bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second to fourth digit ratio: a predictor of prostate‐specific antigen level and the presence of prostate cancer
Authors: Jung Han , Kim Khae Hawn , Yoon Sang Jin , Kim Tae Beom
Published: July 2010

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The Homeobox genes, Hox a and d, control urinogenital system differentiation and digit development. The patterns of digit formation may be related to gonad function and may be reflected in 2nd to 4th digit ratio (digit ratio). Digit ratio is negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone levels and androgen receptor activity which is related to the increased prostate cancer risk.

Patients with a lower digit ratio have a higher risk of prostate biopsy due to high PSA level, and of prostate cancer. Digit ratio could be a predictor of high PSA level and the presence of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between the 2nd to 4th digit ratio (digit ratio) and prostate volume, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, and the presence of prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of the men that presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at a single tertiary academic center, 366 men aged 40 or older with a PSA level ≤40 ng/mL were prospectively enrolled. Right‐hand 2nd and 4th digit lengths were measured prior to the PSA determinations and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Prostate volumes were measured by TRUS without information about digit length. Patients with a PSA level ≥3 ng/mL underwent prostate biopsy.

RESULTS

No relationship was found between prostate volume and digit ratio [correlation coefficient (r) =−0.038, P= 0.466]. But, significant negative correlations were found between digit ratio and PSA (r=−0.140, P= 0.007). When the patients were divided into two groups (Group A: digit ratio <0.95, n= 184; Group B: digit ratio ≥0.95, n= 182), Group A had a higher mean PSA level than Group B (3.26 ± 5.54 ng/mL vs 1.89 ± 2.24 ng/mL, P= 0.002) and had significantly higher risks of prostate biopsy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.07–2.84] and prostate cancer (OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.33–7.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a lower digit ratio have higher risks of prostate biopsy and prostate cancer.
Reliability of frozen section examination of obturator lymph nodes and impact on lymph node dissection borders during radical cystectomy: results of a prospective multicentre study by the Turkish Society of Urooncology
Authors: Baltaci Sumer , Adsan Oztug , Ugurlu Ozgur , Aslan Guven , Can Cavit , Gunaydin Gurhan , Buyukalpelli Recep , Elhan Atilla Halil , Beduk Yasar
Published: July 2010

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The anatomic extent of lymphadenectomy to achieve both goals, namely accurate staging and potential curative role, in bladder carcinoma patients is still in debate.

We aimed in this study to evaluate the accuracy of frozen section examination (FSE) for detecting lymph node (LN) metastases and whether we can use this information to decide the extent of LN dissection during cystectomy. As a conclusion, we think that in such cases performing FSE only at obturator regions will give the information of possibility of residual positive LNs and the surgeon will then decide whether or not it is worthwhile in that case to proceed with EPLND.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of frozen section examination (FSE) for detecting lymph node (LN) metastases and whether we can use this information to decide the extent of LN dissection during cystectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From August 2005 to August 2009 FSE of obturator LNs was performed in 118 patients with bladder cancer, who were undergoing radical cystectomy with extended LN dissection. Removed tissues from 12 well defined LN regions were sent separately for pathologic evaluation. The FSE results of obturator regions were compared with the final histopathologic results of these node regions.

RESULTS

The mean number of removed nodes per patient was 29.4 ± 9.3 (median 28, range 12 to 51). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FSE for the 118 right obturator LN regions were 94.7%, 100%, 100% and 99%, respectively. The same values for the 118 left obturator LN regions were 86.7%, 100%, 100% and 98.1%, respectively. At final pathologic examination 28 of 118 (23.7%) patients had LN metastasis at obturator regions. Skipped metastasis was found in 15/90 patients (16.7%). Clinical and pathological stage of the primary tumour were found to be significant parameters for skipped metastasis (P= 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Performing FSE of the obturator LNs seems to be a reliable procedure for their evaluation with acceptable negative and positive predictive values. The information obtained with FSE of obturator LNs can be used to determine intraoperatively the extent of LN dissection, especially in patients with significant comorbidity. Our study also showed that if the clinical stage of the primary tumour is <cT2, the possibility of skipped metastasis is zero.
Trifecta outcomes after robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Novara Giacomo , Ficarra Vincenzo , D’Elia Carolina , Secco Silvia , Cavalleri Stefano , Artibani Walter
Published: July 2010

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research) Level of Evidence 2c

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The ideal outcome following radical prostatectomy includes presence of undetectable PSA, and full recovery of urinary continence and erectile function (the so called trifecta outcome). Very few studies are indeed available on the trifecta outcome following retropubic radical prostatectomy and a single one reported trifecta outcome following robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

