bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Representation of herpetofauna in wildlife research journals
Authors: Christoffel Rebecca A. , Lepczyk Christopher A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTwo groups of wildlife species that are critical for the maintenance of biological diversity in a variety of habitats and who fill a number of functional roles in these habitats are reptiles (Gibbons et al. 2000, Ernst and Lovich 2009) and amphibians (Semlitsch 2003). Globally, reptiles and amphibians (i.e., herpetofauna) make up 46% of species richness of terrestrial vertebrates, but the prevalence of herpetofauna investigations in wildlife research and management journals has not been explored. Our objective was to review representation of herpetofauna in 6 wildlife research journals from 1980 to 2009 to examine whether their representation parallels their contribution to global terrestrial vertebrate species richness, whether their representation has changed over time and how, and whether subsets of herpetofauna garner disproportionate coverage relative to one another. We ran a keyword search in Web of Science database (formerly ISI Web of Science) within the Web of Knowledge search engine published by Thomson Reuters (2010) on 6 wildlife research journals (European Journal of Wildlife Research [formerly Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft], Journal of Wildlife Management, South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Research, and Wildlife Society Bulletin) from 1980 to 2009. We searched for 17 terms relevant to herpetofauna (e.g., toad, tortoise). Our search yielded 315 articles that focused on herpetofauna. Over the 30‐year period, we found the number of articles and pages and percentage of journal space devoted to herpetofauna increased. However, at best, <6% of journal space was devoted to herpetofauna, indicating that these species are greatly under‐represented in wildlife literature given their contributions to species richness and diversity and ecosystem function. Although absolute number of articles and pages has increased, little progress has been made in terms of relative representation of herpetofauna as compared to birds and mammals. Although percentage of pages in wildlife journals dedicated to herpetofauna has increased in the past 30 years, they must garner greater representation to enable us to adequately manage for biological diversity and ecosystem function and integrity. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Marten and fisher responses to fluctuations in prey populations and mast crops in the northern hardwood forest
Authors: Jensen Paul G. , Demers Charlotte L. , Mcnulty Stacy A. , Jakubas Walter J. , Humphries Murray M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMany forest tree species produce seed (mast) crops that are consumed by a variety of wildlife species and these pulsed resources may mediate interactions among predator and prey populations. In the northern hardwood forests of New York, we investigated interactions among mast production, prey abundance, and harvests of American martens (Martes americana) and fishers (Martes pennanti) during 1988–2009. Mast production for beech (Fagus grandifolia), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and mountain ash (Sorbus americana) was synchronous and an alternate‐year pattern in production was evident for most of the time series. We documented considerable temporal variation in summer small mammal relative abundance and our numerical response models received substantial support for 5 of the 8 species, indicating lagged responses to autumn mast crops. Trap response of martens to the autumn production of beech mast and mountain ash berries was immediate and numerical responses to the relative abundance of small mammal prey occurred during the preceding summer. The age structure of the marten harvest differed based on the dominant alternate‐year pattern of summer prey relative abundance and autumn mast production (χ24 = 33.06, P < 0.001). The proportion of juvenile marten in the autumn harvest was 52% and 34% following summers when small mammal relative abundance was high and low, respectively and these differences resulted in a persistent cohort effect that was apparent until age 3.5. Trap response of fishers to the autumn production of beech mast was immediate and numerical responses to the relative abundance of Sciurid prey occurred during the preceding summer. Marten and fisher harvests fluctuated similarly among New York, Maine, and New Brunswick, which may indicate regional synchronization of mast crops and responses of martens and fishers to similar prey dynamics. A better understanding of how food availability influences demographic responses and trapping vulnerability of martens and fishers would aid our ability to manage harvests of these species on a sustained yield basis. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Anxiety in children with hearing aids or cochlear implants compared to normally hearing controls
Authors: Theunissen Stephanie C. P. M. , Rieffe Carolien , Kouwenberg Maartje , De Raeve Leo , Soede Wim , Briaire Jeroen J. , Frijns Johan H. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The objectives of this study were to examine the levels of anxiety in hearing‐impaired children with hearing aids or cochlear implants compared to normally hearing children, and to identify individual variables that were associated with differences in the level of anxiety.Study Design:Large retrospective cohort study.Methods:Self‐reports and parent‐reports concerning general anxiety, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder were used. The study group (mean age, 11.8 years) consisted of three age‐matched subgroups: 32 children with cochlear implants, 51 children with conventional hearing aids, and 127 children without hearing loss.Results:Levels of anxiety in children with cochlear implants and normally hearing children were similar. Early implantation was associated with lower levels of general and social anxiety. Remarkably, children with conventional hearing aids had higher levels of social anxiety, and their parents also reported more generalized anxiety disorder.Conclusions:The outcomes demonstrate that in their level of anxiety, children with cochlear implants might be more comparable to normally hearing children than to children with hearing aids. This positive finding can be the consequence of audiological factors or other aspects of the cochlear implant rehabilitation program.
