bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating dominant species as proxies for biotic interactions strengthens plant community models
Authors: le Roux Peter C. , Pellissier Loïc , Wisz Mary S. , Luoto Miska
Published: February 2014

Biotic interactions exert considerable influence on the distribution of individual species and should, thus, strongly impact communities. Implementing biotic interactions in spatial models of community assembly is therefore essential for accurately modelling assemblage properties. However, this remains a challenge due to the difficulty of detecting the role of species interactions and because accurate paired community and environment data sets are required to disentangle biotic influences from abiotic effects.

Here, we incorporate data from three dominant species into community‐level models as a proxy for the frequency and intensity of their interactions with other species and predict emergent assemblage properties for the co‐occurring subdominant species. By analysing plant community and field‐quantified environmental data from specially designed and spatially replicated monitoring grids, we provide a robust in vivo test of community models.

Considering this well‐defined and easily quantified surrogate for biotic interactions consistently improved realism in all aspects of community models (community composition, species richness and functional structure), irrespective of modelling methodology.

Dominant species reduced community richness locally and favoured species with similar leaf dry matter content. This effect was most pronounced under conditions of high plant biomass and cover, where stronger competitive impacts are expected. Analysis of leaf dry matter content suggests that this effect may occur through efficient resource sequestration.

Synthesis. We demonstrate the strong role of dominant species in shaping multiple plant community attributes, and thus the need to explicitly include interspecific interactions to achieve robust predictions of assemblage properties. Incorporating information on biotic interactions strengthens our capacity not only to predict the richness and composition of communities, but also how their structure and function will be modified in the face of global change.
Flexible strategy use by students who learn much versus little from text: transitions within think‐aloud protocols
Authors: Cromley Jennifer G. , Wills Theodore W.
Published: February 2014

Van den Broek's landscape model explicitly posits sequences of moves during reading in real time. Two other models that implicitly describe sequences of processes during reading are tested in the present research. Coded think‐aloud data from 24 undergraduate students reading scientific text were analysed with lag‐sequential techniques to compare specific transitions and flexibility with transitions between students who gained much in learning from reading a passage (n = 11) and those who gained little (n = 13). Just before verbalising inferences, those who gained much verbalised vocabulary, background knowledge, and strategies significantly more than did those who gained little. Those who gained much showed more flexible patterns before verbalising strategies and vocabulary, but rigid patterns just before inferences, whereas those who gained little showed the opposite pattern. Results both support and point out weaknesses in contemporary theories of reading comprehension and may explain some results from classroom experimental work.
Russian Pioneers of Therapeutic Hemapheresis and Extracorporeal Hemocorrection: 100‐Year Anniversary of the World's First Successful Plasmapheresis
Authors: Sokolov Alexey A , Solovyev Andrey G
Published: February 2014

On 15 February 2013 (2 February on the Julian Calendar) we celebrated the 100‐year anniversary of the world's first successful experimental plasmapheresis. Scientific research projects in this field were carried out by the Department of Infectious Disease, Russian Imperial Medical Surgical Academy located in Saint‐Petersburg. Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor Vadim A. Yurevich was a Principal Investigator for this research, which in 1913 resulted in the discovery of a new way of treatment. The results were published in Russki Vratch (Russian Physician) Journal no. 18 (1914) – V.A. Yurevich and N.K. Rosenberg “For the Question Regarding Washing of Blood Outside of the Body and the Vitality of Red Blood Cells”. There was no terminology offered for this medical innovation at that time. Plasma removal was performed not solely, but in combination with washing of blood cells returned to the patient. Nowadays this combination is still considered to be more effective than separate plasmapheresis. According to the published experimental protocols this new treatment was done on 15 February (2 February on the Julian Calendar or “old style”). One year later in 1914 a famous researcher, John Abel and coauthors, repeated a separate plasma removal treatment with retransfusion of the blood cells and suggested the term “plasmapheresis”, which is now official. The article entitled “Plasma Removal With Return of Corpuscles (Plasmapheresis)”, written by Abel was published 3 months later than the article by Professor Yurevich. In 1924, Dr Ivan P. Mikhailovskiy repeated experiments by Yurevich and Rosenberg in vivo on a dog model, confirmed the clinical efficiency and developed the methodology in his article “Washing of Blood In Vivo, the Methodology, Problems, and Importance for the Treatment of Toxic Conditions.”
Low Hemoglobin Levels and Hypo‐Responsiveness to Erythropoiesis‐Stimulating Agent Associated With Poor Survival in Incident Japanese Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Akizawa Tadao , Saito Akira , Gejyo Fumitake , Suzuki Masashi , Nishizawa Yoshiki , Tomino Yasuhiko , Tsubakihara Yoshiharu , Akiba Takashi , Hirakata Hideki , Watanabe Yuzo , Kawanishi Hideki , Bessho Masami , Udagawa Yukio , Aoki Kotonari , Uemura Yukari , Ohashi Yasuo ,   JET Study Group
Published: February 2014

