bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the invadedness of protected areas
Authors: Iacona Gwenllian D. , Price Franklin D. , Armsworth Paul R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimInvasive species management is an expensive priority on many protected areas but the magnitude of invasion can vary drastically from site to site. Conservation planners must consider this variability when they plan for treatment across multiple protected areas. We examine the scope for predicting site invadedness and management costs from common protected area characteristics, a method that could be used to estimate the future management needs of a protected area network.LocationThree hundred and sixty‐five protected areas across the state of Florida, USA.MethodsWe use data on invasive plant cover and protected area features to predict invadedness and invasive species management funding allocation in a multiple regression framework. We then examine the relationship between invadedness and funding on a subset of 46 of the protected areas.ResultsInvadedness (relative proportion of a protected area that is covered by invasive plants) was related to the size of a protected area and the number of surrounding households. However, the explained variation (9–50%) depended on the type of species occurrence data used; with models using approximated data on the area infested able to explain more of the variation than those that included data with GIS‐calculated area infested. Cumulative funding investment at a protected area was also predicted by the number of surrounding households and protected area size. Yet, funding and invadedness were not correlated with one another.Main conclusionsReadily available data on protected area features were statistically related to variation in the invadedness of a protected area and were also associated with past management expenditures. This does not translate into a clear relationship between current invadedness and past expenditures, however. Our results suggest that basing predictions of future costs on current funding may not accurately represent budgetary needs.
When Governance Gets Going: Certifying ‘Better Cotton’ and ‘Better Sugarcane’
Authors: Sneyd Adam 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTAs many new certification systems for commodities have been established over the past decade, scholars have devoted sustained attention to the ways that these multi‐stakeholder governance initiatives have transformed the industries in which they were launched. With a few notable exceptions, studies in this area have continued to focus on the development and impacts of new governance mechanisms, and on the sectoral or industrial changes that have ensued. In contrast to these ‘inside‐out’ perspectives on governance innovation and change, this article considers how two prominent yet relatively under‐studied commodity governance initiatives have been shaped by the broader political economic order in which they operate. To offer an ‘outside‐in’ account of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Bonsucro (formerly the Better Sugarcane Initiative), the article details recent changes in what the author terms the ‘world commodity order’, and situates the BCI and Bonsucro within this order. From this vantage point, the author ultimately makes two analytical claims: (i) that the world commodity order has not precluded the differential institutionalization of these initiatives; and (ii) that aspects of the order have circumscribed the potential of the BCI and Bonsucro to deliver pro‐poor business practices.
Ischaemic heart disease in first‐degree relatives to coeliac patients
Authors: Emilsson Louise , James Stefan , Ludvigsson Jonas F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveCoeliac disease (CD) has been linked to an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We examined the risk of IHD in first‐degree relatives and spouses to coeliac patients to ascertain the genetic contribution to IHD excess risk.Study design and settingCoeliac disease was defined as having a biopsy‐verified villous atrophy (Marsh grade 3) in 1969–2008 (n = 29 096). Coeliac patients were matched to 144 522 controls. Through Swedish registers, we identified all first‐degree relatives and spouses to coeliac patients and their controls, in total 87 622 unique coeliac relatives and 432 655 unique control relatives. Our main outcome measure was IHD defined according to relevant international classification of disease codes in the Swedish Inpatient Registry or in the Cause of Death Registry. Hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through Cox regression adjusted for sex, age‐group and calendar year at study entry of the relative.ResultDuring a median follow‐up of 10·8 years, 2880 coeliac relatives and 13 817 control relatives experienced IHD. First‐degree relatives of coeliac patients were at increased risk of IHD (HR = 1·05; 95% CI = 1·00–1·09, P‐value = 0·04), while spouses were at no increased risk (HR = 0·99; 95% CI = 0·87–1·12). The excess risk of IHD in coeliac first‐degree relatives aged 40–59 years was 70/100 000 person‐years.ConclusionFirst‐degree relatives to coeliac patients seem to be at an increased risk of IHD but the excess risk is so small that it has little clinical relevance.