We found that 1‐year after surgery 89% of the patients were continent, 60% were potent and 95.5% were with undetectable PSA and without adjuvant therapies. On the whole, trifecta outcome was achieved by 57% of the patients. On multivariable analysis, patients age at surgery and preoperative erectile function were independent predictors of trifecta.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the trifecta outcome and its preoperative predictors in a series of consecutive patients who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected prospectively the clinical data of 242 consecutive patients with a minimum 12‐month follow‐up undergoing RALP for clinically localized prostate cancer. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐6 were used to evaluate the functional outcomes. Patients receiving adjuvant therapies or with a PSA at follow‐up >0.2 ng/mL were censored for the biochemical recurrence‐free analysis. Logistic regression was used to perform univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Twelve months after surgery, 216 patients (89%) were continent and 145 (60%) were potent. At a median follow‐up of 14 mo, 11 patients (4.5%) had either adjuvant radiation therapies within 3 months of surgery, when PSA was still undetectable (n= 6, 2.5%), or salvage radiation or hormone plus radiation therapy for PSA relapse (n= 5, 2%). A trifecta outcome was achieved by 137 patients (57%). On univariable regression analysis, patients’ age at surgery (P < 0.001), body‐mass index (P= 0.028), preoperative IIEF‐6 score (P < 0.001) and prostate volume (P= 0.036) were significantly associated with trifecta rates. On multivariable analysis, only patients’ age at surgery (odds ratio 1.095; P= 0.005) and preoperative IIEF‐6 score (odds ratio 0.803; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of trifecta rates.

CONCLUSION

Using validated questionnaires to assess functional outcomes, we found that 57% of our patients undergoing nerve‐sparing RALP achieved the trifecta outcome 12 months after surgery. Patient age at surgery and preoperative erectile function were the only independent predictors of trifecta rates.
The pyramid of transgenes TsVP and BetA effectively enhances the drought tolerance of maize plants
Authors: Wei AiYing , He ChunMei , Li Bei , Li Ning , Zhang JuRen
Published: July 2010

Stress resistance has repeatedly been enhanced in plants by the transfer of a single gene using genetic engineering. However, further enhancement of resistance to abiotic stress is still necessary. In our research, maize plants that were transgenic for both betA (encoding choline dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli) and TsVP (encoding V‐H+‐PPase from Thellungiella halophila) were produced by cross‐pollination. The existence of the transgenes in the pyramided plants was demonstrated by PCR and Southern blotting. The stable expression of transgenes was confirmed by real‐time RT‐PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis. An examination of the drought resistance characteristics demonstrated that the pyramided transgenic plants had higher glycinebetaine contents and H+‐PPase activity compared with the parental lines, which had either betA or TsVP, and contained higher relative water content (RWC), greater solute accumulation and lower cell damage under drought stress treatment. The pyramided plants grew more vigorously with less growth retardation, shorter anthesis‐silking interval and higher yields than their parental lines and the wild‐type. We concluded that co‐expression of the two genes involved in different metabolism pathways in pyramided transgenic maize helped to improve the drought resistance over their parental lines that contained either single transgene. Our study suggests that the co‐expression of multiple, effective genes in transgenic plants could effectively enhance the resistance to abiotic stress and provide a feasible approach for obtaining maize plants with improved drought resistance.
WebQuests in special primary education: Learning in a web‐based environment
Authors: Kleemans Tijs , Segers Eliane , Droop Mienke , Wentink Hanneke
Published: July 2010

The present study investigated the differences in learning gain when performing a WebQuest with a well‐defined versus an ill‐defined assignment. Twenty boys and twenty girls (mean age 11; 10), attending a special primary education school, performed two WebQuests. In each WebQuest, they performed either a well‐defined or an ill‐defined assignment. Knowledge acquisition was assessed by means of a concept map (ie, associative knowledge) and a knowledge test, based on facts concerning the subject (ie, factual knowledge). Results indicated that the learning gain on both WebQuests was higher for participants who worked on the ill‐defined assignments. In the long term, factual knowledge remained intact. The results of this study indicated that the use of WebQuest can be a valuable tool to enrich the educational curriculum in special education.
A concept map approach to developing collaborative Mindtools for context‐aware ubiquitous learning
Authors: Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Shi Yen‐Ru , Chu Hui‐Chun
Published: July 2010

