bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal mass sampling: An enlightened perspective
Authors: Samplaski Mary K , Zhou Ming , Lane Brian R , Herts Brian , Campbell Steve C
Published: October 2010

Renal mass sampling (RMS) can be carried out by core biopsy or fine needle aspiration with each presenting potential advantages and limitations. The literature about RMS is confounded by a lack of standardized techniques, ambiguous terminology, imprecise definitions of accuracy, substantial rates of non‐informative biopsies, and recurrent diagnostic challenges with respect to eosinophilic neoplasms. Despite these concerns, RMS has an expanding role in the evaluation and treatment of renal masses, in order to stratify biological aggressiveness and guide management that can range from surgery to active surveillance. Non‐informative biopsies can be managed with surgical excision or repeat biopsy, with the latter showing encouraging results in recent studies. We propose a new classification in which all biopsies are categorized as non‐informative versus informative, with the latter being subclassified as confirmed accurate, presumed accurate or confirmed inaccurate. This terminology will facilitate the comparison of results from various studies and stimulate progress. Incorporation of novel biomarkers and molecular fingerprinting into RMS protocols will likely allow for more rational management of patients with renal masses in the near future.
Positioning the instillation of contrast at the ureteral orifice cystography can be useful to predict postoperative contralateral reflux in children with unilateral vesicoureteral reflux
Authors: Matsumoto Fumi , Shimada Kenji , Matsui Futoshi , Itesako Toshihiko
Published: October 2010

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of positioning the instillation of contrast at the ureteral orifice (PIC) cystography in prediction of postoperative contralateral reflux in patients with unilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) undergoing ureteral reimplantation. Between January 2007 and March 2009, 34 children (20 boys and 14 girls) had antireflux surgery for unilateral primary VUR. This was diagnosed by conventional fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in all patients. After induction of general anesthesia, PIC cystography was carried out immediately before ureteral reimplantation by instilling contrast material at the ureteral orifice. Patients with positive PIC cystogram on the contralateral side underwent bilateral ureteral reimplantation via the Cohen technique. VCUG was repeated at 6–12 months postoperatively. Of the 34 patients, 16 (47%) showed VUR on the contralateral side on PIC cystography and underwent bilateral reimplantation. The remaining 18 patients (53%) with negative PIC cystogram underwent unilateral reimplantation, and no VUR was detected by postoperative VCUG in all ureters. None of the 34 patients had surgical complications or recurrent urinary tract infections. In conclusion, PIC cystography represents a useful tool to predict new onset contralateral VUR in patients with unilateral VUR on conventional VCUG.
Trophic structure of macroinvertebrates in Amazonian streams impacted by anthropogenic siltation
Authors: COUCEIRO SHEYLA R. M. , HAMADA NEUSA , FORSBERG BRUCE R. , PADOVESI‐FONSECA CLAUDIA
Published: October 2010

This study assessed the results of anthropogenic sediment input on macroinvertebrate trophic structure in streams located in an area of oil and natural gas exploitation in Brazil's Amazon forest. The results indicate that macroinvertebrate communities both in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments and in non‐impacted streams are composed mainly of taxa in the following functional feeding groups: predators, gathering‐collectors, scrapers, shredders and filtering‐collectors. The highest densities were observed for collector‐gatherers, followed by scrapers, predators, shredders and filtering‐collectors. However, both the richness and the density of all groups were reduced in impacted streams. The reductions were significantly related to suspended inorganic sediment load and to the colour of suspended sediments. The relative proportion of shredders in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments was significantly reduced as compared with the proportion observed in non‐impacted streams. This resulted from lower availability of coarse particulate organic matter in these streams owing to burial of leaves and other plant material. These results indicate changes in the functioning and productivity of streams owing to anthropogenic siltation. This is because the benthic macroinvertebrate communities, sampled during this study, were dependent on the degradation of leaves, which are the primary energy source sustaining the benthic foodweb.
Implications of movement patterns of a dietary generalist for mistletoe seed dispersal
Authors: RAWSTHORNE JOHN , WATSON DAVID M. , ROSHIER DAVID A.
Published: October 2010

Mistletoes are dispersed primarily by frugivorous birds and have highly aggregated distributions at multiple scales. Mistletoe specialist frugivores have been found to intensify infections within infected hosts and stands, and this is considered the most likely mechanism underlying clumped mistletoe distributions at these scales. How these patchy infections first develop and whether seed dispersers also contribute to aggregated mistletoe distributions at landscape and regional scales have not been evaluated. Here we predict the mistletoe seed shadow of a dietary generalist (spiny‐cheeked honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Aves: Meliphagidae), by combining our observations of movements via radio telemetry with previous data on gut passage times to estimate seed dispersal curves for individual birds. There was considerable variation in movements and inferred seed dispersal between individuals, with non‐breeding birds predicted to regularly transport Amyema quandang (Santalales: Loranthaceae) seeds up to 700 m; well beyond the boundaries of an existing mistletoe infection. As the first work to consider explicitly the distance component of mistletoe seed dispersal by dietary generalists, this study poses further questions about the relative seed dispersal roles of dietary generalists and mistletoe specialists. Moreover, our findings highlight considerable intraspecific variation in movement and foraging behaviour, suggesting gender and reproductive status of birds should be considered explicitly when quantifying seed dispersal services.
Easy technique for assessing pollination rates in the genus Erica reveals road impact on bird pollination in the Cape fynbos, South Africa
Authors: GEERTS SJIRK , PAUW ANTON
Published: October 2010

