bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Risk Score Can be Used to Select Patients for Staging Laparoscopy and Laparoscopic Ultrasound for Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Shah A. J. , Phull J. , Finch‐Jones M. D.
Published: June 2010

Background

Despite advanced staging investigations, some patients with potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are unresectable at laparotomy. Staging laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound (Lap + LUS) detects a subset of these unresectable patients before a major laparotomy. Clinical risk scoring may be helpful to identify this subgroup. The goal of our study was to evaluate the role of Lap + LUS and to assess the value of the Memorial Sloan Kettering clinical risk score (CRS) in identifying this subset.

Methods

Patients were identified from the regional multidisciplinary team (MDT) cancer database and operative records for a 5‐year period. All patients whose tumors were deemed resectable proceeded to Lap + LUS. LUS findings were recorded and any change in MDT plan was noted. LUS findings were compared with resectability at open surgery. The CRS (Memorial Sloan‐Kettering) based on five factors was calculated.

Results

A total of 79 patients were identified. In 15 of 74 patients, LUS prevented an unnecessary laparotomy by predicting the benign nature of lesions or demonstrating unresectability. The CRS ranged from 0 to 4. Lap + LUS prevented an operation in only 7% of patients with a CRS of ≤2. However in patients with a CRS > 2, Lap + LUS prevented an operation in 24% of patients.

Conclusions

LUS prevented an unnecessary laparotomy in 20% of patients. This may reduce inpatient stay, morbidity, and mortality, allowing some patients to proceed to palliative treatments earlier. The benefit of Lap + LUS is limited in patients with a CRS of ≤2. It is worth considering selective use of Lap + LUS for the staging of CLM.
Evolution of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Non Morbid Obese Gastrectomized Patients with Roux en‐Y Reconstruction: Retrospective Study
Authors: Lanzarini Enrique , Csendes Attila , Lembach Hans , Molina Juan , Gutiérrez Luis , Silva Johanna
Published: June 2010

Objective

Bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes results systematically in adequate glycemic control, normalization of insulinemia, and a decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin, effects that appear early after surgery in nearly 80 to 90% of them. Possible reasons that have been discussed are a decrease in caloric consumption, weight loss, and hormonal changes at the gastrointestinal level, which could have a positive effect on glucose metabolism. Various authors have proposed the possibility of passing on this indication to diabetic patients who are overweight or are mildly obese. The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to determine the effect of total or subtotal gastrectomy with Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction on the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes with a body mass index (BMI) < 35, operated on for reasons other than obesity.

Methods

From January 1999 to December 2007, a total of 23 diabetic patients who underwent total or subtotal gastrectomy with a gastrojejunal or esphagojejunal anastomosis with Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction of 60 to 70 cm length were included in this investigation.

Results

The group consisted of 23 patients (14 men, 9 women, average age 62.9 ± 7.9 years, average BMI 29.1 ± 5.1). The principal reason for gastrectomy in these patients was gastric cancer in 19 patients (82.6%). The surgical procedure was total gastrectomy in 17 cases (73.9%) and subtotal gastrectomy in 6 cases (26.1%). Postoperative follow‐up was 22 months. Before surgery the mean blood glucose level was 151.4 mg/dl. Late after surgery, 15 patients (65.2%) had a fasting blood glucose <126 mg/dl and are not using medication (remission), 7 (30.4%) patients have better metabolic control with a normal blood glucose but are still taking medication (improvement), and just 1 (4.3%) patient has an altered blood glucose and uses insulin (no change).

Conclusions

Gastrectomy and short Roux‐en‐Y limb reconstruction in type 2 diabetes patients with BMI < 35, with the patients submitted to surgery mainly for gastric cancer, correlates with remission of diabetes in 65% and improvement in 30.4%.
Serum Total Cholesterol in Nosocomial Infections After Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors: Morimoto Mitsuaki , Nakamura Yosikazu , Atsuko Sadakane , Nagaie Takashi , Shirabe Ken
Published: June 2010

Background

The profile of lipoprotein expression in plasma is altered by surgical stress. The role of total cholesterol in postsurgical patients with nosocomial infection remains unknown.

Methods

We validated the data from 1,031 patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery between December 2006 and November 2008 using a clinical database available from Iizuka Hospital. Biochemical parameters related to plasma total cholesterol were measured. Various parameters predictive of the conditions—e.g., surgical incisional infection, organ space infection, pneumonia within 30 days after surgery—were assessed by multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

The most frequent infection was surgical incisional infection. Serum total cholesterol levels—(1) lowest quartile (<159 mg/dl) vs. reference (200–239 mg/dl): adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.28–12.76; (2) second lowest quartile (160–199 mg/dl) vs. reference: OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.01–7.53—showed a significant inverse relation with surgical incisional infection. Both lowest and highest total cholesterol levels were associated with a higher risk of surgical incisional infection and organ space infection. None of the patients with high (≥200 mg/dl) total cholesterol levels suffered from pneumonia.