Effects of extreme, fluctuating temperature events on life history traits of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae
Authors: Jeffs Christopher T. , Leather Simon R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAltered temperatures affect insects’ life history traits, such as development period and fecundity, which ultimately determine population growth rates. Understanding insects’ thermal biology is therefore integral to population forecasting and pest management decision‐making such as when to utilise crop spraying or biological control. Aphids are important crop pests in temperate regions, causing considerable yield losses. The aphid thermal‐biology literature is, however, heavily biased towards the effects of rising mean temperatures, whereas the effects of fluctuating, extreme climatic events (e.g., heat waves and sub‐zero cold periods) are largely overlooked. This study assessed the effects of laboratory‐simulated heat waves and sub‐zero cold periods on the survival, development period, and fecundity of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae(Fabricius) (Hemiptera:Aphididae:Microsiphini), in addition to assessing maternal effects on the birth weight and development period of the offspring of exposed individuals. Exposure to heat stress periods (total of 16 h at 30 °C) significantly reduced aphid fecundity and increased physiological development period (in day‐degrees) resulting in a reduced population growth rate. Cold exposure (total of 1.33 h at −15 °C) reduced population growth rate due to an elongated development period (in days), but did not affect fecundity or physiological development period (in day‐degrees). Both cold and heat stress significantly reduced aphid survival. Maternal experience of heat stress reduced nymphal birth weight although nymphal development period was not affected by either cold or heat stress. The results suggest that including the effects of fluctuating, extreme temperature events on aphid life history in population forecast models is likely to be of great importance to pest management decision‐making. The demonstration of maternal effects on birth weight also suggests that cross‐generational effects of heat waves on population growth rates could occur.
Identification of rare and novel deletions that cause (δβ)0‐thalassaemia and hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin in Indian population
Authors: Mayuranathan Thiyagaraj , Rayabaram Janakiram , Das Reena , Arora Neeraj , Edison Eunice S. , Chandy Mammen , Srivastava Alok , Velayudhan Shaji R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectivesHereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin (HPFH) and (δβ)0‐thalassaemia are conditions caused by large deletions that involve δ‐ and β‐globin genes in the β‐globin cluster, and they are characterized by increased haemoglobin (HbF) levels in adults. Significant phenotypic diversity is observed between the different mutations that cause these conditions. Molecular characterization of these deletions is important for accurate molecular diagnosis, and they will also provide the information on the cis‐acting genetic regulatory elements present in the β‐globin cluster.MethodsWe performed gap‐PCR, multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA), quantitative fluorescent multiplex PCR (QF‐MPCR) and DNA sequencing to detect and characterize the deletions in the β‐globin cluster.ResultsWe characterized six different deletions resulting in (δβ)0‐thalassaemia or HPFH in 51 unrelated families.ConclusionWith the help of multiple genetic tools, we performed comprehensive genetic analysis of HPFH and (δβ)0‐thalassaemia in Indian population and could define the molecular basis of these conditions in this population. We also identified two novel HPFH mutations, 49.98 kb (HPFH‐9) and 86.7 kb (HPFH‐10) deletions, in this population.
