bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Migration, Protected Areas, and Conservation Outreach in Tanzania
Authors: SALERNO JONATHAN D. , MULDER MONIQUE BORGERHOFF , KEFAUVER SHAWN C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA recent discussion debates the extent of human in‐migration around protected areas (PAs) in the tropics. One proposed argument is that rural migrants move to bordering areas to access conservation outreach benefits. A counter proposal maintains that PAs have largely negative effects on local populations and that outreach initiatives even if successful present insufficient benefits to drive in‐migration. Using data from Tanzania, we examined merits of statistical tests and spatial methods used previously to evaluate migration near PAs and applied hierarchical modeling with appropriate controls for demographic and geographic factors to advance the debate. Areas bordering national parks in Tanzania did not have elevated rates of in‐migration. Low baseline population density and high vegetation productivity with low interannual variation rather than conservation outreach explained observed migration patterns. More generally we argue that to produce results of conservation policy significance, analyses must be conducted at appropriate scales, and we caution against use of demographic data without appropriate controls when drawing conclusions about migration dynamics.La Migración Humana, Áreas Protegidas y el Alcance de la Conservación en Tanzania
Minimizing the Cost of Keeping Options Open for Conservation in a Changing Climate
Authors: MILLS MORENA , NICOL SAM , WELLS JESSIE A. , LAHOZ‐MONFORT JOSÉ J. , WINTLE BRENDAN , BODE MICHAEL , WARDROP MARTIN , WALSHE TERRY , PROBERT WILLIAM J. M. , RUNGE MICHAEL C. , POSSINGHAM HUGH P. , MADDEN EVE MCDONALD 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPolicy documents advocate that managers should keep their options open while planning to protect coastal ecosystems from climate‐change impacts. However, the actual costs and benefits of maintaining flexibility remain largely unexplored, and alternative approaches for decision making under uncertainty may lead to better joint outcomes for conservation and other societal goals. For example, keeping options open for coastal ecosystems incurs opportunity costs for developers. We devised a decision framework that integrates these costs and benefits with probabilistic forecasts for the extent of sea‐level rise to find a balance between coastal ecosystem protection and moderate coastal development. Here, we suggest that instead of keeping their options open managers should incorporate uncertain sea‐level rise predictions into a decision‐making framework that evaluates the benefits and costs of conservation and development. In our example, based on plausible scenarios for sea‐level rise and assuming a risk‐neutral decision maker, we found that substantial development could be accommodated with negligible loss of environmental assets. Characterization of the Pareto efficiency of conservation and development outcomes provides valuable insight into the intensity of trade‐offs between development and conservation. However, additional work is required to improve understanding of the consequences of alternative spatial plans and the value judgments and risk preferences of decision makers and stakeholders.Minimizando el Costo de Mantener Opciones Abiertas para la Conservación en un Clima Cambiante
SOX‐10 and MiTF expression in cellular and ‘mixed’ neurothekeoma
Authors: Fried Isabella , Sitthinamsuwan Panitta , Muangsomboon Sorranart , Kaddu Steven , Cerroni Lorenzo , McCalmont Timothy H. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundNeurothekeoma and nerve sheath myxoma have long been interpreted as related tumors that share nerve sheath linage. Lack of S100 expression in neurothekeoma and similarities of gene expression profiles between neurothekeoma and fibrohistiocytic tumors have created reasonable doubt about this concept. SOX‐10 represents a marker for schwannian and melanocytic differentiation, and is expressed in other tumors of nerve sheath linage. Microphthalmia transcription factor (MiTF) expression has been repeatedly reported in cellular neurothekeoma in the recent literature and was proposed as a helpful marker in this entity.MethodsWe investigated 25 cases of cellular neurothekeoma, 8 cases of mixed neurothekeoma and 1 case of nerve sheath myxoma for the expression of SOX‐10, MiTF, S100, NKI/C3, Melan‐A and smooth muscle actin (SMA) using immunohistochemistry.ResultsA lack of SOX‐10 expression was demonstrated in 100% of cellular and mixed neurothekeomas, but was present in the case of nerve sheath myxoma. More than two thirds of neurothekeomas showed very focal or no reactivity with MiTF.ConclusionsOur data suggest that neurothekeoma and nerve sheath myxoma are unrelated, and that cellular and mixed neurothekeoma may not be of nerve sheath lineage. In addition, MiTF should not be regarded as a useful marker in neurothekeoma.
