bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of nutrition as medication in malnourished hospitalised patients is strongly influenced by environmental factors
Authors: Lambert Kelly , Potter Jan , Lonergan Maureen , Tapsell Linda , Charlton Karen E.
Published: October 2013

Aim

To evaluate the use of Nutrition as Medication (NAM) as a dietary intervention strategy in a sample of malnourished renal and geriatric hospital inpatients.

Methods

In the study period of 1 July to 30 August 2009, patients admitted to the acute renal or geriatric wards of a large general hospital and assessed as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and suitable to commence NAM were eligible for inclusion in this pilot clinical cohort study. Medication charts of the study patients were audited and opportunistic observations of patients receiving NAM were conducted. Comparisons of receival and refusal rates of NAM between chart audits and observations were made. Environmental influences on administration, delivery and consumption were noted.

Results

Eighteen patients were included in the study. Audits of their medication charts indicated 943 doses of NAM were prescribed in the study period. The receival rate of NAM was 66.4% and refusal rate was 8.9%. Forty‐eight incident observations of the NAM process were conducted noting a receival rate was 58.3% and refusal rate of 3.6%. Environmental factors such as adequate supplies and location of NAM stock influenced the receival rate of NAM.

Conclusions

In the present study, receival of NAM by renal and geriatric inpatients was suboptimal. The strategy was strongly influenced by environmental factors such as nurse administration of NAM. However, when NAM was received as prescribed, refusal was rare. Further exploration is warranted of NAM receival and consumption in other malnourished groups and of the environmental factors influencing NAM delivery.
Enhancement of Prodigiosin Production by Serratia marcescens TKU011 and Its Insecticidal Activity Relative to Food Colorants
Authors: Liang Tzu‐Wen , Chen Shin‐Yi , Chen Yen‐Chern , Chen Chia‐Hung , Yen Yue‐Horng , Wang San‐Lang
Published: October 2013

Prodigiosin (PG) has been reported to have various biological activities. With the aim of increasing Serratia marcescens TKU011 PG production on squid pen powder (SPP)‐containing medium, the effects of phosphate and ferrous ion supplementation, autoclave treatment, and aeration were studied. Autoclave treatment showed positive results for PG productivity (2.48 mg/mL), which increased 2.5‐fold when the organism was incubated in 50 mL of 40‐min autoclaved medium in a baffle‐based flask (250 mL) containing 1.5% SPP at 30 °C for 1 day and then at 25 °C for 2 additional days. Furthermore, the use of pigments including PG and the food colorants Allura Red AC (R40) and Tartrazine (Y4) as insecticides was also investigated. The lethal concentrations causing 50% Drosophila larval mortality (LC50) of PG, Y4, and R40 using a 5‐d exposure period were 230, 449, and 30000 ppm, respectively. The results indicated that the biopigment PG and the food colorant Y4 were potentially toxic to Drosophila larvae.
Sustainable remediation: electrochemically assisted microbial dechlorination of tetrachloroethene‐contaminated groundwater
Authors: Patil Sayali S. , Adetutu Eric M. , Rochow Jacqueline , Mitchell James G. , Ball Andrew S.
Published: October 2013

Microbial electric systems (MESs) hold significant promise for the sustainable remediation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachlorethene (perchloroethylene, PCE). Although the bio‐electrochemical potential of some specific bacterial species such as Dehalcoccoides and Geobacteraceae have been exploited, this ability in other undefined microorganisms has not been extensively assessed. Hence, the focus of this study was to investigate indigenous and potentially bio‐electrochemically active microorganisms in PCE‐contaminated groundwater. Lab‐scale MESs were fed with acetate and carbon electrode/PCE as electron donors and acceptors, respectively, under biostimulation (BS) and BS‐bioaugmentation (BS‐BA) regimes. Molecular analysis of the indigenous groundwater community identified mainly Spirochaetes, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and γ and δ‐Proteobacteria. Environmental scanning electron photomicrographs of the anode surfaces showed extensive indigenous microbial colonization under both regimes. This colonization and BS resulted in 100% dechlorination in both treatments with complete dechlorination occurring 4 weeks earlier in BS‐BA samples and up to 11.5 μA of current being generated. The indigenous non‐Dehalococcoides community was found to contribute significantly to electron transfer with ∼61% of the current generated due to their activities. This study therefore shows the potential of the indigenous non‐Dehalococcoides bacterial community in bio‐electrochemically reducing PCE that could prove to be a cost‐effective and sustainable bioremediation practice.
Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2012 trainee survey
Authors: Leung John , Le Hien , Turner Sandra , Munro Philip , Vukolova Natalia
Published: October 2013

Introduction

This paper reports the key findings of the first Faculty of Radiation Oncology survey of trainees dealing with experiences and perceptions on work practices and choice of specialty.

Methods

The survey was conducted in mid 2012 using a 37‐question instrument. This was distributed by email to 159 current trainees and advertised through the Radiation Oncology Trainees Committee and other channels. There were six email reminders. Respondents were reassured that their responses were anonymous.

