bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New ischaemic brain lesions in cervical artery dissection stratified to antiplatelets or anticoagulants
Authors: Gensicke H. , Ahlhelm F. , Jung S. , von Hessling A. , Traenka C. , Goeggel Simonetti B. , Peters N. , Bonati L. H. , Fischer U. , Broeg‐Morvay A. , Seiffge D. J. , Gralla J. , Stippich C. , Baumgartner R. W. , Lyrer P. A. , Arnold M. , Engelter S. T. 
Published: February 2015

Background and purposeTo determine the frequency of new ischaemic or hemorrhagic brain lesions on early follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cervical artery dissection (CAD) and to investigate the relationship with antithrombotic treatment.MethodsThis prospective observational study included consecutive CAD patients with ischaemic or non‐ischaemic symptoms within the preceding 4 weeks. All patients had baseline brain MRI scans at the time of CAD diagnosis and follow‐up MRI scans within 30 days thereafter. Ischaemic lesions were detected by diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), intracerebral bleeds (ICBs) by paramagnetic‐susceptible sequences. Outcome measures were any new DWI lesions or ICBs on follow‐up MRI scans. Kaplan–Meier statistics and calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used for lesion occurrence, baseline characteristics and type of antithrombotic treatment (antiplatelet versus anticoagulant).ResultsSixty‐eight of 74 (92%) CAD patients were eligible for analysis. Median (interquartile range) time interval between baseline and follow‐up MRI scans was 5 (3–10) days. New DWI lesions occurred in 17 (25%) patients with a cumulative 30‐day incidence of 41.3% (standard error 8.6%). Occurrence of new DWI lesions was associated with stroke or transient ischaemic attack at presentation [7.86 (2.01–30.93)], occlusion of the dissected vessel [4.09 (1.24–13.55)] and presence of DWI lesions on baseline MRI [6.67 (1.70–26.13)]. The type of antithrombotic treatment had no impact either on occurrence of new DWI lesions [1.00 (0.32–3.15)] or on functional 6‐month outcome [1.27 (0.41–3.94)]. No new ICBs were observed.ConclusionNew ischaemic brain lesions occurred in a quarter of CAD patients, independently of the type of antithrombotic treatment. MRI findings could potentially serve as surrogate outcomes in pilot treatment trials.
Current frontiers in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis
Authors: Ciechomska Marzena , van Laar Jacob , O'Reilly Steven 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSystemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterised by vascular dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis, inflammation and fibrosis. There is no currently accepted disease‐modifying treatment with only autologous stem cell transplant showing clinically meaningful benefit. The lack of treatment options reflects our lack of understanding of the precise molecular mechanisms occurring in the disease. Recent investigations have begun to decipher the molecular pathways underpinning the different aspects of the disease and may provide a rational clinical target(s). Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of the disease is important in understanding systemic sclerosis treatment. The aim of this review was to examine the current thinking in SSc pathogenesis and will offer novel areas for research which may yield novel therapeutics.
