bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term potency after early use of a vacuum erection device following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Raina Rupesh , Pahlajani Geetu , Agarwal Ashok , Jones Stephen , Zippe Craig
Published: April 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long‐term potency after radical prostatectomy (RP) with the early use of a vacuum erection device (VED), and reasons for sexual inactivity and long‐term attrition and maintenance of sexual activity, as RP is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer but erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side‐effect.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 141 sexually active patients who underwent RP at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Patients were offered various non‐oral treatment options to prevent ED and were also motivated for early penile rehabilitation. At 5 years 62% remained sexually active, of whom 71% had natural erections sufficient for intercourse without assistance, 8.5% were still using sildenafil, 10% were using combined therapy (sildenafil plus VED). At 5 years 38% (43/113) men were sexually inactive. The reasons included loss of interest in 17 (40%), cardiovascular/neurological diseases in 18 (42%), hormonal therapy in three (7%), loss of partner in three (7%) and two had other surgery. The natural rate of erections for sufficient vaginal penetration without an erection aid were preserved and maintained in the early‐prophylaxis group, and almost 60% of them had used a VED as early prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

Despite current phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor treatments for ED, VED is becoming recognized again as having a primary role in early penile rehabilitation in many patients, specifically those treated for prostate cancer.
Does river regulation increase the dominance of invasive woody species in riparian landscapes?
Authors: Mortenson Susan G. , Weisberg Peter J.
Published: April 2010

Aim  A regional analysis was used to explore the influence of river regulation on the dominance of non‐native, invasive shrubs and trees. We addressed the following questions: (1) How do large dams affect hydrological parameters that influence riparian vegetation? (2) How do flow regimes affect the dominance of non‐native woody species? (3) How do changes in flow regimes affect the dominance of non‐native woody species?

Location  South‐western USA.

Methods  We sampled the canopy cover of woody species on 179 point bars along seven non‐dammed and thirteen dammed river segments. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine differences between flow parameters in dammed and non‐dammed rivers. We used correlation analyses and generalized linear model comparisons to examine associations of flow parameters and canopy cover of native (Populus and Salix) and non‐native (Tamarix and Elaeagnus) taxa. An index of flow alteration that was created using principal components analysis was regressed with vegetation cover.

Results  Tamarix cover was positively related to drainage area, flow constancy, August and May median flow and flow recession rate, but Elaeagnus cover was unrelated to flow variables. River segments with peak flows in late summer or high constancy had the highest Tamarix cover. Populus cover was positively influenced by low maximum temperatures and frequent high pulses. Flow alteration was negatively related to Populus cover and positively related to Tamarix cover. Total non‐native, Elaeagnus and Salix covers were not correlated with flow alteration.

Main conclusions  Rivers with a large drainage area and low flow variability are inherently more vulnerable to invasions. River regulation does not necessarily increase the cover of non‐native, invasive species. Instead, changes in flow allow proliferation of species that have life‐history traits suited to modified flow regimes. River restoration projects that aim to reinstate natural flow regimes should be designed with knowledge of native and non‐native species' life history strategies.
Ecogeographical variation of body size in the newt Triturus carnifex: comparing the hypotheses using an information‐theoretic approach
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Scali Stefano , Denoël Mathieu , Montinaro Gianpaolo , Vukov Tanja D. , Zuffi Marco A. L. , Padoa‐Schioppa Emilio
Published: April 2010

Aim  Ecogeographical variation of body size in vertebrates (e.g. Bergmann's rule) has long been recognized. However, the patterns and causes of intra‐specific ecogeographical variation of body size in ectotherms, and in amphibians in particular, are strongly debated. We identified the relationship between bioclimatic variables and body size predicted a priori by alternative hypotheses (heat balance, endurance, seasonality, starvation resistance, water availability, primary productivity, parental investment) proposed to explain ecogeographical patterns of body size in ectotherms, and we evaluated the relative support of these hypotheses in explaining variation in body size of the Italian crested newt, Triturus carnifex.

Location  Twenty‐three populations covering the whole range of T. carnifex (Austria, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia).

Methods  We obtained data on body size (snout–vent length, SVL) of 2639 adult newts from direct measurements and the literature; we obtained high‐resolution environmental data for the sampled localities. We used an information‐theoretic approach to evaluate the support of the data for the different hypotheses. We also integrated information on population genetics in our models.

Results  We observed strong geographical variation of body size. The best Akaike information criterion (AIC) models showed that populations with larger body size are associated with cold climates and secondarily with high primary productivity. Furthermore, sexual dimorphism increases in cold climates, as the increase in body size was stronger for females. When taking into account population genetics, we did not find support for relationships with the other variables.

