bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation of the European Mink (Mustela lutreola): Focus on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies
Authors: Amstislavsky S , Lindeberg H , Aalto J , Kennedy MW 
Published: July 2008

ContentsThe European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a small mammal, which belongs to the Mustelidae family (Carnivora). Earlier, the range of distribution of this species encompassed much of the European continent. During the 20th century, the numbers of European mink declined and the range of its distribution became reduced to three fragmented populations; today this species faces extinction. The urgent necessity for effective conservation efforts to protect the European mink is accepted by the governmental organizations as well as scientific communities of most European countries. In this paper, the reasons for the disappearance of European mink are reviewed and results of past conservation efforts based on captive breeding and reintroduction programmes are critically evaluated in the broad context of modern concepts of conservation genetics and reproductive biology. The data recently obtained on the reproduction and pre‐implantation development of European mink and the prospects of incorporation of modern reproductive technologies into the conservation programme of this species are discussed.
Association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes in Chinese adults in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Shi Z.‐M. , Hu X.‐S. , Yuan B.‐J. , Gibson R. , Dai Y. , Garg M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground   The intake of iron is positively related to the risk of diabetes, whilst magnesium intake is inversely related. However, it is unknown whether there is an interaction between dietary magnesium and iron expressed as a ratio and diabetes.Methods   This is a cross‐sectional household survey carried out in 2002 in Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 2849 men and women aged ≥ 20 years participated (participation rate 89.0%). Iron and magnesium intake was assessed by 3‐day weighed food records. Fasting plasma glucose, serum ferritin and haemoglobin were measured.Results   The mean intake of iron and magnesium was 25 mg/day and 332 mg/day, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.0% in men and 2.6% in women. Magnesium intake was negatively associated with diabetes when adjusted for age and sex, but not in a fully adjusted model. A strong inverse association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes was observed. In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios of diabetes across quartiles of magnesium : iron intake ratio were: 1.0, 0.63 [95% confidence interval 0.32–1.25], 0.36 (0.16–0.81) and 0.48 (0.20–1.14) (P for trend 0.038). There was an interaction between central obesity and magnesium : iron ratio.Conclusion   Magnesium : iron intake ratio is an independent risk marker for diabetes in Chinese adults. As this is a cross‐sectional study, we cannot establish any causal relationship.
A qualitative exploration of multiple medicines beliefs in co‐morbid diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Stack R. J. , Elliott R. A. , Noyce P. R. , Bundy C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim   Multiple medicines are typically prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non‐adherence to medicines can arise for those who self‐manage the complex regimens typical of T2D and CVD. Perceptions about treatment and illness are probable drivers of adherence and self‐management behaviours. However, few studies have explored perceptions about multiple medicines and none has examined the complexities of managing medicines used in T2D and CVD. We explored perceptions towards multiple medicines expressed by people managing co‐morbid T2D and CVD.Method   Nineteen adults managing multiple medicines for T2D and CVD participated in semi‐structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using a modified grounded theory framework.Results   Participants were sceptical about the prescription of additional medicines, particularly CVD medicines. Often medicines for T2D management were thought to be more important than medicines prescribed for CVD management. Lifestyle change was thought to be a way of reducing CVD risk and this was related to the lower status given to CVD medication. Lipid‐lowering medicines were often thought to be the least important CVD medication prescribed, with some participants considering cessation of medicines to test their necessity.Conclusions   Despite evidence on the severity of macrovascular complications in T2D being available, participants in this study undervalued their CVD medications. Survey research is needed to assess how widely held these beliefs are and whether these beliefs influence non‐adherence. Future research should explore how healthcare professionals can best address such beliefs.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, AND FIRM SURVIVAL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: EVIDENCE FROM MICRO DATA
Authors: Bridges Sarah , Guariglia Alessandra 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTFinancial constraints have been found to play an important role on various aspects of firm behavior. Yet, their effects on firm survival have been largely neglected. We use a panel of 61,496 UK firms over the period 1997–2002 to study the effects of financial variables on firms' failure probabilities, differentiating firms into globally engaged and purely domestic. Estimating a wide range of specifications, we find that lower collateral and higher leverage result in higher failure probabilities for purely domestic than for globally engaged firms. This can be seen as evidence that global engagement shields firms from financial constraints.
FOOL THE MARKETS? CREATIVE ACCOUNTING, FISCAL TRANSPARENCY AND SOVEREIGN RISK PREMIA
Authors: Bernoth Kerstin , Wolff Guntram B. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTWe investigate the effects of official fiscal data and creative accounting signals on interest rate spreads between bond yields in the European Union. We find that two different measures of creative accounting indeed both increase the spread. The increase of the risk premium is stronger, if financial markets are unsure about the true extent of creative accounting. Moreover, fiscal transparency reduces risk premia. Instrumental variable regressions confirm these results by addressing potential reverse causality problems and measurement bias.
