bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
This Time Is the Same: Using Bank Performance in 1998 to Explain Bank Performance during the Recent Financial Crisis
Authors: FAHLENBRACH RÜDIGER , PRILMEIER ROBERT , STULZ RENÉ M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTAre some banks prone to perform poorly during crises? If yes, why? In this paper, we show that a bank's stock return performance during the 1998 crisis predicts its stock return performance and probability of failure during the recent financial crisis. This effect is economically large. Our findings are consistent with persistence in a bank's risk culture and/or aspects of its business model that make its performance sensitive to crises. Banks that relied more on short‐term funding, had more leverage, and grew more are more likely to be banks that performed poorly in both crises.
Building Bridges: Social Inclusion Problems as Research and Innovation Issues
Authors: Alzugaray Santiago , Mederos Leticia , Sutz Judith 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis article discussed why specific efforts aimed at establishing direct relationships between social inclusion problems and research and innovation projects are needed, what are the main difficulties to achieve this objective, and how these difficulties can be addressed. This focus came from the successive calls of a program called “Research and Innovation Oriented to Social Inclusion,” implemented by the Research Council of the Universidad de la República, Uruguay. A critical appraisal of this experience and the main lessons learned were presented through the lens of an analytical tool: a circuit in which different types of actors interact while traveling along it. The point of departure of the circuit was the recognition that a problem that hampers social inclusion exists; the end of the circuit is reached if an effective solution for that problem is achieved. Some examples from actual research projects were included to illustrate the functioning of the circuit. The article analyzed with some detail the possible short circuits that may occur at each stage of the circuit and what their causes might be. It analyzed as well the transformations undergone by the “Research and Innovation Oriented to Social Inclusion” program and its attempts to avoid the short circuits, evolving in that way toward a more hands‐on strategy to link research and societal needs.
Engineering Small Worlds in a Big Society: Assessing the Early Impacts of Nanotechnology in China
Authors: Klochikhin Evgeny A. , Shapira Philip 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNanoscience and nanotechnology––involving the engineering of materials, devices, and systems at very small scales––have emerged as important priorities not only for science but also for economic development. In this article, we propose an analytical framework that considers the socioeconomic effects of nanotechnology in six key areas: institutional development, knowledge flows, and network efficiency; research and education capabilities; industrial and enterprise development; regional spread; cluster and network development; and product innovation. We apply this framework to assess the early impacts of the evolving domain of nanotechnology for development, with a focus on China and its transitioning economy, where nanotechnology is assuming an important role in breaking existing innovation system lock‐ins and historical path dependencies. We suggest that the analytical framework adds value in assessing the developmental impacts of new technologies and could be used to probe such impacts in other countries and locations.
Liberating Conversations: John Stuart Mill and Mona Caird
Authors: Hookway Demelza 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis essay considers how the New Woman writer Mona Caird engaged with John Stuart Mill’s ideas on liberty of discussion. It offers a brief history of Caird scholarship and considers the importance of free discussion tofin‐de‐siècleNew Woman debates. It outlines four elements of Millian philosophy which Caird draws on in her fictional depictions of conversation: male‐female friendship, independent thought, self‐development, and a quest for precision in word choice and usage. Finally, it traces these elements through Caird’s novels and short stories, charting a development from her nineteenth‐century fiction – which focuses on private discussion in upper‐class domestic settings – to her twentieth‐century novels – which consider directly how private conversational practices translate into political and scientific discussion groups open to a greater diversity of participants.
Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens Spore Germination and Outgrowth by Lemon Juice and Vinegar Product in Reduced NaCl Roast Beef
Authors: Li Lin , Valenzuela‐Martinez Carol , Redondo Mauricio , Juneja Vijay K. , Burson Dennis E. , Thippareddi Harshavardhan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract:  Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in reduced sodium roast beef by a blend of buffered lemon juice concentrate and vinegar (MoStatin LV1) during abusive exponential cooling was evaluated. Roast beef containing salt (NaCl; 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, w/w), blend of sodium pyro‐ and poly‐phosphates (0.3%), and MoStatin LV1 (0%, 2%, or 2.5%) was inoculated with a 3‐strain C. perfringens spore cocktail to achieve final spore population of 2.5 to 3.0 log CFU/g. The inoculated products were heat treated and cooled exponentially from 54.4 to 4.4 °C within 6.5, 9, 12, 15, 18, or 21 h. Cooling of roast beef (2.0% NaCl) within 6.5 and 9 h resulted in <1.0 log CFU/g increase in C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth, whereas reducing the salt concentration to 1.5% and 1.0% resulted in >1.0 log CFU/g increase for cooling times longer than 9 h (1.1 and 2.2 log CFU/g, respectively). Incorporation of MoStatin LV1 into the roast beef formulation minimized the C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth to <1.0 log CFU/g, regardless of the salt concentration and the cooling time.Practical Application:  Cooked, ready‐to‐eat meat products should be cooled rapidly to reduce the risk of Clostridium perfringens spore germination and outgrowth. Meat processors are reducing the sodium chloride content of the processed meats as a consequence of the dietary recommendations. Sodium chloride reduces the risk of C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in meat products. Antimicrobials that contribute minimally to the sodium content of the product should be incorporated into processed meats to assure food safety. Buffered lemon juice and vinegar can be incorporated into meat product formulations to reduce the risk of C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth during abusive cooling.
Towards good practice guidance in using camera‐traps in ecology: influence of sampling design on validity of ecological inferences
Authors: Hamel Sandra , Killengreen Siw T. , Henden John‐Andre , Eide Nina E. , Roed‐Eriksen Lars , Ims Rolf A. , Yoccoz Nigel G. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

The development of camera‐traps has provided an opportunity to study ecological relationships and population dynamics of species that are rare, difficult to observe or capture. Their use has seen a major increase recently, particularly with the recent progress in methods adapted to species for which individuals cannot be identified.
We took advantage of extensive camera‐trap data sets from large spatiotemporal‐scale studies of a diverse assemblage of avian and mammalian scavengers in subarctic/arctic tundra to determine sampling designs that minimize detection errors (false‐negative) and to evaluate the influence of sampling design on estimation of site occupancy.
Results showed that raw error rates in daily presence varied between 5 and 30% among species when using time‐triggered cameras with a 5‐min interval. Using movement‐triggered cameras resulted in larger raw error rates, between 30 and 70%, as well as a lower number of daily presences detected. Increasing the time interval from 5 to 20 min greatly increased the raw error rate in daily presence, but it had negligible impacts on estimates and precision of occupancy and detection probability.
Occupancy estimates were mostly influenced by variation in the number of days included during the sampling period. For most species, a threshold of between 20 and 30 problem‐free days (i.e. without camera‐related technical problems) was required to stabilize occupancy and detection probability, as well as to maximize their precision.
Based on the results, we discuss guidelines for establishing sampling designs according to the different ecological questions researchers might want to answer. To our knowledge, our study is the first to directly test the influence of sampling design in camera‐trap studies, providing guidelines that are likely to be directly applicable to a large range of species and ecosystems.
