bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age at weaning, immunocompetence and ectoparasite performance in a precocial desert rodent
Authors: Dlugosz Elizabeth M. , Goüy de Bellocq Joelle , Khokhlova Irina S. , Degen Allan , Pinshow Berry , Krasnov Boris R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
We studied the effects of early weaning on immunocompetence and parasite resistance in a precocial rodent Acomys cahirinus. We hypothesized that if parasite resistance is energetically expensive and nutritional and immunological support from mothers are necessary for the long-term health of offspring, then early weaned animals would be immunologically weaker and less able to defend themselves against parasites than later weaned animals. We weaned pups at 14, 21, or 28 d after birth and assessed their immunocompetence and resistance against fleas Parapulex chephrenis when they attained adulthood. Immunocompetence was assessed using leukocyte concentrations (LC) and a phytohaemagglutinin injection assay (PHA test). To estimate resistance against fleas, we measured performance of fleas via the number of produced eggs and duration of development and resistance to starvation of the flea offspring. We found a significant positive effect of weaning age on the PHA response but not on LC. The effect of age at weaning on flea egg production was manifested in male but not female hosts, with egg production being higher if a host was weaned at 14 than at 28 d. Weaning age of the host did not affect either duration of development or resistance to starvation of fleas produced by mothers fed on these hosts. We concluded that even in relatively precocial mammals, weaning age is an important indicator of future immunological responses and the ability of an animal to resist parasite infestations. Hosts weaned at an earlier age make easier, less-resistant targets for parasite infestations than hosts weaned later in life.
Leap and Strike kinetics of an acoustically 'hunting' barn owl Tyto alba
Authors: Usherwood James R. , Sparkes Emily L. , Weller Renate 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Barn owls are effective hunters of small rodents. One hunting technique is a leap from the ground followed by a brief flight and a plummeting ‘strike’ on to an acoustically targeted – potentially entirely hidden – prey. We used forceplate measurements to derive kinetics of the Leap and Strike. Leaping performance was similar to reported values for guinea fowl. This is likely achieved despite the owl's considerably smaller size due to its relatively long legs and use of wing upstroke. Strikes appear deliberately forceful: impulses could have been spread over larger periods during greater deflections of the centre of mass, as observed in leaping and an alighting landing measurement. The Strike, despite forces around 150 times that of a mouse body weight, is not thought to be critical to the kill; rather, forceful Strikes may function primarily to enable rapid penetration of leaf litter or snow cover, allowing grasping of hidden prey.
ROLE OF AGRIBUSINESS STAFFING IN IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF LAND RESOURCES
Authors: Гайнутдинов  , Gaynutdinov Ilgizar 
Published: June 2014

As we know, the level of organization and efficiency of agricultural production depends on provision of highly qualified specialists. Nowadays, we oversee a shortage of qualified personnel in the agribusiness of the Republic of Tatarstan. Increasing the agricultural products output, on the one hand, and lack of managerial staff in the agricultural enterprises, on the other hand, cause increasing the loading on industry experts, which drastically reduces their motivation to work and efficiency of industrial process control. All this leads to a decrease in efficiency of agricultural production. Studies show, that agribusiness personnel security system depends on their training and retraining in the higher educational institutions, on focused work of personnel services at various levels, on the level of wages, on satisfaction of specialists in social and economic conditions of labor, on output and load to one specialist. Agricultural enterprises do not use standard method for determining the needs of industry professionals. According to nominally - standard method in 2012, the plant industry needed in 1533 agronomists, but according to the information of personnel department of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic only 634 agronomists worked in the Republic, that was 41.3% of the estimated quantity. This has led to an expansion of the load on a single specialist, which reduced the efficiency of management, timely execution of processes for organizational reasons and low yields. The loss of crop production averaged in thе Republic was 648 863.600 rubles, that is equivalent to 119 276.3 tons of grain. The shortage of highly qualified personnel in rural areas, their low fixability, degradation qualitative and quantitative human capacity can be eliminated by the development and adoption at the federal and regional levels the targeted program of agribusiness staffing and develop guidelines and criteria for personnel policy. Social and economic activities, that promote security personnel include: material incentives increase, improvement of living conditions, the introduction of new forms of work organization, compliance labor intensity, professional and qualitative promotion of workers. The studies have shown that: an objective approach at making appointments to executive positions; use of personnel reserve; introduction of innovative technologies into the production; improvement of specialists remuneration systems; creation of a single automated system of personnel monitoring in agribusiness; improvement living conditions and higher wages of specialists - are the main measures, facilitating to consolidation of professionals in rural areas. All these measures will have maximum impact and benefit only in joint implementation by the owners of agricultural enterprises and government agribusiness agencies.
INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS: CALCULATION AND PAYMENT PROCEDURE
Authors: Никифорова  , Nikiforova Olga , Мухаметзянов  , Mukhametzyanov Kamil 
Published: June 2014

This article describes the calculation and payment of insurance premiums to the Pension Fund, Compulsory Medical Insurance fund and Social Security in 2014.
In 2014, amendments, relating to the calculation and payment of insurance premiums to extrabudgetary funds took effect: the basis for assessment were indexed, benefits to certain categories of taxpayers were extended. At the same time, though the size of a fixed fee was reduced for entrepreneurs, which is especially beneficial for small businesses, but they were obliged to pay an additional 1% of the income, exceeding 300 000 rubles per year. The general rate of insurance contributions in 2014 is 30%: to the Pension Fund is 22%, to the Compulsory Medical Insurance fund is5.1% and 2.9% to the Social Insurabce fund. We believe that we should not abandon the savings part of the pension , as it forms the future retirement of the employee. When forming savings pension, different approaches to its accrual is liquidated. Pension officials and other employees will depend on the length and size of the salary. Citizens must choose where to invest your savings for future pensions themselves. Amendents in the legislation on compulsory insurance premiums for individual entrepreneurs gives certain benefits to small entrepreneurs in comparison with previous years, as they reduced the size of the fixed payment, but the same time were obliged to pay an additional 1% of the income, exceeding 300 000 rubles per year. This may affect on their business, striving to hide their income and make tax offenses and go to the “shadow”.&#34; Considering the average wage in Russia, per capita income of the country, we consider it necessary to increase the size of the standard income up to 500 000 rubles per year or reduce the rate of contribution to the excess amount to 0.5-0.7%.
Evidence for a very slow disaggregation of lignosulfonates
Authors: Myrvold Bernt O. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
There is still a challenging question about how lignosulfonates (LS), such as non-sulfonated lignins, aggregate and disaggregate in solution. In the literature, the reported critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of LS varies by orders of magnitude. In the present work, the aggregation of a purified sodium LS (NaLS) from a softwood has been studied by size exclusion chromatography and capillary viscometry. It was found that intermolecular aggregates form at relatively high concentrations. Disaggregation is an extremely slow process for spray dried samples and proceeds for several weeks. The process can be speeded up by increasing the pH and/or temperature. The very slow disaggregation may explain the strongly varying (and sometimes very low) CAC values reported in the literature. An interaction energy of about 8 kJ mol-1 monomer was calculated.