Main conclusion  Our results are consistent with three hypotheses proposed to explain ecogeographical variation in amphibians: heat balance, increased parental investment of females and productivity. Information theory provides the framework for comparing hypotheses rather than looking for patterns. We suggest that evaluating the support for mechanisms can provide better insights than simply assessing whether ecogeographical variation is in agreement with some ‘rule’.
Phylogeny and co‐occurrence of mammal species on Southeast Asian islands
Authors: Cardillo Marcel , Meijaard Erik
Published: April 2010

Aim  Islands have often been used as model systems in community ecology. The incorporation of information on phylogenetic relatedness of species in studies of island assemblage structure is still uncommon, but could provide valuable insights into the processes of island community assembly. We propose six models of island community assembly that make different predictions about the associations between co‐occurrences of species pairs on islands, phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity. We then test these models using data on mammals of Southeast Asian islands.

Location  Two hundred and forty islands of the Sundaland region of Southeast Asia.

Methods  We quantified the co‐occurrence of species pairs on islands, and identified pairs that co‐occur more frequently (positive co‐occurrence) or less frequently (negative co‐occurrence) than expected under null models. We then examined the distributions of these significantly deviating pairs with respect to phylogenetic relatedness and ecological differentiation, and compared these patterns with those predicted by the six community assembly models. We used permutation regression to test whether co‐occurrence patterns are predicted by relatedness, body size difference or difference in diet quality. Separate co‐occurrence matrices were analysed in this way for seven mammal families and four smaller subsets of the islands of Sundaland.

Results  In many matrices, average numbers of negative co‐occurrences were higher than expected under null models. This is consistent with assemblage structuring by competition, but may also result from low geographic overlap of species pairs, which contributes to negative co‐occurrences at the archipelago‐wide level. Distributions of species pairs within plots of phylogenetic distance × ecological differentiation were consistent with competition, habitat filtering or within‐island speciation models, depending on the taxon. Regressions indicated that co‐occurrence was more likely among closely related species pairs within the Viverridae and Sciuridae, but in most matrices phylogenetic distance was unrelated to co‐occurrence.

Main conclusions  Simple deterministic models linking co‐occurrence with phylogeny and ecology are a useful framework for interpreting distributions and assemblage structure of island species. However, island assemblages in Sundaland have probably been shaped by a complex idiosyncratic set of interacting ecological and evolutionary processes, limiting the predictive power of such models.
Assessing the impacts of fragmentation on plant communities in New Zealand: scaling from survey plots to landscapes
Authors: Lafortezza Raffaele , Coomes David A. , Kapos Valerie , Ewers Robert M.
Published: April 2010

Aim  Few studies have attempted to assess the overall impact of fragmentation at the landscape scale. We quantify the impacts of fragmentation on plant diversity by assessing patterns of community composition in relation to a range of fragmentation measures.

Location  The investigation was undertaken in two regions of New Zealand – a relatively unfragmented area of lowland rain forest in south Westland and a highly fragmented montane forest on the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps.

Methods  We calculated an index of community similarity (Bray–Curtis) between forest plots we regarded as potentially affected by fragmentation and control forest plots located deep inside continuous forest areas. Using a multiple nonlinear regression technique that incorporates spatial autocorrelation effects, we analysed plant community composition in relation to measures of fragmentation at the patch and landscape levels. From the resulting regression equation, we predicted community composition for every forest pixel on land‐cover maps of the study areas and used these maps to calculate a landscape‐level estimate of compositional change, which we term ‘BioFrag’. BioFrag has a value of one if fragmentation has no detectable effect on communities within a landscape, and tends towards zero if fragmentation has a strong effect.

Results  We detected a weak, but significant, impact of fragmentation metrics operating at both the patch and landscape levels. Observed values of BioFrag ranged from 0.68 to 0.90, suggesting that patterns of fragmentation have medium to weak impacts on forest plant communities in New Zealand. BioFrag values varied in meaningful ways among landscapes and between the ground‐cover and tree and shrub communities.

Main conclusions  BioFrag advances methods that describe spatial patterns of forest cover by incorporating the exact spatial patterns of observed species responses to fragmentation operating at multiple spatial scales. BioFrag can be applied to any landscape and ecological community across the globe and represents a significant step towards developing a biologically relevant, landscape‐scale index of habitat fragmentation.
Developing the couple perspective in parenting support: evaluation of a service initiative for vulnerable families
Authors: Clulow Christopher , Donaghy Miriam
Published: April 2010

The importance of the relationship between parents is frequently underestimated by those designing and developing services to support parents in bringing up their children. Instead, the primary focus of recent family support initiatives in the United Kingdom has been on improving parenting skills. This article describes the outcomes of a project designed to maximize the effectiveness of parenting support to vulnerable families through sensitizing the workforce of a community‐based adult mental health agency to take account of the parental couple in providing postnatal support groups, parenting workshops and relationship counselling. Evaluating outcomes from these services suggests that a couple orientation adds significant value to the effectiveness of parenting support.
ROC Curves in Non‐Parametric Location‐Scale Regression Models
Authors: GONZÁLEZ‐MANTEIGA WENCESLAO , PARDO‐FERNÁNDEZ JUAN CARLOS , KEILEGOM INGRID VAN
Published: April 2010

