bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generic phylogeny, historical biogeography and character evolution of the cosmopolitan aquatic plant family Hydrocharitaceae
Authors: Chen Ling-Yun , Chen Jin-Ming , Gituru Robert Wahiti , Wang Qing-Feng 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Hydrocharitaceae is a fully aquatic monocot family, consists of 18 genera with approximately 120 species. The family includes both fresh and marine aquatics and exhibits great diversity in form and habit including annual and perennial life histories; submersed, partially submersed and floating leaf habits and linear to orbicular leaf shapes. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and is well represented in the Tertiary fossil record in Europe. At present, the historical biogeography of the family is not well understood and the generic relationships remain controversial. In this study we investigated the phylogeny and biogeography of Hydrocharitaceae by integrating fossils and DNA sequences from eight genes. We also conducted ancestral state reconstruction for three morphological characters.

Results
Phylogenetic analyses produced a phylogeny with most branches strongly supported by bootstrap values greater than 95 and Bayesian posterior probability values of 1.0. Stratiotes is the first diverging lineage with the remaining genera in two clades, one clade consists of Lagarosiphon, Ottelia, Blyxa, Apalanthe, Elodea and Egeria; and the other consists of Hydrocharis-Limnobium, Thalassia, Enhalus, Halophila, Najas, Hydrilla, Vallisneria, Nechamandra and Maidenia. Biogeographic analyses (DIVA, Mesquite) and divergence time estimates (BEAST) resolved the most recent common ancestor of Hydrocharitaceae as being in Asia during the Late Cretaceous and Palaeocene (54.7-72.6 Ma). Dispersals (including long-distance dispersal and migrations through Tethys seaway and land bridges) probably played major roles in the intercontinental distribution of this family. Ancestral state reconstruction suggested that in Hydrocharitaceae evolution of dioecy is bidirectional, viz., from dioecy to hermaphroditism, and from hermaphroditism to dioecy, and that the aerial-submerged leaf habit and short-linear leaf shape are the ancestral states.

Conclusions
Our study has shed light on the previously controversial generic phylogeny of Hydrocharitaceae. The study has resolved the historical biogeography of this family and supported dispersal as the most likely explanation for the intercontinental distribution. We have also provided valuable information for understanding the evolution of breeding system and leaf phenotype in aquatic monocots.
Pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas secondary to Gefitinib therapy for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Joo Young , Han Hye-Suk , Lim Sung-Nam , Shim Young Kwang , Choi Yong Hyeok , Lee Ok-Jun , Lee Ki Hyeong , Kim Seung Taik 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), defined as the presence of gas in the bowel wall, and portal venous gas (PVG) are relatively rare radiological findings. Although several chemotherapeutic agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are reported to be associated with PI and PVG, an association with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents has not been described previously.

Case presentation
The present report describes a case of PI and PVG secondary to treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A 66-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presented with nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension after commencing gefitinib. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed PI extending from the ascending colon to the rectum, hepatic PVG, and infarction of the liver. Gefitinib therapy was discontinued immediately and the patient was managed conservatively. A follow-up CT scan 2 weeks later revealed that the PI and hepatic PVG had completely resolved.

Conclusion
This is the first report of PI and PVG caused by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Although these complications are extremely rare, clinicians should be aware of the risk of PI and PVG in patients undergoing targeted molecular therapy.
Fermentation by Lactobacillus enhances anti-inflammatory effect of Oyaksungisan on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells
Authors: Oh You-Chang , Cho Won-Kyung , Oh Jin Hui , Im Ga Young , Jeong Yun Hee , Yang Min Cheol , Ma Jin Yeul 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Oyaksungisan (OY) has been used as a traditional drug in east-Asian countries. However, its effect on inflammation still remains unknown. In this study, to provide insight into the biological effects of OY and OY fermented by Lactobacillus, we investigated their effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells.

Methods
The investigation was focused on whether OY and fermented OYs could inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 as well as the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Results
We found that OY inhibits a little LPS-induced NO, PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Interestingly, the fermentation significantly increased its inhibitory effect on the expression of all pro-inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, the fermented OYs exhibited elevated inhibition on the translocation of NF-κB p65 through reduced IκBα degradation as well as the phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPKs than untreated control or original OY.