Although erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) are effective at treating anemia, the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and survival is still unclear, especially for the incident Japanese hemodialysis (HD) population. The Japan Erythropoietin Treatment (JET) Study is an open multi‐center, prospective, observational study designed to evaluate the relationship between the maintenance of Hb levels and new HD patient prognosis after the first administration of epoetin beta. Landmark analyses were performed to examine the relationship between Hb levels at 6 months and survival. Among a total of 10 310 patients, 6631 completed the initial 6 months of epoetin beta treatment (induction phase) and were followed up for a further 2.5 years (maintenance phase). Three‐year survival rate of patients with <9 g/dL Hb levels after 6 months was 74.1%, which was significantly lower than 89.3% for patients with Hb levels 10 to 11 g/dL; the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 2.08 (95% CI, 1.57–2.77; P < 0.0001). Moreover, the 3‐year survival rate for poor responders defined by Hb levels <10 g/dL and weekly epoetin beta doses ≥9000 IU during the induction phase was 71.6%, which was significantly lower than 89.4% for the group, which had Hb levels 10 to 11 g/dL excluding poor responders and those with excursion; the HR was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.13–2.60; P = 0.0118). Adverse events related to the treatment were reported in 71 of 10 310 patients (0.69%). These findings suggest that the achieved low Hb levels and poor response to ESA therapy are significantly associated with high mortality.
Influence of Dialysis Duration on the Outcome of Living Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Kohei Naoki , Sawada Yugo , Hirai Toshihito , Omoto Kazuya , Ishida Hideki , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: February 2014

Previous studies have reported negative impacts of long‐term dialysis on kidney transplantation (KTx) outcomes. However, advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive therapies, and post‐transplant monitoring have led to an impressive increase in patient and allograft survival. Thus, the number of KTx among patients on long‐term dialysis is increasing. We evaluated the influence of dialysis duration on the outcome of living donor KTx. Between January 2000 and October 2011, we performed 1098 first KTx from living donors in adults (>18 years). We divided the patients into six groups, A group: pre‐emptive kidney transplantation, B group: <24 months duration of dialysis, C group: 25–60 months duration, D group: 61–120 months duration, E group: 121–240 months duration, and F group: ≥241 months duration. The 5‐year patient survival rates were 95.7, 98.8, 99.0, 99.0, 97.3, and 100% in groups A–F, respectively. The 5‐year graft survival rates were 91.3, 95.6, 94.2, 96.3, 90.7, and 100% in groups A–F, respectively. No significant differences were observed in patient or graft survival among the six groups. Longer dialysis duration was correlated with lower rates of preoperative hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Survivors of long‐term dialysis tended to be in good compliance with self‐management. If recipients of living KTx have few complications, good prognoses are expectable even if dialysis periods are very long.
Burnout levels among dietitians working in the New South Wales public hospital system: A cross‐sectional statewide survey
Authors: Milosavljevic Marianna , Noble Gary
Published: February 2014

Aim

The concept of burnout has been examined in the literature for over 35 years, and has been historically associated with those professions that deal with particularly complex cases. Although dietitians have received less attention, they face similar pressures and must cope with an environment that may not support dietetics processes. The aim of the present study was to examine the burnout level among public hospital dietitians in New South Wales (NSW) and to determine the variables associated with burnout and to compare these findings to other studies among health‐care professionals.

Methods

The Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Services Survey and a demographic questionnaire were distributed to hospital dietitians employed within the NSW public hospital system during a six‐week period from April to May 2011.

Results

The dietitians surveyed had low to moderate burnout levels, r = 0.201 (P = 0.003). The three domains of the burnout measure, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment, were investigated separately. The level/grading of the dietitian was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion with r = 0.192 (P = 0.004). Depersonalisation was negatively associated with number of children, r = −0.147 (P = 0.02), and positively associated with the number of hours worked, r = 0.154 (P = 0.021). Personal achievement was positively associated with number of children, r = 0.304 (P = 0.006), and negatively associated with the hours of work, r = −0.198 (P = 0.021).

Conclusions

The main findings were the following. The career stage, the size of the hospital and hours of work were the variables significantly associated with the levels of burnout experienced by NSW public hospital dietitians. It also appeared that those dietitians with children and who work part‐time experienced far less emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation than their full‐time counterparts and, interestingly, part‐time workers had higher levels of personal accomplishment.
Isolation and Characterization of Chitinase‐Producing Bacillus and Paenibacillus Strains from Salted and Fermented Shrimp, Acetes japonicus
Authors: Han Kook‐Il , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Kim Yong Hyun , Kwon Hyun‐Jung , Han Yeon Soo , Han Man‐Deuk
Published: February 2014

