bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Discrepancy of a Parametric Model via Local Polynomial Smoothing
Authors: GHOUCH ANOUAR EL , GENTON MARC G. , BOUEZMARNI TAOUFIK
Published: December 2012

Abstract. In the context of multivariate mean regression, we propose a new method to measure and estimate the inadequacy of a given parametric model. The measure is basically the missed fraction of variation after adjusting the best possible parametric model from a given family. The proposed approach is based on the minimumL2‐distance between the true but unknown regression curve and a given model. The estimation method is based on local polynomial averaging of residuals with a polynomial degree that increases with the dimensiondof the covariate. For anyd ≥ 1and under some weak assumptions we give a Bahadur‐type representation of the estimator from which‐consistency and asymptotic normality are derived for strongly mixing variables. We report the outcomes of a simulation study that aims at checking the finite sample properties of these techniques. We present the analysis of a dataset on ultrasonic calibration for illustration.
Characteristic Function‐based Semiparametric Inference for Skew‐symmetric Models
Authors: POTGIETER CORNELIS J. , GENTON MARC G.
Published: December 2012

Skew‐symmetric models offer a very flexible class of distributions for modelling data. These distributions can also be viewed as selection models for the symmetric component of the specified skew‐symmetric distribution. The estimation of the location and scale parameters corresponding to the symmetric component is considered here, with the symmetric component known. Emphasis is placed on using the empirical characteristic function to estimate these parameters. This is made possible by an invariance property of the skew‐symmetric family of distributions, namely that even transformations of random variables that are skew‐symmetric have a distribution only depending on the symmetric density. A distance metric between the real components of the empirical and true characteristic functions is minimized to obtain the estimators. The method is semiparametric, in that the symmetric component is specified, but the skewing function is assumed unknown. Furthermore, the methodology is extended to hypothesis testing. Two tests for a null hypothesis of specific parameter values are considered, as well as a test for the hypothesis that the symmetric component has a specific parametric form. A resampling algorithm is described for practical implementation of these tests. The outcomes of various numerical experiments are presented.
Between the Individual and the Community: Residential Patterns of the Haredi Population in Jerusalem
Authors: Alfasi Nurit , Flint Ashery Shlomit , Benenson Itzhak
Published: December 2012

This article examines how different levels of internal organization are reflected in the residential patterns of different population groups. In this case, the Haredi community comprises sects and sub‐sects, whose communal identity plays a central role in everyday life and spatial organization. The residential preferences of Haredi individuals are strongly influenced by the need to live among ‘friends’ — that is, other members of the same sub‐sect. This article explores the dynamics of residential patterns in two of Jerusalem's Haredi neighbourhoods: Ramat Shlomo, a new neighbourhood on the urban periphery, and Sanhedria, an old yet attractive inner‐city neighbourhood. We reveal two segregation mechanisms: the first is top‐down determination of residence, found in relatively new neighbourhoods that are planned, built and populated with the intense involvement of community leaders; the second is the bottom‐up emergence of residential patterns typical of inner‐city neighbourhoods that have gradually developed over time.
Grassland Restoration on Landfill Sites in the East Midlands,United Kingdom: An Evaluation of Floral Resources and Pollinating Insects
Authors: Tarrant Sam , Ollerton Jeff , Rahman Md Lutfor , Tarrant Joanna , McCollin Duncan
Published: December 2012

Pollinators are declining in Europe due to intensification of agriculture, habitat loss and fragmentation. Restored landfill sites are a significant potential reserve of semi‐natural habitat, so their conservation value for supporting populations of pollinating insects was here examined by assessing whether the plant and pollinator assemblages of restored landfill sites are comparable to reference sites of existing wildlife value. Floral characteristics of the vegetation and the species richness and abundance of flower‐visiting insect assemblages were compared between nine pairs of restored landfill sites and reference sites in the East Midlands of theUnited Kingdom, using standardized methods over two field seasons. No differences were found between the restored landfill and reference sites in terms of species richness or abundance of plants in flower and both types of site had similar assemblages of pollinators. However, plant and insect assemblages differed across the season, with species richness and abundance being lower for the restored landfill sites in the spring and higher in the autumn compared to the reference sites. The results indicate that in this region, landfill sites are being restored to a state comparable to that of the reference sites with regards to their provision of floral resources and the associated insect pollinator assemblages. Since there are currently 2,200 working landfill sites in England and Wales, covering 28,000 ha, and closing at a rate of 100 per year, this is potentially a significant reserve of land that could be restored.
Does Credit Scoring Produce a Disparate Impact?
Authors: Avery Robert B. , Brevoort Kenneth P. , Canner Glenn
Published: December 2012

