bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensive care unit nurses’ perceptions of patient participation in the acute phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: an interview study
Authors: Kvangarsnes Marit , Torheim Henny , Hole Torstein , Öhlund Lennart S.
Published: April 2012

kvangarsnes m., torheim h., hole t. & öhlund l.s. (2012) Intensive care unit nurses’ perceptions of patient participation in the acute phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: an interview study. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(2), 425–434. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06021.x

Aim.  To report a study conducted to explore intensive care unit nurses’ perceptions of patient participation in the acute phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

Background.  An acute exacerbation is a life‐threatening situation, which patients often consider to be extremely frightening. Healthcare personnel exercise considerable power in this situation, which challenges general professional notions of patient participation.

Design.  Critical discourse analysis.

Methods.  In the autumn of 2009, three focus group interviews with experienced intensive care nurses were conducted at two hospitals in western Norway. Two groups had six participants each, and one group had five (N = 17). The transcribed interviews were analysed by means of critical discourse analysis.

Findings.  The intensive care nurses said that an exacerbation is often an extreme situation in which healthcare personnel are exercising a high degree of control and power over patients. Patient participation during exacerbation often takes the form of non‐involvement. The participating nurses attached great importance to taking a sensitive approach when meeting patients. The nurses experienced challenging ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion.  This study shows that patient participation should not be understood in universal terms, but rather in relation to a specific setting and the interactions that occur in this setting. Healthcare personnel must develop skill, understanding, and competence to meet these challenging ethical dilemmas. A collaborative inter‐professional approach between physicians and nurses is needed to meet the patients’ demand for involvement.
A Bayesian analysis of gene flow from crops to their wild relatives: cultivated (Lactuca sativa L.) and prickly lettuce (L. serriola L.) and the recent expansion of L. serriola in Europe
Authors: UWIMANA BRIGITTE , D’ANDREA LUIGI , FELBER FRANÇOIS , HOOFTMAN DANNY A. P. , Den NIJS HANS C. M. , SMULDERS MARINUS J. M. , VISSER RICHARD G. F. , Van De WIEL CLEMENS C. M.
Published: April 2012

Interspecific gene flow can lead to the formation of hybrid populations that have a competitive advantage over the parental populations, even for hybrids from a cross between crops and wild relatives. Wild prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) has recently expanded in Europe and hybridization with the related crop species (cultivated lettuce, L. sativa) has been hypothesized as one of the mechanisms behind this expansion. In a basically selfing species, such as lettuce, assessing hybridization in natural populations may not be straightforward. Therefore, we analysed a uniquely large data set of plants genotyped with SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers with two programs for Bayesian population genetic analysis, STRUCTURE and NewHybrids. The data set comprised 7738 plants, including a complete genebank collection, which provided a wide coverage of cultivated germplasm and a fair coverage of wild accessions, and a set of wild populations recently sampled across Europe. STRUCTURE analysis inferred the occurrence of hybrids at a level of 7% across Europe. NewHybrids indicated these hybrids to be advanced selfed generations of a hybridization event or of one backcross after such an event, which is according to expectations for a basically selfing species. These advanced selfed generations could not be detected effectively with crop‐specific alleles. In the northern part of Europe, where the expansion of L. serriola took place, the fewest putative hybrids were found. Therefore, we conclude that other mechanisms than crop/wild gene flow, such as an increase in disturbed habitats and/or climate warming, are more likely explanations for this expansion.
Population size and major valleys explain microsatellite variation better than taxonomic units for caribou in western Canada
Authors: SERROUYA ROBERT , PAETKAU DAVID , McLELLAN BRUCE N. , BOUTIN STAN , CAMPBELL MITCH , JENKINS DEBORAH A.
Published: April 2012

Identifying conservation units below the species level is becoming increasingly important, particularly when limited resources necessitate prioritization for conservation among such units. This problem is exemplified with caribou, a mammal with a circum‐Arctic distribution that is exposed to a broad spectrum of ecological conditions, but is also declining in many parts of its range. We used microsatellite markers to evaluate the suitability of existing intra‐specific taxonomic designations to act as population units for conservation and contrasted this with landscape features that were independent of taxonomy. We also quantified the relationship between genetic differentiation and subpopulation size, a factor that has been under‐represented in landscape genetic research. Our data set included three subspecies and three ecotypes of caribou that varied in population size by five orders of magnitude. Our results indicated that genetic structure did not correspond to existing taxonomic designation, particularly at the level of ecotype. Instead, we found that major valleys and population size were the strongest factors associated with substructure. There was a negative exponential relationship between population size and FST between pairs of adjacent subpopulations, suggesting that genetic drift was the mechanism causing the structure among the smallest subpopulations. A genetic assignment test revealed that movement among subpopulations was a fraction of the level needed to stabilize smaller subpopulations, indicating little chance for demographic rescue. Such results may be broadly applicable to landscape genetic studies, because population size and corresponding rates of drift have the potential to confound interpretations of landscape effects on population structure.
Reprogramming of carbon metabolism by the transcriptional activators AcuK and AcuM in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Suzuki Yumi , Murray Sandra L. , Wong Koon Ho , Davis Meryl A. , Hynes Michael J.
Published: April 2012

