bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flt1 acts as a negative regulator of tip cell formation and branching morphogenesis in the zebrafish embryo
Authors: Krueger Janna , Liu Dong , Scholz Katja , Zimmer Anja , Shi Yu , Klein Christian , Siekmann Arndt , Schulte-Merker Stefan , Cudmore Melissa , Ahmed Asif , le Noble Ferdinand
Published: April 2011

Endothelial tip cells guide angiogenic sprouts by exploring the local environment for guidance cues such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VegfA). Here we present Flt1 (Vegf receptor 1) loss- and gain-of-function data in zebrafish showing that Flt1 regulates tip cell formation and arterial branching morphogenesis. Zebrafish embryos expressed soluble Flt1 (sFlt1) and membrane-bound Flt1 (mFlt1). In Tg(flt1BAC:yfp) × Tg(kdrl:ras-cherry)s916 embryos, flt1:yfp was expressed in tip, stalk and base cells of segmental artery sprouts and overlapped with kdrl:cherry expression in these domains. flt1 morphants showed increased tip cell numbers, enhanced angiogenic behavior and hyperbranching of segmental artery sprouts. The additional arterial branches developed into functional vessels carrying blood flow. In support of a functional role for the extracellular VEGF-binding domain of Flt1, overexpression of sflt1 or mflt1 rescued aberrant branching in flt1 morphants, and overexpression of sflt1 or mflt1 in controls resulted in short arterial sprouts with reduced numbers of filopodia. flt1 morphants showed reduced expression of Notch receptors and of the Notch downstream target efnb2a, and ectopic expression of flt4 in arteries, consistent with loss of Notch signaling. Conditional overexpression of the notch1a intracellular cleaved domain in flt1 morphants restored segmental artery patterning. The developing nervous system of the trunk contributed to the distribution of Flt1, and the loss of flt1 affected neurons. Thus, Flt1 acts in a Notch-dependent manner as a negative regulator of tip cell differentiation and branching. Flt1 distribution may be fine-tuned, involving interactions with the developing nervous system.
FatJ acts via the Hippo mediator Yap1 to restrict the size of neural progenitor cell pools
Authors: Van Hateren Nick J. , Das Raman M. , Hautbergue Guillaume M. , Borycki Anne-Gaëlle , Placzek Marysia , Wilson Stuart A.
Published: April 2011

The size, composition and functioning of the spinal cord is likely to depend on appropriate numbers of progenitor and differentiated cells of a particular class, but little is known about how cell numbers are controlled in specific cell cohorts along the dorsoventral axis of the neural tube. Here, we show that FatJ cadherin, identified in a large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screen of cadherin genes expressed in the neural tube, is localised to progenitors in intermediate regions of the neural tube. Loss of function of FatJ promotes an increase in dp4-vp1 progenitors and a concomitant increase in differentiated Lim1+/Lim2+ neurons. Our studies reveal that FatJ mediates its action via the Hippo pathway mediator Yap1: loss of downstream Hippo components can rescue the defect caused by loss of FatJ. Together, our data demonstrate that RNAi screens are feasible in the chick embryonic neural tube, and show that FatJ acts through the Hippo pathway to regulate cell numbers in specific subsets of neural progenitor pools and their differentiated progeny.
Activation of picornaviral IRESs by PTB shows differential dependence on each PTB RNA-binding domain
Authors: Kafasla Panagiota , Lin Helen , Curry Stephen , Jackson Richard J.
Published: April 2011

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) is an RNA-binding protein with four RNA-binding domains (RBDs). It is a major regulator of alternative splicing and also stimulates translation initiation at picornavirus IRESs (internal ribosome entry sites). The sites of interaction of each RBD with two picornaviral IRESs have previously been mapped. To establish which RBD–IRES interactions are essential for IRES activation, point mutations were introduced into the RNA-binding surface of each RBD. Three such mutations were sufficient to inactivate RNA-binding by any one RBD, but the sites of the other three RBD–IRES interactions remained unperturbed. Poliovirus IRES activation was abrogated by inactivation of RBD1, 2, or 4, but the RBD3-IRES interaction was superfluous. Stimulation of the encephalomyocarditis virus IRES was reduced by inactivation of RBD1, 3, or 4, and abrogated by mutation of RBD2, or both RBDs 3 and 4. Surprisingly, therefore, the binding of PTB in its normal orientation does not guarantee IRES activation; three native RBDs are sufficient for correct binding but not for activation if the missing RBD–IRES interaction is critical.
Precursor miR-886, a novel noncoding RNA repressed in cancer, associates with PKR and modulates its activity
Authors: Lee Kwanbok , Kunkeaw Nawapol , Jeon Sung Ho , Lee Inhan , Johnson Betty H. , Kang Gum-Yong , Bang Joo Young , Park Hyung Soon , Leelayuwat Chanvit , Lee Yong Sun
Published: April 2011

