bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protección de los créditos laborales tras una quiebra empresarial. Casos australianos
Authors: ANDERSON Helen 
Published: April 2014

ResumenEstudiando casos recientes de quiebras empresariales en los que los trabajadores lograron proteger sus créditos, la autora considera los factores que contribuyeron a dicho desenlace positivo. La comparación de esos casos con otros menos favorables para los asalariados pone de relieve la importancia de factores como el momento en que ocurren los hechos, las estrategias utilizadas, la originalidad de los métodos y medidas aplicados, la intervención de las autoridades pertinentes, la presión sindical, los intereses políticos o simplemente un concurso favorable de circunstancias, es decir, la suerte. Alguien, en alguna parte, ha hecho lo que había que hacer.
El Convenio y la Recomendación de la OIT sobre las trabajadoras y los trabajadores domésticos. Una oportunidad para la justicia social
Authors: OELZ Martin 
Published: April 2014

ResumenEl Convenio núm. 189 y la Recomendación núm. 201 de la OIT, adoptados en 2011, establecen normas laborales mínimas de aplicación universal sobre trabajo doméstico, un sector en pleno crecimiento, con un gran déficit de derechos hasta la fecha y en el que trabajan principalmente mujeres. El autor describe las normas internacionales al respecto, de derechos humanos y del trabajo, anteriores a 2011, y después analiza las disposiciones de los nuevos instrumentos (definiciones, salarios, horarios, condiciones de vida y de trabajo y seguridad social, entre otros), así como su alcance y lo que representan para mejorar la situación de estos trabajadores.
Identifying the characteristics of nurse opinion leaders to aid the integration of genetics in nursing practice
Authors: Andrews Verity , Tonkin Emma , Lancastle Deborah , Kirk Maggie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo identify the characteristics of nurses opinion leaders in the context of genetics in health care and consider the findings for the integration of genetics in nursing practice.BackgroundNurses need a basic understanding of the role genetics plays in their practice and about how best to support patients using genetic knowledge. Opinion leaders have been used previously to incorporate change initiatives and increase educational application. Identifying the characteristics of nurse opinion leaders may aid the engagement and continued integration of genetics into nursing practice.DesignA primarily quantitative approach over two phases, using online surveys conducted during 2011.MethodThis article focuses on Phase 2 of a wider study. Oncology and primary care nurses were surveyed to identify the characteristics and demographic indicators of nurse opinion leaders. Tests for data normality followed by the suitable test for group comparison was applied with significance level set at <0·05.ResultsNineteen respondents (n = 19/88; 21·6%) were categorized as opinion leaders and two subgroups were identified: Genetic Opinion Leaders and Opinion Leaders with an Interest in Genetics. Seven characteristics were deemed statistically significant (Mann–Whitney, Chi‐Square, t‐test) in identifying nurse opinion leaders, including being open to experience and having a perceived level of influence over others.ConclusionThe identified characteristics could be used to enhance the integration of genetics into nursing practice through the use of opinion leaders. Further thought needs to be given to the refinement of the identified characteristics and to the use of such a unique group of nurses.
Instream Restoration to Improve the Ecohydrologic Function of a Subalpine Meadow: Pre‐implementation Modeling with HEC‐RAS
Authors: Moore Courtney E. , Loheide Steven P. , Lowry Christopher S. , Lundquist Jessica D. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractVegetation in subalpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is particularly vulnerable to lowering of groundwater levels because wet meadow vegetation is reliant upon shallow groundwater during the dry summer growing season. These ecosystems are especially vulnerable to channel incision as meadow aquifers are hydrologically connected to tributaries, and many have not yet recovered from previous anthropogenic influences. While instream restoration projects have become a common approach, lack of postrestoration monitoring and communication often result in a trial‐and‐error approach. In this study we demonstrate that preimplementation modeling of possible instream restoration solutions, chosen to raise stream stage and subsequently groundwater levels, is a useful tool for evaluating and comparing potential channel modifications. Modeling allows us to identify strategic locations and specific methods. Results show additional sediment depth and roughness on tributaries along with introduced woody debris (simulated by high roughness) on the Tuolumne River are the most effective means of raising stream stage. Results demonstrate that restoration efforts are most efficient in tributary streams. Managers and planners can more efficiently direct resources while minimizing the potential for negative impacts or failed restoration projects by modeling the possible effects of multiple restoration scenarios before implementation.
Water Appropriation Systems for Adapting to Water Shortages in Iraq
Authors: Salman Dina A. , Amer Saud A. , Ward Frank A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractClimate variability and population growth have intensified the search internationally for measures to adapt to fluctuations in water supplies. An example can be found in the lower part of the transboundary Tigris‐Euphrates Basin where water shortages in 2008‐2009 resulted in high economic costs to irrigation farmers. Losses to irrigators in the lower basin have made a compelling case to identify flexible methods to adapt to water shortage. Few published studies have systematically examined ways to enhance the flexibility of water appropriation systems to adapt to water shortage. This article addresses an ongoing challenge in water governance by examining how profitability at both the farm and basin levels is affected by various water appropriation systems. Four water appropriation systems are compared for impacts on farm income under each of three water supply scenarios. Results show that a (1) proportional sharing of water shortages among provinces and (2) unrestricted water trading rank as the top two appropriation systems. The shadow price of water for irrigation rises from zero at a full water supply level to US$93/1,000 m3 when supply falls to 20% of full levels. Similar methods could be used to analyze challenges facing the design or implementation of water appropriation systems in the world's irrigated regions.
