bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional modelling of permafrost thicknesses over the past 130 ka: implications for permafrost development in Great Britain
Authors: Busby Jonathan P. , Lee Jonathan R. , Kender Sev , Williamson Paul , Norris Simon 
Published: July 2015

The greatest thicknesses of permafrost in Great Britain most likely occurred during the last glacial–interglacial cycle, as this is when some of the coldest conditions occurred during the last 1 000 000 years. The regional development of permafrost across Great Britain during the last glacial–interglacial cycle was modelled from a ground surface temperature history based on mean annual temperatures and the presence of glacier ice. To quantify the growth and decay of permafrost, modelling was undertaken at six locations across Great Britain that represent upland glaciated, lowland glaciated, upland unglaciated and lowland unglaciated conditions. Maximum predicted permafrost depths derived in this academic study range between several tens of metres to over 100 m depending upon various factors including elevation, glacier ice cover, geothermal heat flux and air temperature. In general, the greatest maximum permafrost thicknesses occur at upland glaciated locations, with minimum thickness at lowland sites. Current direct geological evidence for permafrost is from surface or shallow processes, mainly associated with the active layer. Further research is recommended to identify the imprint of freeze/thaw conditions in permanently frozen porous rocks from beneath the active layer.
Impact of alternative metrics on estimates of extent of occurrence for extinction risk assessment
Authors: Joppa Lucas N. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Hoffmann Michael , Bachman Steve P. , Akçakaya H. Resit , Moat Justin F. , Böhm Monika , Holland Robert A. , Newton Adrian , Polidoro Beth , Hughes Adrian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, extent of occurrence (EOO) is a key measure of extinction risk. However, the way assessors estimate EOO from maps of species’ distributions is inconsistent among assessments of different species and among major taxonomic groups. Assessors often estimate EOO from the area of mapped distribution, but these maps often exclude areas that are not habitat in idiosyncratic ways and are not created at the same spatial resolutions. We assessed the impact on extinction risk categories of applying different methods (minimum convex polygon, alpha hull) for estimating EOO for 21,763 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians. Overall, the percentage of threatened species requiring down listing to a lower category of threat (taking into account other Red List criteria under which they qualified) spanned 11–13% for all species combined (14–15% for mammals, 7–8% for birds, and 12–15% for amphibians). These down listings resulted from larger estimates of EOO and depended on the EOO calculation method. Using birds as an example, we found that 14% of threatened and near threatened species could require down listing based on the minimum convex polygon (MCP) approach, an approach that is now recommended by IUCN. Other metrics (such as alpha hull) had marginally smaller impacts. Our results suggest that uniformly applying the MCP approach may lead to a one‐time down listing of hundreds of species but ultimately ensure consistency across assessments and realign the calculation of EOO with the theoretical basis on which the metric was founded.
Effects of active recovery on autonomic and haemodynamic responses after aerobic exercise
Authors: Soares Antonio H. G. , Oliveira Tiago P. , Cavalcante Bruno R. , Farah Breno Q. , Lima Aluísio H. R. A. , Cucato Gabriel G. , Cardoso Crivaldo G. , Ritti‐Dias Raphael M. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of active recovery on autonomic and haemodynamic responses after exercise in healthy adults. Nineteen healthy young male individuals underwent two experimental sessions: exercise with active recovery (AR) and exercise with passive recovery (PR). The exercise sessions comprised three phases: warm‐up (5 min), exercise phase (cycle ergometer, 30 min, intensity between 60 and 70% of the heart rate reserve) and recovery (5 min). In the AR, the subjects remained cycling in the recovery phase at intensity between 30% and 35% of heart rate reserve, while in the PR, the subjects stopped the exercise after finishing the exercise phase. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and over the 30 min after the interventions. There were no differences for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate and rate pressure product between active and passive recovery sessions. Also, all heart rate variability parameters changed similarly after exercise with passive or active recovery sessions. In summary, exercise with active recovery does not affect the autonomic and haemodynamic responses after moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise in healthy young male individuals.
Effect of statin therapy on plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) concentrations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Sahebkar A. , Simental‐Mendía L. E. , Guerrero‐Romero F. , Golledge J. , Watts G. F. 