Noncoding RNAs have drawn significant attention in biology recently. Whereas the current research is highly inclined to microRNAs, research on other noncoding RNAs has lagged behind. Here, we investigated a novel noncoding RNA that has been known as precursor microRNA miR-886 (pre-miR-886). Pre-miR-886 has been proposed also as a vault RNA, a component of the vault complex implicated in cancer drug resistance. We identified pre-miR-886 as a 102-nucleotide-long, abundant cytoplasmic RNA that is neither a genuine pre-microRNA nor a vault RNA. Pre-miR-886 is physically associated with PKR (Protein Kinase RNA-activated), an interferon-inducible and double-stranded RNA dependent kinase. The suppression of pre-miR-886 activates PKR and its downstream pathways, eIF2α phosphorylation and the NF-κB pathway, leading to impaired cell proliferation. We also found that pre-miR-886 is suppressed in a wide-range of cancer cell lines and in clinical specimens. This study is the first intense characterization of pre-miR-886 as well as the initial report on its function as a PKR regulator, which suggests a critical role in tumorigenesis.
Biological Variation and Reference Change Value of High-Sensitivity Troponin T in Healthy Individuals during Short and Intermediate Follow-up Periods
Authors: Frankenstein Lutz , Wu Alan HB , Hallermayer Klaus , Wians Frank H , Giannitsis Evangelos , Katus Hugo A
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction is defined by a troponin concentration >99th percentile with an acute increase and/or decrease, the magnitude of which has not yet been well defined. To aid the interpretation of changes in cardiac troponin concentration, we sought to establish biological variation and reference change values (RCVs) by applying both the normal and lognormal approaches for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) sampled at hourly and weekly intervals in healthy individuals and measured on the Roche E 170 and Elecsys® 2010 automated platforms.

METHODS

High-sensitivity cTnT (hsTnT) was measured at baseline, and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 h and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks in 20 and 17 healthy individuals, respectively. A healthy status was established by physical examination, MRI analysis at rest and during dobutamine stress, lung function testing, and blood sample testing.

RESULTS

Hourly total and within-individual CVs were 18% and 15%, respectively, for the E 170 assay, and 24% and 21%, respectively, for the Elecsys 2010 assay. Weekly total and within-individual CVs for these assays were 32% and 31%, respectively, for the E 170 assay, and 32% and 30%, respectively, for the Elecsys 2010 assay. The RCVs for the E 170 and Elecsys 2010 assays were ±46% and ±62% (hourly), respectively, and ±87% and ±86% (weekly), respectively. The corresponding lognormal values were +64%/−39% and +90%/−47% (hourly), and +138%/−58% and +135%/−58% (weekly).

CONCLUSIONS

RCVs appear attractive for interpreting hsTnT results. The short-term biological variation of hsTnT is low but becomes somewhat more important at intermediate sampling intervals. Knowledge of this variation is important for interpreting results from patients in whom cTnT values increase from low concentrations.
Centrifuge Test to Assess the Seismic Compression of Partially Saturated Sand Layers
Authors: Ghayoomi Majid , McCartney John , Ko Hon-Yim
Published: April 2011

A new testing approach for characterization of the response of partially saturated sand layers to cyclic loading is described in this paper. The approach involves basal shaking of a soil specimen within a laminar container using a hydraulic servo-controlled shake table in a geotechnical centrifuge. Infiltration of water was used to control the profiles of matric suction and degree of saturation, and thus the effective stress state, in the partially saturated sand layer during centrifugation. At steady state infiltration, relatively uniform profiles of degree of saturation and matric suction developed with depth in the sand layer. By varying the infiltration rate, different initial unsaturated conditions were obtained for cyclic testing. Instrumentation was incorporated into the setup to measure the accelerations induced in the shake table and soil profile, surface settlements, volumetric water content profiles, and pore water pressure. Cyclic tests were performed on sand layers having degrees of saturation ranging from 0.00 to 0.55 to assess the impact of effective stress on the layer’s deformation response. A nonlinear trend was observed in the variation of surface settlement with degree of saturation, with a minimum value obtained for sand having a degree of saturation of 0.28. This trend is consistent with the relationship between small strain shear modulus and degree of saturation for this sand.
Evaluation of Bias for Two Charpy Impact Machines with the Same Instrumented Striker
Authors: McCowan Chris N. , Lucon Enrico , Santoyo Raymond L.
Published: April 2011