Results

The overall response rate was 82.8%. Gender was balanced among respondents with 67 (51.5%) being male and 63 (48.5%) being female. The most common age bracket was the 31 to 35 years range. There were similar proportions of trainee responders in each of the five years of training. A substantial number of trainees held other degrees besides medical degrees. The large majority were satisfied with radiation oncology as a career choice and with the Training Network within which they were training. Interest in oncology patients, lifestyle after training and work hours were given as the major reasons for choosing radiation oncology as a career. Nearly half of trainees were interested in undertaking some of their training in a part‐time capacity and working part time as a radiation oncologist in the future.

Over 70% of trainees stated they were working 36–55 clinical hours per week with additional non‐clinical tasks, after‐hours work and on‐call duties. Nearly half of all trainees reported having one or less hours of protected time per week. Nonetheless, 40% of respondents indicated they had enough time to pursue outside interests. Radiation treatment planning and maintaining currency in general medicine were considered the most difficult aspects of training in radiation oncology. Most respondents were keen on the concept of fostering a research mentor.

In terms of views on practice after completion of training, the majority were interested in pursuing a fellowship, and nearly all expressed an interest in maintaining an element of academic practice. The large majority of respondents preferred to work in an urban department as a component of their practice after training and nearly all wanted a component of public sector practice. There were only four per cent who preferred to work only within the private sector. Job availability was a concern for 94% of trainees, which far outweighed any other concerns.

Conclusions

Trainees in radiation oncology are generally satisfied with their choice of specialty and their training. Most trainees are interested in fellowship positions, links with academia and largely public sector work in the future. Job availability for the future is their major concern.
Prospective study of exercise intervention in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Beydoun Nadine , Bucci Joseph A. , Chin Yaw S. , Spry Nigel , Newton Robert , Galvão Daniel A.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an important component of modern prostate cancer treatment. Survival benefits from neo‐adjuvant and adjuvant hormones may take years to manifest, and balancing this with potential morbidity of therapy can be challenging. This study aimed to assess whether education and short‐term combined aerobic and resistance exercises could help to ameliorate the adverse side effects of ADT.

Methods

Eight hundred fifty‐nine patients with relapsed or metastatic prostate cancer on leuprorelin acetate were allocated to three interventional streams based on patient preference and medical fitness: supervised group (Face‐to‐Face) exercise sessions, home‐based (At Home) exercise or a support programme for those incapable of exercising (Support). Patients enrolled onto Face to Face underwent measurement of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness variables at baseline and programme completion. Patients in the exercise streams were surveyed to determine the programme's impact on physical fitness and well‐being.

Results

Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) were seen in all measured cardiorespiratory fitness and strength variables. Programme attrition rates were low (75/859; 8.7%), the primary reason for withdrawal being discontinuation of hormones (70%). Programme satisfaction was high, with 98% of surveyed patients reporting a positive impact on fitness and 97% planning to continue exercising after programme completion. At 6 months, improved physical and emotional well‐being was reported by 93 and 79% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

A short‐term structured exercise intervention results in high compliance and significant improvements in muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in prostate cancer patients on ADT.
Next‐Gen phylogeography of rainforest trees: exploring landscape‐level cpDNA variation from whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: van der Merwe M. , McPherson H. , Siow J. , Rossetto M.
Published: October 2013

Standardized phylogeographic studies across codistributed taxa can identify important refugia and biogeographic barriers, and potentially uncover how changes in adaptive constraints through space and time impact on the distribution of genetic diversity. The combination of next‐generation sequencing and methodologies that enable uncomplicated analysis of the full chloroplast genome may provide an invaluable resource for such studies. Here, we assess the potential of a shotgun‐based method across twelve nonmodel rainforest trees sampled from two evolutionary distinct regions. Whole genomic shotgun sequencing libraries consisting of pooled individuals were used to assemble species‐specific chloroplast references (in silicio). For each species, the pooled libraries allowed for the detection of variation within and between data sets (each representing a geographic region). The potential use of nuclear rDNA as an additional marker from the NGS libraries was investigated by mapping reads against available references. We successfully obtained phylogeographically informative sequence data from a range of previously unstudied rainforest trees. Greater levels of diversity were found in northern refugial rainforests than in southern expansion areas. The genetic signatures of varying evolutionary histories were detected, and interesting associative patterns between functional characteristics and genetic diversity were identified. This approach can suit a wide range of landscape‐level studies. As the key laboratory‐based steps do not require prior species‐specific knowledge and can be easily outsourced, the techniques described here are even suitable for researchers without access to wet‐laboratory facilities, making evolutionary ecology questions increasingly accessible to the research community.
Reliability assessment of null allele detection: inconsistencies between and within different methods
Authors: Dąbrowski M. J. , Pilot M. , Kruczyk M. , Żmihorski M. , Umer H. M. , Gliwicz J.
Published: October 2013