Impact of crooked nose rhinoplasty on observer perceptions of attractiveness
Authors: Roxbury Christopher , Ishii Masaru , Godoy Andres , Papel Ira , Byrne Patrick J. , Boahene Kofi D. O. , Ishii Lisa E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate the impact of a crooked nose on observer perceptions of facial asymmetry and attractiveness and the ability of rhinoplasty to minimize it. We hypothesized that the presence of a crooked nose would penalize symmetry and attractiveness ratings as compared to normal faces. We further hypothesized that straightening rhinoplasty would restore symmetry and improve attractiveness.Study Design:Randomized controlled experiment.Methods:A group of 39 naïve observers viewed pictures of patients with crooked noses before and after straightening rhinoplasty, and normal patients. Observers rated the overall asymmetry and attractiveness, and the asymmetry of facial subunits using a survey with a rating scale of 1 to 10 for each category.Results:For asymmetry, patient group (preoperative, postoperative, normal) was statistically significant by multivariate analysis of the variance. Post‐analysis of variance showed significant differences in asymmetry scores for overall, nose subunit, and mouth subunit. Pairwise testing then showed significantly different overall asymmetry scores between normal and preoperative (P < .001), and preoperative and postoperative (P < .001), but not between normal and postoperative (P = .215) groups. Mixed linear regression analysis showed that decreasing nasal asymmetry by 1 point increases attractiveness by 0.18 points or 0.082 attractiveness standard deviations (P < .001).Conclusions:Faces with crooked noses were rated less symmetrical overall and less symmetrical at the nose and mouth subunits as compared to normal and postoperative faces. Straightening rhinoplasty diminished overall facial asymmetry and subunit asymmetry scores. Decreasing nasal asymmetry led to significant improvements in facial attractiveness. These data provide objective evidence supporting the idea that a straightening rhinoplasty can improve attractiveness. Laryngoscope, 2012
Tracheal reconstruction with a modified infrahyoid myocutaneous flap
Authors: Masuda Muneyuki , Kamizono Kenichi , Ejima Masayoshi , Fujimura Akiko , Uryu Hideoki , Kadota Hideki 
Published: January 2012

AbstractReconstruction of a tracheal defect is a challenge because it often requires invasive surgery associated with relatively high morbidity. We recently invented a less‐invasive method using a modified infrahyoid myocutaneous (IHMC) flap for the reconstruction of a tracheal defect in an 83‐year‐old male. A tracheal defect, the right half of the cricoid cartilage plus the right three quarters of the I‐IV tracheal cartilage (about 3 × 4 cm), was reconstructed with a modified IHMC flap composed of the sternohyoid and platysma muscles and a skin pedicle. Considering the age of patient, we avoided rigid reconstruction and used a soft silicone tracheal opening retainer (Koken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) as an anterior wall dilator after surgery and waited for the scarring of the flap until it become rigid enough. The postoperative course was uneventful and the trachea was reconstructed safely. Tracheal reconstruction with an IHMC flap is a useful and less‐invasive alternative compared to end‐to‐end anastomosis or reconstruction with a forearm flap, which is currently used as a mainstay.
Estrogen receptors alpha (rs2234693 and rs9340799), and beta (rs4986938 and rs1256049) genes polymorphism in prostate cancer: Evidence for association with risk and histopathological tumor characteristics in Iranian men
Authors: Safarinejad Mohammad Reza , Safarinejad Saba , Shafiei Nayyer , Safarinejad Shiva 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of estrogen receptor (ER)‐α and ER‐β genes polymorphisms on development of prostate cancer (PCa) and its correlation with serum reproductive hormones and with clinicopathological characteristics in a sample of Iranian men. One hundred sixty‐two men with PCa (mean age 63.7 ± 13.4 years) and 324 age‐matched healthy controls (mean age 63.1 ± 13.2 years) were recruited in this study. Genotypes for ER‐α and ER‐β genes polymorphisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analysis. Serum levels of reproductive hormones were also measured. Of PCa patients, 38.3%, and 61.7% had localized and advanced tumor, and 45.7%, and 54.3%, had low grade and high‐grade cancer, respectively. There was a significant difference in genotype frequency distribution of ER‐α gene polymorphism (P = 0.002), and ER‐β gene polymorphism (P = 0.003) between cancer patients and controls. The ER‐α Pvull C allele carriers (TC or CC) had a significantly increased risk of PCa compared with the TT homozygotes [odds ratio (OR) 3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.87–5.84, and OR = 4.73, 95% CI:2.44–7.33, respectively]. It was also found that the ER‐α XbaI AG (OR = 4.36; 95% CI:2.47–6.68; P = 0.001) and ER‐β AluI AG (OR = 2.66, 95% CI:1.61–4.16; P = 0.004) genotypes were significantly associated with increased risk of PCa. The ER‐β RsaI genotype was not associated with PCa. Baseline serum free E2 levels tended to be lower in men with PCa (0.35 ± 0.04 pg/ml) compared to healthy men (0.48 ± 0.05 pg/ml). Genotypes which confer susceptibility for developing PCa, accompanied with lowest serum levels of free E2. In the Iranian population, genetic polymorphisms of the ER‐α and ER‐β genes may be involved in the etiology of PCa. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Consumer safety and the regulation of industry
Authors: Armstrong Alan G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe need for regulation to protect the consumer from unsafe products stems from the lack of full information. The extent of these imperfections is examined and it is argued that there are market pressures on manufacturers to produce safer products and that voluntary regulation can play a useful role before mandatory regulations are introduced. In setting targets it must be acknowledged that there are differences between products and between consumers and particularly that there will be costs associated with attempts to cure the consequences of imperfections. Recent trends in the US and British safety policy are assessed in this light.
