bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth of Juvenile Scup Fed Two Commercial Diets
Authors: Perry Dean M , Redman Dylan H , Mercaldo-Allen Renee , Kuropat Catherine A , Widman James C 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Juvenile Scup Stenotomus chrysops 0.35–0.95 g were fed two different commercial diets for 9 weeks to determine growth rates. Diets were hand-distributed to four replicate groups of 45 fish, four times a day. Survival among all treatments was high (90.0–92.5%), and both diets supported good growth. After five weeks, Scup fed diet 1 were significantly greater in length and weight than fish fed diet 2. These differences remained significant throughout the rest of the study. Specific growth rate (SGR) values were 5.8%/d for fish fed diet 1 and 5.5%/d for diet 2, while feed conversion ratios (FCR) were 1.22 for diet 1 and 1.25 for diet 2. Relative growth rate (RGR) values were diet 1 = 3,689% and diet 2 = 3,077%, and daily weight gain (DWG) values were diet 1 = 0.38 g/d and diet 2 = 0.31 g/d. Scup fed diet 1 had significantly greater final live weight, total length, weight gain, SGR, RGR, and DWG measurements than did fish fed diet 2. Juvenile Scup exhibited high growth rates and low feed conversion ratios when fed the two commercial diets, identifying them as a strong candidate species for commercial aquaculture.
Conditions favouring Bromus tectorum dominance of endangered sagebrush steppe ecosystems
Authors: Reisner Michael D. , Grace James B. , Pyke David A. , Doescher Paul S. 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Ecosystem invasibility is determined by combinations of environmental variables, invader attributes, disturbance regimes, competitive abilities of resident species and evolutionary history between residents and disturbance regimes. Understanding the relative importance of each factor is critical to limiting future invasions and restoring ecosystems.

We investigated factors potentially controlling Bromus tectorum invasions into Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities across 75 sites in the Great Basin. We measured soil texture, cattle grazing intensity, gaps among perennial plants and plant cover including B. tectorum, biological soil crusts (BSCs) and bare soil. Using a priori knowledge, we developed a multivariate hypothesis of the susceptibility of Artemisia ecosystems to B. tectorum invasion and used the model to assess the relative importance of the factors driving the magnitude of such invasions.

Model results imply that bunchgrass community structure, abundance and composition, along with BSC cover, play important roles in controlling B. tectorum dominance. Evidence suggests abundant bunchgrasses limit invasions by limiting the size and connectivity of gaps between vegetation, and BSCs appear to limit invasions within gaps. Results also suggest that cattle grazing reduces invasion resistance by decreasing bunchgrass abundance, shifting bunchgrass composition, and thereby increasing connectivity of gaps between perennial plants while trampling further reduces resistance by reducing BSC.

Synthesis and applications. Grazing exacerbates Bromus tectorum dominance in one of North America's most endangered ecosystems by adversely impacting key mechanisms mediating resistance to invasion. If the goal is to conserve and restore resistance of these systems, managers should consider maintaining or restoring: (i) high bunchgrass cover and structure characterized by spatially dispersed bunchgrasses and small gaps between them; (ii) a diverse assemblage of bunchgrass species to maximize competitive interactions with B. tectorum in time and space; and (iii) biological soil crusts to limit B. tectorum establishment. Passive restoration by reducing cumulative cattle grazing may be one of the most effective means of achieving these three goals.
A unifying quantitative framework for exploring the multiple facets of microbial biodiversity across diverse scales
Authors: Escalas Arthur , Bouvier Thierry , Mouchet Maud A. , Leprieur Fabien , Bouvier Corinne , Troussellier Marc , Mouillot David 
Published: May 2013

SummaryRecent developments of molecular tools have revolutionized our knowledge of microbial biodiversity by allowing detailed exploration of its different facets and generating unprecedented amount of data. One key issue with such large datasets is the development of diversity measures that cope with different data outputs and allow comparison of biodiversity across different scales. Diversity has indeed three components: local (α), regional (γ) and the overall difference between local communities (β). Current measures of microbial diversity, derived from several approaches, provide complementary but different views. They only capture the β component of diversity, compare communities in a pairwise way, consider all species as equivalent or lack a mathematically explicit relationship among the α, β and γ components. We propose a unified quantitative framework based on the Rao quadratic entropy, to obtain an additive decomposition of diversity (γ = α + β), so the three components can be compared, and that integrate the relationship (phylogenetic or functional) among Microbial Diversity Units that compose a microbial community. We show how this framework is adapted to all types of molecular data, and we highlight crucial issues in microbial ecology that would benefit from this framework and propose ready‐to‐use R‐functions to easily set up our approach.