Microsatellite loci are widely used in population genetic studies, but the presence of null alleles may lead to biased results. Here, we assessed five methods that indirectly detect null alleles and found large inconsistencies among them. Our analysis was based on 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in a natural population of Microtus oeconomus sampled during 8 years, together with 1200 simulated populations without null alleles, but experiencing bottlenecks of varying duration and intensity, and 120 simulated populations with known null alleles. In the natural population, 29% of positive results were consistent between the methods in pairwise comparisons, and in the simulated data set, this proportion was 14%. The positive results were also inconsistent between different years in the natural population. In the null‐allele‐free simulated data set, the number of false positives increased with increased bottleneck intensity and duration. We also found a low concordance in null allele detection between the original simulated populations and their 20% random subsets. In the populations simulated to include null alleles, between 22% and 42% of true null alleles remained undetected, which highlighted that detection errors are not restricted to false positives. None of the evaluated methods clearly outperformed the others when both false‐positive and false‐negative rates were considered. Accepting only the positive results consistent between at least two methods should considerably reduce the false‐positive rate, but this approach may increase the false‐negative rate. Our study demonstrates the need for novel null allele detection methods that could be reliably applied to natural populations.
DNA barcoding reveals a largely unknown fauna of Gracillariidae leaf‐mining moths in the Neotropics
Authors: Lees D. C. , Kawahara A. Y. , Rougerie R. , Ohshima I. , Kawakita A. , Bouteleux O. , De Prins J. , Lopez‐Vaamonde C.
Published: October 2013

Higher taxa often show increasing species richness towards tropical low latitudes, a pattern known as the latitudinal biodiversity gradient (LBG). A rare reverse LBG (with greater richness towards temperate high latitudes) is exhibited by Gracillariidae leaf‐mining moths, in which most described species occur in northern temperate areas. We carried out the first assessment of gracillariid species diversity in two Neotropical regions to test whether the relatively low tropical species diversity of this family is genuine or caused by insufficient sampling and a strong taxonomic impediment. Field surveys in six French Guianan and one Ecuadorian site produced 516 gracillariid specimens that were DNA barcoded to facilitate identification and to match larvae inside leaf mines with adults. Species delineation from sequence data was approximated using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Refined Single Linkage Analysis through the Barcode Index Number system, and the proportion of described/undescribed species was estimated after comparison with types of 83% of described species. Locally, alpha‐diversity far exceeds that of any known temperate fauna, with as many as 108 candidate species (59.3% as singletons) collected at one site, and with an estimated species richness lower bound of 240 species. Strikingly, at least 85% of the species collected as adults were found to be undescribed. Our sampling represents the most thorough survey of gracillariid species diversity in the Neotropics to date and the results from both our molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the current reverse LBG seen in this group is an artefact of insufficient sampling and a strong description deficit in the Neotropics.
Species discrimination in Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): assessment of DNA barcodes in a taxonomically challenging genus
Authors: S. Alves Tiago L. , Chauveau Olivier , Eggers Lilian , de Souza‐Chies Tatiana T.
Published: October 2013

DNA barcoding aims to develop an efficient tool for species identification based on short and standardized DNA sequences. In this study, the DNA barcode paradigm was tested among the genera of the tribe Sisyrinchieae (Iridoideae). Sisyrinchium, with more than 77% of the species richness in the tribe, is a taxonomically complex genus. A total of 185 samples belonging to 98 species of Sisyrinchium, Olsynium, Orthrosanthus and Solenomelus were tested using matK, trnH‐psbA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Candidate DNA barcodes were analysed either as single markers or in combination. Detection of a barcoding gap, similarity‐based methods and tree‐based analyses were used to assess the discrimination efficiency of DNA barcodes. The levels of species identification obtained from plastid barcodes were low and ranged from 17.35% to 20.41% for matK and 5.11% to 7.14% for trnH‐psbA. The ITS provided better results with 30.61–38.78% of species identified. The analyses of the combined data sets did not result in a significant improvement in the discrimination rate. Among the tree‐based methods, the best taxonomic resolution was obtained with Bayesian inference, particularly when the three data sets were combined. The study illustrates the difficulties for DNA barcoding to identify species in evolutionary complex lineages. Plastid markers are not recommended for barcoding Sisyrinchium due to the low discrimination power observed. ITS gave better results and may be used as a starting point for species identification.
Safety and Feasibility of Levosimendan Administration in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Series
Authors: Santoro Francesco , Ieva Riccardo , Ferraretti Armando , Ienco Vincenzo , Carpagnano Giuseppe , Lodispoto Michele , Di Biase Luigi , Di Biase Matteo , Brunetti Natale Daniele
Published: October 2013

Background

Levosimendan is a noncatecholamine inotrope that does not increase oxygen consumption, utilized for the treatment for acute heart failure with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Its use in takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), a disease that contraindicates the use of catecholamine inotropes, is not well known.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed 13 consecutive patients with TTC, low ejection fraction (EF) (<35%), and additional Mayo Clinic risk factors who were treated with i.v. infusion of levosimendan. Clinical course of patients, electrocardiogram presentation, LV function, and adverse events at follow‐up were recorded.