The ability of fungi to use carbon sources metabolized via the TCA cycle requires gluconeogenesis. In Aspergillus nidulans the AcuK and AcuM transcription factors regulate the expression of the gluconeogenic genes acuF, encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and acuG, encoding fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase. Expressed proteins containing the AcuK/AcuM N‐terminal DNA‐binding domains bind together in vitro to motifs containing repeats of CGG separated by seven bases (CCGN7CCG) and the functionality of these sequences was verified in vivo by acuF–lacZ reporter studies. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed inter‐dependent DNA binding of the proteins to the promoters of gluconeogenic genes in vivo independent of the carbon source. Deletion of the mdhC gene encoding a cytoplasmic/peroxisomal malate dehydrogenase showed that this activity is not essential for gluconeogenesis and indicated that induction of AcuK/AcuM regulated genes might result from malate accumulation. Deletion of the gene for the alternative oxidase did not affect growth on gluconeogenic carbon sources; however, expression was absolutely dependent on AcuK and AcuM. Orthologues of AcuK and AcuM, are present in a wide range of fungal taxa and the CCGN7CCG motif is present in the 5′ of many genes involved in gluconeogenesis indicating a fundamental role for these transcription factors in reprogramming fungal carbon metabolism.
Street‐level workers’ criteria for identifying indigents to be exempted from user fees in Burkina Faso
Authors: Ridde V. , Sombie I.
Published: April 2012

Objectives  Universal healthcare coverage cannot be achieved in Africa as long as the indigent, the poorest, are unable to access healthcare systems. This study was carried out in Burkina Faso to obtain street‐level workers’ perspectives on what criteria should be used to select indigents to be exempted from user fees.

Methods  Two group consensus techniques were used (Delphi and Concept Mapping). The participants were nurses (CM; n = 24), midwives (CM; n = 23) from a rural district and Social Action agents (CM; n = 31) and healthcare workers (Delphi n = 23) in training at two national schools.

Results  Altogether, 446 criteria were proposed. The nurses put forward criteria related to being ill without support and being a victim of society. The midwives focused more on the disabled poor and those who were ill and unsupported. The healthcare workers in training mentioned disabled persons and the elderly with no family support. The Social Action agents spoke about vulnerability related to illness or disability and the fact of being excluded or being a disaster victim.

Conclusions  These criteria proposed by street‐level workers add to other studies conducted in Burkina Faso and should help the State to improve indigents’ access to care.
Acquired patch‐type blue nevus with overlying vitiligo: a case report
Authors: Wang Peng , Cheng Yan , Yang Hanjun , Ran Yuping
Published: April 2012

Background  Blue nevi are a group of congenital and acquired dermal melanocytoses characterized by a blue‐gray appearance on the skin. The common blue nevus and cellular blue nevus are the most common subtypes. Patch‐type blue nevus is rather rare.

Observations  We describe a 77‐year‐old Chinese male with a 6 × 8‐cm non‐palpable blue patch overlaid by a depigmented patch on the back of the left scalp. Histological examination of the blue‐gray patch showed numerous spindled and elongated bipolar dendritic melanocytes in the upper reticular dermis and an absence of epidermal melanocytes. Immunohistochemically, these dendritic melanocytes were positive for S‐100 and HMB‐45. A diagnosis of a patch‐type blue nevus with overlying vitiligo was made after the biopsy.

Conclusions  The patient presents an unusual manifestation of patch‐type blue nevi with overlying vitiligo. To the best of our knowledge, these features have not been previously described.
Prevalence survey of dermatological conditions in mountainous north India
Authors: Grills Nathan , Grills Claire , Spelman Tim , Stoove Mark , Hellard Margaret , El‐Hayek Carol , Singh Rajesh
Published: April 2012

Background  Dermatological conditions account for a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease in low and middle income countries (Bickers D, Lim H, Margolis D, et al. The burden of skin diseases: 2004. A joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; 55: 490–500) and place major pressures on primary healthcare centers (Satimia F, McBride S, Leppard B. Prevalence of skin disease in rural Tanzania and factors influencing the choice of health care, modern or traditional. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134: 1363–1366). In mountainous North India, where limited resources are available for skin care, no dermatological data exists on prevalence, treatment patterns, or associations. The study aimed to measure prevalence and treatment of dermatological conditions and associated factors in Uttarakhand so to inform delivery of dermatological care and prevention programs in India.