A comparison of isoprene and monoterpene emission rates from the perennial bioenergy crops short‐rotation coppice willow and Miscanthus and the annual arable crops wheat and oilseed rape
Authors: Morrison Eilidh C. , Drewer Julia , Heal Mathew R. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBiogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) emissions from bioenergy crops may differ from those of conventional crops. We compared emission rates of isoprene and a number of monoterpenes from the lignocellulosic bioenergy crops short‐rotation coppice (SRC) willow and Miscanthus, with the conventional crops wheat and oilseed rape. BVOC emission rates were measured via dynamic vegetation enclosure and GC‐MS analysis approximately monthly between April 2010 and August 2012 at a location in England and from SRC willow at two locations in Scotland. The largest BVOC emission rates were measured from willow in England and varied between years. Isoprene emission rates varied between <lod and 1960 μg g−1 h−1. Of the monoterpenes detected from willow, α‐pinene emission rates were highest (<lod to 803 μg g−1 h−1), followed by <lod to 268 μg g−1 h−1 for δ‐3‐carene, <lod to 125 μg g−1 h−1 for β‐pinene and <lod to 80.4 μg g−1 h−1 for limonene. BVOC emission rates measured in Scotland were much lower. Low emission rates of isoprene and α‐pinene were measured from Miscanthus in 2010 (<lod to 6.42 μg g−1 h−1 and <lod to 20.8 μg g−1 h−1, respectively) but were not detected in subsequent years. Emission rates from wheat of isoprene were negligible but relatively high for monoterpenes (<lod to 422 μg g−1 h−1 and <lod to 104 μg g−1 h−1 for α‐pinene and limonene, respectively). No significant emission rates of BVOCs were measured from oilseed rape. The measured emission rates followed a clear seasonal trend. Crude extrapolations based solely on data gathered here indicate that isoprene emissions from willow could correspond to 0.004–0.03% (UK) and 0.76–5.5% (Europe) of current global isoprene if 50% of all land potentially available for bioenergy crops is planted with willow.
Usefulness of an in vitro cellular expression model for haemophilia A carrier diagnosis: illustration with five novel mutations in the F8 gene in women with isolated factor VIII:C deficiency
Authors: Roualdes O. , Nougier C. , Fretigny M. , Talagrand E. , Durand B. , Negrier C. , Vinciguerra C. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThis study aims to determine the way to predict the haemophilia A (HA) carrier status and the potential severity in six females with low FVIII:C levels (<0.50 IU mL−1), F8 gene variations and without family history of HA. Except p.Ser577Tyr, F8 gene variations that we reported have never been described (p.Leu107His, p.Pro521Leu, p.Val682Leu, p.Leu2032Pro, p.Ala315dup). Prediction of their potential causal impact was studied by two strategies: bioinformatics approaches and site‐directed mutagenesis followed by FVIII cellular expression into COS‐1 cell. FVIII clotting assay (FVIII:C) and antigen (FVIII:Ag) were assayed in vitro. In silico analysis showed the probably damaging effect of all substitutions and the full conservation of the residues across mammalian species, except for p.Leu2032Pro. The in vitro variant expression model showed abnormal intra and/or extracellular FVIII:C and FVIII:Ag levels for five mutations, which suggest their causality in HA and provide informations about the involved mechanism. We suspect a defect in synthesis and secretion for p.Leu107His, p.Ala315dup and p.Pro521Leu. The mutation p.Val682Leu only affects the FVIII function while p.Ser577Tyr alters function and synthesis. The variant p.Leu2032Pro is probably a polymorphism because no alteration of the FVIII protein expression was observed in vitro. In vitro results suggest that mutations p.Ser577Tyr and p.Ala315dup could led to a severe HA in men. This study demonstrates the ability of this in vitro cellular expression model to contribute to the diagnosis strategy for female suspected of being HA carrier, without HA family history and with a novel F8 gene variation and to provide new criteria for the genetic counselling.
Effects of B‐site Substitution on Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ba6−3xNd8+2x [Ti1−z (Ni1/3Nb2/3)z] 18O54 Ceramics
Authors: Chen Hetuo , Tang Bin , Guo Xia , Duan Shuxin , Long Yin , Li Yingxiang , Zhang Shuren 
Published: February 2015

According to the solid‐state reaction, microwave dielectric ceramics of Ba6−3xNd8+2x[Ti1−z(Ni1/3Nb2/3)z]18O54 (x = 0.75, 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.2) were fabricated. Microwave dielectric properties, including relative dielectric constant (εr), quality factor (Qf ), and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf), were investigated as a function of substitution content. As z increasing from 0 to 0.2, dielectric constant was decreased from 87.3 to 80.4, Qf value declined from 9700 to 1200 GHz, and τf dropped from +60.0 to −27.0 ppm/°C. Appropriate substitution conducted excellent microwave dielectric properties with z = 0.05 sintered at 1375°C for 2 h in air: εr = 82.25, Qf = 6100 GHz, and τf = +18 ppm/°C.