The widespread use of credit scoring in the underwriting and pricing of mortgage and consumer credit has raised concerns that the use of these scores may unfairly disadvantage minority populations. A specific concern has been that the independent variables that comprise these models may have a disparate impact on these demographic groups. By “disparate impact” we mean that a variable's predictive power might arise not from its ability to predict future performance within any demographic group, but rather from acting as a surrogate for group membership. Using a unique source of data that combines a nationally representative sample of credit bureau records with demographic information from the Social Security Administration and a demographic information company, we examine the extent to which credit history scores may have such a disparate impact. Our examination yields no evidence of disparate impact by race (or ethnicity) or gender. However, we do find evidence of some limited disparate impact by age, in which the use of variables related to an individual's length of credit history appear to lower the credit scores of older individuals and increase them for the young.
Fear, Shame and Guilt: Economic and Behavioral Motivations for Strategic Default
Authors: Seiler Michael J. , Seiler Vicky L. , Lane Mark A. , Harrison David M.
Published: December 2012

This study examines underwater primary resident homeowners to identify why some decide to strategically default while others do not. We find that realized shame and guilt are consistent with ex ante expectations. However, the financial backlash experienced by strategic defaulters is less than anticipated, causing strategic defaulters not to regret their actions. State‐specific bankruptcy exemption levels and real estate laws only marginally explain the decision to strategically default, partly because the decision to walk away from a mortgage is emotional, and partly because the implementation of these laws is uncertain and confusing to distressed borrowers. Rather, we find key strategic default drivers include the homeowner's expectation of future real estate price movements, frustration with the lender, moral evaluation of the decision to strategically default, loan knowledge, political ideology, gender, income and age.
Alternative Lending Channels and the Crisis in U.S. Housing Markets
Authors: Berkovec Jim , Chang Yan , McManus Douglas A.
Published: December 2012

To what degree has the development of alternative mortgage funding channels promoted the recent boom and bust in U.S. housing markets? Past research examined whether Alt‐A and subprime market shares are correlated with the housing bubble. This article expands the analysis to include the share of specific “alternative” lending terms and finds that the shares of interest‐only and negative amortization loans are important factors in explaining the housing bubble. This result suggests that research on the housing market bubble should focus on the impacts of loan contract terms rather than loan channel.
Differential Access to and Pricing of Home Mortgages: 2004 through 2009
Authors: Courchane Marsha J. , Zorn Peter M.
Published: December 2012

This article documents trends and drivers of the residential mortgage market during the years 2004 through 2009, specifically focusing on the access to and pricing of mortgages originated by African‐American and Hispanic borrowers, and by borrowers living in low‐income and minority communities. Our analysis relies on a rich set of proprietary data that allow more expanded insights than can be obtained from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) alone. We show that access to mortgage credit increased between 2004 and 2006 for the borrowers we focus on in our study and declined dramatically thereafter. Trends in access to credit were driven primarily by the changing credit mix of mortgage applicants and secondarily by the replacement of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for subprime as the dominant mode of nonprime originations and tighter underwriting standards. Throughout our entire period of study, these borrowers also consistently paid higher prices for their mortgages; however, the extent of this differential varied considerably over time and across groups. These pricing trends were driven primarily by changes in the FHA and subprime shares as well as by the market's increasingly aggressive pricing of credit risk.
Efficient Recapitalization
Authors: PHILIPPON THOMAS , SCHNABL PHILIPP
Published: December 2012

We analyze government interventions to recapitalize a banking sector that restricts lending to firms because of debt overhang. We find that the efficient recapitalization program injects capital against preferred stock plus warrants and conditions implementation on sufficient bank participation. Preferred stock plus warrants reduces opportunistic participation by banks that do not require recapitalization, although conditional implementation limits free riding by banks that benefit from lower credit risk because of other banks’ participation. Efficient recapitalization is profitable if the benefits of lower aggregate credit risk exceed the cost of implicit transfers to bank debt holders.
Industry‐Specific Human Capital, Idiosyncratic Risk, and the Cross‐Section of Expected Stock Returns
Authors: EILING ESTHER
Published: December 2012

Human capital is one of the largest assets in the economy and in theory may play an important role for asset pricing. Human capital is heterogeneous across investors. One source of heterogeneity is industry affiliation. I show that the cross‐section of expected stock returns is primarily affected by industry‐level rather than aggregate labor income risk. Furthermore, when human capital is excluded from the asset pricing model, the resulting idiosyncratic risk may appear to be priced. I find that the premium for idiosyncratic risk documented by several empirical studies depends on the covariance between stock and human capital returns.
Capital Budgeting versus Market Timing: An Evaluation Using Demographics
Authors: DELLAVIGNA STEFANO , POLLET JOSHUA M.
Published: December 2012

Using demand shifts induced by demographics, we evaluate capital budgeting and market timing. Capital budgeting implies that industries anticipating positive demand shifts in the near future should issue more equity to finance greater capacity. To the extent that demand shifts in the distant future are not incorporated into equity prices, market timing implies that industries anticipating positive shifts in the distant future should issue less equity due to undervaluation. The evidence supports both theories: new listings and equity issuance respond positively to demand shifts during the next 5 years and negatively to demand shifts further in the future.
Liquidity Cycles and Make/Take Fees in Electronic Markets
Authors: FOUCAULT THIERRY , KADAN OHAD , KANDEL EUGENE
Published: December 2012

