bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of calf death loss on cloned cattle herd derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer: Clones with congenital defects would be removed by the death loss
Authors: Watanabe Shinya 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTo increase public understanding on cloned cattle derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the present review describes the effect of calf death loss on an SCNT cattle herd. The incidence of death loss in SCNT cattle surviving more than 200 days reached the same level as that in conventionally bred cattle. This process could be considered as removal of SCNT cattle with congenital defects caused by calf death loss. As a result of comparative studies of SCNT cattle and conventionally bred cattle, the substantial equivalences in animal health status, milk and meat productive performance have been confirmed. Both sexes of SCNT cattle surviving to adulthood were fertile and their reproductive performance, including efficiency of progeny production, was the same as that in conventionally bred cattle. The presence of substantial equivalence between their progeny and conventionally bred cattle also existed. Despite these scientific findings, the commercial use of food products derived from SCNT cattle and their progeny has not been allowed by governments for reasons including the lack of public acceptance of these products and the low efficiency of animal SCNT. To overcome this situation, communication of the low risk of SCNT technology and research to improve SCNT efficiency are required.
Addition of oxytocin to semen extender improves both sperm transport to the oviduct and conception rates in pigs following AI
Authors: Okazaki Tetsuji , Ikoma Erena , Tinen Tukasa , Akiyoshi Teiichi , Mori Manabu , Teshima Hisanori 
Published: July 2013

AbstractOxytocin (OXT) contained in boar semen is known to produce uterine contraction; therefore, we hypothesized that the co‐injection of OXT with sperm would improve artificial insemination (AI) using liquid or frozen‐thawed boar sperm. We initially examined whether OXT added to semen extender improved sperm transport to the oviduct. Although the addition of OXT did not affect the fresh or frozen‐thawed sperm motility or acrosomal integrity, it significantly increased the number of sperm in the oviduct at 6 h after AI injection with OXT, as compared with the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, some sperm were observed in the sperm reservoir of the isthmus in the OXT treatment group, whereas few sperm were observed in the control. When OXT was added to the semen extender immediately prior to AI, the conception rates were significantly higher in both fresh semen and frozen‐thawed semen than in the control group (P < 0.05: liquid, 87.5% vs. 70.5%; frozen‐thawed, 89.8% vs. 75.0%). From these results, we concluded that the addition of OXT to the semen extender assisted in sperm transportation from the uterus to the oviduct, which resulted in improved reproductive performance.
Evaluation of feeding value of forage soybean silage as a substitute for wheat bran in sheep
Authors: Touno Eiko , Kaneko Makoto , Uozumi Sunao , Kawamoto Hidenori , Deguchi Shin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTwelve sheep were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate the effect of substituting wheat bran with forage soybean silage in the diet on apparent digestibility and nitrogen balance. Forage soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) was cultivated in a no‐till, no‐herbicide cropping system with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as a living mulch. Forage soybean and Italian ryegrass were wilted and ensiled in round bales without additives, respectively. The experimental diets were based on corn silage supplemented with protein sources (tow silages or wheat bran). The crude protein and the acid detergent insoluble protein contents of forage soybean silage were the highest among the protein sources. The apparent digestibility of crude protein and the nitrogen balance did not significantly differ among the diets. In addition, the phytoestrogen content of forage soybean silage was below the level at which animal reproductive performance would be negatively affected. These results suggest that forage soybean silage has comparable feeding value to wheat bran, and can be given at an inclusion level of 17% (dry matter basis) as an alternative protein source to wheat bran without adverse effects on digestion or nitrogen balance in sheep fed a corn silage‐based diet.
Examination of the bidirectional influences of leisure activity and memory in old people: A dissociative effect on episodic memory
Authors: Mousavi‐Nasab S.‐M.‐Hossein , Kormi‐Nouri Reza , Nilsson Lars‐Göran 
Published: July 2013

The present study examined the relationships between different types of social and cognitive activities and different types of episodic and semantic memory. A total of 794 adult men and women from five age cohorts (aged 65–85 at baseline), participating in the longitudinal Betula project on ageing, memory, and health, were included in the study. The participants were studied over 10 years (1995–2005) in three waves. Recognition and recall were used as episodic memory tasks, and knowledge and verbal fluency as semantic memory tasks. The results, after controlling for age, gender, education, and some diseases, including heart disease and hypertension, as covariates, showed unidirectional effects of social activity on episodic memory on all test occasions (β = .10). Also, episodic memory predicted change in cognitive activity for all test waves (β = .21–.22). Findings suggest that social activity can be seen as protective factor against memory decline. It also seems that episodic memory performance is a predictor of cognitive activity in old people. However, the opposite direction does not hold true.