Recent advances in mobile and wireless communication technologies have enabled various new learning approaches which situate students in environments that combine real‐world and digital‐world learning resources; moreover, students are allowed to share knowledge or experiences with others during the learning process. Although such an approach seems to be promising and innovative, researchers have indicated several problems when applying it to practical applications, in particular, the lack of proper strategies or tools to assist the students to learn collaboratively in such a learning scenario with abundant content. Students might feel interested when using the mobile devices to learn; however, without proper assistance or guidance, their learning achievements are usually disappointing. To cope with this problem, this study proposes a concept map‐oriented Mindtool for collaborative ubiquitous learning. Experimental results from a natural science course in an elementary school show that this approach not only enhances learning motivation but also improves the learning achievements of the students.
Developing an instrument to measure social presence in distance higher education
Authors: Kim JungJoo
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the construct of social presence and develops an instrument to measure social presence in distance higher education. Social presence is regarded as an important factor to understand psychological and emotional relations among distant learners, especially when constructivism and discourse based learning are emphasised. Items initially drawn from the literature were reviewed by experts in relevant fields and extracted through exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Then correlation analysis was executed to see the relationship between social presence and other learning variables. As a result, this study confirmed four factor constructs of social presence: mutual attention and support, affective connectedness, sense of community and open communication, and also generated and verified a social presence instrument with a total of 19 items.
Asynchronous and synchronous online teaching: Perspectives of Canadian high school distance education teachers
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth , Rodríguez‐Manzanares María A. , Barbour Michael
Published: July 2010

This paper presents the results of an inductive, interpretive analysis of the perspectives of 42 Canadian high school distance education (DE) teachers on asynchronous and synchronous online teaching. The paper includes a conceptual overview of the affordances and constraints of each form of teaching. Findings provided insight into the following aspects of asynchronous and synchronous online teaching: degree of use; the tools used; the contexts in which each occur; students' preferences; and limitations. Pedagogy emerged as more important than media for both asynchronous and synchronous online teaching. Synchronous online teaching relied on teacher‐ rather than student‐centred approaches. Asynchronous online teaching provided support for self‐paced, highly independent forms of secondary DE supplemented by synchronous online teaching for answering questions and troubleshooting.
Educational benefits of using game consoles in a primary classroom: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Miller David J. , Robertson Derek P.
Published: July 2010

It is known that computer games are motivating for children, but there is limited direct evidence of their effects on classroom learning. The studies that are available tend to be limited in terms of output data reported, or small in scale, or both. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to upscale a recent study by Miller and Robertson investigating the effects of a commercial off‐the‐shelf computer game on children's mental computation skills and self‐perceptions. A pre‐post design was employed, with 634 primary (elementary) school children (10–11 years old) from 32 schools across Scotland. Schools were randomly assigned to experimental or control conditions. In the experimental schools, children used a games console for 20 minutes each day, running a ‘brain training’ game. The controls continued with their normal routine. The treatment period was 9 weeks. Significant pre‐post gains in accuracy and speed of calculations were found in both experimental and control groups over the treatment period. Gains in the experimental group were 50% greater than those of the controls in accuracy, and twice those of the controls in speed. There were no significant changes in two measures of self‐concept for either group. There was a small but statistically significant improvement in attitude towards school among the experimental group but not the controls. When scores were analysed by ability, different patterns were apparent. The design of the study allows a degree of confidence when generalising from these results. Some implications of the findings are discussed.
Transformational Leadership and R&D Innovation: Taking a Curvilinear Approach
Authors: Eisenbeiß Silke A. , Boerner Sabine
Published: July 2010

Only few studies have examined innovation at the team level so far. Moreover, there are different positions when it comes to the role of leadership in engendering R&D team innovation. Innovation research outlines that high levels of team autonomy are beneficial to innovation in R&D teams and thus suggests that leaders should give as little intellectual guidance as possible. Leadership research proposes transformational leadership as a lever for facilitating team innovation. We integrate these two perspectives by arguing for a U‐shaped relationship between transformational leadership and R&D team innovation. This hypothesis was supported by data from 52 R&D teams of international companies.
The Missing Link? US Policy and the International Dimensions of Failed Democratic Transitions in the Arab World
Authors: Berger Lars
Published: July 2010

In contrast to the hopes of some US observers, the so-called ‘Baghdad Spring’ of early 2005 did not mark the beginning of an era of sustained political reform in the Middle East. In an attempt to explain the resilience of authoritarian governance in the region, this article aims to demonstrate the insufficiencies of external democratisation efforts that rely on a crude reading of the ‘modernisation’ school of thinking and ignore the insights of the ‘transition’ school with regard to the international dimensions of democratisation. Case studies of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two countries sharing close strategic relationships with the United States yet differing in the socio-economic foundations of authoritarianism and experiences with managing external and domestic calls for political reform, demonstrate that the unwillingness of the United States to condition its support for regional partners on human rights concerns constitutes one of the main reasons for the Arab world's ‘democratic exception’.
Should We Promote Patriotism in Schools?
Authors: Hand Michael
Published: July 2010