Chitinases catalyze the conversion of chitin and are produced by a wide range of bacteria. The biological applications of these enzymes have been exploited in food and pharmaceutical industries. We isolated 2 halophilic chitinase‐producing novel strains of bacteria—SCH‐1 and SCH‐2 from Saeu‐jeot, a traditional Korean salted and fermented food made with shrimp (Acetes japonicus). The isolated strains‐ SCH‐1 and SCH‐2 were Gram‐positive, rod‐shaped, endospore‐forming facultative anaerobes, with strain SCH‐2 showing peritrichous flagella. Molecular characterization of the 16S rRNA gene identified the strains SCH‐1 and SCH‐2 as Bacillus sp. and Paenibacillus sp. respectively. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of strain SCH‐1 showed an identity of 97.83% with Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (NR_074540), whereas strain SCH‐2 showed an identity of 99.16% with Paenibacillus lautus JCM 9073 (NR_040882). Furthermore, the SCH‐1 strain could use glucose, N‐acetyl glucosamine, esculin, and maltose as carbon source substrates. Cellular fatty acid analysis showed that iso‐C15:0 and anteiso‐C15:0 are the major acids in strain SCH‐1 and SCH‐2, respectively. The SCH‐1 strain showed a higher chitinase activity at 15.71 unit/mg protein compared with SCH‐2 strain. Chitinase isozymes of Bacillus sp. SCH‐1was expressed as 2 bands having sizes of 41 and 50 kDa, and as 4 bands with sizes of 30, 37, 45.7, and 50 kDa in Paenibacillus sp. SCH‐2. The rich chitinase activity with the isozyme profiles of the isolated Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains provide advancement in the study of fermentation and may play putative functions in the chitin bioconversion of sea crustacean foods.
The Insect Oviposition Firstly Discovered on the Middle Jurassic Ginkgoales Leaf from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: NA Yuling , SUN Chunlin , LI Tao , LI Yunfeng
Published: February 2014

Although the evidence of insect oviposition on plant organs has been reported from the late Paleozoic to the Miocene, record from the middle Jurassic is still blank. This paper reports a significant evidence of insect oviposition on plant leaf from the middle Jurassic for the first time. The ovipositional scar is distributed on the abaxial surface of Sphenobaiera leaf (Ginkgoales) from the middle Jurassic Daohugou Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. A new ichnospecies Paleoovoidus venustus sp. nov. is described. The scar is elliptic to oval, arranged in longitudinal rows between leaf veins with almost regular distance, with its long axis paralleling to the leaf venation. This discovery adds new information to the morphology of insect endophytic oviposition probably produced by Odonata existed in a terrestrial ecosystem ∼165 Ma ago. The new materials also provide important data for the study of insect reproductive biology, plant‐insect interaction and coevolution, as well as understanding the paleoclimate and palaeoenvironment during that time in northeast China.
Mass‐transport Deposits of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, Songliao Terrestrial Basin, Northeast China: Depositional Characteristics, Recognition Criteria and External Geometry
Authors: PAN Shuxin , WEI Pingsheng , WANG Tianqi , LIU Caiyan , CHEN Bintao , LIANG Sujuan
Published: February 2014

Extensive mass transport deposits (MTDs), which form a significant component of the stratigraphic record in ancient and modern deep water systems, mostly distributed in the continental margin of ocean basins worldwide. To date, no large‐scale MTDs have been found in Chinese terrestrial basins. Based on integrated analysis of the seismic, drilling, core and logging data, this article report MTDs have been found in Songliao terrestrial basin (SLTB), Northeast China. During the depositional period of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, slope break of lacustrine basins was an ideal discharge place for gravity depositions. Regional sedimentary study of MTDs reveals that Cretaceous‐age MTDs in SLTB were deposited in slope‐break environments by slide, slump and debris flow, and MTDs were mixed with little turbidite simultaneously. Besides the massive aspect, key features of MTDs are the common presence of deformational structures or soft‐sedimentary deformation, floating shale clasts, boudins, microfaults, distortion beddings, rotated sand debris. Detailed mapping of two three‐dimensional (3‐D) seismic surveys acquired in Yingtai (YT) and Haituozi (HTZ) areas reveals that MTDs are characterized by chaotic, mounded, and transparent seismic reflection. Growth fault, slope gully and geomorphology of the slope break greatly influenced the sedimentary process and external geometry of MTDs, and as a consequence, MTDs in SLTB exhibit classic fan‐like geometry and some special (non‐fan‐like) external geometry. Furthermore, fan‐like MTDs can be divided into three subcategories, including isolated fan, mother‐son fan and stacked fan. Non‐fan‐like MTDs can be divided into two subcategories, strip‐like MTDs and faulted‐pit MTDs. A new sedimentary model has been built for MTDs in SLTB. MTDs have become a new exploration and development target in the SLTB.
Survival Conditions of Folding in Different Depth During Orogenesis‐Deformation in Texas Creek and Chester Dome, USA
Authors: CAO Hui , XU Cuiping
Published: February 2014

A succession of 5 FIA trends (foliation intersection or inflection axes in porphyroblasts) preserved in high temperature‐low pressure regime PreCambrian rocks in the Texas Creek, Arkansas River region reflected by the fold axial plane traces and schistosity data in this region. Similar fold axial plane trace data measured in Palaeozoic rocks in Chester Dome, Vermont, which is high temperature to medium pressure regime, only preserve the effects of the youngest FIAs of the all 5 FIA sets that obtained in this region. The other three FIA sets have no equivalent fold axial planes. This difference from shallow to deeper orogenic regimes reflects decreasing competency at greater pressure with collapse and unfolding of earlier formed folds. The greater overlying load of rocks has tended to flatten all but the very largest early‐formed structures, preserving only those folds that were more recently developed.
Lipid Distribution in Marine Sediments from the Northern South China Sea and Association with Gas Hydrate
Authors: OU Wenjia , LEI Huaiyan , LU Wanjun , ZHANG Jie , SHI Chunxiao , GONG Chujun , HAN Chao
Published: February 2014