Conclusions

Total cholesterol levels appeared to be one of the risk factors for surgical incisional infection and pneumonia. Patients with borderline blood cholesterol levels (200–239 mg/dl) seemed to be the best candidates for operation.
Short‐Term and Long‐Term Outcomes After Simultaneous Resection of Colorectal Malignancies and Synchronous Liver Metastases
Authors: de Santibañes Eduardo , Fernandez Diego , Vaccaro Carlos , Quintana Guillermo Ojea , Bonadeo Fernando , Pekolj Juan , Bonofiglio Carlos , Molmenti Ernesto
Published: June 2010

Background

We evaluated the simultaneous resection of colorectal malignancies and synchronous liver metastases.

Methods

Between June 1982 and June 2006, a total of 752 patients underwent resection of colorectal hepatic metastases. In all, 185 (25%) of them underwent simultaneous resection of the hepatic lesions and the corresponding primary tumors.

Results

The median hospital stay was 8 days (range 4–24 days), with a median operating time of 4 h (range 2–8 h). Altogether, 62 (33.5%) patients required intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (median 2.1 IU, range 1–5 IU), and 25 (13.5%) were given frozen fresh plasma (median 2.1 IU, range 1–4 IU). The morbidity rate was 20.5%. There were two postoperative deaths (mortality rate 1.08%) within 30 days of the surgical intervention. Major hepatectomy was associated with greater morbidity (37.2% vs. 16.2%, P < 0.01) and mortality (4.7% vs. 0%, P < 0.05) rates. For the overall survivals (OS) at 3 and 5 years were 60.1% (52.3–67.85%) and 36.1% (27.4‐44.8%), respectively. Disease‐free survivals (DFS) at 3 and 5 years were 37.7% (30.2–45.3%) and 26.5% (18.7–34.3%), respectively. Transfusion of blood products, CEA level ≥ 200 ng/dl, and N2 node status were found to be prognostic factors by univariate analysis. CEA level ≥ 200 ng/dl and N2 node status achieved prognostic significance by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The simultaneous resection of colorectal malignancies and synchronous liver metastases is safe, avoids an additional intervention, can be performed with low morbidity and mortality, and is associated with good oncologic outcomes. Node stage N2 and CEA level ≥ 200 ng/dl should be given special consideration when selecting patients.
Peritoneal Lavage for Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review of Randomised Trials
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Petrov Maxim S. , Xu Jing , Shanbhag Satyanarayan , Windsor John A. , Pang Shijiang
Published: June 2010

Background

The use of peritoneal lavage in patients with acute pancreatitis remains controversial. While recent guidelines do not make a positive recommendation for its use, there continues to be reports of clinical benefits from peritoneal lavage in this setting. The aim of this study was to systematically review the available randomized controlled trials of peritoneal lavage in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Methods

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and four major Chinese biomedical databases were searched. A random effects model was used in meta‐analysis. The summary estimates were reported as risk ratios (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials, encompassing a total of 469 patients, were included. When compared with conservative treatment, the use of peritoneal lavage did not result in a statistically significant difference in the risk of mortality (RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.32–1.79; p = 0.69) and complications (RR = 1.33; 95% CI 0.99–2.12; p = 0.06). The use of peritoneal lavage with antiproteases, in comparison with peritoneal lavage only, also did not result in a statistically significant difference in the risk of mortality and complications.

Conclusion

The lavage of the peritoneal cavity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis does not appear to confer a clinical benefit. Whether lavage of the pancreatic bed after necrosectomy is beneficial has yet to be determined.
Children as Research Collaborators: Issues and Reflections from a Mobility Study in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Porter Gina , Hampshire Kate , Bourdillon Michael , Robson Elsbeth , Munthali Alister , Abane Albert , Mashiri Mac
Published: June 2010

This paper reflects on issues raised by work with children in an ongoing child mobility study in three sub‐Saharan African countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. There are now 70 school pupils of varying ages involved in the project, but the paper is particularly concerned with the participation of those children 14 years and under. We examine the significant ethical issues associated with working with younger child researchers, and linked questions concerning the spaces open to them in African contexts where local cultural constructions of childhood and associated economic imperatives (which commonly drive family and household endeavour) help shape the attitudes of adults to children's rights and responsibilities and inter‐generational power relations.
Child Wellness and Social Inclusion: Values for Action
Authors: Prilleltensky Isaac
Published: June 2010

Participatory Action Research (PAR) with children and youth is at the intersection of child wellness and social inclusion. Exclusion and marginalization detract from personal and collective health. Inclusion, on the contrary, contributes to wellness. Hence, we should study inclusion and exclusion in the overall context of child wellness. This special issue offers a wealth of methodologies and lessons for fostering inclusion of young people through PAR. In an effort to synthesize my concerns with child wellness, inclusion, and the scholarly work of this special issue, this paper will (a) articulate the values underpinning the philosophy of social inclusion and child wellness, (b) suggest roles and responsibilities for putting these values into action, and (c) integrate the contributions of this special issue into the emerging framework for social inclusion and child wellness.
Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders: pathophysiological studies in mouse models
Authors: Spiekerkoetter Ute , Wood Philip A.
Published: June 2010