Leveraging fairness and reactance theories to deter reactive computer abuse following enhanced organisational information security policies: an empirical study of the influence of counterfactual reasoning and organisational trust
Authors: Lowry Paul Benjamin , Posey Clay , Bennett Rebecca (Becky) J. , Roberts Tom L. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractResearch shows that organisational efforts to protect their information assets from employee security threats do not always reach their full potential and may actually encourage the behaviours they attempt to thwart, such as reactive computer abuse (CA). To better understand this dilemma, we use fairness theory (FT) and reactance theory (RT) to explain why employees may blame organisations for and retaliate against enhanced information security policies (ISPs). We tested our model with 553 working professionals and found support for most of it. Our results show that organisational trust can decrease reactive CA. FT suggests that explanation adequacy (EA) is an important factor that builds trust after an event. Our results also suggest that trust both fully mediates the relationship between EA and CA and partially mediates the relationship between perceived freedom restrictions related to enhanced ISPs and reactive CA. EA also had a strong negative relationship with freedom restrictions. Moreover, organisational security education, training and awareness (SETA) initiatives decreased the perceptions of external control and freedom restrictions and increased EA, and advance notification of changes increased EA. We also included 14 control variables and rival explanations to determine with more confidence what drove reactive CA in our context. Notably, the deterrence theory (DT)‐based constructs of sanction severity, certainty and celerity had no significant influence on reactive CA. We provide support for the importance of respectful communication efforts and SETA programmes, coupled with maximising employee rights and promoting trust and fairness to decrease reactive CA. These efforts can protect organisations from falling victim to their own organisational security efforts.
Experiences of dealing with flash floods using an ensemble hydrological nowcasting chain: implications of communication, accessibility and distribution of the results
Authors: Silvestro F. , Rebora N. , Cummings G. , Ferraris L. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe forecast of flash floods is sometimes impossible. In the last two decades, Numerical Weather Prediction Systems have become increasingly reliable with significant improvements in terms of quantitative precipitation forecasts. However, despite the application of modern probabilistic hydrometeorological chains, some significant flood events remain unpredicted. This was also the case with an event that occurred on the 8th and 9th of June, 2011 in the eastern part of the Liguria Region, Italy. This event affected in particular the Entella basin, a small watershed that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The application of a hydrological nowcasting chain as a tool for predicting flash floods in small basins with an anticipation time of a few hours (2–5) is presented here. This work investigated the ‘behaviour’ of the chain in the cited event as well as in other verification cases and showed how the chain could be exploited for operational purposes. The results were encouraging. However, the analysis provided evidence that the difficulties in using operational hydrometeorological tools are not always and only dependent on the performance of such systems, but also on the way the results are made available to forecasters and on the efficiency of communication with the civil protection officials.
The EU floods directive in Sweden: opportunities for integrated and participatory flood risk planning
Authors: Hedelin B. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis study analyses the implementation of the EU Floods Directive in Sweden. The question here centres on the possibilities promoted by the directive for sustainable flood risk management, with an emphasis on integrated and participatory management forms. Key persons are interviewed, using a set of criteria for sustainable river basin management as a theoretical framework. The study shows that work in this area is guided by a wide array of values, and that the involved experts provide a broad knowledge basis for this work. The need for better coordination between authorities, pieces of legislation and policy fields however remains critical while the merits of participatory planning approaches are not yet sufficiently utilised. One of the primary tasks here is to develop a shared understanding of the formal context and roles of the process while also developing forms for effective collaboration both within the new administration and between the administration and other key actors, most importantly the municipalities. The case of Sweden can provide useful insights into this process for other member states.