Methods  Single stage cluster randomized sampling generated seven cluster units or villages. Household members (n = 1275) from each cluster were interviewed, and where possible, examined and offered treatment.

Results  Dermatological conditions were prevalent (45.3%), with 33% being of infectious etiology. Atopic dermatitis (9.2%), scabies (4.4%), tinea corporis (4.1%), and pityriasis alba (3.6%) were most prevalent. Multivariate analysis showed that cohabitation with animals (OR = 1.62, 95% CI‐1.35, 1.95) was a predictor of any skin diseases. A health practitioner was not consulted in 64.7% of dermatological conditions, and where consulted, approximately 69% received inappropriate or ineffective treatments. Excessive spending on dermatological care was commonplace. Limitations associated with cross‐sectional cluster methodology included the underrepresentation of seasonal conditions and conditions of short duration. Caste proved difficult to randomize across clusters given villages were often composed according to caste.

Conclusion  These results demonstrate a high prevalence of dermatological conditions and a pattern of conditions somewhat distinctive to this mountainous area of North India. These findings will assist development of appropriate and cost‐effective dermatological services in these mountainous regions.
Efficacy and safety of non‐laser, targeted UVB phototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen gel or calcipotriol ointment in the treatment of localized, chronic, plaque‐type psoriasis
Authors: Özkan İlker , Köse Osman , Özmen İbrahim , Arca Ercan
Published: April 2012

Background  Topical drugs enhance the therapeutic effects of ultraviolet (UV)‐based therapy for psoriasis. However, their efficacy has yet to be established in a clinical trial.

Objectives  This study aimed to compare the efficacy of targeted microphototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen or calcipotriol in the treatment of plaque‐type psoriasis.

Methods  Thirty individuals, affected by plaque‐type psoriasis, were treated with targeted narrowband UVB phototherapy alone (Group 1), in combination with psoralen gel (Group 2), or in combination with calcipotriol ointment (Group 3) three times per week based on predetermined minimal erythema doses for 10 weeks.

Results  All patients in each group completed the study. The percentages of improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) scores were 33.9% and 38.3% in Group 1, 29.9% and 29.8% in Group 2, and 67.2% and 59% in Group 3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between Groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). Outcomes in Group 3 were found to be superior compared with those in the other groups.

Conclusions  The addition of calcipotriol ointment in targeted phototherapy enhances the therapeutic effects of phototherapy in the treatment of plaque‐type psoriasis.
Geriatric dermatoses: a clinical review of skin diseases in an aging population
Authors: Jafferany Mohammad , Huynh Trung V. , Silverman Melissa A. , Zaidi Zohra
Published: April 2012

Geriatric dermatoses are a challenging job for the physician in terms of diagnosis, management, and followup. Since skin of the elderly population is going through a lot of changes from both an intrinsic and extrinsic point of view, it is imperative for the physician to have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of geriatric skin disorders and their specific management, which differs slightly from an adult population. This review focuses on a brief introduction to the pathophysiological aspects of skin disorders in elderly, the description of some common geriatric skin disorders and their management and the new emerging role of psychodermatological aspects of geriatric dermatoses is also discussed. At the end, ten multiple choice questions are also added to further enhance the knowledge base of the readers.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a review with emphasis on cutaneous manifestations
Authors: Hemmige Vagish , Tanowitz Herbert , Sethi Aisha
Published: April 2012

Chagas disease, an infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by the Reduuvid insect vector, remains a major cause of morbidity in Central and South America over a century after its discovery in 1909. Though major advances in preventing the spread of this disease have been made in recent decades, millions of individuals remain chronically infected due to prior exposure to T. cruzi and are at risk for future complications from the disease. Dermatologic manifestations of acute infection may include localized swelling at the site of inoculation (chagoma), conjunctivitis (Romaña's sign), and a generalized morbilliform eruption (schizotrypanides). Reactivation of quiescent infection in immunocompromised hosts due to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or organ transplantation can present with fever and skin lesions including panniculitis. The widespread emigration of chronic carriers of T. cruzi to North America, Europe, and Australia makes it imperative that dermatologists worldwide be familiar with this entity to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The kappa opioid receptor antagonist JDTic attenuates alcohol seeking and withdrawal anxiety
Authors: Schank Jesse R. , Goldstein Andrea L. , Rowe Kelly E. , King Courtney E. , Marusich Julie A. , Wiley Jenny L. , Carroll F. Ivy , Thorsell Annika , Heilig Markus
Published: April 2012

