bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integration of Biological Control and Native Seeding to Restore Invaded Plant Communities
Authors: Cutting Kiri J. , Hough‐Goldstein Judith 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDisturbed natural areas frequently experience invasion by introduced plant species that can reduce native biodiversity. Biological control can suppress these introduced species, but without restoration another introduced species can invade. Integration of biological control with concurrent revegetation can both aid in weed reduction via interspecific plant competition and establish a restored native plant community. This 3‐year study investigated an integrated approach to controlling the introduced annual Mile‐a‐minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata [L.] H. Gross [Polygonaceae]) using the biocontrol weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and restoration planting using a native seed mix. A fully factorial design tested weevils and seeding, separately and together, using insecticide to eliminate weevils. The weevils together with the native seed mix reduced P. perfoliata percent cover in 2009 and 2010, and peak seed cluster production in 2010, compared to the insecticide − no seed control treatment. Persicaria perfoliata final dry biomass was reduced by 75% in 2010 and by 57% in 2011 in the weevils plus seed treatment compared to the control, with weevils having the greatest effect in 2010 and the seed treatment having the greatest impact in 2011. Results suggest an additive effect of biocontrol and seeding in suppressing P. perfoliata. Seeded treatments also developed the highest native plant species richness and diversity, comprised of spontaneous recolonization in addition to species from the seed mix. Results support the use of integrated management of this invasive weed, with suppression through biological control and native revegetation together helping prevent reinvasion while restoring native plant biodiversity.
Ex Ante Skewness and Expected Stock Returns
Authors: CONRAD JENNIFER , DITTMAR ROBERT F. , GHYSELS ERIC 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe use option prices to estimate ex ante higher moments of the underlying individual securities’ risk‐neutral returns distribution. We find that individual securities’ risk‐neutral volatility, skewness, and kurtosis are strongly related to future returns. Specifically, we find a negative (positive) relation between ex ante volatility (kurtosis) and subsequent returns in the cross‐section, and more ex ante negatively (positively) skewed returns yield subsequent higher (lower) returns. We analyze the extent to which these returns relations represent compensation for risk and find evidence that, even after controlling for differences in co‐moments, individual securities’ skewness matters.
Dynamic Competition, Valuation, and Merger Activity
Authors: SPIEGEL MATTHEW , TOOKES HEATHER 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe model the interactions between product market competition and investment valuation within a dynamic oligopoly. To our knowledge, the model is the first continuous‐time corporate finance model in a multiple firm setting with heterogeneous products. The model is tractable and amenable to estimation. We use it to relate current industry characteristics with firm value and financial decisions. Unlike most corporate finance models, it produces predictions regarding parameter magnitudes as well their signs. Estimates of the model's parameters indicate strong linkages between model‐implied and actual values. The paper uses the estimated parameters to predict rivals’ returns near merger announcements.
Conflicting Family Values in Mutual Fund Families
Authors: BHATTACHARYA UTPAL , LEE JUNG H. , POOL VERONIKA K. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe analyze the investment behavior of affiliated funds of mutual funds (AFoMFs), which are mutual funds that can only invest in other funds in the family, and are offered by most large families. Though never mentioned in any prospectus, we discover that AFoMFs provide an insurance pool against temporary liquidity shocks to other funds in the family. We show that, though the family benefits because funds can avoid fire sales, the cost of this insurance is borne by the investors in the AFoMFs. The paper thus uncovers some of the hidden complexities of fiduciary responsibility in mutual fund families.
Clifford Geertz’s Interpretive Approach to Religion
Authors: Segal Robert A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractClifford Geertz is often lauded as the key social scientist in the contemporary shift from an interpretive approach to religion and to culture in general to an explanatory approach. Supposedly, the shift is from concern with the cause of religion to concern with the meaning of religion. This article argues, first, that Geertz associates an interpretive approach with an array of distinct considerations and argues, second, that Geertz actually seeks to combine an interpretive approach with an explanatory one rather than to substitute an interpretive approach for an explanatory one.