We develop a model in which the speed of reaction to trading opportunities is endogenous. Traders face a trade‐off between the benefit of being first to seize a profit opportunity and the cost of attention required to be first to seize this opportunity. The model provides an explanation for maker/taker pricing, and has implications for the effects of algorithmic trading on liquidity, volume, and welfare. Liquidity suppliers’ and liquidity demanders’ trading intensities reinforce each other, highlighting a new form of liquidity externalities. Data on durations between trades and quotes could be used to identify these externalities.
Maternal Stress Exposures, Reactions, and Priorities for Stress Reduction among Low‐income, Urban Women
Authors: Bloom Tina , Glass Nancy , Curry Mary Ann , Hernandez Rebecca , Houck Gayle
Published: December 2012

Introduction

Maternal psychosocial stress has been associated with adverse maternal‐child outcomes. Vulnerable women's experiences with stressors during pregnancy and their desires and priorities for appropriate and useful stress reduction interventions are not well understood.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with low‐income, urban women explored their stress exposures and reactions during pregnancy, ways that stressors overlapped and interacted, and their priorities for stress reduction. Quantitative measures (Perceived Stress Scale; My Exposure to Violence Instrument Danger Assessment; Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale, Revised; and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist‐Civilian) supplemented qualitative descriptions of women's stress exposures and reactions. Analyses explored relationships between stressors and women's priorities for stress intervention. Lay advisors from the sample population reviewed qualitative interview guides for appropriateness, completeness, and language prior to interviews and reviewed study findings for validity. Study findings were returned to the community in newsletter form.

Results

Twenty‐four low‐income, urban women participated in interviews. Women in the sample reported high stress, lifetime violence exposure, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. The most common stressors reported were financial strain, violence exposure, and feelings of intense isolation and loneliness. Few participants reported having discussed psychosocial stressors with prenatal care providers. Participants in this study described connections with other women as desirable to relieve their stress and provided input on ways health care providers could facilitate such connections.

Discussion

Clinical and research implications of findings are discussed, including approaches that health care providers may find useful to facilitate connections among vulnerable pregnant women.
Predator–prey interactions between the South Polar skua Catharacta maccormicki and Antarctic tern Sterna vittata
Authors: Weidinger Karel , Pavel Václav
Published: December 2012

Antarctic terns have to co‐exist in a limited space with their major nest predator, the skuas. We conducted artificial nest experiments to evaluate the roles of parental activity, nest location and nest and egg crypsis in this simple predator–prey system. Predation on artificial (inactive) nests was higher in traditional nesting sites than in sites previously not occupied by terns, which suggests that skuas memorized past tern breeding sites. Predation on artificial nests in inactive colonies was higher than in active (defended) colonies. Parental defense reduced predation in colonies to the level observed in artificial nests placed away from colonies. This suggests that communal defense can balance the costs of attracting predators to active colonies. Within colonies, predation was marginally higher on experimental eggs put in real nests than on bare ground. Although it seems that the presence of a nest is costly in terms of increased predation, reductions in nest size might be constrained by the need for protective nest structures and/or balanced by opposing selection on nest size. Predation did not differ markedly between artificial (quail) and real tern eggs. A simultaneous prey choice experiment showed that the observed predation rates reflected egg/nest detectability, rather than discrimination of egg types. In summary, nesting terns probably cannot avoid being detected, and they cannot defend their nest by attending them. Yet, by temporarily leaving the nest, they can defend it through communal predator mobbing, and at the same time, they can benefit from crypsis of unattended nest and eggs.
Multilocus phylogeography of Australian teals (Anas spp.): a case study of the relationship between vagility and genetic structure
Authors: Dhami Kirandeep K. , Joseph Leo , Roshier David A. , Heinsohn Robert , Peters Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2012

Biogeographic barriers potentially restrict gene flow but variation in dispersal or vagility can influence the effectiveness of these barriers among different species and produce characteristic patterns of population genetic structure. The objective of this study was to investigate interspecific and intraspecific genetic structure in two closely related species that differ in several life‐history characteristics. The grey teal Anas gracilis is geographically widespread throughout Australia with a distribution that crosses several recognized biogeographic barriers. This species has high vagility as its extensive movements track broad‐scale patterns in rainfall. In contrast, the closely related chestnut teal A. castanea is endemic to the mesic southeastern and southwestern regions of Australia and is more sedentary. We hypothesized that these differences in life‐history characteristics would result in more pronounced population structuring in the chestnut teal. We sequenced five nuclear loci (nuDNA) for 49 grey teal and 23 chestnut teal and compared results to published mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. We used analysis of molecular variance to examine population structure, and applied coalescent based approaches to estimate demographic parameters. As predicted, chestnut teal were more strongly structured at both mtDNA and nuDNA (ΦST= 0.163 and 0.054, respectively) than were grey teal (ΦST < 0.0001 for both sets of loci). Surprisingly, a greater proportion of the total genetic variation was partitioned among populations within species (ΦSC= 0.014 and 0.047 for nuDNA and mtDNA, respectively) than between the two species (ΦCT < 0.0001 for both loci). The ‘Isolation with Migration’ coalescent model suggested a late Pleistocene divergence between the taxa, but remarkably, a deeper divergence between the southeastern and southwestern populations of chestnut teal. We conclude that dispersal potential played a prominent role in the structuring of populations within these species and that divergent selection associated with ecology and life history traits likely contributed to rapid and recent speciation in this pair.
EM Forster's will: an overlooked posthumous publication
Authors: Monk Daniel
Published: December 2012