The distributions of lipids in surface and subsurface sediments from the northern South China Sea were determined. The n‐alkanes were in bimodal distribution that is characterized by a centre at n‐C16–n‐C20 with maximum at C18 (or C19) and n‐C27–n‐C31 as well as at C29 (or C31). The short‐chain alkanes suffered from significant losses due to their slow deposition in the water column, and their presence with a slight even carbon predominance in shallow seafloor sediments was ascribed mainly to the direct input from the benthos. The long‐chain alkanes with odd predominance indicate transportion of terrigenous organic matter. Immature hopanoid biomarkers reflect the intense microbial activity for bacteria–derived organic matter and the gradual increase of maturity with burial depth. Abundant n‐fatty acid methyl esters (n‐FAMEs) that are in distributions coincident with fatty acids were detected in all samples. We proposed that the observed FAMEs originated from the methyl esterification of fatty acids; methanol production by methanotrophs and methanogenic archaea related to the anaerobic oxidation of methane, and sulfate reduction provided an O–methyl donor for methylation of fatty acids. The CH4 released from hydrate dissociation at oxygen isotope stage II of Cores ZD3 and ZS5, which had been confirmed by the occurrence of negative δ13C excursion and spherical pyrite aggregates, could have accelerated the above process and thus maximized the relative content of FAMEs at ZD3‐2 (400–420 cm depth) and ZS5‐2 (241–291 cm depth).
The Development of Stylolites in Carbonate Formation: Implication for CO2 Sequestration
Authors: ZHOU Xuejun , ZENG Zhengwen
Published: February 2014

The impact of CO2 sequestration on the host formation is an issue occurring over geologic time. Laboratory tests can provide important results to investigate this matter but have limitations due to a relatively short timeline. Based on literature review and core sample observation, naturally occurred geological phenomena, stylolites are studied in this paper for understanding CO2 sequestration in deep carbonate formations. Stylolites are distinctive and pervasive structures in carbonates that are related to water‐assisted pressure solution. Pressure solution involving stylolitization is thought to be the main mechanism of compaction and cementation for many carbonates. In parallel, CO2 sequestration in carbonate formation involves extensive chemical reactions among water, CO2 and rock matrix, favoring chemical compaction as a consequence. An analogue between stylolites and CO2 sequestration induced formation heterogeneity exists in the sense of chemical compaction, as both pressure solution in stylolites and CO2 enriched solution in CO3 sequestration in carbonate formations may all introduce abnormal porous regions. The shear and/or tension fractures associated with stylolites zones may develop vertically or sub‐vertically; all these give us alert for long‐term safety of CO2 sequestration. Thus a study of stylolites will help to understand the CO2 sequestration in deep carbonate formation in the long run.
Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with TNF inhibitors does not have adverse effect on results of liver function tests: a longitudinal study
Authors: Capkin Erhan , Karkucak Murat , Cosar Arif M. , Ak Emel , Karaca Adem , Gokmen Ferhat , Budak Bayram S. , Tosun Mehmet
Published: February 2014

Aim

To retrospectively investigate and compare the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) on hepatic enzymes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the records of 94 AS (66 male, 28 female) patients using TNFi was performed. Patients' clinical data, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity (BASDAI) scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were all examined. Liver function test (LFTs) results of patients before the treatment and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment with TNFi were investigated. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were investigated as indicators of LFTs.

Results

The TNFi drugs used were infliximab (n = 28), adalimumab (n = 32) and etanercept (n = 34). Pre‐treatment values of ESR, CRP and BASDAI scores were 28.3 ± 20.1 mm/h, 1.5 ± 1.2 ng/dL and 5.2 ± 0.8, respectively. Following TNFi use there was a statistically significant decrease in disease activity score (P = 0.001). There was a significant increase in LFT at the third month evaluation compared to the initial values, while the average value was within normal range (baseline AST 19.6 ± 10.8 U/L, ALT 19.1 ± 6.4 U/L, third month AST 31.3 ± 21.6 U/L, ALT 28.1 ± 18.1 U/L, P = 0.001). Drug group comparison analysis revealed a significant difference in the adalimumab group value at the end of the first year, but no other significant difference in the data for the other months (P > 0.05). No significant correlation was determined between initial disease activity scores and LFT.

Conclusion

TNFi use‐associated rises in hepatic enzymes were determined compared to pre‐treatment but the mean values remained within normal limits. Considering the cases in the literature, in daily practice patients must be carefully monitored for liver function before treatment and at follow‐up.
A comparison of two different mesh kit systems for anterior compartment prolapse repair
Authors: Wong Vivien , Shek Ka Lai , Rane Ajay , Lee Joseph , Rosamilia Anna , Dietz Hans Peter
Published: February 2014

Background and Aim

Mesh reinforcement is considered an effective method for anterior compartment prolapse repair. Two common methods of mesh reinforcement involve either transobturator fixation (eg Perigee™) or lateral and apical anchoring (eg Anterior Elevate™). The aim of this study was to assess subjective and objective outcomes after Anterior Elevate and Perigee mesh kit surgery.

