bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics reveals that aldose reductase activity due to AKR1B10 is upregulated in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Semmo N. , Weber T. , Idle J. R. , Beyoğlu D.
Published: December 2014

To understand the changes in the metabolome of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected persons, we conducted a metabolomic investigation in both plasma and urine of 30 HCV‐positive individuals using plasmas from 30 HCV‐negative blood donors and urines from 30 healthy volunteers. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and data subjected to multivariate analysis. The plasma metabolomic phenotype of HCV‐positive persons was found to have elevated glucose, mannose and oleamide, together with depressed plasma lactate. The urinary metabolomic phenotype of HCV‐positive persons comprised reduced excretion of fructose and galactose combined with elevated urinary excretion of 6‐deoxygalactose (fucose) and the polyols sorbitol, galactitol and xylitol. HCV‐infected persons had elevated galactitol/galactose and sorbitol/glucose urinary ratios, which were highly correlated. These observations pointed to enhanced aldose reductase activity, and this was confirmed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction with AKR1B10 gene expression elevated sixfold in the liver. In contrast, AKR1B1 gene expression was reduced 40% in HCV‐positive livers. Interestingly, persons who were formerly HCV infected retained the metabolomic phenotype of HCV infection without reverting to the HCV‐negative metabolomic phenotype. This suggests that the effects of HCV on hepatic metabolism may be long lived. Hepatic AKR1B10 has been reported to be elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma and in several premalignant liver diseases. It would appear that HCV infection alone increases AKR1B10 expression, which manifests itself as enhanced urinary excretion of polyols with reduced urinary excretion of their corresponding hexoses. What role the polyols play in hepatic pathophysiology of HCV infection and its sequelae is currently unknown.
Structural Variation of Prostate Urethra Reflected by the Ratio Between Prostate Volume and Prostatic Urethral Length is Associated with the Degrees of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: KO Young Hwii , SONG Phil Hyun
Published: December 2014

Objectives

Because it is well known that the prostate volume is not directly associated with the degrees of lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), we hypothesized that change of the prostatic urethra led by prostatic enlargement as missing links between them. To provide an integral description, we determined the ratio between prostate volume and prostatic urethral length (RPVL), and investigated its clinical implication.

Methods

Prostate volume, prostatic urethral length, RPVL was measured from transrectal ultrasonography for 213 consecutive patients. The degree of LUTS was investigated using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry, then the correlations were analyzed.

Results

While no variables were significantly linked with total IPSS, obstructive symptoms (IPSS Q247) showed a negative association (r = −0.3, P < 0.001) and irritative symptoms (IPSS Q1356) showed a positive association solely with RPVL (r = 0.186, P = 0.007). These relevancies were enhanced (r = −0.471 [P = <0.001] and 0.3 [P = 0.004], respectively) in patients with a larger prostate (over 30 g, n = 93), but disappeared in their smaller counterparts (below 30 g, n = 120), (r = −0.133 [P = 0.143] and 0.75 [P = 0.410], respectively). In uroflowmetry, prostate urethral length showed positive correlation (r = 0.319 [P < 0.001]), and RPVL showed negative correlation (r = −0.195 [P = 0.004]) with post voiding residual amount, but these relationships similarly vanished in men with a smaller prostate.

Conclusions

The structural variation of the prostatic urethra within the prostate reflected by RPVL showed correlation with the degree of LUTS, with a tendency toward increasing prostatic urethra in obstructive and decreasing prostatic urethra in irritative symptoms, in men with a relatively large prostate.
Study of microRNA in diabetic nephropathy: Isolation, quantification and biological function
Authors: Kantharidis Phillip , Hagiwara Shinji , Brennan Eoin , McClelland Aaron D.
Published: December 2014

In recent years, several studies have reported dysregulation of microRNA expression in disease with a growing interest focussed on targeting microRNAs as a novel therapy for human disease. This is especially true in diabetic nephropathy where the expression of several microRNAs is dysregulated, contributing to the increased expression and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and increased pro‐fibrotic signalling, ultimately resulting in renal fibrosis. The development of various techniques and microRNA reagents has enabled work to progress very rapidly in this area. In the present article, the authors describe the methods they have used that have enabled them to contribute to our current understanding of the role of microRNAs in diabetic nephropathy.
Icodextrin decreases technique failure and improves patient survival in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Wang I‐Kuan , Li Yu‐Fen , Chen Jin‐Hua , Liang Chih‐Chia , Liu Yao‐Lung , Lin Hsin‐Hung , Chang Chiz‐Tzung , Tsai Wen‐Chen , Yen Tzung‐Hai , Huang Chiu‐Ching
Published: December 2014

Aim

It remains unclear whether long‐term daily icodextrin use can decrease technique failure and improve survival in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether icodextrin use, once daily, can decrease technique failure and prolong patient survival in incident PD patients.