Abstract.  The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is a tool of extensive use to analyse the discrimination capability of a diagnostic variable in medical studies. In certain situations, the presence of a covariate related to the diagnostic variable can increase the discriminating power of the ROC curve. In this article, we model the effect of the covariate over the diagnostic variable by means of non‐parametric location‐scale regression models. We propose a new non‐parametric estimator of the conditional ROC curve and study its asymptotic properties. We also present some simulations and an illustration to a data set concerning diagnosis of diabetes.
Inferring Haplotype/Disease Association by Joint Use of Case‐Parents Trios and Case‐Parent Pairs
Authors: Hu Yue‐Qing , Zhou Ji‐Yuan
Published: April 2010

Recently interest has been increasing in genetic association studies using several closely linked loci. The HAP‐TDT method, which uses case‐parents trios is powerful for such a task. However, it is not uncommon in practice that one parent is missing for some reason, such as late onset. The case‐parents trios are thus reduced to case‐parent pairs. Discarding such data could lead to a severe loss of power. In this paper, we propose the HAP‐1‐TDT method based on case‐parent pairs to detect haplotype/disease association. A permutation‐based randomisation technique is devised to assess the significance of the test statistic. Furthermore, the combined statistic HAP‐C‐TDT is developed to use jointly case‐parents trios and case‐parent pairs. These test statistics can be applied to either phase‐known or phase‐unknown data. A number of simulation studies are conducted to investigate the validity of the proposed tests; these studies show that the statistics are robust to population structure. Using several disease genes from the literature, we illustrate that incorporating case‐parent pairs into an association study leads to noticeable power gain. Moreover, our simulation results suggest that our method has better size and power than UNPHASED. Finally, in simulated scenarios where there are only a few SNPs and risk is determined by two haplotypes that are complementary or near‐complementary, our method has better power than TRIMM.
Consumer attitudes and loyalty towards private brands
Authors: Goldsmith Ronald E. , Flynn Leisa R. , Goldsmith Elizabeth , Stacey E. Craig
Published: April 2010

Private or store brands improve the efficiency of consumer decision making by offering equivalent quality products at lower prices. The present study evaluated consumer attitudes towards private brands with the goal of understanding their appeal in order to enhance efforts to convince more consumers to buy them. We used three samples (ns = 279, 245 and 305) of US consumers to compare attitudes of buyers of private and national brands in three product categories: orange juice, cereal and bottled water. The results show that private label buyers (23% of orange juice, 6.5% of cereal and 14% of bottled water buyers) consider brands themselves to be less important and private brands to offer better performance than do national brand buyers. When asked about specific brands, national brand buyers tended to be price insensitive towards national brands, and private label buyers price insensitive towards store brands. In addition, the national brand buyers saw some of the national brands to be more relevant to their lifestyles and needs, but the private label buyers saw the private labels the same way. Being relevant to consumers' lives appears to influence brand selection. Besides touting lower prices, private brand promotions might stress the equivalent performance of private labels and create promotions showing how these brands can be relevant to consumers' lifestyles and needs.
Mitochondrial protection after traumatic brain injury by scavenging lipid peroxyl radicals
Authors: Mustafa Ayman G. , Singh Indrapal N. , Wang Juan , Carrico Kimberly M. , Hall Edward D.
Published: April 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 271–280.

Mitochondrial dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is manifested by increased levels of oxidative damage, loss of respiratory functions and diminished ability to buffer cytosolic calcium. This study investigated the detrimental effects of lipid peroxyl radicals (LOO•) and lipid peroxidation (LP) in brain mitochondria after TBI by examining the protective effects of U‐83836E, a potent and selective scavenger of LOO•radicals. Male CF1 mice were subjected to severe controlled cortical impact TBI (CCI‐TBI) and treated with either vehicle or U‐83836E initiated i.v. at 15 min post‐injury. Calcium (Ca++) buffering capacity and respiratory function were measured in isolated cortical mitochondrial samples taken from the ipsilateral hemisphere at 3 and 12 h post‐TBI, respectively. In vehicle‐treated injured mice, the cortical mitochondrial Ca++buffering capacity was reduced by 60% at 3 h post‐injury (p < 0.001) and the respiratory control ratio was decreased by 27% at 12 h post‐TBI, relative to sham, non‐injured mice. U‐83836E treatment significantly (p < 0.05) preserved Ca++buffering capacity and attenuated the reduction in respiratory control ratio values. Consistent with the functional effects of U‐83836E being as a result of an attenuation of mitochondrial oxidative damage, the compound significantly (p < 0.001) reduced LP‐generated 4‐hydroxynonenal levels in both cortical homogenates and mitochondria at both 3 and 12 h post‐TBI. Unexpectedly, U‐83836E also reduced peroxynitrite‐generated 3‐nitrotyrosine in parallel with the reduction in 4‐hydroxynonenal. The results demonstrate that LOO•radicals contribute to secondary brain mitochondrial dysfunction after TBI by propagating LP and protein nitrative damage in cellular and mitochondrial membranes.
An Integrated Data Acquisition System for on‐Water Measurement of Performance in Rowing
Authors: Bettinelli S. , Placido A. , Susmel L. , Tovo R.
Published: April 2010