Published: July 2015

AimsTo evaluate the magnitude of the effect of statin therapy on plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) levels through a systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials.MethodsA random‐effects model (using DerSimonian‐Laird method) and the generic inverse variance method were used for quantitative data synthesis. Heterogeneity was quantitatively assessed using the I2 index. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the one‐study remove approach. Random‐effects meta‐regression was performed using an unrestricted maximum likelihood method to evaluate the association between statin‐induced elevation of plasma PCSK9 concentrations with duration of treatment and magnitude of LDL cholesterol reduction.ResultsA total of 15 clinical trials examining the effects of statin therapy on plasma PCSK9 levels were included. Meta‐analysis of data from single‐arm statin treatment arms [weighted mean difference (WMD) 40.72 ng/ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) 34.79, 46.65; p < 0.001] and randomized placebo‐controlled trials (WMD 22.98 ng/ml, 95% CI 17.95, 28.01; p < 0.001) showed a significant increase in plasma PCSK9 concentrations after statin therapy, irrespective of the type of statin administered in either of the analyses (single‐arm or randomized placebo‐controlled trial). There was no significant elevation of plasma PCSK9 levels with statin/ezetimibe combination therapy compared with statin monotherapy (WMD 23.14 ng/ml, 95% CI −1.97, 48.25; p = 0.071); however, removal of one study in the meta‐analysis yielded a significant result in the sensitivity analysis (WMD 31.41 ng/ml, 95% CI 7.86, 54.97; p = 0.009).ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis suggests that statin therapy causes a significant increase in plasma PCSK9 concentrations.
Multiple sclerosis increases the risk of venous thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort analysis
Authors: Chung Wei‐Sheng , Lin Cheng‐Li , Tsai Tzung‐Chang , Hsu Wu‐Huei , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development.MethodsWe identified patients diagnosed with MS in Taiwan between 1998 and 2010 using the National Health Insurance Research Database and the Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (RCIPD). Each MS patient was frequency matched to 4 controls according to age, sex and the year of MS registration to the RCIPD. Patients with a history of VTE and incomplete information of age and sex were excluded. All patients were followed up from the index year until VTE diagnosis, loss to follow‐up or the end of 2010. We calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of VTE in the MS and comparison cohorts using Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsWe followed up 1238 MS patients and 4952 comparison patients for approximately 6437 and 27 595 person‐years, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, the MS patients exhibited a 6·87‐fold increased risk of VTE compared with the control patients. Women with MS were associated with an 11·1‐fold increased risk of VTE development compared with the non‐MS women (95% CI: 2·70–45·5). The MS patients aged < 50 years exhibited a 14·8‐fold increased risk of developing VTE compared with age‐matched patients in the comparison cohort (95% CI: 2·99–73·4). The risk of VTE development increased with the duration of hospitalization stay.ConclusionMS patients are associated with significantly greater risk of developing VTE compared with non‐MS patients.
Effects of Female‐Female Aggression in a Sexual/Unisexual Species Complex
Authors: Makowicz Amber M. , Schlupp Ingo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe maintenance of sexual reproduction is still a largely unresolved question in evolutionary biology, and one of the most puzzling aspects of this is the coexistence of sexual and asexual females. This often leads to widespread niche overlap, posing an interesting challenge to competitive exclusion theory. In this study, we investigate how the aggressive behaviors between females in a sexual/unisexual mating complex of mollies (Poecilia latipinna and P. formosa) differ, and the effects these behaviors have on both the performer and receiver of aggressive acts. We exposed females to five treatments: (1) alone (control); (2) a large and small sexual female; (3) a large sexual female and a small unisexual female; (4) a small sexual female and a large unisexual female; and (5) a large and small unisexual female. We found that P. formosa females were on average more aggressive over time when compared to their sexual hosts, P. latipinna. The females of P. formosa, however, incurred a higher cost of being aggressive. Large, aggressor females of this species had a lower body fat content than their conspecific recipients. By contrast, P. latipinna females showed no differentiation between aggressors and recipients. Here, we combine life history methodology and behavioral observations to show that female competition can in fact be quantitatively measured and that these aggressive behaviors are costly to perform. The adaptive value of this interspecies aggression is not yet completely understood, but sexual competition, access to resources, and position within the shoal are all possible functions.
A Stability Approach to Mean‐Variance Optimization
Authors: Kourtis Apostolos 
Published: July 2015

AbstractI jointly treat two critical issues in the application of mean‐variance portfolios, that is, estimation risk and portfolio instability. I find that theory‐based portfolio strategies, which are known to outperform naive diversification () in the absence of transaction costs, heavily underperform it under transaction costs. This is because they are highly unstable over time. I propose a generic method to stabilize any given portfolio strategy while maintaining or improving its efficiency. My empirical analysis confirms that the new method leads to stable and efficient portfolios that offer equal or lower turnover than and larger Sharpe ratio, even under high transaction costs.