Mouse models have been designed for a number of fatty acid oxidation defects. Studies in these mouse models have demonstrated that different pathogenetic mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of defects of fatty acid oxidation. Supplementation with L‐carnitine does not prevent low tissue carnitine levels and induces acylcarnitine production having potentially toxic effects, as presented in very‐long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD)‐deficient mice. Energy deficiency appears to be an important mechanism in the development of cardiomyopathy and skeletal myopathy in fatty acid oxidation defects and is also the underlying mechanism of cold intolerance. Hypoglycemia as one major clinical sign in all fatty acid oxidation defects occurs due to a reduced hepatic glucose output and an enhanced peripheral glucose uptake rather than to transcriptional changes that are also observed simultaneously, as presented in medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)‐deficient mice. There are reports that an impaired fatty acid oxidation also plays a role in intrauterine life. The embryonic loss demonstrated for some enzyme defects in the mouse supports this hypothesis. However, the exact mechanisms are unknown. This observation correlates to maternal hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, as observed in pregnancies carrying a long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD)‐deficient fetus. Synergistic heterozygosity has been shown in isolated patients and in mouse models to be associated with clinical phenotypes common to fatty acid oxidation disorders. Synergistic mutations may also modulate severity of the clinical phenotype and explain in part clinical heterogeneity of fatty acid oxidation defects. In summary, knowledge about the different pathogenetic mechanisms and the resulting pathophysiology allows the development of specific new therapies.
Complete deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in mice is associated with impaired retinal function and variable mortality, hematological profiles, and reproductive outcomes
Authors: Lawrance Andrea K. , Racine Julie , Deng Liyuan , Wang Xiaoling , Lachapelle Pierre , Rozen Rima
Published: June 2010

Severe deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with homocystinuria can result in early demise or later‐onset neurological impairment, including developmental delay, motor dysfunction, and seizures. We previously characterized BALB/c Mthfr−/−mice as a model for this disorder and have recently backcrossed the disrupted allele onto the C57Bl/6 background to examine the variable phenotypes in MTHFR deficiency. Compared with BALB/c Mthfr−/−mice, C57Bl/6 Mthfr−/−mice have enhanced survival rates (81% vs 26.5%). Four‐day‐old BALB/c mutant pups had lower body, brain, and spleen weights relative to their wild‐type counterparts compared with C57Bl/6 mutants. Pregnant BALB/c Mthfr+/−mice had increased resorptions and embryonic delays compared with wild‐type littermates, whereas these outcomes in C57Bl/6 c Mthfr+/−mice were similar to those of wild‐type C57Bl/6 mice. BALB/c‐mutant pups had altered hematological profiles (higher hematocrit, hemoglobin, and white blood cell counts, with lower platelet counts) compared with C57Bl/6 mutants. Mutants of both strains had similar degrees of hepatic steatosis, hepatic activity of betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase, and altered cerebellar histology. Electroretinograms (ERG) in C57Bl/6 Mthfr−/−mice revealed decreased amplitude of scotopic and photopic waves in 6‐week‐old mice, with normalized ERGs at 13 weeks. Plasma homocysteine was modestly higher in C57Bl/6 compared with BALB/c mice. Our results emphasize the variable presentation of MTHFR deficiency in different genetic backgrounds and suggest that plasma homocysteine is not a predictor of severity. In addition, our novel findings of decreased spleen weights, thrombocytopenia, and impaired retinal function warrant investigation in patients with severe MTHFR deficiency or other forms of homocystinuria.
Rebuilding Europe's economic potential
Authors: Barber Tony
Published: June 2010

The European Union risks entering a long period of relative economic decline unless it meets the challenges of global competition, climate change and severe pressure on public finances. With a reinforced commitment to the market economy, Europe will make progress. The key lies in political will.
Let's give Europe a vision
Authors: Barroso José Manuel
Published: June 2010

The current economic crisis has wrought havoc on Europe. However, the crisis has also given the leaders of Europe an opportunity to re-evaluate European society and the process of European integration. The time is at hand for Europe to create a new strategic outlook for the future. The Europe 2020 strategy could provide the impetus to create a more prosperous Europe that helps citizens and makes them more dynamic in the new world order.
Europe and America, partners in prosperity
Authors: López José María Aznar
Published: June 2010