Dynamic Moral Hazard and Executive Stock Options
Authors: Dong Baomin , Guo Guixia , Wang Frank Yong 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper shows that the optimal executive compensation scheme in a dynamic moral hazard environment is convex in the firm value. This implies that the optimal contract should include stock options. This is because the private benefit of shirking is increasing in firm value and the manager's utility is concave. Therefore, in contrast to the previous literature that takes stock options in the incentive contract exogenously, we rationalize the optimality of their use endogenously. Moreover, we show that the optimal amount of stock options (restricted stocks) increases with agency cost and the executive's reservation utility, decreases with the degree of risk aversion of the manager, and increases (decreases) with the firm size.
Optimal Advance Selling Strategy under Price Commitment
Authors: Zeng Chenhang 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper studies a two‐period model of advance selling with experienced and inexperienced consumers. It concludes that advance selling weakly dominates no advance selling, and the optimal advance selling price may be at a discount, at a premium or at the regular selling price. Conditions for each possible advance selling strategy to prevail are characterized. However, without experienced consumers in the market, there are no incentives for the retailer to implement an advance selling price premium. How the consumer composition affects the retailer's optimal pricing strategy and profit is also examined.
Responses to Medicare Drug Costs among Near‐Poor versus Subsidized Beneficiaries
Authors: Fung Vicki , Reed Mary , Price Mary , Brand Richard , Dow William H. , Newhouse Joseph P. , Hsu John 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveThere is limited information on the protective value of Medicare Part D low‐income subsidies (LIS). We compared responses to drug costs for LIS recipients with near‐poor (≤200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level) and higher income beneficiaries without the LIS.Data Sources/Study SettingMedicare Advantage beneficiaries in 2008.Study DesignWe examined three drug cost responses using multivariate logistic regression: cost‐reducing behaviors (e.g., switching to generics), nonadherence (e.g., not refilling prescriptions), and financial stress (e.g., going without necessities).Data CollectionTelephone interviews in a stratified random sample (N = 1,201, 70 percent response rate).Principal FindingsAfter adjustment, a comparable percentage of unsubsidized near‐poor (26 percent) and higher income beneficiaries reported cost‐reducing behaviors (23 percent, p = .63); fewer LIS beneficiaries reported cost‐reducing behaviors (15 percent, p = .019 vs near‐poor). Unsubsidized near‐poor beneficiaries were more likely to reduce adherence (8.2 percent) than higher income (3.5 percent, p = .049) and LIS beneficiaries (3.1 percent, p = .027). Near‐poor beneficiaries also more frequently experienced financial stress due to drug costs (20 percent) than higher income beneficiaries (11 percent, p = .050) and LIS beneficiaries (11 percent, p = .015).ConclusionsLow‐income subsidies provide protection from drug cost‐related nonadherence and financial stress. Beneficiaries just above the LIS income threshold are most at risk for these potentially adverse behaviors.
The Proportion of Work‐Related Emergency Department Visits Not Expected to Be Paid by Workers' Compensation: Implications for Occupational Health Surveillance, Research, Policy, and Health Equity
Authors: Groenewold Matthew R. , Baron Sherry L. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveTo examine trends in the proportion of work‐related emergency department visits not expected to be paid by workers' compensation during 2003–2006, and to identify demographic and clinical correlates of such visits.Data SourceA total of 3,881 work‐related emergency department visit records drawn from the 2003–2006 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys.Study DesignSecondary, cross‐sectional analyses of work‐related emergency department visit data were performed. Odds ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals were modeled using logistic regression.Principal FindingsA substantial and increasing proportion of work‐related emergency department visits in the United States were not expected to be paid by workers' compensation. Private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and workers themselves were expected to pay for 40 percent of the work‐related emergency department visits with this percentage increasing annually. Work‐related visits by blacks, in the South, to for‐profit hospitals and for work‐related illnesses were all more likely not to be paid by workers' compensation.ConclusionsEmergency department‐based surveillance and research that determine work‐relatedness on the basis of expected payment by workers' compensation systematically underestimate the occurrence of occupational illness and injury. This has important methodological and policy implications.
