bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of herbivore species richness on the niche dynamics and distribution of blue sheep in the Trans‐Himalaya
Authors: Namgail Tsewang , Mishra Charudutt , De Jong Christine B. , Van Wieren Sipke E. , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  To understand the community structure of mountain ungulates by exploring their niche dynamics in response to sympatric species richness.Location  Ladakh and Spiti Regions of the Western Indian Trans‐Himalaya.Methods  We used the blue sheep Pseudois nayaur, a relatively widely distributed mountain ungulate, as a model species to address the issue. We selected three discrete valleys in three protected areas with similar environmental features but varying wild ungulate species richness, and studied blue sheep’s diet and habitat utilization in them. Habitat variables such as slope angle, distance to cliff and elevation at blue sheep locations were recorded to determine the habitat width of the species. Faecal pellets were collected and microhistological faecal analysis was carried out to determine the diet width of blue sheep in the three areas with different ungulate species richness. Blue sheep’s niche width in terms of habitat and diet was determined using the Shannon’s Index.Results  The habitat width of blue sheep had a negative relationship with the number of sympatric species. However, contrary to our expectation, there was a hump‐shaped relationship between blue sheep’s diet width and the sympatric species richness, with the diet width being narrower in areas of allopatry as well as in areas with high herbivore species richness, and the greatest in areas with moderate species richness.Main conclusions  We suspect that the narrow diet width in allopatry is out of choice, whereas it is out of necessity in areas with high herbivore species richness because of resource partitioning that enables coexistence. We suggest that interactions with sympatric species lead to niche adjustment of mountain ungulates, implying that competition may play a role in structuring Trans‐Himalayan mountain ungulate assemblages. Given these results, we underscore the importance of including biotic interactions in species distribution models, which have often been neglected.
Using null model analysis of species co‐occurrences to deconstruct biodiversity patterns and select indicator species
Authors: Azeria Ermias T. , Fortin Daniel , Hébert Christian , Peres‐Neto Pedro , Pothier David , Ruel Jean‐Claude 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim Using total species richness to characterize biodiversity may mask multiple response patterns of species. We propose a null model analysis of species co‐occurrence‐based classification to identify sets of species that may have similar (within‐groups) and distinct (between groups) response patterns to their environment. The classification should also provide an explicit framework for selecting indicator species with characteristic co‐occurrence patterns to predict overall species richness.Location Côte‐Nord, Québec, Canada.Methods We combined null‐model of species co‐occurrence and cluster analysis to identify species groups within diverse assemblages of ground‐dwelling and flying beetles of stands in a boreal forest mosaic; we then examined their co‐occurrence and response patterns to habitat characteristics. Best subset regressions were used to select indicator species of richness within each group, from which indicators of total species richness were selected.Results The identified species groups appeared to display contrasting co‐occurrence and response patterns to at least one of the stand‐level habitat characteristics. Among flying beetles, for example, richness increased with stand‐level heterogeneity for two groups and decreased for two other groups, but the relationship was non‐significant for the total richness. We identified 28 indicator species that explained > 80% (validated by bootstrap analysis) of the variation in total species richness. Predictive performance of indicators was higher than when their co‐occurrence were reshuffled, even under a highly constrained null model, indicating that co‐occurrence patterns contributed to their predictive performance.Main conclusions Co‐occurrence‐based classification appears as a promising and effective tool for deconstructing biodiversity into species groups which reflect their ecological commonalities and differences, thus reducing the risk of making faulty inferences about the causes underlying overall diversity patterns. The method provides an explicit framework for selecting indicator species representing different species groups that may reflect the multiple responses of species co‐occurring with them. Indicator species can be effective for predicting overall species richness.