A Dynamic Model of the Firm: Structural Explanations of Key Empirical Findings
Authors: Lazzati Natalia , Menichini Amilcar A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe derive a dynamic model of the firm in the spirit of the trade‐off theory of capital structure that explains firm behavior in terms of firm characteristics. We show our model is consistent with many important findings about the cross‐section of firms, including the negative relations between profitability and leverage, and between dividends and investment‐cash flow sensitivities. The model also explains the existence of zero‐debt firms and their observed characteristics. These results have been used to challenge the trade‐off theory and the assumption of perfect capital markets. We revisit these critiques and provide structural explanations for the regularities we replicate.
Life Insurer Cost of Equity with Asymmetric Risk Factors
Authors: Bajtelsmit Vickie L. , Villupuram Sriram V. , Wang Tianyang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study presents an improved model for estimating life insurer cost of capital with the inclusion of upside and downside risk factors and controlling for life insurer characteristics. Although various asymmetric measures of market risk have been shown to be priced factors for the broader equity market, life insurer realized equity returns include a much larger premium for bearing downside risk, even after controlling for firm characteristics and other measures of risk. Cross‐sectional regression analysis finds a positive (negative) premium for downside (upside) betas, conditional on down and up markets, respectively. Coskewness and cokurtosis are also priced factors.
Circuit Breakers, Trading Collars, and Volatility Transmission Across Markets: Evidence from NYSE Rule 80A
Authors: Goldstein Michael A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe NYSE's Rule 80A attempted to delink the futures and equity markets by limiting index arbitrage trades in the same direction as the last trade to reduce stock market volatility. Rule 80A leads to a small but statistically significant decline in intraday U.S. equity market volatility. In addition, the results are asymmetric: volatility is dampened more in a rising market than in a declining one. These results suggest that, to a limited extent, rule restrictions on trading can sufficiently delink the futures and equity markets enough to reduce the transmission of volatility.
Amelioration of free fatty acid‐induced fatty liver by quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide through modulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha/sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c signaling
Authors: Wang Lu Lu , Zhang Zhi Chao , Hassan Waseem , Li Yu , Liu Jun , Shang Jing 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of the natural flavonoid quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide (Q3GA) against lipid metabolism disorder in free fatty acid (FFA)‐induced fatty liver in vivo and in vitro.MethodsFat accumulation was documented by oil red O staining, and intracellular triglyceride levels were detected by triglyceride(TG) enzymatic assay. Flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunoassay assay were performed to observe the effect of Q3GA on lipotoxicity and inflammation response of primary rat hepatocytes with FFA treatment. Administration with Q3GA at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg from the fifth week during high fat diet (HFD) induced non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model for 8 weeks. Expression of the genes involved in the lipogenesis and fatty acid β‐oxidation were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsQ3GA reduced bodyweight gain, liver weight, liver index, dyslipidemia and hepatic TG level in a dose‐dependant manner. In the FFA‐overloaded primary rat hepatocytes, Q3GA decreased the fat overload and TG content, inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis and reduced inflammation cytokine expression. Importantly, the histopathological examination of liver showed that Q3GA could decrease hepatic lipid accumulation and liver injury. Besides, Q3GA decreased the expression of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c), fatty acid synthase and increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α), carnitine palmitoyl‐transferase 1 and medium‐chain acyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase in vivo and in vitro.ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of Q3GA on lipid metabolism disorder in FFA‐induced fatty liver rats is partly due to downregulating SREBP‐1c and upregulating PPAR‐α‐mediated metabolic pathways.
Male brood provisioning rates provide evidence for inter‐age competition for mates in female Cooper's Hawks Accipiter cooperii
Authors: Lien Lauren A. , Millsap Brian A. , Madden Kristin , Roemer Gary W. 
Published: July 2015

Life history theory predicts that individuals should maximize lifetime reproductive success (LRS) by breeding as soon as they reach sexual maturity, yet many species delay breeding, either because there are insufficient available mates or breeding sites, or because delayed breeding yields higher LRS. Accipitriform species, such as Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii, exhibit both delayed breeding and delayed plumage maturation. However, in certain circumstances, first‐year females in non‐definitive plumage do breed and apparently compete with older females for high‐quality breeding territories. We predicted that these young females are at a competitive disadvantage compared with older females and that older females would have both higher reproductive success and be able to acquire higher quality nesting territories. We conducted brood counts and measured prey delivery rates by male Cooper's Hawks in an expanding urban population located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), to assess our prediction. We found that older females had higher reproductive success, fledging 1.6 more offspring than younger females, and that they occupied territories where males provisioned at higher rates of 0.37 more prey items per 2‐h period. Our results showed that older females fared better than first‐year females but it is unclear if this is the result of passive or active competition. Older females initiated nesting 14.3 days sooner than first‐year females and thus may have filled vacant, high‐quality territories before first‐year females began seeking mates. Additionally, first‐year females were never observed persistently to confront older females for breeding territories, but they did actively compete against each other. First‐year females may defer to older females who, in a direct competitive interaction, would be most likely to prevail. Thus, delayed plumage maturation in Cooper's Hawks may serve to focus competition for nesting territories within age classes.