The role of kappa‐opioid receptors (KOR) in the regulation of alcohol‐related behaviors is not completely understood. For example, alcohol consumption has been reported to increase following treatment with KOR antagonists in rats, but was decreased in mice with genetic deletion of KOR. Recent studies have further suggested that KOR antagonists may selectively decrease alcohol self‐administration in rats following a history of dependence. We assessed the effects of the KOR antagonist JDTic on alcohol self‐administration, reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by alcohol‐associated cues or stress, and acute alcohol withdrawal‐induced anxiety (‘hangover anxiety’). JDTic dose‐dependently reversed hangover anxiety when given 48 hours prior to testing, a time interval corresponding to the previously demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy of this drug. In contrast, JDTic decreased alcohol self‐administration and cue‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking when administered 2 hours prior to testing, but not at longer pre‐treatment times. For comparison, we determined that the prototypical KOR antagonist nor‐binaltorphimine can suppress self‐administration of alcohol at 2 hours pre‐treatment time, mimicking our observations with JDTic. The effects of JDTic were behaviorally specific, as it had no effect on stress‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, self‐administration of sucrose, or locomotor activity. Further, we demonstrate that at a 2 hours pre‐treatment time JDTic antagonized the antinociceptive effects of the KOR agonist U50,488H but had no effect on morphine‐induced behaviors. Our results provide additional evidence for the involvement of KOR in regulation of alcohol‐related behaviors and provide support for KOR antagonists, including JDTic, to be evaluated as medications for alcoholism.
Is advice incompatible with autonomous informed choice? Women’s perceptions of advice in the context of antenatal screening: a qualitative study
Authors: Ahmed Shenaz , Bryant Louise D. , Tizro Zahra , Shickle Darren
Published: April 2012

Background  Patient autonomy in antenatal screening is a high priority for policy developers in many countries.

Objective  This paper presents women’s understandings of how health professionals should facilitate informed screening choices with an emphasis on their understandings of autonomy and advice.

Design, setting and participants  The study was carried out in 2009 in the UK, using a qualitative approach. Ninety‐eight participants of African, British White, Caribbean, Chinese and Pakistani origin had semi‐structured interviews, which were analysed using framework analysis.

Results  Four themes were identified during the analysis: ‘Meanings of advice in antenatal screening: the advice continuum’, ‘Recognition of the role of health professionals in decision making’, ‘Understandings of advice in the context of autonomous decision making’ and ‘Reasons given for wanting advice’. Women said they valued advice from health professionals to make decisions about antenatal screening, but their understandings of ‘advice’ ranged from information giving only to direction about screening choices.

Conclusion  Many women wanted health professionals to support the process of making informed choices by engaging in discussion and did not see advice as incompatible with making autonomous choices. However, some women wanted direction about whether to have a screening test or not, something which policy and guidelines explicitly prohibit. This may cause an ethical dilemma for health professionals who are required to both support women’s preference for care and adhere to a policy of non‐directiveness. Further clarification is needed on how health professionals should support the process of making informed choices when women ask for clear direction on screening choices.
HLA‐G 14bp del/ins genetic variation: association with susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus‐1 vertical transmission but not with human immunodeficiency virus‐1 infection through horizontal transmission
Authors: Segat L. , Crovella S.
Published: April 2012

We discuss herein the possible involvement of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G 14bp del/ins polymorphism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Based on previous results and reports, we suggest that HLA‐G should be considered, in the context of HIV‐1 infection, as a candidate molecule for the susceptibility to HIV‐1 mother‐to‐child transmission, rather than for HIV‐1 horizontal transmission for which no consensus findings and hypothesis have been reported so far.
Genetic associations of visual scores with subsequent rebreeding and days to first calving in Nellore cattle
Authors: Boligon A.A. , Ayres D.R. , Pereira R.J. , Morotti N.P. , Albuquerque L.G.
Published: April 2012

Records of Nellore animals born from 1990 to 2006 were used to estimate genetic correlations of visual scores at yearling (conformation, C; finishing precocity, P; and muscling, M) with primiparous subsequent rebreeding (SR) and days to first calving (DC), because the magnitude of these associations is still unknown. Genetic parameters were estimated by multiple‐traits Bayesian analysis, using a nonlinear (threshold) animal models for visual scores and SR and a linear animal models for weaning weight (WW) and DC. WW was included in the analysis to account for the effects of sequential selection. The posterior means of heritabilities estimated for C, P, M, SR and DC were 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.31 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.02 and 0.06 ± 0.02, respectively. The posterior means of genetic correlations estimated between SR and visual scores were low and positive, with values of 0.09 ± 0.02 (C), 0.19 ± 0.03 (P) and 0.18 ± 0.05 (M). On the other hand, negative genetic correlations were found between DC and C (−0.11 ± 0.09), P (−0.19 ± 0.09) and M (−0.16 ± 0.09). The primiparous rebreeding trait has genetic variability in Nellore cattle. The genetic correlations between visual scores, and SR and DC were low and favourable. The genetic changes in C, P and M were 0.02, 0.03 and 0.03/year, respectively. For SR and DC, genetic trends were 0.01/year and −0.01 days/year, respectively, indicating that the increase in genetic merit for reproductive traits was small over time. Direct selection for visual scores together with female reproductive traits is recommended to increase the fertility of beef cows.
Transmission Comparisons of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Subgroup I and II Isolates by Different Aphid Species
Authors: Tian Zhaofeng , Liu Weicheng , Luo Chen , Li Yongdan , Liu Ting
Published: April 2012