Results

All patients showed an impaired LV function (LVEF at admission 28 ± 5%), which significantly improved at discharge (51 ± 8%, P < 0.001). Mean hospital stay was 10 ± 4 days. Troponin levels at admission were directly related to length of hospitalization (r = 0.6, P < 0.001). Male gender (relative risk (RR) 1.85, P < 0.05), physical stress (RR 1.90, P < 0.05), ST elevation at ECG (RR 1.87, P < 0.05), and absence of chest pain (RR 2.23, P < 0.01) were found to be the predictors of longer hospital stay. Only 15% of subjects had adverse events during hospital stay; two patients incurred noncardiovascular death at follow‐up. Age was the only predictor of adverse event at follow‐up (RR 2.13, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The use of levosimendan may be safe and feasible in patients with TTC. Randomized studies are warranted to further confirm these preliminary results.
Contemporary epidemiology of gout and hyperuricemia in community elderly in Beijing
Authors: Lu Xiaolan , Li Xiaoxia , Zhao Yi , Zheng Zheng , Guan Shaochen , Chan Piu
Published: October 2013

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gout and hyperuricemia in an elderly community cohort in Beijing.

Method

A total of 10 039 individuals aged 50 years or older participated in the study, based on the Beijing Longitudinal Study on Aging II (BLSA II) Cohort in 2009. All participants were asked for a Gout Assessment Questionnaire under the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology. The prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia were evaluated. The potential risk factors for gout and hyperuricemia were analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

In our BLSA II cohort, the prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia were 2.8% and 18.1%, respectively. The prevalence of gout in the Han population was significantly lower than that in Hui population (2.6% vs. 5.8%). The traditional risk factors (age and body mass index [BMI] and metabolic syndrome [ms]) were significantly associated with the risk of gout and hyperuricemia (age: OR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1–1.5 for gout; OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.1–1.4 for hyperuricemia, respectively; BMI: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.3–2.0; OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.3–1.8; ms: OR 2.6, 95%CI 2.0–3.3; OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.7–2.2). Family history was strongly associated with an increased risk of gout (OR 6.5, 95%CI 3.9–10.8).

Conclusion

Our study showed that the prevalence of both gout and hyperuricemia in Beijing remains substantial. The prevalence in the Hui population was higher than other ethnic groups. The traditional risk factors were strong risk factors for gout and hyperuricemia in China.
The performance of psoriatic arthritis classification criteria in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Nas Kemal , Karkucak Murat , Durmuş Bekir , Ulu Mehmet Ali , Karatay Saliha , Çapkin Erhan , Ulusoy Hasan , Gülkesen Arif , Sula Bilal , Akgöl Gürkan , Çevik Remzi , Özgöçmen Salih
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To investigate performance of some of the published psoriatic arthritis (PsA) classification criteria as well as Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Turkish patients with PsA (in early and late disease subgroups).

Methods

Patients were recruited using case report forms and physical examination methods proposed by the Anatolian Group for the Assessment in Rheumatic Diseases (ANGARD). The Moll and Wright (MW), modified Fournie (MF), modified McGonagle (mMG), Vasey and Espinoza (VE), classification of PsA (CASPAR) criteria and ASAS criteria were assessed in patients with PsA who were diagnosed based on expert opinion.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐eight patients with PsA (58 male, 70 female, mean age 41.8 years) were included. Thirty patients were in the early PsA and 98 patients were in the late PsA groups. Diagnostic delay was 2.6 years. In the 15.6% of patients arthritis developed before the skin findings. The proportion of patients fulfilling the MW, MF, mMG, VE, CASPAR and ASAS criteria were at a ratio of 90.6%, 82.8%, 62.5%, 84.4%, 96.1% and 76.5%, respectively. In early PsA (< 12 months disease duration) the proportions were 93.4%, 83.3%, 76.7%, 76.7%, 96.7% and 66.6%, respectively. On the other hand, in late PsA the proportions were 89.8%, 82.6%, 57.1%, 86.7%, 95.9%, 79.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Even though the sensitivity of PsA classification criteria in Turkish patients changes, the CASPAR criteria seems to be more prominent among all criteria for both early and late cases with its high sensitivity.
Genetic biomarkers of the sterol‐biosynthetic pathway in microalgae
Authors: Villanueva Laura , Rijpstra W. Irene C. , Schouten Stefan , Damsté Jaap S. Sinninghe
Published: October 2013