Designing weed containment strategies: An approach based on feasibilities of eradication and containment
Authors: Panetta F. Dane , Cacho Oscar J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo refine strategies for the containment of weed invasions.LocationWorld‐wide, but primarily Australia and Galapagos Islands.MethodsBy employing theoretical and semi‐quantitative models, we estimated conditions under which barrier zones should be established and maintained around core infestations and when eradication of outliers should be attempted. Reference was made to published information on generic dispersal distances and the biological characteristics of a wide variety of weeds, including the targets of well‐documented successful and failed eradication programmes.ResultsWhen weeds generate fat‐tailed dispersal distance distributions having relatively high median values, search efficiency will be compromised if barrier zones are employed. The theoretical model developed supports the non‐use of barrier zones in management strategies targeting tree weeds that are predominantly wind dispersed, or any species that are dispersed by birds or larger wild mammals. Many weeds that have major impacts on natural ecosystems fall within these categories. Eradication of outliers generally should not be considered where weeds have short juvenile phases and long‐lived seeds. Four containment substrategies are distinguished on the basis of whether barrier zones around core infestations are established and whether the eradication of outliers is attempted. The suitability of individual substrategies is indicated for weeds of a variety of growth forms, occurring in a range of land uses, and a decision tree is presented for categorical assignment.Main conclusionsA structured approach to the development of weed containment strategies will help to promote the efficient use of limited resources. Targeted species vary according to both the relative ease with which core populations can be contained and outlier populations eradicated – containment strategies should be designed accordingly. This study shows that semi‐quantitative models can be powerful adjuncts to their theoretical counterparts in support of decision‐making for the management of weed invasions.
The Importance of Social Embeddedness: Churn Models at Mobile Providers
Authors: Benedek Gábor , Lublóy Ágnes , Vastag Gyula 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThis article argues the importance of social embeddedness at mobile providers by examining the effects of customers’ network topological properties on churn probability—the probability of a customer switching from one telecommunication provider to another. This article uses data from regional snowball sampling—the only practically feasible network sampling method—to identify groups with significantly different churn ratios for customers with different network topological properties. Clear evidence indicates that individual network characteristics (node‐level metrics) have considerable impact on churn probabilities. The inclusion of network‐related measures in the churn model allows a longer‐term projection of churners and improves the predictive power of the model. With no possibility to carry out repeated sampling, sample stability was checked through simulation results. On the one hand, this article highlights the importance and effectiveness of the provider's tailored marketing campaigns by showing that customers targeted by direct marketing campaigns are less threatened by churn than nontargeted customers. On the other, this article shows that social embeddedness blocks the impact of the very same marketing efforts. This article forwards the idea that social embeddedness, also prevalent in vendor switching, can be extended to understanding the development of professional societies threatened by membership churn.
Customizing Quality Management Practices: A Conceptual and Measurement Framework
Authors: Zhang Dongli , Linderman Kevin , Schroeder Roger G. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTQuality management (QM) has often been promoted as a universal remedy, where organizations adopt these practices to enhance performance. However, implementation of QM has led to mixed results with some high‐profile failures. Some suggest that customizing QM practices to fit the organization's situational context can help avoid implementation failure and improve performance. However, research has not fully investigated how organizations should go about customizing quality practices. This article addresses this question by conceptualizing two fundamental yet different aspects of QM practices that have different learning objectives: quality exploitation (QEI) and quality exploration (QER). Drawing on experts and empirical data, we develop a reliable and valid set of measures for QEI and QER. Furthermore, the analysis shows the performance differences in the two sets of QM practices across different contextual settings. Specifically, the empirical results show that the benefits of different QM orientations depend on the level of competition and rate of product change. This research challenges prior conceptualizations of QM, and suggests a practical framework to guide decision makers in customizing QM practices.
Emergency Department Staff Planning to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Costs
Authors: Ganguly Subhamoy , Lawrence Stephen , Prather Mark 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIn the face of high staffing costs, uncertain patient arrivals, and patients unsatisfied with long wait times, staffing of medical emergency departments (EDs) is a vexing problem. Using empirical data collected from three active EDs, we develop an analytic model to provide an effective staffing plan for EDs. Patient demand is aggregated into discrete time buckets and used to model the stochastic distribution of patient demand within these buckets, which considerably improves model tractability. This model is capable of scheduling providers with different skill profiles who work either individually or in teams, and with patients of varying acuity levels. We show how our model helps to balance staffing costs and patient service levels, and how it facilitates examination of important ED staffing policies.