Abstract:  The present paper reports on an experimental activity carried out to develop a new on‐water data acquisition system suitable for measuring performance in sculling/sweep rowing (i.e. to gather the most significant forces applied by the rowers to the shell as well as the relative displacement of the seat and the rotation of the oars). A preliminary study was carried out to single out the effective components of those forces resulting in the displacement of rowing shells, locating also the positions of the corresponding application points. According to the outcomes of this preliminary investigation different sensors were designed to gather, from any rowing station, the following pieces of information: effective magnitude of the propulsive forces parallel to the shell axis, oar rotation angle, vertical force applied to the seat by the rower, the relative position of the seat and, finally, the forces applied by the rower’s legs to the footstretcher. Further, two accelerometers were used to measure acceleration and pitch of the shell. The accuracy and repeatability of the developed system and sensors were checked by carrying out several on‐water acquisitions not only on standard shells (considering different crews), but also through an on‐purpose built dry‐land rowing station. To clearly show features and potentialities of such a data‐acquisition system, the present paper reports on a series of tests carried out considering two different coxless pair crews, i.e. professional athletes and amateurs. The obtained results are definitely encouraging, proving that the pieces of information which can be gathered through our data acquisition system could be really helpful not only in evaluating rowers’ characteristics in terms of athletic performance and technique, but also in designing innovative rowing shells meeting the specific requirements of a crew.
The Effect of Notch Geometry on Tensile Strength at Low and Intermediate Strain Rates
Authors: Majzoobi G. H. , Nemati J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract:  Mechanical behaviour of notched components can significantly be influenced by notch geometry. In this work, triangular, circular and square notches are examined by experiment. Two materials including a st52 steel and brass are employed for the investigation. The experiments are conducted at low and intermediate strain rates. It is observed that: (i) the yield stress of the brass and the specimens with circular and square notches decreases as the notch length increases such that for 8 mm notches, the value of yield stress converges to the yield stress obtained for plain specimens at the same strain rate. (ii) For triangular notches the yield stress rises with the increase of notch length up to a minimum and then begins to decline. (iii) The effect of notch geometry on yield stress is significant such that for triangular notches, in particular for higher notch lengths, the increase of yield stress is much more profound than the other two notch geometries.
TERMS OF TRADE EFFECTS: THEORY AND MEASUREMENT
Authors: Reinsdorf Marshall B.
Published: April 2010

Foreign trade enables a nation to consume a different mix of goods and services than it produces, so to measure real gross domestic income (GDI) for an open economy, we must deflate by an index of the prices of the things that this income is used to buy, not the price index for GDP. The differences between these two indexes come from the export and import components of GDP, and are measured by the trading gains index. Fisher indexes are a natural way to estimate the conceptual economic indexes of trading gains and real GDI because they are averages of the theoretical upper and lower bounds of the economic indexes. They can be decomposed in a way that permits analyses of the factors driving changes in trading gains, such as changes in the terms of trade and in the relative price of tradables, or changes in the prices of particular commodities. Applying these methods to the United States, we find that trading gains have a median absolute effect on U.S. real GDI of 0.2 percentage points in annual data. The petroleum price shocks that occurred in late 1973 and in 1980 subtracted more than a full percentage point from the annual growth of real GDI, and in the first half of 2008 price increases in petroleum and other imported commodities subtracted 2 percentage points from the annual rate of growth of real GDI, making it negative despite the steady growth of real GDP. On the other hand, with petroleum prices excluded, U.S. terms of trade begin to improve steadily starting in 1995 and the relative price of tradables falls. These effects increase the growth rate of U.S. real GDI by 0.15 percent per year on average.
STOCHASTIC APPROACH TO INDEX NUMBERS FOR MULTILATERAL PRICE COMPARISONS AND THEIR STANDARD ERRORS
Authors: Hajargasht Gholamreza , Rao D. S. Prasada
Published: April 2010

The main objective of the paper is to demonstrate that a number of widely used multilateral index numbers for international comparisons of purchasing power parities (PPPs) and real incomes can be derived using the stochastic approach. The paper shows that price index numbers from commonly used methods like the Iklé, the Rao‐weighted, and an additive multilateral system are all estimators of the parameters of the country–product–dummy (CPD) model. The advantage of the stochastic approach is that we can derive standard errors for the estimates of the purchasing power parities (PPPs). The PPPs and the parameters of the stochastic model are estimated using a weighted maximum likelihood procedure under different stochastic specifications for the disturbance term. Estimates of PPPs and their standard errors for OECD countries using the proposed methods are presented. The paper also outlines a method of moments approach to the estimation of PPPs under the stochastic approach. The paper shows how the Geary–Khamis system of multilateral index numbers is a method of moments estimator of the parameters of the CPD model. The paper therefore provides a coherent stochastic framework for the Geary–Khamis system and derives standard errors of the Geary–Khamis PPPs.
Brain Apparent Water Diffusion Coefficient Magnetic Resonance Image During a Prolonged Visual Aura
Authors: Belvís Robert , Ramos Rafael , Villa Carolina , Segura Cristóbal , Pagonabarraga Javier , Ormazabal Inmaculada , Kulisevsky Jaime
Published: April 2010