To investigate the transmission differences between Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) subgroup isolates, we carried out a comparative study with five aphid species Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Lipaphis erysimi, Aphis craccivora and Megoura viciae in laboratory and field experiments to evaluate spread of CMV Subgroup I NX and subgroup II AG isolates in tobacco. Both NX and AG varied in transmission efficiency by the five aphids, and our transmission results revealed important differences in transmission efficiency of two isolates by Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. In contrast, significant transmission differences were not detected with Lipaphis erysimi, Aphis craccivora or Megoura viciae. Interestingly, the overall transmission efficiencies of the two different subgroup strains were almost equal when field transmissions were tested with mixed populations of the five aphid species. Our results together with our previously reported experiments on competition of CMV subgroup isolates in tobacco suggest that variations in aphid vector populations contribute substantially to the epidemic potential of CMV subgroup isolates.
High throughput investigative dermatology in 2012 and beyond: A new era beckons
Authors: Gilmore Stephen J
Published: April 2012

High throughput molecular biology began around the mid‐1990s with the introduction of microarrays – a technology that enabled investigators to quantify the cellular expression levels of tens of thousands of mRNA transcripts simultaneously. To date, a large number of microarray experiments have been performed in the investigation of RNA expression signatures in normal and pathological tissues. This review focuses on a next generation tool in high throughput investigation: RNA sequencing or RNA‐Seq, highlighting its advantages over traditional microarray investigation and discussing its utility in investigative dermatology. In contrast with the results obtained from microarray experiments, RNA‐Seq generates mRNA abundance counts, can identify novel transcripts and splice variants, and provides sequence resolution at the level of single base‐pairs. Implementing RNA‐Seq in the investigation of skin disease will yield novel insights into the pathogenesis of disease, will facilitate the discovery of new diseases and new mechanisms of disease, and will allow researchers to probe genetic disease in high resolution and with unprecedented efficiency.
A unique 3D endoanal ultrasound feature of perianal Crohn’s fistula: the ‘Crohn ultrasound fistula sign’
Authors: Zawadzki A. , Starck M. , Bohe M. , Thorlacius H.
Published: April 2012

Aim  Using a high‐resolution 3D endoanal ultrasound, we have observed that some perianal fistulas show a hypoechogenic fistula tract surrounded by a well‐defined hyperechogenic area with a thin hypoechogenic edge in patients with Crohn’s disease [‘Crohn’s Ultrasound Fistula Sign’ (CUFS)], unlike conventional fistula tracks. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of CUFS in a consecutive series of patients with anal fistula.

Method  Of 157 patients (median age 45, range 14–86 years, 100 males) with perianal fistula were examined with 3D endoanal ultrasound. All 3D volumes were stored and analysed retrospectively by two independent observers blinded to the clinical information of the patients.

Results  There were 29 patients with Crohn’s disease of whom 20 (69%) showed CUFS. CUFS was absent in 125 (98%) of 128 patients without Crohn’s disease. The positive and negative predictive value of CUFS for Crohn’s disease was 87% and 93%, respectively. The kappa value of the two independent observers was 0.77, indicating a substantial interobserver agreement.

Conclusion  This study provides a new 3D endoanal ultrasound criterion, CUFS, of perianal fistula in patients with Crohn’s disease. The sign can be used to discriminate a Crohn’s from other types of fistula, which may be useful in the management of patients with anal fistula.
The relationship between tumour site, clinicopathological characteristics and cancer‐specific survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Powell A. G. M. T. , Wallace R. , McKee R. F. , Anderson J. H. , Going J. J. , Edwards J. , Horgan P. G.
Published: April 2012

Aim  It is recognised that colorectal cancer may arise from different genomic instability pathways. There is evidence to suggest that colon and rectal cancers exhibit different clinicopathological features. We examined the relationship between tumour site, clinicopathological characteristics and cancer‐specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.

Method  Four hundred and eleven patients who underwent surgery. Clinicopathological data including components of the Peterson index, Klintrup scores, haemoglobin and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) were studied.