Methods

Incident PD patients who survived more than 90 days were recruited from the China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011. All patients were followed until transfer to haemodialysis (HD), renal transplantation, transfer to another centre, death, or 31 December 2011.

Results

A total of 306 incident PD patients (89 icodextrin users, 217 icodextrin non‐users) were recruited during the study period. Icodextrin users were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes and high or high‐average peritoneal transport compared with non‐users. During the follow‐up period, 43 patients were transferred to HD: seven (7.87%) of the icodextrin group, and 36 (16.59%) of the non‐icodextrin group. Thirty‐two patients died during the follow‐up period: five (5.62%) of the icodextrin group, and 27 (12.44%) of the non‐icodextrin group. Icodextrin use was significantly associated with a better prognosis, in terms of technique failure (adjusted HR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.14–0.72). With regard to patient survival, icodextrin use (adjusted HR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.12–0.87) was associated with a significantly lower risk of death.

Conclusion

The use of icodextrin once daily may decrease technique failure and improve survival in incident PD patients.
The advance nurse practitioner in critical care: a workload evaluation
Authors: Jackson Audrey , Carberry Martin
Published: December 2014

Background

The Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Critical Care role was developed to support the critical care team by undertaking specific roles traditionally associated with medical staff in the intensive care unit and high dependency unit. The rationale for the evaluation was to establish the specific tasks undertaken and scope of workload of these newly created posts.

Aims

To report on an evaluation of the specific activities, workload and patterns of prescribing of advanced nursing practice posts within a critical care settings

Methods

A data collection form was designed to capture clinically and patient‐related activities of these post‐holders. Data from 1 week were recorded on one post‐holder and subsequently analysed. During the evaluation the nurse practitioners worked with the consultant anaesthetist. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The intensive care and high dependency unit ward round attributed to 46% of the nurse practitioners weekly activity and mainly consisted of patient assessments and prescribing. The rest of the time was mainly split between documentation and unsupervised patient assessments.

Discussion

The nurse practitioners contributed to the majority of interventions traditionally performed by anaesthetic trainees. Independent patient assessment was highlighted as a significant part of that workload (12%). The evaluation also highlighted the broad nature required of nurse practitioner prescribing and thus reinforced the strategic decision not to introduce a restricted formulary.

Conclusion

Advanced nurse practitioners in critical care effectively carried out the traditional medical tasks in which they were trained. As already experienced nurses with new enhanced skills they successfully contributed to and enhanced the delivery of care to the critically ill.
Molecular basis of angiosperm tree architecture
Authors: Hollender Courtney A. , Dardick Chris
Published: December 2014

The architecture of trees greatly impacts the productivity of orchards and forestry plantations. Amassing greater knowledge on the molecular genetics that underlie tree form can benefit these industries, as well as contribute to basic knowledge of plant developmental biology. This review describes the fundamental components of branch architecture, a prominent aspect of tree structure, as well as genetic and hormonal influences inferred from studies in model plant systems and from trees with non‐standard architectures. The bulk of the molecular and genetic data described here is from studies of fruit trees and poplar, as these species have been the primary subjects of investigation in this field of science.

Contents

Summary
541

I.
Introduction
541

II.
Components of tree architecture
542

III.
Tree architecture categorizations
546

IV.
The molecular basis for non‐standard tree architectures
547

V.
Conclusions
552

Acknowledgements
552

References
553
Effects of bariatric surgery for knee complaints in (morbidly) obese adult patients: a systematic review
Authors: Groen V. A , van de Graaf V. A. , Scholtes V. A. B. , Sprague S. , van Wagensveld B. A , Poolman R. W.
Published: December 2014

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis, and over the past 30 years the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled. In an advanced‐stage knee osteoarthritis is treated with total knee arthroplasty, and the demand for primary total knee arthroplasties is expected to grow exponentially. However, total knee arthroplasty in obese patients is associated with more complications, longer hospital stay and higher costs. We aimed to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on knee complaints in (morbidly) obese (body mass index >30 kg m−2) adult patients. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, TRIP, BIOSIS‐Previews and reference lists of retrieved publications were systematically searched from earliest available up to 20 April 2014 for any English, German, French and Dutch studies. There was no restriction on study design. We included studies on the effect of surgically induced weight reduction on knee complaints in (morbidly) obese adult patients, with a minimal follow‐up of 3 months. Studies on the effects of lipectomy or liposuction and studies in which patients had already received a total knee arthroplasty were excluded. Thirteen studies were included in this systematic review with a total of 3,837 patients. Although different assessment tools were used, an overall significant improvement in knee pain was seen in 73% out of the used assessments. All studies measuring intensity of knee pain, knee physical function and knee stiffness showed a significant improvement after bariatric surgery. The quality of evidence was very low or too low for most of the included studies and moderate for one study. Bariatric surgery with subsequent marked weight loss is likely to improve knee pain, physical function and stiffness in (morbidly) obese adult patients. However, with the current available evidence, there is need for high‐quality studies.
More individuals drive the species energy–area relationship in an experimental zooplankton community
Authors: Schuler Matthew S. , Chase Jonathan M. , Knight Tiffany M.
Published: December 2014