Sterols are cyclic isoprenoid lipids present in all eukaryotes. These compounds have been used to determine the composition of algal communities in marine and lake environments, and because of their preservation potential have been used to reconstruct the evolution of eukaryotes. In the last years, there have been major advances in understanding the sterol biosynthetic pathways and the enzymes involved. Here, we have explored the diversity and phylogenetic distribution of the gene coding the cycloartenol synthase (CS), a key enzyme of the phytosterol biosynthetic pathway. We propose a gene‐based approach that can be used to assess the sterol‐forming potential of algal groups. CS coding gene was annotated in genomes of microalgae using protein homology with previously annotated CS sequences. Primers for the detection of CS gene sequences of diatoms, one of the most dominant groups of microalgae, were designed and evaluated in cultures and environmental samples. A comparison of the phylogeny of the recovered CS sequences in combination with sequence data of the gene rbcL coding for the large subunit of the ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) demonstrates the potential of the CS gene as phylogenetic marker, as well as an indicator for the identity of sterol‐producing organisms in the environment.
Co‐occurrence of phycocyanin‐ and phycoerythrin‐rich Synechococcus in subtropical estuarine and coastal waters of Hong Kong
Authors: Liu Hongbin , Jing Hongmei , Wong Thomas H. C. , Chen Bingzhang
Published: October 2013

Phylogenetic diversity of Synechococcus with different pigmentation in subtropical estuarine and coastal waters of Hong Kong was revealed by the phylogeny of cpcBA and cpeBA operons encoding for phycocyanin (PC) and phycoerythrin (PE). Synechococcus containing only PC (PC‐rich Synechococcus) dominated at the estuarine station in summer, whereas PE‐rich marine Synechococcus containing both PC and PE (PE‐rich Synechococcus) dominated in the coastal waters. Our PC sequences are closely related to freshwater strains but differed from Baltic Sea strains, implying that they were from river discharge. Among PE‐rich Synechococcus, clones grouping with strains containing only phycoerythrobilin (PEB‐only) were abundant in July, while clones grouping with strains possessing a low content of phycourobilin (PUB) in addition to PEB (low PUB/PEB) were more abundant in January at both stations. Clones of high PUB/PEB types were only presented at the coastal station, but were not detected at the estuarine station. The much higher diversity of both PC‐rich and PE‐rich Synechococcus, as compared with the Baltic Sea, and the occurrence of the high PUB/PEB strains indicate the high dynamic nature of this subtropical estuarine‐coastal environment with strong mixing of water masses ranging from Pearl River plume to oceanic South China Sea water. Our results of phylogenetic study agreed well with flow cytometric counts, which revealed the coexistence of PC‐rich and PE‐rich Synechococcus in the subtropical coastal waters and the dominance of the former type in the estuarine waters during summer high freshwater discharge. These results indicate that picocyanobacteria, particularly PC‐rich Synechococcus, which has long been overlooked, are an important part of the primary production, and they could play an important role in the microbial food web in estuarine ecosystems.
The Influence of Ownership and Compensation Practices on Charitable Activities
Authors: Eldenburg Leslie G. , Gaertner Fabio B. , Goodman Theodore H.
Published: October 2013

Recent accounting research provides evidence that similar profit‐based compensation incentives are used in for‐profit and nonprofit hospitals. Because charity care reduces profits, such incentives should lead for‐profit hospital managers to reduce charity care levels. Nonprofit hospital managers, however, may respond differently to the same incentives because they face a different set of institutional pressures and constraints. We compare the association between pay‐for‐performance incentives and charity care in for‐profit and nonprofit hospitals. We find a negative and significant association between charity care and our proxy for profit‐based incentives in for‐profit hospitals, and no significant association in nonprofit hospitals. These results suggest that linking manager pay to profitability does not appear to discourage charity care in nonprofit hospitals. Apparently, the nonprofit mission, institutional pressures, and ownership constraints moderate the potentially negative effects of profit‐based incentives. Because this evidence partially alleviates concerns over nonprofit compensation arrangements that mirror those used in for‐profit hospitals, it should be of interest to regulators and policymakers. In addition, this study provides insights into accounting researchers about institutional and organizational influences that affect managerial responses to financial incentives in compensation contracts.
The Effect of Using a Lattice Model to Estimate Reported Option Values
Authors: Bratten Brian , Jennings Ross , Schwab Casey M.
Published: October 2013

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R suggests that lattice valuation models may improve the estimates of reported employee stock option values relative to the more commonly used Black–Scholes (BS) model. However, lattice model critics have expressed concerns that managers may use lattice models' flexibility to opportunistically understate option values. In this study, we investigate a sample of firms that recently adopted a lattice model to value employee stock options to provide evidence on this issue by identifying the determinants of lattice model adoption and examining the effect of lattice model use on reported option values. We report three main results. First, we find that firms are more likely to adopt a lattice model when it is more likely to produce lower values than the BS model and when managers have incentives to lower stock option expense. Second, we find that firms adopting a lattice model increase understatement of reported option values more than firms that continue to use the BS model and that the incremental understatement is due to use of the lattice model. Third, we conduct several tests to examine whether the valuation effect of lattice model use is consistent with efforts to correct for documented shortcomings in the BS model and find no evidence that this is the case. Taken together, the evidence in this study suggests that firms adopt and implement lattice models primarily to lower reported option values.
Financial Accounting Effects of Tax Aggressiveness: Contracting and Measurement
Authors: de Waegenaere Anja , Sansing Richard , Wielhouwer Jacco L.
Published: October 2013

