bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling ecological traps for the control of feral pigs
Authors: Dexter Nick , McLeod Steven R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractEcological traps are habitat sinks that are preferred by dispersing animals but have higher mortality or reduced fecundity compared to source habitats. Theory suggests that if mortality rates are sufficiently high, then ecological traps can result in extinction. An ecological trap may be created when pest animals are controlled in one area, but not in another area of equal habitat quality, and when there is density‐dependent immigration from the high‐density uncontrolled area to the low‐density controlled area. We used a logistic population model to explore how varying the proportion of habitat controlled, control mortality rate, and strength of density‐dependent immigration for feral pigs could affect the long‐term population abundance and time to extinction. Increasing control mortality, the proportion of habitat controlled and the strength of density‐dependent immigration decreased abundance both within and outside the area controlled. At higher levels of these parameters, extinction was achieved for feral pigs. We extended the analysis with a more complex stochastic, interactive model of feral pig dynamics in the Australian rangelands to examine how the same variables as the logistic model affected long‐term abundance in the controlled and uncontrolled area and time to extinction. Compared to the logistic model of feral pig dynamics, the stochastic interactive model predicted lower abundances and extinction at lower control mortalities and proportions of habitat controlled. To improve the realism of the stochastic interactive model, we substituted fixed mortality rates with a density‐dependent control mortality function, empirically derived from helicopter shooting exercises in Australia. Compared to the stochastic interactive model with fixed mortality rates, the model with the density‐dependent control mortality function did not predict as substantial decline in abundance in controlled or uncontrolled areas or extinction for any combination of variables. These models demonstrate that pest eradication is theoretically possible without the pest being controlled throughout its range because of density‐dependent immigration into the area controlled. The stronger the density‐dependent immigration, the better the overall control in controlled and uncontrolled habitat combined. However, the stronger the density‐dependent immigration, the poorer the control in the area controlled. For feral pigs, incorporating environmental stochasticity improves the prospects for eradication, but adding a realistic density‐dependent control function eliminates these prospects.
Impact of a nurse‐led home and clinic‐based secondary prevention programme to prevent progressive cardiac dysfunction in high‐risk individuals: the Nurse‐led Intervention for Less Chronic Heart Failure (NIL‐CHF) randomized controlled study
Authors: Stewart Simon , Chan Yih‐Kai , Wong Chiew , Jennings Garry , Scuffham Paul , Esterman Adrian , Carrington Melinda ,   on behalf of the NIL‐CHF Investigators
Published: April 2015

AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a long‐term, nurse‐led, multidisciplinary programme of home/clinic visits in preventing progressive cardiac dysfunction in individuals at risk of developing de novo chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods and resultsA pragmatic, single‐centre (tertiary‐referral hospital with specialist cardiological services), open‐label, randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint adjudication was carried out. In total, 624 cardiac inpatients (66 ± 11 years, 71% male, and 70% with CAD) were randomly allocated (1:1) to standard care or the study intervention. The intention‐to‐treat cohort comprised 310 standard care and 301 intervention participants. During 51.0 ± 8.2 months follow‐up, 38/310 (12%) standard care [mean event‐free survival 1865 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1817–1913 days] vs. 41/301 (14%) intervention participants (1855 days, 95% CI 1804–1906 days) experienced the primary composite endpoint of de novo CHF hospitalization or all‐cause mortality (P = 0.574). Although there were no statistically significant differences in the rate of cardiovascular‐related and emergency hospitalizations, the NIL‐CHF (Nurse‐led Intervention for Less Chronic Heart Failure) group accumulated 478 (0.214 ± 0.70 vs. 0.095 ± 0.284 days/participant/month; P = 0.052) and 1097 fewer days of hospital stay (0.391 ± 1.80 vs. 0.199 ± 0.47 days/participant/month; P = 0.023), respectively, compared with standard care. The intervention group also showed better cardiac recovery on echocardiography at 3 years [81/226 (35.8%) vs. 56/225 (24.9%), odds ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.08–1.92, P = 0.011].ConclusionsRelative to a high level of standard care, the NIL‐CHF intervention was ineffective in preventing CHF and rehospitalization. On the other hand, it was associated with reduced hospital stay and improved cardiac function over the long term.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (No. 12608000022369)
Copper(I)‐Mediated Direct Trifluoromethylthiolation of Allylic Halides with Elemental Sulfur and (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane
Authors: Li Jue , Wang Peiqiang , Xie Fei‐Fei , Yang Xi‐Gang , Song Xiao‐Nan , Chen Wei‐Dong , Ren Jiangmeng , Zeng Bu‐Bing 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA new method has been developed for the copper‐mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of allylic halides by using potassium fluoride, elemental sulfur, and (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane in anhydrous N,N‐dimethylformamide. This protocol provides facile access to a variety of allylic trifluoromethyl thioethers in moderate to good yields under mild, ligand‐free reaction conditions.
