bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tolerance and Social Facilitation in the Foraging Behaviour of Free‐Ranging Crows (Corvus corone corone; C. c. cornix)
Authors: Miller Rachael , Schiestl Martina , Whiten Andrew , Schwab Christine , Bugnyar Thomas 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSocial foraging provides animals with opportunities to gain knowledge about available food. Studies indicate that animals are influenced by social context during exploration and are able to learn socially. Carrion and hooded crows, which are opportunistic generalists with flexible social systems, have so far received little focus in this area. We combined observational and experimental approaches to investigate social interactions during foraging and social influences on crow behaviour within a free‐ranging population at Vienna Zoo, which included 115 individually marked crows. We expected the crows to be tolerant of conspecifics during foraging due to high food abundance. We predicted that social context would enhance familiar object exploration, as well as a specific foraging strategy: predation by crows on other species. We found that crows were highly tolerant of one another, as reflected by their high rates of cofeeding – where they fed directly beside conspecific(s) – relative to affiliative or agonistic interactions. Evidence for social facilitation – when the observer's behaviour is affected by the mere presence of a model – was found in both object exploration and predation behaviour. Specifically, crows touched the objects more frequently when others were present (whilst only approaching the objects when alone), and conspecifics were present more frequently during predation events involving the high‐risk target species. Evidence for enhancement during object exploration – where the observer's attention is drawn to a place or object by a model's actions – was not confirmed in this context. Our results highlight the role played by the presence of conspecifics across different contexts: natural foraging behaviour, familiar object exploration and a specific foraging strategy. To our knowledge, this is one of the first corvid studies aimed at teasing apart specific social influence and learning mechanisms in the field. These crows therefore make promising candidates for studying social learning and its consequences under naturalistic conditions.
Evolutionary perspectives on wildlife disease: concepts and applications
Authors: Vander Wal Eric , Garant Dany , Pelletier Fanie 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWildlife disease has the potential to cause significant ecological, socioeconomic, and health impacts. As a result, all tools available need to be employed when host–pathogen dynamics merit conservation or management interventions. Evolutionary principles, such as evolutionary history, phenotypic and genetic variation, and selection, have the potential to unravel many of the complex ecological realities of infectious disease in the wild. Despite this, their application to wildlife disease ecology and management remains in its infancy. In this article, we outline the impetus behind applying evolutionary principles to disease ecology and management issues in the wild. We then introduce articles from this special issue on Evolutionary Perspectives on Wildlife Disease: Concepts and Applications, outlining how each is exemplar of a practical wildlife disease challenge that can be enlightened by applied evolution. Ultimately, we aim to bring new insights to wildlife disease ecology and its management using tools and techniques commonly employed in evolutionary ecology.
Seasonally different response of photosynthetic activity to daytime and night‐time warming in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Tan Jianguang , Piao Shilong , Chen Anping , Zeng Zhenzhong , Ciais Philippe , Janssens Ivan A. , Mao Jiafu , Myneni Ranga B , Peng Shushi , Peñuelas Josep , Shi Xiaoying , Vicca Sara 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOver the last century the Northern Hemisphere has experienced rapid climate warming, but this warming has not been evenly distributed seasonally, as well as diurnally. The implications of such seasonal and diurnal heterogeneous warming on regional and global vegetation photosynthetic activity, however, are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated for different seasons how photosynthetic activity of vegetation correlates with changes in seasonal daytime and night‐time temperature across the Northern Hemisphere (>30°N), using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 1982 to 2011 obtained from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). Our analysis revealed some striking seasonal differences in the response of NDVI to changes in day‐ vs. night‐time temperatures. For instance, while higher daytime temperature (Tmax) is generally associated with higher NDVI values across the boreal zone, the area exhibiting a statistically significant positive correlation between Tmax and NDVI is much larger in spring (41% of area in boreal zone – total area 12.6 × 106 km2) than in summer and autumn (14% and 9%, respectively). In contrast to the predominantly positive response of boreal ecosystems to changes in Tmax, increases in Tmax tended to negatively influence vegetation growth in temperate dry regions, particularly during summer. Changes in night‐time temperature (Tmin) correlated negatively with autumnal NDVI in most of the Northern Hemisphere, but had a positive effect on spring and summer NDVI in most temperate regions (e.g., Central North America and Central Asia). Such divergent covariance between the photosynthetic activity of Northern Hemispheric vegetation and day‐ and night‐time temperature changes among different seasons and climate zones suggests a changing dominance of ecophysiological processes across time and space. Understanding the seasonally different responses of vegetation photosynthetic activity to diurnal temperature changes, which have not been captured by current land surface models, is important for improving the performance of next generation regional and global coupled vegetation‐climate models.