If patriotism is love of one's country, the attempt to promote it in schools must count as a form of emotional education. Emotional education is defensible in so far as it consists in offering pupils good reasons and effective techniques for fostering or suppressing particular emotions. The question is whether we are in a position to offer pupils good reasons for loving their countries. In this article I set out an account of the rationality of emotions in general and of love in particular, and then identify two benefits and one drawback of patriotic attachment. I argue that there is room for reasonable disagreement on the desirability of patriotism and that we therefore ought not to promote it in schools but rather to teach it as a controversial issue.
Saddlepoint approximations to the mean and variance of the extended hypergeometric distribution
Authors: Eisinga Rob , Pelzer Ben
Published: July 2010

Conditional inference on 2 x 2 tables with fixed margins and unequal probabilities is based on the extended hypergeometric distribution. If the support of the distribution is large, exact calculation of the conditional mean and variance of the table entry may be computationally demanding. This paper proposes a single‐saddlepoint approximation to the mean and variance. While the approximation achieves acceptable accuracy for ordinary practical purposes, an alternative saddlepoint approximation is provided that gives much closer to exact results. It improves the accuracy of current approximations to up to more than four powers of ten.
The roles of phonology and analogy In Old English high vowel deletion
Authors: Fulk R. D.
Published: July 2010

The problem under consideration is the exact nature of the application of High Vowel Deletion (HVD) in Old English. As discussed in §1, according to what has come to be the most prevalent view, a form such as nom.acc.pl. hēafdu‘heads’ in Late West Saxon, from earlier *hēafudu, is the phonologically regular result of the application of HVD. In §2 a recent alternative explanation is discussed, whereby *hēafudu should have produced *hēafd, which was subsequently reformed to hēafdu in West Saxon on the basis of analogy. Some initial difficulties that confront this latter explanation are discussed. The earlier analysis of Eduard Sievers maintains that neither of these analyses is correct, and that hēafudu, one of the forms actually attested in early texts, including the Vespasian Psalter, represents the purely phonological result of HVD, which applies vacuously to this form. Evidence is adduced in §3 demonstrating that the treatment of the phonological results of HVD in interrelated declensional categories in the dialect of the Vespasian Psalter are preserved with impressive conservatism, evincing little or no analogical disruption. This conclusion lends strong support to Sievers’ analysis of forms like hēafudu and renders it extremely improbable that West Saxon hēafdu can be anything but an analogical creation or that the proposed *hēafd could ever have existed. In §4 a rationale is offered for the changes, analogical or otherwise, that must be assumed for West Saxon in forms like hēafdu, as well as in ja‐stem neuter nouns with plurals like rīċu, wītu, along with feminine nouns in Germanic *‐iþō, such as and .
An overview of Old Tibetan synchronic phonology
Authors: Hill Nathan W.
Published: July 2010

Despite the importance of Old Tibetan in the Tibeto‐Burman language family, little research has treated Old Tibetan synchronic phonology. This article gives a complete overview of the Old Tibetan phonemic system by associating sound values with the letters of the Tibetan alphabet and exploring the distribution of these sounds in syllable structure.
Implicit possessives and reflexive binding in Norwegian
Authors: Lødrup Helge
Published: July 2010

Norwegian allows implicit possessives with nouns in some cases when the subject is the understood possessor (e.g.Han vasket hendene‘he washed hands.DEF’). The core group of nouns that allow this option is body‐part nouns, but it can be extended to nouns denoting objects in the ‘personal domain’. There are both syntactic and semantic restrictions on sentences with implicit possessives. These restrictions are discussed, and it is shown that the distribution of nouns with implicit possessives follows that of the local simple reflexiveseg. An account is given which highlights the connection between reflexive binding and implicit possessives.
Coordination and word order in the history of Swedish
Authors: Petzell Erik Magnusson
Published: July 2010

This article deals with the relations between coordination and word order in the history of Swedish. In Present‐day Swedish, the finite verb always raises to Coin main‐clause coordination, whereas it always remains in situ (in VP) in subordinate clause coordination. In Older Swedish, either verbal position was possible in both cases. In addition, VS word order was used in contexts where it would be ungrammatical today. Subordinate conjuncts with V in Co, main clause conjuncts with V in Vo, and VS conjuncts are all analysed as parts of coordination, in which only the first conjunct contains a trace after an extracted element; this type of trace asymmetry characterises a wide range of coordinate structures in Older Swedish. In the modern language, on the other hand, a trace in a first conjunct is always matched with equivalent traces in all subsequent conjuncts (the traces occur across the board).
Testing for cycles in multiple time series
Authors: Ploberger Werner , Reschenhofer Erhard
Published: July 2010

