bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Does Sustainability Disclosure Drive Behavior Change?
Authors: Topping Nigel 
Published: July 2012

In 2011, as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), over 3,700 companies disclosed information about their energy use, emissions, risks, opportunities, and strategy to their institutional investors and customers. In this article, the Chief Innovation Officer of CDP discusses five ways that such disclosure is expected to lead to changes in corporate behavior.The first two are “internal” mechanisms that tend to encourage constructive change more or less directly as a result of going through the process of disclosure. One is known as “WGMGM,” which is shorthand for the often‐cited principle that “what gets measured gets managed.” The second is the tendency of disclosure to bring about valuable changes in strategic thinking.The next two are mechanisms that work to effect change through “external” channels. One relies on the use of data to enable investors, regulators, and other corporate stakeholders to draw comparisons among companies and industries in assessing the value implications of climate change disclosure. The second involves competitor benchmarking and the growing use of data in investment research.Fifth and last, recent evidence suggests that a growing number of investors are willing to raise the bar in terms of the expectations they place on companies to act responsibly now in the face of current and expected future changes.Each of these five change processes are discussed while citing evidence drawn from CDP's long experience of managing the disclosure process and working with both investors and companies to convert data into action.
Performance Measurement for Nonprofits
Authors: Glassman David M. , Spahn Kathy 
Published: July 2012

The capital market for financing charitable work is far from efficient, and could be improved dramatically. Donors and the nonprofit agencies they fund do not share a standard set of measures and procedures to evaluate performance. Lacking measures of impact, donors—a group that includes government agencies, foundations, corporate CSR programs, and individuals—and charity “watchdogs” often focus on available information that typically has one main focus: the overhead expenses reported by nonprofits in public disclosures.The problem, however, is that the use of overhead expense as a proxy for operational efficiency and effectiveness has many shortcomings. There is no shared understanding of what expenses constitute overhead; overhead spending says nothing about the quality of a nonprofit's programs; and an excessive focus on this single dimension can cause management to underinvest in infrastructure.Management of nonprofits should be encouraged to communicate the results of their key programs—in particular, their impact on the communities they serve. For example, for at least their largest programs, nonprofits could describe the key performance indicators established at outset of their programs, and how they are currently performing against these benchmarks. A substantive management discussion that includes an explanation for any underperformance, and the corrective actions being taken, would help other agencies avoid similar pitfalls while providing potential donors with valuable information that improves not only their decision‐making, but the “efficiency” of the entire market for charitable giving.
Multiattribute Selection of Acute Stroke Imaging Software Platform for Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits (EXTEND) Clinical Trial
Authors: Churilov Leonid , Liu Daniel , Ma Henry , Christensen Soren , Nagakane Yoshinari , Campbell Bruce , Parsons Mark W. , Levi Christopher R. , Davis Stephen M. , Donnan Geoffrey A. 
Published: July 2012

Background The appropriateness of a software platform for rapid MRI assessment of the amount of salvageable brain tissue after stroke is critical for both the validity of the Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits (EXTEND) Clinical Trial of stroke thrombolysis beyond 4.5 hours and for stroke patient care outcomes. Aims The objective of this research is to develop and implement a methodology for selecting the acute stroke imaging software platform most appropriate for the setting of a multi-centre clinical trial. Methods A multi-disciplinary decision making panel formulated the set of preferentially independent evaluation attributes. Alternative Multi-Attribute Value Measurement methods were used to identify the best imaging software platform followed by sensitivity analysis to ensure the validity and robustness of the proposed solution. Results Four alternative imaging software platforms were identified. RApid processing of Perfusion and Diffusion (RAPID) software was selected as the most appropriate for the needs of the EXTEND trial. A theoretically grounded generic multi-attribute selection methodology for imaging software was developed and implemented. Conclusions The developed methodology assured both a high quality decision outcome and a rational and transparent decision process. This development contributes to stroke literature in the area of comprehensive evaluation of MRI clinical software. At the time of evaluation, RAPID software presented the most appropriate imaging software platform for use in the EXTEND clinical trial. The proposed multi-attribute imaging software evaluation methodology is based on sound theoretical foundations of multiple criteria decision analysis and can be successfully used for choosing the most appropriate imaging software while ensuring both robust decision process and outcomes.
Management reference points to account for direct and indirect impacts of fishing on marine mammals
Authors: Moore Jeffrey E. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractReference points can help implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF), by establishing precautionary removal limits for nontarget species and target species of ecological importance. PBR (Potential Biological Removal), developed under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), is a limit for direct mortality for marine mammals, but it does not account for indirect effects of fishing due to prey depletion. I propose a generalization of PBR (called PBR*) to account for plausible changes in marine mammal carrying capacity (ΔK) from prey biomass decline relative to two example benchmarks: SSBMSY (maximum sustainable yield biomass for all known prey species) or SSBK (unfished prey biomass). PBR* can help identify when indirect fishing effects (alone, or combination with direct mortality estimates) may stymie MMPA objectives, and could inform catch limit estimates for target species that are also important as marine mammal prey. As a case study, I applied PBR* estimates to evaluate the possible combined direct + indirect effects of fishing on cetaceans in northeastern U.S. waters. Estimated distributions for ΔK were based on fish stock assessments and meta‐analysis of predator‐prey relationships from the mammalian literature. Based on this analysis, increased risk of marine mammal depletion due to indirect fishing effects was not evident, although this result must be interpreted cautiously given our limited understanding of cetacean diets and marine trophic dynamics. This study is intended to illustrate a possible practical approach for incorporating indirect fisheries impacts on marine mammals into a comprehensive management framework, and it raises several scientific and policy issues that merit further investigation.
UV/TiO2 Photocatalytic Degradation of Xanthene Dyes
Authors: Pereira Luciana , Pereira Raquel , Oliveira Catarina S. , Apostol Laura , Gavrilescu Mariana , Pons Marie‐Noëlle , Zahraa Orfan , Madalena Alves Maria 
Published: July 2012