Road traffic is one of the most pervasive forms of anthropogenic disturbance, but its impact on pollination, a potentially sensitive ecosystem process, has not been investigated. Such an assessment is needed in order to evaluate the potential for roadside verges to act as biodiversity refugia and corridors in otherwise transformed landscapes. Here, we document the impact of a two‐lane tar road on pollination by birds in the Cape fynbos of South Africa. To do so, we developed a quick and widely applicable method of determining pollination rates in bird‐pollinated members of the large genus Erica. Experiments with caged birds showed that the status of the anther ring (broken/perfect) indicated a sunbird visit with 92% accuracy, while field surveys confirmed anther ring status also serves as a proxy for pollen receipt to stigmas. Using this technique we determined pollination rate in Erica perspicua at three distances from the road (0–10, 20–30 and 40–50 m). After controlling for flower colour, robbing rate and plant density, significantly fewer anther rings were disturbed in close proximity to the road. The documented twofold decline in pollination along roadsides could have important implications for the way we view and manage road verges as refugia for species and ecological processes.
Fire incidence, but not fire size, affects macropod densities
Authors: STYGER J. K. , KIRKPATRICK J. B. , MARSDEN‐SMEDLEY J. O. N. , LEONARD S. W. J.
Published: October 2010

The regeneration of plants post‐fire has widely been shown to be attractive to vertebrate herbivores. However, there are few data relevant to the effect of fire size on herbivore densities. In dry eucalypt forest in one region and hummock sedgeland in another region, we used timed scat counts to test the effect of fire and fire size on Tasmanian macropod densities 6 months after burning. We also tested whether soil characteristics and the nature of ground cover related to the degree of attractiveness of post‐burn regeneration. Soil nutrients and higher covers of grasses and herbs in ground layer vegetation were associated with higher macropod densities. In dry eucalypt forest, fire incidence and fire size did not affect macropod density, while in hummock sedgeland, fire had a positive effect on macropod density, but fire size had no effect.
Delta opioid receptor‐mediated analgesia is not altered in preprotachykinin A knockout mice
Authors: Dubois Dave , Gendron Louis
Published: October 2010

We have shown that delta opioid receptor (DOPR)‐mediated analgesia was enhanced in the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammation. This effect is thought to originate from translocation of DOPR in the plasma membrane of dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord neurons. Among the putative mechanisms involved in the regulation of DOPR trafficking, an interaction with substance P (SP) in large dense‐core vesicles has been described as an essential event for the externalization of DOPR. As we have previously observed that membrane DOPRs were upregulated in small‐ and medium‐sized neurons under inflammatory pain conditions (whereas SP is mainly expressed by small dorsal root ganglia neurons), we raised the hypothesis that an SP‐independent mechanism mediates DOPR trafficking and functional emergence in the CFA model. Therefore, we investigated the role of SP in DOPR‐mediated analgesia by using preprotachykinin A (precursor of SP) knockout mice (PPTA−/−) in the CFA model of inflammation. First, we confirmed that PPTA−/−mice are not expressing SP and have a similar level of CFA‐induced inflammation as wildtype mice. Then, using the thermal plantar test, we found that an intrathecal injection of deltorphin II induced DOPR‐mediated antihyperalgesia, which was not modified by the absence of SP (similar efficacy and potency in wildtype and PPTA−/−mice). We also observed similar analgesia of intrathecal deltorphin II for PPTA−/−and wildtype mice in the hot‐water immersion tail‐flick test. Consequently, our results suggest that SP is not essential for membrane insertion and for the functional emergence of DOPR.
Post‐traumatic seizure susceptibility is attenuated by hypothermia therapy
Authors: Atkins Coleen M. , Truettner Jessie S. , Lotocki George , Sanchez‐Molano Juliana , Kang Yuan , Alonso Ofelia F. , Sick Thomas J. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Bramlett Helen M.
Published: October 2010

