bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience‐dependent regulation of functional maps and synaptic protein expression in the cat visual cortex
Authors: Jaffer Sajjida , Vorobyov Vasily , Kind Peter C. , Sengpiel Frank 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAlthough the basis of our knowledge of experience‐dependent plasticity comes from studies on carnivores and primates, studies examining the physiological and molecular mechanisms that underlie development and plasticity have increasingly employed mice. We have used several common rearing paradigms, such as dark‐rearing and monocular deprivation (MD), to examine the timing of the physiological and molecular changes to altered experience in the cat primary visual cortex. Dark‐rearing from birth or for 1 week starting at 4 weeks of age produced a similar reduction in the amplitude of responses measured through intrinsic signal imaging and a reduction in orientation selectivity. One week of visual experience following dark‐rearing until 4 weeks of age yielded normal responses in both amplitude and orientation selectivity. The depression of deprived‐eye responses was similar in magnitude after 2 and 7 days of MD. In contrast, non‐deprived‐eye responses almost doubled in magnitude after 7 days compared with 2 days of MD. These changes in the functional properties of primary visual cortex neurons were mirrored by specific changes in synaptic protein expression. Changes in proteins such as the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor, postsynaptic density protein 95, alpha‐CA2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII), and GABAAα1a indicated that the levels of sensory activity regulated mechanisms associated with both excitatory (NR2A and NR2B) and inhibitory (GABAAα1a) transmission so as to maintain response homeostasis. Additionally, we found that MD regulated the AMPA receptor glutamate (GluR1) subunit as well as signalling molecules (αCaMKII and synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein, SynGAP) downstream of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors. Proteins in a common signalling pathway appeared to have similar developmental expression profiles that were broadly similar between cats and rodents.
Heidegger and the Supposition of a Single, Objective World
Authors: McManus Denis 
Published: April 2012

AbstractChristina Lafont has argued that the early Heidegger's reflections on truth and understanding are incompatible with ‘the supposition of a single objective world’. This paper presents her argument, reviews some responses that the existing Heidegger literature suggests (focusing, in particular, on work by John Haugeland), and offers what I argue is a superior response. Building on a deeper exploration of just what the above ‘supposition’ demands (an exploration informed by the work of Bernard Williams and Adrian Moore), I argue that a crucial assumption that Lafont and Haugeland both accept must be rejected, namely, that different ‘understandings of Being’ can be viewed as offering ‘rival perspectives’ on a common subject‐matter. I develop this case by drawing on an alternative account of what a Heideggerian ‘understanding of Being’ might be like.
Females first? Past, present and future variability in offspring sex ratio at a temperate sea turtle breeding area
Authors: Katselidis K. A. , Schofield G. , Stamou G. , Dimopoulos P. , Pantis J. D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe long‐term survival of species with temperature‐dependant sex determination requires a sufficient range of incubation temperatures to ensure that both males and females are produced. The primary sex ratio of sea turtles is determined by the temperature experienced by eggs during the middle third of incubation. Here, we investigated the variability in the production of male and female offspring by loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta at six nesting beaches in the temperate breeding area of Zakynthos, Greece. Hatchling sex ratios were estimated using incubation durations and sand temperatures for 2007–2009, while the empirical relationship between air and sand temperature was used to infer historical (1875–2010) and future (2011–2100) hatchling sex ratios. First, all six beaches produced males; 55% of production was across five beaches, while 45% was focused on one beach (primarily in July). Second, male production varied across the season in different years; there was an initial peak in June, with production (rising, declining or plateauing) later in the season being regulated by August air temperatures. Interestingly, the annual male production rate estimated from the 3‐year dataset (23%) was half that estimated from the 135‐year reconstruction (50%), with the latter showing broad interannual variation. Finally, modelled predictions of future sex ratios ranged from a conservative 7.6% decline in male production by 2100 versus no production by 2038. This study provides a baseline from which predicted trends in hatchling sex ratio, in parallel to regular field assessments, could be used to provide guidelines for the selection of appropriate nest protection management protocols, to maintain required sex ratios that safeguard the future of this population.
Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation using partial coherence interferometry in patients with high myopia
Authors: Roessler Gernot F , Dietlein Thomas S , Plange Niklas , Roepke Anna‐Katharina , Dinslage Sven , Walter Peter , Mazinani Babac A 
Published: April 2012

Citation information: Roessler GF, Dietlein TS, Plange N, Roepke A‐K, Dinslage S, Walter P, Mazinani BAE. Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation using partial coherence interferometry in patients with high myopia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 228–233. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2012.00903.xAbstractPurpose:  Ultrasound‐A‐scan‐biometry intraocular lens power calculation for cataract surgery sometimes shows lack of accuracy in patients with high myopia. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the accuracy of lens power calculation with optical biometry using the Zeiss IOLMaster across a large range of myopia levels.Methods:  We included 37 consecutive, myopic eyes with an axial length >26.5 mm (31 patients, 62 ± 13 years old, average preoperative refraction of –14.46 ± 6.61 D, range −3.5 to −32.0 D), which underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens following biometry using the IOLMaster. For lens power calculation, the Haigis formula was used in all cases. For comparison, refraction was back‐calculated using the SRK/T and Holladay I formulae.Results:  The preoperative mean axial length was 29.37 ± 2.44 mm with a range of 26.50–35.52 mm. Thirty eyes (81.1%) showed a postoperative spherical equivalent which differed 1.00 D or less from the predicted value, in 20 cases (54.1%) the postoperative refractive error was within ± 0.50 D. The mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.70 ± 0.59 D (Holladay I, 0.85 ± 0.68; SRK/T, 1.01 ± 0.61 D).Conclusions:  Optical biometry for intraocular lens power calculation seems to deliver reliable results for cataract surgery in patients with high myopia, although our data describe an increasing lack of accuracy beyond an axial length of 30 mm. The Haigis formula provided the best predictability of postoperative refractive outcome for myopic eyes in general.
AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)–dependent and –independent pathways regulate hypoxic inhibition of transepithelial Na+ transport across human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Tan CD , Smolenski RT , Harhun MI , Patel HK , Ahmed SG , Wanisch K , Yáñez‐Muñoz RJ , Baines DL 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pulmonary transepithelial Na+ transport is reduced by hypoxia, but in the airway the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the role of AMPK and ROS in the hypoxic regulation of apical amiloride‐sensitive Na+ channels and basolateral Na+K+ ATPase activity.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH H441 human airway epithelial cells were used to examine the effects of hypoxia on Na+ transport, AMP : ATP ratio and AMPK activity. Lentiviral constructs were used to modify cellular AMPK abundance and activity; pharmacological agents were used to modify cellular ROS.KEY RESULTS AMPK was activated by exposure to 3% or 0.2% O2 for 60 min in cells grown in submerged culture or when fluid (0.1 mL·cm−2) was added to the apical surface of cells grown at the air–liquid interface. Only 0.2% O2 activated AMPK in cells grown at the air–liquid interface. AMPK activation was associated with elevation of cellular AMP : ATP ratio and activity of the upstream kinase LKB1. Hypoxia inhibited basolateral ouabain‐sensitive Isc (Iouabain) and apical amiloride‐sensitive Na+ conductance (GNa+). Modification of AMPK activity prevented the effect of hypoxia on Iouabain (Na+K+ ATPase) but not apical GNa+. Scavenging of superoxide and inhibition of NADPH oxidase prevented the effect of hypoxia on apical GNa+ (epithelial Na+ channels).CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Hypoxia activates AMPK‐dependent and ‐independent pathways in airway epithelial cells. Importantly, these pathways differentially regulate apical Na+ channels and basolateral Na+K+ ATPase activity to decrease transepithelial Na+ transport. Luminal fluid potentiated the effect of hypoxia and activated AMPK, which could have important consequences in lung disease conditions.
HIV‐HCV co‐infection facing HCV protease inhibitor licensing: implications for clinicians
Authors: Ingiliz Patrick , Rockstroh Jürgen K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWith the licensing of the first hepatitis C (HCV) protease inhibitors (PI), telaprevir (TVR) and boceprevir (BOC), cure rates for chronic HCV infection will substantially improve. Human immunodeficiency virus‐ chronic hepatitis C (HIV‐HCV) co‐infected patients are in urgent need for these new drugs, because they are facing both severe liver disease and lower response rates than HCV monoinfected patients. The currently available efficacy data are however, limited to two phase II trials. Fortunately, TVR and BOC appear to be able to improve cure rates in co‐infected patients. A major challenge for clinicians will be the management of drug–drug interactions of antiretroviral drugs and new PI. As HCV PI are also metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 system interactions are probable as well with non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors as with HIV PI. To our knowledge, TVR can only be safely used with one protease inhibitor, boosted atazanavir, and also with efavirenz (EFV), although this combination requires TVR dose adjustments. Boceprevir should not be combined with HIV PI and should not be combined with EFV. The approval of TVR and BOC will create new chances of cure also for HIV‐HCV co‐infected patients. However, the decision who to treat or not has to be taken carefully on the basis of fibrosis stage and previous treatment outcomes. In addition, HIV therapy needs to be optimized according to the available drug–drug interaction data.