Increased fluid intake does not augment capacity to lay down new collagen in nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcers: A randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Stotts Nancy A. , Hopf Harriet W. , Kayser‐Jones Jeanie , Chertow Glenn M. , Cooper Bruce A. , Wu Horng‐Shiuann 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTPrevention of pressure ulcers is fundamental to safe care of nursing home residents yet the role of hydration in pressure ulcer prevention has not been systematically examined. This randomized clinical trial was undertaken to determine whether administration of supplemental fluid to nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcers would enhance collagen deposition, increase estimated total body water, augment subcutaneous tissue oxygenation, and was safe. After a baseline period, 64 subjects were randomized to receive the fluid volume prescribed or additional fluid (prescribed plus 10 mL/kg) for 5 days. Participants' potential to heal as measured with hydroxyproline was low at baseline and did not increase significantly during treatment when additional fluid was systematically provided. Fluid intake increased significantly during treatment. Estimates of total body water and subcutaneous oxygen did not increase, indicating hydration was not improved. Supplemental fluid did not result in overhydration as measured by clinical parameters. Further work is needed to examine the relationship between fluid intake and hydration in nursing home residents as well as the role of hydration in pressure ulcer prevention.
Ultrasound accelerates healing of normal wounds but not of ischemic ones
Authors: Altomare Mariane , Nascimento Adriana P. , Romana‐Souza Bruna , Amadeu Thaís P. , Monte‐Alto‐Costa Andréa 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTTo examine the influence of therapeutic ultrasound (US) on repair of standard and ischemic cutaneous lesions, full‐thickness excisional wounds were made in rats and treated with a US 3 MHz, 0.5 W/cm2 pulsed duty cycle. We used five experimental groups: control (received US powered off on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), control US (received US on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), ischemic (received US powered off on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day), ischemic US 3X (received US on the day of surgery, and on the second and fourth day) and ischemic US 5X (received US in the day of surgery, first, second, third and fourth day). The control US group showed acceleration in wound contraction 7 days after wounding, an increase in collagen density, and only focal inflammatory areas. Neo‐epidermis formation was more advanced in the control US group than in the control one. Wound contraction was delayed in the ischemic group when compared with the control group as well as the ischemic US 3X group, was but slightly accelerated in the ischemic US 5X group when compared with the ischemic group 7 days after wounding. Reepithelialization was delayed in both ischemic US groups when compared with the ischemic group. The number of inflammatory cells was higher in both US ischemic groups. We conclude that US therapy accelerates wound healing in normal wounds and delays wound healing in ischemic wounds.
Endocrinology and Dialysis  Series Editor: Jean L. Holley: A Review of the Effects of Growth Hormone Changes on Symptoms of Frailty in the Elderly with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Emaad , Holley Jean L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, especially in the elderly. Recently, functional impairment and frailty have been recognized as factors affecting the quality of life, and outcomes in elderly patients with CKD and therapeutic interventions to improve function and reduce frailty are therefore being considered. Growth hormone (GH) levels decrease with age and GH actions are impaired in CKD patients. GH stimulates protein synthesis, bone, and glucose metabolism, and affects body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean body mass. An increase in lean body mass may reduce frailty and thus avoid functional impairment. Thus, providing GH to elderly CKD patients could potentially improve outcomes and quality of life by lowering the risk of frailty and associated functional impairment. There are few studies assessing the long‐term effects of GH administration on symptoms of frailty in elderly patients with CKD. In this review we will try to shed some light on the trials assessing the administration of GH to elderly subjects and to patients with CKD and focus on the possible role GH administration may play to improve frailty and quality of life in those patients.
Use of Zirconia Ceramic in the DexAide Right Ventricular Assist Device Journal Bearing
Authors: Saeed Diyar , Horvath David J. , Massiello Alex L. , Ootaki Yoshio , Benefit Stephen , Golding Leonard A.R. , Fukamachi Kiyotaka 
Published: October 2009

AbstractOur aim was to evaluate the potential use of zirconium oxide (zirconia) as a blood journal bearing material in the DexAide right ventricular assist device. The DexAide titanium stator was replaced by a zirconia stator in several blood pump builds, without changing the remaining pump hardware components. In vitro pump performance and efficiency were evaluated at a predetermined pump speed and flow. Motor power consumption decreased by 20%, and DexAide battery life was extended to over 12 h on two fully charged batteries. The zirconia stator was also successfully evaluated in a severe start/stop test pre‐ and postexposure of the zirconia to accelerated simulated biologic aging. This study's outcomes indicated the advantages of zirconia as an alternate journal bearing material for the DexAide device.