Assessment of the impact of treatment on quality of life of patients with haemophilia A at different ages: insights from two clinical trials on turoctocog alfa
Authors: Santagostino E. , Lentz S. R. , Busk A. K. , Regnault A. , Iorio A. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryHaemophilia and its treatment interfere with patients' life, so health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) should be assessed when evaluating treatments. This study investigated the HRQoL of patients with haemophilia A treated prophylactically with a new recombinant factor VIII. Two phase 3 trials investigated turoctocog alfa in patients with severe haemophilia A: one in children, one in adults and adolescents. HRQoL was a secondary endpoint assessed by the HAEMO‐QOL age‐specific, self‐administered questionnaires. Parent‐completed versions were also included for parents of children and adolescents. All HAEMO‐QOL questionnaires allow the calculation of domain‐specific and total scores ranging from 0 to 100, lower scores indicating better HRQoL. Mean change in all scores was described for 25 children aged 4–7 years, 21 children aged 8–12 years, 18 adolescents aged 13–18 years and 129 adults, overall, and according to the treatment regimen received prior to the study (on‐demand; prophylaxis; mixed). Mean changes in HAEMO‐QOL total score were 1.4 for children aged 4–7 years, −2.6 for children aged 8–12 years, −5.8 for adolescents and −1.6 for adults. In parent‐completed versions, mean changes in total score were −6.0 for children aged 4–7 years, −4.7 for children aged 8–12 years, and −10.0 for adolescents. Patients receiving on‐demand treatment before the trial showed greater improvement in HRQoL scores than patients already on prophylaxis. HRQoL of patients remained fairly stable over the course of the trials. However, improvements were observed for adolescents. Switching to prophylaxis was identified as a potential driver of improvement of HRQoL in patients with haemophilia A.
Trends in the epidemiology, diagnosed age and mortality rate of haemophiliacs in Taiwan: a population‐based study, 1997–2009
Authors: Chang C.‐Y. , Yeh G.‐C. , Lin S.‐Y. , Tseng I.‐J. , Tsai C.‐H. , Lee Y.‐W. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryMany studies on epidemiology and mortality in haemophiliacs have been published in Western countries. However, few have been conducted in Asian countries. The purpose of our study was to investigate the nationwide epidemiology and mortality of haemophiliacs in Taiwan. Population‐based data from the National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2009 were analysed using SAS version 9.3. The annual prevalence of haemophilia A (HA) and haemophilia B (HB) increased steadily to 7.30 and 1.34 cases per 100000 males, respectively, in 2009. The annual crude incidence of HA and HB averaged 8.73 and 1.73 per 100000 male births respectively. During the study period, the proportion of paediatric haemophiliacs decreased from 41.5% to 28.2% and the proportion of geriatric haemophiliacs increased from 2.5% to 5.7%. Among 493 newly diagnosed cases, the peak diagnostic ages were before 3 and between ages 10 and 40. Of the 76 cases of mortality, most patients died between the ages of 18 and 60. However, an increase in the age of mortality was noted after 2005 (P = 0.033). The overall standardized crude death rate of haemophiliacs was 10.2 per 1000 people, and the standard mortality ratio was 1.98. The annual prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in haemophiliacs grossly declined from 1998 to 2009, with an average of 32.2 per 1000 haemophiliacs. This was a rare population‐based study on the epidemiology and mortality of haemophilia in a Chinese population and Asian countries. The 13‐year trends showed advances in haemophilia care in Taiwan.
Evaluation of the activated partial thromboplastin time assay for clinical monitoring of PEGylated recombinant factor VIII (BAY 94‐9027) for haemophilia A
Authors: Gu J‐M. , Ramsey P. , Evans V. , Tang L. , Apeler H. , Leong L. , Murphy J. E. , Laux V. , Myles T. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryPatients with haemophilia (PWH) are usually monitored by the one‐stage activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) factor VIII (FVIII) assay. Different aPTT activators may affect clotting time (CT) and FVIII:C levels in patients treated with PEGylated FVIII. To evaluate the characteristics of PEGylated FVIII (BAY 94‐9027) in various aPTT clotting assays, and to identify suitable aPTT reagents for monitoring BAY 94‐9027 during the treatment of PWH, BAY 94‐9027 and World Health Organization (WHO) 8th FVIII standards (WHO‐8) were spiked into pooled and individual severe haemophilia A plasma at 1.0, 0.25 and 0.05 IU mL−1. Five commercial aPTT reagents widely used in clinical laboratories were compared and evaluated for BAY 94‐9027 activity in plasma from PWH. BAY 94‐9027 and WHO‐8 bestowed similar CT and excellent precision when ellagic acid (SynthAFax, Dade Actin, and Cephascreen) aPTT reagents were used. In contrast, BAY 94‐9027 showed significantly prolonged CT and poor precision compared with WHO‐8 using silica aPTT reagents (APTT‐SP and STA PTT 5). Furthermore, free 60‐kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG), used for the conjugation of FVIII, showed a dose‐dependent prolongation of CT in the APTT‐SP assay. There was no effect on the SynthAFax‐APTT, prothrombin time, or FXIa‐initiated thrombin generation assay, demonstrating that the PEG moiety on FVIII has no general effect on the coagulation cascade. In summary, ellagic aPTT reagents (SynthAFax, Dade Actin, and Cephascreen) are most suitable for evaluating potency of BAY 94‐9027 and should be the preferred aPTT reagents used in clinical laboratories for monitoring FVIII activity after infusion of BAY 94‐9027 to PWH.