Focusing on a single, uncontested will is unusual within legal studies. And the extensive literature about EM Forster has overlooked the significance of his will. This article endeavours to address these silences and develop a conversation between the two. It first explores the place of inheritance in Forster's life and novels; and in doing so highlights his interest in inheritance as both a concept and a practice. Turning then to his will, it argues that it reveals a reflective personal and political engagement with concerns about kinship, sexuality and intimate citizenship which are central to current debates within socio-legal and sociological scholarship. This reading consequently argues that his will is a text that can be read alongside his other work; that it represents a ‘posthumous publication’. While a close, critical reading of the will of one very particular individual, the article identifies the challenges posed to testators in negotiating the public and private nature of wills and highlights both the rich potential and the difficulties that these texts present for socio-legal, literary and biographical scholarship.
Resource allocation among sexual, clonal reproduction and vegetative growth of two Potamogeton species and their hybrid: Adaptability of the hybrid in relation to its parents
Authors: LIU Fan , ZHANG Xiao‐Lin , WANG Qing‐Feng , LIU Hui , WANG Guang‐Xi , LI Wei
Published: December 2012

Resource allocation, as well as the tradeoffs among different reproductive components, plays an important role in the adaptability of plants to different environments. The hybrid may exhibit a higher adaptability in life history in heterogeneous environments because of the genetic variation derived from its parents. In this study, we exploited three levels of water depths and two types of sediments to investigate the resource allocation pattern of the first generation of the natural hybrid Potamogeton ×intortifolius compared to its parents P. wrightii and P. perfoliatus. We also measured the ramet survivorship and the seed set of the hybrid P. ×intortifolius. Our results showed that P. ×intortifolius had higher ramet survival than its parents at 1.5‐m water depth on clay sediment. The possible tradeoffs showed that in P. ×intortifolius the tradeoff pattern between sexual and clonal reproduction was more pronounced in limiting environments. The individuals allocated more resources to sexual reproduction when the environment was limiting, which might confer a higher ability to utilize resources, to produce offspring and to found new populations. Although the seed set of P. ×intortifolius was lower than its parents, it had a higher ability to increase its seed set when the environment was limiting (sandy sediment) than its parents, which might benefit its future survival. These results indicated that the F1 hybrid P. ×intortifolius was more able to adapt to limiting environments than one or both of its two parental taxa.
Molecular evidence for natural hybridization between Rhododendron spiciferum and R. spinuliferum (Ericaceae)
Authors: YAN Li‐Jun , GAO Lian‐Ming , LI De‐Zhu
Published: December 2012

Rhododendron ×duclouxii is morphologically intermediate between Rhododendron spiciferum and Rhododendron spinuliferum, and was suspected to be a natural hybrid between these species. In this study, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast trnL‐F regions of 34 accessions of R. ×duclouxii and its putative parents were analyzed for evidence of hybridization. The results from molecular data supported by morphology demonstrated that R. ×duclouxii represents a natural hybrid between R. spiciferum and R. spinuliferum. It also implies that the hybridization between R. spiciferum and R. spinuliferum is bidirectional, and that populations of R. ×duclouxii represent hybrid swarms from backcrossing or selfing of F1 plants. The study is important for understanding the speciation processes in the genus since it demonstrates for the first time the existence of a natural homoploid hybrid in Rhododendron subgenus Rhododendron.
Agronomic Optimum Seeding Rate for Irrigated Maize in Texas is Concomitant to Growing Season Mean Daily Minimum Temperature
Authors: Thompson W. H. , Pietsch D. , Blumenthal J. M. , Ibrahim A. M. H. , Baltensperger D. D.
Published: December 2012