Results  There were 134 (33%) right sided, 125 (30%) left sided and 152 (37%) rectal tumours. Emergency presentation (P < 0.001), anaemia (P < 0.001), higher mGPS (P < 0.001), advanced T stage (P < 0.001), poor differentiation (P < 0.001) and older age (P < 0.05) were more commonly observed in right sided cancer. The mean follow‐up was 94 months (minimum 36 months) and 114 patients died of cancer. There was no difference between tumour site and survival (P = 0.427). On multivariate analysis older age (P = 0.015), lymph node ratio (P < 0.001), mGPS (P = 0.028), Peterson Index (P < 0.001) and Klintrup score (P = 0.008) were independently related to cancer‐specific survival. Klintrup score was only associated with poor cancer‐specific survival in rectal cancer (P = 0.009).

Conclusion  The study suggests that colorectal cancer is a group of heterogeneous tumours with different clinicopathological features. Despite this, there was no difference between tumour site and survival. The prognostic role of clinicopathological factors in tumours arising from different genomic instability pathways requires further study.
Childhood diabetic neuropathy: functional impairment and non‐invasive screening assessment
Authors: Blankenburg M. , Kraemer N. , Hirschfeld G. , Krumova E. K. , Maier C. , Hechler T. , Aksu F. , Magerl W. , Reinehr T. , Wiesel T. , Zernikow B.
Published: April 2012

Aim  Sensory diabetic neuropathy, determined by nerve conduction studies, is common in children with Type 1 diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy diagnoses are rarely made in paediatric daily care because they are asymptomatic, vibration detection is mostly normal and nerve‐conduction testing is impractical. The present study aims to: (1) describe somatosensory dysfunction in children with diabetes, (2) test whether diabetes duration and HbA1c are related to somatosensory dysfunction and (3) identify the best screening test for large‐fibre dysfunction, as indicated by nerve conduction studies.

Methods  Forty‐five children (age 13.2 ± 2.5 years) with Type 1 diabetes for 6.7 ± 2.5 years and matched control subjects were assessed by neurological examinations, nerve conduction tests and quantitative sensory testing on the feet using the protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. Abnormal nerve conduction was used as gold standard to define neuropathies.

Results  We found a high prevalence of mechanical (38%) and thermal (24%) hypoesthesia often associated with hyperalgesia (47%). Tactile hypoesthesia (33%) was more frequent than pallhypaesthesia (11%). Only cold detection and mechanical pain thresholds were related to HbA1c. Tactile hypoesthesia had the highest sensitivity (75%), specificity (89%) and positive (75%) and negative (89%) predictive values for neuropathies defined by nerve conduction tests (31% abnormal).

Conclusions  Almost half of the children with diabetes have subclinical large‐ and small‐fibre neuropathies. Tactile detection was better than vibration for neuropathy assessment. Quantitative sensory testing is a valuable tool for assessment of neuropathy as well as a target of interventional studies in children with diabetes.
Extreme events: a study of small oil and gas firms
Authors: Smolarski Jan M. , Vega Jose G.
Published: April 2012

The oil and gas industry is subject to different types of risks, many of which have the potential to generate extreme results. Classifying extreme events as global, industry specific and firm specific, we use a Bayesian probability model and the Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model to evaluate the impact of disclosure of extreme events on returns and return volatilities. The results suggest political events have more of a pronounced effect compared to those classified as economic events. The overall effects are more pronounced at the global and firm‐level classifications. At the firm level, extreme economic events have a more significant impact than political extreme events.
Sparing of sensitivity to biological motion but not of global motion after early visual deprivation
Authors: Hadad Bat‐Sheva , Maurer Daphne , Lewis Terri L.
Published: April 2012

Patients deprived of visual experience during infancy by dense bilateral congenital cataracts later show marked deficits in the perception of global motion (dorsal visual stream) and global form (ventral visual stream). We expected that they would also show marked deficits in sensitivity to biological motion, which is normally processed in the superior temporal sulcus via input from both the dorsal and ventral streams. When tested on the same day for sensitivity to biological motion and to global motion at two speeds (4 and 18° s−1), patients, as expected, displayed a large deficit in processing global motion at both speeds. Surprisingly, they performed normally in discriminating biological motion from scrambled displays, tolerating as much noise as their age‐matched controls. Networks bypassing damaged portions of the dorsal and the ventral streams must mediate the spared sensitivity to biological motion after early visual deprivation.
GRAFTED POLYNOMIALS AS APPROXIMATING FUNCTIONS
Authors: Fuller Wayne A.
Published: April 2012

The use of segments of polynomials to approximate production surfaces and time‐series trends is described and illustrated. These segmented curves are restricted to be continuous and have a continuous derivative(s) at the join points.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE HARVEST OPERATION USING SYSTEMS SIMULATION
Authors: Ryan Timothy J.
Published: April 2012