Technical change, inflation and pricing decisions
Authors: Shone Robert 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe paper discusses long‐term managerial cost pricing, thus taking into account both operating and capital costs of new plant. This approach is relevant to the public industries, oligopoly and can also be the basis for competitive pricing. The model integrates pricing and investment decisions, and incorporates, among other factors, expected future technical change and inflation. The treatment is illustrated in relation to a range of industries with very different rates of technical advance. It also discusses the reasons for the frequent failure for full potential gains from such advances to be realized and hence for sluggish economic growth.
The determinants and effects of actual, abandoned and contested mergers
Authors: Holl P. , Pickering J. F. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper reports the results of research aimed at exploring why some takeover bids give rise to merger while other do not and, using as a basis of comparison matched samples of actual and abandoned mergers, the performance effects of mergers. In this work, 50 cases of abandoned mergers occurring between 1965 and 1975 were analysed against a matched sample of 50 actual mergers. In addition, 33 cases of contested bids were also analysed. Variables used reflected managerial, shareholder and financial strength considerations. Analysis covered a period three years before to three years after each bid. Techniques of analysis were differences of means and discriminant analysis. The results show that there are important differences between target companies that are acquired and those that successfully resist takeover bids. They also show the influence of managerial and financial variables as the key to a successful takeover bid rather than variables reflecting shareholder interests. Analysis of the effects of the outcome of the bids suggests that companies involved in abandoned mergers recorded a stronger performance over the subsequent 1–3 years than those that made acquisitions, especially where shareholder and financial considerations are concerned. Target companies that resisted takeover bids showed a significant performance improvement.
Firm‐level determinants of export intensity
Authors: Schlegelmilch B. B. , Crook J. N. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper investigates why some companies export a larger percentage of their total sales than others, although they operate in the same industry. A variety of interesting but fragmented findings on specific determinants of export intensity is integrated into a coherent model. This is tested empirically, using a sample of British mechanical engineering companies.
Hand‐held nerve conduction device in carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective study
Authors: Tan S. Veronica , Sandford Fiona , Stevenson Mark , Probert Sara , Sanders Sue , Mills Kerry R. , Koutroumanidis Michaelis 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction:We assessed the clinical impact of replacing standard neurophysiologic testing with a hand‐held device (Mediracer) for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Methods:One hundred patients (200 hands) with suspected CTS were studied by blinded assessors [Hand‐therapist (HT)1 and Consultant Neurophysiologist] using the Mediracer, followed by standard neurophysiologic testing. To simulate testing by personnel without neurological training, Mediracer recordings were analyzed separately by an assessor who had not seen the patients (HT2).Results:Correlation of the CTS grades was 0.94 for the results obtained by HT1, and 0.87 for HT2. The sensitivity and specificity of the Mediracer was 0.85 and 0.9, respectively, by HT1, and 0.84 and 0.89 for HT2. Nine patients had conditions other than CTS, and 35 patients were judged to require further investigation.Conclusions:The Mediracer should only be used in patients with typical CTS symptoms and signs and no muscle wasting who have had careful neurological assessment. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Muscle characteristics in patients with chronic systemic inflammation
Authors: Beenakker Karel G.M. , Duijnisveld Bouke J. , Van Der Linden Henrica M.J. , Visser Cornelis P.J. , Westendorp Rudi G.J. , Butler‐Brown Gillian , Nelissen Rob G.H.H. , Maier Andrea B. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Histological characteristics of age‐related muscle wasting are type II muscle fiber atrophy, accumulation of oxidative stress‐induced lipofuscin granules and decreased satellite cell numbers. There is increasing clinical evidence for a strong correlation between chronic systemic inflammation and age‐related muscle wasting. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of chronic systemic inflammation on age‐related histological muscle characteristics. Methods: As a model for chronic systemic inflammation, we included 10 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 27 control patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). Biopsies were taken from the vastus medialis muscle. Results: No significant differences were found in type II muscle fiber atrophy, lipofuscin accumulation, or satellite cell number in RA compared with OA patients. Conclusions: These results suggest there is no association between chronic systemic inflammation in RA and age‐related muscle characteristics. Future research should focus on inflammation and satellite cell function. Muscle Nerve 46: 204–209, 2012