Dentition, nutritional status and adequacy of dietary intake among older residents in assisted living facilities
Authors: Saarela Riitta K.T. , Lindroos Eeva , Soini Helena , Hiltunen Kaija , Muurinen Seija , Suominen Merja H. , Pitkälä Kaisu H. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveWe examined the relationships between dentition, nutritional status and dietary intakes of energy, protein and micronutrients among older people in assisted living facilities in Helsinki.BackgroundPoor dentition is associated with malnutrition. Less is known about how dentition is associated with detailed nutrient intakes in institutionalised older people.Materials and methodsThis cross‐sectional study assessed 343 participants (mean age 83 years). Dentition was assessed by trained ward nurses and divided into edentulous participants without dentures (group 1), edentulous participants with removable dentures (group 2) and those with any natural teeth (group 3). Nutritional status was assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The energy, protein and nutrient intakes were calculated from detailed 1‐day food diaries and compared with the recommendations of the Finnish National Nutrition Council as a measure of dietary adequacy. Assessment included also participants' cognitive and functional status.ResultsOf the participants, 8.2, 39.1 and 52.8% were in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Altogether 22% were malnourished according to MNA. Group 1 had the poorest nutritional status. A large proportion of participants consumed less than the recommended amounts of energy, protein or micronutrients. Half of the participants consumed <60 g/day of protein. The intake of protein was significantly lower in group 1 than in other two groups.ConclusionMalnutrition and inadequate protein intake were very common and associated with dentition among older people with multiple disabilities in assisted living facilities. Assessment of dental status should be part of good nutritional care in long‐term care.
Low‐temperature catalytic CO2 hydrogenation with geological quantities of ruthenium: a possible abiotic CH4 source in chromitite‐rich serpentinized rocks
Authors: Etiope G. , Ionescu A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMetal‐catalysed CO2 hydrogenation is considered a source of methane in serpentinized (hydrated) igneous rocks and a fundamental abiotic process germane to the origin of life. Iron, nickel, chromium and cobalt are the catalysts typically employed in hydrothermal simulation experiments to obtain methane at temperatures >200°C. However, land‐based present‐day serpentinization and abiotic gas apparently develop below 100°C, down to approximately 40–50°C. Here, we document considerable methane production in thirteen CO2 hydrogenation experiments performed in a closed dry system, from 20 to 90°C and atmospheric pressure, over 0.9–122 days, using concentrations of non‐pretreated ruthenium equivalent to those occurring in chromitites in ophiolites or igneous complexes (from 0.4 to 76 mg of Ru, equivalent to the amount occurring approximately in 0.4–760 kg of chromitite). Methane production increased with time and temperature, reaching approximately 87 mg CH4 per gram of Ru after 30 days (2.9 mgCH4/gru/day) at 90°C. At room temperature, CH4 production rate was approximately three orders of magnitude lower (0.003 mgCH4/gru/day). We report the first stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of abiotic CH4 generated below 100°C. Using initial δ13CCO2 of ‐40‰, we obtained room temperature δ13CCH4 values as 13C depleted as −142‰. With time and temperature, the C‐isotope separation between CO2 and CH4 decreased significantly and the final δ13CCH4 values approached that of initial δ13CCO2. The presence of minor amounts of C2‐C6 hydrocarbons is consistent with observations in natural settings. Comparative experiments at the same temperatures with iron and nichel catalysts did not generate CH4. Ru‐enriched chromitites could potentially generate methane at low temperatures on Earth and on other planets.