Hemocompatibility of a Miniaturized Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and a Pumpless Interventional Lung Assist in Experimental Lung Injury
Authors: Kopp Ruedger , Bensberg Ralf , Henzler Dietrich , Niewels Anja , Randerath Simone , Rossaint Rolf , Kuhlen Ralf 
Published: October 2009

AbstractExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for most severe acute respiratory distress syndrome cases in specialized centers. Hemocompatibility of devices depends on the size and modification of blood contacting surfaces as well as blood flow rates. An interventional lung assist using arteriovenous perfusion of a low‐resistance oxygenator without a blood pump (Novalung, Hechingen, Germany) or a miniaturized ECMO with reduced filling volume and a diagonal blood pump (Deltastream, Medos AG, Stolberg, Germany) could optimize hemocompatibility. The aim of the study was to compare hemocompatibility with conventional ECMO. Female pigs were connected to extracorporeal circulation for 24 h after lavage induced lung injury (eight per group). Activation of coagulation and immune system as well as blood cell damage was measured. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. Plasmatic coagulation was slightly activated in all groups demonstrated by increased thrombin‐anti‐thrombin III‐complex. No clinical signs of bleeding or thromboembolism occurred. Thrombelastography revealed decreased clotting capacities after miniaturized ECMO, probably due to significantly reduced platelet count. These resulted in reduced dosage of intravenous heparin. Scanning electron microscopy of oxygenator fibers showed significantly increased binding and shape change of platelets after interventional lung assist. In all groups, hemolysis remained negligible, indicated by low plasma hemoglobin concentration. Interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α concentration as well as leukocyte count remained unchanged. Both devices demonstrated adequate hemocompatibility for safe clinical application, although a missing blood pump did not increase hemocompatibility. Further studies seem necessary to analyze the influence of different blood pumps on platelet drop systematically.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐6‐loaded Chitosan Scaffolds Enhance the Osteoblastic Characteristics of MC3T3‐E1 Cells
Authors: Akman Abdullah C. , Seda Tığlı R. , Gümüşderelioğlu Menemşe , Nohutcu Rahime M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the convenience of bone morphogenetic protein‐6 (BMP‐6)‐loaded chitosan scaffolds with preosteoblastic cells for bone tissue engineering. MC3T3‐E1 cells were seeded into three different groups: chitosan scaffolds, BMP‐6‐loaded chitosan scaffolds, and chitosan scaffolds with free BMP‐6 in culture medium. Tissue‐engineered constructs were characterized by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐tetrazoliumbromide assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mineralization assay (von Kossa), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin (OCN) assays. BMP‐6‐loaded chitosan scaffolds supported proliferation of the MC3T3‐E1 mouse osteogenic cells in a similar pattern as the unloaded chitosan scaffolds group and as the chitosan scaffolds with free BMP‐6 group. SEM images of the cell‐seeded scaffolds revealed significant acceleration of extracellular matrix synthesis in BMP‐6‐loaded chitosan scaffolds. Both levels of ALP and OCN were higher in BMP‐6‐loaded chitosan scaffold group compared with the other two groups. In addition, BMP‐6‐loaded scaffolds showed strong staining in mineralization assays. These findings suggest that BMP‐6‐loaded chitosan scaffold supports cellular functions of the osteoblastic cells; therefore, this scaffold is considered as a new promising vehicle for bone tissue engineering applications.