Materials and Methods

This was a surgical audit of patients after anterior colporrhaphy (AC) with mesh reinforcement, undertaken at three tertiary urogynaecological centres. All patients were assessed for prolapse recurrence, which was defined as either (i) symptoms of prolapse (vaginal lump/dragging), (ii) ICS POPQ ≥ Stage 2, or (iii) bladder descent ≥10 mm below the symphysis pubis on transperineal ultrasound. Mesh co‐ordinates and organ descent on Valsalva were determined relative to the inferior symphyseal margin.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐nine patients with anterior compartment mesh (138 Perigee, 91 Elevate) were assessed at a median follow‐up of 1.09 years (IQR 0.65–2.01). On assessment, 24% (n = 55) had symptoms of prolapse recurrence, 46% (n = 106) had a clinical recurrence, and 41% (n = 95) a recurrent cystocele sonographically. All objective results favoured the Perigee group. The superiority of the Perigee kit remained highly significant (P < 0.0001 for all clinical and ultrasound measures of prolapse recurrence) on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis suggests that apical anchoring such as Anterior Elevate mesh system does not necessarily confer an advantage over the original transobturator mesh fixation technique for anterior compartment reconstruction.
Vaginal cytology after induction of ovulation in the queen: comparison of postoestrus and dioestrus
Authors: Kanca H , Karakas K , Dalgic MA , Salar S , Izgur H
Published: February 2014

Objective

To compare the vaginal cytology of ovulating and non‐ovulating queens.

Procedure

The study group comprised 15 queens showing behavioural oestrus. Ovulation was induced in 7 (dioestrus group) and 8 were left untreated (postoestrus group). Vaginal smears were collected from all animals prior to ovariohysterectomy on day 7. Epithelial cells were classified as basal‐parabasal, intermediate, superficial, or anucleated superficial cells and counted using computer‐assisted image analysis. From each smear, 50 representative vaginal epithelial cells were chosen. Digital images of cells were taken and cell area, cytoplasm area, nucleus area, cell diameter, cell perimeter, nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and red‐green‐blue (RGB) values were measured using image analysis software. Measurement data were compared between groups.

Results

Ovulation induction was successful in all animals. The swabbing procedure in oestrus did not induce ovulation in any postoestrus queens. Mean duration of oestrus was 6.65 ± 0.44 and 4.71 ± 0.32 days (P > 0.05) in the postoestrus and dioestrus queens, respectively. Intermediate cell count averaged 21.43% in dioestrus cats and 10.76% in postoestrus cats (P < 0.05). Epithelial cells in the postoestrus group had higher cell area, cytoplasm area, cell diameter and cell perimeter measurements (P < 0.01). Red (90.9 ± 1.6), green (76.1 ± 1.3) and blue (83.6 ± 1.4) channel values in postoestrus were higher than the values (81.3 ± 0.8, 65.8 ± 0.9 and 74.0 ± 0.7, respectively) in dioestrus (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Induction of ovulation in oestrus queens results in a significant increase in the number of intermediate cells and a significant decrease in both the dimensions and RGB values of vaginal epithelial cells on day 7.
Correction of intramural ureteral ectopia by ureteral transection and neoureterostomy with the distal ureter left in situ
Authors: Volstad NJ , Beck J , Burgess DM
Published: February 2014

Objective

Retrospective study to determine postoperative continence when correcting intramural ureteral ectopia by transection of the ureter and neoureterostomy, leaving the distal ureter in situ. We hypothesised that the technique would achieve results comparable to previously described surgical techniques.

Methods

Medical records for dogs that underwent surgery for correction of unilateral intramural ureteral ectopia were reviewed. Cases (n = 9) of a neoureterostomy where the distal ureter was left in situ were included. Postoperatively, owners were contacted by telephone or email and asked to complete a questionnaire, scoring their dog's urinary continence on a scale from 0 to 2 where 0 was completely continent, 1 was occasional incontinence during excitement or while recumbent and 2 was no improvement in postoperative urinary continence, with the dog having constantly wet perivulvar fur and constant dribbling of urine.

Results

All dogs showed signs of severe urinary incontinence prior to surgery, including constantly wet perivulvar fur and constant dribbling of urine. Postoperatively, six dogs had a score of 0 and three dogs improved to a score of 1. Time to follow‐up after surgery ranged from 1 to 62 months.

Conclusion

The results of this study support our hypothesis. The technique was simple to perform and urinary continence achieved was comparable to that of other techniques. We suggest that this technique should be considered as an alternative for the correction of intramural ureteral ectopia.
Risk stratification for bladder recurrence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Ishioka Junichiro , Saito Kazutaka , Kijima Toshiki , Nakanishi Yasukazu , Yoshida Soichiro , Yokoyama Minato , Matsuoka Yoh , Numao Noboru , Koga Fumitaka , Masuda Hitoshi , Fujii Yasuhisa , Sakai Yasuyuki , Arisawa Chizuru , Okuno Tetsuo , Nagahama Katsuhi , Kamata Shigeyoshi , Sakura Mizuaki , Yonese Junji , Morimoto Shinji , Noro Akira , Tsujii Toshihiko , Kitahara Satoshi , Gotoh Shuichi , Higashi Yotsuo , Kihara Kazunori
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To identify risk factors and develop a model for predicting recurrence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in the bladder in patients without a history of bladder cancer after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 754 patients with UTUC without prior or concurrent bladder cancer or distant metastasis at 13 institutions in Japan. Univariate and multivariate Fine and Gray competing risks proportional hazards models were used to examine the cumulative incidence of bladder recurrence of UTUC. A risk stratification model and a nomogram were constructed. Two prediction models were compared using the concordance index (c‐index) focusing on predictive accuracy and decision‐curve analysis, which indicate whether a model is appropriate for decision‐making and determining subsequent patient prognosis.

