bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of oil shocks on China's GDP: a time series analysis
Authors: Al‐mulali Usama , Che Sab Che Normee Binti 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis study examined the impact of oil shocks on China's gross domestic product (GDP) using the vector autoregressive model taking the period 1970 to 2009. The cointegration test results show that oil shocks have a negative impact on China's GDP. Moreover, the Granger causality test results show that oil prices have a negative causal relationship with China's GDP in the short run. The main recommendation of this study is that China has to increase the flexibility of its labour markets and reduce its oil consumption and its share in the industrial production. Furthermore, it has to adopt a policy that is based on a more flexible inflation targeting regime, and more effective monetary policy. All these policies might help cushion the impact of oil shocks on China's economy.
Oil price shocks and macroeconomic responses: does the exchange rate regime matter?
Authors: Al‐Abri Almukhtar S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe sharp fluctuations in oil prices in recent years provide an opportunity to empirically test Friedman's hypothesis that flexible exchange regimes better absorb real external shocks. This paper empirically examines whether the responses of real output, consumer prices, interest rates and real exchange rates differ across exchange rate regimes. Since the effects of oil price shocks depend on whether the economy is a net importer or a net exporter of oil, the sample used in this study is composed of nine Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development major oil‐importing countries. The results show that only consumer prices and real exchange rates exhibit relatively faster and smoother adjustment to their long‐run equilibrium when the adoptedde factoexchange rate regime is flexible, supporting Friedman's hypothesis. Also, panel Granger causality tests suggest a feedback from real effective exchange rates and inflation rates to the real oil price, supporting the argument that oil price shocks are not purely exogenous to developed economies.
Epicardial adipose tissue and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children and adolescents
Authors: Schusterova I. , Leenen F. H. H. , Jurko A. , Sabol F. , Takacova J. 
Published: March 2013

Summary
What is already known about this subject
The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased markedly in the past 2 decades.
Abdominal fat is a better predictor of risk than body mass index.
Waist circumference (WC) as a measure of abdominal fat has limited sensitivity and specificity.

What this study adds
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as measured by echocardiography represents a simple and reliable marker of visceral adiposity.
In children, both body mass index and EAT show a similar or better correlation with markers of cardiometabolic risk than does waist circumference.
BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the visceral fat deposit around the heart and is commonly increased in obese subjects. EAT is related to cardiometabolic risk factors and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults, but this relationship is not well known in children.ObjectivesEchocardiographic assessment of EAT and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children.Study groups and methodsIn 25 (mean age 13.0 ± 2.3) overweight and obese subjects and 24 lean controls, blood pressure (BP), WC, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, lipids, uric acid and hepatic enzymes were measured. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography.ResultsIn overweight and obese subjects, EAT was significantly higher compared to normal weight children. Overweight and obese children had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), WC, BP, triglycerides (TAG), low‐density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyl transferase, and lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). EAT correlated significantly with BP, TAG, uric acid, HDL‐C, apoprotein B and ALT. Correlation coefficients were similar or better than for WC, but similar or lower than for BMI.ConclusionEAT thickness in children is associated with an unfavourable cardiometabolic risk profile including biochemical signs of NAFLD and hyperuricaemia, but is not a stronger indicator than BMI.
Modifying perceived variability: four laboratory and field experiments show the effectiveness of a ready‐to‐be‐used prejudice intervention
Authors: Er‐rafiy Abdelatif , Brauer Markus 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe examined whether increasing individuals' perceived variability of an out‐group reduces prejudice and discrimination toward members of this group. In a series of four laboratory and field experiments, we attracted participants' attention to the heterogeneity of members of an out‐group (or not), and then measured their attitudes or behaviors. Perceived variability was manipulated by portraying the out‐group members as having diverse socio‐demographic characteristics and different personality traits and preferences. Prejudice and discrimination were measured in terms of self‐reported prejudice, stereotyping, in‐group bias, social distance, and willingness to do something for the minority group under consideration. In all experiments, perceived variability decreased prejudice and discrimination.