Despite the ascendance of other regions in the world, the transatlantic relationship remains paramount. The cultural, historic and economic links between the US and Europe are strong and important. Notwithstanding the strength of these bonds, Europe has lost currency for US foreign policy as it has moved its focus to Asia. This can be attributed to the lack of coordination on the part of the Europeans and preoccupation with the EU's institutional debate. Now that the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified, the institutional debate is in the past and the EU must redouble its efforts to strengthen the transatlantic partnership. Going forward, the only way that the transatlantic partnership can be strengthened and for prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic to be assured is the removal of all trade barriers and the introduction of the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour across the Atlantic.
Anti‐Mϋllerian hormone and 3D‐power Doppler histogram: markers of ovarian function with in vitro fertilization treatment
Authors: Murai Masatoshi , Takatori Eriko , Omi Hideo , Isurugi Chizuko , Honda Tatsuya , Kumagai Seisuke , Shoji Tadahiro , Oyama Rie , Yoshisaki Akira , Sugiyama Toru
Published: June 2010

Purpose

To investigate the ability of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and anti‐Mϋllerian hormone (AMH) to predict successful embryo development in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Methods

We prospectively studied 28 patients undergoing IVF treatment, using 3D ultrasound Sono automatic volume calculation (AVC) and a 3D‐power Doppler volume histogram. Sono AVC was used to automatically measure the number and volume of follicles. The volume histogram was used to measure the vascularization index (VI), flow index, and vascularization flow index in the ovaries. Serum AMH (S‐AMH) was determined by enzyme immunoassay (ng/ml).

Results

The number of embryos isolated was 3.3 ± 2.8. The S‐AMH of the patients who were under 35 years of age (0.570 ± 0.216 ng/ml) was higher than that in the patients over 40 years of age (0.377 ± 0.071 ng/ml; p = 0.0003). Principal component analyses determined that the quality of the embryo depended on the patients's age, S‐AMH, and VI of the ovary. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the cutoff for the S‐AMH was 0.2855 ng/ml, and the optimal age of the patient was 32.5 years, when implanted with an embryo on day 16.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that investigating the relationships between the number of the embryo and ovarian function, using a combination of AMH with a volume histogram, might be useful to predict the response to IVF treatment.
Woman with abdominal distention
Authors: Chilstrom Mikaela , Elavunkal Jyoti , Stone Michael B.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

An 86-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department after falling and being unable to get up. Her physical exam revealed massive abdominal distention and spider angiomata suspicious for possible ascites.

Materials and methods

The treating physician performed a bedside ultrasound that showed a discrete echogenic mass without evidence of ascites that was subsequently confirmed on computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis.

Conclusion

The utility of bedside ultrasound in the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal distention and possible ascites is discussed.
Magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip: technique and spectrum of findings in younger patients
Authors: Aubry Sébastien , Bélanger Danny , Giguère Caroline , Lavigne Martin
Published: June 2010

Magnetic resonance(MR) imaging is the reference imaging technique in the evaluation of hip abnormalities. However, in some pathological conditions—such as lesions of the labrum, cartilaginous lesions, femoroacetabular impingement, intra-articular foreign bodies, or in the pre-operative work-up of developmental dysplasia of the hip—intra-articular injection of a contrast medium is required to obtain a precise diagnosis. This article reviews the technical aspects, contraindications, normal appearance and potential pitfalls of MR arthrography, and illustrates the radiological appearance of commonly encountered conditions.
Synergies between the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change in agriculture
Authors: SMITH P. , OLESEN J. E.
Published: June 2010

There is a very significant, cost effective greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential in agriculture. The annual mitigation potential in agriculture is estimated to be 4200, 2600 and 1600 Mt CO2 equiv/yr at C prices of 100, 50 and 20 US$/t CO2 equiv, respectively. The value of GHG mitigated each year is equivalent to 420 000, 130 000 and 32 000 million US$/yr for C prices of 100, 50 and 20 US$/t CO2 equiv, respectively. From both the mitigation and economic perspectives, we cannot afford to miss out on this mitigation potential.

The challenge of agriculture within the climate change context is two-fold, both to reduce emissions and to adapt to a changing and more variable climate. The primary aim of the mitigation options is to reduce emissions of methane or nitrous oxide or to increase soil carbon storage. All the mitigation options, therefore, affect the carbon and/or nitrogen cycle of the agroecosystem in some way. This often not only affects the GHG emissions but also the soil properties and nutrient cycling. Adaptation to increased variability of temperature and rainfall involves increasing the resilience of the production systems. This may be done by improving soil water holding capacities through adding crop residues and manure to arable soils or by adding diversity to the crop rotations.

Though some mitigation measures may have negative impacts on the adaptive capacity of farming systems, most categories of adaptation options for climate change have positive impacts on mitigation. These include: (1) measures that reduce soil erosion, (2) measures that reduce leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus, (3) measures for conserving soil moisture, (4) increasing the diversity of crop rotations by choices of species or varieties, (5) modification of microclimate to reduce temperature extremes and provide shelter, (6) land use change involving abandonment or extensification of existing agricultural land, or avoidance of the cultivation of new land. These adaptation measures will in general, if properly applied, reduce GHG emissions, by improving nitrogen use efficiencies and improving soil carbon storage.