The shape of the species–area relationship (SAR) often varies with the amount of available energy; SARs from high‐energy habitats typically have higher intercepts and steeper slopes than SARs from low‐energy habitats. Such patterns are often assumed to result from a shift in the mechanisms of coexistence between high and low energy habitats. However, a plausible but unexplored alternative mechanism emerges from proportional sampling, if there are simply more individuals in larger or more productive habitats, without the need to invoke differing coexistence mechanisms. Here, we examined proportional versus disproportional responses of a diverse assemblage of freshwater zooplankton to manipulations of experimental pond size and energy inputs. We found that higher energy treatments had higher species richness in large, but not small, ponds, leading to a steeper SAR with higher energy input. The total abundances of individuals also increased with energy in large, but not small ponds. By using a sample‐independent rarefaction technique (probability of interspecific encounter), we found that SAR patterns resulted from changes in the total, but not relative, abundance of individuals, and thus proportional, rather than disproportional, responses of species. Overall, our results emphasize the need to consider how both the total and relative abundances of species respond to ecological drivers such as energy and area before inferring the underlying mechanisms that lead to biodiversity patterns. Further, our results may implicate a proportionally smaller influence of energy on patterns of biodiversity when habitats are destroyed.
Reducing Radiation Exposure in the Electrophysiology Laboratory: It is More Than Just Fluoroscopy Times!
Authors: NOF EYAL , LANE CHRISTOPHER , CAZALAS MAXIME , CUCHET‐SOUBELET ELISABETH , MICHAUD GREGORY F. , JOHN ROY M. , TEDROW USHA , KOPLAN BRUCE A. , STEVENSON WILLIAM G. , EPSTEIN LAURENCE M.
Published: December 2014

Background

To exposure in patients undergoing cardiac electrophysiology (EP) ablation. This included the use of a “very low” dose protocol, and the impact of angulations and patient body mass index (BMI) on radiation dose as a mean to reduce exposure.

Methods

A total of 212 retrospective patient data sets were collected during EP ablation procedures on a biplane fluoroscopy system. Dose metrics were computed based on dose‐area product (DAP) measured by the system for each x‐ray acquisition.

Results

Dose baselines of different ablation procedures were established as DAP and DAP per hour, with respect to patient BMI. The use of a “very low dose” protocol reduced exposure by 62% while providing adequate image quality. With approximate left anterior oblique (LAO) 50° and right anterior oblique (RAO) 30°, DAP and DAP rate were significantly higher in LAO compared to RAO (11.2 [4.8–25.3] Gy·cm2 vs 5.28 [2.9–11.1] Gy·cm2 and 74.0 [38.2–136.1] Gy·cm2/h vs 25.0 [16.4–44.1] Gy·cm2/h, respectively; P < 0.001). DAP and DAP rate were also significantly higher in patients with BMI > 30 vs BMI ≤ 30 (34.2 [22.3–58.7] Gy·cm2 vs 12.4 [6.0–26.9] Gy·cm2 and 84.9 [68.1–120.4] Gy·cm2/h vs 34.2 [21.7–52.9] Gy·cm2/h, respectively; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Protocol setting, system angulation, and BMI, in particular, wider angulation in LAO compared to RAO plane, exposes patients to significant higher radiation doses. Obese patients in standard LAO plane receive six times the radiation dose of nonobese patients in RAO.
Integration Theory and ASEAN Integration
Authors: Kim Min‐hyung
Published: December 2014

In recognition of the paucity of compelling theories of Asian integration, this article focuses on ASEAN and revisits the two major theories of European integration (i.e. neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism) in order to assess their relevance for ASEAN integration. The main research finding is that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism do offer important insights for developing a compelling theory of ASEAN integration. This finding suggests that scholars of ASEAN integration should be more open to the experience of European integration and consider how to take advantage of the insights of neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism for the theory‐building of ASEAN integration, instead of discarding them as completely irrelevant.
Intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication reduces minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for laryngeal mask airway insertion and emergence delirium in children: a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Yao Yusheng , Qian Bin , Lin Ying , Wu Weilan , Ye Huazhen , Chen Yanqing
Published: December 2014

Background

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to verify the hypothesis that intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication can reduce the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for laryngeal mask airway insertion in children.