Results

The cumulative incidence rates of bladder UTUC recurrence at 1 and 5 years were 15 and 29%, respectively; the median time to bladder UTUC recurrence was 10 months. Multivariate analysis showed that papillary tumour architecture, absence of lymphovascular invasion and higher pathological T stage were both predictive factors for bladder cancer recurrence. The predictive accuracy of the risk stratification model and the nomogram for bladder cancer recurrence were not different (c‐index: 0.60 and 0.62). According to the decision‐curve analysis, the risk stratification was an acceptable model because the net benefit of the risk stratification was equivalent to that of the nomogram. The overall cumulative incidence rates of bladder cancer 5 years after RNU were 10, 26 and 44% in the low‐, intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups, respectively.

Conclusions

We identified risk factors and developed a risk stratification model for UTUC recurrence in the bladder after RNU. This model could be used to provide both an individualised strategy to prevent recurrence and a risk‐stratified surveillance protocol.
Allogenic controls on autogenic variability in fluvio‐deltaic systems: inferences from analysis of synthetic stratigraphy
Authors: Karamitopoulos P. , Weltje G. J. , Dalman R. A. F.
Published: February 2014

Fluvio‐deltaic stratigraphy develops under continuous morphodynamic interactions of allogenic and autogenic processes, but the role and relative contribution of these processes to the stratigraphic record are poorly understood. We analysed synthetic fluvio‐deltaic deposits of several accommodation‐to‐supply cycles (sequences) with the aim to relate stratigraphic variability to autogenic and allogenic controls. The synthetic stratigraphy was produced in a series of long time‐scale (105 years) numerical experiments with an aggregated process‐based model using a typical passive‐margin topography with constant rates of liquid and solid river discharge subjected to sinusoidal sea‐level fluctuation. Post‐processing of synthetic stratigraphy allowed us to quantify stratigraphic variability by means of local and regional net sediment accumulation over equally spaced time intervals (1–10 kyr). The regional signal was subjected to different methods of time‐series analysis. In addition, major avulsion sites (>5 km from the coastline) were extracted from the synthetic stratigraphy to confirm the interpretations of our analyses. Regional stratigraphic variability as defined in this study is modulated by a long‐term allogenic signal, which reflects the rate of sea‐level fluctuation, and it preserves two autogenic frequency bands: the intermediate and high‐frequency components. The intermediate autogenic component corresponds to major avulsions with a median inter‐avulsion period of ca. 3 kyr. This component peaks during time intervals in which aggradation occurs on the delta plain, because super‐elevation of channel belts is a prerequisite for large‐scale avulsions. Major avulsions occur occasionally during early stages of relative sea‐level fall, but they are fully absent once the coast line reaches the shelf edge and incision takes place. These results are consistent with a number of field studies of falling‐stage deposition in fluvial systems. The high‐frequency autogenic component (decadal to centennial time scales) represents mouthbar‐induced bifurcations occurring at the terminal parts of the system, and to a lesser extent, partial or small‐scale avulsions (<5 km from the coastline). Bifurcation intensity correlates strongly with the rate of progradation, and thus reaches its maximum during forced regression. However, its contribution to overall stratigraphic variability is much less than that of the large‐scale avulsions, which affect the entire area downstream of avulsion nodes. The results of this study provide guidelines for predicting fluvio‐deltaic stratigraphy in the context of co‐existing autogenic and allogenic processes and underscore the fact that the relative importance and the type of autogenic processes occurring in fluvio‐deltaic systems are governed by allogenic forcing.
Patterns and organization of Japanese tourism in Canada: 1960–2010
Authors: Edgington David W.
Published: February 2014

The tourism production chain is utilized to understand the major periods of emergence, growth, and decline of Japanese tourism in Canada. Interviews with personnel at airline companies, tour operators, and hotels indicate the salient features of the Japan‐Canada tourist production chain, as well as the spatial patterns of tourism circuits over the 1960–2010 period. The article argues that by the end of the study period the tourism production chain had split into two markets, comprising group tours and free independent travellers. The spatial pattern of Japanese tourists had broadened somewhat but continued to focus on the “8‐day dash,” a tour circuit involving travel across Canada to visit Niagara Falls, Banff in the Rockies, and Vancouver. To promote Canada to Japanese tourists, this analysis underscores the need to involve the Canadian Tourism Commission, provincial agencies, Air Canada, and local governments together in a “team Canada” approach, as well as including Japanese tour operators.
Inhibition of histone methyltransferase EZH2 depletes leukemia stem cell of mixed lineage leukemia fusion leukemia through upregulation of p16
Authors: Ueda Koki , Yoshimi Akihide , Kagoya Yuki , Nishikawa Satoshi , Marquez Victor E. , Nakagawa Masahiro , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: February 2014

Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and persistent LSC after chemotherapy are supposed to be a major cause of relapse. However, information on genetic or epigenetic regulation of stem cell properties is still limited and LSC‐targeted drugs have scarcely been identified. Epigenetic regulators are associated with many cellular processes including maintenance of stem cells. Of note are polycomb group proteins, because they potentially control stemness, and can be pharmacologically targeted by a selective inhibitor (DZNep). Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic potential of EZH2 inhibition in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) fusion leukemia. Intriguingly, EZH2 inhibition by DZNep or shRNA not only suppressed MLL fusion leukemia proliferation but also reduced leukemia initiating cells (LIC) frequency. Expression analysis suggested that p16 upregulation was responsible for LICs reduction. Knockdown of p16 canceled the survival advantage of mice treated with DZNep. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that EZH2 was highly enriched around the transcription‐start‐site of p16, together with H3K27 methylation marks in MLL/ENL and Hoxa9/Meis1 transduced cells but not in E2A/HLF transduced cells. Although high expression of Hoxa9 in MLL fusion leukemia is supposed to be responsible for the recruitment of EZH2, our data also suggest that there may be some other mechanisms independent of Hoxa9 activation to suppress p16 expression, because expression levels of Hoxa9 and p16 were not inversely related between MLL/ENL and Hoxa9/Meis1 transduced cells. In summary, our findings show that EZH2 is a potential therapeutic target of MLL fusion leukemia stem cells.
Dietary Globalization in Chinese Breakfasts
Authors: Bai Junfei , McCluskey Jill J. , Wang Hainan , Min Shi
Published: February 2014

Demand for nontraditional foods is on the rise in China. Data from household surveys and consumer food diaries in Beijing, Nanjing, and Chengdu are examined to measure the effects of demographics on consumption of nontraditional food products. We focus on bakery and dairy products, two categories of foods that are rarely consumed in traditional Chinese breakfasts. We find that income, time constraints, and education positively affect the inclusion of nontraditional foods in the breakfast meal. Our results suggest that younger consumers are leading the transition to new global consumption patterns that integrate nontraditional foods into urban Chinese breakfasts. The implications of these findings for wheat and milk production and processing industries are discussed.
Seasonal and Spatial Variations in Demand for and Elasticities of Fish Products in the United States: An Analysis Based on Market‐Level Scanner Data
Authors: Singh Kehar , Dey Madan M. , Surathkal Prasanna
Published: February 2014

Seasonally and spatially varying demand elasticities would provide important information to seafood producers and marketers as well as policy makers. We analyzed the effects of season and space on (i) demand (translation effects) and (ii) price as well as expenditure elasticities of demand (scaling effects) for 13 finfish species in the United States. The paper used market‐level scanner data for 52 U.S. markets. Results suggest that not only the quantity demanded, but also the demand elasticities vary across species, seasons, and geography; not only does the degree of competition among finfish products vary considerably over space, but substituting products themselves change. These results highlight the importance of studying consumer demand behavior at species level, across seasons and geography, particularly as it sheds important light on some important policy issues such as the potential substitution between catfish and tilapia in the U.S. markets.
Income Diversification of Rural Households in China
Authors: Zhao Jianmei , Barry Peter J.
Published: February 2014

This article examines how different patterns of farm‐level diversification affect the income levels of rural households in China. Using quantile regression analysis of data from a rural household survey, the empirical results exhibit significant differences in diversification effects across rural income strata and various structural characteristics. Diversification, especially involving nonfarm employment and migration, brings a monetary premium to low‐income rural families and an income discount to high‐income families. The policy implications suggest the encouragement of labor‐intensive enterprises in rural areas and improvement of labor quality through rural education and training programs.
When vision is not an option: children's integration of auditory and haptic information is suboptimal
Authors: Petrini Karin , Remark Alicia , Smith Louise , Nardini Marko
Published: February 2014

When visual information is available, human adults, but not children, have been shown to reduce sensory uncertainty by taking a weighted average of sensory cues. In the absence of reliable visual information (e.g. extremely dark environment, visual disorders), the use of other information is vital. Here we ask how humans combine haptic and auditory information from childhood. In the first experiment, adults and children aged 5 to 11 years judged the relative sizes of two objects in auditory, haptic, and non‐conflicting bimodal conditions. In , different groups of adults and children were tested in non‐conflicting and conflicting bimodal conditions. In , adults reduced sensory uncertainty by integrating the cues optimally, while children did not. In , adults and children used similar weighting strategies to solve audio–haptic conflict. These results suggest that, in the absence of visual information, optimal integration of cues for discrimination of object size develops late in childhood.
Precursors to aggression are evident by 6 months of age
Authors: Hay Dale F. , Waters Cerith S. , Perra Oliver , Swift Naomi , Kairis Victoria , Phillips Rebecca , Jones Roland , Goodyer Ian , Harold Gordon , Thapar Anita , van Goozen Stephanie
Published: February 2014

We tested the hypothesis that developmental precursors to aggression are apparent in infancy. Up to three informants rated 301 firstborn infants for early signs of anger, hitting and biting; 279 (93%) were assessed again as toddlers. Informants' ratings were validated by direct observation at both ages. The precursor behaviours were significantly associated with known risk factors for high levels of aggressiveness. Individual differences were stable from early infancy to the third year and predicted broader conduct problems. These findings suggest that some individuals set forth on the trajectory to high levels of aggression by 6 months of age. The findings have implications for developmental studies of aggression, clinical prevention and intervention strategies, and theoretical considerations regarding the detection of precursors in different domains of development.
Linagliptin treatment in subjects with type 2 diabetes with and without mild‐to‐moderate renal impairment
Authors: Groop P.‐H. , Del Prato S. , Taskinen M.‐R. , Owens D. R. , Gong Y. , Crowe S. , Patel S. , von Eynatten M. , Woerle H.‐J.
Published: February 2014

Aims

Renal disease is a frequent comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and an important factor complicating the choice of glucose‐lowering drugs. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitor linagliptin (5 mg/day) in mono, dual or triple oral glucose‐lowering regimens in subjects with T2DM and mild or moderate renal impairment (RI).

