bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Regulatory Pressure and Insurer Risk Taking
Authors: Lin Wen‐Chang , Lai Yi‐Hsun , Powers Michael R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe article examines the risk‐taking behavior of property–liability insurers in the presence of risk‐based capital regulation. An option pricing model is developed to evaluate the expected regulatory cost and predict a nonlinear relationship between regulatory pressure and insurers’ risk taking. We then conduct an empirical test using the simultaneous threshold regression. The result shows that there is a threshold effect of regulatory pressure on insurer risk taking. Poorly capitalized insurers seem to be aware of their proximity to regulatory interventions but do not fully respond to the impending regulatory pressure. This implies either regulatory interventions are not costly enough or they are too late, or both.
Insurance Ratemaking and a Gini Index
Authors: Frees Edward W. (Jed) , Meyers Glenn , Cummings A. David 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWelfare economics uses Lorenz curves to display skewed income distributions and Gini indices to summarize the skewness. This article extends the Lorenz curve and Gini index by ordering insurance risks; the ordering variable is a risk‐based score relative to price, known as a relativity. The new relativity‐based measures can cope with adverse selection and quantify potential profit. Specifically, we show that the Gini index is proportional to a correlation between the relativity and an out‐of‐sample profit (price in excess of loss). A detailed example using homeowners insurance demonstrates the utility of these new measures.
Outcomes of Overlapping Heterogeneous Drug‐Eluting Stents Versus Homogeneous Drug‐Eluting Stents for Diffuse Lesions in Small Coronary Arteries
Authors: LIU SHENG WEN , QIAO SHU BIN , XU BO , HU FENG HUAN , CHEN JUE , YUAN JIN QING , WU YONG JIAN , YANG YUE JIN , CHEN JI LIN , GAO RUN LIN 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the outcomes of overlapping drug‐eluting stenting (DES) in small and diffuse lesions.BackgroundClinical outcomes of overlapping heterogeneous versus homogeneous DES of diffuse lesions (requiring ≥30 mm of length) in small coronary arteries (requiring ≤2.75 mm of diameter) are unknown.MethodsFrom January 2005 to December 2009, there were 99 patients with diffuse lesions in small coronary arteries receiving overlapping heterogeneous DES, and 558 patients receiving overlapping homogeneous DES at our institution. The clinical end‐point of the study included in‐hospital and 12‐month major adverse cardiac events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (TVR).ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between overlapping heterogeneous and homogeneous DES groups in‐hospital (2.0% vs. 1.4%, respectively; P = 0.66) and 12‐month (9.1% vs. 9.3%, respectively; P = 0.94) major adverse cardiac events. After adjustment, no significant differences for major adverse cardiac events were noted, but the rate of nonfatal myocardial infarction was lower in overlapping homogeneous DES group (odds ratio: 4.20, P = 0.03).ConclusionIn this analysis, there were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events between the 2 types of overlapping DES for diffuse lesions in small coronary arteries, except for higher nonfatal myocardial infarction in overlapping heterogeneous DES. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:264–270)
Oral manifestations of lupus erythematosus – report of two cases
Authors: Simões Débora M. , Fava Márcia , Figueiredo Maria A. , Salum Fernanda G. , Cherubini Karen 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundLupus erythematosus is a serious autoimmune disease, which can cause oral mucosal lesions, manifesting as white striae and erythematous, atrophic and hyperkeratotic areas, as well as erosions and ulcerations. Sometimes, these signs can be misdiagnosed as other oral diseases such as lichen planus. Also, on histopathological examination with haematoxylin‐eosin staining (HE), the features of these diseases can overlap.Materials and methodsThe authors report here two cases of oral lesions of lupus erythematosus, with a discussion of their clinical features and the process of differential diagnosis.ConclusionsIt is crucial to consider in the diagnostic process for lupus erythematosus the whole clinical information as well as haematological tests, histopathological features in HE and direct immunofluorescence, not only at first evaluation but also during patient follow‐up.
Genetic variants in the human glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ) gene in fertile and infertile men
Authors: Jamsai D. , Grealy A. , Stahl P. J. , Schlegel P. N. , McLachlan R. I. , Morand E. , O'Bryan M. K. 