UNBALANCED SCHEDULES AND THE ESTIMATION OF COMPETITIVE BALANCE IN THE SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Authors: Lenten Liam J. A. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTSince the season ending in 2001, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) has, unlike other European football leagues, utilised an unbalanced schedule, by which the strongest teams in a given season play each other an extra time, mutatis mutandis for the weakest teams. While this approach may make sense for several reasons, it also has implications for within‐season measures of competitive balance, because it creates biases in the set of win ratios from the end‐of‐season league table. This paper applies a simple log‐probability rule to calculate a set of adjusted win ratios correcting for this inherent bias. Such an adjustment is necessary if one wishes to compare within‐season competitive balance of the SPL with other European leagues. It is shown that by correcting for the unbalanced schedule, the SPL is consistently less competitive over the sample period. The implications of this finding are discussed at length.
Agent‐Based Simulation of Urban Residential Dynamics and Land Rent Change in a Gentrifying Area of Boston
Authors: Jackson Jeremy , Forest Benjamin , Sengupta Raja 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCertain complex processes are most effectively modeled not on the macro‐scale, but from the bottom‐up, by simulating the decisions of individual entities, or agents. This study uses an agent‐based modeling (ABM) approach to simulate residential dynamics in an area of Boston that has increasingly experienced gentrification in the past decades. The model is instantiated using basic empirical data and uses simple decision‐making rules, differentiated into four classes, to simulate the process of residential dynamics. The model employs the consumption explanation of the cause of gentrification, which emphasizes the choices of individuals drawn to urban amenities, while testing the production explanation, which suggests that major investments from the public and private sphere attract and explain gentrification. Verification shows that the processes in the model work according to its construction, simulates complexity and emergent phenomena, and may be a valuable explanatory tool for understanding and learning about some processes underlying gentrification.
A Space‐Time GIS Approach to Exploring Large Individual‐based Spatiotemporal Datasets
Authors: Shaw Shih‐Lung , Yu Hongbo , Bombom Leonard S 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe increasing number of large individual‐based spatiotemporal datasets in various research fields has challenged the GIS community to develop analysis tools that can efficiently help researchers explore the datasets in order to uncover useful information. Rooted in Hägerstrand's time geography, this study presents a generalized space‐time path (GSTP) approach to facilitating visualization and exploration of spatiotemporal changes among individuals in a large dataset. The fundamental idea of this approach is to derive a small number of representative space‐time paths (i.e. GSTPs) from the raw dataset by identifying spatial cluster centers of observed individuals at different time periods and connecting them according to their temporal sequence. A space‐time GIS environment is developed to implement the GSTP concept. Different methods of handling temporal data aggregation and the creation of GSTPs are discussed in this article. Using a large individual‐based migration history dataset, this study successfully develops an operational space‐time GIS prototype in ESRI's ArcScene and ArcMap to provide a proof‐of‐concept study of this approach. This space‐time GIS system demonstrates that the proposed GSTP approach can provide a useful exploratory analysis and geovisualization environment to help researchers effectively search for hidden patterns and trends in such datasets.
The relations among cumulative risk, parenting, and behavior problems during early childhood
Authors: Trentacosta Christopher J. , Hyde Luke W. , Shaw Daniel S. , Dishion Thomas J. , Gardner Frances , Wilson Melvin 
Published: July 2008

Background:  This study examined relations among cumulative risk, nurturant and involved parenting, and behavior problems across early childhood.Methods:  Cumulative risk, parenting, and behavior problems were measured in a sample of low‐income toddlers participating in a family‐centered program to prevent conduct problems.Results:  Path analysis was utilized to examine longitudinal relations among these constructs, with results supporting an indirect effect of cumulative risk on externalizing and internalizing problems through nurturant and involved parenting.Conclusion:  Results highlight the importance of cumulative risk during early childhood, and particularly the effect that the level of contextual risk can have on the parenting context during this developmental period.
Accuracy of Physician Billing Claims for Identifying Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care
Authors: Cadieux Geneviève , Tamblyn Robyn 
Published: July 2008

Objective. To assess the accuracy of physician billing claims for identifying acute respiratory infections in primary care.Study Setting. Nine primary care physician practices in Montreal, Canada (2002–2005).Study Design. A validation study was carried out to compare diagnoses in 3,526 physician billing claims with diagnoses documented in the corresponding patient medical records.Data Collection. In‐office medical record abstraction.Principal Findings. Claims had a high positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and specificity for identifying respiratory infections; however, their sensitivity was below 50 percent. Large variation in sensitivity and PPV was observed among physicians.Conclusions. Because claims data are now routinely used to monitor antibiotic prescribing in primary care, future research should determine if acute respiratory infection diagnoses are missing from claims at random, or if bias is present.