This study examines a setting in which a tax‐reporting decision is delegated to a firm's tax manager. Using financial accounting measures of tax expense to evaluate the tax manager allows the firm to efficiently attain the level of tax avoidance it prefers, despite the fact that the consequences of the tax‐reporting decision will occur in the future. The study also examines how well two accounting measures of tax aggressiveness — cash taxes paid and the unrecognized tax benefit — distinguish between conservative and aggressive firms.
Managers' Discretionary Adjustments: The Influence of Uncontrollable Events and Compensation Interdependence
Authors: Bol Jasmijn C. , Hecht Gary , Smith Steven D.
Published: October 2013

Discretionary bonus adjustments allow managers to restore the alignment of employee effort and compensation when bonus amounts are based on noisy objective performance measures. The implications of discretionary adjustments for employees' future efforts and fairness perceptions present important trade‐offs for managers to consider. Adjustments may be used to motivate different types of effort in future periods, but may also create perceptions of unfairness among employees who are not affected by negative events. This study examines the joint influence of the likelihood of future negative uncontrollable events and compensation interdependence (i.e., the extent to which one employee's compensation influences others' compensation) on managers' willingness to make adjustments for the effect of a negative uncontrollable event on a single employee. In our experiment, we manipulate the likelihood of future uncontrollable events and whether bonuses are determined individually or are drawn from a shared bonus pool. Results show that managers are less willing to adjust when the likelihood of future events is high to avoid setting a precedent, thereby motivating employees to adapt to changing conditions. We also find that managers are less willing to adjust, regardless of event likelihood, when compensation interdependence is high, to avoid demotivating unaffected employees. Finally, we find that participants' general attitudes toward compensation significantly influence their adjustment decisions beyond the effects of our independent variables. Our results highlight the unique nature of discretionary adjustments, help explain findings from previous research, and demonstrate important considerations managers must make when using the flexibility provided to them in pay‐for‐performance contracts.
Legal Regime and Financial Reporting Quality
Authors: Filip Andrei , Labelle Réal , Rousseau Stéphane
Published: October 2013

This article uses the Canadian environment, where French civil law (FCL) in the province of Quebec coexists with common law (CL) in the Rest of Canada (denoted as bijural), to test the thesis of the neutrality of the legal system with regard to financial reporting quality (FRQ). This single‐country design allows for a better control over other factors that influence FRQ. The FCL environment appears to encourage firms to publish accounting data of better quality due to the greater liability risk faced by auditors and corporate directors under that regime. These findings, based on 10 years of data and seven attributes of FRQ, are robust to different matching procedures and model specifications. This research contributes to the current debates in Canada as to whether financial market regulation under FCL and CL jurisdictions should be unified under a single CL national securities regulator. At the broader level, the results support claims that a more in‐depth understanding of the implementation of civil law and CL is needed rather than gross generalization about the two systems. These results especially call into question that CL regimes are unambiguously superior to civil law regimes in encouraging high‐quality financial reports.
Animal social network inference and permutations for ecologists in R using asnipe
Authors: Farine Damien R.
Published: October 2013

The sampling of animals for the purpose of measuring associations and interactions between individuals has led to the development of several statistical methods to deal with biases inherent in these data. However, these methods are typically computationally intensive and complex to implement.

Here, I provide a software package that supports a range of these analyses in the R statistical computing environment. This package includes a novel approach to estimating re‐association rates of time between frequently sampled individuals.

I include extended demonstration of the syntax and examples of the ability for this software to interface with existing network analysis packages in R.

This bridges a gap in the tools that are available to biologists wishing to analyse animal social networks in R.
Compound Poisson‐gamma vs. delta‐gamma to handle zero‐inflated continuous data under a variable sampling volume
Authors: Lecomte Jean‐Baptiste , Benoît Hugues P. , Ancelet Sophie , Etienne Marie‐Pierre , Bel Liliane , Parent Eric
Published: October 2013

Ecological data such as biomasses often present a high proportion of zeros with possible skewed positive values. The Delta‐Gamma (DG) approach, which models separately the presence–absence and the positive biomass, is commonly used in ecology. A less commonly known alternative is the compound Poisson‐gamma (CPG) approach, which essentially mimics the process of capturing clusters of biomass during a sampling event.

Regardless of the approach, the effort involved in obtaining a sample (henceforth called the sampling volume, but could also include swept areas, sampling durations, etc.), which can potentially be quite variable between samples, needs to be taken into account when modelling the resulting sample biomass. This is achieved empirically for the DG approach (using a generalized linear model with sampling volume as a covariate), and theoretically for the CPG approach (by scaling a parameter of the model). In this study, the consequences of this disparity between approaches were explored first using theoretical arguments, then using simulations and finally by applying the approaches to catch data from a commercial groundfish trawl fishery.