Methods

Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I subjects, aged 3–7 years, were randomized to three equal groups to receive saline (Group S), dexmedetomidine 1 μg·kg−1 (Group D1), or dexmedetomidine 2 μg·kg−1 (Group D2) approximately 45 min before anesthesia. The minimum alveolar concentration for laryngeal mask airway insertion of sevoflurane was determined according to the Dixon's up‐and‐down method. Emergence delirium was evaluated using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

Results

Dexmedetomidine premedication of 1 and 2 μg·kg−1 was associated with reduction in sevoflurane from 1.92% to 1.53% and 1.23%, corresponding to decrease of 20% and 36%, respectively. The peak PAED scores (median [IQR]) were 9 [8–11.5], 5 [3–5.3], and 3 [2–4] in Group S, Group D1, and Group D2, respectively. The incidence of emergence delirium (defined as peak PAED score ≥10) was significantly lower in Groups D1 and D2 than in Group S (P < 0.001). Simultaneously, the induction qualities and the parent's satisfaction scores were significantly higher in Groups D1 and D2 than in Group S (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication produces a dose‐dependent decrease in the minimum alveolar concentration for laryngeal mask airway insertion of sevoflurane and emergence delirium in the PACU.
Host‐induced gene silencing inhibits the biotrophic pathogen causing downy mildew of lettuce
Authors: Govindarajulu Manjula , Epstein Lynn , Wroblewski Tadeusz , Michelmore Richard W.
Published: December 2014

Host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) is an RNA interference‐based approach in which small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are produced in the host plant and subsequently move into the pathogen to silence pathogen genes. As a proof‐of‐concept, we generated stable transgenic lettuce plants expressing siRNAs targeting potentially vital genes of Bremia lactucae, a biotrophic oomycete that causes downy mildew, the most important disease of lettuce worldwide. Transgenic plants, expressing inverted repeats of fragments of either the Highly Abundant Message #34 (HAM34) or Cellulose Synthase (CES1) genes of B. lactucae, specifically suppressed expression of these genes, resulting in greatly reduced growth and inhibition of sporulation of B. lactucae. This demonstrates that HIGS can provide effective control of B. lactucae in lettuce; such control does not rely on ephemeral resistance conferred by major resistance genes and therefore offers new opportunities for durable control of diverse diseases in numerous crops.
MicroRNA and mRNA expression profiling in metastatic melanoma reveal associations with BRAF mutation and patient prognosis
Authors: Tembe Varsha , Schramm Sarah‐Jane , Stark Mitchell S. , Patrick Ellis , Jayaswal Vivek , Tang Yue Hang , Barbour Andrew , Hayward Nicholas K. , Thompson John F. , Scolyer Richard A. , Yang Yee Hwa , Mann Graham J.
Published: December 2014

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma is unclear. We examined global miRNA expression profiles in fresh‐frozen metastatic melanomas in relation to clinical outcome and BRAF mutation, with validation in independent cohorts of tumours and sera. We integrated miRNA and mRNA information from the same samples and elucidated networks associated with outcome and mutation. Associations with prognosis were replicated for miR‐150‐5p, miR‐142‐3p and miR‐142‐5p. Co‐analysis of miRNA and mRNA uncovered a network associated with poor prognosis (PP) that paradoxically favoured expression of miRNAs opposing tumorigenesis. These miRNAs are likely part of an autoregulatory response to oncogenic drivers, rather than drivers themselves. Robust association of miR‐150‐5p and the miR‐142 duplex with good prognosis and earlier stage metastatic melanoma supports their potential as biomarkers. miRNAs overexpressed in association with PP in an autoregulatory fashion will not be suitable therapeutic targets.
Case Reports of Fatal or Metastasizing Melanoma in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Neuhold Johanna Christina , Friesenhahn Johanna , Gerdes Nina , Krengel Sven
Published: December 2014

Childhood melanoma (ChM) is rare, with clinical and epidemiologic characteristics that differ from those of adult melanomas. The objective of the current study was to systematically identify and analyze case reports and case series of fatal and metastasizing ChM in the medical literature. ChM case reports with a fatal outcome or metastases were identified using a Medline search and subdivided into ChM developing in the absence of a congenital melanocytic nevus (ChM without CMN) and ChM associated with a CMN (ChM with CMN); 258 cases of ChM without CMN (206 cutaneous, 52 noncutaneous) were identified. In cutaneous ChM without CMN with a fatal outcome (n = 155), the mean age at diagnosis was 13.1 years (median 14 yrs). The mean Breslow index in this group was 8.5 mm for children ages 0 to 10 years and 3.7 mm for children ages 11 to 18 years. In ChM with CMN (n = 178; 112 cutaneous, 66 central nervous system [CNS]), the mean age at diagnosis was 5.8 years for cutaneous melanoma (median 3 yrs) and 5.5 years for CMN‐associated CNS melanoma (median 3 yrs). The majority of CMN‐associated cutaneous melanomas developed in small and giant CMN (vs medium and large); 53.9% of CNS melanomas developed in patients with multiple medium CMN. This study represents the largest and most complete synopsis of ChM case reports in the medical literature. Our analysis supports the view that cutaneous ChM without CMN (or associated with smaller CMN) differs in several important aspects from ChM associated with large or giant CMN.
BK virus nephropathy in a pediatric patient after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Aksenova M. , Tsetlina V. , Gutovskaya E. , Mitrofanova A. , Balashov D. , Maschan A.
Published: December 2014