Predicting post‐discharge death or readmission: deterioration of model performance in population having multiple admissions per patient
Authors: van Walraven Carl , Wong Jenna , Forster Alan J. , Hawken Stephen 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo avoid biased estimates of standard errors in regression models, statisticians commonly limit the analytical dataset to one observation per patient.ObjectiveMeasure and explain changes in model performance when a model predicting 30‐day risk of death or urgent readmission (derived on a dataset having one hospitalization per patient) was applied to all hospitalizations for study patients.MethodsUsing administrative data from Ontario, we identified all hospitalizations of 499 996 patients between 2004 and 2009. We calculated the expected risk for 30‐day death or urgent readmission using a validated model. The observed‐to‐expected ratio was determined after categorizing patients into quintiles of rates for hospitalization, emergent hospitalizations, hospital day and total diagnostic risk score.ResultsStudy patients had a total of 858 410 hospitalizations. Compared with a dataset having one hospitalization per patient, model performance declined significantly when applied to all hospitalizations [c‐statistic decreased from 0.768 to 0.730; the observed‐to‐expected ratio increased from 0.998 (95% confidence interval 0.977–0.999) to 1.305 (1.297–1.313)]. Model deterioration was most pronounced in patients with higher hospital utilization, with the observed‐to‐expected ratio increasing to 1.67 in the highest quintile of emergent hospitalization rates.ConclusionsThe accuracy of predicting 30‐day death or urgent readmission decreased significantly when the unit of analysis changed from the patient to the hospitalization. Patients with heavy hospital utilization likely have characteristics, not adequately captured in the model, that increase the risk of death or urgent readmission after discharge from hospital. Adequately capturing the characteristics of such high‐end hospital users may improve readmission models.
Interrelationship of clinical, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical features of oral lesions in chronic paracoccidioidomycosis
Authors: de Abreu e Silva Mariana À. , Salum Fernanda G. , Figueiredo Maria A. , Lopes Tiago G. , da Silva Vinicius D. , Cherubini Karen 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the oral lesions of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis concerning their histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, and clinical features in a standardized sample.MethodsFifty biopsy specimens of oral lesions of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis were submitted to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Grocott–Gomori and immunohistochemical staining. Data regarding disease duration and size and number of oral lesions, as well as erythrocytes, leukocytes, lymphocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, were collected from medical charts. Granuloma density and number and diameter of buds and fungal cells, and IL‐2, TNF‐alpha and IFN‐gamma expression, as well as clinical and hematological features, were quantified and correlated.ResultsBud diameter was significantly greater in intermediate density granulomas compared to higher density granulomas. The other variables (number of buds, number and diameter of fungi, expression of IL‐2, TNF‐alpha and IFN‐gamma, and clinical and hematological features) did not significantly change with the density of granulomas. There was a positive correlation between bud number and fungal cell number (r = 0.834), bud diameter and fungal cell diameter (r = 0.496), erythrocytes and number of fungi (r = 0.420), erythrocytes and bud number (r = 0.408), and leukocytes and bud number (r = 0.396). Negative correlation occurred between number and diameter of fungi (r = −0.419), bud diameter and granuloma density (r = −0.367), TNF‐alpha expression and number of fungi (r = −0.372), and TNF‐alpha expression and bud number (r = −0.300).ConclusionThe histological, immunological, and clinical features of oral lesions evaluated did not differ significantly between patients in our sample of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis. TNF‐alpha levels were inversely correlated with intensity of infection.
Comparison of FIB‐4 and APRI in Chinese HBV‐infected patients with persistently normal ALT and mildly elevated ALT
Authors: Wang H. , Xue L. , Yan R. , Zhou Y. , Wang M. S. , Cheng M. J. , Huang H. J. 