The simulation study results point out that the DG approach can lead to poor estimates when far from standard idealized sampling assumptions. On the contrary, the CPG approach is much more robust to variable sampling conditions, confirming theoretical predictions. These results were confirmed by the case study for which model performances were weaker for the DG.

Given the results, care must be taken when choosing an approach for dealing with zero‐inflated continuous data. The DG approach, which is easily implemented using standard statistical softwares, works well when the sampling volume variability is small. However, better results were obtained with the CPG model when dealing with variable sampling volumes.
Prevalence, thresholds and the performance of presence–absence models
Authors: Lawson Callum R. , Hodgson Jenny A. , Wilson Robert J. , Richards Shane A.
Published: October 2013

The use of species distribution models to understand and predict species' distributions necessitates tests of fit to empirical data. Numerous performance metrics have been proposed, many of which require continuous occurrence probabilities to be converted to binary ‘present or absent’ predictions using threshold transformations. It is widely accepted that both continuous and binary performance metrics should be independent of prevalence (the proportion of locations that are occupied). However, because these metrics have been mostly assessed on a case‐specific basis, there are few general guidelines for measuring performance.

Here, we develop a conceptual framework for classifying performance metrics, based on whether they are sensitive to prevalence, and whether they require binary predictions. We use this framework to investigate how these performance metric properties influence the predictions made by the models they select.

A literature survey reveals that binary metrics are widely employed and that prevalence‐independent metrics are used more frequently than prevalence‐dependent metrics. However, we show that prevalence‐dependent metrics are essential to assess the numerical accuracy of model predictions and are more useful in applications that require occupancy estimates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in comparison with continuous metrics, binary metrics often select models that have reduced ability to separate presences from absences, make predictions which over‐ or underestimate occupancy and give misleading estimates of uncertainty. Importantly, models selected using binary metrics will often be of reduced practical use even when applied to ecological problems that require binary decision‐making.

We suggest thatSDMperformance should be assessed using prevalence‐dependent performance metrics whenever the absolute values of occurrence predictions are important and that continuous metrics should be used instead of binary metrics whenever possible. We thus recommend the wider application of prevalence‐dependent continuous metrics, particularly likelihood‐based metrics such as Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), to assess the performance of presence–absence models.
Nursing Diagnoses Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: Evidence From Clinical Practice
Authors: Ferreira Stephani Amanda Lukasewicz , Echer Isabel Cristina , Lucena Amália de Fátima
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Identify the nursing diagnoses applied to kidney transplant recipients at a Brazilian hospital.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study with a study sample of 165 patients who underwent transplant from January 2007 through January 2009.

Conclusions

Six nursing diagnoses were most prevalent among kidney transplant recipients in the postoperative period: risk for infection, impaired urinary elimination, ineffective protection, bathing self‐care deficit, impaired tissue integrity, and acute pain.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Provide information on the priority health needs of these patients and reinforced the importance of the proper development of the nursing care plan.

Objetivo

Identificar os diagnósticos de enfermagem aplicados à receptores de transplante de rim em um hospital brasileiro.

Métodos

Estudo transversal com uma amostra de 165 pacientes submetidos ao transplante entre janeiro de 2007 e janeiro de 2009.

Conclusões

Seis diagnósticos de enfermagem foram mais prevalentes entre os receptores de transplante de rim no período pós‐operatório: Risco de infecção, Eliminação urinária prejudicada, Proteção ineficaz, Déficit no auto‐cuidado: banho, Integridade tissular prejudicada e Dor aguda.

Implicações Para a Prática de Enfermagem

Prover informações sobre as necessidades prioritárias desses pacientes e reforçar a importância do desenvolvimento adequado de um plano de cuidados de enfermagem.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress activates telomerase
Authors: Zhou Junzhi , Mao Beibei , Zhou Qi , Ding Deqiang , Wang Miao , Guo Peng , Gao Yuhao , Shay Jerry W. , Yuan Zengqiang , Cong Yu‐Sheng
Published: October 2013

Telomerase contributes to cell proliferation and survival through both telomere‐dependent and telomere‐independent mechanisms. In this report, we discovered that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress transiently activates the catalytic components of telomerase (TERT) expression in human cancer cell lines and murine primary neural cells. Importantly, we show that depletion of hTERT sensitizes cells to undergo apoptosis under ER stress, whereas increased hTERT expression reduces ER stress‐induced cell death independent of catalytically active enzyme or DNA damage signaling. Our findings establish a functional link between ER stress and telomerase, both of which have important implications in the pathologies associated with aging and cancer.
Acute Alcohol Response Phenotype in Heavy Social Drinkers is Robust and Reproducible
Authors: Roche Daniel J. O. , Palmeri Michael D. , King Andrea C.
Published: October 2013

Background

In 3 previously published works (Brumback et al., 2007, Drug Alcohol Depend 91:10–17; King et al., 2011a, Arch Gen Psychiatry 68:389–399; Roche and King, 2010, Psychopharmacology (Berl) 212:33–44), our group characterized acute alcohol responses in a large group of young, heavy binge drinkers (n = 104) across a variety of subjective, eye‐tracking, and psychometric performance measures.