Conclusions
Finally, the fermentation by Lactobacillus potentiates the anti-inflammatory effect of OY by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK activity in the macrophage cells.
Number of prior episodes and the presence of depressive symptoms are associated with longer length of stay for patients with acute manic episodes
Authors: Martin-Carrasco Manuel , Gonzalez-Pinto Ana , Galan Jaime L , Ballesteros Javier , Maurino Jorge , Vieta Eduard 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Few studies have analyzed predictors of length of stay (LOS) in patients admitted due to acute bipolar manic episodes. The purpose of the present study was to estimate LOS and to determine the potential sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with a longer hospitalization. Such information could be useful to identify those patients at high risk for long LOS and to allocate them to special treatments, with the aim of optimizing their hospital management.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study recruiting adult patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria) who had been hospitalized due to an acute manic episode with a Young Mania Rating Scale total score greater than 20. Bivariate correlational and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of LOS.

Results
A total of 235 patients from 44 centers were included in the study. The only factors that were significantly associated to LOS in the regression model were the number of previous episodes and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at admission (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Patients with a high number of previous episodes and those with depressive symptoms during mania are more likely to stay longer in hospital. Patients with severe depressive symptoms may have a more severe or treatment-resistant course of the acute bipolar manic episode.
Intracortical injection of endothelin-1 induces cortical infarcts in mice: effect of neuronal expression of an adenosine transporter
Authors: Soylu Hanifi , Zhang Dali , Buist Richard , Martin Melanie , Albensi Benedict C , Parkinson Fiona E 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Activation of adenosine A1 receptors has neuroprotective effects in animal stroke models. Adenosine levels are regulated by nucleoside transporters. In vitro studies showed that neuron-specific expression of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) decreases extracellular adenosine levels and adenosine A1 receptor activity. In this study, we tested the effect of hENT1 expression on cortical infarct size following intracerebral injection of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) or saline.

Methods
Mice underwent stereotaxic intracortical injection of ET-1 (1 μl; 400 pmol) or saline (1 μl). Some mice received the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) 30 minutes prior to ET-1. Perfusion and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and subsequent infarct size, respectively.

Results
ET-1 reduced CBF at the injection site to 7.3 ± 1.3% (n = 12) in hENT1 transgenic (Tg) and 12.5 ± 2.0% (n = 13) in wild type (Wt) mice. At 48 hours following ET-1 injection, CBF was partially restored to 35.8 ± 4.5% in Tg and to 45.2 ± 6.3% in Wt mice; infarct sizes were significantly greater in Tg (9 ± 1.1 mm3) than Wt (5.4 ± 0.8 mm3) mice. Saline-treated Tg and Wt mice had modest decreases in CBF and infarcts were less than 1 mm3. For mice treated with caffeine, CBF values and infarct sizes were not significantly different between Tg and Wt mice.

Conclusions
ET-1 produced greater ischemic injury in hENT1 Tg than in Wt mice. This genotype difference was not observed in mice that had received caffeine. These data indicate that hENT1 Tg mice have reduced ischemia-evoked increases in adenosine receptor activity compared to Wt mice.
Experiences of non-UK-qualified doctors working within the UK regulatory framework: a qualitative study
Authors: Slowther A , Lewando Hundt GA , Purkis J , Taylor R 
Published: March 2012

Objective To explore the experience of non-UK-qualified doctors in working within the regulatory framework of the General Medical Council (GMC) document Good Medical Practice. Design Individual interviews and focus groups. Setting United Kingdom. Participants Non-UK-qualified doctors who had registered with the GMC between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2008, doctors attending training/induction programmes for non-UK-qualified doctors, and key informants involved in training and support for non-UK-qualified doctors. Main outcome measures Themes identified from analysis of interview and focus group transcripts. Results Information and support for non-UK qualified doctors who apply to register to work in the UK has little reference to the ethical and professional standards required of doctors working in the UK. Recognition of the ethical, legal and cultural context of UK healthcare occurs once doctors are working in practice. Non-UK qualified doctors reported clear differences in the ethical and legal framework for practising medicine between the UK and their country of qualification, particularly in the model of the doctor–patient relationship. The degree of support for non-UK-qualified doctors in dealing with ethical concerns is related to the type of post they work in. European doctors describe similar difficulties with working in an unfamiliar regulatory framework to their non-European colleagues. Conclusions Non-UK-qualified doctors experience a number of difficulties related to practising within a different ethical and professional regulatory framework. Provision of information and educational resources before registration, together with in-practice support would help to develop a more effective understanding of GMP and its implications for practice in the UK.
Three-Way Complementarities: Performance Pay, Human Resource Analytics, and Information Technology
Authors: Aral Sinan , Brynjolfsson Erik , Wu Lynn 
Published: March 2012