Late Neolithic expansion of ancient Chinese revealed by Y chromosome haplogroup O3a1c‐002611
Authors: WANG Chuan‐Chao , YAN Shi , QIN Zhen‐Dong , LU Yan , DING Qi‐Liang , WEI Lan‐Hai , LI Shi‐Lin , YANG Ya‐Jun , JIN Li , LI Hui ,   the Genographic Consortium
Published: December 2012

AbstractY chromosome haplogroup O3‐M122 is the most prevalent haplogroup in East Asia, and provides an ideal tool for dissecting primary dispersals of the East Asians. Most of the sub‐haplogroups of O3‐M122 have been sufficiently investigated except for O3a1c‐002611, despite its great prevalence and huge population, especially in Han Chinese. In this study, we identified 508 individuals with haplogroup O3a1c‐002611 out of 7801 males from 117 East and Southeast Asian populations, typed at two newly discovered downstream Y‐SNP markers and ten commonly used Y‐STRs. Defined by SNPs IMS‐JST002611 (in short, 002611), F11, and F238, three lineages internal to haplogroup O3a1c‐002611 have distinct geographical distributions. Furthermore, Y‐STR diversity shows a general south‐to‐north decline, which is consistent with the prehistorically northward migration of the other O3‐M122 lineages. The northward migration of haplogroup O3a1c‐002611 started about 13 thousand years ago (KYA). The expansions of subclades F11 and F238 in ancient Han Chinese began about 5 and 7 KYA immediately after the separation between the ancestors of the Han Chinese and Tibeto‐Burman.
Propagation of impact‐induced shock waves in porous sandstone using mesoscale modeling
Authors: GÜLDEMEISTER Nicole , WÜNNEMANN Kai , DURR Nathanael , HIERMAIER Stefan 
Published: December 2012

Abstract–Generation and propagation of shock waves by meteorite impact is significantly affected by material properties such as porosity, water content, and strength. The objective of this work was to quantify processes related to the shock‐induced compaction of pore space by numerical modeling, and compare the results with data obtained in the framework of the Multidisciplinary Experimental and Modeling Impact Research Network (MEMIN) impact experiments. We use mesoscale models resolving the collapse of individual pores to validate macroscopic (homogenized) approaches describing the bulk behavior of porous and water‐saturated materials in large‐scale models of crater formation, and to quantify localized shock amplification as a result of pore space crushing. We carried out a suite of numerical models of planar shock wave propagation through a well‐defined area (the “sample”) of porous and/or water‐saturated material. The porous sample is either represented by a homogeneous unit where porosity is treated as a state variable (macroscale model) and water content by an equation of state for mixed material (ANEOS) or by a defined number of individually resolved pores (mesoscale model). We varied porosity and water content and measured thermodynamic parameters such as shock wave velocity and particle velocity on meso‐ and macroscales in separate simulations. The mesoscale models provide additional data on the heterogeneous distribution of peak shock pressures as a consequence of the complex superposition of reflecting rarefaction waves and shock waves originating from the crushing of pores. We quantify the bulk effect of porosity, the reduction in shock pressure, in terms of Hugoniot data as a function of porosity, water content, and strength of a quartzite matrix. We find a good agreement between meso‐, macroscale models and Hugoniot data from shock experiments. We also propose a combination of a porosity compaction model (ε–α model) that was previously only used for porous materials and the ANEOS for water‐saturated quartzite (all pore space is filled with water) to describe the behavior of partially water‐saturated material during shock compression. Localized amplification of shock pressures results from pore collapse and can reach as much as four times the average shock pressure in the porous sample. This may explain the often observed localized high shock pressure phases next to more or less unshocked grains in impactites and meteorites.
