bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary fiber intake and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies
Authors: Wang Chun-Hui , Qiao Chong , Wang Ruo-Chen , Zhou Wen-Ping 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEvidence on the association between dietary fiber intake and pancreatic cancer risk has been controversial. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to summarize available evidence from epidemiologic studies on this point. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases as well as by reviewing the rence lists of relevant articles. Random or fixed-effects model was used to calculate the summary risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This meta-analysis included one cohort and thirteen case-control studies which involving a total of 3287 subjects with pancreatic cancer. After summarizing the risk estimates of these studies, we yielded a significant association between dietary fiber intake and pancreatic cancer risk among case-control studies (odds ratio = 0.54; 95%CI = 0.44–0.67; I2 = 41.4%; P = 0.043) but a non-significant result in cohort study (hazard ratio = 1.01; 95%CI = 0.59–1.74). Additionally, significant inverse associations were observed when we carried out the stratify analyses by the study characteristics and adjustment for potential confounders among case-control studies. Given only one cohort study included in the present meta-analysis, further prospective-designed studies should validate our findings and report more detail results, including those for subtypes of fiber, the risk estimates which corrected the impact of measurement errors and fully adjust for the potential confounders.
Measurements of the near-nucleus coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Alice far-ultraviolet spectrograph on Rosetta
Authors: Feldman Paul D. , A’Hearn Michael F. , Bertaux Jean-Loup , Feaga Lori M. , Parker Joel Wm. , Schindhelm Rebecca , Steffl Andrew J. , Alan Stern S. , Weaver Harold A. , Sierks Holger , Vincent Jean-Baptiste 
Published: June 2015

Aims. The Alice far-ultraviolet spectrograph onboard Rosetta is designed to observe emissions from various atomic and molecular species from within the coma of comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko and to determine their spatial distribution and evolution with time and heliocentric distance.
Methods. Following orbit insertion in August 2014, Alice made observations of the inner coma above the limbs of the nucleus of the comet from cometocentric distances varying between 10 and 80 km. Depending on the position and orientation of the slit relative to the nucleus, emissions of atomic hydrogen and oxygen were initially detected. These emissions are spatially localized close to the nucleus and spatially variable with a strong enhancement above the comet’s neck at northern latitudes. Weaker emission from atomic carbon and CO were subsequently detected.
Results. Analysis of the relative line intensities suggests photoelectron impact dissociation of H2O vapor as the source of the observed H i and O i emissions. The electrons are produced by photoionization of H2O. The observed C i emissions are also attributed to electron impact dissociation, of CO2, and their relative brightness to H i reflects the variation of CO2 to H2O column abundance in the coma.
A tyrosine-based motif in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein tail mediates cell-type– and Rab11-FIP1C–dependent incorporation into virions
Authors: Qi Mingli , Chu Hin , Chen Xuemin , Choi Junghwa , Wen Xiaoyun , Hammonds Jason , Ding Lingmei , Hunter Eric , Spearman Paul 
Published: June 2015