Segmental Differences of Impaired Diastolic Relaxation Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery in Children: A Tissue Doppler Study
Authors: Pauliks Linda B. , Ündar Akif , Clark J. Brian , Myers John L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractImpaired myocardial relaxation is an important aftereffect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Infants with their immature calcium metabolism may be particularly vulnerable. However, it has been difficult to quantitate diastolic dysfunction clinically. This study used tissue Doppler to measure regional diastolic myocardial velocities in 31 pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery. Color tissue Doppler images were acquired in the operating room before and 8 and 24 h post CPB surgery. Early (E) and atrial (A) diastolic velocities were determined. Long axis motion was assessed from apical views near the mitral and tricuspid rings and radial wall motion from the parasternal view. The study included 31 children aged 3.6 ± 4.4 years (6 days to 16 years), with a mean weight of 14.7 ± 13.7 kg and body surface area of 0.59 ± 0.35 m2. Tissue Doppler analysis of regional wall motion revealed abnormal left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) diastolic relaxation in the early postoperative phase after CPB. Initially, all segments were significantly altered, but by 24 h, regional differences became apparent: LV radial wall motion was recovered, while longitudinal fibers in LV and RV appeared to be less resilient. RV myocardial mechanics were most abnormal. Tissue Doppler analysis may deepen our understanding of myocardial recovery and offers a sensitive tool to compare different cardioprotective strategies.
CD34+ cells obtained from “good mobilizers” are more activated and exhibit lower ex vivo expansion efficiency than their counterparts from “poor mobilizers”
Authors: Ivanovic Zoran , Kovacevic‐Filipovic Milica , Jeanne Michel , Ardilouze Leslie , Bertot Anne , Szyporta Milène , Hermitte Francis , Lafarge Xavier , Duchez Pascale , Vlaski Marija , Milpied Noel , Pavlovic Mirjana , Praloran Vincent , Boiron Jean‐Michel 
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND: The classification of patients into “good” or “poor” mobilizers is based on CD34+ cell count in their peripheral blood (PB) after granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) injection. We hypothesized that, apart from their mobilization from marrow to the blood, the response to G‐CSF of CD34+ cells also includes activation of proliferation, metabolic activity, and proliferative capacity.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mobilized PB CD34+ cells purified from samples obtained by cytapheresis of multiple myeloma or non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma patients of both good (>50 CD34+ cells/µL) and poor (≤50 CD34+ cells/µL) mobilizers were studied. The initial cell cycle state of CD34+ cells after selection and their kinetics of activation (exit from G0 phase) during ex vivo culture were analyzed. Their proliferative capacity was estimated on the basis of ex vivo generation of total cells, CD34+ cells, and colony‐forming cells (CFCs), in a standardized expansion culture. Indirect insight in metabolic activity was obtained on the basis of their survival (viability and apoptosis follow‐up) during the 7‐day‐long conservation in hypothermia (4°C) in the air or in atmosphere containing 3% O2/6% CO2.RESULTS: CD34+ cells obtained from good mobilizers were in lower proportion in the G0 phase, their activation in a cytokine‐stimulated culture was accelerated, and they exhibited a lower ex vivo expansion efficiency than those from poor mobilizers. The resistance to hypothermia of good immobilizers' CD34+ cells is impaired.CONCLUSION: A good response to G‐CSF mobilization treatment is associated with a higher degree of proliferative and metabolic activation of mobilized CD34+ cells with a decrease in their expansion capacity.
Drafting the BOLERO Plan
Authors: Brewer Gene A. 