Adverse Hospital Events for Mentally Ill Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Li Yue , Glance Laurent G. , Cai Xueya , Mukamel Dana B. 
Published: July 2008

Context. Patients with mental disorders show higher burden of coronary heart disease, and may face special safety issues during in‐hospital cardiac care.Objectives. To compare the postoperative complication rate between patients with and without mental disorders undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Design, Setting, and Patients. Retrospective analyses of New York state hospital claims between 1997 and 2004 (N=135,701). Complications were defined using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (AHRQ PSI).Principal Findings. Mental disorders were significantly associated with higher anesthesia complications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=6.44, p<.001), decubitus ulcer (AOR=1.42, p=.006), postoperative hip fracture (AOR=3.29, p<.001), and overall complication rate representing nine PSIs (AOR=1.27, p<.001).Conclusions. Mentally ill patients undergoing CABG surgery are more likely to experience potentially preventable complications and injuries. The mechanism underlying this observation warrants further study.
Mechanical Restoration of California Mixed‐Conifer Forests: Does it Matter Which Trees Are Cut?
Authors: Miesel Jessica R. , Boerner Ralph E. J. , Skinner Carl N. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe montane ecosystems of northern California have been subjected to repeated manipulation and active fire suppression for over a century, resulting in changes in community structure that contribute to increased wildfire hazard. Ecosystem restoration via reduction of stand density for wildfire hazard mitigation has received substantial attention in recent years; however, many ecological questions remain unanswered. This study compares belowground effects of two alternative forest thinning treatments designed to restore the large, old tree component of late‐seral structure, one of which focuses on restoringPinus ponderosadominance (Pine‐preference) and the other of which promotes development of large trees regardless of species (Size‐preference). We evaluated forest floor and soil chemical and microbial parameters in six experimental thinning treatment units of 40 ha each in the Klamath National Forest of northern California 5–6 years after thinning. Inorganic N availability, soil organic C content, phenol oxidase activity, and forest floor C:N ratio were greater in the Size‐preference treatment, whereas forest floor N and soil pH were greater in the Pine‐preference treatment. Our results indicate that these two thinning strategies produce differences in the soil environment that has the potential to affect growth rates of trees that remain, as well as the growth and survivorship of newly established seedlings. Thus, which species/individuals are removed during structural restoration of these mixed‐conifer forests matters both to the belowground components of the ecosystem today and the vegetation and productivity of the ecosystem in future decades.
Rapid Seed Bank Development in Restored Tidal Freshwater Wetlands
Authors: Neff Kelly P. , Rusello Kristin , Baldwin Andrew H. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract Studies of seed bank development have rarely been included in evaluations of wetland restoration. We compared the seed bank of a recently restored tidal freshwater marsh in Washington, D.C., Kingman Marsh, with seed banks of another restored site (Kenilworth Marsh) and two reference marshes (Dueling Creek and Patuxent Marsh). The density and richness of emerging seedlings from Kingman Marsh seed bank samples increased from less than 4 seedlings and 2 taxa/90‐cm2 sample in 2000 (the year of restoration) to more than 130 seedlings and 10 taxa/90‐cm2 sample in 2003. The most important seed bank taxa at Kingman Marsh included Cyperus spp., Juncus spp., Lindernia dubia, Ludwigia palustris, and the non‐native Lythrum salicaria. These taxa are not abundant in most mid‐Atlantic tidal freshwater marshes but are almost identical to those described for a created tidal freshwater wetland in New Jersey. Seed banks of both the restored sites contained few seeds of several important species found at the reference sites. Flooding had a significant negative effect on emerging seedling density and taxa density, suggesting that slight decreases in soil elevation in restored wetlands will dramatically decrease recruitment from the seed bank. Because seed banks integrate processes affecting growth and reproduction of standing vegetation, we suggest that seed banks are a useful metric of wetland restoration success and urge that seed bank studies be incorporated into monitoring programs for restored wetlands.
The Financial Costs of Ecologically Nonsustainable Farming Practices in a Semiarid System
Authors: Herling Margot C. , Cupido Clement F. , O'Farrell Patrick J. , Du Plessis Lozelle 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNonsustainable ostrich farming practices have degraded large areas of the Little Karoo, a semiarid region in South Africa. The Little Karoo lies within the Succulent Karoo biome, a recognized biodiversity hotspot. A financial feasibility analysis was undertaken from a private landowner’s perspective to examine the costs and benefits of rehabilitating degraded areas thereby allowing farmers to shift their production focus from ostrich to sheep farming, a financially stable and relatively conservation‐compatible land use. Our aim was to raise awareness, at a private landowner level, to the opportunity costs incurred through unsustainable land use practices. We calculated and contrasted net present values for rehabilitation and no rehabilitation scenarios and investigated model sensitivities relating to seed costs, seedling survival and ostrich product prices. Rehabilitation was not found to be financially feasible for private landholders over 20 years. Seedling survival and associated seed costs were found to have strong controlling effects. Third parties need to contribute both financially and in terms of research outputs if sustainable land use practices are to be achieved in this area. This study elucidates the true costs associated with the unsustainable practice of ostrich farming and sounds a cautionary warning.