Relations between low temperature tolerance and color changes in fall and spring seasons of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.)
Authors: Jia Yunqi , Wang Yunwen , Zhou He , Tian Jin 
Published: August 2014

AbstractZoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) is warm season grass used for lawns, golf courses and athletic fields. Although it has better low temperature tolerance compared to other warm season grasses, its longer dormant period than cool season grasses prevents its wide usage in transitional and cooler climate zones. This study analyzed the relationships among low temperature tolerance, green color changes during the fall and spring and the dormant period length among seven Zoysia japonica Steud. cultivars and accessions: two cultivars, four Chinese accessions and one Japanese accession. A relationship between low temperature tolerance and color changes due to dormancy and re‐greening up was examined. Plant samples from the tested Z. japonica were cooled to between −8 and −16°C to measure the lethal temperatures at which 50% of plants died (LT50). These LT50 ranged from −7.3 to −10.1°C, with Lanyin No. 3 having the poorest low temperature tolerance. In the field, the color changes from green to brown for the whole plant in the fall and from brown to green in the spring occurred within 15–20 days as determined by digital analysis from fall 2008 to spring 2010. The fall colors changes (going dormant) on November 8, 2008 and November 7, 2009 were positively correlated with the LT50 (r = 0.824 and 0.823, respectively). The spring colors changes (green‐up) on April 24, 2009 and May 19, 2010 were negatively correlated with the LT50 in both 2009 (r = −0.878) and 2010 (r = −0.869). The dormant period length in 2008–2009 was positively correlated (r = 0.765) with the LT50. This study demonstrated that Z. japonica with poor low temperature tolerance has better green‬‬ retention in the fall but less green color in the spring‬‬. Furthermore, Z. japonica, which became dormant later underwent green up later and had a longer dormant period, mainly due to slower green up in spring.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
Injectable Sumatriptan for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Adults: A Case Series
Authors: Calhoun Anne H. , Pruitt Amy P. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo better familiarize the reader with a migraine‐related disorder, cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) in adults, and to discuss its diagnosis and treatment.BackgroundCVS is a profoundly disabling disorder characterized by recurrent, stereotypic episodes of incapacitating nausea and vomiting, separated by completely asymptomatic intervals. CVS episodes tend to start at the same time of day, persist for the same duration, and present with the same intensity and associated symptoms. Most patients experience prodromal symptoms and can identify triggers that precipitate attacks, such as menstruation, lack of sleep, certain foods, physical exertion, and stress. The prevalence of CVS in adults is unknown, but since its occurrence in this age group has been little recognized, patients typically experience lengthy delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis.MethodLiterature review, case reports, and discussion.ResultsGiven genetic links of CVS to migraine, as well as its comorbidity, typical migraine triggers, and response to similar acute and preventive medications, CVS likely represents a disorder on the migraine spectrum.ConclusionAdult CVS is not only highly comorbid with migraine, but it responds to migraine preventives, and in some cases to injectable sumatriptan even in the absence of headache.