Deep differentiation between and within Mediterranean glacial refugia in a flying mammal, the Myotis nattereri bat complex
Authors: Salicini Irene , Ibáñez Carlos , Juste Javier 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimThe role of glacial refugia in the biogeographical patterns in the Western Palaearctic region has been widely discussed, but many questions remain unresolved. We examined the biogeography, genetic diversity, spatial distribution and evolutionary history of the Myotis nattereri bat species complex to investigate the presence of multiple refugia and the persistence of Quaternary differentiation between and within Mediterranean refugia in a flying mammal.LocationWestern Palaearctic region (central and southern Europe and north‐western Maghreb).MethodsWe analysed three mitochondrial fragments (cytochrome b, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 and the control region; 1570 bp) from 136 individuals of the M. nattereri complex sampled from 87 different localities using a range of phylogenetic techniques. Divergences among clades were also dated using a Bayesian coalescence approach.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses identified four main lineages, coincident with the four cryptic species recently described. Each species is further subdivided into well‐supported lineages with evident geographical structure. Estimates of genetic diversity and polymorphism were very high for the majority of subclades, with the exception of M. nattereri s.s.Main conclusionsThe M. nattereri bat complex comprises four species whose distributions in the Western Palaearctic correspond to four main glacial refugia (Iberia, Italy, Balkans and Morocco). These species are the result of long‐term isolation (remarkable in a flying mammal) over several glacial cycles. The Balkan species expanded into central Europe in a rapid recolonization process. Both the Iberian and Italian peninsulas show a clear pattern of refugia‐within‐refugia in their genetic structuring, with a deeply differentiated southern Italian clade. Morocco shows two markedly differentiated lineages, probably separated by the Atlas Mountains. The legacy of Pleistocene cycles is evident in both the speciation and the intraspecific diversification events.
Palynology supports ‘OldNorse’ introductions to the flora ofGreenland
Authors: Schofield J. Edward , Edwards Kevin J. , Erlendsson Egill , Ledger Paul M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimThis paper integrates pollen‐analytical data from sites across southernGreenland to revisit the debate regarding which plants may have been introduced during theNorse colonization orlandnám c. ad985.LocationPalynological data are drawn from 14 sites (lakes and mires) located within the formerEasternSettlement ofNorseGreenland (c. 60.9° N, 45.5° W).MethodsMaps are presented displaying palynological data for three taxa (Rumex acetosella,Polygonum aviculareandAchillea millefolium), which earlier scholars have argued are ‘Old Norse’ anthropochores. The maps display pollen frequencies at regular (c. 100‐year) intervals across a period (ad800–1500) encompassingNorse settlement.ResultsMaps forc. ad800 and 900 (prior toNorse arrival) display the taxa as locally absent, with the appearance and expansion of their pollen at multiple sites fromc. ad1000 (landnám) providing support for the assumption that each taxon arrived with the first settlers. A general and widespread decline in pollen frequencies for these ‘Old Norse’ elements on thec. ad1500 map (followingNorse abandonment) demonstrates a close connection between these plants and a cultural landscape that was shaped and maintained predominantly via animal husbandry.Main conclusionsPatterns emerging from this exercise may initiate wider debates related to the pattern and character of theNorse colonization ofGreenland. It is suggested that differences in the function or role of farm sites could have led to the creation of greater areas of favourable habitat for ‘OldNorse’ flora in some locations relative to others, and that uneven patterns of colonization and the spread of ‘OldNorse’ plants might be explained if their introduction – presumably from Iceland – first occurred at only a few locations.
Small businesses and flood impacts: the case of the 2009 flood event in Cockermouth
Authors: Wedawatta G. , Ingirige B. , Proverbs D. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFlooding can have a devastating impact on businesses, especially on small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) who may be unprepared and vulnerable to the range of both direct and indirect impacts. SMEs may tend to focus on the direct tangible impacts of flooding, limiting their ability to realise the true costs of flooding. Greater understanding of the impacts of flooding is likely to contribute towards increased uptake of flood protection measures by SMEs, particularly during post‐flood property reinstatement. This study sought to investigate the full range of impacts experienced by SMEs located in Cockermouth following the floods of 2009. The findings of a questionnaire survey of SMEs revealed that businesses not directly affected by the flooding experienced a range of impacts and that short‐term impacts were given a higher significance. A strong correlation was observed between direct, physical flood impacts and post‐flood costs of insurance. Significant increases in the costs of property insurance and excesses were noted, meaning that SMEs will be exposed to increased losses in the event of a future flood event. The findings from the research will enable policy makers and professional bodies to make informed decisions to improve the status of advice given to SMEs. The study also adds weight to the case for SMEs to consider investing in property‐level flood risk adaptation measures, especially during the post flood reinstatement process.
