bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Earnings Smoothing, Cash Flow Volatility, and CEO Cash Bonus
Authors: Das Somnath , Hong Keejae , Kim Kyonghee 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPrior studies generally relate managers’ decisions to smooth earnings to their desire to maximize their overall compensation and to smooth their consumption. However, earnings smoothing could also be driven by the firm's expected benefits from reporting a smooth earnings stream. Our paper provides empirical support for the latter explanation of earnings smoothing. Specifically, we find that while CEO bonus on average increases with earnings smoothing, the increase is larger when the firm's cash flow volatility is higher. Further, CEO bonus is shielded from the negative effects of lower earnings arising from the need to report a smoother earnings stream.
Relationships between Financial Sectors’ CDS Spreads and Other Gauges of Risk: Did the Great Recession Change Them?
Authors: Hammoudeh Shawkat , Bhar Ramaprasad , Liu Tengdong 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe objectives are to discern how the three financial sectors’ credit default swap (CDS) spreads interrelate to each other and with three other risks in terms of possible contagion, competition, interdependence and independence relations under the full sample and two subperiods: the 2007 Great Recession and the 2009 Recovery, and to assess the impact of QE1 on those risks in the second subperiod. The results indicate that the own and cross‐effects among the CDSs and the other risk measures are significant and mixed, but all in all contagion is dominant. The system has become less stable and less adjusting to the equilibrium in the first subperiod. QE1 in the second period decreases risks but increases inflationary expectations.
Comparative study of hyaluronic acid fillers by in vitro and in vivo testing
Authors: Park K.Y. , Kim H.K. , Kim B.J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundNumerous hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers seem to have similar characteristics, although manufacturers insist that monophasic and biphasic HA fillers are different in many ways. Little information regarding this is available in the literature.ObjectivesTo determine characteristics of monophasic fillers vs. biphasic fillers.Material and methodsWe tested three different (two biphasic and one monophasic) HA fillers both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro assay, cell toxicity, resistance to enzyme degradation, syringeability and morphology of particles were tested. In vivo, the efficacy and safety were investigated in the dorsal skin of hairless mice.ResultsThere was no cell toxicity in any of the three HA fillers. Resistance to enzymatic degradation and syringeability were better in the two biphasic HA fillers than in the monophasic filler. In particle morphology test, gel type monophasic HA filler was also found as a particle type, although there was a slight difference. Volume assessment in animal skin was superior with the monophasic than with the two biphasic HA fillers.ConclusionBiphasic HA fillers have some advantages in hyaluronidase resistance, syringeability and lower risk for overcorrection, while monophasic HA fillers may be more suitable for volume augmentation due to swelling capacity.
Effects of family presence on the content and dynamics of the clinical encounter among diabetic patients
Authors: Katerndahl David , Parchman Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesPrimary care visits often include a family member or friend. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the presence of a family member on the visit content and dynamics among diabetic patients in Family Medicine settings.MethodEncounters of patients with type 2 diabetes from 20 primary care clinics were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Encounters were coded using the Davis Observation Codes, classifying content into 20 different categories at 15‐second intervals. A random sample of 30 patients with family members was selected; 30 encounters in which no family was present were then matched to the randomly selected patients so that they would be similar group‐wise in A1C level, length of visit, level of distress and discussion of non‐patient family problems for analysis using orbital decomposition, an analytic technique based on symbolic dynamics in which categorical time series data are used to identify amount of complexity present and recurrent patterns of strings.ResultsVisits were more linear if family members were present. When family members were present, 90‐second strings of preventive services and evaluation/feedback were observed while 90 seconds of exercise discussion occurred when they were absent. Visits without family members tended to include more chatting, compliance discussion and nutrition counselling, while those with family members included more patient questions and evaluation/feedback. Finally, the sequence of history‐to‐planning‐to‐evaluation was observed when family were absent, but evaluation‐to‐planning‐to‐history when family were present.ConclusionThe presence of a family member was associated with increased linearity and recurrent patterns that focused more on evaluation/feedback, preventive services, and patient questions, and less on chatting, exercise, compliance and nutrition in diabetic encounters.