Our study was conducted to determine agronomic optimum seeding rates (AOSR) for irrigated maize under a range of agroecological conditions in Texas. Environmental factors that affect irrigated maize production vary considerably across Texas. This variability imposes region‐specific limitations on statewide maize seeding rate recommendations. Our research examined the efficiency of varying seeding rates on irrigated maize grain yields in five USEPA Level IV Ecoregions that comprise most of the irrigated maize‐producing area of Texas. The selected sites span a distance of 1200 km from south to north Texas and elevations from 20 to 1218 m above mean sea level. We conducted the study over three growing seasons from 2005 through 2007 in two Level IV Ecoregions of the High Plains of North Texas (N), one in the East Central Plains (E), one in the Southern Plains and one in Western Gulf Coastal Plains of South Texas (S). We observed that maximum grain yields and AOSR to achieve maximum maize grain yields vary considerably among ecoregions. In South Texas, we observed grain yield response rates of 125–129, 151 kg 1000 seeds−1 in E and 163–199 kg 1000 seeds−1 in N. We show that growing season average daily minimum air temperature (TMIN) explains most of this variation (r2 = 0.98, P‐value < 0.01) and conclude that seeding rate efficiency is concomitant to TMIN. Maximum grain yields (GYMAX) determined with seeding rate response analysis also varied among ecoregions and with TMIN from south to north Texas, from a low of 8.3 Mg ha−1 in S to a high of 18.4 Mg ha−1 in N (r2 = 0.59, P‐value < 0.01). We conclude that development of agronomic management models by Level IV Ecoregions of Texas combined with site‐specific TMIN climatological data serve as a valid template for delivering robust and agroecozone‐specific irrigated maize seeding rate recommendations in Texas.
Implementation of Optimum Contributions Selection in endangered local breeds: the case of the Menorca Horse population
Authors: Solé M. , Valera M. , Gómez M.D. , Cervantes I. , Fernández J.
Published: December 2012

Limiting the inbreeding rate (∆F) while maximizing genetic gain for any trait of economic interest is especially important in small populations of local breeds, like the Menorca Horse. In this breed, dressage performance is important for the profitability of the breed and should be accounted in the selection criterion. The aim of this study was to assess if a breeding programme aiming at improved dressage performance is feasible in such a small breed. To perform the analysis, animals that were currently available for breeding (between 3 and 20 years) were used. Selection was based on the estimated breeding values for dressage obtained by BLUP. The pedigree and molecular coancestry between potential breeding horses was used (separately or in combination) to account for the restriction on ∆F. Results show that it is possible to avoid large increases in inbreeding while obtaining acceptable levels of genetic gain (i.e. a ∆F of 1% would imply a maximum loss in genetic gain of 2%). Thus, the Menorca Horse population is suitable for a management procedure which jointly optimizes the response to selection and the levels of variability and inbreeding (Optimal Contribution selection). Regarding the source of information used to calculate the relationships, molecular information would provide a greater range of solutions to increase genetic gain than using pedigree coancestry (gain was 1–4% higher for the same levels of restriction on the increase in inbreeding).
Increased oxidative stress may lead to impaired adaptive cytoprotection in the gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rat
Authors: Kawano Yuichiro , Ohta Masayuki , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Iwashita Yukio , Inomata Masafumi , Kitano Seigo
Published: December 2012

Background and Aims

In the gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rats, adaptive cytoprotection against ethanol‐induced damage is impaired. The aim of this study was to determine relation between impaired adaptive cytoprotection and oxidative stress.

Methods

Portal hypertension was produced in male Sprague‐Dawley rats by inducing staged portal vein occlusion. Oxidative stress levels were evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde and nitrotyrosine levels in the rat gastric mucosa with or without 10% ethanol pretreatment. Inhibition of oxidative stress by an anti‐oxidant agent was estimated, and glutathione levels were also measured. Adaptive cytoprotection to 70% ethanol treatment was evaluated by measuring the gastric mucosal injury index in the presence or absence of the anti‐oxidant.

Results

The portal hypertensive gastric mucosa pretreated with 10% ethanol had significantly higher oxidative stress levels than the mucosa not pretreated with 10% ethanol. However, the sham‐operated gastric mucosa pretreated with 10% ethanol had significantly lower oxidative stress levels than the mucosa not pretreated with 10% ethanol. Pretreatment with 10% ethanol increased glutathione levels in the sham‐operated but not in the portal hypertensive gastric mucosa. Administration of the anti‐oxidant agent prior to 10% ethanol pretreatment significantly reduced oxidative stress levels, increased glutathione levels, and decreased the injury index in response to 70% ethanol in the portal hypertensive gastric mucosa.

Conclusion

Increased oxidative stress may lead to impaired adaptive cytoprotection in the gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rats, probably through damage to the system of endogenous anti‐oxidant production.
Direct biliary drainage using transnasal endoscopy for patients with severe‐to‐moderate acute cholangitis
Authors: Lee Yun Nah , Moon Jong Ho , Choi Hyun Jong , Kim Dong Choon , Chung Jong Ho , Lee Tae Hoon , Cha Sang‐Woo , Cho Young Deok , Park Sang‐Heum , Kim Sun‐Joo
Published: December 2012

Background and Aim

Endoscopic biliary drainage (BD) is an effective palliative treatment for acute cholangitis. Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) using an ultraslim endoscope can be less stressful and has limited hemodynamic effects compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography using a conventional duodenoscope. Here, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of direct BD by TNE in critically ill patients with acute cholangitis who had undergone endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) previously.