Two Charpy machines were used to test NIST verification specimens at three energy levels: low energy (∼15 J at −40°C), high energy (∼100 J at −40°C), and super-high energy (∼240 J at room temperature). The study evaluates the differences observed for the bias between two impact machines and the variation in test data for instrumented versus non-instrumented impact tests. The machines used for testing were of very similar design, and all tests were performed with the same instrumented striker (switched between machines). After testing, the raw force/time data were used for the analyses, without correcting instrumented data by matching absorbed energies measured by the machine encoder (KV) and calculated under the force/deflection test record (Wt). The characteristic forces at general yield (Fgy) and the maximum forces (Fm) were determined in accordance with ASTM E2298-09 from the instrumented impact record that was used to calculate the total impact energy (Wt). The findings show the following: (1) one machine consistently produced higher absorbed energy values than the other machine; (2) the variation in Wt is significantly lower than the variation in absorbed energy measured in the non-instrumented test (KV) for a given machine and energy level; (3) the relative differences between KV and Wt increased with increasing absorbed energy levels; (4) variations in maximum force are lower than variations in absorbed energy values; (5) instrumented data indicate that the variation in the curves is very small up to maximum force, and that differences in absorbed energy mainly occur during fracture propagation (post-maximum force data); (6) data from these two independent measures of absorbed energy indicate that scatter is due primarily to material variability; and (7) the bias between the two machines is significantly reduced when the same striker is used for testing.
Multi-Parameter Monitoring System für Hydraulische Flüssigkeiten
Authors: Paul Sumit , Legner Wolfgang , Hackner Angelika , Baumbach Volker , Müller Gerhard
Published: April 2011

Es wird ein miniaturisiertes Messsystem für hydraulische Flüssigkeiten vorgestellt. Das System besteht aus zwei Teilen: (i) einem opto-chemischen Sensor, der die Stärke und die energetische Lage der O-H Absorption in der Umgebung von 3500 cm−1 detektiert, und (ii) einem Partikelsensor, der auf einem Lichtschrankenprinzip beruht. Der erste Sensor misst den Wasser- und den Säuregehalt und der zweite die Anzahl fester Teilchen in der Flüssigkeit.
Messung der Strömungsverteilung am Austritt der Bipolarplatten eines Brennstoffzellen-Stacks
Authors: Klinner Joachim , Willert Christian , Schneider Armin , Mack-Gardner André
Published: April 2011

Es werden zwei experimentelle Ansätze vorgestellt, um die Strömungsverteilung eines luftdurchströmten 8–12 KW Brennstoffzellen-Stacks unter realistischen Massenströmen nahe am anodenseitigen Austritt zu erfassen. Mit Hilfe einer Visualisierungstechnik kann die Eindringtiefe der Freistrahlen in das Sammelleitungsgebiet dargestellt werden. Durch Anwendung von zweikomponentiger Particle Image Velocimetry (2C-PIV) wird das Geschwindigkeitsfeld in der gesamten Höhe des Stacks hochaufgelöst gemessen. Neben der Implementierung des experimentellen Setups wird auf die PIV Datenauswertung eingegangen.
Micro-Particle-Image-Velocimetry zur Bestimmung der Geschwindigkeiten in einem Koronargefäß mit Stent
Authors: Quosdorf Daniel , Brede Martin , Leder Alfred , Lootz Daniel , Martin Heiner , Schmitz Klaus-Peter
Published: April 2011

In diesem Beitrag wird ein Micro-Particle-Image-Velocimetry Messaufbau (Micro-PIV) beschrieben, mit dem das dreidimensionale Geschwindigkeitsfeld der Strömung an einem transparenten 1:1 Modell eines originalen koronaren Stents quantitativ bestimmt werden kann. Der Behandlung der koronaren Herzkrankheit durch Stents kommt eine hohe Bedeutung zu. Durch den Stent hervorgerufene Veränderungen der Strömung führen zu unerwünschten Begleiterscheinungen.
Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis: The Burden of Group B Streptococcal and E. coli Disease Continues
Authors: Stoll Barbara J. , Hansen Nellie I. , Sánchez Pablo J. , Faix Roger G. , Poindexter Brenda B. , Van Meurs Krisa P. , Bizzarro Matthew J. , Goldberg Ronald N. , Frantz Ivan D. , Hale Ellen C. , Shankaran Seetha , Kennedy Kathleen , Carlo Waldemar A. , Watterberg Kristi L. , Bell Edward F. , Walsh Michele C. , Schibler Kurt , Laptook Abbot R. , Shane Andi L. , Schrag Stephanie J. , Das Abhik , Higgins Rosemary D. ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND:

Guidelines for prevention of group B streptococcal (GBS) infection have successfully reduced early onset (EO) GBS disease. Study results suggest that Escherichia coli is an important EO pathogen.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine EO infection rates, pathogens, morbidity, and mortality in a national network of neonatal centers.

METHODS:

Infants with EO infection were identified by prospective surveillance at Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Network centers. Infection was defined by positive culture results for blood and cerebrospinal fluid obtained from infants aged ≤72 hours plus treatment with antibiotic therapy for ≥5 days. Mother and infant characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were studied. Numbers of cases and total live births (LBs) were used to calculate incidence.

RESULTS:

Among 396 586 LBs (2006–2009), 389 infants developed EO infection (0.98 cases per 1000 LBs). Infection rates increased with decreasing birth weight. GBS (43%, 0.41 per 1000 LBs) and E coli (29%, 0.28 per 1000 LBs) were most frequently isolated. Most infants with GBS were term (73%); 81% with E coli were preterm. Mothers of 67% of infected term and 58% of infected preterm infants were screened for GBS, and results were positive for 25% of those mothers. Only 76% of mothers with GBS colonization received intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Although 77% of infected infants required intensive care, 20% of term infants were treated in the normal newborn nursery. Sixteen percent of infected infants died, most commonly with E coli infection (33%).