Home range and shelter preferences of marsupial Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826) in a fragmented area in southeastern Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Cleverson Fraga , Rosa Clarissa Alves , Passamani Marcelo 
Published: June 2014

Abstract(Wied-Neuwied, 1826) is a marsupial common in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado but understudied. Thus, we estimated the size of the home range and shelter preferences for three individuals (one male and two females) of
Assessment of Exposure to Voices and Noise via Earphones in Manufacturing Industry Workers in Japan
Authors: Nakao Tomo , Kakei Masazumi , Araki Ikuno , Tsutsui Takao , Satoh Noriaki , Inoue Jinro , Horie Seichi 
Published: June 2014

Assessment of Exposure to Voices and Noise via Earphones in Manufacturing Industry Workers in Japan: Tomo NAKAO, et al. Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—ObjectivesThere is concern that sound via earphones and headphones attached to headsets used in workplaces may be a risk factor for noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL). Although there are some previous studies investigating exposure to noise from headphones, almost none have assessed the risks to workers who use earphones. We assessed exposure to noise among workers who regularly wear earphones in noisy workplaces.MethodsThe subjects of this study were 21 workers who regularly wear earphones in three manufacturing companies in Japan. The sound pressure output from earphones and personal exposure to occupational noise was measured for each worker. A noise‐dosimeter was used to measure individual exposure to occupational noise. The sound pressure output from the earphones was measured by recording the electric signal with a data recorder attached to the earphones, and the recording was analyzed by playing it back in the laboratory through a sound analyzer via an ear simulator.ResultsThe mean scores for personal exposure and earphone output LAeq were 87.9 dB and 87.6 dB, respectively. Earphone output LAeq exceeded 85 dB for two‐thirds of the subjects. Nearly all the subjects lacked hearing protection devices (HPDs) on their earphones.ConclusionsThe results suggest that workers who use earphones in noisy workplaces are exposed to the following NIHL risk factors: (1) they are deprived of the opportunity to fit appropriate HPDs, and (2) the sound pressure output from the earphones themselves exceeds the occupational exposure limit.
Intention to Stay and Intention to Leave: Are They Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Cross‐sectional Structural Equation Modelling Study among Health and Social Care Workers
Authors: Nancarrow Susan , Bradbury Joanne , Pit Sabrina Winona , Ariss Steven 
Published: June 2014

Intention to Stay and Intention to Leave: Are They Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Cross‐Sectional Structural Equation Modelling Study among Health and Social Care Workers: Susan NANCARROW, et al. School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia—Objectives“Intention to leave” (ITL) has been used interchangeably with the more positive construct “intention to stay” (ITS). The implicit assumption appears to be that both constructs represent different sides of the same coin. This study challenges this assumption. The objectives were (i) to test whether these constructs were similar measures of the same construct, and (ii) to assess the strength of the relationships between ITL and ITS with work‐related outcomes.MethodsThe Workforce Dynamics Questionnaire (WDQ) was administered to 298 staff. The WDQ included two items on ITL and was supplemented with three items on ITS. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used.ResultsThe response rate was 43%. The correlation between the two constructs was negative and quite high (r=−0.84), indicating potential issues with discriminant validity. However, the constructs behaved differently in relation to job satisfaction and job integration. ITS was a strong predictor (0.95, p<0.001), whereas ITL was not significantly related (0.34, p=0.195) to JS. The direct effects of JI on ITS was 0.30 and on ITL was −0.42. The indirect effects of JI were more contrasting, being 0.56 for ITS and −0.30 for ITL, via job satisfaction.ConclusionsThis is the first study amongst British health and social care workers that has demonstrated that ITS and ITL are not measuring the same construct. While there is overlap, care should be taken when using these constructs interchangeably, particularly when measuring these concepts in organizations and when developing retention programs, policies, or activities to modify ITS and ITL.
A new CLSP Sensor for Image Recognition and Color Separation
Authors: Vieira M. , Fernandes M. , Fantoni A. , Louro P. , Schwarz R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLarge area p-i-n a-SiC:H heterostructures are used as LSP color sensors. For reading out the color signals, three appropriated voltages have to be successively applied in order to combine afterwards the information to yield a color image. The highly resistive and wide band gap doped layers confine the photogenerated carriers at the illuminated regions and driven by the scanner extract information on the image shape and intensity. The bias voltage controls the potential profile across the main generation region leading to color sensitivity. As the positive applied voltage increases the reversed electrical field in the bulk shifts toward the main generation regions, and successively suppresses the ac component of the photocurrent at each primary color allowing color extraction. The device performance is analyzed and the scanning technique for color separation improved. The influence of the optical and electrical bias on image contrast, resolution and color extraction is discussed. A physical model for image and color recognition is presented and supported by a two dimensional simulation.