The burden of bleeding in haemophilia: is one bleed too many?
Authors: Gringeri A. , Ewenstein B. , Reininger A. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryJoint bleeding is the hallmark of haemophilia. Increasingly, the pain, restricted movement and anxiety provoked by even a single haemarthrosis are concerns for patients, families and treating physicians. The aims of this study were to determine whether the current paradigm for prophylaxis requires a shift in focus from reducing the frequency of bleeding episodes to a goal of zero bleeding and to review and discuss the published data from in vitro and animal experiments and clinical studies in patients with haemophilia that describe the impact of joint bleeding. More than two to three bleeding into the same joint may cause irreversible and progressive structural damage that compromise health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). A goal of zero bleeding episodes – or as close to zero as possible – is key to enhancing joint health and HRQoL in children and adults with haemophilia. Achieving this goal requires individualized, outcome‐based, multidisciplinary care to maximize prophylactic efficacy without increasing overall health care costs.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Co Doped MnO2 Framework with Nanofibrous Structure
Authors: Liu Ruirui , Jin Dalai , Yue Linhai 
Published: January 2014

Porous MnO2/Co composites with regular ellipse shape were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal‐decomposition method. Coembedded manganese oxalate precursors were firstly synthesized by a hydrothermal process. Then, Mn2O3/Co composites were obtained by a following precisely controlled decomposition process. After a further oxidation reaction, nanofibrous MnO2/Co composites were formed with well‐retained ellipse microframework inherited from precursors. X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) were used to characterize the composition, structure, and morphology of all the samples. The electrochemical properties of MnO2/Co were studied using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge test in 1.0 mol/L Na2SO4 electrolyte. Doping of Co in an appropriate range can improve the electrochemical performance of MnO2.
Using the theory of planned behaviour to develop targets for interventions to enhance patient communication during pharmacy consultations for non-prescription medicines
Authors: Watson Margaret C , Johnston Marie , Entwistle Vikki , Lee Amanda J , Bond Christine M , Fielding Shona 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Objective
To identify modifiable factors that influence patients' information-giving behaviour about their health during consultations with pharmacy staff.

Methods
A theory of planned behaviour questionnaire was posted to 3000 individuals randomly selected from the Scottish Electoral Register.

Results
The 927 respondents confirmed a low rate of disclosure of information about their health to pharmacy staff during their last pharmacy visit. Individuals who intended to give information about their health during pharmacy consultations were more likely to do so. Those who intended to give information during consultations had higher subjective norms than those who did not (i.e. intentions were associated with beliefs that people who were important to them, e.g. family members, doctors, thought they should give information during these consultations). Control beliefs, e.g. ‘I am confident that I will give information if I have received good advice in the past’, and behavioural beliefs, e.g. ‘If I give information I will be sold an appropriate medicine’, were not associated with intention or behaviour.

Conclusion
Future interventions to promote relevant communication between patients and pharmacy staff should target patients' subjective norms rather than control beliefs or behavioural beliefs.