The effect of sublethal concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of crude oil on the chemosensory function of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (YAKOVLEV, 1870)
Authors: Lari Ebrahim , Abtahi Behrooz , Hashtroudi Mehri Seyed , Mohaddes Effat , Døving Kjell B. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

The water-soluble fraction of crude oil is a complex and toxic mixture of hydrocarbons. Because aquatic organisms directly encounter it, the water-soluble fraction plays an important role in the toxicity of crude oil in aquatic environments. To determine whether fish are attracted to or avoid the water-soluble fraction, Caspian roaches (Rutilus caspicus) were exposed to different concentrations of the water-soluble fraction in a choice maze apparatus. The results showed that Caspian roaches can detect and avoid 2 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction. To study the effect of the water-soluble fraction on the olfactory function of fish, Caspian roaches were exposed to 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction for 96 h; afterward, exposed fish encountered food extract in a choice maze apparatus. The present study showed that the water-soluble fraction significantly impairs the olfactory function of roaches. To investigate the effect of olfactory system dysfunction on the feeding behavior of fish, Caspian roaches were exposed to 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction. After 4 d, 8 d, and 12 d of exposure, the feeding behavior toward the food extract was tested. The results showed that both 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction suppress the feeding behavior of Caspian roaches. The present study demonstrates that sublethal concentrations of crude oil's water-soluble fraction impair the olfactory function of fish and consequently suppress the feeding behavior. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1826–1832. © 2015 SETAC
Fast object identification with mode switching for coexistence of NFC and RFID
Authors: Park Chul Wan , Ahn Ji Hyoung , Lee Tae‐Jin 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe Near Field Communication (NFC) standard is based on the radio‐frequency identification (RFID) standard. Because NFC and High Frequency RFID share the same frequency band, an NFC device cannot operate normally when they coexist. In this letter, we propose a fast identification protocol for the coexistence of NFC and RFID systems. When an RFID reader identifies an NFC device in the tag mode, the RFID reader stops identifying RFID tags and reserves the next slot for the NFC device in the proposed scheme. The NFC device changes its mode to the reader mode and identifies an RFID tag nearby at the allocated slot. We show that the NFC identification delay is reduced by our proposed scheme via analysis and simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Profitability of Volatility Spread Trading on ASX Equity Options
Authors: Do Binh Huu , Foster Anthony , Gray Philip 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGoyal and Saretto (2009) conjecture that deviations of option implied volatility from long‐run historical levels—the volatility spread—provide a signal of option mispricing. This paper re‐examines the profitability of trading the volatility spread, with a particular focus on assessing the authenticity of returns. While, at face value, portfolios of option straddles designed to exploit this mispricing appear highly profitable, our findings cast doubt over whether these profits can be genuinely attained in real‐world settings. Drawing on the tick history of bid–ask quotes, our analysis suggests that transaction costs erode much of the profitability. Further, we demonstrate that ignoring the existence of initial margins dramatically overstates estimated returns to short option positions. Ultimately, the profitability of volatility spread trading appears to hinge on the ability of traders to achieve effective spreads well inside the quoted spreads and to intelligently time their trades. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:107–126, 2016
Reference Pricing with Endogenous or Exogenous Payment Limits: Impacts on Insurer and Consumer Spending
Authors: Brown Timothy T. , Robinson James C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractReference pricing (RP) theories predict different outcomes when reference prices are fixed (exogenous) versus being a function of market prices (MPs) (endogenous). Exogenous RP results in MPs at both high‐price and low‐price firms converging towards the reference price from above and below, respectively. Endogenous RP results in MPs at both high‐price and low‐price firms decreasing, with low‐price firms acting strategically to decrease the reference price in order to gain market share. We extend these models to a hospital context focusing on insurer and consumer payments. Under exogenous RP, insurer and consumer payments to low‐price hospitals increase, and insurer payments to high‐price hospitals decrease, but predictions regarding consumer payments are ambiguous for high‐price hospitals. Under endogenous RP, insurer payments to high‐price and low‐price hospitals decrease, and consumer payments to low‐price hospitals decrease, but predictions regarding consumer payments are ambiguous for high‐price hospitals. We test these predictions with difference‐in‐differences specifications using 2008–2013 data on patients undergoing joint replacement. For 2 years following RP implementation, insurer payments to high‐price and low‐price hospitals moved downward, consistent with endogenous RP. However, when the reference price was not reset to account for changes in MPs, insurer payments to low‐price hospitals reverted to pre‐implementation levels, consistent with exogenous RP. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical study of l‐asparaginase in the treatment of extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type
Authors: Yong Weiben 
Published: April 2015

AbstractExtranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type, (ENKTL) is a rare distinct entity of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. It is prevalent in Asia and Latin America but rare in North America and Europe. ENKTL represents an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis especially for advanced disease. There is no standard chemotherapeutic regimen for ENKTL. Recently, the efficacy of l‐asparaginase in ENKTL has been confirmed. A series of l‐asparaginase‐containing chemotherapeutic regimens have been studied in clinical trials and have significantly improved the efficacy and prognosis for patients with ENKTL. This review will focus on pharmacology of l‐asparaginase, the efficacy of a series of l‐asparaginase‐containing regimens in the treatment of ENKTL and future clinical study directions of l‐asparaginase‐containing regimens in ENKTL. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyperglycemia induced expression, phosphorylation, and translocation of αB‐crystallin in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Reddy Vadde Sudhakar , Jakhotia Sneha , Reddy P. Yadagiri , Reddy G. Bhanuprakash 
Published: April 2015

AbstractαB‐Crystallin (αBC) is a member of the small heat shock protein family that responds to a variety of stress and prevents the aggregation of partially unfolded proteins. Chronic hyperglycemia created during diabetes results in skeletal muscle atrophy and leads to diabetic myopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of αBC under chronic hyperglycemia in rat skeletal muscle. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by a single i.p injection of streptozotocin and maintained for a period of 12 weeks at the end of which the animals were sacrificed and the muscle was collected. The protein levels of αBC and its phosphorylation status in gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by immunoblotting. The translocation of phosphorylated αBC was analyzed by detergent solubility assay, co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP), and immunohistochemistry. The cell death was analyzed by TUNEL assay and by apoptotic markers. The interaction of αBC with Bax was analyzed by Co‐IP. Chronic hyperglycemia significantly increased the protein levels of αBC and its phosphorylation at S59 by activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and at S45 by activation of the extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Further, phosphorylated αBC translocated and interacted with desmin indicating that phosphorylated αBC forms might be involved in protection of sarcomere structures from disruption in chronic hyperglycemia. Further, Co‐IP studies showed an impaired interaction of αBC with Bax which could be one of the possible factors for increased cell death as evidenced by TUNEL assay in diabetic muscle. These results suggest that an increased expression, phosphorylation, translocation of αBC, and its involvement in apoptosis might play a significant role in maintenance of cytoskeletal architecture and protection of cells from apoptosis in diabetic skeletal muscle. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):291–299, 2015
Investigation on the potential of Mueller matrix imaging for digital staining
Authors: Wang Wenfeng , Lim Lee Guan , Srivastava Supriya , Bok‐Yan So Jimmy , Shabbir Asim , Liu Quan 
Published: April 2015

Digital staining based on Mueller matrix measurements and their derivatives was investigated. Mueller matrix imaging was performed at the microscopic level on gastric tissue sections. Full Mueller matrices (4 × 4) were reconstructed using recorded images, followed by the extraction of polarization parameters. The most effective parameters and their combinations were extracted from Mueller matrix elements, principal component scores and polarization parameters respectively to classify samples into three categories – i.e. cancer, dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia/normal glands for various regions of interest sizes. It was observed that two‐step classification yielded higher classification accuracy than the traditional one‐step classification and that pixel classification based on Mueller matrix elements yielded higher accuracy than that based on polarization parameters and derived principal components. Moreover, Mueller matrix images with a lower spatial resolution generated higher classification accuracy but those with a higher spatial resolution revealed more morphological details.ns.
The original stained image (top) and the digital staining image (bottom).magnified imageThe original stained image (top) and the digital staining image (bottom).
in vivo degradation of polyurethane foam with 55 wt % polyethylene glycol
Authors: Broekema Ferdinand I. , Van Leeuwen M. Barbara M. , Van Minnen Baucke , Bos Rudolf R. M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMost topical hemostatic agents are based on animal‐derived products like collagen and gelatin. They carry the potential risk of pathogen transmission while adjustments in the production process of these materials are limited. A synthetic hemostatic agent based on polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was developed to overcome these disadvantages. The goal of this study was to compare the degradation process of this biomaterial to collagen and gelatin hemostatic agents. Samples of the test materials were implanted subcutaneously in both rats and rabbits. The animals were sacrificed at certain time intervals up to three years and the explanted samples were microscopically assessed. The histological examination showed a comparable pattern of degradation for the different test materials. Remnants of gelatin and collagen were seen up to 26 and 39 weeks, respectively. For PU, it took up to three years before micro‐particles of the material were no longer detected. All biomaterials showed a good biocompatibility and no severe foreign body reactions occurred. The good biocompatibility and predictable pattern of resorption indicate that PU can be used as a topical hemostatic agent. However, a degradation time comparable to collagen and gelatin would be favorable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3666–3675, 2015.