There appears to be a large potential for synergies between mitigation and adaptation within agriculture. This needs to be incorporated into economic analyses of the mitigation costs. The inter-linkages between mitigation and adaptation are, however, not very well explored and further studies are warranted to better quantify short- and long-term effects on suitability for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. In order to realize the full potential for agriculture in a climate change context, new agricultural production systems need to be developed that integrate bioenergy and food and feed production systems. This may possibly be obtained with perennial crops having low-environmental impacts, and deliver feedstocks for biorefineries for the production of biofuels, biomaterials and feed for livestock.
Marching cohort ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection over two decades (1988–2007): combined effects of secular trend and population migration
Authors: MIENDJE DEYI V. Y. , VANDERPAS J. , BONTEMS P. , VAN DEN BORRE C. , De KOSTER E. , CADRANEL S. , BURETTE A.
Published: June 2010

The prevalence ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection is decreasing in developed countries. In this study we included 22 612 patients in whom a first culture of gastric biopsy (routinely performed in our medical centres) yielded an interpretable result over a 20-year period (1988–2007) in Brussels. The effects of patients' age, gender and ethnic background were analysed. The overall proportion ofH. pylori-infected patients was 37·7%, with a progressive decline over time (P<10−5). A gender effect was observed in adults. The lowest infection rate was observed in Western European patients (n=11 238) with respectively 36·2% and 15·2% infected subjects in 1988 and 2007, compared to 71·7% and 40% in North African patients (n=3200) (P<10−5). However, no trend of decline was observed over time in North African children aged ⩽9 years. These data show the effects of time, age and ethnicity on the prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection, and its complex heterogeneity in the same cosmopolitan urban area.
Risk factors associated withHelicobacter pyloriinfection treatment failure in a high prevalence area
Authors: YAKOOB J. , JAFRI W. , ABBAS Z. , ABID S. , NAZ S. , KHAN R. , KHALID A.
Published: June 2010

Triple therapy is commonly used for the treatment ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection. We determined risk factors associated with its failure in compliant patients focusing onH. pyloridensity, virulence marker and 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) point mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance.H. pyloriinfection was diagnosed by14C urea breath test (14C UBT) and rapid urease test or histology. Triple therapy with esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. was prescribed for 10 days.14C UBT was repeated 4 weeks after treatment. In total, 111 patients [69 (62%) males] with a mean age of 46±16 years were enrolled. The mean age of treatment failure was 39±14 years compared to 48±16 years with eradication (P=0·002). Treatment failure was associated with younger mean age, point mutations in the23S rRNAgene ofH. pyloriandvacA s1aandm1when associated withcagAnegativity.
Evaluating surveillance in wild birds by the application of risk assessment of avian influenza introduction into Spain
Authors: MARTINEZ M. , PEREZ A. M. , DE LA TORRE A. , IGLESIAS I. , SÁNCHEZ-VIZCAÍNO J. M. , MUÑOZ M. J.
Published: June 2010

Early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in its natural reservoirs is a prerequisite for preventing disease spread to humans. The risk of introduction of H5N1 HPAI was assessed in order to design a risk-based surveillance system in Spain. Areas at highest risk for H5N1 HPAI followed a northeast–southwest direction, with two significant clusters located in the north and the southwest of the country. Most (83%) of the veterinary units (VUs) obtained fewer samples than would have been expected if samples had been collected using a risk-based design. In October 2009, a HPAI outbreak was reported for the first time in a Spanish layer farm located in a VU at high risk for HPAI, but no samples were collected. This risk-based surveillance approach will increase the cost-effectiveness of HPAI surveillance in Spain and can be easily extended to and adopted by other countries and regions throughout the world.
Modelling the first dose of measles vaccination: the role of maternal immunity, demographic factors, and delivery systems
Authors: METCALF C. J. E. , KLEPAC P. , FERRARI M. , GRAIS R. F. , DJIBO A. , GRENFELL B. T.
Published: June 2010

Measles vaccine efficacy is higher at 12 months than 9 months because of maternal immunity, but delaying vaccination exposes the children most vulnerable to measles mortality to infection. We explored how this trade-off changes as a function of regionally varying epidemiological drivers, e.g. demography, transmission seasonality, and vaccination coverage. High birth rates and low coverage both favour early vaccination, and initiating vaccination at 9–11 months, then switching to 12–14 months can reduce case numbers. Overall however, increasing the age-window of vaccination decreases case numbers relative to vaccinating within a narrow age-window (e.g. 9–11 months). The width of the age-window that minimizes mortality varies as a function of birth rate, vaccination coverage and patterns of access to care. Our results suggest that locally age-targeted strategies, at both national and sub-national scales, tuned to local variation in birth rate, seasonality, and access to care may substantially decrease case numbers and fatalities for routine vaccination.
Institutions, taxation, and market relationships in ancient Athens
Authors: LYTTKENS CARL HAMPUS
Published: June 2010