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major risk factor for the subsequent development of epilepsy. Currently, chronic seizures after brain injury are often poorly controlled by available antiepileptic drugs. Hypothermia treatment, a modest reduction in brain temperature, reduces inflammation, activates pro‐survival signaling pathways, and improves cognitive outcome after TBI. Given the well‐known effect of therapeutic hypothermia to ameliorate pathological changes in the brain after TBI, we hypothesized that hypothermia therapy may attenuate the development of post‐traumatic epilepsy and some of the pathomechanisms that underlie seizure formation. To test this hypothesis, adult male Sprague Dawley rats received moderate parasagittal fluid‐percussion brain injury, and were then maintained at normothermic or moderate hypothermic temperatures for 4 h. At 12 weeks after recovery, seizure susceptibility was assessed by challenging the animals with pentylenetetrazole, a GABAA receptor antagonist. Pentylenetetrazole elicited a significant increase in seizure frequency in TBI normothermic animals as compared with sham surgery animals and this was significantly reduced in TBI hypothermic animals. Early hypothermia treatment did not rescue chronic dentate hilar neuronal loss nor did it improve loss of doublecortin‐labeled cells in the dentate gyrus post‐seizures. However, mossy fiber sprouting was significantly attenuated by hypothermia therapy. These findings demonstrate that reductions in seizure susceptibility after TBI are improved with post‐traumatic hypothermia and provide a new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of post‐traumatic epilepsy.
Evolving possibilities: postembryonic axial elongation in salamanders with biphasic (Eurcyea cirrigera, Eurycea longicauda, Eurycea quadridigitata) and paedomorphic life cycles (Eurycea nana and Ambystoma mexicanum)
Authors: Vaglia Janet L. , White Kurt , Case Alison
Published: October 2010

Vaglia, JL., White, K, and Case, A. 2012. Evolving possibilities: postembryonic axial elongation in salamanders with biphasic (Eurcyea cirrigera, Eurycea longicauda, Eurycea quadridigitata) and paedomorphic life cycles (Eurycea nana and Ambystoma mexicanum). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 2–13.

Typically, the number of vertebrae an organism will have postembryonically is determined during embryogenesis via the development of paired somites. Our research investigates the phenomenon of postembryonic vertebral addition in salamander tails. We describe body and tail growth and patterns of postsacral vertebral addition and elongation in context with caudal morphology for four plethodontids (Eurycea) and one ambystomatid. Eurycea nana and Ambystoma mexicanum have paedomorphic life cycles; Eurcyea cirrigera, Eurycea longicauda and Eurycea quadridigitata are biphasic. Specimens were collected, borrowed and/or purchased, and cleared and stained for bone and cartilage. Data collected include snout‐vent length (SVL), tail length (TL), vertebral counts and centrum lengths. Eurycea species with biphasic life cycles had TLs that surpassed SVL following metamorphosis. Tails in paedomorphic species elongated but rarely exceeded body length. Larger TLs were associated with more vertebrae and longer vertebrae in all species. We observed that rates of postsacral vertebral addition varied little amongst species. Regional variation along the tail becomes prominent following metamorphosis in biphasic developers. In all species, vertebrae in the posterior one‐half of the tail taper towards the tip. We suggest that a developmental link might exist between the ability to continually add vertebrae and regeneration in salamanders.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography of the prostate: various imaging findings that indicate prostate cancer
Authors: Sano Futoshi , Terao Hideyuki , Kawahara Takashi , Miyoshi Yasuhide , Sasaki Takeshi , Noguchi Kazumi , Kubota Yoshinobu , Uemura Hiroji
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Diagnostic (non‐consecutive case series)  Level of Evidence 3b

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

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can visualize some prostate cancer lesions. Findings suggestive of cancer have been defined as rapid contrast enhancement; increased contrast enhancement.

CEUS could be useful for targeted biopsy in patients with a PSA level <10 ng/mL. The CEUS findings suggestive of prostate cancer are more varied than previously reported. Low‐echogenicity areas containing abnormal blood vessels were also found to represent cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To perform transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) with an ultrasonography (US) contrast agent to visualize prostate cancer.

To explore the possibility of targeted biopsy by studying the findings obtained by different cancerous tissue imaging modalities and evaluating needle biopsies from prostate cancer using contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 41 patients undergoing prostate biopsy and 13 patients undergoing prostatectomy received i.v. injection of the US contrast agent (Sonazoid®).

We evaluated pre‐contrast and contrast‐enhanced US images, and then compared ultrasonographic images and the pathological findings.

RESULTS

Cancer was significantly more frequent at the sites of targeted biopsy where CEUS findings suggested cancer (36.3%) than at sites of systematic biopsy (17.7%, odds ratio = 2.7, P = 0.0026).

In cases with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level <10 ng/mL, in particular, prostate cancer was detected at a significantly higher rate by targeted biopsy than by systematic biopsy (27.3 vs 9.5%, odds ratio = 3.4, P = 0.013).

Pathological examination found 26 tumours in prostatectomy specimens. The diameters of the 10 CEUS‐identified tumours were significantly greater than those of the 16 lesions missed by US (mean 18.7 vs 5.9 mm).