In practice, it is often impossible to assess the validity of the smoothness assumptions crucial to standard tests for singularities in the spectrum. We therefore propose new tests which are completely insensitive to sharp peaks in the absolutely continuous part of the spectrum. Using Neyman Pearson tests of Bayesian mixtures we first derive admissible tests under simplifying assumptions and then show that under realistic assumptions our test statistics remain the same. The tests are designed to have high power especially against alternatives containing oscillations which are positively correlated with each other. Motivated by a biological dataset with non‐sinusoidal oscillations, we finally extend our approach by including higher harmonics.
Equity Markets Do Not Fit All: an Analysis of Public‐to‐Private Deals in Continental Europe
Authors: Geranio Manuela , Zanotti Giovanna
Published: July 2010

Concentration of family‐based ownership and recent development of private equity companies in Continental Europe suggest that the motivations and results of public‐to‐private (PTP) deals may differ from well‐studied cases in the USA and the UK. We overview the PTP market and measure the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) of 106 PTP deals concluded in Continental Europe from 2000 to 2005, introducing a model to explain the abnormal returns. Our results partially confirm findings of previous studies, namely, that undervalued and smaller firms register higher CARs. We additionally find that deals promoted by family owners register higher abnormal returns, whereas financial investors and private operating firms show no impact.
‘Womanly Qualities’ and Contested Methodology: Gender and the Discipline of Economics in Late Imperial Germany
Authors: Zee Marynel Ryan Van
Published: July 2010

This article analyses the affinities between two debates of the 1890s in Germany: one over women's intellectual abilities and one over the production of knowledge in economics. Economists and advocates for women's higher education found common cause and language because of the rhetorical centrality of the working woman, family and motherhood to a social reform discourse that connected the university, the women's movement and the state. The historical economists conceptualised their ‘science’ in a way that allowed ‘womanly qualities’ to be identified as appropriate to its optimal practice. A limited comparison with the United States highlights the historical specificity of this construction of social‐scientific knowledge.
Embodying the Colonial Encounter: Explaining New Zealand's ‘Grace Darling’, Huria Matenga
Authors: Pickles Katie , Wanhalla Angela
Published: July 2010

Focusing on the heroine of an 1863 New Zealand sea rescue, this article is concerned with gender, race and the colonial encounter. The rescue became an example of harmonious race relations, advocating Maori service as part of settler society governance. The article analyses Huria Matenga's place in the rescue as white settlers endorsed, rewarded and constructed her in relation to the imperial reference point of British heroine Grace Darling. It is argued that the gendered imperial narrative of Grace Darling combined with transcultural representations of women and the sea to accord Huria Matenga a central place in the rescue. While in the early twentieth century Grace Darling's memory was more entrenched in mainstream New Zealand society than Huria Matenga's, by the beginning of the twenty‐first century, Grace Darling as imperial signifier had disappeared, and the legend of Huria Matenga existed alone in a state of postcolonial irony. The article demonstrates that mythologies of and commemoration for heroines are constantly recast and operate across a complex network of local, national and transnational levels.
Women's Devotional Bequests of Textiles in the Late Medieval English Parish Church, c. 1350–1550
Authors: Lowe Nicola A.
Published: July 2010

This article examines evidence of self‐determination and independent action in the practice, among a significant group of late medieval English women, of donating their own clothing and household linens to parish churches for use in sacred ritual. The argument is presented that clothworking in a domestic environment was a highly valorised activity closely connected with women, for which the spindle and distaff acted as an index, and that against this background women used textiles as a site for expressing their personal, social and religious concerns.
Bigamy: A Male Crime in Medieval Europe?
Authors: McDougall Sara
Published: July 2010

Crime is often gendered. This article argues that the crime of bigamy was a male crime in the fifteenth‐ and sixteenth‐century Catholic world. Courts prosecuted male bigamists far more often and more harshly than female offenders. However, drawing in particular on records from the fifteenth‐century bishop's court of Troyes, I argue that women also committed bigamy. Judicial and social gender biases identified only male bigamy as fully criminal behaviour. The reasons for this gender difference lie in the different roles of spouses as prescribed in Christian law, theology and culture. For a man to commit bigamy fundamentally violated his responsibilities as a husband. Female bigamy, by contrast, was to an extent tolerated as a lesser evil. Better a woman have two living husbands, one present and one absent, than no husband at all.
Functioning of the upper extremity in persons with late polio
Authors: Sunnerhagen K. S. , Lundgren‐Nilsson Å. , Willén C.
Published: July 2010

Background: There are a number of people living with late effects of polio, but the extent of engagement with the upper extremity is unclear. The objective is to describe the polio involvement in persons attending the polio clinic and to assess the perceived problems in self‐reported arm/hand function.

Material and methods: A 1‐year sample of consecutively examined community‐dwelling people at the polio clinic. Electromyography and muscle strength were assessed as part of the clinical examination. A questionnaire regarding perceived problems in different activities involving arm/hand function was sent out prior to appointment and brought to the clinic.