CONCLUSION:

In the era of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis to reduce GBS, rates of EO infection have declined but reflect a continued burden of disease. GBS remains the most frequent pathogen in term infants, and E coli the most significant pathogen in preterm infants. Missed opportunities for GBS prevention continue. Prevention of E coli sepsis, especially among preterm infants, remains a challenge.
Parents' Experiences of Their Children's Presence in Discussions With Physicians About Leukemia
Authors: Young Bridget , Ward Joanne , Salmon Peter , Gravenhorst Katja , Hill Jonathan , Eden Tim
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed to examine parents' views regarding their preadolescent child's presence during discussions about serious illnesses.

METHODS:

In-depth qualitative interviews with parents of children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia were conducted. Parents were sampled from 6 UK treatment centers. Analysis was informed by the constant comparative method and content analysis.

RESULTS:

We report on interviews with 53 parents (33 mothers, 20 fathers). Parents acknowledged the benefits of communicating openly with children, but few thought that their child's presence in discussions was straightforwardly desirable. They described how their child's presence restricted their own communication with physicians, made concentrating difficult, and interfered with their efforts to care for their child emotionally. Children's presence was particularly difficult when significant issues were being discussed, including prognoses, adverse results, and certain medical procedures. Parents felt that such discussions posed a potential threat to their child, particularly when they had not first had an opportunity to discuss information with the physician separately from the child. In contrast, separate meetings enabled parents to absorb information and to convey it to their child at an appropriate time and in a reassuring way. Some parents experienced difficulties in accessing separate meetings with physicians.

CONCLUSIONS:

The difficulties parents described could potentially be addressed by extending, beyond the diagnosis period, the practice of sequencing significant information so that it is communicated to parents in separate meetings before being communicated to the child and by periodically exploring with parents what information would be in each child's interests.
Novel Approach to Parental Permission and Child Assent for Research: Improving Comprehension
Authors: O'Lonergan Theresa A. , Forster-Harwood Jeri E.
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this research was to test a multimedia permission/assent (P/A) process. The overall hypothesis was that children and their parents exposed to a multimedia P/A process would have better comprehension compared with those exposed to a text-based process.

METHODS:

Traditional and multimedia P/A processes were created by using an innovative learning-objective approach. A total of 194 parent-child dyads (children aged 11–14 years) were enrolled: 24 dyads in a prestudy testing P/A components for preference and effect on comprehension and 170 dyads in a randomized trial of a multimedia or paper P/A process for a hypothetical study. Participants were predominantly white and were from a metropolitan area served by a tertiary care pediatric hospital and outpatient facility. Comprehension of 8 essential elements of the P/A process was assessed.

RESULTS:

The majority of prestudy subjects preferred the video version of the dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry description over the animated and paper versions combined (41 of 48 [85%]; P < .0001), and there were similar results for the abdominal ultrasound description (38 of 47 [81%]; P < .0001). Children exposed to the novel process showed significantly better overall comprehension compared with the paper P/A process (P = .0009), and there were highly significant differences in understanding of study procedures (P = .0002) and risks (P < .0001). The parental multimedia group had significantly better overall comprehension (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Multimedia approaches to the research P/A process may improve overall understanding of research participation for children and parents. Improved understanding of study-specific research components (rather than research rights) may improve overall comprehension.
Health Information Technology and the Medical Home
Authors: Kim George R. , Zurhellen William ,   Council on Clinical Information Technology
Published: April 2011

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed March 2022.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports development and universal implementation of a comprehensive electronic infrastructure to support pediatric information functions of the medical home. These functions include (1) timely and continuous management and tracking of health data and services over a patient's lifetime for all providers, patients, families, and guardians, (2) comprehensive organization and secure transfer of health data during patient-care transitions between providers, institutions, and practices, (3) establishment and maintenance of central coordination of a patient's health information among multiple repositories (including personal health records and information exchanges), (4) translation of evidence into actionable clinical decision support, and (5) reuse of archived clinical data for continuous quality improvement. The AAP supports universal, secure, and vendor-neutral portability of health information for all patients contained within the medical home across all care settings (ambulatory practices, inpatient settings, emergency departments, pharmacies, consultants, support service providers, and therapists) for multiple purposes including direct care, personal health records, public health, and registries. The AAP also supports financial incentives that promote the development of information tools that meet the needs of pediatric workflows and that appropriately recognize the added value of medical homes to pediatric care.
Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Health Emergencies in the Emergency Medical Services System
Authors: Dolan Margaret A. , Fein Joel A. ,   the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Published: April 2011

This Technical Report was reaffirmed July 2014 and April 2020.