Genetic Analysis of Population Structure Using Peroxidase Gene and Phenylalanine Ammonia‐Lyase Gene‐Based DNA Markers: A Case Study in Jute (Corchorus spp.)
Authors: Satya Pratik , Banerjee Ruby , Biswas Chinmay , Karan Maya , Ghosh Swagata , Ali Nasim 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTInformation on genetic structure of population and crop genetic diversity provides crucial input for genetic improvement of crop species. Plant peroxidase gene (POG) and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase gene (PALG) sequences are multigene families that can be used to design DNA marker systems for genetic diversity and population structure analysis. In the present study, genetic diversity and population structure of 110 Corchorus genotypes were investigated with 17 POG and six PALG markers and compared with results based on 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A protocol for using PALG sequences as DNA markers was established, and an earlier protocol for POG marker system was improved. A total of 269 POG and PALG loci were identified revealing 89.2% and 98.5% polymorphism for POG and PALG markers, respectively. The SSR markers amplified 61 alleles in the population. The PALG markers generated comparatively more number of observed and effective alleles, with higher Shannon's information index and expected heterozygosity. Pairwise comparison of population using Nei's genetic distance and genetic identity revealed close association between geographically isolated populations of C. olitorius. Wild Corchorus species exhibited more genetic association with C. olitorius than C. capsularis. Analysis of molecular variance identified 67, 88, and 56% within population variations for POG, PALG, and SSR, respectively. Bayesian structure and hierarchical clustering analyses based on POG polymorphism identified five distinct groups and allelic variations between geographically isolated Indian and African C. olitorius populations with low genetic admixture. PALG‐based population structure analysis revealed three groups with high genetic admixture among populations, while SSR‐based structure identified three genetic groups with low admixture. A combination of all the marker systems improved population structure‐based classification, fitting well to phylogenetic classification. The results establish POG and PALG markers as efficient functional DNA marker systems and provide valuable information for genetic enhancement of cultivated Corchorus species.
Mortality Trends Among People With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Australia: 1997–2010
Authors: Harding Jessica L. , Shaw Jonathan E. , Peeters Anna , Guiver Tenniel , Davidson Susan , Magliano Dianna J. 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
With improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates among people with diabetes, mortality rates may also be changing. However, these trends may be influenced by coding practices of CVD-related deaths on death certificates. We analyzed trends of mortality over 13 years in people with diabetes and quantified the potential misclassification of CVD mortality according to current coding methods.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 1,136,617 Australians with diabetes registered on the National Diabetes Services Scheme between 1997 and 2010 were linked to the National Death Index. Excess mortality relative to the Australian population was reported as standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). Potential misclassification of CVD mortality was determined by coding CVD according to underlying cause of death (COD) and then after consideration of both the underlying and other causes listed in part I of the death certificate.

RESULTS
For type 1 diabetes, the SMR decreased in males from 4.20 in 1997 to 3.08 in 2010 (Ptrend &lt; 0.001) and from 3.92 to 3.46 in females (Ptrend &lt; 0.01). For type 2 diabetes, the SMR decreased in males from 1.40 to 1.21 (Ptrend &lt; 0.001) and from 1.56 to 1.22 in females (Ptrend &lt; 0.001). CVD deaths decreased from 35.6 to 31.2% and from 31.5 to 27.2% in males and females with type 1 diabetes, respectively (Ptrend &lt; 0.001 for both sexes). For type 2 diabetes, CVD decreased from 44.5 to 29.2% in males and from 45.5 to 31.6% in females (Ptrend &lt; 0.001 for both sexes). Using traditional coding methods, ∼38 and 26% of CVD deaths are underestimated in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
All-cause and CVD mortality has decreased in diabetes. However, the total CVD mortality burden is underestimated when only underlying COD is considered. This has important ramifications for understanding mortality patterns in diabetes.