Published: March 2013

SummarySertoli cell only (SCO) syndrome is the predominant histology for men with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and is usually of unexplained aetiology. Studies in mouse models indicated that the X‐linked gene glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ) is essential for survival and differentiation of spermatogonia, and meiosis. GILZ deficiency results in a rapid and progressive loss of germ cells with SCO tubules and sterility in adults. The role of GILZ in human fertility has not been examined. Here we show that GILZ is localized to spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the human testis in a pattern analogous to that seen in mice. To assess the potential for an association between GILZ variants and human infertility, we sequenced the entire protein‐coding regions of the GILZ gene in 65 SCO and 87 fertile Australian men. We identified six genetic variants, three of which had not been reported previously. Three variants, 107018665 G>A, 107018485 C>G and 106959283 C>T, were found at a low frequency only in SCO men. Although none of the identified variants changed the protein code, sequence analysis indicated that two variants, 107018665 G>A and 107018485 C>G, would completely abolish the exonic splicing enhancer (ESE)‐binding motifs for the splicing factors SF2/ASF and SC35 respectively. This result prompted an assessment of whether these two variants were associated with male infertility in a separate population of men. We used a PCR‐based SNP detection approach to screen an additional 52 NOA and 153 fertile Australian men, and 86 SCO and 54 fertile American men. None of these men carried either of these two variants. The cumulative allelic frequency of these variants is less than 1% in SCO men and no association with fertility status was observed. Our study suggests that GILZ variants are not common causes of SCO and NOA in Australian or American men.
Involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the adverse effect exerted by seminal plasma from men with spinal cord injury on sperm motility
Authors: Barbonetti A. , Vassallo M. R. C. , Di Rosa A. , Leombruni Y. , Felzani G. , Gandini L. , Lenzi A. , Necozione S. , Francavilla S. , Francavilla F. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryThe aetiology of severe asthenozoospermia in men with spinal cord injury includes an adverse impact of seminal plasma (SP) on sperm motility. In this study we investigated the effect exerted by SP from men with SCI on donor sperm mitochondrial activity and its reflection on motility. Donor spermatozoa were exposed (1 h) to SP from 22 ejaculates of men with SCI. Only SP from samples exhibiting both a low fructose level and an inhibitory effect on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), assessed at flow cytometry with JC‐1, affected donor sperm motility when evaluated 1 h after co‐incubation. This effect was reverted by washing from SP and sperm re‐suspension in medium containing glucose, in spite of persistently depressed ΔΨm. In the same samples, sperm motility and vitality dramatically decreased when evaluated 6 h after washing and re‐suspension in the glucose‐containing medium. Seminal plasmas which induced a disruption of ΔΨm, also enhanced a mitochondrial ROS generation, as assessed by MitoSOX red. The enhanced mitochondrial ROS generation was associated with a late induction of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, as assessed by BODIPY C11, when evaluated at 6 h, but not at 1 h, after washing from SP. Furthermore, activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 accompanied the loss of ΔΨm. In conclusion, a double energetic blockage (glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration) can represent a metabolic determinant of the early adverse effect exerted by SP from men with SCI on sperm motility. Mitochondrial dysfunction‐related oxidative/apoptotic mechanisms can account for later consequences on sperm motility/vitality.
The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 are implicated in human seminoma metastasis
Authors: McIver S. C. , Loveland K. L. , Roman S. D. , Nixon B. , Kitazawa R. , McLaughlin E. A. 