We test for three-way complementarities among information technology (IT), performance pay, and human resource (HR) analytics practices. We develop a principal–agent model examining how these practices work together as an incentive system that produces a larger productivity premium when the practices are implemented in concert rather than separately. We assess our model by combining fine-grained data on human capital management (HCM) software adoption over 11 years with detailed survey data on incentive systems and HR analytics practices for 189 firms. We find that the adoption of HCM software is greatest in firms that have also adopted performance pay and HR analytics practices. Furthermore, HCM adoption is associated with a large productivity premium when it is implemented as a system of organizational incentives, but has less benefit when adopted in isolation. The system of three-way complements produces disproportionately greater benefits than pairwise interactions, highlighting the importance of including all three complements. Productivity increases significantly when the HCM systems “go live” but not when they are purchased, which can be years earlier. This helps rule out reverse causality as an explanation for our findings. This paper was accepted by Sandra Slaughter, information systems.
Information Technology and Trademarks: Implications for Product Variety
Authors: Gao Guodong (Gordon) , Hitt Lorin M. 
Published: March 2012

This paper examines the relationship between information technology (IT) and trademarks. Using an 11-year panel data set (1987–1997) of IT capital stock, trademark holdings, and other measures for 116 Fortune 1000 manufacturing firms, we find that IT contributes to higher trademark holdings. Further, we find evidence suggesting that firms with more IT capital tend to apply for more new trademarks and retire existing trademarks more quickly, leading to a shorter trademark life cycle. Because trademarks are mainly used by firms to communicate differences among similar products to the marketplace, these results suggest that the business value of IT can be realized in greater product variety.This paper was accepted by Barrie Nault, information systems.
The Strategic Perils of Low Cost Outsourcing
Authors: Feng Qi , Lu Lauren Xiaoyuan 
Published: March 2012

The existing outsourcing literature has generally overlooked the cost differential and contract negotiations between manufacturers and suppliers (by assuming identical cost structures and adopting the Stackelberg framework). One fundamental question yet to be addressed is whether upstream suppliers' cost efficiency is always beneficial to downstream manufacturers in the presence of competition and negotiations. In other words, does low cost outsourcing always lead to a win–win outcome? To answer this question, we adopt a multiunit bilateral bargaining framework to investigate competing manufacturers' sourcing decisions. We analyze two supply chain structures: one-to-one channels, in which each manufacturer may outsource to an exclusive supplier; and one-to-two channels, in which each manufacturer may outsource to a common supplier. We show that, under both structures, low cost outsourcing may lead to a win–lose outcome in which the suppliers gain and the manufacturers lose. This happens because suppliers' cost advantage may backfire on competing manufacturers through two negative effects. First, a decrease of upstream cost weakens a manufacturer's bargaining position by reducing her disagreement payoff (i.e., her insourcing profit) because the competing manufacturer can obtain a low cost position through outsourcing. Second, in one-to-two channels, the common supplier's bargaining position is strengthened with a lower cost because his disagreement payoff increases (i.e., his profit from serving only one manufacturer increases). The endogeneity of disagreement payoffs in our model highlights the importance of modeling firm negotiations under competition. Moreover, we identify an interesting bargaining externality between competing manufacturers when they outsource to a common supplier. Because the supplier engages in two negotiations, his share of profit from the trade with one manufacturer affects the total surplus of the trade with the other manufacturer. Because of this externality, surprisingly, as a manufacturer's bargaining power decreases, her profit under outsourcing may increase and it may be more likely for her to outsource. This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Hiring Cheerleaders: Board Appointments of “Independent” Directors
Authors: Cohen Lauren , Frazzini Andrea , Malloy Christopher J. 
Published: March 2012

We provide evidence that firms appoint independent directors who are overly sympathetic to management, while still technically independent according to regulatory definitions. We explore a subset of independent directors for whom we have detailed, microlevel data on their views regarding the firm prior to being appointed to the board: sell-side analysts who are subsequently appointed to the boards of companies they previously covered. We find that boards appoint overly optimistic analysts who are also poor relative performers. The magnitude of the optimistic bias is large: 82.0% of appointed recommendations are strong buy/buy recommendations, compared with 56.9% for all other analyst recommendations. We also show that appointed analysts' optimism is stronger at precisely those times when firms' benefits are larger. Last, we find that appointing firms are more likely to have management on the board nominating committee, appear to be poorly governed, and increase earnings management and chief executive officer compensation following these board appointments. This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance.
Quantifying Managerial Ability: A New Measure and Validity Tests
Authors: Demerjian Peter , Lev Baruch , McVay Sarah 
Published: March 2012