(Headache2010;50:1045‐1049)

Background.—Reversible changes in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) weighted in diffusion‐weighted images (DWI) and apparent water diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps have been reported in acute stroke, epilepsy, eclampsia, and hypoglycemia, but they are contradictory regarding to migraine aura.

Objective.—A 41‐year‐old woman with known basilar migraine for 5 years consulted about a persistent visual aura (visual snow phenomenon) plus bilateral paresthesias in the extremities for 4 days. The headache was treated with success with 10 mg of wafer rizatriptan and 600 mg of ibuprophen.

Methods.—The neurologic and ophthalmologic examination were normal. An urgent brain MRI detected no lesions in T1, T2, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery, and DWI, but an abnormal signal appeared in the left occipital lobe in ADC and (r)ADC maps. The brain MRI angiography, carotid ultrasound study, transesophageal echocardiography, 24‐hour cardiac Holter monitoring, and thrombophilia study were normal.

Results.—A new brain MRI 8 days after did not show any previous lesion in the same sequences.

Conclusions.—We present a patient with migraine and transitory abnormal signals in the ADC map of an occipital region during persistent visual aura. The clinical‐radiological relationship is congruent. Some similar cases have showed these MRI signals during the aura, suggesting cytotoxic edema, without ischemic lesions in the MRI controls. Theses ADC images probably appear in complex auras.
An Approach to Integrating Environmental Considerations Within Managerial Decision‐Making
Authors: Subramanian Ravi , Talbot Brian , Gupta Sudheer
Published: April 2010

Recent environmental trends, including (1) an expansion of existing command and control directives, (2) the introduction of market‐based policy instruments, and (3) the adoption of extended producer responsibility, have created a need for new tools to help managerial decision‐making. To address this need, we develop a nonlinear mathematical programming model from a profit‐maximizing firm's perspective, which can be tailored as a decision‐support tool for firms facing environmental goals and constraints. We typify our approach using the specific context of diesel engine manufacturing and remanufacturing. Our model constructs are based on detailed interviews with top managers from two leading competitors in the medium and heavy‐duty diesel engine industry. The approach allows the incorporation of traditional operations‐planning considerations—in particular, capacity, production, and inventory—together with environmental considerations that range from product design through production to product end of life. A current hurdle to implementing such a model is the availability of input data. We therefore highlight the need not only to involve all departments within businesses but also for industrial ecologists and business managers to work together to implement meaningful decision models that are based on accurate and timely data and can have positive economic and environmental impact.
Practical limitations of convalescent plasma collection: a case scenario in pandemic preparation for influenza A (H1N1) infection
Authors: Wong Hoi K. , Lee Cheuk K. , Hung Ivan F.N. , Leung Jennifer N.S. , Hong Juliana , Yuen Kwok Y. , Lin Che K.
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND: To ensure a good preparedness for pandemic influenza A (H1N1), a study was conducted to investigate clinical effectiveness of hyperimmune intravenous globulin (H‐IVIG) prepared from convalescent plasma donated by recovered patients. This article reports on the outcome of the collection phase of the study.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Starting on August 26, 2009, all confirmed patients aged between 18 and 55 years were invited for participation into the study and screen for plasma donation eligibility. Effective September 17, 2009, those who were unwilling to consider screening for plasma were asked to donate whole blood. Plasma collected or separated from whole blood had to demonstrate sufficient neutralization antibodies titers of 40 or more before being channeled for H‐IVIG production.

RESULTS: By October 31, 2009, a total of 9101 persons were successfully contacted. A total of 1309 screening and 619 whole blood donation appointments were made. In the former 786 (60.0%) attended screening but only 301 could donate plasma by apheresis because of failure to meet blood donation eligibility criteria, failed laboratory tests, insufficient neutralization antibody titers, and inability to make the apheresis appointment. For those who opted for whole blood donation, 379 (61.2%) had attended and donated. A total of 276 L of convalescent plasma with sufficient neutralization antibodies titers was collected for H‐IVIG production.