The aerial invertebrate fauna of subantarctic Macquarie Island
Authors: Hawes Timothy C. , Greenslade Penelope 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimThe extent and diversity of invertebrate aerial dispersal both on remote islands and in polar regions has long been of interest to biogeographers. We therefore monitored the airborne dispersal of insects and other micro‐ and macroinvertebrates to and on Macquarie Island in order to assess (1) the magnitude and composition of local aerial dispersal activity by the island's invertebrate fauna, and (2) the potential for exotic arrival and establishment.LocationMacquarie Island.MethodsTwo robust wind‐traps were run year‐round on Macquarie Island from 1991 to 1994 to collect airborne insects and other micro‐ and macroinvertebrates.ResultsMore than 3000 invertebrates were caught in these traps over the sampling period in the most comprehensive aerial survey of subantarctic invertebrates to date. Representatives of seven orders of Insecta were captured: Psocoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Other taxa captured included other arthropods (Arachnida and Collembola) but also terrestrial Gastropoda. Evidence of possible long‐distance dispersal (LDD) was limited to two exotic catches (one species of Collembolon, and one species of Thysanoptera). The abundance and composition of indigenous invertebrates caught in the traps indicates that the frequency of short‐distance dispersal (SDD) movements on the island far exceeds that which had previously been realized.Main conclusionsMore than half the total catch (53%) was of flightless (i.e. passively dispersed) invertebrates, with 84% of them flightless in one of the two traps. The extent of passive dispersal movements is consistent, with most invertebrates being widely distributed at a whole‐island scale. Aerial dispersal may act as a conduit for non‐indigenous arrivals but this occurs infrequently. Other explanations for exotic species in traps are equally likely. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to terrestrial invertebrate biogeography.
Microinflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Shikata Kenichi , Makino Hirofumi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end‐stage renal failure in developed countries. Furthermore, diabetic nephropathy is related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases and an increase in mortality of diabetic patients. Several factors are involved in the development of nephropathy, including glomerular hyperfiltration, oxidative stress, accumulation of advanced glycation end‐products, activation of protein kinase C, acceleration of the polyol pathway and over‐expression of transforming growth factor‐β. Recently, accumulated data have emphasized the critical roles of chronic low‐grade inflammation, ‘microinflammation’, in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that microinflammation is a common mechanism in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Expression of cell adhesion molecules, chemokines and pro‐inflammatory cytokines are increased in the renal tissues of diabetic patients and animals. Deficiency of pro‐inflammatory molecules results in amelioration of renal injuries after induction of diabetes in mice. Plasma and urinary levels of cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules, are elevated and correlated with albuminuria. Several kinds of drugs that have anti‐inflammatory actions as their pleiotropic effects showed renoprotective effects on diabetic animals. Modulation of the inflammatory process prevents renal insufficiency in diabetic animal models, suggesting that microinflammation is one of the promising therapeutic targets for diabetic nephropathy, as well as for cardiovascular diseases.
Increased risk of pemphigoid following scabies: a population‐based matched‐cohort study
Authors: Chung S.‐D. , Lin H.‐C. , Wang K.‐H. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundNo prior study has investigated the possibility that scabies patients may be at an increased risk for developing pemphigoid.ObjectiveTo evaluate the risk of pemphigoid following scabies during a 3‐year follow‐up period using a Taiwanese population‐based claims database and taking clinical and demographic characteristics into consideration.MethodsThis investigation consisted of a study group of 6793 subjects with a diagnosis of scabies and 33 965 randomly selected subjects used as a comparison group. Each patient was tracked for 3 years following their index dates to identify those who received a subsequent diagnosis of pemphigoid. Stratified Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to compute the hazard ratio (HR) of pemphigoid during the 3‐year follow‐up period.ResultsOf the 40 758 subjects, 52 (0.13%) had received a diagnosis of pemphigoid during the 3‐year follow‐up period; 33 (0.49% of the study group) were from the study group and 19 (0.06% of the comparison group) were from the comparison group. Compared to subjects without scabies, the HR for pemphigoid for subjects with scabies was 5.93 within the 3‐year follow‐up period following the index date after adjusting for monthly income, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, psoriasis, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, coronary heart disease, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and after censoring those that died during the follow‐up period.ConclusionsThis study detected an increased risk for pemphigoid among patients suffering from scabies. Physicians treating elderly patients with a history of scabies should be alert to the development of pemphigoid.
Circulating endothelial cell levels in psoriatic patients and their modification after an anti‐TNF‐alpha (Etanercept) treatment
Authors: De Simone C. , Caldarola G. , Coco V. , Palumbo S. , Pocino K. , Sgambato A. , Maiorino A. , Corbi M. , Sandri M.T. , Vendittelli F. , Capoluongo E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial function in psoriatic patients has been mainly evaluated through a high‐resolution ultrasound measurement of flow‐mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery, which is an operator‐dependent and technically demanding technique: this characteristic, together with different patient selection criteria, could account for the conflicting results emerging from different studies. Recently, Circulating Endothelial Cells (CECs) level has been suggested as a novel biomarker of vascular injury.MethodsThe number of CECs was determined by a semi‐automated immunomagnetic system (CellSearch system) in peripheral blood of psoriatic patients (n = 48) and healthy subjects (n = 50). In 15 patients, CEC level was also evaluated after 6 months of treatment with an anti–TNF‐alpha agent, Etanercept. The plasma levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive Protein (CRP), E‐selectin, VEGF and PAI‐1 were measured by ELISA. The psoriasis severity was assessed by PASI score.ResultsA statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) was found between CEC level in psoriatic patients (10.6 ± 9.4 cells/mL) vs. the control group (3.9 ± 0.9 cells/mL). This count inversely correlated with sE‐selectin levels (r2 = 0.16; P = 0.03). After 6 months of therapy, patients experienced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in CEC levels (3.4 ± 1.3 cells/mL) and in PASI score (from 11.7 ± 8.1 to 2.1 ± 4.0).ConclusionsThe elevated CECs level that we found in a sample of high selected psoriatic patients could be expression of endothelial damage. Lowering of CECs count after treatment with Etanercept support the hypothesis that an effective systemic therapy of psoriasis may also improve the endothelial function.