Flood vulnerability of the Karun River System and short‐term mitigation measures
Authors: Heidari A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractKarun River Basin in south‐west of Iran has accommodated a large number of hydro projects including reservoirs, hydropower plants, water convey systems, and irrigation networks. Recent extreme floods of the basin have resulted in damage to the vulnerable flood plain areas and under‐construction dam sites. Structural and non‐structural approach was pursued to reduce the vulnerability of the region after extreme floods of 2005 and 2006. The paper describes the historical floods and the solutions that were recently implemented in the basin. Resistant cofferdams along with early flood forecasting system (EFFS) and emergency action plan (EAP) have been identified as adoptive short‐term solutions. The EFFS incorporates a regional numerical weather forecast system, rainfall–run‐off models, a reservoir flood control simulation model, flood routing, and two‐dimensional inundation models. Depending on the location of the sites, maximum lead time of forecast is 4–5 days, which is sufficient to evacuate the area and damage centres. An EAP was made for dam break and extreme flood events including maps of hazardous zones and access maps to safe areas in the damage centres, mainly in the large cities of the flood plain area.
Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: Is it suitable in western countries?
Authors: Uraoka Toshio , Parra‐Blanco Adolfo , Yahagi Naohisa 
Published: December 2012

AbstractEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) represents a significant advance in therapeutic endoscopy with the major advantage being the ability to achieve a higher en bloc resection rate for early stage lesions. Western endoscopists infrequently perform colorectal ESD (CR‐ESD) because of the greater technical difficulty involved, longer procedure times, and increased risk of perforation. Specialized training and sufficient clinical experience are necessary to successfully perform ESDs, but a systematic education and training program has still not been established in Japan or elsewhere in the world. Experts generally acknowledge that the stomach is the first organ in which endoscopists should begin performing ESDs. The incidence and detection rates for early stage gastric cancer are significantly higher in Japan than in western countries, so Japanese endoscopists have a greater opportunity to perform gastric ESDs than their western counterparts. It is logical to ask, therefore, whether CR‐ESD can be effectively applied in western countries. Based on a review of the relevant literature and our practical perspective, we have focused on the progress made in performing CR‐ESD, its indications, training methods, and learning curve. Use of animal gastric and colon models is strongly recommended along with accumulating the necessary experience from the rectum to the colon on a step‐by‐step basis. It is reasonable to assume that an increasing number of CR‐ESDs will be performed by western endoscopists in the foreseeable future given the continuing development of new techniques, and the refinement of instruments and other technologically advanced devices together with the creation of even more effective submucosal injection agents.
Prevalence of adenomas and sessile serrated adenomas in Chinese compared with Caucasians
Authors: Kumbhari Vivek , Behary Jason , Hui Jason Minco 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimsColonic adenomas and sessile serrated adenomas (SSA) are the most common premalignant polyps identified at colonoscopy. This study compares the prevalence of neoplastic polyps in Chinese and Caucasians in a general gastroenterology outpatient practice in Australia.MethodsThis study included consecutive unselected colonoscopies performed for standard clinical indications by a single endoscopist (JMH). All polyps detected were measured, resected, and sent for histopathology. The prevalence of adenomas, advanced adenomas, SSA, and cancer in the Chinese and Caucasian cohorts were compared. Advanced adenomas were defined as adenomas > 10 mm, villous histology, or high‐grade dysplasia.ResultsThe study included 346 Chinese and 654 Caucasians. There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics including age, gender, and indications of colonoscopy, although Chinese were more likely to present with rectal bleeding (22.8% vs 15.9%, P = 0.01). The prevalence of adenomatous polyps was similar in both Caucasians (34.3%) and Chinese (35.3%). However, advanced adenomas were more significantly common in Caucasians (11.3%) compared with Chinese (4.6%) (P < 0.001). SSA was rare in Chinese (2%) but present more frequently in Caucasians (7%) (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that Caucasian ethnicity (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.6–3.6) and the presence of SSA (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3–8.6) were independent predictors for the detection of an advanced adenoma.ConclusionsThe prevalence of significant colorectal lesions, including advanced adenomas, large adenomas, and SSA, were lower in Chinese compared with Caucasians. These findings may influence the guidelines for colonic cancer screening in Chinese populations.