We report the case of a seven‐yr‐old Caucasian girl who presented with progressive deterioration of renal function 13 months after HSCT for myelodysplastic syndrome. BK virus nephropathy was suspected and confirmed. After reduction of immunosuppression and treatment with IVIG, leflunomide, ciprofloxacin, and cidofovir, clearance of BK virus from blood was achieved, and further progression or renal failure was prevented. We believe that BK virus nephropathy should be considered in cases of renal function deterioration in all immunocompromised patients.
All for the Good
Authors: Oderberg David S.
Published: December 2014

The Guise of the Good thesis has received much attention since Anscombe's brief defence in her bookIntention. I approach it here from a less common perspective ‐ indirectly, via a theory explaining how it is that moral behaviour is even possible. After setting out how morality requires the employment of a fundamental test, I argue that moral behaviour involves orientation toward the good. Immoral behaviour cannot, however, involve orientation to evil as such, given the theory of evil as privation. There must always be orientation to good of some kind for immorality even to be possible. Evil can, nevertheless, be intended, but this must be carefully understood in terms of the metaphysic of good and evil I set out. Given that metaphysic, the Guise of the Good is a virtual corollary.
The generalistInga subnudasubsp.luschnathiana(Fabaceae): negative effect of floral visitors on reproductive success?
Authors: Avila R. , Pinheiro M. , Sazima M.
Published: December 2014

Ingaspecies are characterised by generalist or mixed pollination system. However, this feature does not enhance reproductive rates in species with very low fruit set under natural conditions. Some ecological and genetic factors are associated with this feature, and to test the effect of massive visits on pollination success inInga subnudasubsp.luschnathiana, we studied the efficacy of polyads deposited on stigmas of flowers isolated from visitors and polyads exposed to visitors. The proportion of polyads fixed in stigmas decreased after exposure to visitors (24 h) in comparison to stigmas isolated from visitors (hummingbirds, bees, wasps, hawkmoths and bats), and fruit set was very low. Furthermore, nectar production, sugar composition and other floral biology traits were evaluated. Increased nectar production, sugar availability and sucrose dominance during the night indicates adaptation to nocturnal visitors and supports their role as main pollinators; although the brush‐flower morphology, time of anthesis, nectar dynamics and chemical composition also allow daytime visitors. Thus the species is an important resource for a diverse group of floral visitors. We conclude that excess visits (diurnal and nocturnal) are responsible for the decrease in fixed polyads in stigmas ofI. subnudasubsp.luschnathianaflowers, thus contributing, with others factors, to its low fruit set. Therefore, the generalist pollination system does not result in reproductive advantages because the low fruit set in natural conditions could be the result of a negative effect of visitors/pollinators.
Doppelgangers of the State: Private Security and Transferable Legitimacy
Authors: Phelps Martha Lizabeth
Published: December 2014

The U.S. national military hires private security companies (PSCs) to operate in zones of conflict. This article introduces the concept of a legitimacy transfer mechanism to answer the question of how nonnational providers of military support can be considered legitimate actors in areas of conflict. PSCs borrow legitimacy from the state that contracts the firm. Private firms do not operate alone; they are hired and, at least marginally, directed by a state. By using the established legitimacy of industrialized states these firms are able to find legitimacy in Western security culture. To maintain future business, private security is forced to obey the security culture of the hiring state. More so, the firm will mimic the goals and policy of the hiring state in an attempt to build its own, independent, sense of legitimacy.
Firming Up Institutional Policy for Deprived Elderly in Cameroon
Authors: Fonchingong Charles Che
Published: December 2014

In a context of deepening poverty, policy realignment is crucial in tackling deficits in social security provision for Cameroon's growing elderly population. Tackling deficiencies is undermined by institutional failings, a dysfunctional bureaucracy, and a policy process characterized by dithering rather than concrete action. This article uncovers an impasse linked to the inability of existing institutional frameworks to confront the aging problematic. Empirical data point to elderly agency and a range of resources to fill the gaps left by state retreat. Institutional strengthening and social capital theory resonate here. A triangular policy framework reveals intricacies of coping via individual, family, and mutuality, explicating cardinal administrative roles. I suggest the design and delivery of social welfare provision should concentrate on institutional strengthening, improving architecture, and the workings of ministerial departments. Embedding a people‐oriented bureaucracy and delivering targeted social assistance can serve as useful paradigms in policy revamps for the deprived elderly.
Dynamic Pricing, Production, and Channel Coordination with Stochastic Learning
Authors: Li Tao , Sethi Suresh P. , He Xiuli
Published: December 2014