Emergency department (ED) health care professionals often care for patients with previously diagnosed psychiatric illnesses who are ill, injured, or having a behavioral crisis. In addition, ED personnel encounter children with psychiatric illnesses who may not present to the ED with overt mental health symptoms. Staff education and training regarding identification and management of pediatric mental health illness can help EDs overcome the perceived limitations of the setting that influence timely and comprehensive evaluation. In addition, ED physicians can inform and advocate for policy changes at local, state, and national levels that are needed to ensure comprehensive care of children with mental health illnesses. This report addresses the roles that the ED and ED health care professionals play in emergency mental health care of children and adolescents in the United States, which includes the stabilization and management of patients in mental health crisis, the discovery of mental illnesses and suicidal ideation in ED patients, and approaches to advocating for improved recognition and treatment of mental illnesses in children. The report also addresses special issues related to mental illness in the ED, such as minority populations, children with special health care needs, and children's mental health during and after disasters and trauma.
Chemical-Management Policy: Prioritizing Children's Health
Authors: Paulson Jerome A. ,   Council on Environmental Health
Published: April 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that chemical-management policy in the United States be revised to protect children and pregnant women and to better protect other populations. The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976. It is widely recognized to have been ineffective in protecting children, pregnant women, and the general population from hazardous chemicals in the marketplace. It does not take into account the special vulnerabilities of children in attempting to protect the population from chemical hazards. Its processes are so cumbersome that in its more than 30 years of existence, the TSCA has been used to regulate only 5 chemicals or chemical classes of the tens of thousands of chemicals that are in commerce. Under the TSCA, chemical companies have no responsibility to perform premarket testing or postmarket follow-up of the products that they produce; in fact, the TSCA contains disincentives for the companies to produce such data. Voluntary programs have been inadequate in resolving problems. Therefore, chemical-management policy needs to be rewritten in the United States. Manufacturers must be responsible for developing information about chemicals before marketing. The US Environmental Protection Agency must have the authority to demand additional safety data about a chemical and to limit or stop the marketing of a chemical when there is a high degree of suspicion that the chemical might be harmful to children, pregnant women, or other populations.
Transferência de imunidade passiva em cordeiros de corte manejados extensivamente em clima tropical
Authors: Turquino C.F. , Flaiban K.K.M.C. , Lisbôa J.A.N.
Published: April 2011

Aspectos relacionados à transferência de imunidade passiva (TIP) foram estudados em 290 cordeiros recém-nascidos, cruzas Texel, manejados extensivamente em contato permanente com as suas mães, e criados em clima tropical. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas dos cordeiros uma única vez entre 24 e 36 horas de vida para obtenção do soro sanguíneo. Foram determinadas a atividade da gama glutamiltransferase e as concentrações de proteínas totais por refratometria e colorimetria, de albumina, alfa, beta e gamaglobulinas por eletroforese e de IgG estimada pela turvação pelo sulfato de zinco. Os cordeiros foram agrupados de acordo com o sexo, o número de partos das ovelhas, o escore de condição corporal (ECC) da ovelha, o número de cordeiros nascidos, o peso e a vitalidade ao nascimento. Os fatores de risco para a ocorrência de falha na transferência de imunidade passiva (FTIP) foram identificados e a sua associação com a mortalidade de cordeiros foi testada. Foram estabelecidas correlações entre as variáveis estudadas. A TIP não foi influenciada pelo sexo, pelo número de partos ou pelo ECC das ovelhas. Houve diferenças entre os cordeiros únicos e gêmeos e entre os que nasceram com peso >3 kg e < 3 kg. A FTIP foi pouco frequente (12,4%), mais provável em gêmeos (p=0,026) e em cordeiros leves (p<0,001) e esteve fortemente associada com a mortalidade dos cordeiros até os 60 dias de vida (p<0,001). A taxa de mortalidade geral foi de 11,3%; e 30,5% dos cordeiros com FTIP morreram, quase todos no primeiro mês de vida. A concentração de proteína total determinada por refratometria se correlacionou (p<0,001) com as concentrações de gamaglobulinas (r=0,816) e de IgG (r=0,810) e o valor crítico < 5,0g/dL para a proteína total pode ser admitido como indicador de FTIP. Sob condições de clima tropical a FTIP pode ser considerada pouco frequente em cordeiros mestiços de corte, entretanto, a vigilância e os cuidados devem ser intensificados no caso do nascimento de cordeiros gêmeos com peso reduzido.
Performance of Portuguese water utilities: how do ownership, size, diversification and vertical integration relate to efficiency?
Authors: Correia Tânia , Marques Rui Cunha
Published: April 2011

This research applies the stochastic frontier analysis benchmarking method to measure the performance of the water sector in Portugal. It estimates a multiproduct translog cost function in order to study the efficiency of the water and sewerage services, using an unbalanced panel comprising 68 Portuguese water utilities for the biennium 2004–2005. The sample is formed by concessionaire companies, municipal companies and semi-autonomous utilities which represent approximately 61% of the Portuguese population, around 6.4 million inhabitants. The water utilities studied have a satisfactory level of efficiency (89% on average). The study points to the assumption that private utilities are, on average, more efficient than public utilities and that there are benefits if the companies specialize in providing a single activity. It also leads to the conclusion that there are increasing economies of scale and decreasing economies of scope associated with the Portuguese water sector.
Sustainability of small water supplies: lessons from a Brazilian Program (SESP/FSESP)
Authors: Mayberry A. L. , Baker T. D.
Published: April 2011