Implementing a diet and exercise program for limiting maternal weight gain in obese pregnant women: A pilot study
Authors: Lee Amelia , Karpavicius Jane , Gasparini Elisabeth , Forster Della 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundThirty‐four per cent of Australian women having a baby are overweight or obese. Excessive gestational weight gain leads to significant complications for mother and baby, not only during the pregnancy but in the long term. Limiting weight gain in pregnancy is thought to reduce complications, but there is limited evidence to guide practice.AimTo test the feasibility and acceptance of an intervention aimed at limiting gestational weight gain in obese pregnant women.MethodsA low‐cost multidisciplinary program, comprised of four individual dietary education sessions and three exercise classes, was developed and implemented at a tertiary hospital in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. The Maternal Weight Management program was offered to obese women at their pregnancy booking visit. Program uptake and women's views of the program were explored via telephone survey, and pregnancy and birth outcomes collected.ResultsSeventy‐four women participated in this pilot study; 95% attended at least one session of the program and the attrition rates were high. Fifty‐three per cent completed the postnatal survey. Women confirmed their preference for individual appointments and felt it was important for the hospital to offer a weight management program.ConclusionsThe program we designed had poor uptake and cannot be recommended in its current format. Future studies and considerations could look at more acceptable program design and recruitment strategies and should include formative work with women who would be eligible for such intervention.
Assessment of CSF Flow Dynamics Using PC‐MRI in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
Authors: Hasiloglu Zehra Isik , Albayram Sait , Gorucu Yasin , Selcuk Hakan , Cagil Emin , Erdemli Halil Eren , Adaletli Ibrahim 
Published: April 2012

(Headache 2012;52:808‐819)Aim.— Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is caused by spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and is known to cause orthostatic headaches. Phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI) is a non‐invasive technique that can be used to quantify variation in CSF flow. The aim of this study was to assess CSF flow dynamics using PC‐MRI in SIH.Materials and Methods.— Twenty‐five patients with a definitive diagnosis of SIH and 25 healthy subjects were evaluated with PC‐MRI. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired using a 1.5‐T unit with an 8‐channel head coil. Differences between SIH patients and control subjects were assessed statistically using Wilcoxon's rank sum test, Spearman's rho test, or Pearson's chi‐square test, as appropriate.Results.— CSF flow volumes toward the third ventricle, CSF flow volumes toward the fourth ventricle, the absolute stroke volume, the peak systolic velocity, and the peak diastolic velocity in SIH patients were significantly smaller than those in control subjects (P < .0001). On the other hand, the net CSF flow volume (P = .9227) and the net CSF flow direction (P = .2472) for SIH patients and control subjects were not significantly different.Conclusions.— The results obtained by CSF flow analysis were directly related to values of CSF opening pressure, determined by lumbar puncture, and clinical findings, such as headache scores. Thus, CSF flow analysis with PC‐MRI, which has a short performance time and is non‐invasive, may contribute to assessment of SIH patients.
Do Firms Knowingly Sell Overvalued Equity?
Authors: LEE INMOO 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article examines the relation between top executives' trading and the long‐run stock returns of seasoned equity issuing firms. Primary issuers, who sell mostly newly‐issued primary shares, significantly underperform their benchmarks, regardless of the top executives' prior trading pattern. However, top executives' trading is reliably associated with the stock returns of secondary issuers, who sell mostly secondary shares previously held by existing shareholders. On average, secondary issuers do not underperform their benchmarks. The results suggest that increased free cash flow problems after issue play an important role in explaining the underperformance of issuing firms.
Portfolio Disclosures and Year‐End Price Shifts
Authors: MUSTO DAVID K. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTCommercial paper sells at an extra discount if it matures in the next calendar year but Treasury bills do not. The discount is apparent in downward price shifts before the year‐end, and upward price shifts at the turn of the year that are significantly correlated with the simultaneous returns to small stocks, and that cannot reflect tax‐loss selling. Cross‐sectional and time‐series tests on prices, as well as low of funds evidence on trades by institutional investors, indicate that both the debt and equity patterns reflect agency problems related to portfolio disclosures.
The Stochastic Behavior of Commodity Prices: Implications for Valuation and Hedging
Authors: SCHWARTZ EDUARDO S. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTIn this article we compare three models of the stochastic behavior of commodity prices that take into account mean reversion, in terms of their ability to price existing futures contracts, and their implication with respect to the valuation of other financial and real assets. The first model is a simple one‐factor model in which the logarithm of the spot price of the commodity is assumed to follow a mean reverting process. The second model takes into account a second stochastic factor, the convenience yield of the commodity, which is assumed to follow a mean reverting process. Finally, the third model also includes stochastic interest rates. The Kalman filter methodology is used to estimate the parameters of the three models for two commercial commodities, copper and oil, and one precious metal, gold. The analysis reveals strong mean reversion in the commercial commodity prices. Using the estimated parameters, we analyze the implications of the models for the term structure of futures prices and volatilities beyond the observed contracts, and for hedging contracts for future delivery. Finally, we analyze the implications of the models for capital budgeting decisions.