Results: A total of 186 persons were seen, and the majority was women (65%). The average age at examination was 60 years (SD 14), and the acute polio illness had occurred at 5 years of age (SD 7). Post‐polio syndrome was present in 96%. Polio involvement in the upper extremities was seen in the majority, and this was often clinically unstable. Perceptions of problems in arm/hand activities did not always correlate with having had polio in the upper extremity or with mode of mobility. However, the grip force correlated significantly with the number of perceived problems. Bi‐manual activities were more often perceived problematic.

Conclusions: Polio involvement in the upper extremity is very common. There were no obvious correlations with the objective findings of polio and perceived problems. The polio survivors’ adaptation requires more questions and assessments from the professional team to identify those with a possible need for intervention.
Taxation and the Early Exercise of Call Options
Authors: Alpert Karen
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Prior studies of call option early exercise either ignore personal taxes or simplify the impact of taxation. When making an early exercise decision, the option holder should compare the after‐tax cash flows from exercise with the after‐tax cash flows from selling the option. Due to the differential taxation of option and share transactions, it is possible for exercise to be wealth‐maximizing after tax even when it would not be the rational decision on a before‐tax basis. By incorporating personal taxes on the option, underlying share and dividend this paper shows that tax can potentially explain a large portion of early exercise events classified as ‘irrational’ in previous studies.
Near fixation of melanism in leopards of the Malay Peninsula
Authors: Kawanishi K. , Sunquist M. E. , Eizirik E. , Lynam A. J. , Ngoprasert D. , Wan Shahruddin W. N. , Rayan D. M. , Sharma D. S. K. , Steinmetz R.
Published: July 2010

Melanistic leopardsPanthera pardusare common in south‐east Asian forests but the exact frequency of this variant phenotype is difficult to assess. Records from camera‐trapping studies conducted at 22 locations in Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand between 1996 and 2009 show that only melanistic leopards were present in samples south of the Isthmus of Kra. During 42 565 trap‐nights, we collected 445 photos of melanistic leopards and 29 photos of the spotted or non‐melanistic morph. All 29 photos of spotted leopards came from study sites north of the Isthmus. These results indicate that this recessive trait may be nearly fixed inP. parduspopulations of the Malay Peninsula, suggesting a unique evolutionary history of leopards in the region. Assuming a very small effective population size (Ne=100) and a high initial allelic frequency, at least 1000 years would be expected to elapse until a neutral allele became fixed. The severe bottleneck implied by this scenario provides a testable hypothesis that can be addressed using molecular markers and evidence of past glacioeustatic changes across the region. Although natural selection might lead to rapid fixation of melanism within Malayan leopards, had their effective population size been much larger (e.g.Ne=5000) and stable, with a lower allelic frequency, the fixation would require a longer time span (e.g. 20 000 years) if induced by genetic drift alone.
The priming of storage glucan synthesis from bacteria to plants: current knowledge and new developments
Authors: D’Hulst Christophe , Mérida Ángel
Published: July 2010

Starch is the main polymer in which carbon and energy are stored in land plants, algae and some cyanobacteria. It plays a crucial role in the physiology of these organisms and also represents an important polymer for humans, in terms of both diet and nonfood industry uses. Recent efforts have elucidated most of the steps involved in the synthesis of starch. However, the process that initiates the synthesis of the starch granule remains unclear. Here, we outline the similarities between the synthesis of starch and the synthesis of glycogen, the other widespread and abundant glucose‐based polymer in living cells. We place special emphasis on the mechanisms of initiation of the glycogen granule and current knowledge concerning the initiation of the starch granule. We also discuss recent discoveries regarding the function of starch synthases in the priming of the starch granule and possible interactions with other elements of the starch synthesis machinery.
Chronic ethanol exposure produces tolerance to elevations in neuroactive steroids: Mechanisms and reversal by exogenous ACTH
Authors: Boyd Kevin N. , Kumar Sandeep , O’Buckley Todd K. , Morrow A. Leslie
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)115, 142–152.