This paper describes a highly successful community water supply program that was a part of a cooperative effort between Brazil's Ministry of Health and the Institute for Inter-American Affairs of the United States. The Serviço Especial de Saúde Pública (SESP) built hundreds of small water supplies across Brazil from 1942 to 1991 with an extremely low failure rate. When it was evaluated in 1960, by a team of specialists from the International Cooperation Association (USAID's predecessor), they found a failure rate of less than 1%. The sustainability of SESP's water supply program can be attributed to five principles described here that can give guidance in future efforts to develop sustainable community water projects in low-income countries.
Community perceptions of water quality and current institutional arrangements in the Great Barrier Reef Region of Australia
Authors: Larson Silva , Stone-Jovicich Samantha
Published: April 2011

This paper traces the perceived linkages between sources of water quality deterioration, impact on human wellbeing and the institutions responsible for dealing with the sources and impacts. The DPSIR (Driving forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) framework is used as a guide for data collection and to structure responses and the emerging themes. The web of linkages, as perceived by residents, is then compared with current institutional arrangements across different relevant sectors.

Taking a case study and exploratory research approach, eleven residents of Whitsunday shire, Queensland, Australia were interviewed about their perceptions of water related issues. This was followed by an analysis of current water management institutions for the region. Significant gaps were found between community concerns regarding water quality and actual institutional arrangements responsible for managing water use and quality. Residents perceived their local government body (Shire Council) as accountable for responding to water-related pressures and impacts in their Shire, whereas the responsibility falls primarily on government agencies and organisations at a regional, state and national level. Improved communication between the council and residents is needed to close these gaps in understanding. Moreover, incorporation of local perceptions and values regarding water pressure, impacts and preferred use into the development of institutional arrangements for water management is suggested.
Hydrology vs sovereignty: managing the hydrological interdependency of international rivers
Authors: Alam Undala , Dione Ousmane , Jeffrey Paul
Published: April 2011

In managing international rivers, governments are subject to two different boundaries. The socio-politically constructed boundaries governed by sovereignty and the physical boundaries imposed by the river's hydrology. The existence of a hydrological interdependency within an international basin means that “how” it is managed is important in constructing certainty in water supply. We compare two experiences from Europe and Africa to see the effect of sovereignty on the management of a basin's hydro-interdependency. Portugal and Spain have followed a Westphalian interpretation of sovereignty in the Guadiana basin to develop their physical infrastructure unilaterally and “sever” the hydro-interdependency. In contrast, using an operational interpretation of sovereignty, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal have chosen to embrace the Senegal river's hydro-interdependency and develop it jointly. A key lesson that emerges is that the approach used determines the pattern of resilience constructed in each system.
Policy transmission: the emerging policy dynamic of water supply infrastructure development in India
Authors: Gopakumar Govind
Published: April 2011

The focus of this paper will be to investigate the nature of policy reform in the water supply infrastructure sector in India. In the formal division of powers, much of the authority to implement policies in this sector rests with state governments and the role of the national government is largely restricted to recommending broad policy directions. Since the late 1990s, with the diffusion of the reform agenda into this sector, the national government has taken a number of measures that try to intervene more confidently in setting policy agendas in the states. However, this intervention has not proceeded along expected lines and more assertive policy articulations have been made by different states. A host of factors, such as the proliferation of regional parties and the diverse political logics behind reform implementation in each state are behind this. Using the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India as examples, this paper will develop a model of how water supply policy reforms are being transmitted.
Will the water resources of Israel, Palestine and Jordan remain sufficient to permit economic and social development for the foreseeable future?
Authors: Chenoweth Jonathan
Published: April 2011

Scenario analysis suggests that by 2050 the population of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip and Jordan will have grown from 17.2 million to between 21.1 and 38.5 million people. These population scenarios are compared to a range of water resource scenarios that consider the effect of climate change, a possible redistribution of the region's shared water resources as a result of a peace agreement, or the status quo. This scenario analysis shows that under all possible population-water scenarios combinations considered, the water resources of Jordan and Israel remain above the minimum threshold required for social and economic development. In the case of the West Bank, water resources may also remain sufficient for all population and climatic scenarios if the West Bank gains a greater portion of the shared water resources. In the Gaza Strip, however, desalination or water imports are required.
The Treatment of Uncertainty in EPA’s Analysis of Air Pollution Rules: A Status Report
Authors: Fraas Arthur G.
Published: April 2011