The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration cystatin C (CKD‐EPI‐CysC) equation has an independent prognostic value for overall survival in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma; is it time to change from MDRD to CKD‐EPI‐CysC equations?
Authors: Terpos Evangelos , Christoulas Dimitrios , Kastritis Efstathios , Katodritou Eirini , Pouli Anastasia , Michalis Eurydiki , Papassotiriou Ioannis , Dimopoulos Meletios A. ,   Greek Myeloma Study Group
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in multiple myeloma (MM) is based on equations that use serum creatinine (sCr), such as the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. However, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) group has suggested that eGFR based on both sCr and cystatin C (CKD‐EPI‐sCr‐CysC) is more accurate than other formulae for the estimation of kidney dysfunction. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate, for the first time in the literature, the CKD‐EPI‐sCR‐CysC formula in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic MM.MethodsWe studied 220 newly diagnosed, previously untreated, patients with symptomatic myeloma and calculated eGFR using the MDRD, the CKD‐EPI‐sCR, the CKD‐EPI‐CysC, and the CKD‐EPI‐sCr‐CysC equations.ResultsCKD‐EPI‐sCr‐CysC equation detected more myeloma patients with stage 3–5 renal impairment than the MDRD, CKD‐EPI, or CKD‐EPI‐CysC equations: 45% vs. 39.5%, 42.2%, and 43.1%, respectively (P < 0.01). This was also observed in the elderly patients (>70 yrs), while in patients ≤70 yrs, the CKD‐EPI‐CysC equation managed to identify higher number of patients with stage 3–5 renal impairment (RI) than the other equations. Furthermore, 63 (28.6%) patients with eGFR values by the MDRD formula were reclassified to higher CKD stages according to CKD‐EPI‐CysC equation. The median overall survival for all patients was 52 months. In the multivariate analysis, that included International Staging System stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥300 U/L and eGFR for each different equation (as a continuous variable), only eGFR that included CysC, but not sCr had independent prognostic value (P = 0.013) along with high LDH (P = 0.029).ConclusionsOur results suggest that equations based on CysC reveal higher number of MM patients with RI compared with equations based only in sCr. Furthermore, the CKD‐EPI‐CysC formula independently predicted for survival. Based on these data, we suggest that CKD‐EPI equations based on CysC should substitute MDRD, as it has been suggested for patients with several other renal disorders.
Maternal thermal and photoperiodic effects on the progeny diapause inTrichogramma telengai Sorokina (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Vaghina Nina P. , Voinovich Natalia D. , Reznik Sergey Ya 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAlthough maternal photoperiodic and maternal thermal effects on the progeny diapause have been demonstrated in a number of insect species, their interaction has been rarely studied. We investigated this interaction inTrichogramma telengai. In a series of experiments, maternal females were reared at day lengths of 12–18 h and at temperatures of 17, 20, 25 and 30°C. Their progeny developed under day length of 12 h and temperatures of 13, 14 and 15°C. The experiments showed that both short day and low temperature experienced by the maternal generation significantly increased the proportion of diapausing progeny. In particular, the threshold of the maternal photoperiodic response decreased with temperature. Under combinations of photoperiod with daily thermoperiod, the role of the “night” temperature in the induction of diapause in the progeny was much more important than that of the “day” temperature. We conclude that the interaction pattern between the photoperiodic and thermal maternal effects inT. telengaiis generally the same as that between the photoperiodic and thermal responses directly influencing diapause induction in other long‐day insects. The threshold temperature of the maternal thermal response ofT. telengaiwas about 25–27°C, while diapause can be induced if larvae develop at temperatures not higher than 15–16°C. This suggests that, at least in the studiedTrichogrammaspecies, the maternal thermal effect has no ecological value. In the practice of biocontrol, however, rearing ofTrichogrammawasps at high temperature can drastically reduce the proportion of diapausing progeny.
Electrotrawling: a promising alternative fishing technique warranting further exploration
Authors: Soetaert Maarten , Decostere Annemie , Polet Hans , Verschueren Bart , Chiers Koen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn trawl fisheries, beam trawls with tickler chains, chain mats or bobbin ropes are used to target flatfish or shrimp. High fuel consumption, seabed disturbance and high discard rates are well‐known disadvantages of this fishing technique. These shortcomings are increasingly gaining international public and political attention, especially with the upcoming discard ban in Europe. The most promising alternative fishing technique meeting both the fisherman's aspirations, and the need for ecological progress is pulse fishing with electrotrawls. Here, the mechanical stimulation by tickler chains or bobbins is replaced by electrical stimulation resulting in reduced bottom contact, fuel costs and discards. Although a significant amount of research has been done on electrotrawls and their impact on marine organisms, most data were published in very diverse sources ranging from local non‐peer‐reviewed reports with a limited distribution to highly consulted international peer‐reviewed journals. Therefore, there is a clear need for a comprehensive yet concise and critical overview, covering and summarizing all these data and making these available for the scientific community. This article aims to meet the above goals by discussing the working principle of electric fields, the history of electrotrawls and their current application in the North Sea and impact on marine organisms. It is concluded by elaborating on the opportunities and challenges for the further implementation of this alternative fishing technique.