Acute ethanol administration increases potent GABAergic neuroactive steroids, specifically (3α,5α)‐3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP) and (3α,5α)‐3,21‐dihydroxypregnan‐20‐one. In addition, neuroactive steroids contribute to ethanol actions. Chronic ethanol exposure results in tolerance to many effects of ethanol, including ethanol‐induced increases in neuroactive steroid levels. To determine the mechanisms of tolerance to ethanol‐induced increases in neuroactive steroids, we investigated critical signaling molecules that are required for acute ethanol effects. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered ethanol via liquid diet for 2 weeks and steroid levels, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression were measured. Chronic ethanol exposure elicits tolerance to ethanol‐induced elevation of serum ACTH and the steroids pregnenolone and progesterone. Surprisingly, chronic ethanol exposure does not result in tolerance to ethanol‐induced increases in adrenal StAR protein. However, ethanol‐induced StAR phosphorylation is decreased when compared to acute ethanol administration. A separate group of rats exposed to chronic ethanol diet were subsequently challenged with ethanol (2 g/kg) and exhibited a blunted elevation of serum ACTH and progesterone as well as cerebral cortical and hippocampal 3α,5α‐THP. Administration of ACTH with the ethanol challenge restored the elevation of serum ACTH and progesterone as well as cerebral cortical 3α,5α‐THP levels to those observed in ethanol‐naïve rats. Thus, chronic ethanol exposure disrupts ACTH release, which results in tolerance to ethanol‐induced increases in neuroactive steroid levels. Loss of the ethanol‐induced increases in neuroactive steroids may contribute to behavioral tolerance to ethanol and influence the progression towards alcoholism.
Protection of cortical neurons from excitotoxicity by conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Hunt Waylon T. , Kamboj Amit , Anderson Hope D. , Anderson Christopher M.
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 123–130.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is an isomeric mixture of 18‐carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids with conjugated double bonds derived from linoleic acid. CLA is sourced nutritionally from dairy products and ruminant animal meat and is associated with beneficial heath effects in several disorders, including cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and inflammation. We investigated the potential for CLA to protect neurons from death in stroke simulated by exposing cultured mouse embryonic cortical neurons to glutamate. CLA (10 30 μM) significantly protected neuronal survival in response to glutamate (3 μM) excitotoxicity when given concurrently with glutamate. CLA (30 μM) also reduced neuron death when given up to 5 h after glutamate exposure (73.1 ± 13.3% protection, p < 0.01), suggesting potential utility as a post‐injury therapeutic tool. The cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA isomer, which comprises about 40% of the commercial CLA mixture used, was identified as the active neuroprotective species. The other major species, trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA (40%) was without significant neuroprotective effect. CLA significantly increased neuronal Bcl‐2 levels when given with glutamate and attenuated glutamate‐induced dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting a stabilizing influence on mitochondrial function. These results show that CLA is capable of strong neuroprotective effects in glutamate excitotoxicity at concentrations likely achieved by consumption of CLA as a dietary supplement.
Subaqueous soils: their genesis and importance in ecosystem management
Authors: Erich E. , Drohan P. J. , Ellis L. R. , Collins M. E. , Payne M. , Surabian D.
Published: July 2010

Research by soil scientists examining estuarine aquatic substrates has identified pedogenic processes, resulting in the reclassification of these aquatic substrates (sediments) as subaqueous soils (SASs). Pedogenic processes in SASs are similar in concept to those occurring in subaerial soils, and thus SASs can be described and mapped based on pedogenic similarities using Jenny’s soil forming factors for interpreting soil genesis. The occurrence of SASs in estuarine and freshwater ecosystems places them at the centre of many ecosystem‐dependent processes supporting food webs linked directly to the human population and its economy. Early research on SASs has been driven by addressing fishery habitat support questions for US subaquatic vegetation populations (SAV), and for estimating the carbon sequestration potential of soils with SAV. New land use interpretations for SASs include bottom type, presence of sulphidic materials, potential for submerged aquatic vegetation restoration, limitations for moorings and species lists for plants and algae common to tidal areas. Subaquatic soils are a viable, exciting frontier of soil science research that will surely foster multi‐disciplinary collaborations. While their genesis is only beginning to be understood, it is clear that their importance in human‐dependent land management issues such as soil and water quality, food supply and human survival is great. However, the fragility of such soils for providing vital functions to support life on Earth suggests that they need to be investigated and monitored.
SAVINGS MOBILIZATION, FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND LIBERALIZATION: THE CASE OF MALAYSIA
Authors: ANG JAMES B.
Published: July 2010

This paper attempts to identify the key factors behind Malaysia's remarkable savings performance. Drawing on the life cycle theory, the saving function is estimated by incorporating other relevant structural features and institutional settings of the Malaysian economy into the specification. Particular emphasis has been placed on the roles of financial factors in mobilizing funds in the private sector. The results suggest that financial deepening and increased banking density tend to encourage private savings. Development of insurance markets and liberalization of the financial system, however, tend to exert a dampening effect on private savings.
The Information Content of Forward‐Looking Statements in Corporate Filings—A Naïve Bayesian Machine Learning Approach
Authors: LI FENG
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the information content of the forward‐looking statements (FLS) in the Management Discussion and Analysis section (MD&A) of 10‐K and 10‐Q filings using a Naïve Bayesian machine learning algorithm. I find that firms with better current performance, lower accruals, smaller size, lower market‐to‐book ratio, less return volatility, lower MD&A Fog index, and longer history tend to have more positive FLSs. The average tone of the FLS is positively associated with future earnings even after controlling for other determinants of future performance. The results also show that, despite increased regulations aimed at strengthening MD&A disclosures, there is no systematic change in the information content of MD&As over time. In addition, the tone in MD&As seems to mitigate the mispricing of accruals. When managers “warn” about the future performance implications of accruals (i.e., the MD&A tone is positive (negative) when accruals are negative (positive)), accruals are not associated with future returns. The tone measures based on three commonly used dictionaries (Diction, General Inquirer, and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) do not positively predict future performance. This result suggests that these dictionaries might not work well for analyzing corporate filings.
The Economics of Sustainable Land Management Practices in the Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Kassie Menale , Zikhali Precious , Pender John , Köhlin Gunnar
Published: July 2010