Basal Insulin Peglispro Demonstrates Preferential Hepatic Versus Peripheral Action Relative to Insulin Glargine in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Henry Robert R. , Mudaliar Sunder , Ciaraldi Theodore P. , Armstrong Debra A. , Burke Paivi , Pettus Jeremy , Garhyan Parag , Choi Siak Leng , Jacober Scott J. , Knadler Mary Pat , Lam Eric Chen Quin , Prince Melvin J. , Bose Namrata , Porksen Niels , Sinha Vikram P. , Linnebjerg Helle 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the endogenous glucose production (EGP) and glucose disposal rate (GDR) over a range of doses of basal insulin peglispro (BIL) and insulin glargine in healthy subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a single-center, randomized, open-label, four-period, incomplete-block, crossover study conducted in eight healthy male subjects. Subjects had 8-h euglycemic clamps performed with primed, continuous infusions of BIL (5.1 to 74.1 mU/min) in three dosing periods and insulin glargine (20 or 30 mU/m2/min) in a fourth period, targeted to achieve 50–100% suppression of EGP. D-[3-3H] glucose was infused to assess rates of glucose appearance and disappearance.

RESULTS
Mean BIL and insulin glargine concentrations (targeted to reflect the differences in intrinsic affinities of the two basal insulins) ranged from 824 to 11,400 and 212 to 290 pmol/L, respectively, and increased accordingly with increases in dose. Suppression of EGP and stimulation of GDR were observed with increasing concentrations of both insulins. At insulin concentrations where EGP was significantly suppressed, insulin glargine resulted in increased GDR. In contrast, at comparable suppression of EGP, BIL had minimal effect on GDR at lower doses and had substantially less effect on GDR than insulin glargine at higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS
The novel basal insulin analog BIL has relative hepatopreferential action and decreased peripheral action, compared with insulin glargine, in healthy subjects.
Changes in BMI Before and During Economic Development and Subsequent Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Total Mortality: A 35-Year Follow-up Study in China
Authors: He Yao , Lam Tai Hing , Jiang Bin , Li Lan Sun , Sun Dong Ling , Wu Lei , Liu Miao , Yang Shan Shan , Wang Yi Yan , Tobias Deirdre K. , Sun Qi , Hu Frank B. 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
It is unclear whether changes in BMI during rapid economic development influence subsequent mortality.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We analyzed whether BMI in 1976 and 1994 and changes in BMI during 1976–1994 predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in a 35-year follow-up cohort of 1,696 Chinese (1,124 men and 572 women, aged 35–65 years) in Xi'an, China. Participants were categorized as underweight (&lt;18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), and overweight (≥25.0 kg/m2).

RESULTS
During 51,611 person-years of follow-up, we identified 655 deaths from all causes and 234 from CVD. From 1976 to 1994, the prevalence of overweight rose from 9.2 to 27.8%. With each unit increment in 1976 BMI, multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CI) were 0.78 (0.72–0.84) for CVD and 0.91 (0.87–0.95) for all-cause mortality. In contrast, corresponding HRs were 1.14 (1.08–1.19) and 1.05 (1.01–1.08) in 1994 BMI. The HRs for each unit increment in BMI change from 1976 to 1994 were 1.35 (1.25–1.41) for CVD and 1.09 (1.05–1.13) for all-cause mortality. Compared with participants with stable normal weight in 1976 and 1994, HRs of all-cause mortality for those who had normal weight in 1976 but became overweight in 1994 and for those who were persistently overweight during 1976–1994 were 1.42 (1.12–1.80) and 1.80 (1.04–3.14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Gaining weight with increased BMI at middle age in Chinese during economic development was associated with elevated risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Higher BMI measured before economic development was associated with lower mortality risk, whereas BMI measured afterward was associated with increased mortality.