Gender disparity in chronic hepatitis B: Mechanisms of sex hormones
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Han , Chen Pei‐Jer , Yeh Shiou‐Hwei 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common human pathogen transmitted worldwide, and its chronic infection is a well‐known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The sex disparity of HBV‐related liver diseases has been noticed for a long time, which could be attributed to sex hormone effects, other than gender behaviors or environmental impact. This difference is experimentally confirmed in HBV transgenic mice, as well as in immunocompetent mice receiving hydrodynamic delivery of HBV. Androgen and estrogen pathways were identified to play opposite regulations of HBV transcription by targeting viral enhancer I at molecular level. In addition to the direct effects on HBV life cycle, sex hormones may be also involved in the immune response to HBV infection and the progression of associated liver diseases, although the detailed mechanisms are still unclear. Besides, several unaddressed issues such as HBV entry, microRNA profiles, viral integration, and adaptability in which androgen and estrogen axes might be involved are warranted to be delineated. The comprehensive understanding of the sex disparity in HBV virology and pathogenesis will be helpful to provide newly biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and develop novel drugs to manage HBV‐related HCC patients.
Prediction of prevalent but not incident non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease by levels of serum testosterone
Authors: Seo Nam Kyoung , Koo Hyung suk , Haam Ji‐hee , Kim Hyung Yuk , Kim Moon Jong , Park Kyung‐Chae , Park Kye‐Seon , Kim Young‐Sang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsThe association between testosterone level and development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not well known. We examined the relationship of total testosterone level with development and regression of NAFLD.MethodsAmong the men who had undergone repeated liver ultrasonography in 2 years or more at a health promotion center, subjects with available serum testosterone level at baseline were included in the study. Alcohol consumers (> 20 g/day) were excluded from the study.ResultsAmong the 1944 men, 44.3% of subjects were diagnosed with NAFLD. Higher level of testosterone significantly lowered the prevalence of fatty liver (odds ratios per SD increase, 0.686 and 0.795 at baseline and follow‐up, respectively). During the median 4.2 years follow‐up, 22.4% of subjects in the normal group developed fatty liver, and 21.0% of subjects in the NAFLD group recovered at the follow‐up. In longitudinal analyses, higher level of testosterone was significantly associated with the development or regression of fatty liver, before adjustment for obesity and metabolic parameters. However, in the full‐adjusted model, testosterone level did not influence the development or regression of fatty liver.ConclusionsAlthough testosterone level was significantly low in the subjects with NAFLD in cross‐sectional analyses, baseline testosterone level did not independently influence the development or regression of fatty liver at the median 4.2 years follow‐up. Obesity and metabolic parameters may play key roles in the link between testosterone level and NAFLD.
Midwife‐Attended Births in the United States, 1990–2012: Results from Revised Birth Certificate Data
Authors: Declercq Eugene 
Published: February 2015

IntroductionData on attendance at birth by midwives in the United States have been available on the national level since 1989, allowing for the documentation of long‐term trends. New items on payer source and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) from a 2003 revision of the birth certificate provide an opportunity to examine additional aspects of US midwifery practice.MethodsThe data in this report are based on records on birth attendant gathered as part of the US National Standard Certificate of Live Birth from a public use Web site, Vital Stats (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/VitalStats.htm), which allows users to create and download specialized tables. Analysis of new items on prepregnancy BMI and birth payer source are limited to the 38 states (86% of US births) that adopted the revised birth certificate by 2012.ResultsBetween 1989 and 2012, the proportion of all births attended by certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs) increased from 3.3% to 7.9%. The proportion of vaginal births attended by CNMs reached an all‐time high of 11.9%. Births attended by “other midwives” (typically certified professional midwives) rose to a peak of 28,343, or 0.7% of all US births. The distribution of payer source for CNM‐attended births (44% Medicaid; 44% private insurance; 6% self‐pay) is very similar to the national distribution, whereas the majority (53%) of births attended by other midwives are self‐pay. Women whose births are attended by other midwives are less likely (13%) to have a prepregnancy BMI in the obese range than women attended by CNMs (19%) or overall (24%).DiscussionThe total number of births attended by CNMs and other midwives has remained steady or grown at a time when total US births have declined, resulting in the largest proportions of midwife‐attended births in the quarter century that such data have been collected.