An improved method for estimating the median annual flood for small ungauged catchments in the United Kingdom
Authors: MacDonald D.E. , Fraser R.J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper presents a new regression equation to estimate the median annual maximum instantaneous flow (QMED) for small ungauged catchments in the UK. The regression equation utilises catchment descriptors that have been used extensively for flood and low‐flow hydrology. To derive this equation, a database of 135 gauging stations that drain areas ranging from 0.5 to 25 km2 has been compiled. This is a larger dataset than has been used in previous equivalent studies. Predictions from the new QMED equation were compared to other widely used flood estimation methods, showing a significant improvement in accuracy in some cases. The merits of including a descriptor quantifying urbanisation in the new regression equation are also discussed.
Monitoring and quantifying dynamic physiological processes in live neurons using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching
Authors: Staras Kevin , Mikulincer Dan , Gitler Daniel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe direct visualization of subcellular dynamic processes is often hampered by limitations in the resolving power achievable with conventional microscopy techniques. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching has emerged as a highly informative approach to address this challenge, permitting the quantitative measurement of the movement of small organelles and proteins in living functioning cells, and offering detailed insights into fundamental cellular phenomena of physiological importance. In recent years, its implementation has benefited from the increasing availability of confocal microscopy systems and of powerful labeling techniques based on genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or other chemical markers. In this review, we present fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and related techniques in the context of contemporary neurobiological research and discuss quantitative and semi‐quantitative approaches to their interpretation.
Improvements in smoothness of chewing cycles in adults with mandibular prognathism after surgery: a longitudinal study
Authors: Yashiro K. , Takada K. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryAlthough adults with mandibular prognathism are known to show impaired smoothness of masticatory jaw movements, it remains uncertain whether/how the surgical‐orthodontic treatment is effective to improve masticatory jaw movements. The aims of this study were (i) to verify whether the surgical‐orthodontic treatment of patients with mandibular prognathism improve smoothness of the chewing jaw movements post‐operatively and, if so, (ii) to examine whether the improved parameters show similar quantities as those of the control subjects. The chewing jaw movements for 13 patients with mandibular prognathism were recorded at pre‐ and post‐treatment stages. The patient group was divided into two groups: Class IIIclosed showed full occlusal contact at the habitual intercuspal position, whereas Class IIIopen showed inability of occlusal contact between the upper and lower anterior teeth. The control group (CG) consisted of 52 subjects having acceptably good occlusion. The normalised jerk cost (NJC), movement duration and peak velocity in jaw closing were compared. For both Class IIIopen and Class IIIclosed groups, statistical comparisons revealed that the NJC and movement duration were decreased after the treatment, whereas the peak velocity was increased (all P < 0·01). For the Class IIIopen, these quantities at the post‐treatment stage did not show any significant differences compared with those for the CG. It is concluded that the smoothness of chewing jaw movements for patient with mandibular prognathism were improved after treatment, and for the patients with anterior open bite at pre‐treatment, the post‐operatively achieved smoothness of jaw‐closing movements did not differ from those of the CG.
Bispinodinium angelaceum gen. et sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate from the seafloor off Mageshima Island, Japan1
Authors: Yamada Norico , Terada Ryuta , Tanaka Ayumi , Horiguchi Takeo 
Published: March 2013

A new athecate dinoflagellate, Bispinodinium angelaceum N. Yamada et Horiguchi gen. et sp. nov., is described from a sand sample collected on the seafloor at a depth of 36 m off Mageshima Island, subtropical Japan. The dinoflagellate is dorsiventrally compressed and axi‐symmetric along the sulcus. The morphology resembles that of the genus Amphidinium sensu lato by having a small epicone that is less than one third of the total cell length. However, it has a new type of apical groove, the path of which traces the outline of a magnifying glass. The circular component of this path forms a complete circle in the center of the epicone and the straight “handle” runs from the sulcus to the circular component. Inside the cell, a pair of elongated fibrous structure termed here the “spinoid apparatus” extends from just beneath the circular apical groove to a point near the nucleus. Each of two paired structures consists of at least 10 hyaline fibers and this is a novel structure found in dinoflagellates. Phylogenetic analyses based on the SSU and LSU RNA genes did not show any high bootstrap affinities with currently known athecate dinoflagellates. On the basis of its novel morphological features and molecular signal, we conclude that this dinoflagellate should be described as a new species belonging to a new genus.