CEUS findings suggestive of cancer varied widely: strong contrast enhancement, rapid contrast enhancement, vessels with abnormal perfusion and low contrast enhancement.

CONCLUSIONS

CEUS could be useful for targeted biopsy in patients with a PSA level <10 ng/mL.

The CEUS findings suggestive of prostate cancer are more varied than previously reported.

Detailed examination of CEUS images and application of the data to prostate biopsy could lead to more efficient diagnosis.
High‐power potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate laser fibres for endovaporization of benign prostatic hyperplasia: how much do they deteriorate during the procedure?
Authors: Schwartz Julien , Renard Julien , Wolf Jean‐Pierre , Moret Michel , Iselin Christophe E.
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

• To assess the residual power delivered at the tip of a high‐power (80 W) potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser (80 W Green Light PVTM, Laserscope®; American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) at the end of a photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) procedure, as well as the deflection angle of the laser beam.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• In total, 65 laser fibres were collected at the end of PVP procedures indicated for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia over a period of 17 months. PVP was performed by two senior urologists.

• The power of laser beam at tip exit was measured for each fibre at the end of the procedures using a photodiode whose signal was amplified, and then quantified by a volt multimeter.

• The deflection angle was measured using a graduated sphere.

RESULTS

• Approximately 70% of fibres delivered less than 40 W at the end of the procedure, which is less than the vaporization threshold.

• Some 9% of fibres had lost their diffraction capacity with a significant alteration of laser beam angulation. These values were not operator dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

• The data show that a large proportion of laser fibers deliver a significantly underpowered beam at the end of the procedures.

• This seems to be caused by peroperative destruction of the fibers, which results in a progressive loss of efficacy of PVP during procedures.
Comparison of the impact on health‐related quality of life of repeated detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in patients with idiopathic or neurogenic detrusor overactivity
Authors: Gamé Xavier , Khan Shahid , Panicker Jalesh N. , Kalsi Vinay , Dalton Catherine , Elneil Sohier , Hamid Rizwan , Dasgupta Prokar , Fowler Clare J.
Published: October 2010

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

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

We know that repeated injections of botulinum toxin A are effective in treating refractory detrusor overactivity particularly in NDO.

This study shows that in both NDO and IDO repeated injections of the toxin improve quality of life as assessed by three validated questionnaires. The effect is most marked after the first injection in NDO patients but thereafter similar in both groups.

OBJECTIVE

• To compare the effect of repeated detrusor injections of botulinum toxin (BoNT‐A) on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with idiopathic (IDO) or neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Between 2003 and 2009, 151 patients (109 with NDO and 42 with IDO) were treated by BoNT‐A (Botox®, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA). Changes in HRQL were assessed using the validated short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7) and EuroQOL‐5D (EQ‐5D) before and 4 weeks after BoNT‐A.

RESULTS

• The maximum number of repeated injections was five (mean ±sd, 2.8 ± 1.05). Mean ±sd follow‐up was 27.49 ± 17.01 months.

• The UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 questionnaires showed a consistent improvement after repeated injections in both groups with detrusor overactivity. The EQ‐5D was not statistically different before and after each injection in either the NDO or IDO population.

• After repeated injections, no statistical differences in the change on the UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 scores were found between NDO and IDO, except after the first treatment, when the decrease in UDI‐6 was higher in NDO than in IDO.

• The EQ‐5D anxiety and depression subscore improved in both groups after each injection and with the number of injections.

• In IDO, after the second injection, no patient reported extreme anxiety or depression and, after the fourth injection, none had anxiety or depression.

• The inter‐injection interval was shorter after the first injection in those with NDO than in IDO but was similar thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS

• Intradetrusor injections of BoNT‐A improved the HRQL of both NDO and IDO patients.

• Although improvement in HRQL was greater and the duration of efficacy shorter in NDO patients after the first injection, there was no significant difference after subsequent injections.

• Mean inter‐injection interval in IDO and in NDO patients was similar from the second injection onwards and improvements in HRQL score were the same.
Prepubertal testicular tumours and efficacy of testicular preserving surgery
Authors: Bujons Anna , Sfulcini Jorge Caffaratti , Pascual Merce , Feu Oriol Angerri , Garat José María , Villavicencio Humberto
Published: October 2010

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

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

Testicular tumours in childhood are very rare. Historically, most of these tumours have been considered malignant, but more recent studies indicate that benign lesions, particularly teratoma, are much more frequent than previously thought. Testicular tumours in this age group have traditionally been treated with inguinal radical orchiectomy, but more conservative management has been proposed in view of the higher frequency of benign tumours.

In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers.