DISCUSSION: The study highlighted a number of practical limitations in convalescent plasma collection programs and plasmapheresis is always the preferred mode of collection. It provided valuable learning experience for the blood transfusion service in future planning when large‐scale collection is required.
Is Gold a Hedge or a Safe Haven? An Analysis of Stocks, Bonds and Gold
Authors: Baur Dirk G. , Lucey Brian M.
Published: April 2010

Is gold a hedge, defined as a security that is uncorrelated with stocks or bonds on average, or is it a safe haven, defined as a security that is uncorrelated with stocks and bonds in a market crash? We study constant and time‐varying relations between U.S., U.K. and German stock and bond returns and gold returns to investigate gold as a hedge and a safe haven. We find that gold is a hedge against stocks on average and a safe haven in extreme stock market conditions. A portfolio analysis further shows that the safe haven property is short‐lived.
Does the Quality of Financial Advice Affect Prices?
Authors: Allen Arthur , Dudney Donna
Published: April 2010

Using a large data sample of 58,562 new municipal issues covering the period from 1984 to 2002, we examine whether the quality of advice provided by a financial advisor affects new issue interest costs. We find that higher‐quality financial advisors are associated with statistically significant decreases in new issue yields. The effect of advisor quality on yields is more pronounced for revenue, negotiated, and opaque bond issues than for general obligation and competitively sold issues. However, issuers of revenue or negotiated bonds are more likely to choose a low‐quality advisor.
Arbitrage and the Evaluation of Linear Factor Models in UK Stock Returns
Authors: Fletcher Jonathan
Published: April 2010

I examine the impact of the no arbitrage restriction on the estimation and evaluation of linear factor models in UK stock returns. The no arbitrage restriction reduces volatility and eliminates most of the negative values of the fitted stochastic discount factor models. All of the factor models are rejected and there are significant differences in the pricing performance between models under the no arbitrage restriction. The no arbitrage restriction can have a significant impact on both the parameter estimates and pricing errors for some models.
Short‐Horizon Return Predictability in International Equity Markets
Authors: Shamsuddin Abul , Kim Jae H.
Published: April 2010

This study measures the degree of short‐horizon return predictability of 50 international equity markets and examines how its variation is related to the indicators of equity market development. Two multiple‐horizon variance ratio tests are employed to measure the degree of return predictability. We find evidence that return predictability is negatively correlated with publicly available indicators of equity market development. Our cross‐sectional regression analysis shows that the per capita gross domestic product, market turnover, investor protection, and absence of short‐selling restrictions are correlated with cross‐market variations in return predictability.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Structural and Functional Cardiac Remodeling in Patients with Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Hung Ming‐Jui , Yang Ning‐I , Wu I‐Wen , Cheng Chi‐Wen , Wu Mai‐Szu , Cherng Wen‐Jin
Published: April 2010

Background: Cardiac remodeling has been demonstrated in patients on hemodialysis and in predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using functional echocardiographic parameters to study the association of hemodynamic status and predialysis CKD has not yet been established. Methods: From November 2007 to September 2008, ninety‐six patients (50 men and 46 women) with different stages of CKD were enrolled consecutively to undergo echocardiography. Group 1 consisted of 27 patients with mild CKD (CKD stages 1 and 2) and group 2 consisted of 69 patients with moderate/severe CKD (CKD stages 3–5). Results: Higher values were observed for the products of serum calcium and phosphorus, serum phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone; lower values were observed for hematocrit and serum albumin in group 2 patients. Higher mitral E and A velocities, longer isovolumic relaxation time, more prevalence of moderate‐to‐severe left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and higher mitral E/Em value were noted in group 2 patients. Eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) had effects on systolic contraction disturbance in group 2 patients. CKD severity without LVH had effects on LV filling pressure elevation and relaxation impairment. Among biochemical and echocardiographic parameters, mitral E/Em was most independently associated with a diagnosis of moderate/severe CKD (odds ratio = 1.29, P = 0.023) and it was the most predictive variable with sensitivity and specificity values for a cutoff value of ≥13 of 64% and 74%, respectively. Conclusions: CKD severity without LVH increased LV filling pressure and impaired LV relaxation. Mitral E/Em was significantly associated with moderate/severe CKD. (Echocardiography 2010;27:621‐629)
Microstructure and Toughening Mechanisms in Spark Plasma‐Sintered ZrB2 Ceramics Reinforced by SiC Whiskers or SiC‐Chopped Fibers
Authors: Guicciardi Stefano , Silvestroni Laura , Nygren Mats , Sciti Diletta
Published: April 2010

Starting from a ZrB2 matrix, composites containing 10, 20 vol% of SiC whiskers and 20 vol% of SiC‐chopped fibers were sintered by spark plasma sintering at 1500°C. The addition of whiskers allowed both strengthening (740–770 MPa) and toughening (5.1–5.7 MPa·m1/2) compared with the reference material. In the fiber‐reinforced composite, the increase in fracture toughness (5.5 MPa·m1/2) was accompanied by a decrease of strength (370 MPa). Toughening mechanisms were explored through the analysis of crack propagation. Crack deflection, crack pinning, and thermal residual stresses were the most important mechanisms identified. The experimental toughness increase was successfully compared with the values predicted by theoretical models. Compared with the baseline material, the reinforced composites showed an increased strength at 1200°C in air. The highest value, 450 MPa, was for the fiber‐reinforced composite.
The Effect of Excess PbO on Dielectric and Pyroelectric Properties of Lead Scandium Tantalate Ceramics
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Genshui , Cao Sheng , Mao Chaoliang , Cao Fei , Dong Xianlin
Published: April 2010