Exploiting Technological Indicators for Effective Technology Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Predictions
Authors: Yang Chin‐Sheng , Wei Chih‐Ping , Chiang Yu‐Hsun 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTMergers and acquisitions (M&A) play increasingly important roles for contemporary business, especially in high‐tech industries that conduct M&As to pursue complementarity from other companies and thereby preserve or extend their competitive advantages. The appropriate selection (prediction) of M&A targets for a given bidder company constitutes a critical first step for an effective technology M&A activity. Yet existing studies only employ financial and managerial indicators when constructing M&A prediction models, and select candidate target companies without considering the profile of the bidder company or its technological compatibility with candidate target companies. Such limitations greatly restrict the applicability of existing studies to supporting technology M&A predictions. To address these limitations, we propose a technology M&A prediction technique that encompasses technological indicators as independent variables and accounts for the technological profiles of both bidder and candidate target companies. Forty‐three technological indicators are derived from patent documents and an ensemble learning method is developed for our proposed technology M&A prediction technique. Our evaluation results, on the basis of the M&A cases between January 1997 and May 2008 that involve companies in Japan and Taiwan, confirm the viability and applicability of the proposed technology M&A prediction technique. In addition, our evaluation also suggests that the incorporation of the technological profiles and compatibility of both bidder and candidate target companies as predictors significantly improves the effectiveness of relevant predictions.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and cognition in Down syndrome
Authors: Breslin Jennifer , Spanò Goffredina , Bootzin Richard , Anand Payal , Nadel Lynn , Edgin Jamie 
Published: January 2014

AimGood‐quality sleep is essential for normal learning and memory. Sleep fragmentation and disrupted sleep architecture are commonly observed throughout the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome, a condition marked by cognitive deficits emerging within the first few months of life. While obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is known to contribute to the loss of sleep quality in Down syndrome, its relation to cognitive and behavioral impairment remains poorly understood.MethodUsing ambulatory polysomnography, we measured sleep in an unreferred community‐based sample of 38 individuals with Down syndrome (15 males, 23 females; mean age 9y 7mo (SD 1y 9mo), range 7–12y). Cognitive outcomes were assessed with the Arizona Cognitive Test Battery, a set of psychometric measures designed and validated for this population.ResultsAmong children with Down syndrome, mean Verbal IQ score (p=0.006) was 9 points lower in those with comorbid OSAS (apnea–hypopnea index >1.5) than in those without OSAS, and performance on measures of cognitive flexibility was poorer (p=0.03). In addition, those with OSAS showed increased light‐stage sleep (p=0.009) at the expense of slow‐wave sleep (p=0.04).InterpretationThese findings demonstrate a relation between OSAS and cognitive outcomes in Down syndrome. More work is required to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the links between poor sleep and impaired cognitive function. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of adequate sleep in typically and atypically developing populations.
Characterization of the metabolic effects of irisin on skeletal muscle in vitro
Authors: Vaughan R. A. , Gannon N. P. , Barberena M. A. , Garcia‐Smith R. , Bisoffi M. , Mermier C. M. , Conn C. A. , Trujillo K. A. 
Published: January 2014

AimsThis work explored the effects of irisin on metabolism, gene expression and mitochondrial content in cultured myocytes.MethodsC2C12 myocytes were treated with various concentrations of irisin for various durations. Glycolysis and oxidative metabolism were quantified by measurement of extracellular acidification and oxygen consumption, respectively. Metabolic gene expression was measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and mitochondrial content was assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.ResultsCells treated with irisin exhibited significantly increased oxidative metabolism. Irisin treatment also significantly increased mitochondrial uncoupling at various doses and durations. Lastly, treatment with irisin also significantly elevated metabolic gene expression including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1 alpha (PGC‐1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), irisin, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) leading to increased mitochondrial biogenesis.ConclusionsOur observations are the first to document increased metabolism in myocytes through irisin‐mediated induction of mitochondrial biogenesis and uncoupling with corresponding gene expression. These observations support the need for further investigation into the therapeutic and pharmacological effects of irisin, as well as development of irisin‐based therapy.
New vasoactive peptides in cirrhosis: organ extraction and relation to the vasodilatory state
Authors: Kimer Nina , Goetze Jens Peter , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundPatients with cirrhosis have substantial circulatory imbalance between vasoconstrictive and vasodilating forces. The study of circulatory vasoactive peptides may provide important pathophysiological information. This study aimed to assess concentrations, organ extraction and relations to haemodynamic changes in the pro‐peptides copeptin, proadrenomedullin and pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) in patients with cirrhosis.Materials and methodsFifty‐four cirrhotic patients and 15 controls were characterized haemodynamically during a liver vein catheterization. Copeptin, proadrenomedullin and proANP were measured in hepatic and renal veins and the femoral artery.ResultsWe found no differences in concentrations of copeptin and proadrenomedullin between patients and controls. ProANPs were higher in cirrhotic patients, median 138 pm (25/75 percentiles 101–194) compared with controls, median 91 pm (25/75 percentiles 82–153) P = 0·02. ProANPs were higher in the femoral artery and renal vein, median 140 pm and 116 pm (25/75 percentiles 109–191 and 92–164, respectively), compared with controls, median 99 and 81 (25/75 percentiles 85–146 and 66–123) P = 0·02 and P = 0·007, respectively. We found no extraction of copeptin, proadrenomedullin or proANP over the liver. Copeptin correlated with portal pressure (R = 0·50, P < 0·001). Proadrenomedullin correlated with portal pressure (R = 0·48, P < 0·001) and heart rate (R = 0·36, P < 0·01). ProANP correlated with cardiac output (R = 0·46, P < 0·002) and portal pressure (R = 0·32, P < 0·02). All propeptides correlated with Child score (R > 0·31, P < 0·03).ConclusionsPro‐atrial natriuretic peptide is elevated in cirrhosis. Copeptin, proadrenomedullin and proANP are related to portal pressure and seem associated with systemic haemodynamics. These propeptides may participate in development and perpetuation of vasodilatation and hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis.