This paper explores the institutional and economic development in ancient Athens from around 600 BC into the fourth century, a period during which the Athenians experienced oligarchy, tyranny, a gradually evolving but eventually far-reaching male democracy, followed by a return to more influence for the elite. Concomitantly, economic life changed qualitatively and quantitatively. Self-sufficient farming gradually gave way to market relationships and there was substantial economic growth. This analysis of institutional changes in Athens emphasizes the importance of credible commitments from those in power to other groups in society. It is furthermore likely that the increasing reliance on market relationships gradually transformed individual behaviour and individual beliefs, leading to changes in the formal and informal rules in society. Taxation played an important role: it pushed people into market relationships, illustrated the need for credible commitments, and helps to explain why foreigners were so prominent in trade in ancient Athens.
Routines as multilevel mechanisms
Authors: VROMEN JACK J.
Published: June 2010

It is argued that routines can be fruitfully conceived of as multilevel mechanisms. The merits of viewing routines as multilevel mechanisms are that it helps in putting together a coherent picture of what routines are, what routines do, and how they do it. In particular, it helps in getting a clearer picture of how skills and routines are ontologically (rather than metaphorically) related to each other. It allows us to see that while routines aregenerativemechanisms producing recurrent patterns of firm behavior, asmultilevelmechanisms they themselves are at the same time recurrent patterns of interaction within firms. Because of its ‘behavioral’ spirit, viewing routines as multilevel mechanisms (rather than as, for example, unobservable dispositions of firms to energize patterns of behavior in firms) greatly facilitates further empirical research on crucial, as yet unresolved issues, such as how stable and robust routines are and to what extent firm behavior is routine.
Different contracts in the Civil Code for different organizations in the market: comparing co-operative and stock banks using a cost frontier approach
Authors: TURATI GILBERTO
Published: June 2010

In this paper, I propose an empirical test of the main prediction of the theoretical literature on the firm as an incentive structure using data on the Italian markets, where two types of co-operative banks co-exist together with stock banks. I estimate a standard translog cost frontier and I derive cost efficiency scores. Kruskall–Wallis tests indicate that mean efficiency scores are statistically different among the three types of banks, providing empirical support to the theoretical prediction that different organizations represent different incentive structures. Moreover, co-operatives banks appear more efficient than stock banks. These results are robust also after controlling for the size of banks and the quality of their credit policies in a second-stage analysis. Hence, the efficiency gains stemming from the presence of scale economies seem to be dominated by the efficiency losses caused by the agency relationships within the bank in a more complex organization.
Development blocks, malinvestment and structural tensions – the Åkerman–Dahmén theory of the business cycle
Authors: ERIXON LENNART
Published: June 2010

Johan Åkerman and Erik Dahmén's institutional theory of economic fluctuations is a constructive alternative to traditional macroeconomic approaches and also to modern business-cycle analysis based on microeconomic optimization models. By its integration of a business-cycle and growth perspective, Åkerman and Dahmén's analysis was similar to that of Schumpeter inBusiness Cycles. But their notions of malinvestment, structural tensions, and development blocks provided an original explanation of the turning points in the business cycle. The Åkerman–Dahmén approach is more valid for innovation-driven cycles such as the ICT boom in the late 1990s and the subsequent crisis than for cycles with an independent role of financial-market conditions.
Locations of chorus emissions observed by the Polar Plasma Wave Instrument
Authors: Sigsbee K. , Menietti J. D. , Santolík O. , Pickett J. S.
Published: June 2010

We performed a statistical study of the locations of chorus emissions observed by the Polar spacecraft's Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) from March 1996 to September 1997, near the minimum of solar cycles 22/23. We examined how the occurrence of chorus emissions in the Polar PWI data set depends upon magnetic local time, magnetic latitude, L shell, and L*. The Polar PWI observed chorus most often over a range of magnetic local times extending from about 2100 MLT around to the dawn flank and into the dayside magnetosphere near 1500 MLT. Chorus was least likely to be observed near the dusk flank. On the dayside, near noon, the region in which Polar observed chorus extended to larger radial distances and higher latitudes than at other local times. Away from noon, the regions in which chorus occurred were more restricted in both radial and latitudinal extent. We found that for high‐latitude chorus near local noon, L* provides a more reasonable mapping to the equatorial plane than the standard L shell. Chorus was observed slightly more often when the magnitude of the solar wind magnetic field BSW was greater than 5 nT than it was for smaller interplanetary magnetic field strengths. We also found that near solar minimum, chorus is twice as likely to be observed when the solar wind speed is greater than 450 km/s than it is when the solar wind speed is less than 450 km/s.
THEMIS analysis of observed equatorial electron distributions responsible for the chorus excitation
Authors: Li W. , Thorne R. M. , Nishimura Y. , Bortnik J. , Angelopoulos V. , McFadden J. P. , Larson D. E. , Bonnell J. W. , Le Contel O. , Roux A. , Auster U.
Published: June 2010