Methods

Twenty‐three patients with severe‐to‐moderate acute cholangitis who had undergone ES previously were enrolled prospectively. BD was achieved by TNE, using an ultraslim upper endoscope with a 5‐Fr nasobiliary drainage catheter and/or a plastic stent. The technical and clinical success, as well as the safety, of the procedure were investigated.

Results

A total of 23 patients were enrolled, including 17 with bile duct stones. The severity of the cholangitis was severe in nine (39.1%) and moderate in 14 patients (60.9%). The technical success rate was 95.7% (22/23). Nasobiliary drainage was performed in 15 patients, a plastic stent was placed in three, and both treatments were used in four patients. In three patients, direct BD by TNE was achieved in the intensive care unit without fluoroscopy. Direct cholangioscopy for distal common bile duct was performed in nine patients (40.9%), and three patients underwent immediate stone extraction under endoscopic visualization. Clinical improvement was achieved in 20/23 (87.0%) of patients. No significant procedure‐related complications occurred.

Conclusion

Direct BD by TNE may be useful in critically ill patients with severe‐to‐moderate acute cholangitis who had undergone ES previously.
Immunoexpression of RANK, RANKL, OPG, VEGF, and vWF in radicular and dentigerous cysts
Authors: de Moraes Maiara , de Matos Felipe Rodrigues , de Souza Lélia Batista , de Almeida Freitas Roseana , de Lisboa Lopes Costa Antônio
Published: December 2012

Background

Radicular (RC) and dentigerous cysts (DC) can show a range from little to quite extensive primary/secondary inflammation and it is possible that the variation seen in the fibrous capsule of these cysts might reflect differences in the osteolytic activity. Moreover, the presence of hemorrhagic areas in the fibrous capsule of DC could also contribute to the increase in osteolytic activity. The aim of this study was to compare immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor κappaB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenic index in RC and DC.

Methods

These proteins were evaluated in 20 RC and DC by immunohistochemistry. Angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti‐von Willebrand factor antibody.

Results

RANK and RANKL were higher in DC than RC in fibrous capsule. RC showed higher expression of VEGF in the epithelium and capsule. DC exhibited higher MVC than RC.

Conclusions

Ours results suggest that RANK and RANKL play an important role in bone resorption in DC and the hemorrhagic areas in the capsule of DC could be explained by increased vessel′s number. The higher VEGF expression in RC might be related to nature of these lesions, where the inflammatory process contributes significantly to these findings.
A clinicopathological study of 338 dentigerous cysts
Authors: Lin Hung‐Pin , Wang Yi‐Ping , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Cheng Shih‐Jung , Sun Andy , Chiang Chun‐Pin
Published: December 2012

Background

Dentigerous cyst (DC) is one of the most common developmental odontogenic cysts. This hospital‐based retrospective study evaluated the clinical and histopathological features of 338 DCs in Taiwanese patients.

Methods

In this study, 338 consecutive cases of DCs were collected from January 1995 to December 2009. The demographic data and clinicopathological features of these DC cases were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

The 338 DCs were taken from 332 patients (212 men and 120 women, mean age 33.0 years, range 5–83 years). There was a significant difference in the mean age between male and female patients (P < 0.05). Of the 338 DCs, 122 were found in the maxilla and 216 in the mandible. The most common site for DCs was the mandibular molar region (169 cases) and the most frequently involved tooth was the mandibular third molar (153 cases). Forty‐six of the 338 DCs were found to be associated with supernumerary teeth. Microscopically, 317 cysts were lined by stratified squamous epithelium, 9 by mucoepidermoid‐typed epithelium, and 12 by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Hyaline bodies of Rushton, odontogenic epithelial rests, cholesterol clefts, foamy histiocytes, hemosiderin‐laden macrophages, and dystrophic calcifications were discovered in 11, 78, 90, 33, 62 and 45 DCs, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that DCs of Taiwanese patients have a male predominance and occur more frequently in patients between 10 and 29 years of age. The most commonly affected site for DCs is the mandibular molar region and the most frequently involved tooth is the mandibular third molar.
Effect of research and development outsourcing on new drug approvals in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Banerjee Tannista , Nayak Arnab
Published: December 2012

Objectives

This paper studies the relationship between the outsourcing of research and development activities in the pharmaceutical industry and the approval of new drug applications by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Methods

We controlled for the unobserved company-specific effect and other econometric issues. Unique company-level pharmaceutical outsourcing data were used for the period from 1995–2006.