Significance
The mechanism of incorporation of the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) into a developing particle is not well understood. We used a previously identified cellular trafficking factor, Rab11-FIP1C, as a probe to identify a key motif in the Env cytoplasmic tail that is essential for Env incorporation into particles. We show that this motif governs the cell-type–specific incorporation of Env into particles and the appearance of Env at the particle budding site. Our results provide key insights into how HIV Env is incorporated into budding particles and support an important role for FIP1C in this process.
Synthesis of double-fluorescent labeled prion protein for FRET analysis
Authors: Hosokawa-Muto Junji , Yamaguchi Kei-ichi , Kamatari Yuji O , Kuwata Kazuo 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
An abnormal form of prion protein (PrP) is considered to be the pathogen in prion diseases. However, the structural details of this abnormal form are not known. To characterize the non-native structure of PrP, we synthesized position-specific double-fluorescent labeled PrP for a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiment. Using FRET, we observed a conformational change in the labeled PrP associated with amyloid fibril formation. The FRET analysis indicated that the distance between fluorescent labeled N- and C-terminal sites of PrP increased upon the formation of amyloid fibrils compared with that of the native state. This approach using FRET analysis is useful for elucidating the structure of abnormal PrP.
Identification and analysis of the resorcinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster
Authors: Ooya Koichi , Ogasawara Yasushi , Noike Motoyoshi , Dairi Tohru 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Resorcinomycin (1) is composed of a nonproteinogenic amino acid, (S)-2-(3,5-dihydroxy-4-isopropylphenyl)-2-guanidinoacetic acid (2), and glycine. A biosynthetic gene cluster was identified in a genome database of Streptoverticillium roseoverticillatum by searching for orthologs of the genes responsible for biosynthesis of pheganomycin (3), which possesses a (2)-derivative at its N-terminus. The cluster contained a gene encoding an ATP-grasp-ligase (res5), which was suggested to catalyze the peptide bond formation between 2 and glycine. A res5-deletion mutant lost 1 productivity but accumulated 2 in the culture broth. However, recombinant RES5 did not show catalytic activity to form 1 with 2 and glycine as substrates. Moreover, heterologous expression of the cluster resulted in accumulation of only 2 and no production of 1 was observed. These results suggested that a peptide with glycine at its N-terminus may be used as a nucleophile and then maturated by a peptidase encoded by a gene outside of the cluster.
Responsiveness of Crop Yield and Acreage to Prices and Climate
Authors: Miao Ruiqing , Khanna Madhu , Huang Haixiao 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe investigate the effect of crop price and climate variables on rainfed corn and soybean yields and acreage in the United States using a large panel dataset for the 1977–2007 period. Instrumental variables are used to control for endogeneity of prices in yield and acreage regressions, while allowing for spatially auto‐correlated errors. We find that an increase in corn price has a statistically significant positive impact on corn yield, but the effect of soybean price on soybean yields is not statistically significant. The estimated price elasticities of corn yield and acreage are 0.23 and 0.45, respectively. Of the increase in corn supply caused by an increase in corn price, we find that 33.8% is due to price‐induced yield enhancement and 66.2% is due to price‐induced acreage expansion. We also find that the impact of climate change on corn production ranges from −7% to −41% and on soybean ranges from −8% to −45%, depending on the climate change scenarios, time horizon, and global climate models used to predict climate change. We show that the aggregate net impact of omitting price variables is an overestimation of the effect of climate change on corn yield by up to 9% and on soybean yield by up to 15%.
Infection of newly recruited American eels (Anguilla rostrata) by the invasive swimbladder parasite Anguillicoloides crassus in a US Atlantic tidal creek
Authors: Hein Jennifer L. , de Buron Isaure , Roumillat William A. , Post William C. , Hazel Allan P. , Arnott Stephen A. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Little is known about the infection status of glass eel and elver stages of the American eel Anguilla rostrata by the invasive swimbladder parasite Anguillicoloides crassus. This study examined infection by adult and larval A. crassus in glass eels (n = 274) and elvers (n = 199) collected during March–December 2013 from an eel ladder at a dammed creek near Charleston, SC, USA. Among all the eels examined [total lengths (TLs), 34–156 mm], the prevalence (±SE), mean abundance, and mean intensity of A. crassus worms was 29.4 ± 2.1%, 0.88 ± 0.12, and 2.98 ± 0.34, respectively. Infection by A. crassus was not detected in the earliest glass eel development stages (pigment stages 1–3), but it was detected in more advanced stages (pigment stages 4–7) and fully pigmented elvers. From March to July, parasite prevalence increased significantly with eel TL, and all eels 125 mm or longer (n = 13) were infected. From August–December, when fewer eels were caught, parasite prevalence was generally lower and less dependent on the eel TL. Our study demonstrates the potential risk of spreading A. crassus to new areas by transporting live glass eels and elvers. This is of particular relevance because our study site was located in the Cooper River drainage, one of the few locations in the USA that permits a glass eel harvest.
Cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl Metomidate
Authors: Santer Peter , Pejo Ervin , Feng Yan , Chao Wei , Raines Douglas E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAbstract
A 1-h cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate infusion produced less suppression of adrenocortical steroid synthesis, less elevated plasma inflammatory cytokine concentrations, and lower mortality than did an etomidate infusion in an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide rat model of sepsis.

Background:
Cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate (CPMM) is a rapidly metabolized etomidate analog that is currently in clinical trials. The goal of this study is to assess CPMM’s potential value as an anesthetic agent for use in patients with sepsis by defining its actions in an acute inflammatory model of sepsis.

Methods:

Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously into Sprague–Dawley rats. Thirty minutes later, CPMM, etomidate, or vehicle (n = 8 per group) was infused for 1 h. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and cytokine (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α) concentrations were measured before, during, and after infusion.

Results:
After lipopolysaccharide injection, adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations changed similarly over time in all three groups. Compared with vehicle group rats, CPMM group rats had significantly lower corticosterone concentrations at only a single study time point during infusion and no significant differences in cytokine concentrations at any time during the study period. Compared with etomidate group rats, CPMM group rats had significantly higher corticosterone concentrations (up to nine-fold) during and after hypnotic infusion. Cytokine concentrations in CPMM group rats and vehicle group rats were not significantly different, but they were significantly lower than those in etomidate group rats. Postinfusion mortality was 40% in etomidate group rats and 0% in CPMM and vehicle group rats.