Published: November 2012

SummarySignificant liver disease has been reported in chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Liver biopsy (LB) is the current gold standard for assessing hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV. However, associated risks have led to the development of noninvasive models. Their utility in patients with normal ALT is unknown. FIB‐4 and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) were calculated for patients with chronic HBV infection undergoing biopsy. The performance of each model and AUROC for predicting significant fibrosis (Scheuer's score ≥ S2) were determined for the entire cohort and stratified by elevated (≥50 U/L) and normal ALT. Two‐hundred and thirty‐one liver biopsies were included. The number of patient with normal ALT was 140, and 22.1% had significant fibrosis. The AUROC curve for patients with normal ALT was 0.81 for FIB‐4 and 0.80 for APRI, compared with 0.71 for FIB‐4 and 0.72 for APRI for those with mildly elevated ALT level. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of FIB‐4 were 0.63, 0.88, 0.61 and 0.93, for patients with normal ALT; the values for APRI were 0.40, 0.88, 0.33 and 0.93. Both FIB‐4 and APRI are useful for identification of those without significant fibrosis. However, because they have poor PPV, LB will continue to be used for assessment of HBV‐infected patients with normal ALT and mildly elevated ALT.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children: 25 years' experience
Authors: Popalis C. , Yeung L. T. F. , Ling S. C. , Ng V. , Roberts E. A. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryWhereas e‐seroconversion represents the loss of hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) followed by gain of antibody to HBeAg (anti‐HBe), ‘inactive chronic infection’ extends this concept to include e‐seroconversion with decreased serum viral load and biochemical remission. These events must be well‐characterized before treatment outcomes can be evaluated. We examined the rates of e‐seroconversion and achievement of inactive chronic infection among children with chronic HBV infection. Children who were HBsAg positive >6 months were identified retrospectively between 1983 and 2008 from the Hospital for Sick Children Liver Clinic. Inactive chronic infection was defined as loss of HBeAg, serum ALT ≤40 IU/mL, and HBV DNA <106 IU/mL. Both e‐seroconversion and achievement of inactive chronic infection were characterized using survival analysis. The effect of transmission route, treatment, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, gender and baseline ALT on these rates was evaluated with univariate and multiple regression. Of 252 HBeAg‐positive cases, 59.9% had HBV‐infected mothers, 77% were Asian, and 33 received interferon‐α. Untreated children were younger at last follow‐up (mean 14.5 vs 17.6 years), had lower ALT (median 60 vs 116 IU/mL) and had shorter follow‐up (6.6 vs 9.1 years, all P < 0.002) compared to treated children. Crude e‐seroconversion rate was 41.7% over 0.5–19.1 years of follow‐up, and this was not affected by transmission route (P = 0.93), gender (P = 0.62) nor treatment (P = 0.08). 49% achieved inactive chronic infection by age 19 years. Being non‐Asian, age at diagnosis<3 years, and ALT ≥40 IU/mL were associated with a higher rate of e‐seroconversion and achieving inactive chronic infection (P < 0.0001). Almost 50% of children achieved inactive chronic infection by early adulthood.
Prospective Clinical Trial to Compare Vincristine and Vinblastine in aCOP‐Based Protocol for Lymphoma in Cats
Authors: Krick E.L. , Cohen R.B. , Gregor T.P. , Salah (Griessmayr) P.C. , Sorenmo K.U. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundCurrent standard chemotherapy protocols for lymphoma in cats carry risks of gastrointestinal toxicity, which can decrease quality of life and complicate response assessment. Protocols with less gastrointestinal toxicity may improve treatment tolerance.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe study purpose was to compare response rate, outcome, and toxicity between cats that received vincristine or vinblastine as part of combination chemotherapy for lymphoma. We hypothesized that vinblastine would have similar efficacy, but less gastrointestinal toxicity, compared with vincristine.AnimalsForty client‐owned cats with confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma.MethodsCats were randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms and received weeklyCOP‐based chemotherapy for 6 months or until disease progression. Response rate, progression‐free survival (PFS), lymphoma‐specific survival (LSS), and incidence and severity of gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity were compared between arms. Arm cross‐over occurred if specific gastrointestinal toxicity criteria were noted.ResultsCats in both arms had similar response rates,PFS, andLSS(48 versus 64 days,P = .87; 139 versus 136 days,P = .96). Cats that received vincristine were significantly more likely to switch arms based on gastrointestinal toxicity than cats that received vinblastine (44.4 versus 10.5%,P = .02). Lower baseline weight was significantly negatively associated withPFSandLSS(P = .01,P = .003, respectively). Baseline anemia was significantly negatively associated withLSS(P = .04).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceResults suggest that vinblastine is a reasonable alternative to vincristine in the treatment of some cats with lymphoma. Baseline body weight remains a significant prognostic factor for cats with lymphoma.