Assessment of hemoglobin responsiveness to epoetin alfa in patients on hemodialysis using a population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic model
Authors: Wu Liviawati , Mould Diane R. , Perez Ruixo Juan Jose , Doshi Sameer 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model describing the effect of epoetin alfa on hemoglobin (Hb) response in hemodialysis patients was developed. Epoetin alfa pharmacokinetics was described using a linear 2‐compartment model. PK parameter estimates were similar to previously reported values. A maturation‐structured cytokinetic model consisting of 5 compartments linked in a catenary fashion by first‐order cell transfer rates following a zero‐order input process described the Hb time course. The PD model described 2 subpopulations, one whose Hb response reflected epoetin alfa dosing and a second whose response was unrelated to epoetin alfa dosing. Parameter estimates from the PK/PD model were physiologically reasonable and consistent with published reports. Numerical and visual predictive checks using data from 2 studies were performed. The PK and PD of epoetin alfa were well described by the model.
Comparison of results between chitosan hollow tube and autologous nerve graft in reconstruction of peripheral nerve defect: An experimental study
Authors: Shapira Yuval , Tolmasov Michael , Nissan Moshe , Reider Evgeniy , Koren Akiva , Biron Tali , Bitan Yifat , Livnat Mira , Ronchi Giulia , Geuna Stefano , Rochkind Shimon 
Published: April 2015

ObjectThis study evaluated a chitosan tube for regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve in a rodent transected sciatic nerve model in comparison to autologous nerve graft repair.MethodsChitosan hollow tube was used to bridge a 10‐mm gap between the proximal and distal ends in 11 rats. In the control group, an end‐to‐end coaptation of 10‐mm long autologous nerve graft was performed in 10 rats for nerve reconstruction.ResultsSFI showed an insignificant advantage to the autologous group both at 30 days (P = 0.177) and at 90 days post procedure (P = 0.486). Somato‐sensory evoked potentials (SSEP) and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) tests showed similar results between chitosan tube (group 1) and autologous (group 2) groups with no statistically significant differences. Both groups presented the same pattern of recovery with 45% in group 1 and 44% in group 2 (P = 0.96) showing SSEP activity at 30 days. At 90 days most rats showed SSEP activity (91% vs.80% respectively, P = 0.46). The CMAP also demonstrated no statistically significant differences in latency (1.39 ms in group 1 vs. 1.63 ms in group 2; P = 0.48) and amplitude (6.28 mv vs. 6.43 mv respectively; P = 0.8). Ultrasonography demonstrated tissue growth inside the chitosan tube. Gastrocnemius muscle weight showed no statistically significant difference. Histomorphometry of the distal sciatic nerve, 90 days post reconstructive procedure, showed similar number of myelinated fibers and size parameters in both groups (P ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsChitosan hollow tube used for peripheral nerve reconstruction of rat sciatic nerve showed similar results in comparison to autologous nerve grafting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:664–671, 2016.
Preparation of europium‐doped GaN and AlGaN films grown by radical‐nitrogen‐assisted compound‐source MBE
Authors: Yudate Shinji , Koyama Yuki , Shirakata Sho 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBy the compound‐source molecular beam epitaxy (CS‐MBE), GaN:Eu and AlGaN films grown on both Al2O3(0001) and GaAs(100) substrates were prepared. Under RHEED observation, streak RHEED patterns from GaN were observed. This result shows that the surface of the film grown by CS‐MBE is atomically flat. From the XRD measurements, for GaN:Eu/Al2O3(0001), the film was oriented to c‐axis. On the other hands, for GaN:Eu/GaAs(100), the layer includes both the hexagonal and cubic phases. From the PL measurements, the PL spectra of both GaN:Eu/Al2O3 and GaN:Eu/GaAs(100) showed PL peaks related to Eu3+ ion. For GaN:Eu/GaAs(100), it is possible that part of Eu atom incorporates cubic‐GaN site (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
DLLMiner: structural mining for malware detection
Authors: Narouei Masoud , Ahmadi Mansour , Giacinto Giorgio , Takabi Hassan , Sami Ashkan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractExisting anti‐malware products usually use signature‐based techniques as their main detection engine. Although these methods are very fast, they are unable to provide effective protection against newly discovered malware or mutated variant of old malware. Heuristic approaches are the next generation of detection techniques to mitigate the problem. These approaches aim to improve the detection rate by extracting more behavioral characteristics of malware. Although these approaches cover the disadvantages of signature‐based techniques, they usually have a high false positive, and evasion is still possible from these approaches. In this paper, we propose an effective and efficient heuristic technique based on static analysis that not only detect malware with a very high accuracy, but also is robust against common evasion techniques such as junk injection and packing. Our proposed system is able to extract behavioral features from a unique structure in portable executable, which is called dynamic‐link library dependency tree, without actually executing the application. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.