OBJECTIVE

• To report our experience of testicular tumours in children aged ≤13 years, including our experience with testis‐sparing surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A retrospective study was performed of 15 patients with testicular tumours aged ≤13 years who presented at our centre between 1984 and 2008. The use of testis‐preserving surgery according to indication was investigated and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

• The clinical presentation was increased testicular size with a palpable mass in 80% of the cases. All 15 patients underwent surgery. The tumour was benign in 12 (80%) patients and malignant in three (20%) patients.

• Organ‐preserving surgery was planned and achieved in 11 patients (73%).

• Pathology of the tumourectomy specimens disclosed benign tumours in all cases: four epidermoid cysts, two teratomas, one juvenile granulosa cell tumour, one haemangioma, one lipoma, one fibrous hamartoma and one splenogonadal fusion.

• In four patients who underwent radical orchiectomy, pathology identified one yolk sac tumour (stage I), two mixed germ cell tumours and one gonadoblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

• In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers.

• The lesion, however, should be thoroughly excised to avoid recurrences.
Targeting specific genes for RNA interference is crucial to the development of strong resistance to Rice stripe virus
Authors: Shimizu Takumi , Nakazono‐Nagaoka Eiko , Uehara‐Ichiki Tamaki , Sasaya Takahide , Omura Toshihiro
Published: October 2010

Rice stripe virus (RSV) has a serious negative effect on rice production in temperate regions of East Asia. Focusing on the putative importance of the selection of target sequences for RNA interference (RNAi), we analysed the effects of potential target sequences in each of the coding genes in the RSV genome, using transgenic rice plants that expressed a set of inverted‐repeat (IR) constructs. The reactions of inoculated transgenic T1 plants to RSV were divided subjectively into three classes, namely highly resistant, moderately resistant and lacking enhanced resistance to RSV, even though plants that harboured any constructs accumulated transgene‐specific siRNAs prior to inoculation with RSV. Transgenic plants that harboured IR constructs specific for the gene for pC3, which encodes nucleocapsid protein, and for pC4, which encodes a viral movement protein, were immune to infection by RSV and were more resistant to infection than the natural resistant cultivars that have been used to control the disease in the field. By contrast, the IR construct specific for the gene for pC2, which encodes a glycoprotein of unknown function, and for p4, which encodes a major non‐structural protein of unknown function, did not result in resistance. Our results indicate that not all RNAi constructs against viral RNAs are equally effective in preventing RSV infection and that it is important to identify the viral ‘Achilles heel’ for RNAi attack in the engineering of plants.
Only half the transcriptomic differences between resistant genetically modified and conventional rice are associated with the transgene
Authors: Montero Maria , Coll Anna , Nadal Anna , Messeguer Joaquima , Pla Maria
Published: October 2010

Besides the intended effects that give a genetically modified (GM) plant the desired trait, unintended differences between GM and non‐GM comparable plants may also occur. Profiling technologies allow their identification, and a number of examples demonstrating that unintended effects are limited and diverse have recently been reported. Both from the food safety aspect and for research purposes, it is important to discern unintended changes produced by the transgene and its expression from those that may be attributed to other factors. Here, we show differential expression of around 0.40% transcriptome between conventional rice var. Senia and Senia‐afp constitutively expressing the AFP antifungal protein. Analysis of one‐fifth of the regulated sequences showed that around 35% of the unintended effects could be attributed to the process used to produce GM plants, based on in vitro tissue culture techniques. A further ∼15% were event specific, and their regulation was attributed to host gene disruption and genome rearrangements at the insertion site, and effects on proximal sequences. Thus, only around half the transcriptional unintended effects could be associated to the transgene itself. A significant number of changes in Senia‐afp and Senia are part of the plant response to stress conditions, and around half the sequences for which up‐regulation was attributed to the transgene were induced in conventional (but not transgenic) plants after wounding. Unintended effects might, as such, putatively result in widening the self‐resistance characteristics because of the transgene in GM plants.
Assemblages of State Power: Topological Shifts in the Organization of Government and Politics
Authors: Allen John , Cochrane Allan
Published: October 2010

Abstract: Multi‐scalar or multi‐site power relations offer two contrasting ways of understanding the shifting geography of state power. In this paper, we argue for a different starting point, one that favours a topological understanding of state spatiality over more conventional topographical accounts. In contrast to a vertical or horizontal imagery of the geography of state power, what states possess, we suggest, is reach, not height. In doing so, we draw fromSassen (2006,Territory, Authority, Rights: From Medieval to Global Assemblages, Princeton University Press) a vocabulary capable of portraying the renegotiation of powers that has taken place between central government in the UK and one of its key city regions, the South East of England; one that highlights an assemblage of political actors, some public, some private, where negotiations take place between elements of central and local actors “lodged” within the region, not acting “above”, “below” or “alongside” it. The articulation of political demands in such a context has less to do with “jumping scale” or formalizing extensive network connections and more to do with the ability to reach directly into a “centralized” politics where proximity and reach play across one another in particular ways.
Rethinking Territory
Authors: Painter Joe
Published: October 2010