Key findings and conclusions

Results show that contemporaneous, one and two periods lagged outsourcing are more helpful than early outsourcing in getting successful new drug applications. The study also shows the importance of the sales figures of a company in relation to its likelihood of introducing a new drug onto the market.
Melatonin induces autophagy via an mTOR‐dependent pathway and enhances clearance of mutant‐TGFBIp
Authors: Choi Seung‐Il , Kim Kyu Seo , Oh Jun‐Young , Jin Jun‐Yup , Lee Ga‐Hyun , Kim Eung Kweon
Published: December 2012

The hallmark of granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2) is the deposit of mutant transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐induced protein (TGFBIp) in the cornea. We have recently shown that there is a delay in autophagic degradation of mutant‐TGFBIp via impaired autophagic flux in GCD2 corneal fibroblasts. We hypothesized that melatonin can specifically induce autophagy and consequently eliminate mutant‐TGFBIp in GCD corneal fibroblasts. Our results show that melatonin activates autophagy in both wild‐type (WT) and GCD2‐homozygous (HO) corneal fibroblast cell lines via the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐dependent pathway. Melatonin treatment also led to increased levels of beclin 1, which is involved in autophagosome formation and maturation. Furthermore, melatonin significantly reduced the amounts of mutant‐ and WT‐TGFBIp. Treatment with melatonin counteracted the autophagy‐inhibitory effects of bafilomycin A1, a potent inhibitor of autophagic flux, demonstrating that melatonin enhances activation of autophagy and increases degradation of TGFBIp. Cotreatment with melatonin and rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, had an additive effect on mutant‐TGFBIp clearance compared to treatment with either drug alone. Treatment with the selective melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole did not block melatonin‐induced autophagy. Given its ability to activate autophagy, melatonin is a potential therapeutic agent for GCD2.
A Fresh Look at the Debate on Floating Quantifiers
Authors: Cirillo Robert
Published: December 2012

Linguists have for a long time been in two opposing camps regarding how to explain the phenomenon of floating quantifiers, exemplified in the following two sentences:

(i) All the students have read the book.

(ii) The students have all read the book.

The quantifier all in (i) modifies the phrase the students. The question is what enables the quantifier to float away from the phrase that it modifies in (ii). For a long time, many linguists have believed that (i) and (ii) are unrelated. They have assumed that the subject in (i) is “all the students” and that the subject in (ii) is “the students,” with “all” being a kind of adverb located in a typical adverbial position, right next to the verb phrase. This approach is usually called the Adverbial Approach to floating quantifiers. In 1988 a theory was developed whereby (i) and (ii) are the same sentence. Under this approach the subject of both sentences is “all the students,” but in (ii) the phrase “the students” has moved to a higher position in the sentence and has stranded the quantifier next to the verb. This approach, called the Stranding Analysis, generated enthusiasm when it was first presented in 1988, but its success was short‐lived. It was found to have weaknesses, and this caused many linguists to return to various adverbial approaches. Linguists are still very much divided on the subject. The purpose of this article is first of all to explain what the debate on floating quantifiers is all about and secondly to argue that if one updates the Stranding Analysis for more recent developments in generative linguistic theory, and if one considers more data in more languages, one will find that it is too early to write off the Stranding Analysis and declare the Adverbial Approach the winner.
“Cohesion and Pragmatic Theory in Second‐Language Writing Instruction”
Authors: Williams Howard
Published: December 2012

Textual coherence is often characterized in English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) writing classes as a function of the presence of overt cohesive elements. A common result of a cohesion emphasis is learner overuse of connective expressions. This paper sketches a rationale, grounded in current pragmatic theory, for a pedagogical approach to connectives that addresses both underuse and overuse in relationship to writer audience. Though textbooks typically supply checklist questions centering on audience, these questions are mainly topic‐specific. The inclusion of additional questions oriented to more general reader comprehension issues is recommended.
Progenitor programming in mammalian nephrogenesis
Authors: O'Brien Lori L , McMahon Andrew P
Published: December 2012

Nephrogenesis is dependent on the input of several transcriptional regulatory networks. However, the details of how these networks operate and converge to facilitate nephron progenitor specific programmes are largely unknown. To this end, recent studies have focused on identifying the precise regulatory mechanisms that modulate progenitor maintenance and induction. Continued focus on this area of research will help identify nephrogenic programmes which could be manipulated for therapeutic intervention of kidney disease.
Power of metabolomics in biomarker discovery and mining mechanisms of obesity
Authors: Zhang A. , Sun H. , Wang X.
Published: December 2012

Obesity, the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly worldwide, is recognized as a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and renal disease. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying it have not been well characterized. Fortunately, metabolomics – the systematic study of metabolites, which are small molecules generated by the process of metabolism – has been important in elucidating the pathways underlying obesity. Small‐molecule metabolites have an important role in biological system and represent attractive candidates to understand obesity phenotypes. Metabolomic analysis is a valid and powerful tool with which to further define the mechanisms. Recent attention has focused on identifying biomarkers that would propose a better non‐invasive way to detect or visualize obesity and prevent its events. The discovery of the biomarkers has become a key breakthrough towards a better molecular understanding of obesity. Thus, this review covers how recent metabolomic studies have advanced biomarker discovery and the elucidation of mechanisms underlying obesity and its comorbidities. The importance of identifying metabolic markers and pathways of disease‐associated intermediate phenotypes is also emphasized. These biomarkers would be applicable as diagnostic tools in a personalized healthcare setting and may also open door to biomarker discovery, disease diagnosis and novel therapeutic avenues.
The Role of Fluoroscopic Interlaminar Epidural Injections in Managing Chronic Pain of Lumbar Disc Herniation or Radiculitis: A Randomized, Double‐Blind Trial
Authors: Manchikanti Laxmaiah , Singh Vijay , Cash Kimberly A. , Pampati Vidyasagar , Falco Frank J. E.
Published: December 2012