Determining female consumers’ perceptions of garment fit, personal values and emotions when considering garment sizing
Authors: Kasambala Josephine , Kempen Elizabeth , Pandarum Reena 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFemale consumer's clothing shopping experience is primarily influenced by the appearance and fit of a garment that may be influenced by their personal values and is a process that involves emotions (Otieno et al., 2005; Lopatovska and Arapakis, 2011). Very little research focussing on the emotional impact and the role that personal values play in the female consumers’ shopping experience of ready‐to‐wear garment fit has been conducted in South Africa to date. The primary objective of this study was to explore the areas of concern of garment sizing to establish the emotional impact garment sizing and the resulting fit have on the female consumer purchasing behaviour when evaluated against their personal value system. This study applied the means‐end chain theory approach that allowed the researcher to explore female consumers’ personal values and the resulting emotions, through the application of the laddering interview techniques. Using open‐ended questions, this study aimed to discover the role of female consumers’ perceptions of garment sizing and the resulting emotional effects of garment fit on their purchasing decisions. The findings from the data collected from a purposeful and convenient sample of 62 female consumers from Gauteng, Johannesburg showed that the majority of the participants in this study failed to attain their personal values through the fit of a garment due to inconsistent, unreliable and inaccurate sizing, garment sizing which is unsuitable for various body shapes and the unavailability of certain clothing sizes in ready‐to‐wear garments. The study established that it is extremely important that South African clothing manufacturers and designers should strategize to satisfy the clothing need of the consumers who are currently having problems with garment sizing, by understanding female consumers’ garment sizing and fit needs through extended research of their target markets.
T‐helper 22 cells as a new player in chronic inflammatory skin disorders
Authors: Mirshafiey Abbas , Simhag Anita , El Rouby Nadia M. M. , Azizi Gholamreza 
Published: July 2015

AbstractT‐helper 22 (Th22) cell is a new subset of CD4+ T cells that secrets interleukin (IL)‐22 but not IL‐17 or interferon‐γ. Th22 is distinct from Th17 and other known CD4+ T‐cell subsets with distinguished gene expression and function. Th22 subsets have chemokine receptors CCR6+ CCR4+ CCR10+ phenotype and aryl hydrocarbon receptor as the key transcription factor. This T‐helper subset, by producing cytokines such as IL‐22, IL‐13, and tumor necrosis factor‐α, is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorder. This review discusses the role of Th22 and its cytokine IL‐22 in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Skin disease after occupational dermal exposure to coal tar: a review of the scientific literature
Authors: Moustafa Giannis‐Aimant , Xanthopoulou Eleni , Riza Elena , Linos Athena 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFor about a century, coal tar has been used in industry and has been applied in the therapeutic management of several skin diseases. However, in the last decades the benefits of coal tar exploitation for humans could not outweigh its harmful effects on health. The aim of this study is to present the main adverse effects of coal tar on skin, with the emphasis on occupational exposure. The scientific literature indicates that dermal exposure to coal tar and coal tar pitches can be the cause of phototoxic reactions, irritation and burn, allergic dermatitis, folliculitis, occupational acne, atrophy of the epidermis, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover coal tar has been implicated in tumorigenesis, a relationship shown in numerous studies but not confirmed yet as the mechanism has not been fully clarified. A common finding in most studies is that exposure over a long period is the main risk factor for malignancy development, even in low exposure levels. Additional prospective, well‐designed studies need to be performed to confirm the validity of the carcinogenic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic potential of coal tar on skin.
Information Asymmetry about Investment Risk and Financing Choice
Authors: Baxamusa Mufaddal , Mohanty Sunil , Rao Ramesh P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThough it is generally accepted that information asymmetry has an impact on capital structure policy, the nature of the information asymmetry is not well understood. Recent theoretical work and empirical evidence suggests that financing choice depends upon the information asymmetry associated with the investment risk of the particular use of proceeds. Consistent with this view, using the sources and uses of funds framework, we find that equity is used to fund projects with greater information asymmetry about their risk such as research and development expenditure, while debt is used to fund investments with lower information asymmetry about their risk such as liquidity enhancement.