Retrospective imaging audit and cost analysis of medical oncology inpatients admitted to Westmead Hospital
Authors: Gupta S. , Taylor N. , Selvakumar D. , Harnett P. R. , Wilcken N. , Lee C. I. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundCancer patients often require complex and expensive admissions necessitating multiple investigations. We conducted an audit of cost of imaging performed on medical oncology inpatients in a teaching hospital in New South Wales.AimsOur overall aim was to assess cost and appropriateness of imaging studies in inpatients.MethodsData were collected on 219 consecutive evaluable inpatients admitted to Westmead Hospital (August–October 2012). A panel of oncology doctors assessed cost and appropriateness of imaging.ResultsThe total expenditure for the cohort was $106 488.15 over 624 investigations (range: 0–26, median: two per admission). Of this sum, $8881.91 (8%) was deemed inappropriate. The most frequently ordered test was chest X‐ray (251). Imaging cost per admission was $0–2478 (range), $324.95 (median), $486.99 (mean). Cost trended to increase with age of patient ($186.40 (18–40), $477.22 (41–65), $489.50 (66–75), $575.33 (>75) ). Mean cost was higher for patients treated with palliative ($493.98) vs curative ($307.59) intent. Mean cost was higher for patients consulted by palliative care and other subspecialties. There was variation of average cost by discharge destination – other hospital ($262.23), palliative care unit ($334.08), home ($480.84) and death ($769.93). Although imaging ordered was deemed overwhelmingly clinically appropriate, approximately $35 000/year is spent on inappropriate tests, mostly due to duplication or scans that could have been performed as an outpatient.ConclusionOur audit supports that the current spending patterns on imaging within our department is predominantly appropriate and necessary. Duplication and expenditure may be reduced by improving electronic access from the ward to outpatient scan results.
ALTERNATIVE MORTGAGE INSTRUMENTS: COMPARISONS AND A PROPOSAL
Authors: Harris John M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPersonal income growth since 1950 has been similar to increases in housing prices. In recent years, however, increases in interest rates due to inflation have prevented many individuals from purchasing a home. In this paper, a framework of analysis based on variable coefficient difference equations is presented and used to evaluate a number of alternative mortgage instruments. As an extension of this analysis, a superior mortgage is proposed. Simulations are presented that quantify the advantages of this new mortgage.
AN IMPLICIT CLIENTELE TEST OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAXATION AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Authors: Grier Paul , Strebel Paul 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a test for the existence of high and low tax bracket debt clienteles. The test generates some evidence consistent with the implication of debt clientele theory that over time, firms' debt ratios should vary with the relative tax incentives for investors to hold debt. The results, however, do not support the existence of extreme financial leverage clienteles. Rather they are consistent with an incomplete equity market: low tax bracket investors hold the stock of highly levered firms and high tax bracket investors hold the stock of the low leverage firms.
THE EFFECT OF RATE CASES ON PUBLIC UTILITY STOCK RETURNS
Authors: Davidson Wallace N. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPublic utility rate cases are economic events because they affect the intrinsic value of the utility. This paper examines the effect of rate cases on public utility stock returns. “Average” rate cases do not appear to affect the utilities' value, but “above‐average” and “below‐average” settlements cause positive or negative adjustments, respectively.
THE VALUE IMPACTS OF CAPITAL ADEQUACY REGULATION AND STOCHASTIC DEPOSITS
Authors: Brauer Greggory A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe relationship between a bank's soundness and the set of factors evaluated by supervisory agencies is so complex that the regulation of certain factors might have unintended consequences. This paper demonstrates that, ceteris paribus, binding capital adequacy regulation in the presence of stochastic deposits both reduces the expected future value of a bank and increases the uncertainty of that bank's future value. The uncertainty conclusion is not inconsistent with the notion of a decrease in the probability of financial distress as equity is substituted for debt; it involves an altogether different uncertainty and one that has heretofore not been recognized in either the theory of the banking firm or the literature of capital adequacy.
SELECTIVE HEDGING OF BANK ASSETS WITH TREASURY BILL FUTURES CONTRACTS
Authors: Koppenhaver G. D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe recent volatility of interest rates, the associated profit pressures imposed on banks, and the surge in the development of new contracts have stimulated a desire to understand and apply financial futures hedging to banking operations. This paper models interest rate futures contracts in a theory of bank behavior to illustrate the hedging of bank loans as well as government securities. The model predicts the hedge will be greater (1) the greater the expected rise in interest rates and (2) the greater the effect of disintermediation on bank deposits. A simulation of the financial futures trading strategy is reported for banks of various asset sizes using data from the Eleventh Federal Reserve District. Depending on bank risk aversion and interest rate expectations, hedging the bank's total interest rate exposure with T‐bill futures reduces the variability of unhedged profits by 80 percent.
AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE ARBITRAGE PRICING THEORY
Authors: Pari Robert A. , Chen Son‐Nan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper provides an ex‐post analysis of a multifactor return‐generating model using the factor scores obtained from a common factor analysis of industry‐based portfolios. For the 1975–1980 time period, the correlations among common stock returns can be adequately explained by a three‐factor model. Furthermore, ex post, at least three factors are priced in the stock market. A brief economic interpretation of the proposed common factor is also presented.
THE RESPONSE OF FORWARD EXCHANGE RATES TO INTEREST RATE FORECASTING ERRORS
Authors: Kaen Fred R. , Simos Evangelos O. , Hachey George A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper examines the effects of interest rate news on changes in forward foreign exchange rates. Virtually none of the errors in forecasting forward exchange rates are explained by interest rate forecasting errors. The results are consistent with a conjecture that the forward exchange rate is not an estimate of the expected spot exchange rate.
SYNERGY, DIVERSIFICATION, AND INCENTIVE EFFECTS OF CORPORATE MERGER ON BONDHOLDER WEALTH: SOME EVIDENCE
Authors: Settle John W. , Petry Glenn H. , Hsia Chi‐Cheng 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe theory relating to the effects of a merger on the wealth of bondholders implies countervailing results. On the one hand, bondholders might share the benefits of operating synergies and diversification with shareholders. On the other hand, they might suffer from an incentive effect—the expropriation by the shareholders. Studies by Kim and McConnell (1977) and Asquith and Kim (1982) find that the wealth of bondholders is not significantly affected by conglomerate mergers. Using a more inclusive sample and a different methodology, this study finds that the wealth of bondholders is affected positively by merger, which implies synergies to bondholders and/or a diversification effect. Furthermore, an incentive effect would be inferred if leverage were increased substantially after merger and if the size of the increase were inversely related to bondholder gains. Since neither of these events is observed, this study finds no evidence for an incentive effect.
YIELD STRUCTURE OF TAXABLE VS. NONTAXABLE BONDS
Authors: Kim Moon , Booth Geoffrey 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn his 1976 presidential address to the American Finance Association, Miller shows that the equilibrium marginal personal tax rate on riskless bond income is equal to the marginal corporate tax rate. In the presence of risk, he and, subsequently, others suggest that the theoretical equilibrium occurs when the personal tax rate is less than the corporate tax rate. This study investigates empirically these relationships by examining the yield ratio of nontaxable to taxable debt at various risk levels. Both the riskless and risk propositions are confirmed.
WHY IRA AND KEOGH PLANS SHOULD AVOID GROWTH STOCKS
Authors: Yaari Uzi , Fabozzi Frank J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper explores the effect of taxing personal income from common stocks on the return of equity portfolios held by mutual funds under IRA or Keogh plans. The expected rate of return earned by a tax‐sheltered fund on any given stock is inversely related to the stock's per‐share growth rate. The explanation for this effect does not rely on the standard assumption that growth decreases the effective rate of taxation. Rather, this effect holds despite heavier taxation of growth stocks because of the incomplete manner in which the return is sheltered. The implication of this finding for the optimal portfolio selection policy of tax‐sheltered equity funds is inconsistent with evidence showing that such funds tend to concentrate in growth stocks. A second issue examined is the use of IRA and Keogh plans as a temporary tax shelter. Under the present 10‐percent penalty on premature distribution, the critical investment period may be as short as two to three years. This finding indicates the usefulness of these plans as a general investment tool.
A SIMPLE FORMULA FOR DURATION
Authors: Caks John , Lane William R. , Greenleaf Robert W. , Joules Reginald G. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a simplification of Macaulay's formula for duration. The derivation treats any bond as a portfolio of a coupon bearing bond at par and a zero‐coupon bond. The resultant equations are simple to use and show how coupon payments, premiums, and discounts affect duration. The equations are easily modified without loss of simplicity for various coupon payment intervals and for calculations between payment periods.