A statistical survey of plasma densities and electron distributions (0.5–100 keV) is performed using data obtained from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions During Substorms spacecraft in near‐equatorial orbits from 1 July 2007 to 1 May 2009 in order to investigate optimum conditions for whistler mode chorus excitation. The plasma density calculated from the spacecraft potential, together with in situ magnetic field, is used to construct global maps of cyclotron and Landau resonant energies under quiet, moderate, and active geomagnetic conditions. Statistical results show that chorus intensity increases at higher AE index, with the strongest waves confined to regions where the ratio between the plasma frequency and gyrofrequency, fpe/fce, is less than 5. On the nightside, large electron anisotropies and intense chorus emissions indicate remarkable consistency with the confinement to 8 RE. Furthermore, as injected plasma sheet electrons drift from midnight through dawn toward the noon sector, their anisotropy increases and peaks on the dayside at 7 < L < 9, which is well correlated with intense chorus emissions observed in the prenoon sector. These statistical results are generally consistent with the generation of both lower‐band and upper‐band chorus through cyclotron resonant interactions with suprathermal electrons (1–100 keV). Two typical events on the nightside and dayside are studied in greater detail and additional interesting features are identified. Pancake distributions of electrons with energy below ∼2 keV, which could be responsible for the excitation of upper‐band chorus, are observed at lower L shells (<7) on the nightside and at larger L shells (>6) on the dayside. In addition, very isotropic distributions at a few keV, which may be produced by Landau resonance and contribute to the formation of the typical gap in the chorus spectrum near 0.5 fce, are commonly observed on the dayside.
Multiscale auroral emission statistics as evidence of turbulent reconnection in Earth's midtail plasma sheet
Authors: Klimas Alex , Uritsky Vadim , Donovan Eric
Published: June 2010

We provide indirect evidence for turbulent reconnection in Earth's midtail plasma sheet by reexamining the statistical properties of bright, nightside auroral emission events as observed by the UVI experiment on the Polar spacecraft and discussed previously by Uritsky et al. (2002, 2003, 2006). The events are divided into two groups: (1) those that map to ∣XGSM∣ < 12 RE in the magnetotail and do not show scale‐free statistics and (2) those that map to ∣XGSM∣ > 12 RE and do show scale‐free statistics. The ∣XGSM∣ dependence is shown to most effectively organize the events into these two groups. Power law exponents obtained for group 2 are shown to validate the conclusions of Uritsky et al. concerning the existence of critical dynamics in the auroral emissions. It is suggested that the auroral dynamics is a reflection of a critical state in the magnetotail that is based on the dynamics of turbulent reconnection in the midtail plasma sheet.
Automated procedure for point and kinematic source inversion at regional distances
Authors: Cesca Simone , Heimann Sebastian , Stammler Klaus , Dahm Torsten
Published: June 2010

The development of fast, automatic routines for the retrieval of point source parameters of medium to large earthquakes was convincingly established in the last years and decades, providing an increasing number of focal mechanism solutions. Original applications at teleseismic distances have been successively accompanied by specific routines for regional data sets. The majority of these methods are based on the fit of low‐passed time traces. We present here a new technique for the automatic retrieval of point source parameters and highly parameterized kinematic rupture models at regional distances, assuming the recently proposed eikonal model to describe the extended source. In our approach we use a larger set of information to better constrain the source parameters, including the fit of amplitude spectra and displacements at different phases and frequency ranges. The time consumption of the inversion process is significantly improved, thanks to the implementation of Green's functions databases. We adopt a multistep inversion approach, finally providing the focal mechanism, magnitude, and centroid location of the point source. For events with magnitude higher than a threshold of Mw 5.5, source geometry, rupture extension, and average slip may be additionally retrieved. We discuss the methodology and the inversion stability, showing applications to significant earthquakes in two case areas. We focus on Germany and Greece, and their neighboring areas, considering major shallow earthquakes in the last 5 years. The proposed method is currently implemented for automatic data processing at the Seismological Observatory of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in Germany.
On the reliability of the U.S. surface temperature record
Authors: Menne Matthew J. , Williams Claude N. , Palecki Michael A.
Published: June 2010

Recent photographic documentation of poor siting conditions at stations in the U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) has led to questions regarding the reliability of surface temperature trends over the conterminous United States (CONUS). To evaluate the potential impact of poor siting/instrument exposure on CONUS temperatures, trends derived from poor and well sited USHCN stations were compared. Results indicate that there is a mean bias associated with poor exposure sites relative to good exposure sites; however, this bias is consistent with previously documented changes associated with the widespread conversion to electronic sensors in the USHCN during the last 25 years. Moreover, the sign of the bias is counterintuitive to photographic documentation of poor exposure because associated instrument changes have led to an artificial negative (“cool”) bias in maximum temperatures and only a slight positive (“warm”) bias in minimum temperatures. These results underscore the need to consider all changes in observation practice when determining the impacts of siting irregularities. Further, the influence of nonstandard siting on temperature trends can only be quantified through an analysis of the data. Adjustments applied to USHCN Version 2 data largely account for the impact of instrument and siting changes, although a small overall residual negative (“cool”) bias appears to remain in the adjusted maximum temperature series. Nevertheless, the adjusted USHCN temperatures are extremely well aligned with recent measurements from instruments whose exposure characteristics meet the highest standards for climate monitoring. In summary, we find no evidence that the CONUS average temperature trends are inflated due to poor station siting.
Linking models and data on vegetation structure
Authors: Hurtt G. C. , Fisk J. , Thomas R. Q. , Dubayah R. , Moorcroft P. R. , Shugart H. H.
Published: June 2010