Hydrologic Impact Assessment of Land Cover Change and Stormwater Management Using the Hydrologic Footprint Residence
Authors: Giacomoni M.H. , Gomez R. , Berglund E.Z. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractUrbanization impacts the stormwater regime through increased runoff volumes and velocities. Detention ponds and low impact development (LID) strategies may be implemented to control stormwater runoff. Typically, mitigation strategies are designed to maintain postdevelopment peak flows at predevelopment levels for a set of design storms. Peak flow does not capture the extent of changes to the hydrologic flow regime, and the hydrologic footprint residence (HFR) was developed to calculate the area and duration of inundated land during a storm. This study couples a cellular automata land cover change model with a hydrologic and hydraulic framework to generate spatial projections of future development on the fringe of a rapidly urbanizing metropolitan area. The hydrologic flow regime is characterized for existing and projected land cover patterns under detention pond and LID‐based control, using the HFR and peak flow values. Results demonstrate that for less intense and frequent rainfall events, LID solutions are better with respect to HFR; for larger storms, detention pond strategies perform better with respect to HFR and peak flow.
Quantifying the Impact of Renewable Energy Futures on Cooling Water Use
Authors: Baker Jonathan , Strzepek Kenneth , Farmer William , Schlosser C. Adam 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis article presents an empirically based model, WiCTS (Withdrawal and Consumption for Thermoelectric Systems), to estimate regional water withdrawals and consumption implied by any electricity generation portfolio. WiTCS uses water use rates, developed at the substate level, to predict water use by scaling the rates with predicted energy generation. The capability of WiCTS is demonstrated by assessing the impact of renewable electricity generation scenarios on water use in the United States (U.S.) through 2050. The energy generation scenarios are taken from the Renewable Energy Futures Study performed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy. Results indicate reductions in water use are achieved under these renewable energy scenarios. The analysis further explores the impact of two modifications to the modeling framework. The first modification presumes geothermal and concentrated solar power generation technologies employ water‐intensive cooling systems vs. cooling technology that requires no water. The second modification presumes all water‐intensive cooling technologies use closed cycle cooling (as opposed to once‐through cooling) technologies by 2050. Results based on one of the renewable generation scenarios indicate water use increases by over 20% under the first modification, and water consumption increases by approximately 40% while water withdrawals decrease by over 85% under the second modification.
Linking Landscape Characteristics and High Stream Nitrogen in the Oregon Coast Range: Red Alder Complicates Use of Nutrient Criteria
Authors: Greathouse Effie A. , Compton Jana E. , Van Sickle John 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRed alder (Alnus rubra), a nitrogen(N)‐fixing deciduous broadleaf tree, can strongly influence N concentrations in westernOregon andWashington. We compiled a database of stream N andGIS‐derived landscape characteristics in order to examine geographic variation in N across the Oregon Coast Range. Basal area of alder, expressed as a percent of watershed area, accounted for 37% and 38% of the variation in summer nitrate and total N (TN) concentrations, respectively. Relationships between alder and nitrate were strongest in winter when streamflow and landscape connections are highest. Distance to the coast and latitude, potential surrogates for sea salt inputs, and watershed area were also related to nitrate concentrations in an all‐subsets regression analysis, which accounted for 46% of the variation in summer nitrate concentrations. The model with the lowest Akaike's Information Criterion did not include developed or agricultural land cover, probably because few watersheds in our database had substantial levels of these land cover classes. Our results provide evidence, at a regional scale, that background sources and processes cause many Coast Range streams to exceed proposed nutrient criteria, and that the prevalence of a single tree species (N‐fixing red alder) exerts a dominant control over stream N concentrations across this region.
Evolution of paternal care in diploid and haplodiploid populations
Authors: Davies N. G. , Gardner A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractW. D. Hamilton famously suggested that the inflated relatedness of full sisters under haplodiploidy explains why all workers in the social hymenoptera are female. This suggestion has not stood up to further theoretical scrutiny and is not empirically supported. Rather, it appears that altruistic sib‐rearing in the social hymenoptera is performed exclusively by females because this behaviour has its origins in parental care, which was performed exclusively by females in the ancestors of this insect group. However, haplodiploidy might still explain the sex of workers if this mode of inheritance has itself been responsible for the rarity of paternal care in this group. Here, we perform a theoretical kin selection analysis to investigate the evolution of paternal care in diploid and haplodiploid populations. We find that haplodiploidy may either inhibit or promote paternal care depending on model assumptions, but that under the most plausible scenarios it promotes – rather than inhibits – paternal care. Our analysis casts further doubt upon there being a causal link between haplodiploidy and eusociality.
S100β as an early biomarker of excitotoxic damage in spinal cord organotypic cultures
Authors: Mazzone Graciela L. , Nistri Andrea 
Published: April 2014