An understanding of the uncertainty in benefit and cost estimates is a critical part of a benefit–cost analysis. Without a quantitative treatment of uncertainty, it is difficult to know how much confidence to place in the benefit–cost estimates associated with regulatory analysis. In 2002, an NRC report recommended that EPA move toward conducting probabilistic, multiple-source uncertainty analyses in its RIAs with the specification of probability distributions for major sources of uncertainty in the benefit estimates. In 2006, reports by GAO and RFF found that EPA had begun to address the NRC recommendations, but that much remained to be done to meet the NRC concerns. This paper provides a further review of EPA’s progress in developing a quantitative assessment of the uncertainties in its health benefits analyses for the RIAs for four recent rulemakings setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In conclusion, EPA’s basic approach to presenting the uncertainty in its health benefits estimates remains largely unchanged. Recent RIAs present the results of uncertainty analysis in piecemeal fashion rather than providing an overall, comprehensive statement of the uncertainty in the estimates. In addition, the uncertainty analysis in recent RIAs continues to focus on the concentration-response relationship and largely fails to address the uncertainty associated with the other key elements of the benefits analysis.
Characterizing the Amount and Speed of Discounting Procedures
Authors: Jamison Dean T. , Jamison Julian
Published: April 2011

This paper introduces the concepts of amount and speed of a discounting procedure in order to generate well-characterized families of procedures for use in social project evaluation. Exponential discounting sequesters the concepts of amount and speed into a single parameter that needs to be disaggregated in order to characterize nonconstant rate procedures. The inverse of the present value of a unit stream of benefits provides a natural measure of the amount a procedure discounts the future. We propose geometrical and time horizon based measures of how rapidly a discounting procedure acquires its ultimate present value, and we prove these to be the same. This provides an unambiguous measure of the speed of discounting, a measure whose values lie between 0 (slow) and 2 (fast). Exponential discounting has a speed of 1. A commonly proposed approach to aggregating individual discounting procedures into a social one for project evaluation averages the individual discount functions. We point to serious shortcoming with this approach and propose an alternative for which the amount and time horizon of the social procedure are the averages of the amounts and time horizons of the individual procedures. We further show that the social procedure will in general be slower than the average of the speeds of the individual procedures. For potential applications in social project evaluation we characterize three families of two-parameter discounting procedures – hyperbolic, gamma, and Weibull – in terms of their discount functions, their discount rate functions, their amounts, their speeds and their time horizons. (The appendix characterizes additional families, including the quasi-hyperbolic one.) A one parameter version of hyperbolic discounting, d(t) = (1+rt)-2, has amount r and speed 0, and this procedure is our candidate for use in social project evaluation, although additional empirical work will be needed to fully justify a one-parameter simplification of more general procedures.
Behavioral Economics and the Conduct of Benefit-Cost Analysis: Towards Principles and Standards
Authors: Robinson Lisa A. , Hammitt James K.
Published: April 2011

As traditionally conducted, benefit-cost analysis is rooted in neoclassical welfare economics, which, in its most simplified form, assumes that individuals act rationally and are primarily motivated by self-interest, making decisions that maximize their welfare. Its conduct is evolving to reflect recent work in behavioral economics, which explores the psychological aspects of decisionmaking. We consider several implications for analyses of social programs, focusing largely on economic valuation. First, benefit-cost analysis often involves valuing nonmarket outcomes such as reductions in health and environmental risks. Behavioral research emphasizes the need to recognize that these values are affected by psychological as well as physical attributes. Second, benefit-cost analysis traditionally uses exponential discounting to reflect time preferences, while behavioral research suggests that individuals’ discounting may be hyperbolic. While the appropriate rates and functional form are uncertain, market rates best represent the opportunity costs associated with diverting funds to support a particular social policy or program. Such rates reflect the intersection between technological progress and individual preferences, regardless of whether these preferences fit the standard economic model or a behavioral alternative. Third, behavioral research emphasizes the need to consider the influence of other-regarding preferences on valuation. In addition to acting altruistically, individuals may act reciprocally to reward or punish others, or use the status of others as the baseline against which to assess their own well-being. Fourth, behavioral economics identifies factors that can help researchers develop valuation studies that provide well-informed, thoughtful preferences. Finally, while behavioral research has led some to argue for a more paternalistic approach to policy analysis, an alternative is to continue to focus on describing the preferences of those affected by the policy options while working to ensure that these preferences are based on knowledge and careful reflection. Benefit-cost analysis can be best viewed as a pragmatic framework for collecting, organizing, and evaluating relevant information.
Pathology and pathobiology of the gastric carcinoma
Authors: Micev Marjan , Cosic-Micev Milena
Published: April 2011