Lead scandium tantalate (PbSc0.5Ta0.5O3, or PST) ceramics with the addition of 0.5–10 wt% excess PbO were fabricated by the hot‐pressing method. The percent of perovskite PST and the long‐range order parameterSwere quantitatively characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The grain size was measured by scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and pyroelectric behavior under dc bias were investigated from −20° to –50°C. The relationships among dielectric constant, Curie temperature, and dc bias were analyzed by fitting to the Gibbs free energy formulas. Based on these data, the pyroelectric figures of meritFdas a function of field and temperature were calculated, and the highestFdof 15 × 10−5Pa−1/2was obtained under 700 V/mm in the sample with 5 wt% excess PbO.
Interrelationship Among Injured Parties' Attributions of Responsibility, Appraisal of Appropriateness to Forgive the Transgressor, Forgiveness, and Repentance
Authors: Struthers C. Ward , Eaton Judy , Mendoza Rachelle , Santelli Alexander G. , Shirvani Nicole
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this research was to examine the interrelationship among attributions of responsibility, repentance, victims' appraisal of the appropriateness of forgiving the transgressor, and forgiveness. It is argued that an injured party's appraisal of how appropriate it is to forgive the transgressor is important in understanding discrepant theoretical and empirical observations regarding the relationship between responsibility judgments and forgiveness. In one nonexperimental/naturalistic study and 2 experiments, we confirmed predictions that responsibility attributions would positively relate with a victim's appraisal of how appropriate it is to forgive the transgressor, and negatively with forgiveness. In addition, all 3 studies confirmed that a victim's appraisal of the appropriateness to forgive the transgressor explains the relationship between responsibility judgments and forgiveness.
Exploiting predators for pest management: the need for sound ecological assessment
Authors: Furlong Michael J. , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: April 2010

Most people agree that arthropod natural enemies are good for insect pest management in agriculture. However, the population suppressive effects of predators, which consume their prey and often leave no direct evidence of their activity, are more difficult to study than the effects of parasitoids, which can be sampled from host populations relatively easily. We critically reviewed field studies which investigated the relationship between lepidopteran pests and their associated predatory fauna, published in 11 leading entomology and applied ecology journals between 2003 and 2008. Each study was appraised to determine whether or not it demonstrated that predators had an impact on prey (pest) populations and, if so, whether it was conducted at an ecological scale relevant to pest management. Less than half (43%) of the 54 field studies adopted methodologies that allowed the impact of predators on target pest populations to be measured. Furthermore, 76% of the studies were conducted at the scale of experimental plots rather than at the ecological scale which determines pest and predator population dynamics or at which pest‐management decisions are made. In almost one‐third of the studies, predator abundance and/or diversity was measured, but this metric was not linked with pest suppression or mortality. We conclude that much current research does not provide evidence that predatory arthropods suppress target lepidopteran pest populations and, consequently, that it has little relevance to pest management. Well‐designed ecological experiments combined with recent advances in molecular techniques to identify predator diets and the emergence of organic agriculture provide both the mechanisms and a platform upon which many predator–prey interactions can be investigated at a scale relevant to pest management. However, benefits will only be reaped from this opportunity if current approaches to research are changed and relevant ecological data are collected at appropriate ecological scales.
Detection of centrosome aberrations in disease‐unrelated cells from patients with tumor treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Giehl Michelle , Leitner Armin , Haferlach Claudia , Duesberg Peter , Hofmann Wolf‐Karsten , Hofheinz Ralf , Seifarth Wolfgang , Hochhaus Andreas , Fabarius Alice
Published: April 2010

Objectives:Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) target various pathways associated with proliferation of aberrant clones in malignant diseases. Despite good response and acceptable tolerability, little is known concerning long‐term toxicity. Furthermore, the influence of these inhibitors on disease‐unrelated cells is not investigated yet.Methods:Centrosome aberrations are hallmarks of various cancers. We sought to evaluate the effect of TKIs on centrosomes of disease‐unrelated cells. We examined cells of the oral mucosa (OM) and fibroblasts of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with dasatinib and bosutinib. Results were compared with data from patients with CML treated with imatinib or nilotinib and with data from patients suffering from renal and hepatocellular carcinomas (RCC/HCC) treated with sorafenib or sunitinib. Cells of healthy donors served as controls.Results:OM cells (n = 12) and fibroblasts (n = 7) of patients with CML treated with dasatinib and OM cells of three patients with CML treated with bosutinib showed centrosomal alterations (mean, 14%) compared with 16 (10 OM and 6 fibroblasts) controls (mean, 3%). OM cells of five patients with CML and one patient with systemic mastocytosis treated with imatinib or nilotinib and of eight patients with RCC or HCC treated with sorafenib or sunitinib showed centrosome defects in a mean of 15%.Conclusions:Our data have shown that TKI treatment of tumor patients may influence centrosomes in disease‐unrelated cells or tissues. This may be important with regard to various observed side effects.
Genetic diversity of Forest and Savannah chicken populations of Ghana as estimated by microsatellite markers
Authors: OSEI‐AMPONSAH Richard , KAYANG Boniface B. , NAAZIE Augustine , OSEI Yaa D. , YOUSSAO Issaka A. K. , YAPI‐GNAORE Valentine C. , TIXIER‐BOICHARD Michèle , ROGNON Xavier
Published: April 2010