Impact of leptin receptor gene variants on risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and its interaction with adiponutrin gene
Authors: Zain Shamsul Mohd , Mohamed Zahurin , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Cheah Phaik‐Leng , Rampal Sanjay , Chin Kin‐Fah , Mahfudz Anis Shafina , Basu Roma Choudhury , Tan Hwa‐Li , Mohamed Rosmawati 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimGenetic polymorphism has been implicated as a factor for the occurrence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study attempted to assess whether polymorphisms in the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene and its combined effect with patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing protein 3 (PNPLA3/adiponutrin) are associated with risk of NAFLD.MethodsA total of 144 biopsy‐proven NAFLD and 198 controls were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform.ResultsWe observed a significant association between the LEPR rs1137100 and rs1137101 with susceptibility to NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–2.28, P = 0.003; and OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.11–2.34, P = 0.013, respectively) and to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05–2.12, P = 0.026; and OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05–2.35, P = 0.029, respectively). The LEPR rs1137100 is also associated with simple steatosis (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.27–4.08, P = 0.006). Analysis of gene–gene interaction revealed a strong interaction between the LEPR and PNPLA3 genes (empirical P = 0.001). The joint effect of LEPR and PNPLA3 greatly exacerbated the risk of NAFLD (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.84–7.55, P < 0.0001). The G allele of rs1137100 is associated with lower fibrosis score (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.28–0.78, P = 0.001).ConclusionsWe report an association between variants of LEPR rs1137100 and rs1137101 with risk of NAFLD. This study suggests that rs1137100, specifically the G allele, is associated with a less severe form of liver disease in patients with NAFLD. The interaction between LEPR and PNPLA3 genes showed increased risk of NAFLD compared to either gene alone.
Controlled trial of ligation plus vasoconstrictor versus proton pump inhibitor in the control of acute esophageal variceal bleeding
Authors: Lo Gin‐Ho , Perng Daw‐Shyong , Chang Chi‐Yang , Tai Chi‐Ming , Wang Huay‐Min , Lin Hui‐Chen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundEndoscopic therapy combined with vasoconstrictor was generally recommended to treat acute variceal bleeding. However, up to 30% of patients may still encounter treatment failure.ObjectivesThis trial was to evaluate the efficacy of combination with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) infusion in patients with acute variceal bleeding.MethodsCirrhotic patients presenting with acute esophageal variceal bleeding were rescued by emergency EVL. Soon after arresting of bleeding varices, eligible subjects were randomized to two groups. Vasoconstrictor group received either somatostatin or terlipressin infusion. PPI group received either omeprazole or pantoprazole. End points were initial hemostasis, very early rebleeding rate, and adverse events.ResultsSixty patients were enrolled in vasoconstrictor group and 58 patients in PPI group. Both groups were comparable in baseline data. Initial hemostasis was achieved in 98% in vasoconstrictor group and 100% in PPI group (P = 1.0). Very early rebleeding within 48–120 h occurred in one patient (2%) in vasoconstrictor group and one patient (2%) in the PPI group (P = 1.0). Treatment failure was 4% in vasoconstrictor group and 2% in PPI group (P = 0.95). Adverse events occurred in 33 patients (55%) in vasoconstrictor group and three patients (6%) in PPI group (P < 0.001). Two patients in vasoconstrictor group and one patient in PPI group encountered esophageal ulcer bleeding.ConclusionsAfter successful control of acute variceal bleeding by EVL, adjuvant therapy with PPI infusion was similar to combination with vasoconstrictor infusion in terms of initial hemostasis, very early rebleeding rate, and associated with fewer adverse events.