AbstractS100β is a cytoplasmic calcium‐binding protein mainly expressed by glia and considered to be a useful biomarker for brain or spinal cord injury. Indeed, clinical studies suggest that the S100β concentration in serum or cerebrospinal fluid may predict lesion outcome and prognosis. The relation of S100β levels to damage severity and its timecourse remains, however, unclear. This study used a validated in vitro model of spinal cord injury induced by kainate‐mediated excitotoxicity to investigate these issues. After 22 days in vitro, rat organotypic spinal cord slices were subjected to one transient application (1 h) of 1 or 100 μM kainate followed by washout. While the lower kainate concentration did not evoke neuronal loss or S100β increase, the larger concentration elicited 40% neuronal death, no change in glial number and a delayed, significant rise in extracellular S100β that peaked at 24 h. This increase was associated with a stronger expression of the S100β protein as indicated by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Application of the microtubule disrupting agent colchicine did not change the rise in S100β induced by kainate, an effect blocked by the glutamate receptor antagonists CNQX and APV. Our data suggest that excitotoxicity was followed by release of S100β perhaps from a readily releasable pool through a mechanism independent of microtubule assembly. The raised extracellular level of S100β appeared to reflect glial reactivity to the kainate‐evoked lesion in accordance with the view that this protein may be involved in tissue protection and repair after acute injury.
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Excitotoxicity is a major mechanism responsible for neuronal death following acute spinal cord injury. The calcium‐binding protein S100β is released by astrocytes into the extracellular compartment during the first 24 h after the initial insult and represents a useful biomarker of lesion progression as its level is related to the occurrence and severity of neuronal loss.
Pharmacological postconditioning of the rabbit heart with non-selective, A1, A2A and A3 adenosine receptor agonists
Authors: Bibli Sophia-Iris , Iliodromitis Efstathios K , Lambertucci Catia , Zoga Anastasia , Lougiakis Nikolaos , Dagres Nikolaos , Volpini Rosaria , Dal Ben Diego , Kremastinos Dimitrios Th , Tsantili Kakoulidou Anna , Cristalli Gloria , Andreadou Ioanna 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Objectives
We investigated the effects of novel selective and non-selective adenosine receptor agonists (ARs) on cardioprotection.