AbstractUV/titanium dioxide (TiO2) degradation of two xanthene dyes, erythrosine B (Ery) and eosin Y (Eos), was studied in a photocatalytic reactor. Photocatalysis was able to degrade 98% of Ery and 73% of Eos and led to 65% of chemical oxygen demand removal. Experiments in buffered solutions at different initial pH values reveal the pH dependence of the process, with better results obtained under acidic conditions due to the electrostatic attraction caused by the opposite charges of TiO2 (positive) and of anionic dyes (negative). Batch activity tests under methanogenic conditions showed the high toxicity exerted by the dyes even at low concentrations (~85% with initial concentration of 0.3 mmol L−1), but the end products of photocatalytic treatment were much less toxic toward methanogenic bacteria, as detoxification of 85 ± 5% for Eos and 64 ± 7% for Ery were obtained. In contrast, the dyes had no inhibitory effect on the biogenic‐carbon biodegradation activity of aerobic biomass, obtained by respirometry. The results demonstrate that photocatalysis combining UV/TiO2 as a pretreatment followed by an anaerobic biological process may be promising for the treatment of wastewaters produced by many industries.
Biodiversity, Governance, and the Allocation of International Aid for Conservation
Authors: Miller Daniel C. , Agrawal Arun , Roberts J. Timmons 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThere is little systematic knowledge about the magnitude and allocation of international funding flows to support biodiversity conservation in the developing world. Using the newly released AidData compilation, we present a comprehensive assessment of official donor assistance for biodiversity during 1980–2008. We find that biodiversity aid increased markedly in the early 1990s, but that estimates of current aid are likely overstated and donor commitments at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit have not been met. Aid has been well targeted, however, in that the allocation of biodiversity aid is positively associated with the number of threatened species in recipient countries after controlling for country size, national population, and wealth. Biodiversity aid is also positively associated with indicators of good governance. Our results provide an empirical measure of progress toward international conservation funding targets, a baseline against which future flows can be compared, and information necessary to assess the effectiveness of biodiversity aid.
Optimizing a continuous flow lipid extraction system (CFLES) used for extracting microalgal lipids
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Theegala Chandra 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA laboratory‐made continuous flow lipid extraction system (CFLES) was devised to extract lipids from microalgae Nannochloropsis sp., a potential feedstock for biodiesel fuel, with a focus to assess the workable temperatures and pressures for future industrial applications. Using conventional solvents, the CFLES recovered 100% of the lipids extracted with conventional Soxhlet extraction. The optimum temperature and pressure were found to be 100 °C and 50 psi, respectively; conditions significantly lower than those normally used in pressurized liquid extractions requiring specialized equipment. Approximately 87% of the extracted oil was successfully transesterified into biodiesel fuel (fatty acid methyl esters). Preliminary calculations based on the tested lab‐scale system indicated savings in energy, solvent consumption, and extraction time as 96%, 80%, and more than 90%, respectively, as compared to Soxhlet extraction. However, the true cost savings can only be assessed at scaled up level. Energy efficiency of CFLES was calculated as 48.9%. Residual water (~70%) in the biomass had no effect on the extraction performance of CFLES, which is expected to help the process economics at scaled up application. The effect of temperature and pressure on the fatty acids profile of Nannochloropsis sp. is also discussed. Based on the existing literature, the authors believe that a pressurized liquid extraction system with continuous solvent flow has not been reported for lipid extraction from Nannochloropsis sp.
Ethyl pyruvate diminishes the inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide infusion in horses