Methods

The primary goal of the current study was to directly replicate prior findings of alcohol response in heavy social drinkers (HD) in a second independent cohort (n = 104) using identical methodology. A secondary goal was to examine the effects of family history (FH) of alcohol use disorders (AUD) on acute alcohol response in both samples. Participants attended 2 randomized laboratory sessions in which they consumed 0.8 g/kg alcohol or a taste‐masked placebo. At pre‐ and post‐drink time points, participants completed subjective scales, psychomotor performance and eye‐movement tasks, and provided salivary samples for cortisol determination.

Results

Results showed that the second cohort of heavy drinkers exhibited a nearly identical pattern of alcohol responses to the original cohort, including sensitivity to alcohol's stimulating and hedonically rewarding effects during the rising breath alcohol content (BrAC) limb, increases in sedation during the declining BrAC limb, a lack of cortisol response, and psychomotor and eye‐tracking impairment that was most evident at peak BrAC. The magnitude and temporal pattern of these acute effects of alcohol in the second cohort were similar to the first cohort across all measures, with the exception of 3 eye‐movement measures: pro‐ and antisaccade accuracy and antisaccade velocity. FH of AUD did not affect alcohol response in the first cohort, and this was replicated in the second cohort.

Conclusions

In sum, in 2 independent samples, we have demonstrated that HD display a consistent and reliable sensitivity to alcohol's subjective effects and impairment of eye‐tracking and psychomotor performance, which is not affected by FH status. This acute alcohol response phenotype in heavy, frequent binge drinkers appears to be robust and reproducible.
Alcohol Dependence and Suicide‐Related Ideation/Behaviors in an Israeli Household Sample, With and Without Major Depression
Authors: Shoval Gal , Shmulewitz Dvora , Wall Melanie M. , Aharonovich Efrat , Spivak Baruch , Weizman Avraham , Hasin Deborah
Published: October 2013

Background

Suicide‐related ideation and behaviors (SRIB) are associated with both alcohol disorders and major depressive disorder (MDD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of alcohol dependence (AD) and major depression to the risk for lifetime SRIB.

Methods

Data from a community‐based sample of 1,237 adult Israeli lifetime drinkers assessed with reliable diagnostic measures were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

Lifetime SRIB was reported in 4.7% and was more prevalent among participants with AD (9.0%) than among those without AD (4.1%); p‐value = 0.01. Although both AD and major depression were associated with SRIB (AD: OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4; MDD: OR 11.4, 95% CI = 6.4 to 20.4), joint analysis showed that AD without MDD increased risk for SRIB as compared to those without AD or MDD (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 9.1), but AD did not increase risk among those with MDD (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.4 to 2.7). Among those with AD, the severity of subclinical depressive symptoms was associated with increased SRIB.

Conclusions

These findings show that AD increases risk for SRIB among individuals without a history of major depression. Suicidal tendencies may be undetected and underdiagnosed in this group because of the absence of major depression and therefore left untreated. These findings should be considered when adopting suicide prevention or treatment strategies for this high‐risk subpopulation.
Using distribution patterns of small fishes to assess small fish by‐catch in tropical shrimp trawl fisheries
Authors: Foster S. J. , Arreguin‐Sánchez F.
Published: October 2013

Ecologically sound fisheries management and improving future food security require that small fish by‐catch in tropical shrimp trawl fisheries is maintained at, or reduced to, sustainable levels; restricting trawling in particular places, or at particular times, has been suggested as a means for achieving this goal. The purpose of our research was to compare patterns in occurrence, density and body size across depth, latitude and time for four small fish taxa caught as by‐catch in the southernGulf ofCalifornia shrimp trawl fishery:Diplectrumspp.,Prionotus stephanophrys,Pseudupeneus grandisquamisandStellifer illecebrosus. We then used these results to explore the potential for trawler impacts on these taxa, and the possible placement and timing of fishing restrictions to mitigate potential impacts. Our results confirmed, however, the difficulties of regulating such fisheries for multiple by‐catch species, in that their distribution patterns varied in a way that precludes a ‘one size fits all’ solution. The four taxa analysed – only four of the hundreds obtained as by‐catch in this fishery – exhibited distribution patterns at odds with one another. Observed intra‐ and inter‐taxon variations in the relative importance of different spatial and temporal variables in determining occurrence, density and size argues that several permanent trawl closures covering a range of depths and latitudes, and not temporal ones, might be required to mitigate potential trawl impacts on these fishes. Our results also suggested a higher potential for impact onS. illecebrosusthan the other taxa: occurrence and density of the former declined, whereas occurrence or density of the others increased across the study area as the fishing season progressed.