Recent epidemiological studies in Serbia revealed that gastric carcinoma is
the third and the fifth main cause of cancer morbidity in men and women,
respectively. Despite the declining incidence of gastric cancer, it remains
the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths as it is worldwide. A
well-defined carcinogenic inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-cancer sequence
typically precedes the development of most gastric adenocarcinomas.
Alterations such as gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are
merely markers of increased risk, while gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED)
represent a direct precursor of cancer. DNA damage and increased mucosal
proliferation secondary to H pylori infection, combined with a suitable host
susceptibility phenotype (eg, genetic polymorphisms in interleukin IL-1B,
IL-1RN, and tumor necrosis factor a TNF-a genes), are important factors in
this progression pathway. However, only a small minority of patients infected
with H. pylori eventually develops gastric cancer, and eradication of H
pylori in these patients does not seem to eliminate the risk of cancer
completely. It has been shown that atrophy may be a better indicator of risk
of cancer than intestinal metaplasia, and remains to be validated in routine
clinical practice according to recent proposal for new quantitative methods.
It is often associated with pseudopyloric gland metaplasia in the gastric
corpus mucosa, which expresses a type of trefoil peptide, the spasmolytic
polypeptide (termed spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia or SPEM)
and has been shown to be linked more closely to gastric cancer than
intestinal metaplasia. Better histological characterization of adenomatous
(or type I), hyperplastic (foveolar or type II) and tubule-neck (mucocellular
or type III) GED, two-tiered grading system (low and high grade dysplasia) as
well as the introduction of Padova and Vienna international classificatons of
dysplasia seem to be more helpful in GED survillance and comparative studies.
A combination of histopathological features, serum markers such as pepsinogen
I, and molecular tests that analyze host susceptibility polymorphisms and
bacterial virulence factors, may allow development of strategies for early
detection of cancer in the future. At present, pathobiology of gastric
cancerogenesis is far from known, despite the progressive knowlegde on
predisposing environmental conditions and genetic and epigenetic
abnormalities, including tumour supressor genes, oncogenes, microsatellite
instability and hypermethylation or the significance of E-cadherin mutational
status association with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome. Recent
evidence regarding the importance of several histopathologically derived
prognostic factors, such as resection margin status and lymph node metastases
and their implications have also been discussed. We aim to review these
aspects, with special relevance to gastric cancer specimen reporting.
Operative treatment of primary brain tumors localized in motor zone with direct corticalis electrostimulation: Series of 62 patients
Authors: Tasic Goran , Nestorovic Branislav , Milic Ivan , Nikolic Igor , Jovanovic Vladimir , Bogosavljevic Vojislav , Janicijevic Aleksandar , Radosavljevic Marina
Published: April 2011

In spite of the progress made in diagnostic procedures and development of the
operating rooms technology, considerable neurological deficit after operation
of tumors localized in the brain motor zone commits one to direct
intraoperative identification of the motor zone. By introducing direct
electrocortical stimulation into the routine intraoperative application the
primary goal has been achieved - reaching the maximum degree of radicalness
of surgical resection while preserving motor centres in the cerebral cortex.
Method: We are hereby demonstrating a series of 60 patients operated for
primary brain tumors localized in the area in the front and around the
central sulcus. All operations have been performed under the general
anesthetics. During the operations the method of direct electrostimulation
(ES) was used for the purpose of identifying motor centres. Results:
Intraoperatively a level of subtotal resection was achieved in 22 cases,
while radical resection was possible in 38 cases. Significantly higher level
of radicalness of surgical resection of the low grade glioma tumor was
confirmed statistically in relation to the group of patients with
glioblastoma multiforme by applying the ES cortex (p<0,05). Patients with
slow developing brain glioma have statistically considerably higher KI value
in relation to the KI values in the group of patients with glioblastoma
multiforme (p<0,01). Difference in the measured values of distance from the
coronal suture based on the results of MRI measuring and finding obtained by
ES, has shown a statistically considerably higher difference with
glioblastoma multiforme 8,26+4,288mm when comapred to slowly developing
astrocitoma 5,88+3,080 (p<0,05). Conclusion: Electrostimulation of the brain
cortex is a safe, simple and precise method for identification of the brain
motor zone which enables prevention of additional postoperative deficit and
higher level of surgical radicalness.
Incidence of surgical site infections in a urology department
Authors: Markovic-Denic Ljiljana , Rakic Violeta , Maksimovic Milovan , Djokic Milan
Published: April 2011

Objectives: To determine the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) in
the urology wards as well as the SSI incidence in relation to the ASA score
and surgical site contamination class. Materials and methods: One-year
prospective cohort study was conducted in the Urologic department, General
hospital, Sabac. The patients were daily examined and their diagnoses were
made according to the definition of hospital infections using concurrently
the ASA score and surgical site contamination class. Results: Out of 241
operated patients, 32 patients were diagnosed with 33 SSI. The overall
incidence rate of patients with SSI was 5.9% while incidence rate of SSI was
6.1%. There were not the differences in the incidence rates according to the
ASA score of patients (p>0.05). The incidence of SSI was 5.0% in the clan
wounds, 11.2% in the clean-contaminated, and 20.7% in the contaminated
wounds (?2=8.2 DF=2 p<0.016). The patients with SSIs were hospitalized
approximately 2 times longer than the patients without SSI (t=-6,28; df=239;
p<0,001). Conclusion: This study suggests that it is necessary to maintain
continous surveillance of surgical site infections and to implement the
preventive measures, especially for clean and clean-contaminated surgery.