The characterization of indigenous animal genetic resources is a requisite step in providing needed information for the conservation of useful genotypes against future needs. Thus, in this study, 22 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 114 local chickens from the Forest (n = 59) and Savannah (n = 55) eco‐zones of Ghana and the results compared to those of the ancestral red junglefowl (n = 15) and two European commercial chicken populations – a broiler (n = 25) and white leghorn (n = 25). A total of 171 alleles were observed, with an average of 7.8 alleles per locus. The local Ghanaian chickens showed higher diversity in terms of the observed number of alleles per locus (6.6) and observed heterozygosity (0.568) compared with the combined control populations (6.0 and 0.458, respectively). However, Wright's F‐statistics revealed negligible genetic differentiation (FST) in local Ghanaian chicken populations. In addition, 65% of the Savannah chickens were inferred to be more likely from the Forest, suggesting a south‐north dispersal of chickens from their probable original location in the Forest zone to the Savannah areas. It is concluded that the Forest and Savannah chickens of Ghana are a single, randomly mating unselected population, characterized by high genetic diversity and constitute a valuable resource for conservation and improvement.
KIAA0495/PDAM Is Frequently Downregulated in Oligodendroglial Tumors and Its Knockdown by siRNA Induces Cisplatin Resistance in Glioma Cells
Authors: Pang Jesse Chung‐Sean , Li Kay Ka‐Wai , Lau Kin‐Mang , Ng Yeung Lam , Wong John , Chung Nellie Yuk‐Fei , Li Hiu‐Ming , Chui Yiu‐Loon , Lui Vivian Wai Yan , Chen Zhong‐ping , Chan Danny Tat‐Ming , Poon Wai Sang , Wang Yin , Mao Yin , Zhou Liangfu , Ng Ho‐Keung
Published: April 2010

Co‐deletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q is a common event in oligodendroglial tumors (OTs), suggesting the presence of OT‐related genes. The aim of this study was to identify the target genes residing in the minimally deleted regions on chromosome 1p36.31–p36.32 that might be involved in OTs. A novel gene KIAA0495/p53‐dependent apoptosis modulator (PDAM) was found frequently deregulated, with 37 of 58 (63.8%) OTs examined showing reduced expression compared with normal brain. Chromosome 1p loss and epigenetic modifications were the major mechanisms contributing to PDAM downregulation. The role of PDAM in chemosensitivity was also evaluated. PDAM knockdown had no effect on sensitivity to vincristine, lomustine, temozolomide and paclitaxel, but could induce cisplatin resistance in glioma cells harboring wild‐type p53. B‐cell CCL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2)‐like 1 (BCL2L1) exhibited significant upregulation, while BCL2 showed partial derepression in PDAM‐silenced cells after cisplatin treatment, suggesting that alteration of anti‐apoptotic genes contributed in part to cisplatin resistance. Knockdown of BCL2L1 abrogated the induced cisplatin‐resistant phenotype. Moreover, our data suggested that PDAM might function as a non‐protein‐coding RNA. Collectively, these findings suggest that PDAM deregulation may play a role in OT development and that PDAM may possess the capacity to modulate apoptosis via regulation of p53‐dependent anti‐apoptotic genes.
Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north‐east Victoria
Authors: Nath LC , Anderson GA , McKinnon AO
Published: April 2010

Objective To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north‐east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency.

Design Retrospective study.

Procedure Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north‐east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated.

Results The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cycle was more frequent in TB (8.3%) than in STB (4.6%) mares (P < 0.001). Early embryonic death occurred in 7.1% of TB and 7.5% of STB pregnancies. TB mares had fewer inseminations per cycle (1.03) than STB mares (1.43) (P < 0.001). There was a significantly lower proportion of barren reproductive status within the TB than the STB mares. Pregnancy rate per cycle among stallions ranged from 48% to 79%.

Conclusions On‐farm pregnancy rates in both breeds were higher than previously reported and likely reflect improvements in reproductive management. The disparity between breeds in the inseminations per cycle and proportion of barren mares exposed the differing structures of the two industries, and presents a target for improving the reproductive efficiency in STBs. The difference between breeds in the multiple pregnancy rate per cycle likely reflects the higher ovulation rate of TB mares. The variability in pregnancy rate per cycle between the 22 stallions was associated with differences in individual inherent fertility and the quality of stallion management.