Published: March 2013

SummarySeminoma and non‐seminoma tumours increasingly occur within the western population. These tumours originate from carcinoma in situ (CIS) cells, which arise from dysfunctional gonocytes. CXCL12 and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, have been implicated in migration, proliferation and survival of gonocytes and their precursors and progeny, primordial germ cells and spermatogonial stem cells respectively. We previously found evidence that several miRNA molecules predicted to modulate CXCR4 signalling are differentially expressed during the differentiation of gonocytes into spermatogonia in mice. Bioinformatic analysis predicted these miRNA to modulate CXCR4 signalling, leading us to hypothesize that CXCL12‐mediated CXCR4 signalling is involved in the disrupted differentiation of gonocytes that underpins CIS formation. Indeed, we detected CXCL12 in Sertoli cells of normal human testis, and relatively high expression in tumour stroma with concomitant weak staining in dispersed tumour cells. In contrast, CXCR4 was expressed in spermatogonial and meiotic germ cells of normal testis and in the majority of tumour cells. Quantitative RT‐PCR identified elevated CXCR4 transcript levels in seminoma compared with normal testis and to non‐seminoma, potentially reflecting the higher proportion of dysfunctional germ cells within seminomas. In the normal testis, expression of CXCR4 downstream signalling molecules phospho‐MEK1/2 and phospho‐ERK1/2 correlated with CXCR4/CXCL12 expression. Strikingly, this correlation was absent in seminoma and non‐seminoma samples, suggesting that CXCL12 signalling is disrupted. Proliferation rate and cell survival were not altered by CXCL12 in either seminoma (TCam‐2) or non‐seminoma (833ke) cell lines. However, CXCL12 exposure induced TCam‐2 cell invasion though simulated basement membrane, while in contrast, we provide the novel evidence that CXCR4‐expressing non‐seminoma cell lines 833ke and NTera2/D1 do not invade in response to CXCL12. These findings indicate that CXCL12 expression in the human testis may selectively influence seminoma migration and metastasis, correlating with its importance in gonocyte and spermatogonial stem cell biology.
Oxidation of Polymer‐Derived HfSiCNO up to 1600°C
Authors: Terauds Kalvis , Marshall David B. , Raj Rishi 
Published: March 2013

Oxidation behavior of HfSiCNO ceramics for Hf/Si ratio of 0.09 at 1400°C–1600°C in ambient air is reported. Quantitative X‐ray analysis of oxidized powders shows crystalli‐zation of the amorphous phase into tetragonal hafnia, hafnon, and cristobalite (carbides, seen in inert atmosphere heat treatments are absent). Cross‐sectional SEM shows the oxide overgrowth on the particles to contain precipitates of hafnia/hafnon, while the interior of the particles is decorated with nanoscale grains of hafnia in a necklace‐like formation. The oxidation kinetics of these materials, determined both from weight‐change measurements and from direct observation of oxide overgrowth, are shown to be comparable to the oxidation of SiC single crystals. Oxidation of SiC–SiC minicomposites (straight fiber bundles infiltrated with a SiC matrix), coated with thin films of HfSiCNO prepared by dip‐coating was studied. The overgrowth thicknesses for oxidation time of 1000 h at 1600°C are compared for uncoated, SiCN(O)‐coated, and HfSiCNO‐coated minicomposites.
Processing and Properties of Porous PZT Ceramics from Particle‐Stabilized Foams via Gel Casting
Authors: Liu Wei , Xu Jing , Wang Yanzhong , Xu Hong , Xi Xiaoqing , Yang Jinlong 
Published: March 2013

In the present work, porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics with porosity ranging from 27.8% to 72.4% were fabricated by the gel‐casting process of particle‐stabilized wet foams with the initial solid loading of 10–30 vol%. The phase, the microstructure, the dielectric property, and the piezoelectric property were characterized. The relative permittivity (εr) and longitudinal piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33) of the investigated samples decreased with increasing porosity. Both the values of hydrostatic strain coefficient (dh) and hydrostatic voltage coefficient (gh) increased moderately with the increase in porosity, which was beneficial for enhancing the value of hydrostatic figure of merit (HFOM). As a result, the prepared sample possessed a maximal HFOM value of 15236 × 10−15 Pa−1 with the porosity of 72.4%. The acoustic impedance (Z) of specimens decreased linearly with increasing porosity, and had the lowest value of 1.95 MRayls, making them promising candidates for application of medical ultrasonic imaging or underwater sonar detectors.