Methods

In this pooled analysis of three 24‐week, placebo‐controlled, phase 3 trials, subjects with mild (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 60–<90 ml/min/1.73 m2, n = 838) or moderate RI (30–<60 ml/min/1.73 m2, n = 93) were compared with subjects with normal renal function (≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2, n = 1212).

Results

Subjects with RI were older, had longer duration of diabetes, and increased prevalence of diabetes‐related comorbidities. After 24 weeks, linagliptin achieved consistent placebo‐corrected mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) changes across the three renal function categories: normal (−0.63%; p < 0.0001), mild RI (−0.67%; p < 0.0001) and moderate RI (−0.53%; p < 0.01), with no inter‐group difference (p = 0.74). Renal function with linagliptin remained stable across all categories. In linagliptin‐treated subjects, overall adverse event (AE) rates and serious AE rates were similar to placebo. The incidence of hypoglycaemia with linagliptin and placebo was 11.1 versus 6.9%, 11.9 versus 9.0% and 15.9 versus 12.0% in the normal, mild RI and moderate RI categories, respectively.

Conclusions

This pooled analysis provides evidence that linagliptin is an effective, well‐tolerated and convenient treatment in subjects with T2DM and mild or moderate RI.
QUALITY‐ADJUSTED HUMAN CAPITAL AND PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
Authors: RABIUL ISLAM MD. , ANG JAMES B. , MADSEN JAKOB B.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the influence of quality‐adjusted educational attainment on growth and tests whether it facilitates the transfer of technology developed at the frontier for a panel of 60 countries. Using outcomes of pathogen stress as instruments, the results show that quality‐adjusted educational attainment and its interaction with distance to the frontier play important roles for growth. (JEL I20, O30, O40)
DURABLE GOODS PRICE CYCLES: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXTBOOK MARKET
Authors: BOND ERIC W. , IIZUKA TOSHIAKI
Published: February 2014

We study the pricing policy of a monopolist selling a durable good with the features of a textbook. We assume buyers differ in their valuation of the good and propensity to resell, and identify the possibility of a positive relationship between the quantity of used goods and the price of a new good, and also a higher price for new goods in the last period before a new edition is introduced. Our empirical analysis supports this model: textbook prices increase as the share of used textbooks increases and the end of the current edition approaches. (JEL D420, L120)
THE TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT OF 1997 AND HOMEOWNERSHIP: IS SMALLER NOW BETTER?
Authors: BIEHL AMELIA M. , HOYT WILLIAM H.
Published: February 2014

Prior to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA97), the capital gain from the sale of a home was taxed differently for those over and under the age of 55. TRA97 eliminated this differential treatment. Using a difference‐in‐difference approach, we find that home sellers slightly under the age of 55 were 6.2% more likely to move for a less expensive house to maintain, 6.6% less likely to move for a larger place, and 5.2% more likely to reside in a condominium after TRA97's enactment, relative to those slightly over 55. (JEL H24, R21)
PROTESTANTISM AND EDUCATION: READING (THE BIBLE) AND OTHER SKILLS
Authors: BOPPART TIMO , FALKINGER JOSEF , GROSSMANN VOLKER
Published: February 2014

During industrialization, Protestants were more literate than Catholics. This paper investigates whether this fact may be led back to the intrinsic motivation of Protestants to read the bible and to what extent other education motives might have been involved as well. We employ a historical data set from Switzerland which allows us to differentiate between different cognitive skills: reading, numeracy, essay writing, and Swiss history. We develop an estimation strategy to examine whether the impact of religious denomination was particularly large with respect to reading capabilities. We find support for this hypothesis. However, we also find evidence which is consistent with the view that Protestants' education motives went beyond acquiring reading skills. (JEL I20)
REPUTATION EFFECTS IN THE MARKET OF CERTIFIERS: EVIDENCE FROM THE AUDIT INDUSTRY
Authors: TÓTH ÁRON
Published: February 2014

Certifiers verify unobserved product characteristics for buyers and thereby alleviate informational asymmetries and facilitate trade. When sellers pay for the certification, however, certifiers can be tempted to bias their opinion to favor sellers. Indeed, accounting scandals and inflated credit ratings suggest sellers may prefer to select dishonest certifiers. I test this proposition by estimating the effect of adverse quality signals on audit demand. Exploiting the natural experiment of Arthur Andersen's demise, I find that auditors with worse quality signals experience a fall in demand. This suggests that reputation effects are at work even in the presence of conflicts of interest. (JEL L15, L8, M4)