A simple model of the cereal harvest operation was constructed for the Wimmera region of Victoria. The model was used to investigate factors influential in determining the harvesting costs of a machinery system over a period of years. An evaluation of alternative machinery systems was also conducted using the model. The superiority of systems simulation over static analysis was demonstrated by using the model to incorporate stochastic variables and to handle the dynamic nature of the harvest operation. In addition, the model output was shown to provide more information for decision makers than had resulted from previous Australian studies. It was concluded that systems simulation is an appropriate technique for investigating farm management machinery selection problems.
ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF FARM POVERTY
Authors: Vincent David P.
Published: April 2012

The results of the Henderson Poverty Inquiry's 1973 farm household income survey are discussed and supplemented by income distributions based on taxation returns from 1968/69 to 1972/73. It is concluded that much low income 'poverty' is temporary, being the product of the instability of agriculture. A case is made for the inclusion of wealth in farm and non‐farm welfare comparisons. Proposals aimed at directly increasing incomes are discussed and hypothetical income distributions are presented to indicate the impact of the Henderson Inquiry's guaranteed income scheme on farm income distributions.
INSURANCE MILK
Authors: Alston Julian M. , Quilkey John J.
Published: April 2012

Where the production of milk for sale on the fresh milk market at 'controlled' prices is subject to nontransferable quotas the holders of quota who wish to maximise profits have a motive to maintain production above the quota level to insure against variations in demand for over‐quota sales and yield. The concept of 'production of milk as insurance' is used to clarify the way in which such behaviour gives rise to social costs which could be avoided in a competitive market, by a permissive attitude to arbitrage, or where quotas can be traded.
RELATIVE COST‐EFFECTIVENESS OF INPUT AND OUTPUT SUBSIDIES*
Authors: Parish Ross M. , McLaren Keith Robert
Published: April 2012

A subsidy on a single input is compared with an output subsidy as a means of stimulating output, and the conditions under which the single input subsidy is (a) more treasury cost‐effective and (b) overall the more socially efficient measure, are explored. Rationalisations for input subsidies, particularly fertiliser subsidies, are examined in the light of the results.
DROUGHT ASSISTANCE POLICY*
Authors: Freebairn John W.
Published: April 2012

Droughts are a feature of the Australian agricultural scene. Most farmers develop successful strategies to grapple with drought. The purchased fodder and interest rate subsidies used in the 1982‐83 drought are analysed. As partial input subsidies, they had serious flaws in meeting goals of efficiency, equity and welfare support. Alternative policies to provide incentives for rational private decision making and to provide direct welfare support are discussed and advocated as a preferable approach to future droughts.
AN APPROACH TO THE ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION OF ATTITUDES TO RISK IN AGRICULTURE*
Authors: Bardsley Peter , Harris M.
Published: April 2012

A simple model is developed relating the debt and asset portfolio of the farm to the production decision, which leads to a small non‐linear system of equations. The system is estimated with time‐series cross‐sectional data from Australian broadacre agriculture using non‐linear three‐stage least squares. This gives a new method of estimating risk aversion coefficients by using actual behaviour of farmers in a realistic economic environment, rather than games played in artificial situations. Australian farmers are found to be risk averse, and the partial coefficient of risk aversion decreases with wealth and increases with income. The results are consistent with the results of studies by Binswanger in India and elsewhere using a completely different method. This consistency suggests that the partial risk aversion coefficient is a relatively robust measure of attitudes to risk.
THE IMPACT OF FARM AND PROCESSING RESEARCH ON THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL INDUSTRY*
Authors: Mullen John D. , Alston Julian M. , Wohlgenant Michael K.
Published: April 2012

An equilibrium displacement model of the world wool top industry is used to estimate the returns to the Australian wool industry from productivity improvements in farm production, in top making and in textile manufacturing. The returns to the industry from these different types of research and development are sensitive to the extent of substitution possibilities between Australian wool and other inputs used by the wool processing and textile industries but it appears that research resources have to be much more efficient in off‐farm activities for the Australian wool industry to receive benefits similar to those from farm research activities.
SUBSTITUTION BETWEEN WOOLS OF DIFFERENT FIBRE DIAMETER1
Authors: Beare Stephen , Meshios Helen
Published: April 2012

The extent to which wools with different fibre characteristics can be substituted in textile production and consumption holds implications for Australia's international and domestic marketing policies. An analysis of price‐induced substitution between Australian wools of different fibre diameters was conducted. Fibre diameter was used to parameterise cross‐price relationships in order to estimate a system of demand equations for wools by diameter class. The results indicate that direct substitution takes place within a very limited range of fibre diameters. The use of product characteristics to parameterise price relationships may be extended to other graded commodities.
THE MODERN SEED‐FERTILISER TECHNOLOGY AND ADOPTION OF LABOUR‐SAVING TECHNOLOGIES: THE PHILIPPINE CASE*
Authors: David Cristina C. , Otsuka Keijiro
Published: April 2012