Mating compatibility of wild and sterile melon flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) treated with entomopathogenic fungi
Authors: Sookar P. , Bhagwant S. , Khayrattee F. B. , Chooneea Y. , Ekesi S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractField cage tests were carried out to determine the mating compatibility of sterile and wild melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), males that were treated or not treated with entomopathogenic fungi. The melon flies were irradiated at 70 Gy, and the adults were treated with dry conidia of either Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) or Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin 1 day before the mating test. Our results demonstrate that sterile melon flies treated with either B. bassiana or M. anisopliae showed mating compatibility with the wild flies. Inoculation of the flies with the fungi did not significantly affect the mean time of copulation (323–567 min) as compared to mating involving only wild flies (407–518 min). Treatment of the flies with either B. bassiana or M. anisopliae did not significantly affect the propensity of mating. Wild females mated indiscriminately with sterile, sterile B. bassiana‐treated or sterile M. anisopliae‐treated males. Irrespective of the treatment combinations, mean percentage remating was significantly higher for sterile females with sterile males (7.72–27.12%) as compared to wild females with sterile males (0.76–14.90%). The possibility of using sterile melon flies as vectors of the entomopathogenic fungi to enhance an SIT programme is discussed.
The influence of sociocultural factors on the eating attitudes of Lebanese and Cypriot students: a cross‐cultural study
Authors: Zeeni N. , Gharibeh N. , Katsounari I. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe present comparative cross‐cultural study aimed to explore the relationship between eating behaviour and sociocultural influences with respect to appearance and body image in female university students from two cultural contexts, namely Cyprus and Lebanon.MethodsThe Dutch Eating Behavior questionnaire (DEBQ) and the Perceived Sociocultural Influences on Body Image and Body Change Questionnaire were used to assess sociocultural influences and body image, respectively, in 200 students from each country.ResultsThe results indicated that the Lebanese students were more likely to engage in emotional and external eating and their body image was impacted to a larger extent by sociocultural agents, including media influences, compared to the Cypriot students. Also, a positive relationship was found between emotional and external eating in both cultures. Finally, sociocultural influences correlated positively with external eating only in the Cypriot sample.ConclusionsCulture‐specific factors, such as the societal values and norms, as well as the Westernisation history of each country, are discussed as underpinnings for the differences found. These findings are significant for understanding the rise of eating pathology in these two cultures and provide evidence for a need to consider cultural environment when designing public health policies addressing the negative aspects of nutrition transition.
Avoidance of meat and poultry decreases intakes of omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc in young women
Authors: Fayet F. , Flood V. , Petocz P. , Samman S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundInadequate nutrient intake and physical inactivity may have adverse health consequences. The present study aimed to describe young female students' dietary intake, food choices and physical activity (PA) patterns, and also to determine the influence of dietary avoidance of meat and poultry on nutrient intake.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of female university students was conducted. Questionnaires were used to measure dietary intakes, food habits and PA. Anthropometric measurements of participants included height, weight and calculated body mass index (BMI).ResultsThere were 308 participants with a mean (SD) age of 22.9 (3.9) years and a BMI of 21.5 (2.8) kg m–2; 78% were in the BMI range 18.5–24.9 kg m–2. Of those who responded to the PA questionnaire (n = 218), 53% reported activity ≥150 min per week, with walking being the largest contributor. Completed food frequency questionnaires were returned by 256 participants. National recommendations for servings of cereals, vegetables, meat, fish and energy‐dense ‘extra foods’ were not met by the majority of participants. Avoidance of animal foods was reported in 23% of women, and resulted in lower intakes of omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc (P < 0.05) compared to non‐avoidance. Iron intake from animal sources decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increase in meat and poultry avoidance.ConclusionsFemale students had a healthy weight and reported adequate physical activity. However, in comparison to meat and poultry consumers, the avoidance of these foods was associated with a lower intake of some micronutrients. A sustained low intake of micronutrients may lead to adverse health effects in the longer‐term, such as compromised immune function and iron deficiency anaemia.