Published: October 2009

This year marks the sixty‐fifth anniversary of the D‐Day invasion, when Allied forces crossed the English Channel and established beachheads along a 50‐mile stretch of the Normandy coast in northern France. Troops overcame stiff resistance and systematically moved inland, liberating Northern Europe and forcing the surrender of Germany and the end of World War II in that part of the world. The D‐Day invasion took place on June 6, 1944, but its planning began more than two years earlier. This case studies the strategic planning that led up to the invasion. The Operations Division of the War Department General Staff, formerly known as the War Plans Division, was the principal staff agency of the U.S. Army high command during World War II. The story focuses on the Operations Division's role in formulating a strategic plan for ending the war as well as Operation BOLERO—the American military troop buildup in Great Britain that preceded the cross‐channel invasion. By reprinting this case from the original U.S. Army historical record, PAR pays tribute to the brave men and women who planned and executed this bold maneuver, many of whom paid the ultimate price to achieve victory and restore freedom. Popularized as the “Greatest Generation,” they were ordinary people who answered the call of public service with extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. Members of the modern‐day public administration community proudly stand on their shoulders. This chapter‐length excerpt is taken from Ray S. Cline, Washington Command Post: The Operations Division (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 1951), chapter IX, “Case History: Drafting the BOLERO Plan,” pp. 143–63.
EFA Keynote Speech: “Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility: What Do Investors Care about? What Should Investors Care about?”
Authors: Starks Laura T. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article is the keynote address from the Eastern Finance Association meeting in New Orleans in March 2007 with updated references and examples. In this keynote address, I discuss what we can learn about institutional investors' views on corporate governance and corporate social responsibility from research and surveys.
Earnings‐Based Bonus Compensation
Authors: Câmara António 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article studies the cost of contingent earnings‐based bonus compensation. We assume that the firm has normal and abnormal earnings. The normal earnings result from normal firm activities and are modeled as an arithmetic Brownian motion. The abnormal earnings result from surprising activities (e.g., introduction of an unexpected new product, an unexpected strike) and are modeled as a compound Poisson process where the earnings jump sizes have a normal distribution. We investigate, in a simple general equilibrium model, how normal and abnormal earnings affect the cost of contingent bonus compensation to the firm.
Director Compensation and the Reliability of Accounting Information
Authors: Boumosleh Anwar 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper studies the effect of incentive‐based compensation on directors' monitoring of management. Using total accruals to measure the level of earnings management, I find that director stock option compensation is associated with higher levels of total accruals. I interpret this result to suggest that director stock options are more likely to align interests of directors with those of managers and that this convergence of interest manifests in lower transparency and reliability of financial information. The results suggest that director stock option compensation provides incentive for directors to compromise their task in the financial reporting process.
The Intertemporal Risk‐Return Relation in the Stock Market
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Lee Bong Soo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe reexamine the intertemporal risk‐return relation. We find a positive risk‐return relation by measuring expected returns and conditional variance in a consistent manner using firm fundamentals. As measures of fundamentals, we use earnings and dividends. For the robustness of our results, we consider various sample periods and model specifications. Our finding of a positive relation is robust as long as we use firm fundamentals in measuring expected returns and conditional variances in a consistent manner.
Out‐of‐Sample Predictability in International Equity Markets: A Model Selection Approach
Authors: Su Xiaojing , Wang Tao , Yang Jian 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFor 13 major international stock markets, there is much evidence of out‐of‐sample predictability for growth stocks especially when evaluated with economic criteria, and to a noticeably lesser extent for general stock markets and value stocks. Our results shed light on the recent debate about stock return predictability, using different assets (growth‐style indexes), forecasting variables (past returns), forecasting models (nonlinear models), and alternative forecasting evaluation criteria (economic criteria). Our analysis suggests that (growth) stock returns might be predictable.
Fractional Integration in Commodity Futures Returns
Authors: Elder John , Jin Hyun J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe reexamine commodity futures returns for evidence of fractional integration utilizing two estimators based on wavelets. We summarize basic wavelet methods for signal processing and decompose commodity futures returns by wavelet scale. We find the evidence for long memory is not conclusive based on visual inspection of the wavelet decomposition, but formal statistical tests suggest evidence of long memory, in the form of antipersistence, in about half of agricultural commodity futures. We find little evidence of long memory in metal futures. Our results are useful in interpreting previous disparate findings based on frequency domain estimators.