Silibinin protects murine fibroblast L929 cells from UVB‐induced apoptosis through the simultaneous inhibition of ATM‐p53 pathway and autophagy
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Otkur Wuxiyar , Zhang Yuning , Li Qiuyuan , Ye Yuanchao , Zang Linghe , He Hao , Hayashi Toshihiko , Tashiro Shin‐ichi , Onodera Satoshi , Ikejima Takashi 
Published: July 2013

Ultraviolet B (UVB) is a major cause of skin inflammation, leading to skin damage. Our previous in vivo study revealed that a natural flavonoid silibinin had marked anti‐inflammatory effect on UVB‐exposed murine skin. UVB exposure caused reduced autophagy in epidermis while it promoted autophagy in dermis. Nevertheless, silibinin inhibited the inflammatory flux in the skin epidermis as well as dermis through the modulation of autophagy. In order to elucidate the underlying protective mechanisms of silibinin for UVB damage on skin, separate studies on epidermis and dermis are helpful. Derived from the normal tissue of the mouse, L929 cells are capable of representing some characteristics of dermal cells. UVB irradiation caused L929 cell apoptosis in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Ataxia‐telangiectasia‐mutated (ATM) protein and p53 were activated to cause cell apoptosis, accompanying upregulation of the autophagic flux. The pharmacological inhibition of ATM, p53 and autophagy or the transfection with autophagy‐associated protein‐targeted small interfering RNAs showed that the UVB‐activated ATM‐p53 axis and autophagy formed a positive feedback loop, which synergistically promoted cell apoptosis. Silibinin treatment simultaneously repressed the activation of ATM‐p53 and autophagy and thereby protected UVB‐irradiated L929 cells from apoptotic death.
Empirical Evidence on Corporate Risk‐Shifting
Authors: Danielova Anna N. , Sarkar Sudipto , Hong Gwangheon 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe study empirically whether nonfinancial firms’ behavior is consistent with systematic risk‐shifting. We compare firms’ operating risk before and after a debt issue, under the assumption that if there is any risk‐shifting it is most likely to occur right after a debt issue. We document a significant increase in firms’ operating risk, even after adjusting for industry influences. The risk‐shifting is higher for firms with no subsequent debt issues, and for firms with lower credit ratings. Other determinants are earnings volatility, size of debt issue, and whether the bond is callable.
Information and Long‐Term Stock Performance Following Open‐Market Share Repurchases
Authors: Leng Fei , Noronha Gregory 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe find that firm managers have private information when they decide on open‐market share repurchases, and that this information is significantly correlated with announcement period and post‐announcement abnormal returns. We further find that long‐term post‐announcement abnormal returns are related to private information differently for firms that actually repurchase shares when compared to firms that announce a repurchase program but do not acquire shares. Our results indicate that managers’ private information is only ambiguously revealed by the repurchase announcement, and that the market waits for the firm's subsequent actions, such as actual repurchase, to further interpret the private information.
Performance of Thinly Traded Assets: A Case in Real Estate
Authors: Cheng Ping , Lin Zhenguo , Liu Yingchun 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThinly traded private assets do not fit into the traditional finance paradigm of a liquid and well‐functioning market where trading is continuous and instantaneous. Since private assets cannot be bought and sold easily, they bear liquidity risk. Classical finance theories cannot properly gauge the performance of illiquid private assets because they implicitly assume such illiquidity is trivial. This paper proposes an alternative performance metric for the illiquid private asset, which explicitly captures liquidity risk in a formal analysis. Applying the new performance metric, we are able to explain the decades‐old “real estate risk premium puzzle.”