Heterogeneous Firm Responses to Rising Teenage Wages
Authors: Hyslop Dean R. , Maré David C. , Stillman Steven , Timmins Jason 
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Substantial youth minimum wage changes in New Zealand between 2000 and 2007 raised teenage average wages by 5–10 per cent relative to those for adults. We use Statistics New Zealand's Linked Employer–Employee Database (LEED) to examine whether firms' teenage labour demand responses to these changes are greater for firms with higher teenage‐employment share. We find evidence that high teen‐employers reduced their teen employment relative to other firms and had lower survival rates over the period. However, firms that entered the main teen‐employment industries had higher teen‐employment shares than continuing firms. The results are consistent with endogenous technology adoption in response to non‐marginal changes in relative wages.
Cryptic speciation in the field vole: a multilocus approach confirms three highly divergent lineages in Eurasia
Authors: Paupério J. , Herman J. S. , Melo‐Ferreira J. , Jaarola M. , Alves P. C. , Searle J.B. 
Published: November 2012

Species are generally described from morphological features, but there is growing recognition of sister forms that show substantial genetic differentiation without obvious morphological variation and may therefore be considered ‘cryptic species’. Here, we investigate the field vole (Microtus agrestis), a Eurasian mammal with little apparent morphological differentiation but which, on the basis of previous sex‐linked nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses, is subdivided into a Northern and a Southern lineage, sufficiently divergent that they may represent two cryptic species. These earlier studies also provided limited evidence for two major mtDNA lineages within Iberia. In our present study, we extend these findings through a multilocus approach. We sampled 163 individuals from 46 localities, mainly in Iberia, and sequenced seven loci, maternally, paternally and biparentally inherited. Our results show that the mtDNA lineage identified in Portugal is indeed a distinct third lineage on the basis of other markers as well. In fact, multilocus coalescent‐based methods clearly support three separate evolutionary units that may represent cryptic species: Northern, Southern and Portuguese. Divergence among these units was inferred to have occurred during the last glacial period; the Portuguese lineage split occurred first (estimated at c. 70 000 bp), and the Northern and Southern lineages separated at around the last glacial maximum (estimated at c. 18 500 bp). Such recent formation of evolutionary units that might be considered species has repercussions in terms of understanding evolutionary processes and the diversity of small mammals in a European context.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of two closely related microsporidian parasites suggest a clonal population expansion after the last glaciation
Authors: Haag Karen L. , Traunecker Emmanuel , Ebert Dieter 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe mode of reproduction of microsporidian parasites has remained puzzling since many decades. It is generally accepted that microsporidia are capable of sexual reproduction, and that some species have switched to obligate asexuality, but such process had never been supported with population genetic evidence. We examine the mode of reproduction of Hamiltosporidium tvaerminnensis and Hamiltosporidium magnivora, two closely related microsporidian parasites of the widespread freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, based on a set of 129 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms distributed across 16 genes. We analyse 20 H. tvaerminnensis isolates from localities representative of the entire species' geographic distribution along the Skerry Island belt of the Baltic Sea. Five isolates of the sister species H. magnivora were used for comparison. We estimate the recombination rates in H. tvaerminnensis to be at least eight orders of magnitude lower than in H. magnivora and not significantly different from zero. This is corroborated by the higher divergence between H. tvaerminnensis alleles (including fixed heterozygosity), as compared to H. magnivora. Our study confirms that sexual recombination is present in microsporidia, that it can be lost, and that asexuals may become epidemic.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genotype A with a 72-Nucleotide Duplication in the Attachment Protein G Gene
Authors: Lee Wan-Ji , Kim You-jin , Kim Dae-Won , Lee Han Saem , Lee Ho Yeon , Kim Kisoon 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT
The complete genome sequence of human respiratory syncytial virus genotype A (HRSV-A) with a 72-nucleotide duplication in the C-terminal part of the attachment protein G gene was determined and analyzed. The genome was 15,277 bp in length, and 0.46 to 6.03% variations were identified at the nucleotide level compared with the previously reported complete genome of HRSV-A. Characterization of the genome will improve understanding of the diversity of the HRSV-A major antigens and enable an in-depth analysis of its genetics.