Background

There is continued debate on the effectiveness, indications, and medical necessity of epidural injections in managing pain and disability from lumbar disc herniation, despite extensive utilization. There is paucity of literature on interlaminar epidural injections in managing lumbar disc herniation or radiculitis in contemporary interventional pain management settings utilizing fluoroscopy.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, active‐control trial was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of lumbar interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroids for disc herniation and radiculitis. The primary outcome was defined as pain relief and functional status improvement of ≥ 50%. One hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups. Group I patients received lumbar interlaminar injections containing a local anesthetic (lidocaine 0.5%, 6 mL), whereas Group II patients received lumbar interlaminar epidural injections of 0.5% lidocaine, 5 mL, mixed with 1 mL of non‐particulate betamethasone.

Results

In the patients who responded with initial 2 procedures with at least 3 weeks of relief, significant improvement was seen in 80% of the patients in the local anesthetic group and 86% of the patients in the local anesthetic and steroid group. The overall average procedures per year were 3.6 in the local anesthetic group and 4.1 in the local anesthetic and steroid group, with an average relief of 33.7 ± 18.1 weeks in the local anesthetic group and 39.1 ± 12.2 weeks in the local anesthetic and steroid group over a period of 52 weeks in the overall population.

Conclusions

Lumbar interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroids might be effective in patients with disc herniation or radiculitis, with potential superiority of steroids compared with local anesthetic alone at 1 year follow‐up.
Analysis of the KRT9 Gene in a Mexican Family with Epidermolytic Palmoplantar Keratoderma
Authors: Lopez‐Valdez Jaime , Rivera‐Vega Maria Refugio , Gonzalez‐Huerta Luz Maria , Cazarin Jorge , Cuevas‐Covarrubias Sergio
Published: December 2012

Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK), an autosomal‐dominant genodermatosis, is the most frequently occurring hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. EPPK is characterized by hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Approximately 90% of patients present with mutations in the KRT9 gene, which encodes for keratin 9. Many of these mutations are located within the highly conserved coil 1A region of the alpha‐helical rod domain of keratin 9, an important domain for keratin heterodimerization. The objective was to assess the clinical and molecular characteristics of a Mexican family with EPPK. The clinical characteristics of members of this family were analyzed. The KRT9 gene of affected members was polymerase chain reaction amplified from genomic DNA and sequenced. All affected members of the family had hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles with knuckle pads. The R163W mutation in the KRT9 gene was present in all affected individuals who were tested. Although R163W is the most frequent KRT9 mutation in patients with EPPK, only two families have been reported with knuckle pads associated with this mutation. Our findings indicate that knuckle pads can be associated with EPPK and the R163W mutation in a family with a genetic background different from that described here.
Impetigo‐Like Tinea Faciei Around the Nostrils Caused by Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii Identified Using Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based Sequencing of Crusts
Authors: Kang Daoxian , Ran Yuping , Li Conghui , Dai Yaling , Lama Jebina
Published: December 2012

We report a case of Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii (a teleomorph of Trichophyton interdigitale) infection around the nostrils in a 3‐year‐old girl. The culture was negative, so the pathogenic agent was identified using polymerase chain reaction–based sequencing of the crusts taken from the lesion on the nostril. Treatment with oral itraconazole and topical 1% naftifine/0.25% ketoconazole cream after a topical wash with ketoconazole shampoo was effective.
Ethos and Worldview Reconsidered: Geertz, Normativity, and the Comparative Study of Religions
Authors: Lee Jung
Published: December 2012

This paper examines Clifford Geertz’s theory of religion in terms of its fruitfulness as a resource for the comparative study of religions. Given the recent spate of critiques that have excoriated Geertz’s theory as theologically driven, epistemologically incoherent, and naïve in regard to the relations of power, its value for comparative work would seem limited at best. I argue that even with its limitations Geertz’s theory of religion, especially his reflections on “ethos” and “worldview,” can help guide contemporary discussions in the comparative study of religions, particularly comparative religious ethics. Although many of the recent critiques, particularly by Asad and Penner and Frankenberry, have taken Geertz to task for his putative metaphysical inclinations and dubious epistemological views, I want to suggest that we can read Geertz more productively by seeing ethos and worldview as part of a unified normative order rather than viewing them as two separate dimensions. To this end, the paper will develop Geertz’s notions of ethos and worldview in the context of an economy of normativity.