Journal Influence on the Design of Finance Doctoral Education
Authors: CORRADO CHARLES J. , FERRIS STEPHEN P. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article surveys the influence of research journals on finance doctoral education. Influence is measured by citations from syllabi of finance seminars. A sample of 101 distinct syllabi submitted by 33 finance doctoral programs yields a list of 1,031 articles cited by at least two schools. These 1,031 articles generate 3,273 citations referencing 17 finance, economics, and accounting journals, where multiple citations from a single school are counted as a single citation. The most notable findings are the wide variety of seminar content across finance doctoral programs and the dominance of five finance journals in providing this diverse content.
Winner‐Loser Reversals in National Stock Market Indices: Can They be Explained?
Authors: RICHARDS ANTHONY J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article examines possible explanations for “winner‐loser reversals” in the national stock market indices of 16 countries. There is no evidence that loser countries are riskier than winner countries either in terms of standard deviations, covariance with the world market or other risk factors, or performance in adverse economic states of the world. While there is evidence that small markets are subject to larger reversals than large markets, perhaps due to some form of market imperfection, the reversals are not only a small‐market phenomenon. The apparent anomaly of winner‐loser reversals in national market indices therefore remains unresolved.
Good Timing: CEO Stock Option Awards and Company News Announcements
Authors: YERMACK DAVID 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article analyzes the timing of CEO stock option awards, as a method of investigating corporate managers' influence over the terms of their own compensation. In a sample of 620 stock option awards to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies between 1992 and 1994, I find that the timing of awards coincides with favorable movements in company stock prices. Patterns of companies' quarterly earnings announcements are consistent with an interpretation that CEOs receive stock option awards shortly before favorable corporate news. I evaluate and reject several alternative explanations of the results, including insider trading and the manipulation of news announcement dates.
The Implications of Equity Issuance Decisions within a Parent‐Subsidiary Governance Structure
Authors: SLOVIN MYRON B. , SUSHKA MARIE E. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe provide evidence about the motivation for a parent–subsidiary governance structure by analyzing valuation effects of seasoned equity offerings by publicly traded affiliated units. Our results support Nanda's (1991) theoretical model which predicts equity offerings convey differential information about subsidiary and parent value. Subsidiary equity issuance has negative valuation effects on issuing subsidiaries and positive effects on parents, while parent equity issuance reduces issuing parent wealth and increases subsidiary wealth. Our evidence suggests that a parent–subsidiary organizational structure enhances corporate financing flexibility and mitigates underinvestment problems identified by Myers and Majluf (1984). There is no evidence of subsidiary wealth expropriation.
Impact of diabetes mellitus and metabolic control on bone healing around osseointegrated implants: removal torque and histomorphometric analysis in rats
Authors: de Molon Rafael Scaf , Morais‐Camilo Juliana Aparecida Najarro Dearo , Verzola Mario Henrique Arruda , Faeda Rafael Silveira , Pepato Maria Teresa , Marcantonio Elcio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate bone healing around dental implants with established osseointegration in experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) and insulin therapy by histomorphometric and removal torque analysis in a rat model.Materials and methodsA total of 80 male Wistar rats received a titanium implant in the tibiae proximal methaphysis. After a healing period of 60 days, the rats were divided into four groups of 20 animals each: a 2‐month control group, sacrificed at time (group A), a diabetic group (group D), an insulin group (group I), and a 4‐month control group (group C), subdivided half for removal torque and half for histomorphometric analysis. In the D and I groups the DM was induced by a single injection of 40 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin (STZ). Two days after DM induction, group I received subcutaneous doses of insulin twice a day, during 2 months. Groups C and D received only saline. Two months after induction of DM, the animals of groups D, C and I were sacrificed. The plasmatic levels of glucose (GPL) were monitored throughout the experiment. Evaluation of the percentages of bone‐to‐implant contact and bone area within the limits of the implant threads was done by histomorphometric and mechanical torque analysis. Data were analyzed by anova at significant level of 5%.ResultsThe GPL were within normal range for groups A, C and I and higher for group D. The means and standard deviations (SD) for histomorphometric bone area showed significant difference between group D (69.34 ± 5.00%) and groups C (78.20 ± 4.88%) and I (79.63 ± 4.97%). Related to bone‐to‐implant contact there were no significant difference between the groups D (60.81 + 6.83%), C (63.37 + 5.88%) and I (66.97 + 4.13%). The means and SD for removal torque showed that group D (12.91 ± 2.51 Ncm) was statistically lower than group I (17.10 ± 3.06 Ncm) and C (16.95 ± 5.39 Ncm).ConclusionsDiabetes mellitus impaired the bone healing around dental implants with established osseointegration because the results presented a lower percentage of bone area in group D in relation to groups C and I resulting in a lowest torque values for implant removal. Moreover, insulin therapy prevents the occurrence of bone abnormalities found in diabetic animals and osseointegration was not compromised.