Having to stop driving at night because of dangerous sleepiness – awareness, physiology and behaviour
Authors: Åkerstedt TorbjÖrn , Hallvig David , Anund Anna , Fors Carina , Schwarz Johanna , Kecklund Göran 
Published: March 2013

SummaryA large number of accidents are due to the driver falling asleep at the wheel, but details of this link have not been studied on a real road. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development of sleepiness indicators, leading to the drive being terminated prematurely by the onboard expert driving instructor because of imminent danger. Eighteen individuals participated during a day drive and a night drive on a motorway (both 90 min). Eight drivers terminated (N) prematurely (after 43 min) because of sleep‐related imminent danger [according to the driving instructor or their own judgement (two cases)]. The results showed very high sleepiness ratings (8.5 units on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) immediately before termination (<7 at a similar time interval for those 10 who completed the drive). Group N also showed significantly higher levels of sleep intrusions on the electroencephalography/electro‐oculography (EEG/EOG) than those who completed the drive (group C). The sleep intrusions were increased in group N during the first 40 min of the night drive. During the day drive, sleep intrusions were increased significantly in group N. The night drive showed significant increases of all sleepiness indicators compared to the day drive, but also reduced speed and driving to the left in the lane. It was concluded that 44% of drivers during late‐night driving became dangerously sleepy, and that this group showed higher perceived sleepiness and more sleep intrusions in the EEG/EOG.
Genetic and environmental influences on sleep quality in middle‐aged men: a twin study
Authors: Genderson Margo R. , Rana Brinda K. , Panizzon Matthew S. , Grant Michael D. , Toomey Rosemary , Jacobson Kristen C. , Xian Hong , Cronin‐Golomb Alice , Franz Carol E. , Kremen William S. , Lyons Michael J. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryPoor sleep quality is a risk factor for a number of cognitive and physiological age‐related disorders. Identifying factors underlying sleep quality are important in understanding the etiology of these age‐related health disorders. We investigated the extent to which genes and the environment contribute to subjective sleep quality in middle‐aged male twins using the classical twin design. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep quality in 1218 middle‐aged twin men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (mean age = 55.4 years; range 51–60; 339 monozygotic twin pairs, 257 dizygotic twin pairs, 26 unpaired twins). The mean PSQI global score was 5.6 [SD = 3.6; range 0–20]. Based on univariate twin models, 34% of variability in the global PSQI score was due to additive genetic effects (heritability) and 66% was attributed to individual‐specific environmental factors. Common environment did not contribute to the variability. Similarly, the heritability of poor sleep—a dichotomous measure based on the cut‐off of global PSQI>5—was 31%, with no contribution of the common environment. Heritability of six of the seven PSQI component scores (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction) ranged from 0.15 to 0.31, whereas no genetic influences contributed to the use of sleeping medication. Additive genetic influences contribute to approximately one‐third of the variability of global subjective sleep quality. Our results in middle‐aged men constitute a first step towards examination of the genetic relationship between sleep and other facets of aging.