Photoluminescence Characteristics of a New Thiogallate‐Based Green‐Emitting Phosphor: MgGa2S4:Eu2+
Authors: Yu Ruijin , Noh Hyeon Mi , Moon Byung Kee , Choi Byung Chun , Jeong Jung Hyun , Jang Kiwan , Yi Soung Soo , Jang Jun Kyu 
Published: March 2013

A new thiogallate‐based green‐emitting phosphor, MgGa2S4:Eu2+, was first synthesized via a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction in a CS2 atmosphere. We then investigated the structures and luminescent properties of the MgGa2S4:Eu2+ phosphors. The MgGa2S4:Eu2+ phosphors can be excited efficiently by UV–visible light in the wavelength range from 350 to 520 nm and they emit an intensely green light with emission bands peaking at 538 nm. The optimal concentration for Eu2+ in MgGa2S4 was found to be about 6 mol%, and the corresponding concentration quenching mechanism was the electric multipole–multipole interaction. The quenching temperature was calculated to be 402 K, and the Huang–Rhys factor was about 4. The energy barrier for thermal quenching was calculated to be 0.28 and 0.27 eV by the two types of the Arrhenius equations. The small variation in the color coordinates of MgGa2S4:Eu2+ under high temperatures indicates that the as‐synthesized phosphor has good color stability. Due to their broadband absorption in the 350–520 nm wavelength range, these phosphors may be able to fulfill the requirements for application in the development of Ga(In)N‐based white LEDs.
Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Blue‐emitting Phosphor Ba2Ca(PO4)2:Eu2+
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Xia Zhiguo , Wu Weiwei 
Published: March 2013

Using the conventional high temperature solid‐state reaction method Ba2Ca(PO4)2:Eu2+ phosphors were prepared. The phase structure, photoluminescence (PL) properties, and the PL thermal stability of the samples were investigated, respectively. Under the excitation at 365 nm, the phosphor exhibited an asymmetric broad‐band blue emission with peak at 454 nm, which is ascribed to the 4f–5d transition of Eu2+. It was further proved that the dipole–dipole interactions results in the concentration quenching of Eu2+ in Ba2Ca1−x (PO4)2:xEu2+ phosphors. When the temperature turned up to 150°C, the emission intensity of Ba2Ca0.99(PO4)2:0.01Eu2+ phosphor was 59.07% of the initial value at room temperature. The activation energy ΔE was calculated to be 0.30 eV, which proved the good thermal stability of the sample. All the properties indicated that the blue‐emitting Ba2Ca(PO4)2:Eu2+ phosphor has potential application in white LEDs.
First‐Principles Study of Elastic, Structural, Electronic, Thermodynamical, and Optical Properties of Yttria (Y2O3) Ceramic in Cubic Phase
Authors: Badehian Hojat Allah , Salehi Hamdolah , Ghoohestani Marzieh 
Published: March 2013

Structural, elastic, optical, thermodynamical, and electronic properties of yttrium oxide compound in cubic phase have been studied using the full‐potential augmented plane waves (FP‐LAPW) within density functional theory (DFT) framework. Four different approximations were used for exchange‐correlation potentials terms, comprised Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof generalized parameterization of gradient approximation (GGA‐PBE), Wu–Cohen (WC‐GGA), local‐density approximation (LDA), and new approximation modified Becke and Johnson (mBJ‐GGA). The structural properties such as equilibrium lattice parameter, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative have been obtained using optimization method. Moreover, Elastic constants, Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, sound velocities for longitudinal and shear waves, Debye average velocity, Debye temperature, and Grüneisen parameters have been calculated. Obtained structural, elastic and other parameters are consistent with experimental data. Moreover pressure dependence of the elastic moduli was studied. From electronic calculations, it has been found that the band gap was 5.7 eV at Г point in the Brillouin zone usingmBJ‐GGAapproximation. Optical properties, such as the dielectric function, refractive index, extinction index, and optical band gap, were calculated for radiation up to 14 eV. In addition, the unique type of bonding inY2O3was discussed by three method including effective charge, B/G ratio, and charge density distribution.
Reach‐Scale Geomorphic and Biological Effects of Localized Streambank Armoring
Authors: Stein Eric D. , Cover Matthew R. , Elizabeth Fetscher A. , O'Reilly Clare , Guardado Roxana , Solek Christopher W. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractArmoring of streambanks is a common management response to perceived threats to adjacent infrastructure from flooding or erosion. Despite their pervasiveness, effects of reach‐scale bank armoring have received less attention than those of channelization or watershed‐scale hydromodification. In this study, we explored mechanistic ecosystem responses to armoring by comparing conditions upstream, within, and downstream of six stream reaches with bank armoring in Southern California. Assessments were based on four common stream‐channel assessment methods: (1) traditional geomorphic measures, (2) the California Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands, (3) bioassessment with benthic macroinvertebrates, and (4) bioassessment with stream algae. Although physical responses varied among stream types (mountain, transitional, and lowland), armored segments generally had lower slopes, more and deeper pools and fewer riffles, and increased sediment deposition. Several armored segments exhibited channel incision and bank toe failure. All classes of biological indicators showed subtle, mechanistic responses to physical changes. However, extreme heterogeneity among sites, the presence of catchment‐scale disturbances, and low sample size made it difficult to ascribe observed patterns solely to channel armoring. The data suggest that species‐level or functional group‐level metrics may be more sensitive tools than integrative indices of biotic integrity to local‐scale effects.