Authors: Jacobs C. C. , Holcombe S. J. , Cook V. L. , Gandy J. C. , Hauptman J. G. , Sordillo L. M. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryReasons for performing the study:Endotoxaemia contributes to morbidity and mortality in horses with colic due to inflammatory cascade activation. Effective therapeutic interventions are limited for these horses. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), an anti‐inflammatory agent that alters the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, improved survival and organ function in sepsis and gastrointestinal injury in rodents and swine. Therapeutic efficacy of EP is unknown in endotoxaemic horses.Objectives:Determine the effects of EP on signs of endotoxaemia and expression of proinflammatory cytokines following administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in horses.Methods:Horses received 30 ng/kg bwt LPS in saline to induce signs of endotoxaemia. Next, horses received lactated Ringer's solution (LRS), (n = 6), 150 mg/kg bwt EP in LRS, (n = 6), or 1.1 mg/kg bwt flunixin meglumine (FM), (n = 6). Controls received saline followed by LRS (n = 6). Physical examinations, behaviour pain scores and blood for clinical pathological testing and gene expression were obtained at predetermined intervals for 24 h.Results:Lipopolysaccharide infusion produced clinical and clinicopathological signs of endotoxaemia and increased expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and IL‐8 (P<0.001) compared with controls. Leucopenia and neutropenia occurred in all horses that received LPS. Horses treated with EP and FM had significantly (P<0.0001) reduced pain scores compared with horses receiving LPS followed by LRS. Flunixin meglumine was significantly more effective at ameliorating fever compared with EP. Both EP and FM significantly diminished TNFα expression. Ethyl pyruvate significantly decreased, but FM significantly increased, IL‐6 expression. Neither EP nor FM altered IL‐8 expression.Conclusions and potential relevance:Ethyl pyruvate administered following LPS diminished the clinical effects of endotoxaemia and decreased proinflammatory gene expression in horses. Ethyl pyruvate suppressed expression of proinflammatory cytokines better than FM. However, FM was a superior anti‐pyretic compared with EP. Ethyl pyruvate may have therapeutic applications in endotoxaemic horses.
Finite element analysis of stress in the equine proximal phalanx
Authors: O'Hare L. M. S. , Cox P. G. , Jeffery N. , Singer E. R. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryReasons for performing studyTo improve understanding of the internal structure of the proximal phalanx (P1), response of the bone to load and possible relation to the pathogenesis of fractures inP1.ObjectivesTo model the P1 and replicate the loads experienced by the bone in stance, walk, trot and gallop using finite element analysis.MethodsThe geometry of theP1 was captured using micro‐computed tomography (μCT) and was reconstructed in 3 dimensions. Values for material properties and forces experienced at stance, walk, trot and gallop were taken from the literature and were applied to the reconstructed model. Using the same total load across the proximal articular surface, the model was solved with and without loading of the sagittal groove. Biomechanical performance was then simulated with finite element analysis and evaluated in terms of von Mises stress maps.ResultsCompared with the lowest force simulation equivalent to stance, the effects of the gallop force showed higher levels of stress along the sagittal groove and on the palmar surface just distal to the sagittal groove in both models, with and without the sagittal groove loaded. The results highlighted an area of bone on the dorsal aspect ofP1 that experiences lower stress compared with the rest of the dorsal surface, an effect that was much more apparent when the sagittal groove was not loaded. Qualitative comparison of the models revealed minimal difference in the pattern of von Mises stress between the loaded and unloaded groove models.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates a finite element model ofP1 that produces results consistent with clinical observation. The simulated high stress levels associated with the sagittal groove correspond to the most common site for fractures in the equineP1.Potential relevanceWith refinement of the model and further investigation, it may be possible to improve understanding of the behaviour ofP1 under loading conditions that more closely simulate those experienced in the living animal, leading to a more solid understanding of fractures ofP1.
Hepatic cytochrome P450 mediates interaction between warfarin and Coleus forskohlii extract in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Yokotani Kaori , Chiba Tsuyoshi , Sato Yoko , Taki Yuko , Yamada Shizuo , Shinozuka Kazumasa , Murata Masatsune , Umegaki Keizo 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to determine whether Coleus forskohlii extract (CFE) influences the anticoagulant action of warfarin in mice in vivo and its relationship with hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP).