Impact of 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate for induction of human regulatory T cells
Authors: Kehrmann Jan , Tatura Roman , Zeschnigk Michael , Probst‐Kepper Michael , Geffers Robert , Steinmann Joerg , Buer Jan 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe epigenetic regulation of transcription factor genes is critical for T‐cell lineage specification. A specific methylation pattern within a conserved region of the lineage specifying transcription factor gene FOXP3, the Treg‐specific demethylated region (TSDR), is restricted to regulatory T (Treg) cells and is required for stable expression of FOXP3 and suppressive function. We analysed the impact of hypomethylating agents 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on human CD4+ CD25− T cells for generating demethylation within FOXP3‐TSDR and inducing functional Treg cells. Gene expression, including lineage‐specifying transcription factors of the major T‐cell lineages and their leading cytokines, functional properties and global transcriptome changes were analysed. The FOXP3‐TSDR methylation pattern was determined by using deep amplicon bisulphite sequencing. 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine induced FOXP3‐TSDR hypomethylation and expression of the Treg‐cell‐specific genes FOXP3 and LRRC32. Proliferation of 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine‐treated cells was reduced, but the cells did not show suppressive function. Hypomethylation was not restricted to FOXP3‐TSDR and expression of master transcription factors and leading cytokines of T helper type 1 and type 17 cells were induced. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate induced global DNA hypomethylation to a lesser extent than 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycitidine, but no relevant hypomethylation within FOXP3‐TSDR or expression of Treg‐cell‐specific genes. Neither of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitors induced fully functional human Treg cells. 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycitidine‐treated cells resembled Treg cells, but they did not suppress proliferation of responder cells, which is an essential capability to be used for Treg cell transfer therapy. Using a recently developed targeted demethylation technology might be a more promising approach for the generation of functional Treg cells.
The performance of commercial banks based on a context‐dependent range‐adjusted measure model
Authors: Chiu Ching‐Ren , Chiu Yung‐Ho , Fang Chen‐Ling , Pang Rui‐zhi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPerformance measures play an important role in assisting firms to identify the right business strategies and choose the best firms for benchmarking. The scope of conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) is limited to performance improvement in the same context. A context‐dependent range‐adjusted measure (RAM) model is proposed for policy makers and bank managers to provide a reliable means of exploring operational performance in different evaluative contexts, taking into consideration negative and undesirable outputs. This empirical research utilizes three inputs and two outputs (a desirable one and an undesirable one) to measure the relative attractiveness and progress of 23 Taiwanese commercial banks in 2008. The results demonstrate the ranking of these banks based on their attractiveness and progress in different evaluative contexts, and indicate their respective market positions. The Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐ranks test shows that there is a tendency to overestimate operational efficiency when banks neglect undesirable outputs. A managerial decision‐making matrix is presented to analyze whether competitive strategies based on attractiveness and progress should be adopted by banks at levels 2 and 3.
Comparison of skin effects of immediate treatment modalities in experimentally induced hydrofluoric acid skin burns
Authors: Songur Meltem K , Akdemir Ovunc , Lineaweaver William C , Cavusoglu Turker , Ozsarac Murat , Aktug Huseyin , Songur Ecmel , Tiftikcioglu Yigit O 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHydrofluoric acid (HF) burns cause immediate damage and painful long‐term sequellae. Traditionally, chelating agents have been used as the initial treatment for such burns. We have introduced epidermal growth factor (EGF) into an HF model to compare EGF with Ca2+ and Mg2+ treatments; 40 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Each rat suffered a 6 × 4 cm2 burn induced by 40% HF. Group 1 had no treatment, group 2 had saline injected beneath the burn, group 3 received magnesium sulphate injections, group 4 received calcium gluconate and group 5 received EGF. Specimens were evaluated via planimetry and biopsy at intervals of 4, 8, 24 and 72 hours. Fluid losses were significantly less in the Mg2+ and EGF groups. The EGF group had the smallest burn area, least oedema, least polymorphonuclear granulocyte (PMN) infiltration, most angiogenesis and highest fibroblast proliferation of any group (P < 0·005). EGF limited HF damage morphologically and histologically more effectively than Ca2+ or Mg2+. This finding indicates that HF treatment via growth factors may be an improvement over chelation therapy.