The Disparate Impact of the ACA‐Dependent Expansion across Population Subgroups
Authors: O'Hara Brett , Brault Matthew W. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveThis study presents evidence on how the dependent provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) differentially affected coverage for young adults across states and population subgroups.Study Design/Methods/DataThe data derive from the American Community Survey. Using a difference‐in‐difference design, we compare the target population (ages 19–25) with a control group (ages 26–29).Principal FindingsNet private health insurance coverage increased by 4.6 percentage points and overall coverage increased by 4.2 percentage points for people aged 19–25; more for Whites than non‐White subgroups.Conclusions and ImplicationsChanges in coverage for states appear driven by demographics rather than the existence of prior dependent expansions by the state. Disparities in health care coverage remain, but the absolute level of coverage is improving.
Control of Postharvest Blue Mold of Nanfeng Mandarin by Application of Strain YS‐1 Paenibacillus brasilensis
Authors: Tu Qihong , Chen Jinyin , Guo Juanhua 
Published: May 2013

Abstract In order to study its commercial value, antagonistic spectrum and storage application of YS‐1 Paenibacillus brasilensis were investigated in this paper. YS‐1 P. brasilensis showed obvious antifungal activity to 5 different fruit pathogens, which was of broad antagonistic spectrum. Effect and application of YS‐1 P. brasilensis fermentation liquid on Nanfeng mandarin at different storage temperatures were also investigated with the puncture inoculation method. Results showed that lesion diameter and disease incidence at 25 °C were higher than those at 5 °C after end of the storage, and there was significant difference between them. P. brasilensis fermentation liquid was effective for control of Penicillium italicum on Nanfeng mandarin stored at 5 °C for 25 d or 25 °C for 20 d. Preharvest treatment combined with postharvest treatment significantly reduced the decay rate of Nanfeng mandarin by 5.8% more than the control, particularly in the 1st 2 mo of storage. Fruits treated with P. brasilensis fermentation liquid in preharvest and postharvest period tended to have higher total sugar content, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid (AsA) content, and soluble solids content than those in the control group, and there was significant difference between the 2 groups. A delay was observed in the drop in AsA content. In this article, strain YS‐1 is reported for the 1st time as a biocontrol agent against blue mold of Nanfeng mandarin. The research will provide an application reference for preservation of citrus.
Nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes in Austinograea alayseae hydrothermal vent crabs (Crustacea: Bythograeidae): effects on DNA barcoding
Authors: Kim Se‐Joo , Lee Kyeong Yong , Ju Se‐Jong 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMembers of the brachyuran crab family, Bythograeidae, are among the most abundant and common crabs in vent fields. However, their identification based on morphological characteristics often leads to incorrect species recognition due to a lack of taxonomic factors and the existence of sibling (or cryptic) species. For these reasons, we used DNA barcoding for vent crabs using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). However, several nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (Numts) were amplified from Austinograea alayseae Guinot, 1990, using universal primers (Folmer primers). The Numts were characterized in six haplotypes, with 13.58–14.11% sequence divergence from A. alayseae, a higher nonsynonymous substitution ratio than true CO1, and the formation of an independent clade in bythograeids. In a neighbour‐joining tree, the origin of the Numts would be expected to incorporate into the nucleus at an ancestral node of Austinograea, and they mutated more slowly in the nucleus than CO1 in the mitochondria. This evolutionary process may have resulted in the higher binding affinity of Numts for the Folmer primers than CO1. In the present study, we performed long PCR for the amplification of CO1 in A. alayseae. We also present evidence that Numts can introduce serious ambiguity into DNA barcoding, including overestimating the number of species in bythograeids. These results may help in conducting taxonomic studies using mitochondrial genes from organisms living in hydrothermal vent fields.