For more than a century, scientists have recognized the importance of vegetation structure in understanding forest dynamics. Now future satellite missions such as Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI) hold the potential to provide unprecedented global data on vegetation structure needed to reduce uncertainties in terrestrial carbon dynamics. Here, we briefly review the uses of data on vegetation structure in ecosystem models, develop and analyze theoretical models to quantify model‐data requirements, and describe recent progress using a mechanistic modeling approach utilizing a formal scaling method and data on vegetation structure to improve model predictions. Generally, both limited sampling and coarse resolution averaging lead to model initialization error, which in turn is propagated in subsequent model prediction uncertainty and error. In cases with representative sampling, sufficient resolution, and linear dynamics, errors in initialization tend to compensate at larger spatial scales. However, with inadequate sampling, overly coarse resolution data or models, and nonlinear dynamics, errors in initialization lead to prediction error. A robust model‐data framework will require both models and data on vegetation structure sufficient to resolve important environmental gradients and tree‐level heterogeneity in forest structure globally.
Flood peak distributions for the eastern United States
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Smith James A.
Published: June 2010

Annual maximum peak discharge time series from 572 stations with a record of at least 75 years in the eastern United States are used to examine flood peak distributions from a regional perspective. The central issues of this study are (1) “mixtures” of flood peak distributions, (2) upper tail properties of flood peaks, (3) scaling properties of flood peaks, (4) spatial heterogeneities of flood peak distributions, and (5) temporal nonstationarities of annual flood peaks. Landfalling tropical cyclones are an important element of flood peak distributions throughout the eastern United States, but their relative importance in the “mixture” of annual flood peaks varies widely, and abruptly, in space over the region. Winter‐spring extratropical systems and warm season thunderstorm systems also introduce distinct flood peak populations, with spatially varying control of flood frequency distributions over the eastern United States. We examine abrupt changes in the mean and variance of flood peak distributions through change point analyses and temporal trends in the flood peak records through nonparametric tests. Abrupt changes, rather than slowly varying trends, are typically responsible for nonstationarities in annual flood peak records in the eastern United States, and detected change points are often linked to regulation of river basins. Trend analyses for the 572 eastern United States gaging stations provide little evidence at this point (2009) for increasing flood peak distributions associated with human‐induced climate change. Estimates of the location, scale, and shape parameters of the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution provide a framework for examining scaling properties of flood peaks and upper tail properties of flood distributions. It is shown that anomalously large values of the GEV shape parameter estimates are linked to the role of tropical cyclones in controlling the upper tail of flood distributions. Scaling analyses of flood peaks highlight the heterogeneities in flood magnitudes over the region with maxima in scaled flood magnitudes in the high‐elevation Appalachian Mountains and minima in the low‐gradient Coastal Plain.
Effect of latitude on the persistence of eddy‐driven jets
Authors: Barnes Elizabeth A. , Hartmann Dennis L. , Frierson Dargan M. W. , Kidston Joseph
Published: June 2010

An asymmetry in the persistence of the eddy‐driven jet is demonstrated, whereby the equatorward‐shifted (low‐phase) jet is more persistent than the poleward‐shifted (high‐phase) jet. The asymmetry is investigated by stirring the non‐divergent vorticity equation on the sphere and is shown to arise due to the sphericity of the earth, which inhibits poleward wave breaking when the jet is at high latitudes. This spherical effect becomes increasingly important as the mean jet is positioned at higher latitudes. The persistence of the annular mode decreases as the mean jet moves closer to the pole due to the decreased persistence of the high‐phase state, while the low‐phase state exhibits similar persistence regardless of the jet position. These results suggest that with the expected poleward shift of the jet due to increasing greenhouse gases, the annular mode's total persistence will decrease due to a decrease in the persistence of the high‐phase.
Stochastic inversion of permeability and dispersivities from time lapse self‐potential measurements: A controlled sandbox study
Authors: Revil A. , Jardani A.
Published: June 2010

We test the ability of the self‐potential method to provide information that can be used to invert the permeability and the dispersivities of a porous material. We first formulate the semi‐coupled system of equations describing the occurrence of self‐potential signals associated with the transport of salt in a porous material like sand. Two contributions in the source current density arise from the electrokinetic coupling associated with the flow of the pore water and the diffusion potential due to the gradient in the activity of the salt. A controlled laboratory sandbox experiment is performed to show that time‐lapse self‐potential measurements can be used to invert, in a Bayesian framework, the permeability and dispersivities.