Methods
Mice were fed various doses of CFE standardised with 10% forskolin in a normal diet for one week, or in protein diets containing 7% and 20% casein (low and normal) for four weeks. They were then administered with warfarin by gavage on the last two days of the treatment regimen, and blood coagulation parameters, as well as hepatic CYP, were analysed at 18 h after the last dose. Direct interaction between CFE and forskolin with CYP2C was evaluated in vitro.

Key findings
CFE dose dependently increased hepatic total CYP content and S-warfarin 7-hydroxylase activity at a dietary level of ≥0.05%. Warfarin-induced anticoagulation was attenuated by CFE in parallel with CYP induction. The findings were similar in mice fed diets containing CFE and different ratios of protein. CFE directly inhibited CYP2C activity in mouse and human liver microsomes in vitro, whereas forskolin was only slightly inhibitory.

Conclusions
CFE attenuates the anticoagulant action of warfarin by inducing hepatic CYP2C; thus, caution is required with the combination of warfarin and dietary supplements containing CFE.
An evaluation of interference of inflatable penile prostheses with electromagnetic localization and tracking system
Authors: Wang Brian , Tward Jonathan D. , Salter Bill J. 
Published: July 2012

Purpose:The Calypso system is stated by the manufacturer to be contraindicated for cases where the patient has been implanted with a penile prosthesis. This is due to concern for potential metal interference‐related reduction of spatial localization and tracking accuracy. Here we quantify the localization and tracking accuracy of the Calypso system in the presence of inflatable penile prosthesis devices from three most widely used models which account for, essentially, 100% of implants in North America.Methods:Phantom studies were first performed to quantify the interference of Calypso localization and tracking accuracy from both varying metal (steel) masses, and from the penile prosthetic devices themselves. The interference of varying steel masses was studied as a function of two factors: (a) the mass and (b) the location of steel material. The Calypso daily quality assurance (QA) phantom with three implanted Beacon® transponders was used to measure any aliasing of position that might occur due to metal interference. After confirming the safety of use in phantom, we implanted Calypso Beacon® transponders in one patient with a previously implanted AMS Model 700 inflatable penile prosthetic device. For each of the 42 delivered treatment fractions, redundant stereotactic ultrasound (US) image guidance was performed to ensure good agreement between US and Calypso guidance.Results:We observed that a steel mass of less than 18 g did not cause any detectable positional aliasing for the Calypso tracking function. The mass of metal material measured to exist in the three penile prosthetic devices studied here (MP35N alloy) was approximately 1 g for each. No positional aliasing was observed for the three prosthetic devices in phantom, and good agreement between redundant US and Calypso was also observed in patient.Conclusions:Both phantom and patient evaluations with the penile prosthetic devices showed no measurable interference with the Calypso system, thus indicating that accurate Calypso‐based alignments can be performed in the presence of current industry standard inflatable penile prosthetic devices.
Enteroviral meningitis without pleocytosis in children
Authors: Yun Ki Wook , Choi Eun Hwa , Cheon Doo Sung , Lee Jina , Choi Chang Won , Hwang Hee , Kim Beyong Il , Park Kyoung Un , Park Sung Sup , Lee Hoan Jong 
Published: July 2012

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of enteroviral meningitis in association with the absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis.DesignThis was a retrospective analysis of databases of patients diagnosed with enteroviral meningitis by CSF reverse transcription-PCR testing. Presence of CSF non-pleocytosis at each age group was analysed by use of the two criteria. Clinical variables were compared with regard to the presence of CSF pleocytosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were associated with CSF pleocytosis.SettingTwo hospitals in South Korea, between January 2008 and August 2011.Patients390 infants and children with enteroviral meningitis.InterventionsNone.Main outcome measuresProportion of enteroviral meningitis without CSF pleocytosis.ResultsAmong the 390 patients with enteroviral meningitis, 16–18% did not have CSF pleocytosis. In particular, CSF pleocytosis was not present in 68–77% of the neonates with enteroviral meningitis, demonstrating that the proportion of CSF pleocytosis decreased significantly with age (p<0.001). In multivariate models, younger age (adjusted OR 0.981; 95% CI 0.973 to 0.989), lower peripheral white blood cell count (adjusted OR 0.843; 95% CI 0.791 to 0.899), and shorter interval between onset and lumbar puncture (adjusted OR 0.527; 95% CI 0.315 to 0.882) were associated with the absence of CSF pleocytosis in enteroviral meningitis.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated high proportion of non-pleocytic enteroviral meningitis in young infants and identified several clinical factors that contributed to the absence of CSF pleocytosis. We suggest that CSF enterovirus PCR testing is likely to detect more cases of enteroviral meningitis, especially in young infants.