We propose a measure of managerial ability, based on managers' efficiency in generating revenues, which is available for a large sample of firms and outperforms existing ability measures. We find that our measure is strongly associated with manager fixed effects and that the stock price reactions to chief executive officer (CEO) turnovers are positive (negative) when we assess the outgoing CEO as low (high) ability. We also find that replacing CEOs with more (less) able CEOs is associated with improvements (declines) in subsequent firm performance. We conclude with a demonstration of the potential of the measure. We find that the negative relation between equity financing and future abnormal returns documented in prior research is mitigated by managerial ability. Specifically, more able managers appear to utilize equity issuance proceeds more effectively, illustrating that our more precise measure of managerial ability will allow researchers to pursue studies that were previously difficult to conduct. This paper was accepted by Mary E. Barth, accounting.
On Fair Routing from Emergency Departments to Hospital Wards: QED Queues with Heterogeneous Servers
Authors: Mandelbaum Avishai , Momčilović Petar , Tseytlin Yulia 
Published: March 2012

The interface between an emergency department and internal wards is often a hospital's bottleneck. Motivated by this interaction in an anonymous hospital, we analyze queueing systems with heterogeneous server pools, where the pools represent the wards, and the servers are beds. Our queueing system, with a single centralized queue and several server pools, forms an inverted-V model. We introduce the randomized most-idle (RMI) routing policy and analyze it in the quality- and efficiency-driven regime, which is natural in our setting. The RMI policy results in the same server fairness (measured by idleness ratios) as the longest-idle-server-first (LISF) policy, which is commonly used in call centers and considered fair. However, the RMI policy utilizes only the information on the number of idle servers in different pools, whereas the LISF policy requires information that is unavailable in hospitals on a real-time basis. This paper was accepted by Assaf Zeevi, stochastic models and simulation.
Pioglitazone increases bone marrow fat in type 2 diabetes: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Grey Andrew , Beckley Vaughan , Doyle Anthony , Fenwick Sheryl , Horne Anne , Gamble Greg , Bolland Mark 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of pioglitazone on bone marrow fat in humans.DesignTwenty participants in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the skeletal effects of pioglitazone 30 mg daily in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) entered a 6-month substudy evaluating bone marrow fat. Main outcome measures were bone marrow fat in lumbar spine (L4) and proximal femur (intertrochanteric region), measured using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and bone mineral density (BMD), measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsAfter 6 months, change in the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) bone marrow lipid fraction, assessed using two different methods, was greater in the pioglitazone group than in the placebo group (Dixon method: mean (95% CI) change from baseline pioglitazone 1.3% (−0.3, 2.9), placebo −0.2% (−0.8, 0.4), P=0.06; MR spectroscopy: pioglitazone 2.5% (0.4, 4.7), placebo −1.1% (−3.7, 1.4), P=0.02). Similarly, the change in lipid fraction in the intertrochanteric region was greater in the pioglitazone group (Dixon method: mean (95% CI) change from baseline pioglitazone 1.3% (0.6, 1.9), placebo −0.8% (−1.8, 0.2), P=0.001). Within the pioglitazone group, there was no evidence of a significant relationship between change in marrow lipid fraction and BMD.ConclusionsShort-term treatment with pioglitazone increases bone marrow fat in patients with T2DM.
New Artificial Diet for Continuous Rearing of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Han Lanzhi , Li Shengbing , Liu Peilei , Peng Yufa , Hou Maolin 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The Asiatic rice borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an important rice, Oryza sativa L., pest in China and difficult to control with conventional pest management. To develop and optimize integrated pest management strategies, efficient and economic artificial diet and rearing protocols are desirable. A new artificial diet based on soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., powder and fresh water bamboo, Zizania caduciflora (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz, was formulated and rearing technique was developed. Fitness parameters including larval development, immature survival, pupal weight, pupation, adult emergence, egg hatchability, and oviposition were measured to evaluate the performance of C. suppressalis fed on the diet over 15 successive generations. C. suppressalis reared on the artificial diet showed better performance with shorter developmental stage, similar larval survival rate and fecundity, and heavier pupae compared with that fed on rice plants and fresh water bamboo. A positive correlation was observed between number of eggs laid per female and number of generations reared on the diet. Larval development time tended to be shortened with successive rearing on the artificial diet. These results indicated that C. suppressalis adapted well to the artificial diet and successive rearing conditions. The diet could serve as a viable alternative to natural host plants for consecutive rearing of the insect. In addition, the diet is inexpensive (US$1.5/1,000 g) and easy to make. The better preserve ability of the diet required only one diet replacement during the rearing process. The successful development of the diet and rearing technique provides a very useful tool for refining stem borer pest management techniques.