which VBDS preceded the diagnosis of HL by such a long period.
Debt Maturity Structure and Accounting Conservatism
Authors: Khurana Inder K. , Wang Changjiang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study examines the association between debt maturity structure and accounting conservatism. Short‐maturity debt can mitigate agency costs of debt arising from information asymmetry and suboptimal investment problems inherent in debt financing. As such, debt‐contracting demand for accounting conservatism is expected to be lower in the presence of more short‐maturity debt. We find that short‐maturity debt is negatively associated with accounting conservatism. As firms could commit to more accounting conservatism to gain access to long‐maturity debt, we conduct lead‐lag tests of the direction of causality, and the results suggest that more short‐maturity debt leads to less conservative reporting, rather than the reverse. We also find the negative relation between short‐maturity debt and accounting conservatism is more pronounced among financially distressed firms, where ex ante severity of agency costs of debt are higher. Collectively, our results contribute to our understanding of the role of accounting conservatism in debt contracting and show how debt maturity, a key and pervasive feature of creditor protection in debt contracting, affects accounting conservatism.
Color and Gloss of Nano‐Filled Resin‐Modified Glass Ionomers and Resin Composites
Authors: Vance Marc , Lawson Nathaniel C. , Rupal Manpreet , Beck Preston , Burgess John O. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe study aims to compare in vitro stain resistance, color stability, gloss, and gloss retention of a nano‐filled resin‐modified glass ionomers (RMGIs) to a traditional RMGI and resin‐based composites (RBCs).Materials and MethodsSpecimens (N = 20) were fabricated from a nano‐filled RBC (Filtek Supreme Plus, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA), a nanohybrid RBC (Clearfil Majesty Esthetic, Kuraray; Tokyo, Japan), a nano‐filled RMGI (Ketac Nano, 3M ESPE), and traditional RMGI (Fuji II LC, GC America, Chicago, IL, USA). L*a*b* values were recorded with a spectrophotometer, and gloss was measured with a glossmeter. For each material, 10 specimens were stored in distilled water in darkness for 1 week and 10 specimens were placed in a staining solution for 1 week. After storage, specimens were cleaned and L*a*b* and gloss measurements were remeasured.ResultsData were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey analyses. Regarding color change, materials ranked: Ketac = Fuji > Filtek > Clearfil in water, and Ketac > Fuji > Filtek > Clearfil in staining solution. Prior to storage, the initial gloss of the materials ranked: Filtek ≥ Clearfil ≥ Ketac > Fuji. After storage, the materials ranked: Filtek = Clearfil > Ketac > Fuji in water, and Filtek > Clearfil > Ketac > Fuji in staining solution. Gloss retention was similar for all materials in water and gloss retention ranked: Filtek = Clearfil > Ketac = Fuji in staining solution.ConclusionsThe nano‐RMGI showed less stain resistance but higher gloss than the traditional RMGI. Both RMGIs had more color change, less stain resistance, lower gloss and less gloss retention than the RBCs.Clinical SignificanceThe clinician should be aware that the use of a nano‐RMGI may improve the gloss of an RMGI restoration; however, color change will likely occur, particularly if the patient consumes a staining diet.
School Influences on the Physical Activity of African American, Latino, and White Girls
Authors: Duncan Susan C. , Strycker Lisa A. , Chaumeton Nigel R. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe purpose of this research was to examine the impact of school‐related variables on the physical activity (PA) levels of early adolescent African American, Latino, and White girls.METHODSData were collected from 353 African American (N = 123), Latino (N = 118), and White (N = 112) girls. Physical activity levels included a PA latent factor and minutes per day of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA). School variables included hours of physical education (PE), PE enjoyment, school physical environment, recess activity, and active transport to/from school. Multiple‐group structural equation modeling examined relations between school variables and PA across ethnic groups.RESULTSHours of PE were positively related to higher PA factor scores. Active transport was related to higher PA factor scores for White girls only, and to greater MVPA for African American girls only. Hours of PE were related to PE enjoyment and the school physical environment for some ethnic groups. Physical education enjoyment was related to more recess activity among African American and Latino girls, and PE enjoyment was associated with more active transport to school for all girls.CONCLUSIONSPhysical education participation and active transport significantly contribute to girls' levels of PA, with differences across ethnic groups.
The Relationship Between School‐Level Characteristics and Implementation Fidelity of a Coordinated School Health Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention
Authors: Lederer Alyssa M. , King Mindy H. , Sovinski Danielle , Seo Dong‐Chul , Kim Nayoung 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDCurtailing childhood obesity is a public health imperative. Although multicomponent school‐based programs reduce obesity among children, less is known about the implementation fidelity of these interventions. This study examines process evaluation findings for the Healthy, Energetic Ready, Outstanding, Enthusiastic, Schools (HEROES) Initiative, a tri‐state school‐based childhood obesity prevention intervention based on the coordinated school health (CSH) model.METHODSSite visits were conducted that included key stakeholder interviews, observation, and document review. Scores were given for 8 domains, and a total implementation score was calculated. Two‐way analyses of variance were conducted to examine the relationship of 4 school‐level characteristics: elementary vs. middle/high schools, public vs. private schools, district vs. building level implementation, and socioeconomic status on each implementation area.RESULTSOverall, schools had high fidelity scores, although some domains were implemented more successfully than others. Three school‐level characteristics were associated with 1 or more domains, with elementary schools and schools implementing at the building level consistently having higher implementation scores than their counterparts.CONCLUSIONSProcess evaluation findings provide insight into successes and challenges schools implementing the CSH approach may encounter. Although preliminary, these findings on school‐level characteristics establish a new area of research related to school‐based childhood obesity prevention programs' implementation fidelity.
Ginsenoside Rg3 Improves Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Liu Tao , Peng Yi-Feng , Jia Chao , Yang Ben-Hai , Tao Xia , Li Jing , Fang Xiang 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the active ingredients isolated from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Previous studies demonstrated that Rg3 has antioxidant and neuroprotective abilities.

Aim
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Rg3 on erectile function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods
Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats received a one-time intraperitoneal (IP) STZ (60 mg/kg) or vehicle injection after a 16-hour fast. Three days later, rats were randomly divided into four groups and were treated with daily gavage feedings of a mix of distilled saline water and 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose or Rg3 dissolved in the mix at doses of 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg for 3 months. A sham group underwent IP injection of saline followed by daily gavage of the above mix for 3 months.

Main Outcome Measure
Erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months. The penis was then harvested and deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed. Western blot was performed to examine cleaved caspase-3, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1, and smooth muscle actin (SMA). Neural regeneration was measured by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase staining. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected by colorimetry.

Results
In the negative control group, the functional evaluation showed a lower mean intracavernosal pressure (ICP) with cavernosal nerve stimulation than in the sham group; there was a significant change in the expression of cleaved caspase-3, bcl-2, bcl-xl, PECAM-1, and SMA, as well as in the SOD and MDA production in the corpus cavernosum. Histological analysis of specimens stained for NADPH showed a significant change in the staining quality of the neurons in the dorsal nerves; TUNEL showed a greater apoptotic index in corpus cavernosum cells. With daily oral gavage with 100 mg/kg Rg3, the ICP/mean arterial pressure value was significantly higher than in the controls. The level of cleaved caspase-3, bcl-2, bcl-xl, PECAM-1, and SMA and the number of positively stained nerve fibers tended to revert to normal after Rg3 treatment. The apoptotic index in corpus cavernosum cells was lowered.

Conclusion
Oral gavage with Rg3 appears to both prevent degeneration of neurons in the dorsal nerves and exert an antioxidant effect in the corpus cavernosum of rats.