Silicon–vegetation interaction in multiple ecosystems: a review
Authors: Schoelynck Jonas , Müller Frauke , Vandevenne Floor , Bal Kris , Barão Lúcia , Smis Adriaan , Opdekamp Wout , Meire Patrick , Struyf Eric 
Published: March 2013

AbstractQuestionHow does the interaction between silicon (Si) and vegetation affect local and global ecological processes, higher levels of ecological organization, and terrestrial‐ and watershed‐scale Si fluxes?LocationWe selected several ecosystems throughout the world, from river headwaters to estuaries, being examples of (i) terrestrial vegetation, (ii) aquatic and floodplain vegetation, and (iii) tidal wetland vegetation.MethodsWe provide examples of the importance of linking Si use by terrestrial and aquatic vegetation, to larger‐scale Si flux consequences towards and through rivers. Cross‐disciplinary studies achieve the best understanding of vegetation effects on the global Si cycle, and the role of Si as a plant functional trait.ConclusionSi use by plants has not always received the research attention of other elements. Yet, today the importance of Si for plant functioning is slowly becoming better understood. Silicon is a crucial element for many plant species, being important for decomposition processes, plant competitiveness and stress tolerance. The inclusion by vegetation scientists of Si uptake as a plant functional trait is important to assess links between plant physiology, plant distribution and plant tolerance to environmental changes, but also to understand the role of vegetation on Si fluxes through the watershed. However, lack of knowledge regarding the biological control of the Si cycle hinders accurate quantification. Only a concerted effort bringing scientists together from a broad array of disciplines will provide this new direction for research on vegetation–Si cycling.
Small‐scale disturbance and stand structure dynamics in an old‐growth Picea abies forest over 54 yr in central Sweden
Authors: Hytteborn Håkan , Verwijst Theo 
Published: March 2013

AbstractQuestionsCan assumptions of the existence of spatially distinct patches (delineated structurally homogeneous parts of the forest, being either areas consisting of canopy trees or areas without canopy trees but in an early or later regenerative phase) and of directional development over time of the vegetation in such patches, as implied by current theory of storm gap dynamics, be verified by remapping previous study sites?LocationNatural, unmanaged boreo‐nemoral spruce‐dominated forest in eastern central Sweden.MethodsBy re‐mapping three plots, ca, 50 yr after the first inventory, we studied the structure and dynamics of gaps (patches without canopy tree cover) and major tree populations. The old and new maps allowed us to compare two independent assessments of the forest dynamics: one based on tree population changes and one on changes in gap area over time.ResultsThe current population structure could partly be described through the earlier‐encountered structures of the different tree populations and consecutive processes of recruitment and mortality. However, the re‐mapping exercise showed that spatially delineated patches did not develop directionally over time, nor was their development spatially discrete.ConclusionsPatch dynamics proceeds in such a way that the fate of a single patch may depend on the development of neighbouring patches. As gaps may partly close or merge into larger gaps, and as gap disappearance rate is a function of actual gap size, performance of an initially delimited patch is largely determined by developments in neighbouring patches and cannot be predicted from its momentary patch characteristics. Consequently, we propose an ‘open matrix model’ to describe the changes in a boreo‐nemoral spruce forest, rather than a ‘storm gap dynamics’ model.
Cardiac Microvascular Rarefaction in Hyperthyroidism‐Induced Left Ventricle Dysfunction
Authors: Freitas Felipe , Estato Vanessa , Carvalho Vinícius Frias , Torres Rafael Carvalho , Lessa Marcos Adriano , Tibiriçá Eduardo 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe pathophysiology underlying hyperthyroidism‐induced left ventricle (LV) dysfunction and hypertrophy directly involves the heart and indirectly involves the neuroendocrine systems. The effects of hyperthyroidism on the microcirculation are still controversial in experimental models. We investigated the effects of hyperthyroidism on the cardiac function and microcirculation of an experimental rat model.MethodsMale Wistar rats (170–250 g) were divided into two groups: the euthyroid group (n = 10), which was treated with 0.9% saline solution, and the hyperthyroid group (n = 10), which was treated with l‐thyroxine (600 μg/kg/day, i.p.) during 14 days. An echocardiographic study was performed to evaluate the alterations in cardiac function, structure and geometry. The structural capillary density and the expression of angiotensin II AT1 receptor in the LV were analyzed using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, respectively.ResultsHyperthyroidism was found to induce profound cardiovascular alterations, such as systolic hypertension, tachycardia, LV dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis. This study demonstrates the existence of structural capillary rarefaction and the down‐regulation of the cardiac angiotensin II AT1 receptor in the myocardium of hyperthyroid rats in comparison with euthyroid rats.ConclusionsMicrovascular rarefaction may be involved in the pathophysiology of hyperthyroidism‐induced cardiovascular alterations.