Dissolved hydrogen and nitrogen fixation in the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Wilson Samuel T. , del Valle Daniela A. , Robidart Julie C. , Zehr Jonathan P. , Karl David M. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe production of hydrogen (H2) is an inherent component of biological dinitrogen (N2) fixation, and there have been several studies quantifying H2 production relative to N2 fixation in cultures of diazotrophs. However, conducting the relevant measurements for a field population is more complex as shown by this study of N2 fixation, H2 consumption and dissolved H2 concentrations in the oligotrophic North Pacific Ocean. Measurements of H2 oxidation revealed microbial consumption of H2 was equivalent to 1–7% of ethylene produced during the acetylene reduction assay and 11–63% of 15N2 assimilation on a molar scale. Varying abundances of Crocosphaera and Trichodesmium as revealed by nifH gene abundances broadly corresponded with diel changes observed in both N2 fixation and H2 oxidation. However, no corresponding changes were observed in the dissolved H2 concentrations which remained consistently supersaturated (147–560%) relative to atmospheric equilibrium. The results from this field study allow the efficiency of H2 cycling by natural populations of diazotrophs to be compared to cultured representatives. The findings indicate that dissolved H2 concentrations may depend not only on the community composition of diazotrophs but also upon relevant environmental parameters such as light intensity or the presence of other H2‐metabolizing microorganisms.
Alcohol‐selling outlets and mortality in Switzerland—the Swiss National Cohort
Authors: Spoerri Adrian , Zwahlen Marcel , Panczak Radoslaw , Egger Matthias , Huss Anke ,   Swiss National Cohort
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimTo examine the association of alcohol‐related mortality and other causes of death with neighbourhood density of alcohol‐selling outlets for on‐site consumption.Design, setting and participantsLongitudinal study of the adult Swiss population (n = 4 376 873) based on census records linked to mortality data from 2001 to 2008.MeasurementsSex‐specific hazard ratios (HR) for death and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using Cox models adjusting for age, educational level, occupational attainment, marital status and other potential confounders. The density of alcohol‐selling outlets within 1000 m of the residence was calculated using geocodes of outlets and residences.FindingsCompared with >17 outlets within 1000 m the HR for alcohol‐related mortality in men was 0.95 (95%CI: 0.89–1.02) for 8–17 outlets, 0.84 (95%CI: 0.77–0.90) for 3–7 outlets, 0.76 (95%CI: 0.68–0.83) for 1–2 outlets and 0.60 (95%CI: 0.51–0.72) for 0 outlets. The gradient in women was somewhat steeper, with a HR comparing 0 with >17 outlets of 0.39 (95%CI: 0.26–0.60). Mortality from mental and behavioural causes and lung cancer were also associated with density of alcohol‐selling outlets: HRs comparing 0 outlets with >17 outlets were 0.64 (95%CI: 0.52–0.79) and 0.79 (95%CI: 0.72–0.88), respectively, in men and 0.46 (95%CI: 0.27–0.78) and 0.63 (95%CI: 0.52–0.77), respectively, in women. There were weak associations in the same direction with all‐cause mortality in men but not in women.ConclusionsIn Switzerland, alcohol‐related mortality is associated with the density of outlets around the place of residence. Community‐level interventions to reduce alcohol outlet density may usefully complement existing interventions.
Efficacy of a combined nanoparticulate/calcium hydroxide root canal medication on elimination of Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Javidi Maryam , Afkhami Farzaneh , Zarei Mina , Ghazvini Kiarash , Rajabi Omid 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ca(OH)2 with or without a silver nanoparticle suspension to eliminate Enterococcus faecalis from root canals. A total of 66 extracted human single‐rooted teeth contaminated with E. faecalis were treated with 10% Ca(OH)2 alone, Ca(OH)2 with nanosilver or sterile water (as a negative control). Samples were obtained with paper points and Gates‐Glidden burs at 1 and 7 days after root canal preparation and the number of colony‐forming units (CFU) was determined. The number of CFUs observed after dressing with Ca(OH)2 + nanosilver was significantly less than the number observed with Ca(OH)2 alone after 1 or 7 days (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). No differences in antimicrobial properties were observed between the two time points in the Ca(OH)2 + nanosilver group (P > 0.05). Higher antimicrobial efficacy was observed in the Ca(OH)2 group after 7 days than 1 day (P < 0.001). This study highlighted the potential advantage of using a mixture of Ca(OH)2 and nanosilver for intracanal medicament.