Abstract:  Territory is the quintessential state space and appears to be of growing political importance. It is also a key concept in geography, but it has not been subject to as much critical attention as related geographical terms and remains under‐theorised. Taking my cue from Timothy Mitchell's suggestion that the state should be understood as the effect of social practices, I argue that the phenomenon that we call territory is not an irreducible foundation of state power, let alone the expression of a biological imperative. Instead, territory too must be interpreted principally as an effect. This “territory‐effect” can best be understood as the outcome of networked socio‐technical practices. Thus, far from refuting or falsifying network theories of spatiality, the current resurgence of territory can be seen as itself a product of relational networks. Drawing on an empirical case study of the monitoring of regional economic performance through the measurement of gross value added (GVA), I show that “territory” and “network” are not, as is often assumed, incommensurable and rival principles of spatial organisation, but are intimately connected.
Thinking State/Space Incompossibly
Authors: Jones Martin , Jessop Bob
Published: October 2010

Abstract: This paper develops multi‐dimensional analyses of socio‐spatial relations. Building on previous research, we identify some tensions associated with different dimensions of socio‐spatiality and introduce the theme of compossible and, more importantly, incompossible socio‐spatial configurations. Two short studies are deployed to highlight the socio‐spatial implications of the principle thatnot everything that is possible is compossible.The first shows the power of thinking varieties of capitalism compossibly (via the concept of variegated capitalism) and then examines the successive strategies adopted by the European Communities and European Union to address the significance of changing patterns of variegation for approaches to European integration, spatial strategies, and economic and social policies. The second case discusses some related problems for state spatial projects, starting in the 1980s with spatial planning, promotion of a Europe of the Regions and/or of Europe and the regions, and then turns to examine city‐regional development strategies.
New State Spaces, Agency and Scale: Devolution and the Regionalisation of Transport Governance in Scotland
Authors: MacKinnon Danny , Shaw Jon
Published: October 2010

Abstract: New state spaces can be seen as products of the interaction between emerging initiatives and pre‐existing institutional arrangements (Peck 1998,Space and Polity2:5–31). In the devolved territories of the UK devolution has created new political centres of policy formulation and this paper is concerned with how devolved policy initiatives are reshaping and rescaling sub‐national spaces of governance. We focus on the rescaling of transport governance in Scotland through a nationally orchestrated process of regionalisation involving the creation of Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs), an initiative that has been shaped by tensions between changing national political objectives and local interests. Our approach draws on Neil Brenner's “new state spaces” (NSS) framework, which has value in emphasising the historically embedded and path‐dependent nature of restructuring processes. At the same time, its abstract nature leads the NSS approach to privilege the broad processes that generate new configurations of state power over the complex politics associated with the restructuring of particular spaces. In response, we suggest a new theoretical synthesis that draws NSS together with the ancillary notions of “regional armatures” and “the politics of scale” to provide a stronger purchase on the political agency and struggles that “form” and “mould” particular spaces.
Rehabilitating the unloved dollar standard
Authors: McKinnon Ronald
Published: October 2010

The international dollar standard is an accident of history that greatly facilitates international trade and exchange. But erratic US monetary and financial policies have upset the American and world economies so as to make foreigners unhappy. A weak and falling dollar led to the great price inflations of the 1970s and to disastrous asset bubbles in the noughties. It aggravated the post‐War World's three great oil shocks. The asymmetrical nature of the dollar standard also makes many Americans unhappy because they cannot control their own exchange rate. Although nobody loves the dollar standard, it is a remarkably robust institution that is too valuable to lose and too difficult to replace. Rehabilitating the unloved dollar standard by ‘internationalising’ American monetary and financial policies to better stabilise the USA and world economies is the only way out of the current impasse.
An overview of Asian equity markets
Authors: Hsieh Joyce , Nieh Chien‐Chung
Published: October 2010

This study overviews the development of 11 Asian equity markets, namely, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Prior to the onset of the global financial crisis, the Asian stock exchanges were generally bullish, underpinned particularly by China's robust economic performance. Innovations in financial products and services have been growing in importance, as stock exchanges in these countries have been making a concerted effort to introduce new features and best practices, with the objectives of raising market efficiency, enhancing service quality, and generally bringing operations up to par with international standards. But the potential to realize or support market efficiency can only be possible within an adequate legal framework, a sound market infrastructure, and appropriate corporate governance mechanisms. Thus, many challenges are still to be overcome in the region.
The growth of China and India: implications and policy reform options for Malaysia
Authors: Ianchovichina Elena , Ivanic Maros , Martin Will
Published: October 2010