Cardiac involvement in patients with lamin A/C gene mutations: A cohort observation
Authors: Carboni Nicola , Sardu Claudia , Cocco Eleonora , Marrosu Giovanni , Manzi Rosa C. , Nissardi Vincenzo , Isola Franco , Mateddu Anna , Solla Elisabetta , Maioli Maria A. , Oppo Valentina , Piras Rachele , Coghe Giancarlo , Lai Carlo , Marrosu Maria G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: LMNA gene mutations are associated with cardiac and skeletal muscle alterations. Methods: A cohort of 21 mutated individuals was assessed with clinical and instrumental investigations over the years. Results: The median observation period was 6 years. Cardiac compromise was detected in 16 patients. Bradyarrhythmias were the most frequent manifestations, followed by supraventricular arrhythmias. Two individuals suffered from nonsustained and 1 from sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Dilated cardiomyopathy was detected in 3 patients. Evaluation of the frequencies of the clinical expressions showed a high probability of suffering from analogue heart compromise in study subjects bearing the same LMNA gene mutation. Conclusions: Cardiac involvement represents a very common phenotypic expression of LMNA gene mutation. Subjects sharing common genetic background seem to suffer from analogue pattern of cardiac manifestation. Muscle Nerve 46: 187–192, 2012
Prognosis of acute compressive radial neuropathy
Authors: Arnold W. David , Krishna Vivek R. , Freimer Miriam , Kissel John T. , Elsheikh Bakri 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Small published case series suggest that compressive radial neuropathy is often a self‐limited phenomenon with a favorable prognosis. Due to paucity of data, we sought to clearly define prognosis. Methods: To define clinical and electrodiagnostic features in this condition, we retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases of compressive radial neuropathy confirmed using electrodiagnostic studies at a large tertiary center over a 10‐year period. Results: A total of 51 patients (26 men, 25 women, mean age 46 years ± 15; range, 19–83 years) with compressive radial neuropathy were identified and reviewed. All patients in whom clinical follow‐up was available (23 [45%] of the 51 patients identified) experienced complete recovery. Mean duration from onset to resolution of symptoms was 3.4 months. Conclusions: Our results support a good prognosis in essentially all patients with acute compressive radial neuropathies. This report provides valuable information to assist in counseling patients who may present with profound clinical deficits. Muscle Nerve 45: 893–894, 2012
Production scheduling with history‐dependent setup times
Authors: Lee Kangbok , Lei Lei , Pinedo Michael 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe consider a parallel‐machine scheduling problem with jobs that require setups. The duration of a setup does not depend only on the job just completed but on a number of preceding jobs. These setup times are referred to as history‐dependent. Such a scheduling problem is often encountered in the food processing industry as well as in other process industries. In our model, we consider two types of setup times—a regular setup time and a major setup time that becomes necessary after several “hard‐to‐clean” jobs have been processed on the same machine. We consider multiple objectives, including facility utilization, flexibility, number of major setups, and tardiness. We solve several special cases assuming predetermined job sequences and propose strongly polynomial time algorithms to determine the optimal timing of the major setups for given job sequences. We also extend our analysis to develop pseudopolynomial time algorithms for cases with additional objectives, including the total weighted completion time, the total weighted tardiness, and the weighted number of tardy jobs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Advanced materials based on polymer cocrystalline forms
Authors: Guerra Gaetano , Daniel Christophe , Rizzo Paola , Tarallo Oreste 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPolymeric “cocrystalline forms,” that is, structures were a polymeric host and a low‐molecular‐mass guest are cocrystallized, were early recognized, and in many cases also well characterized by X‐ray diffraction studies. However, only in the last two decades cocrystalline forms have received attention in material science, due to the ability (of few of them) to maintain an ordered polymer host structure even after guest removal, thus leading to the formation of “nanoporous‐crystalline forms,” for which many applications in the fields of molecular separation and sensors have been proposed. Moreover, in the last decade, an accurate control of the orientation of the polymer cocrystalline phases has been achieved, thus leading to a control of the orientation of the guest molecules, not only in the crystalline phase but also in macroscopic films. In addition, on the basis of this orientation control, in the last few years, cocrystalline films where active molecules are present as guests of polymer cocrystalline phases have been proposed for optical, magnetic and electric applications. In the last few years, it has been also discovered that polymer cocrystallization, when induced by nonracemic guest molecules, can produce stable chiral optical films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012