Outcome predictors for surgical treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis
Authors: Aull‐Watschinger Susanne , Pataraia Ekaterina , Czech Thomas , Baumgartner Christoph 
Published: July 2008

Summary
Purpose: To study long‐term postoperative course and identify predictors for postoperative seizure control in patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ascertained histopathologically. To compare patients becoming seizure‐free (i.e., cured from epilepsy) and patients experiencing prolonged seizure‐free periods interposed with recurring seizures.
Methods: One hundred thirty‐five patients (74 women) underwent complete evaluation for epilepsy surgery. The predictive value of duration of epilepsy, age at onset, age at surgery, gender, febrile convulsion history, ictal dystonic posturing, unilateral interictal electroencephalography (EEG) discharges (IED), preoperative secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures (SGTCS), and preoperative seizure frequency for short‐ and long‐term postoperative seizure control were evaluated with two classification systems: Classification 1 (seizure‐freedom with or without auras during 12‐months before observation points) and the stringent classification 2 [International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Ia; absolute absence of seizures and auras after operation].
Results: Unilateral IED at year 1 and 2 (p = 0.037 and p = 0.034), male gender and low seizure frequency at year 2 (p = 0.013 and p = 0.046) were significant predictors for seizure freedom using classification 1. All variables (except male gender at year 2; p = 0.035) lost their predictive power, applying classification 2. The proportion of seizure‐free patients remained stable between 70% to 79% with classification 1, but decreased from 64.4% at year 1 to 45.8% at year 5 with classification 2.
Discussion: Positive predictors of short‐term outcome do not predict long‐term outcome in patients with TLE associated with HS. Absolute freedom of seizures and auras cannot be predicted by conventional preoperative variables.
Photopatch tests: an Italian multicentre study from 2004 to 2006
Authors: Pigatto Paolo Daniele , Guzzi Gianpaolo , Schena Donatella , Guarrera Marcella , Foti Caterina , Francalanci Stefano , Cristaudo Antonio , Ayala Fabio , Vincenzi Colombina 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Evaluation of possible photoallergic contact dermatitis in at‐risk populations is often not undertaken, and an agreed methodology for investigation is uncommonly used.Objectives:  We conducted a retrospective multicentre study to determine the prevalence of photoallergic contact dermatitis in Italy.Methods:  A total of 1082 patients with histories and clinical features suggestive of photoallergic contact dermatitis were evaluated. All the patients had undergone photopatch testing with allergens proposed for Italy as well as other substances suggested by each patient’s personal history.Results:  234 patients (21.6%) were positive to at least one test substance of the standard photopatch testing series or to added substances. 234 patients (21.6%) were positive to at least one substance with a total of 290 reactions. 204 of the reactions were typically photoallergic; 68 reactions were allergic and within this group 10 were photoaugmented reactions; 18 reactions were considered to be phototoxic.Conclusion:  The predominant group of photoallergens was drugs, followed by organic UV filters and antimicrobial agents.
Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate allergenicity: potential haptenation mechanisms
Authors: Chipinda Itai , Hettick Justin M. , Simoyi Reuben H. , Siegel Paul D. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) and its disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TETD), are rubber accelerators and contact allergens that cross‐react in some individuals.Objective: This study explored potential protein haptenation mechanisms of ZDEC and its oxidation products.Methods: ZDEC oxidation/reduction products and sites of protein binding were assessed using high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) was employed to probe haptenation mechanisms of ZDEC by examining its allergenicity along with its oxidation products and through elimination of oxidation and chelation mechanisms by substituting cobalt for zinc [cobalt (II) dithiocarbamate, CoDEC].Results: Oxidation of ZDEC by hypochlorous acid (bleach, HOCl), iodine, or hydrogen peroxide resulted in production of TETD, tetraethylthiocarbamoyl disulfide, and tetraethyldicarbamoyl disulfide (TEDCD). Albumin thiols reduced TETD with subsequent mixed disulfide formation/haptenation. ZDEC directly chelated the copper ion on the active site of the superoxide dismutase, whereas CoDEC did not bind to Cu proteins or form mixed disulfides with free thiols. ZDEC, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, TEDCD, and TETD were all positive in the LLNA except CoDEC, which was non‐allergenic.Conclusion: The thiol is the critical functional group in ZDEC’s allergenicity, and haptenation is predominantly through chelation of metalloproteins and formation of mixed disulfides.