We consider a decentralized two‐period supply chain in which a manufacturer produces a product with benefits of cost learning, and sells it through a retailer facing a price‐dependent demand. The manufacturer's second‐period production cost declines linearly in the first‐period production, but with a random learning rate. The manufacturer may or may not have the inventory carryover option. We formulate the resulting problems as two‐period Stackelberg games and obtain their feedback equilibrium solutions explicitly. We then examine the impact of mean learning rate and learning rate variability on the pricing strategies of the channel members, on the manufacturer's production decisions, and on the retailer's procurement decisions. We show that as the mean learning rate or the learning rate variability increases, the traditional double marginalization problem becomes more severe, leading to greater efficiency loss in the channel. We obtain revenue sharing contracts that can coordinate the dynamic supply chain. In particular, when the manufacturer may hold inventory, we identify two major drivers for inventory carryover: market growth and learning rate variability. Finally, we demonstrate the robustness of our results by examining a model in which cost learning takes place continuously.
Incentive for Peer‐to‐Peer Knowledge Sharing among Farmers in Developing Economies
Authors: Chen Ying‐Ju , Shanthikumar J. George , Shen Zuo‐Jun Max
Published: December 2014

This study examines the peer‐to‐Peer interactions among farmers when both knowledge learning and sharing are available. We construct a stylized model in which heterogeneous farmers are endowed with their initial production capabilities and can post questions in the platform for help. A representative expert regularly monitors the forum and provides answers to the farmers’ questions, but may be non‐responsive sometimes due to the limited capacity. A knowledgeable core user (farmer) can choose to be silent or responsive, and is allowed to strategically determine the informativeness of her answers. The farmers face the minimum quantity restriction for attracting the buyers, and must make production before the time of sales. We show that in equilibrium the core user never provides answers that are more informative than the expert's, irrespective of her ex ante knowledge level. Redesigning or restructuring the platform does not help eliminate this inefficient knowledge provision. We also find that hiring more staff to frequently monitor the forum turns out to be detrimental for the peer‐to‐peer interactions. Moreover, the competition on knowledge sharing between the platform expert and the core user features strategic complementarity sometimes but strategic substitution at other times. Third, charging for the platform usage may discourage uninformative answers, but it could also discourage the core user from sharing knowledge with other farmers.
Temperature adaptation in isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum affects their ability to infect Brassica carinata
Authors: Uloth M.B. , You M. P. , Cawthray G. , Barbetti M. J.
Published: December 2014

Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is a serious disease in oilseed Brassica crops worldwide. In this study, temperature adaptation in isolates of S. sclerotiorum collected from differing climatic zones is reported for the first time on any crop. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from oilseed rape (Brassica napus) crops in warmer northern agricultural regions of Western Australia (WW3, UWA 7S3) differed in their reaction to temperature from those from cooler southern regions (MBRS‐1, UWA 10S2) in virulence on Brassica carinata, growth on agar, and oxalic acid production. Increasing temperature from 22/18°C (day/night) to 28/24°C increased lesion diameter on cotyledons of B. carinataBC054113 more than tenfold for warmer region isolates, but did not affect lesion size for cooler region isolates. Mean lesion length averaged across two B. carinata genotypes (resistant and susceptible) fell from 4·6 to 2·4 mm for MBRS‐1 when temperature increased from 25/21°C to 28/24°C but rose for WW3 (2·35 and 3·21 mm, respectively). WW3, usually designated as low in virulence, caused as much disease on stems at 28/24°C as MBRS‐1, historically designated as highly virulent. Isolates collected from cooler areas grew better at low temperatures on agar. While all grew on potato dextrose agar between 5 and 30°C, with maximum growth at 20–25°C, growth was severely restricted above 32°C, and only UWA 7S3 grew at 35°C. Oxalate production increased as temperature increased from 10 to 25°C for isolates MBRS‐1, WW3 and UWA 7S3, but declined from a maximum level of 101 mg g−1 mycelium at 20°C to 24 mg g−1 mycelium at 25°C for UWA 10S2.
Restoring montane cloud forest: establishment of three Fagaceae species in the old fields of central Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Muñiz‐Castro Miguel‐Angel , Williams‐Linera Guadalupe , Benítez‐Malvido Julieta
Published: December 2014