Conclusion:
Compared with etomidate, CPMM produces less adrenocortical suppression, lower plasma cytokine concentrations, and improved survival in a lipopolysaccharide inflammatory model of sepsis. These results suggest that CPMM may be a safer alternative to etomidate in patients with sepsis.
Why individualized contact policies are critical in the mass affluent market
Authors: Bitran Gabriel , Mondschein Susana 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal contact policies for customers that belong to the mass affluent market.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors formulate a stochastic dynamic programming model to determine the optimal frequency of contacts in order to maximize the expected return of the company.

Findings
The authors show that personalized marketing strategies provide a competitive advantage to companies that contact their customers directly through, for example, phone calls or meetings. The authors show that a threshold policy is only optimal for customers with increasing sensitivity to contact. In all other cases, optimal policies might have a less intuitive structure. The authors also study the importance of the size of the customer database and determine the optimal maximum recency when maintenance costs are present.

Practical implications
Contact policies should be tailored for each company/industry individually, due to their sensitivity to customers’ purchasing behavior.
Work-life interface of Portuguese international business travelers
Authors: Pinto Luísa Helena , Maia Helena Salgueirinho 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the narratives of the work-life interface (WLI) of Portuguese international business travelers.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews with 14 Portuguese international business travelers were conducted to expose the narratives of the WLI in terms of demands, resources, and coping and how these work-life events shape work-identity.

Findings
The findings show that: work-life events are interconnected and are sources of conflict and enrichment; work-life boundaries are personally managed and socially enacted; and WLI shapes work-identity. The analysis shows that occupational travel can be both a source of positive self-regard and fulfillment that entails high work-identity and low boundary control or a source of conflict and identity threat. In either case, work-life coping is devised to prompt self-worth.

Originality/value
Following the findings from this exploratory study, several research propositions are outlined for international business travelers, highlighting the interactions between work-life centrality, work-life boundary management and work-identity. In extending the work-life research to international business travelers this study reveals the extent to which the advancement of work-life research benefits from the theoretical and empirical contributions of the literature on work-identity.
The role of information technology in the environmental performance of the firm
Authors: Gimenez Cristina , Sierra Vicenta , Rodon Juan , Rodriguez Jorge Andres 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of information technologies (IT) in the impact of environmental practices on environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use data from the fifth (2009) round of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) which includes responses from manufacturing plants within the manufacturing industry in Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary and USA. The authors use multiple regression analysis to test the relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance and the moderating effect of IT.

Findings
The paper finds evidence that IT strengthens the relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance. The IT construct is operationalized through IT-enabled control and IT-enabled coordination. The results confirm the established relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance and show that IT-enabled coordination moderates the relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance.

Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature of green operations in the following ways: First, this paper offers an alternative explanation about the role of IT; the authors provide evidence that existing IT resources that support the coordination between product design and manufacturing strengthen the effect of environmental practices. Second, this paper provides evidence that environmental practices can take advantages of the IT resources embedded in daily plants’ routines to enhance plants’ environmental performance. Overall, this research provides suggestions to managers about the role that IT plays in the implementation of environmental practices.
Functional leaf traits of vascular epiphytes: vertical trends within the forest, intra‐ and interspecific trait variability, and taxonomic signals
Authors: Petter Gunnar , Wagner Katrin , Wanek Wolfgang , Sánchez Delgado Eduardo Javier , Zotz Gerhard , Cabral Juliano Sarmento , Kreft Holger 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Analysing functional traits along environmental gradients can improve our understanding of the mechanisms structuring plant communities. Within forests, vertical gradients in light intensity, temperature and humidity are often pronounced. Vascular epiphytes are particularly suitable for studying the influence of these vertical gradients on functional traits because they lack contact with the soil and thus individual plants are entirely exposed to different environmental conditions, from the dark and humid understorey to the sunny and dry outer canopy.

In this study, we analysed multiple aspects of the trait‐based ecology of vascular epiphytes: shifts in trait values with height above ground (as a proxy for vertical environmental gradients) at community and species level, the importance of intra‐ vs. interspecific trait variability, and trait differences among taxonomic groups. We assessed ten leaf traits for 1151 individuals belonging to 83 epiphyte species of all major taxonomic groups co‐occurring in a Panamanian lowland forest.

Community mean trait values of many leaf traits were strongly correlated with height and particularly specific leaf area and chlorophyll concentration showed nonlinear, negative trends.

Intraspecific trait variability was pronounced and accounted for one‐third of total observed trait variance. Intraspecific trait adjustments along the vertical gradient were common and seventy per cent of all species showed significant trait–height relationships. In addition, intraspecific trait variability was positively correlated with the vertical range occupied by species.