This article uses data from household‐ and plot‐level surveys conducted in the highlands of the Tigray and Amhara regions of Ethiopia. We examine the contribution of sustainable land management (SLM) practices to net value of agricultural production in areas with low vs. high agricultural potential. A combination of parametric and non‐parametric estimation techniques is used to check result robustness. Both techniques consistently predict that minimum tillage (MT) is superior to commercial fertilisers (CFs), as are farmers’ traditional practices (FTPs) without CFs, in enhancing crop productivity in the low agricultural potential areas. In the high agricultural potential areas, in contrast, use of CFs is superior to both MT and FTPs without CFs. The results are found to be insensitive to hidden bias. Our findings imply a need for careful agro‐ecological targeting when developing, promoting and scaling up SLM practices.
Bilirubin in clinical practice: a review
Authors: Fevery Johan
Published: July 2010

Bilirubin is an endogenous compound that can be toxic under certain conditions but, on the other hand, mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia might protect against cardiovascular diseases and tumour development. Serum bilirubin levels are often enhanced under a variety of clinical conditions. These are discussed and the mechanisms are outlined.
Liver failure after partial hepatic resection: definition, pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment
Authors: Van Den Broek Maartje A. J. , Olde Damink Steven W. M. , Dejong Cornelis H. C. , Lang Hauke , Malagó Massimo , Jalan Rajiv , Saner Fuat H.
Published: July 2010

Liver failure is a dreaded and often fatal complication that sometimes follows a partial hepatic resection. This article reviews the definition, incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, risk assessment, prevention, clinical features and treatment of post‐resectional liver failure (PLF). A systematic, computerized search was performed using key words related to ‘partial hepatic resection’ and ‘liver failure’ to review most relevant literature about PLF published in the last 20 years.

The reported incidence of PLF ranges between 0.7 and 9.1%. An inadequate quantity or quality of residual liver mass are key events in its pathogenesis. Major risk factors are the presence of comorbid conditions, pre‐existent liver disease and small remnant liver volume (RLV). It is essential to identify these risk factors during the pre‐operative assessment that includes evaluation of liver volume, anatomy and function. Preventive measures should be applied whenever possible as curative treatment options for PLF are limited. These preventive measures intend to increase RLV and protect remnant liver function. Management principles focus on support of end‐organ and liver function. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact pathogenesis of PLF and to develop and validate adequate treatment options.
Connective tissue growth factor: a fibrogenic master switch in fibrotic liver diseases
Authors: Gressner Olav A. , Gressner Axel M.
Published: July 2010

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF=CCN2), one of six members of cysteine‐rich, secreted, heparin‐binding proteins with a modular structure, is recognized as an important player in fibrogenic pathways as deduced from findings in non‐hepatic tissues and emerging results from liver fibrosis. Collectively, the data show strongly increased expression in fibrosing tissues and transforming growth factor (TGF‐β)‐stimulated expression in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and stellate cells. Functional activity as a mediator of fibre–fibre, fibre–matrix and matrix–matrix interactions, as an enhancer of profibrogenic TGF‐β and several secondary effects owing to TGF‐β enhancement, and as a down‐modulator of the bioactivity of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 has been proposed. By changing the activity ratio of TGF‐β to its antagonist bone‐morphogenetic protein‐7, CTGF is proposed as a fibrogenic master switch for epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Consequently, knockdown of CTGF considerably attenuates experimental liver fibrosis. The spill‐over of CTGF from the liver into the blood stream proposes this protein as a non‐invasive reporter of TGF‐β bioactivity in this organ. Indeed, CTGF‐levels in sera correlate significantly with fibrogenic activity. The data suggest CTGF as a multifaceted regulatory protein in fibrosis, which offers important translational aspects for diagnosis and follow‐up of hepatic fibrogenesis and as a target for therapeutic interventions. In addition, CTGF‐promoter polymorphism might be of importance as a prognostic genetic marker to predict the progression of fibrosis.