Tropical montane cloud forest is rapidly disappearing and our knowledge of how to restore this system is limited. In a cloud forest of central Veracruz, Mexico, we studied seedling survival, growth, and causes of mortality (microenvironment and herbivory) of three native tree species, Fagus grandifolia, Quercus germana, and Q. xalapensis, transplanted into abandoned pastures (<1 year old) and secondary forests (9–17 years old). Microenvironment differed between the two habitats, temperature and photosynthetically active radiation were higher, and humidity was lower in the abandoned pastures than in the secondary forests. Seedling survival was greater in secondary forests than in pastures: F. grandifolia, 94 and 64%; Q. germana, 88 and 68%; and Q. xalapensis, 61 and 57%, respectively. The cause of mortality differed between habitats, with gophers (24.2% mortality) and mice (4.8%) killing the most seedlings in pastures, and damping‐off (16%) was the most important cause in secondary forests. The relative growth rate in height and basal area was significantly higher in abandoned pastures than in secondary forests; Q. xalapensis had the highest growth rate, followed by Q. germana and F. grandifolia. The environmental conditions in this mountainous cloud forest region seem less stressful to planted seedlings than the conditions of other lowland systems, as frequent clouds favor their establishment even in open sites. We conclude that Fagaceae species can successfully establish in abandoned pastures in mesic environments. Thus, the species studied can be used to speed cloud forest regeneration in the same area at different successional stages.
A scientific basis for restoring fish spawning habitat in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Manny Bruce A. , Roseman Edward F. , Kennedy Gregory , Boase James C. , Craig Jaquelyn M. , Bennion David H. , Read Jennifer , Vaccaro Lynn , Chiotti Justin , Drouin Richard , Ellison Rosanne
Published: December 2014

Loss of functional habitat in riverine systems is a global fisheries issue. Few studies, however, describe the decision‐making approach taken to abate loss of fish spawning habitat. Numerous habitat restoration efforts are underway and documentation of successful restoration techniques for spawning habitat of desirable fish species in large rivers connecting the Laurentian Great Lakes are reported here. In 2003, to compensate for the loss of fish spawning habitat in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers that connect the Great Lakes Huron and Erie, an international partnership of state, federal, and academic scientists began restoring fish spawning habitat in both of these rivers. Using an adaptive management approach, we created 1,100 m2 of productive fish spawning habitat near Belle Isle in the Detroit River in 2004; 3,300 m2 of fish spawning habitat near Fighting Island in the Detroit River in 2008; and 4,000 m2 of fish spawning habitat in the Middle Channel of the St. Clair River in 2012. Here, we describe the adaptive‐feedback management approach that we used to guide our decision making during all phases of spawning habitat restoration, including problem identification, team building, hypothesis development, strategy development, prioritization of physical and biological imperatives, project implementation, habitat construction, monitoring of fish use of the constructed spawning habitats, and communication of research results. Numerous scientific and economic lessons learned from 10 years of planning, building, and assessing fish use of these three fish spawning habitat restoration projects are summarized in this article.
Summer irrigation, grazing and seed addition differentially influence community composition in an invaded serpentine grassland
Authors: Funk Jennifer L. , Hoffacker Madison K. , Matzek Virginia
Published: December 2014

Community assembly theory predicts that resource availability, biotic interactions, and dispersal dynamics will determine community composition. Recent work has demonstrated that manipulating these processes or “filters” to exclude exotic species may assist in restoring invaded plant communities. In this study, we began by manipulating an abiotic filter, summer water availability, on the theory that irrigation prior to the growing season could trigger the germination of exotic species during unfavorable environmental conditions. First, we performed a greenhouse experiment to assess the germination traits of 23 native and exotic species at low (16°C, spring) and high (30°C, summer) temperatures. At summer temperatures, we found high emergence of many exotic and native grasses and low emergence of native forbs suggesting that summer irrigation may help deplete the exotic seed bank. In a second experiment, we established field plots to test the efficacy of summer irrigation and simultaneously manipulated a biotic and a dispersal filter, subjecting some plots to grazing and/or native seed addition. Summer irrigation and seed addition had no effect on percent cover or species richness while grazing reduced native cover but increased native species richness and soil nitrogen content. Our data suggest that manipulating grazing (a biotic filter) may be more effective than altering abiotic or dispersal filters when restoring invaded serpentine grassland. However, summer irrigation may also be effective, if applied at lower temperatures or for longer periods.
Assessing the Capacity of Nature Conservation Law to Help Biodiversity Adapt to Climate Change: The Case of Finland
Authors: Borgström Suvi
Published: December 2014

Climate change is expected to place biological diversity under increasing stress and threaten several species with extinction. To combat the threats caused by a changing climate, several policy documents and items of literature on conservation biology have proposed a number of proactive measures to help species and habitats to adapt to climate change. This article presents the results of an analysis of the capacity of the Finnish regulatory system to provide an effective framework for the measures proposed and the capacity of the regulatory system to enhance adaptive management, which is considered important in the era of climate change. The analysis reveals several weaknesses in the Finnish regulatory system. Legislative changes are likely to be needed to harness the existing conservation tools to support climate change adaptation measures.
Differentiating between Sovereignty over Exclusive and Shared Resources in the Light of Future Discussions on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers
Authors: Sánchez Castillo Nadia
Published: December 2014

This article argues that sovereignty over exclusive resources and sovereignty over shared resources are different concepts constituting distinct legal regimes. First, it presents the controversy caused by applying the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources to shared resources. It then explores the main differences between sovereignty over exclusive and shared resources. The article suggests that increased awareness about these differences could facilitate negotiations on shared resource management, particularly in the light of discussions on the Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers at the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for 2016.
Environment Playing Short‐handed: Margin of Appreciation in Environmental Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Müllerová Hana
Published: December 2014