“Shell as Hard as Steel” (Or, “Iron Cage”): What Exactly Did That Imagery Mean for Weber?
Authors: Douglass R. Bruce 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMax Weber did not invent the image of the iron cage; it was Talcott Parsons who created that image in preparing the first translation of The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism into English to be published. But that has not prevented it from catching on and even acquiring the status of a popular symbol of Weber's entire view of modern life. Despite its popularity, however, the image does not have a commonly accepted meaning. In part this is because of the creative uses to which it has been put by other scholars, but it is also a result of the fact that Weber himself used the German terms that were the source of Parsons’ translation in a variety of different ways over the course of his scholarly career. The purpose of this paper is to examine those uses to determine whether the meanings they convey add up to something coherent, and if so, what exactly that meaning was.
Information and Insurer Financial Strength Ratings: Do Short Sellers Anticipate Ratings Changes?
Authors: Wade Chip , Liebenberg Andre , Blau Benjamin M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRatings of financial institutions have been shown to provide informational value as stock prices generally decrease in response to ratings downgrades. Moreover, insurer's stock prices have been observed to decrease 2 days prior to downgrades, suggesting that informed trading occurs during the predowngrade period. This study examines the trading activity of short sellers surrounding insurer financial strength ratings. We show that short selling is abnormally high during the predowngrade period—indicating that short sellers can predict rating downgrades. Interestingly, we find that predowngrade short selling is driven by stocks of insurers with the most transparent balance sheets. This result suggests that while short sellers can predict rating downgrades generally, the opaqueness of an insurer's assets and liabilities can inhibit informed trading during the predowngrade period.
Assessing the Risks of Insuring Reputation Risk
Authors: Gatzert Nadine , Schmit Joan T. , Kolb Andreas 
Published: February 2015

AbstractReputation risk is becoming increasingly important, especially with the rapidly growing influence of social media, heightened scrutiny on reputation risk by banking and insurance regulators, and reputation's impact on organizational value. Insurers have responded to this development only recently by offering new reputation risk insurance solutions. The aim of this article is to present the first detailed academic analysis of these new insurance policies, including examination of the risks insurers face in offering such coverage. We also offer a conceptualization of reputation risk in an insurance and risk management context with focus on exposures, perils, and hazards. Our analysis indicates that loss identification and measurement generate the greatest challenges to insurers in providing reputation risk coverage. Lack of experience as well as the complexity of the chain of reputation risk events related to reputation insurance coverage present insurers with significant challenges in making this a viable line of business.
Melatonin induces class A1 heat‐shock factors (HSFA1s) and their possible involvement of thermotolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Shi Haitao , Tan Dun‐Xian , Reiter Russel J. , Ye Tiantian , Yang Fan , Chan Zhulong 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMelatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) serves as an important signal molecule during plant developmental processes and multiple abiotic stress responses. However, the involvement of melatonin in thermotolerance and the underlying molecular mechanism in Arabidopsis were largely unknown. In this study, we found that the endogenous melatonin level in Arabidopsis leaves was significantly induced by heat stress treatment, and exogenous melatonin treatment conferred improved thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. The transcript levels of class A1 heat‐shock factors (HSFA1s), which serve as the master regulators of heat stress responses, were significantly upregulated by heat stress and exogenous melatonin treatment in Arabidopsis. Notably, exogenous melatonin‐enhanced thermotolerance was largely alleviated in HSFA1s quadruple knockout (QK) mutants, and HSFA1s‐activated transcripts of heat‐responsive genes (HSFA2, heat stress‐associated 32 (HSA32), heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90), and 101 (HSP101)) might be contributed to melatonin‐mediated thermotolerance. Taken together, this study provided direct link between melatonin and thermotolerance and indicated the involvement of HSFA1s‐activated heat‐responsive genes in melatonin‐mediated thermotolerance in Arabidopsis.