This study explores the trade‐related impacts of rapid growth of China and India on the Malaysian economy and evaluates policy options to better position Malaysia to take advantage of these changes. Higher growth in China and India is likely to raise Malaysia's national income and to expand Malaysia's natural resource and agricultural exports, while putting downward pressure on exports from some manufacturing and service sectors. Increases in the quality and variety of exports from China and India are likely to increase substantially the overall gains to Malaysia. The expansion of the natural resource sectors and the contraction of manufacturing and services reflect a Dutch‐disease effect that will raise the importance of policies to facilitate adaptation to the changing world economy and improve competitiveness. Most‐favoured‐nation (MFN) liberalisation would increase welfare, and, by increasing competitiveness, raise output and exports of key industries. Preferential liberalisation with India and completely free trade with China would provide greater market access gains than MFN reform, but neither would be as effective in increasing income as MFN liberalisation, and free trade agreements would lead to greater competitive pressure on many of Malaysia's industries than MFN liberalisation. Increased investments in education and infrastructure could boost manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia, while improving trade logistics would benefit sectors with high transport costs, including the agricultural and resource‐based industries.
Back Where They Once Belonged? Local Response to Afforestation in County Kerry, Ireland
Authors: Carroll Matthew S. , Ní Dhubháin Áine , Flint Courtney G.
Published: October 2010

Afforestation has many benefits at the local regional and global scale. The local social impacts of planting new forests, however, depend on a variety of contextual factors and other details including who is doing the planting, which species are being planted, the location of the planting and, perhaps most importantly, existing land uses and their linkage to social and economic circumstances. This article presents case study research into these issues in two places in County Kerry Ireland. Utilising the concept of the differentiated landscape, we examine the somewhat varying social responses to afforestation in the two study sites in light of the different environmental and social and economic circumstances in the two adjacent areas. We conclude that a more locally nuanced approach to forest planting than has been common in the past could well create greater social acceptance of future afforestation and benefits accruing from it.
The Complexity of Theories on Rural Development in Europe: An Analysis of the Paradigmatic Case of Almería (South‐east Spain)
Authors: Galdeano‐Gómez Emilio , Aznar‐Sánchez José A. , Pérez‐Mesa Juan C.
Published: October 2010

In recent decades several theories on rural development have been expounded in an attempt to explain some experiences of regional economic growth or to provide recommendations on rural development policies. The objective of this article is to revise this open debate and attempt to introduce more concerns about the delimitation of theories and the mosaic of rural areas in Europe. In this context the present article analyses the paradigmatic development of Almería (south‐east Spain) based primarily on agriculture in a process categorised as an economic miracle. Some authors have attempted to explain this success by mechanisms associated with the endogenous development approach. Nevertheless, this study reveals that Almería's development experience can be categorised as a miscellaneous one, and a mixture of development approaches should therefore be considered as opposed to unidirectional models. This also shows the importance of keeping open the debate on the impact of agrarian activity on rural development.
Weighting Methods for Population-Based Case–Control Studies with Complex Sampling
Authors: Li Yan , Graubard Barry I. , DiGaetano Ralph
Published: October 2010

Complex sample designs, involving stratified and/or multistage sampling with sample weighting, along with frequency matching, are used to select controls or cases for case–control studies. Examples that motivated this paper are the Kaposi sarcoma case–control study that was conducted in Sicily and the US kidney cancer case–control study. Survey design-based approaches can be inefficient for the analysis of case–control studies with frequency matching. We propose a weighting method that post-stratifies control sample weights to the estimated population distribution of the matching variables among cases. This weighting maintains the efficiency of frequency matching. The method proposed is evaluated by using simulation studies and is applied to the two case–control studies.
Simultaneous and Two-Step Reconciliation of Systems of Time Series: Methodological and Practical Issues
Authors: Di Fonzo Tommaso , Marini Marco
Published: October 2010

The reconciliation of systems of time series subject to both temporal and contemporaneous constraints can be solved in such a way that the temporal profiles of the original series be preserved ‘at best’ (the movement preservation principle). A new feasible simultaneous reconciliation procedure is presented, which exploits the sparsity of the linear system to be solved. A two-step reconciliation strategy might be more suitable in the case of large systems. We compare the results of the simultaneous and two-step approaches for two data sets from real life.
A Multivariate Band-Pass Filter for Economic Time Series
Authors: Azevedo João Valle e
Published: October 2010

We develop a multivariate filter which is an optimal (in the mean-squared error sense) approximation to any absolutely summable and stationary distributed lag of a series of interest containing at most one unit root, e.g. the ideal filter that isolates business cycle fluctuations in macroeconomic time series. This requires knowledge of the true second-order moments of the data. Otherwise these can be estimated and we show empirically that the method still leads to significant improvements of the extracted signal in realtime, i.e. in the end of the sample. Contrary to current practice, we allow an arbitrary number of covariates to be employed in the estimation of the signal. We illustrate the application of the filter by constructing a business cycle indicator for the US economy. The filter can additionally be used in any similar signal extraction problem demanding accurate realtime predictions.
Financial Market Integration, Costs of Adjusting Hours Worked and Monetary Policy
Authors: Çenesiz M. Alper , Pierdzioch Christian
Published: October 2010