The European Court of Human Rights established the interpretative doctrine of margin of appreciation to support the subsidiarity principle underlying the whole system of the Council of Europe. Despite not being well accepted by theorists, the doctrine has found its way into many rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. This article analyzes how the Court applies the margin of appreciation in environment‐related cases, based on Article 8 of the Convention. The objective is to uncover how the wide margin of appreciation granted to States in environmental matters impacts on the environment. In that regard, the methods of the Court in hearing environmental cases and their results are examined. Special attention is paid to how the Court balances the competing interests within the fair balance assessment and how it evaluates whether the respondent State exceeded the margin of appreciation.
Vitamin D binding protein genotype variants and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Horita Nobuyuki , Miyazawa Naoki , Tomaru Koji , Inoue Miyo , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: December 2014

Background and objective

Genetic susceptibility for development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is under intensive investigation. Among the three alleles of vitamin D binding protein, or group‐specific (GC) components, some have suggested that having GC‐1F and GC‐2 alleles was associated with a risk of COPD. Although previous studies have shown considerable variance, no meta‐analysis has been conducted.

Methods

Through four databases, two independent investigators searched for case‐control studies providing sufficient data to calculate odds ratios by the vitamin D binding protein allele variant and genotype variant for a case of COPD. Studies whose control did not satisfy the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (Chi‐square P ≥ 0.05) were excluded. We used a fixed‐model to estimate the pooled odds ratio at both allele and genotype level.

Results

Of 141 candidate studies, six were included. We analysed 1712 subjects, consisting of 466 Asians, 1246 Caucasians, 531 COPD cases and 1181 non‐COPD controls. The prevalence of each allele among the 1181 controls was as follows: GC‐1F 14.0%, GC‐1S 53.8% and GC‐2 31.9%. When compared to GC‐1S, the GC‐1F allele and GC‐2 allele were associated with COPD risk with pooled odds ratios of 1.44 (95% CI 1.14–1.83, P = 0.002) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.69–0.996, P = 0.045), respectively. When compared to the 1S‐1S genotype, the 1F‐1F genotype was a risk factor of COPD with pooled odds ratio of 2.64 (95% CI 1.29–5.39, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

The GC‐1F allele of the vitaminD binding protein was a risk for COPD in recessive mode.
Topological Performance Measures as Surrogates for Physical Flow Models for Risk and Vulnerability Analysis for Electric Power Systems
Authors: LaRocca Sarah , Johansson Jonas , Hassel Henrik , Guikema Seth
Published: December 2014

Critical infrastructure systems must be both robust and resilient in order to ensure the functioning of society. To improve the performance of such systems, we often use risk and vulnerability analysis to find and address system weaknesses. A critical component of such analyses is the ability to accurately determine the negative consequences of various types of failures in the system. Numerous mathematical and simulation models exist that can be used to this end. However, there are relatively few studies comparing the implications of using different modeling approaches in the context of comprehensive risk analysis of critical infrastructures. In this article, we suggest a classification of these models, which span from simple topologically‐oriented models to advanced physical‐flow‐based models. Here, we focus on electric power systems and present a study aimed at understanding the tradeoffs between simplicity and fidelity in models used in the context of risk analysis. Specifically, the purpose of this article is to compare performance estimates achieved with a spectrum of approaches typically used for risk and vulnerability analysis of electric power systems and evaluate if more simplified topological measures can be combined using statistical methods to be used as a surrogate for physical flow models. The results of our work provide guidance as to appropriate models or combinations of models to use when analyzing large‐scale critical infrastructure systems, where simulation times quickly become insurmountable when using more advanced models, severely limiting the extent of analyses that can be performed.
Analysis of Multivariate Failure Times in the Presence of Selection Bias with Application to Breast Cancer
Authors: Leclerc Martin ,   EMBRACE Investigators,   GEMO Study Collaborators,   INHERIT Investigators, Antoniou Antonis C. , Simard Jacques , Lakhal-Chaieb Lajmi
Published: December 2014

Identifying loci that modify the risk of cancer for mutation carriers is an important topic in oncogenetics. Within this research area, we are concerned with the analysis of the association between a genetic variant (single-nucleotide polymorphism rs13281615) and breast cancer among women with a pathogenic mutation in the BRCA2 gene. As this mutation is rare, data were collected retrospectively according to a case-study design through genetic screening programmes. This involves a selection bias and an intrafamilial correlation, which complicates the statistical analysis. We derive a Cramer–von Mises-type statistic to test the equality of genotype-specific survival functions when the proportional hazards model does not hold. A Clayton copula is specified to model the residual phenotype familial dependence and an innovative semiparametric bootstrap procedure is proposed to approximate the distribution of the test statistic under the null hypothesis. The test proposed is applied to data from European and North American mutation carriers and its performance is evaluated by simulations.