Methods
Male rabbits divided into six groups were subjected to 30-min heart ischaemia and 3-h reperfusion: (1) control group, (2) postconditioning (PostC) group, (3) group A: treated with the non-selective agonist (S)-PHPNECA, (4) group B: treated with the A1 agonist CCPA, (5) group C: treated with the A2A agonist VT 7 and (6) group D: treated with the A3 agonist AR 170. The infarcted (I) and the areas at risk (R) were estimated as %I/R. In additional rabbits of all groups, heart samples were taken for determination of Akt, eNOS and STAT 3 at the 10th reperfusion minute.

Key findings
(S)-PHPNECA and CCPA reduced the infarct size (17.2 ± 2.9% and 17.9 ± 2.0% vs 46.8 ± 1.9% in control, P &lt; 0.05), conferring a benefit similar to PostC (26.4 ± 0.3%). Selective A2A and A3 receptor agonists did not reduce the infarct size (39.5 ± 0.8% and 38.7 ± 3.5%, P = NS vs control). Akt, eNOS and STAT 3 were significantly activated after non-selective A1 ARs and PostC.

Conclusions
Non-selective and A1 but not A2A and A3 ARs agonists are essential for triggering cardioprotection. The molecular mechanism involves both RISK and the JAK/STAT pathways.
Dietary L‐arginine supplement alleviates hepatic heat stress and improves feed conversion ratio of Pekin ducks exposed to high environmental temperature
Authors: Zhu W. , Jiang W. , Wu L. Y. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe current intensive indoor production system of commercial Pekin ducks never allows adequate water for swimming or wetting. Therefore, heat stress is a key factor affecting health and growth of ducks in the hot regions and season. Experiment 1 was conducted to study whether heat stress was deleterious to certain organs of ducks. Forty‐one‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to four electrically heated battery brooders comprised of 10 ducks each. Ducks were suddenly exposed to 37 °C ambient temperature for 3 h and then slaughtered, in one brooder at 21 days and in another brooder at 49 days of age. The results showed that body weight and weight of immune organs, particularly liver markedly decreased in acute heat stress ducks compared with the control. Experiment 2 was carried out to investigate the influences of dietary L‐arginine (Arg) supplement on weight and compositions of certain lymphoid organs, and growth performance in Pekin ducks, under daily cyclic hot temperature environment. A total of 151‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly divided into one negative control and two treatment groups, fed experimental diets supplemented with 0, 5, and 10 g L‐Arginine (L‐Arg)/kg to the basal diet respectively. Ducks were exposed to cyclic high temperature simulating natural summer season. The results showed that the addition of L‐Arg improves feed conversion ratio (FCR) during a period of 7‐week trial, as well as increases hepatic weight relative to body weight at 21 days, while decreases the hepatic water content at 49 days of age. This study indicated that the liver was more sensitive to acute heat stress, and the hepatic relative weight and chemical composition could be regulated by dietary L‐Arg supplementation in Pekin ducks being reared at high ambient temperature. These beneficial effects of Arg on liver might be a cause of improved FCR.
AGE-Breaker ALT-711 Plus Insulin Could Restore Erectile Function in Streptozocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Wang Lin , Tian Wenjie , Uwais Zaid , Li Guangyong , Li Huixi , Guan Ruili , Gao Zhezhu , Xin Zhongcheng 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Introduction
The interaction between advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and its receptors for AGEs (RAGEs) elicits oxidative stress and mediates the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). ALT-711, an AGE cross-link breaker, has the therapeutic potential for ED but has been less intensively investigated.

Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an AGEs breaker 3-phenacyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolium chloride (ALT-711) plus insulin on erectile function in streptozocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

Methods
Fifty 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into five groups: normal control (C), diabetic (D), insulin-treated diabetic (D + I), ALT-711-treated diabetic (D + ALT-711) and insulin plus ALT-711-treated diabetic (D + I + ALT-711) rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Eight weeks after induction of diabetes, ALT-711 was administered by intraperitoneal injection. Two to six units of intermediate-acting insulin were utilized to achieve normal levels of glycemic control. After treatment for 6 weeks, erectile function was determined via measurement of intracavernous pressures (ICPs) following electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. The deposition of AGEs, expression of RAGEs, superoxide dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation were measured. We also evaluated penile histological changes such as smooth muscle contents, endothelial cells contents, and apoptotic activity.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures were the ratio of ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP), penile endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, AGE and RAGE expression, malondialdehyde concentration, SOD activity, and apoptosis index.

Results
Diabetic rats demonstrated significantly reduced ICP/MAP ratio, penile endothelial cells, smooth muscles cells, increased AGEs and RAGE expression, and increased apoptosis. Insulin and ALT-711 monotherapy partially restored erectile function and histological changes. However, the combination therapy group showed erectile parameters and components similar to those in C. ALT-711-treated group demonstrated less deposition of AGEs and lower expression of RAGE than those in insulin-treated group.

Conclusion
These results suggest that although insulin can effectively control glycemic levels, it does not completely alter the pathological changes in erectile tissues. Better efficacy could be expected with tight glycemic control plus ALT-711, an AGEs cross-link breaker. The combination therapy might have the potential to eliminate metabolic memory by down-regulating the AGEs–RAGE oxidative stress axis.
Effect on Renal Function of Restoration of Euthyroidism in Hyperthyroid Cats with Iatrogenic Hypothyroidism
Authors: Williams T.L. , Elliott J. , Syme H.M. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundIatrogenic hypothyroidism is associated with an increased incidence of azotemia after treatment of hyperthyroidism, and decreased survival time in azotemic hyperthyroid cats.HypothesisRestoration of euthyroidism will decrease plasma creatinine concentrations.AnimalsNineteen client‐owned, methimazole‐ or carbimazole‐treated, hyperthyroid cats with documented iatrogenic hypothyroidism (based on subnormal plasma total thyroxine concentrations [TT4] and increased plasma thyroid‐stimulating hormone concentrations).MethodsProspective interventional study. Doses of antithyroid medication were reduced until euthyroidism was restored (TT4 10–40 nmol/L). Plasma creatinine concentration and selected other clinicopathologic variables were evaluated before and after restoration of euthyroidism and compared by nonparametric statistics. Data are presented as median [25th, 75th percentile].ResultsRestoration of euthyroidism was associated with a significant decrease in plasma creatinine concentrations (2.61 [1.90, 3.26] mg/dL versus 2.07 [1.42, 2.82] mg/dL; P < .001) and body weight (4.03 [3.59, 4.53] kg versus 3.89 [3.34, 4.18] kg; P = .019), and a significant increase in packed cell volume (30 [28, 39]% versus 34 [29, 39]%; P = .038), heart rate (174 [163, 201] bpm versus 190 [164, 202] bpm; P = .009), and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity (26.6 [17.0, 33.0] IU/L versus 38.0 [23.5, 46.5] IU/L; P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRestoration of euthyroidism in medically treated hyperthyroid cats with iatrogenic hypothyroidism causes a reduction in plasma creatinine concentrations, and thus might improve renal function; however, this could be influenced by concurrent changes in body weight.