Hydrogen Peroxide Mediates Endothelium‐Dependent Dilation of Coronary Arterioles in Obese Rats on a Low‐Carbohydrate Diet
Authors: Focardi Marta , Picchi Andrea , Donnini Sandra , Cameli Matteo , Ziche Marina , Marzilli Mario , Mondillo Sergio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveEndothelium‐dependent vasodilation of coronary arterioles is impaired in obese rats and may be improved by a LCD. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which this improvement occurs.MethodsWe used four groups of male Zucker rats: lean and obese on either SD or LCD. Coronary arterioles were cannulated and pressurized for diameter measurements during administration of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside or during flow. Real‐time PCR was performed to quantify mRNA expression of CuZnSOD and catalase.ResultsThe LCD significantly increased endothelium‐dependent dilation in the obese rats. l‐NAME and indomethacin reduced responses to flow and acetylcholine in the lean rats without any effect on the obese on either diet. In contrast, TEA and catalase blocked flow‐dependent and acetylcholine‐induced dilation in the obese on either diet, while no effect was observed on the lean. The LCD in the obese significantly up‐regulated catalase mRNA expression and slightly increased CuZnSOD mRNA levels.ConclusionsA LCD improves endothelium‐dependent vasodilation of coronary arterioles in obese rats through the production of H2O2 which acts as a hyperpolarizing factor, independent of nitric oxide and PGI2.
On‐eye optical quality of daily disposable contact lenses for different wearing times
Authors: Montés‐Micó Robert , Belda‐Salmerón Lurdes , Ferrer‐Blasco Teresa , Albarrán‐Diego César , García‐Lázaro Santiago 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPurposeTo quantify the optical quality of various daily disposable contact lenses in vivo and to ascertain its variation in terms of wearing time by means of objective non‐invasive determination of wavefront patterns.MethodsThe crx1 adaptive‐optics system was used to measure the wavefront aberrations in 15 myopic eyes before and at 2‐h intervals after contact lens fitting, over a 12‐h wearing period. Seven types of contact lenses having different material, water content and lens design were evaluated in this study: Dailies Total1, Dailies AquaComfort Plus, Proclear 1 Day, 1‐Day Acuvue TruEye, 1‐Day Acuvue moist, SofLens daily disposable and Clariti 1‐Day. The aberration data were analysed by fitting Zernike polynomials up to the 5th‐order for 3 and 5‐mm pupils. The optical quality under each condition and at each point in time was described by means of the Root‐Mean‐Square (RMS) value of wavefront aberration, Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Point Spread Function and cut‐off spatial frequency.ResultsA RMS increase was observed after contact lens fitting as well as over time, both for a 3‐mm and a 5‐mm pupil. Each type of lens induced a different amount of wavefront aberrations, which vary over time also in a different manner. Dailies Total1 showed the lowest RMS values both at baseline and at the end of the day. In addition, Dailies Total1 provided the best MTF out of all the contact lenses that were assessed. These observations were reflected in higher cut‐off spatial frequencies and visual resolution both at baseline and after 12 h of wearing time.ConclusionsAberrometry makes it possible to analyse accurately and in vivo the optical quality of contact lenses and to assess how lenses having different characteristics – such as material or water content – behave for different wearing times. These variations across contact lenses may result in differences in visual performance.