Invasion, establishment, and range expansion of two parasitic nematodes in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Kutz Susan J. , Checkley Sylvia , Verocai Guilherme G. , Dumond Mathieu , Hoberg Eric P. , Peacock Rod , Wu Jessica P. , Orsel Karin , Seegers Karin , Warren Amy L. , Abrams Arthur 
Published: July 2013

AbstractClimate warming is occurring at an unprecedented rate in the Arctic and is having profound effects on host‐parasite interactions, including range expansion. Recently, two species of protostrongylid nematodes have emerged for the first time in muskoxen and caribou on Victoria Island in the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis, the muskox lungworm, was detected for the first time in 2008 in muskoxen at a community hunt on the southwest corner of the island and by 2012, it was found several hundred kilometers east in commercially harvested muskoxen near the town of Ikaluktutiak. In 2010, Varestrongylus sp., a recently discovered lungworm of caribou and muskoxen was found in muskoxen near Ikaluktutiak and has been found annually in this area since then. Whereas invasion of the island by U. pallikuukensis appears to have been mediated by stochastic movement of muskoxen from the mainland to the southwest corner of the island, Varestrongylus has likely been introduced at several times and locations by the seasonal migration of caribou between the island and the mainland. A newly permissive climate, now suitable for completion of the parasite life cycles in a single summer, likely facilitated the initial establishment and now drives range expansion for both parasites.
Are corporatist labour markets different? Labour market regimes and unemployment in OECD countries
Authors: STURN Simon 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.Empirical studies on the unemployment effects of labour market institutions show contradictory results. One explanation is that these institutions affect unemployment differently depending on the regime in which they operate. Because of good labour relations, institutional complementarities and a trade‐off between external and internal flexibility, they produce distinctive effects in corporatist regimes. Based on empirical evidence from 20 OECD countries over the period 1985–2008, the author finds that, in corporatist labour markets, strict employment protection legislation reduces unemployment, and unemployment benefits have no negative effect. He also shows that high real interest rates, low capital accumulation and restrictive fiscal policy during recessions increase unemployment.
Active labour market policies in Spain: A macroeconomic evaluation
Authors: ARRANZ José María , GARCÍA SERRANO Carlos , HERNANZ Virginia 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.Using aggregate panel data on Spain's 17 regions for the period 1987–2010, the authors present a macroeconomic assessment of a variety of active labour market policies, including employment subsidies for permanent contracts, job‐creation schemes and vocational training programmes. Their results suggest that employment subsidies for permanent contracts had no notable effect on aggregate levels of permanent or temporary employment. However, they do appear to have had a small positive effect on transitions from unemployment to employment, and from temporary to permanent employment, particularly since the 1997 labour reform. Better targeted subsidies, the authors conclude, would have incurred fewer deadweight and substitution effects.
Exploring students' learning effectiveness and attitude in Group Scribbles‐supported collaborative reading activities: a study in the primary classroom
Authors: Lin C.‐P. , Chen W. , Yang S.‐J. , Xie W. , Lin C.‐C. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractImproving students' reading comprehension is of significance. In this study, collaborative learning supported by Group Scribbles (GS), a networked technology, was integrated into a primary reading class. Forty‐seven 10‐year‐old students from two 4th grade classes participated in the study. Experimental and control groups were established to investigate the effectiveness of GS‐supported collaborative learning in enhancing students' reading comprehension. The results affirmed the effectiveness of the intervention designed. In the experiment group, students' learning attitudes, motivation and interest were enhanced as well. Further analyses were done to probe students' interaction processes in the networked collaborative classroom and different collaboration patterns and behaviours were identified. Based on the findings obtained, implications for future learning design to empower L1 learning were elaborated.
Effect of multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Yoon Jun Sik , Sohn Won , Lee Oh Young , Lee Sang Pyo , Lee Kang Nyeong , Jun Dae Won , Lee Hang Lak , Yoon Byung Chul , Choi Ho Soon , Chung Won‐Seok , Seo Jae‐Gu 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and AimThe efficacy of treatment with multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and the alterations of gut microbiota in patients who have taken probiotics were investigated.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial involved 49 IBS patients (probiotics: 25, placebo: 24) diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: either to receive multispecies probiotics (a mixture of Bifidobacterium longum, B. bifidum, B. lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and Streptococcus thermophilus) twice a day for 4 weeks or to receive a placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end‐point was the proportion of participants whose IBS symptoms were substantially relieved at week 4. Secondary end‐points were the intensity of abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, stool frequency/consistency, alterations in fecal microflora over the 4 weeks. Fecal microflora were analyzed in 34 patients (probiotics: 17, placebo: 17) by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays.ResultsThe proportion of patients whose IBS symptoms were substantially relieved at week 4 was significantly higher in the probiotics group than in the placebo group: 68.0% (17/25) versus 37.5% (9/24) (P < 0.05). Secondary end‐points such as improvement in abdominal pain/discomfort and bloating occurred in the probiotics group but not in the placebo group. Fecal analysis revealed that B. lactis, L. rhamnosus, and S. thermophilus had increased significantly in the probiotics group after 4 weeks and that B. lactis had increased in the placebo group.ConclusionsMultispecies probiotics are effective in IBS patients and induce the alterations in the composition of intestinal microbiota.