Assessment of Residential Rain Barrel Water Quality and Use in Cincinnati, Ohio1
Authors: Shuster William D. , Lye Dennis , De La Cruz Armah , Rhea Lee K. , O'Connell Katharine , Kelty Amanda 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe collection, storage, and reuse of rainwater collected in rain barrels from urban rooftop areas assists municipalities in achieving stormwater management objectives and in some areas also serves as an adjunct resource for domestic water supplies. In this study, rainwater reuse and levels of select microbial indicators were monitored for six residential rain barrels located in the Shepherd Creek watershed of Cincinnati, Ohio. Water from rain barrels typically had poor microbial quality and was used for watering indoor and outdoor plants. Rain barrel water chemistry was slightly acidic, exhibited wide ranges in conductivity, turbidity, and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations and gave no evidence of the presence of cyanobacterial microcystin toxins. Selected microbial water‐quality indicators indicated that counts of total coliform and enterococci were consistently above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for secondary recreational contact water‐quality standards. Residential rain barrels can provide water appropriate for low‐contact reuses (such as plant watering), although there may be transient periods of high levels of indicator bacteria in the collected water.
Water Supply and Stormwater Management Benefits of Residential Rainwater Harvesting in U.S. Cities
Authors: Steffen Jennifer , Jensen Mark , Pomeroy Christine A. , Burian Steven J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis article presents an analysis of the projected performance of urban residential rainwater harvesting systems in the United States (U.S.). The objectives are to quantify for 23 cities in seven climatic regions (1) water supply provided from rainwater harvested at a residential parcel and (2) stormwater runoff reduction from a residential drainage catchment. Water‐saving efficiency is determined using a water‐balance approach applied at a daily time step for a range of rainwater cistern sizes. The results show that performance is a function of cistern size and climatic pattern. A single rain barrel (190 l [50 gal]) installed at a residential parcel is able to provide approximately 50% water‐saving efficiency for the nonpotable indoor water demand scenario in cities of the East Coast, Southeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, but <30% water‐saving efficiency in cities of the Mountain West, Southwest, and most of California. Stormwater management benefits are quantified using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model. The results indicate that rainwater harvesting can reduce stormwater runoff volume up to 20% in semiarid regions, and less in regions receiving greater rainfall amounts for a long‐term simulation. Overall, the results suggest that U.S. cities and individual residents can benefit from implementing rainwater harvesting as a stormwater control measure and as an alternative source of water.
Boron fertilizers in rape – a risk for honey bees?
Authors: Siede R. , Dyrba W. , Augustin T. , Wiegand A. , Ellinghaus R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRape (Brassica napus L.) is foraged intensively by honey bees (Apis mellifera). Pesticide applications during bloom are sometimes combined with foliar boron fertilizer applications. Boron has insecticidal properties, and therefore, risk to honey bees cannot be excluded. This study was conducted to test whether foliar boron fertilizers could be hazardous for bees under real field conditions. Six colonies were transferred to a rape field in bloom which was treated with boron (1 kg/ha). Six control colonies were transferred to an untreated rape field approximately 7 km away. Performance parameters of the colonies were measured. Samples of honey and beebread were collected from all colonies before and after boron fertilizer application. The contents of boron and of Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S and Zn were measured in honey by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP MS) and by ICP–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). No significant differences were found in honey yield (P = 0.622), number of capped brood (P = 0.089), number of uncapped brood (P = 0.123) or number of bees (P = 0.87). Application of boron fertilizer did not affect the concentration of boron in honey (P = 0.656) or beebread (P = 0.665). The concentrations of other elements confirmed the suitability of rape nectar for bee nutrition. This study suggests that the application of foliar boron fertilizers in blooming rape is not hazardous for bee colonies.