Yoga for addictions: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Posadzki Paul , Choi Jiae , Lee Myeong Soo , Ernst Edzard 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundIt has been suggested that yoga may be effective in the management of mental health disorders including addictions.ObjectiveTo critically evaluate the evidence of effectiveness of yoga as a treatment for addictions.MethodsFourteen electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2013. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated any type of yoga against any type of control in individuals with any type of addiction were eligible. Methodological quality was appraised using Cochrane criteria.ResultsEight RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Most of these RCTs were small with serious methodological flaws. The types of addictions included in these studies were alcohol, drug and nicotine addiction. Seven RCTs suggested that various types of yoga, including hatha yoga (HY), Iyengar yoga, nidra yoga, pranayama or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) plus vinyasa yoga, led to significantly more favourable results for addictions compared to various control interventions. One RCT indicated that a methadone maintenance programme (MMP) plus HY had no effect on drug use and criminal activities compared with MMP plus psychotherapy.ConclusionsAlthough the results of this review are encouraging, large RCTs are needed to better determine the benefits of yoga for addiction.
Mechanical and thermal parameters for high‐cycle fatigue characterization in commercial steels
Authors: Curà F. , Sesana R. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIn the present paper, the fatigue behaviour of two commercial steels has been investigated by means of thermal and mechanical measurements on specimens during fatigue testing.In particular, the investigated parameters are the surface thermal increment of the specimen and the hysteresis loop area along with the corresponding integrals of the two parameters for a number of cycles. An analytical description was firstly presented, focusing on the relations between surface temperature and hysteresis area. To both verify the theoretical relationships and emphasize the fatigue damage behaviour, an experimental procedure has been set up for mechanical and thermal parameters monitoring. Results have been finally compared in terms of fatigue limit estimation and fatigue parameters evolution.
Superplastic, Quick‐Bonding Endodontic Mixtures and Their Hydration
Authors: Jokanović Vukoman , Čolović Bozana , Jokanović Bojan , Živković Slavoljub 
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize new superplastic endodontic mixtures (named as ALBO‐MPSA) with strongly accelerated hydration rate. Two different ALBO‐MPSA mixtures were prepared using combination of hydrothermal and high‐temperature self‐propagating method. Phase analysis of the mixtures, before and after hydration, was carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), while morphological analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Investigations of mechanical properties showed that new superplastic, quick‐bonding endodontic mixtures with good mechanical properties were obtained (compressive strength after 28 days aging was from 35.7 ± 0.5 and 37.4 ± 0.5 MPa). The final phase compositions after hydration of the mixtures were determined on the base of XRD data, assumed mechanism of hydration and rational chemical analysis. The constitutive phases were tobermorite, portlandite, and amorphous Ca(OH)2, ettringite and amorphous like ettringite phase, gypsum, hydroxyapatite and barite.
Bioactive Glass: An In‐Vitro Comparative Study of Doping with Nanoscale Copper and Silver Particles
Authors: Goh Yi‐Fan , Alshemary Ammar Z. , Akram Muhammad , Abdul Kadir Mohammed Rafiq , Hussain Rafaqat 
Published: January 2014

Bioactive glasses (BGs) based on 50SiO2‐45CaO‐5P2O5 system doped with 1, 5, and 10 mol% CuO or Ag2O were separately synthesized using quick alkali sol‐gel method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the samples confirmed the formation of nano‐sized BGs, whereas Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed characteristic peaks for silica and phosphate groups. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the heat‐treated (700°C) samples revealed the presence of crystalline metallic silver phase in all Ag‐doped samples, while the XRD pattern of Cu‐doped and control sample (50Si‐45CaO‐5P2O5) also heat‐treated at 700°C confirmed their amorphous nature. Ultraviolet–visible (UV‐Vis) studies along with Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of Cu and Ag in bioglass. Antibacterial properties of the synthesized BGs were investigated by quantitative viable count method, and the results were related to the ion release profiles of the samples studied by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Fast initial release of Ag observed in this study makes Ag‐doped BG a better rapid bacteria‐killing agent than Cu‐doped BG, which exhibited a prolonged release of ions, suggesting that it may be a better candidate for long‐term antibacterial protection.