Based on a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model featuring a labour‐market friction in the form of costs of adjusting hours, we analyse how financial market integration affects the propagation of monetary policy in an open economy. The main result of our analysis is that costs of adjusting hours worked substantially dampen the increase in the effect of monetary policy on output and hours worked brought about by financial market integration.
Volatility and Volume Effects in European Electricity Spot Markets
Authors: Gianfreda Angelica
Published: October 2010

This paper analyses the volatility of wholesale electricity markets for five markets in Europe. Using GARCH models after filtering outliers, significant asymmetric effects and volatility persistence have been documented. Moreover, empirical evidence is provided on a significant relation between volume and volatility which can be both positive or negative depending on the specific market.
Review on Goodness of Fit Tests for Ergodic Diffusion Processes by Different Sampling Schemes
Authors: Negri Ilia , Nishiyama Yoichi
Published: October 2010

We review some recent results on goodness of fit test for the drift coefficient of a one‐dimensional ergodic diffusion, where the diffusion coefficient is a nuisance function which however is estimated. Using a theory for the continuous observation case, we first present a test based on deterministic discrete time observations of the process. Then we also propose a test based on the data observed discretely in space, that is, the so‐called tick time sample scheme. In both sampling schemes the limit distribution of the test is the supremum of the standard Brownian motion, thus the test is asymptotically distribution free. The tests are also consistent under any fixed alternatives.
Optimal Portfolio for CRRA Utility Functions when Risky Assets are Exponential Additive Processes
Authors: Pasin Laura , Vargiolu Tiziano
Published: October 2010

In this paper, we analyse a market where the risky assets follow exponential additive processes, which can be viewed as time‐inhomogeneous generalizations of geometric Levy processes. In this market we show that, when an investor wants to maximize a CRRA utility function of his/her terminal wealth, his/her optimal strategy consists in keeping proportions of wealth in the risky assets which depend only on time but not on the current wealth level or on the prices of the risky assets. In the time‐homogeneous case, the optimal strategy is to keep constant proportions of wealth, a result already found by Kallsen which extends the classical Merton’s result to this market. While the one‐dimensional case has been extensively treated and the multidimensional case has been treated only in the time‐homogeneous case Callegaro and Vargiolu (2009), Kallsen (2000), and Korn et al. (2003) to the authors’ knowledge this is the first time that such results are obtained for exponential additive processes in the multidimensional case. We use these results to show that the optimal solution in the presence of jumps has the form of the analogous one without jumps but with the asset yields vector reduced by suitable quantities: in the one‐dimensional case, we extend a result by Benth et al. (2001). We conclude with four examples.
Numerical Analysis of Volatility Change Point Estimators for Discretely Sampled Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Iacus Stefano M. , Yoshida Nakahiro
Published: October 2010

In this paper, we review recent advances on change point estimation for the volatility component of stochastic differential equations under different discrete sampling schemes. We consider both ergodic and non‐ergodic cases, and present a Monte Carlo study on the change point estimator to compare the three methods under different setups.
Financial Development and GDP Volatility in China
Authors: Wahid Abu N. M. , Jalil Abdul
Published: October 2010

This paper tests the relationship between financial development and GDP volatility using Chinese data for the period 1977–2006. Our findings in this study suggest that a higher financial development reduces the volatility of real per capita GDP. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to cointegration is employed to establish the existence of a long run relationship between financial developments and standard deviation of GDP – a measure of GDP volatility. In addition, this research draws some policy implications for further development of the financial sectors for economic stability and sustainable growth in China.
PROFILING: A STRATEGY FOR SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT IN CREDIT UNIONS
Authors: Ward Anne Marie , McKillop Donal G.
Published: October 2010

Credit unions are non‐profit financial organisations that provide financial services to their members. They are located in 97 countries across the world. All credit unions are governed by a volunteer board and many are reliant on volunteers for all their labour requirements. However, recruiting volunteers is a problem. The literature on recruitment issues in volunteering in general, suggests that the not‐for‐profit sector looks to the private sector for guidance on recruitment policies and approaches. One such approach which is considered in this paper is ‘market segmentation’ wherein the potential volunteer body is profiled to determine if an individual is likely to volunteer and if they are, to identify the type of role they are most likely to be attracted to. Prior literature on volunteering in non‐profit organisations suggests that certain types of individual (dominant individuals) are more likely to volunteer. This paper investigates whether this dominant status profile is evident amongst volunteers in credit unions in Northern Ireland (NI). The study finds that people with dominant characteristics are more likely to be attracted to volunteering to the board of directors and individuals who have less dominant traits overall should be offered more social/participative type roles. This information can be used by credit union governing boards for volunteer recruitment, retention and management purposes.