Pressure changes during tracheal suctioning – a laboratory study
Authors: Palazzo S. G. C. , Soni B. 
Published: May 2013

SummarySuctioning is essential in managing tracheal tubes, but also has drawbacks. Using a bench model, we demonstrated the extent and time course of pressure changes during suctioning, examined their relationship with tracheal tube and catheter diameters and assessed the effects of artificial ‘sputum’ and of compensatory gas flow in the system. We suctioned at −20 kPa (−150 mmHg) and −80 kPa (−600 mmHg) using three different sized catheters and a 5.9‐mm diameter bronchoscope through tracheal tubes ranging from 6.5 mm to 9.0 mm in diameter. Pressure changes ranged from −0.1 kPa (−0.8 mmHg) to −20.4 kPa (−153.0 mmHg). We demonstrated more negative pressures with decreasing tracheal tube diameter (p = 0.024) and increasing catheter diameter (p = 0.038). Addition of artificial ‘sputum’ led to more negative, but unpredictable, pressures than those seen with clean tubes (p = 0.012). Bronchoscopic suctioning produced pressure changes even greater than the largest suction catheter (p = 0.0039). Using a closed system with continuous positive airway pressure and 155 l.min−1 compensatory gas flow attenuated the pressure changes generated both with a 4.0‐mm catheter (p = 0.0005) and on bronchoscopic suctioning (p = 0.0078). The time taken to reach 50% of minimum pressure was always less than 1 s. The use of high compensatory flows during suctioning merits clinical evaluation.
The Postal Sector as a Vector of Financial Inclusion
Authors: d'Alcantara G. , Gautier A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTAccess to finance has become a major policy issue under the term Financial Inclusion. In this paper, we focus on the role of postal operators in financial inclusion policies. In developing countries, postal firms typically manage a dense network of counters with a unique coverage of rural areas where the banking sector is totally absent. We use a formal location model for postal counters and bank agencies to show that in rural areas a post‐bank partnership can be a vector of financial inclusion and that this can be done profitably.
The Impact of Price Regulation on the Cost of Capital
Authors: Camacho Fernando T. , Menezes Flavio M. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates how price regulation under moral hazard can affect a regulated firm's cost of capital. We consider stylized versions of the two most typical regulatory frameworks that have been applied in the most recent decades by regulators: Price Cap and Cost of Service. We show that there is a trade‐off between lower operational costs and a higher cost of capital under Price Cap regulation and higher operational costs and a lower cost of capital under Cost of Service regulation. As a result, when the extent of moral hazard is not significant, Price Cap regulation generates lower welfare than does Cost of Service regulation.
Les finances solidaires et l'économie sociale en roumanie: une réponse de «proximités» à la régionalisation d'une économie en transition?
Authors: Glemain Pascal , Bioteau Emmanuel , Dragan Alexandru 
Published: May 2013

RÉSUMÉLa Roumanie apparaît en Europe centrale et orientale comme un territoire d'expérimentation d'une forme particulière d'économie sociale liant coopératives et organisations «not‐for‐profit». En transition économique et sociale, la Roumanie est également un pays en transition territoriale dont les systèmes de financements locaux ont quitté leur approche centralement planifiée, pour rejoindre un secteur financier solidaire dont les Instituts de Microfinance (IMFs) sont les principaux acteurs. La question à laquelle cet article tente d'apporter quelques éléments de réponse est celle du rôle de la finance solidaire locale dans la soutenabilité des transitions socio‐économiques territoriales en cours. Il s'agit d'envisager une économie humaine au sein de laquelle les conditions dignes de vie, nous amène à envisager un modèle particulier d'économie conviviale située à partir des outils conviviaux des finances solidaires locales.