We observed significant trait differences between major taxonomic groups (orchids, ferns, aroids, bromeliads). In ferns, for instance, leaf dry matter content was almost twofold higher than in the other taxonomic groups. This indicates that some leaf traits are taxonomically conserved.

Our study demonstrates that vertical environmental gradients strongly influence functional traits of vascular epiphytes. In order to understand community composition along such gradients, it is central to study several aspects of trait‐based ecology, including both community and intraspecific trends of multiple traits.
Response of bacterial colonization in Nematostella vectensis to development, environment and biogeography
Authors: Mortzfeld Benedikt M. , Urbanski Szymon , Reitzel Adam M. , Künzel Sven , Technau Ulrich , Fraune Sebastian 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe establishment of host–bacterial colonization during development is a fundamental process influencing the fitness of many organisms, but the factors controlling community membership and influencing the establishment of the microbial ecosystem during development are poorly understood. The starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis serves as a cnidarian model organism due to the availability of laboratory cultures and its high tolerance for broad ranges of salinity and temperature. Here, we show that the anemone's epithelia are colonized by diverse bacterial communities and that the composition of its microbiota is tightly coupled to host development. Environmental variations led to robust adjustments in the microbial composition while still maintaining the ontogenetic core signature. In addition, analysis of bacterial communities of Nematostella polyps from five different populations revealed a strong correlation between host biogeography and bacterial diversity despite years of laboratory culturing. These observed variations in fine‐scale community composition following environmental change and for individuals from different geographic origins could represent the microbiome's contribution to host acclimation and potentially adaptation, respectively, and thereby contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis due to environmental changes.
Concentration and retention of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by marine snails demonstrate a novel mechanism for transmission of terrestrial zoonotic pathogens in coastal ecosystems
Authors: Krusor Colin , Smith Woutrina A. , Tinker M. Tim , Silver Mary , Conrad Patricia A. , Shapiro Karen 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe parasite Toxoplasma gondii is an environmentally persistent pathogen that can cause fatal disease in humans, terrestrial warm‐blooded animals and aquatic mammals. Although an association between T. gondii exposure and prey specialization on marine snails was identified in threatened California sea otters, the ability of kelp‐dwelling snails to transmit terrestrially derived pathogens has not been previously investigated. The objective of this study was to measure concentration and retention of T. gondii by marine snails in laboratory aquaria, and to test for natural T. gondii contamination in field‐collected snails. Following exposure to T. gondii‐containing seawater, oocysts were detected by microscopy in snail faeces and tissues for 10 and 3 days respectively. Nested polymerase chain reaction was also applied as a method for confirming putative T. gondii oocysts detected in snail faeces and tissues by microscopy. Toxoplasma gondii was not detected in field‐collected snails. Results suggest that turban snails are competent transport hosts for T. gondii. By concentrating oocysts in faecal pellets, snails may facilitate entry of T. gondii into the nearshore marine food web. This novel mechanism also represents a general pathway by which marine transmission of terrestrially derived microorganisms can be mediated via pathogen concentration and retention by benthic invertebrates.
Population dynamics of Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in Sikhote‐Alin Biosphere Zapovednik: 1966–2012
Authors: MIQUELLE Dale G. , SMIRNOV Evgeny N. , ZAUMYSLOVA Olga Yu. , SOUTYRINA Svetlana V. , JOHNSON Douglas H. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn 2010, the world's tiger (Panthera tigris) range countries agreed to the goal of doubling tiger numbers over 12 years, but whether such an increase is biologically feasible has not been assessed. Long‐term monitoring of tigers in Sikhote‐Alin Biosphere Zapovednik (SABZ), Russia provided an opportunity to determine growth rates of a recovering population. A 41‐year growth phase was followed by a rapid decline in tiger numbers. Annual growth rates during the growth phase averaged 4.6%, beginning near 10% in the earliest years but quickly dropping below 5%. Sex ratio (females per male) mirrored growth rates, declining as population size increased. The rapid decline from 2009 to 2012 appeared to be tied to multiple factors, including poaching, severe winters and disease. Reproductive indicators of this population are similar to those of Bengal tiger populations, suggesting that growth rates may be similar. These results suggest that, first, tiger populations likely in general grow slowly: 3–5% yearly increases are realistic and larger growth rates are likely only when populations are highly depressed, mortality rates are low and prey populations are high relative to numbers of adult females. Second, while more research is needed, it should not be assumed that tiger populations with high prey densities will necessarily grow more quickly than populations with low prey densities. Third, while growth is slow, decline can be rapid. Fourth, because declines can happen so quickly, there is a constant need to monitor populations and be ready to respond with appropriate and timely conservation interventions if tiger populations are to remain secure. Finally, an average annual growth rate across all tiger populations of 6%, required to reach the Global Tiger Initiative's goal of doubling tiger numbers in 12 years, is a noble but unlikely scenario.