A Respecified Fama French Three‐Factor Model for the New European Union Member States
Authors: Foye James , Mramor Dušan , Pahor Marko 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis study uses factor models to explain stock market returns in the Eastern European (EE) countries that joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. In line with other studies, we find that the market value of equity component in the Fama French (1993) three‐factor model performs poorly when applied to our emerging markets dataset. We propose a significant amendment to the standard three‐factor model by replacing the market value of equity factor with a term that proxies for accounting manipulation. We show that our three‐factor model is able to explain returns in the EE EU nations significantly better than the Fama French (1993) three‐factor model, hereby offering an alternative model for use in the numerous markets in which previous studies have found little correlation between market value of equity and equity returns.
Obstetric cholestasis: Outcome with active management
Authors: Jain Reenu , Suri Vanita , Chopra Seema , Chawla Yogesh K. , Kohli Krishan Kumar 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimTo study the nature and clinical outcome of pregnancies with obstetric cholestasis on active management and to correlate perinatal outcome to gestational age at delivery.Material and MethodsThis prospective randomized study included 69 women with obstetric cholestasis. Fetal surveillance began at 34 weeks or later at diagnosis and included daily maternal record of fetal movements, and biophysical profile (i.e. non stress test, the four quadrant amniotic fluid index). Fetal monitoring was conducted weekly before 36 weeks and biweekly after that. Randomization into two groups was done where one group was planned for delivery at 37 weeks whereas in the other group, pregnancy was carried to 38 weeks under surveillance. The primary outcome variable was correlation of fetal and neonatal complication rates to gestational age at delivery.ResultsThere were no stillbirths in the study. No episode of fetal asphyxia or bradycardia was observed. The overall rate of meconium passage was 7.46% (5/67). However, there was no case of meconium aspiration syndrome. Women delivering at or after 38 weeks had a lower incidence of cesarean section (17.85% vs 25.8%), neonatal nursery admission (17.85% vs 22.5%), and neonatal jaundice (17.85% vs 19.35%) compared to those delivering at 37 weeks. The differences between the two groups were, however, not found to be statistically significant.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates that with active intervention, pregnancies with obstetric cholestasis can be carried to a later gestation under surveillance.
Alternative Mechanisms of Astringency – What is the Role of Saliva?
Authors: Gibbins H.L. , Carpenter G.H. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAstringency is described as a “dry puckering‐like sensation” in the mouth following consumption of tannins including tea polyphenols. The current model describing astringency is based on precipitation of salivary proline‐rich proteins by polyphenols and/or altered salivary lubrication. Because dryness from astringency is detected by oral tissues this suggests other interactions, possibly through direct alteration of the lubricating mucosal pellicle, which may also expose the oral mucosa below. A loss of mucosal lubrication is likely to be fundamental in astringency development and it seems likely that astringent stimuli alter the salivary bulk, saliva rheology and the saliva pellicle leading to an increase of friction in the oral cavity.Practical ApplicationsFor the consumer, high levels of astringency in foods may lead to them becoming unpalatable. However, as the health benefits of many plant‐based astringent molecules, such as polyphenols, have become more apparent there is a desire to increase their levels in the diet. Currently, because of the complexity of astringency and the likelihood of multiple mechanisms occurring simultaneously, there is still a gap in knowledge regarding how these mechanisms affect each other and how these lead to altered mouthfeel after consumption of astringent stimuli. A good understanding of astringency development in the oral cavity may lead to an advancement of mechanisms that may prevent the astringency without reducing levels of the astringent molecules in food.
Molecular hyperdiversity and evolution in very large populations
Authors: Cutter Asher D. , Jovelin Richard , Dey Alivia 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe genomic density of sequence polymorphisms critically affects the sensitivity of inferences about ongoing sequence evolution, function and demographic history. Most animal and plant genomes have relatively low densities of polymorphisms, but some species are hyperdiverse with neutral nucleotide heterozygosity exceeding 5%. Eukaryotes with extremely large populations, mimicking bacterial and viral populations, present novel opportunities for studying molecular evolution in sexually reproducing taxa with complex development. In particular, hyperdiverse species can help answer controversial questions about the evolution of genome complexity, the limits of natural selection, modes of adaptation and subtleties of the mutation process. However, such systems have some inherent complications and here we identify topics in need of theoretical developments. Close relatives of the model organismsCaenorhabditis elegansandDrosophila melanogasterprovide known examples of hyperdiverse eukaryotes, encouraging functional dissection of resulting molecular evolutionary patterns. We recommend how best to exploit hyperdiverse populations for analysis, for example, in quantifying the impact of noncrossover recombination in genomes and for determining the identity and micro‐evolutionary selective pressures on noncoding regulatory elements.