While intervillage differences in the adoption of modern rice varieties (MVs) are explained mainly by environmental variables, rather than by socioeconomic factors, relative factor prices are the most important determinants of the adoption oflabour‐saving technologies. There is no indication that MV adoption is correlated with the adoption of tractors and threshers as well as cropping intensities. Adoption of direct seeding, however, appears to be associated with MV adoption.
ANALYSIS OF RANGELAND DEGRADATION USING STOCHASTIC DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: Passmore G. , Brown Colin G.
Published: April 2012

Degradation of arid rangeland, and efforts to control that degradation, have become topical issues. However, the inherent characteristics of the rangeland, and the intertemporal nature of the problem, complicate the analysis of degradation issues in the search for more appropriate rangeland policies. Stochastic dynamic programming is examined as one means of allowing for those complexities. Using the case of the Queensland mulga rangelands, optimal stocking rates are shown to rise with lower property sizes, higher discount rates, higher wool prices and declining risk aversion. Importantly, the analysis reveals that a strategy of high stocking rates with the potential for rangeland degradation is an optimal response to the economic and social factors that confront graziers and is not an intertemporal information problem alone.
EUROPEAN UNION CEREALS POLICY: AN EVOLUTIONARY INTERPRETATION
Authors: Harvey David R.
Published: April 2012

Following an introduction explaining the genesis of the paper, section 2 briefly reviews some relevant literature and concepts. On the basis of this review, section 3 develops an outline evolutionary model of policy development. Section 4 interprets the history and present status of the EU policy within this framework (here illustrated by the cereals policy which is taken as archetypal for the CAP as a whole). It characterises the policy history In broad evolutionary terms, emphasising the 'fitness for purpose' of various manifestations of the policy organism. The key conclusion from this section is that the present policy situation cannot be described as 'fit' — there is too much conflict between the present (rather new) policy environment and the character of the existing policy. This conclusion is in distinct contrast to more conventional views about the status of the present policy and to the current view from within the policy‐making bureaucracy. Section 5 develops some major implications of this analysis for future development of the CAP. Section 6 offers some broad conclusions.
RESPONDENTS TO CONTINGENT VALUATION SURVEYS: CONSUMERS OR CITIZENS?
Authors: Blamey R.K. , Common Mick S. , Quiggin John C.
Published: April 2012

The fundamental assumption of the contingent valuation method (CYM) is that responses to CY questionnaires may be interpreted as expressions of consumer preferences. The consumer preference interpretation has been challenged in recent papers arguing that willingness to pay for wildlife preservation is generated, at least in part, by ethical concerns, rather than by a view that wildlife preservation will yield any benefit to individual respondents. Some further evidence bearing upon these questions is derived from a study of forest management in Australia undertaken by the Resource Assessment Commission (RAC). The evidence supports the interpretation that respondents are acting primarily as citizens.
Reaching and Hearing the Invisible: Organizational Research on Invisible Stigmatized Groups via Web Surveys
Authors: Trau Raymond N. C. , Härtel Charmine E. J. , Härtel Günter F.
Published: April 2012

Sampling is fundamental to the credibility of any empirical investigation, and this is no different for populations with an invisible stigma (such as sexual orientation, illness or disability). The purpose of this paper is therefore to provide an empirical assessment of the strengths of web surveys over hard‐copy surveys in conducting research targeting groups with an invisible stigma. Using a sample of gay men, this study demonstrates that when employed with a broad‐based recruitment strategy web surveys increase rather than reduce sampling coverage for invisible stigmatized populations. Further, we provide evidence that the web survey technique can yield data of comparable quality to that obtained with a hard‐copy survey. The paper concludes with strategies researchers and organizations can adopt to overcome barriers in obtaining a diverse sample when using web surveys and can be used by organizations as a mechanism for creating an inclusive culture by ‘listening to the voices’ of individuals belonging to an invisible stigmatized group.
Expropriation of Minority Investors in Chinese Listed Firms: The Role of Internal and External Corporate Governance Mechanisms
Authors: Huyghebaert Nancy , Wang Lihong
Published: April 2012

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: We investigate how ownership structure, board characteristics, and regional differences in law enforcement and stock market development affect the conflict of interest between majority and minority investors in Chinese listed firms. For this purpose, we study related‐party transactions as well as labor redundancy, and classify firms as either state‐ or private‐controlled.

Research Findings/Insights: We find that related‐party transactions grow more extensive as the wedge between the controlling shareholder's control rights and cash flow rights increases. Related‐party transactions also rise with voting rights held by the government in state‐controlled firms. Next, the state as controlling shareholder exacerbates labor redundancy. The control rights of the second to tenth largest investors can offset expropriation. Regarding board characteristics, we find that a larger fraction of directors affiliated with the dominant owner enlarges related‐party transactions, while large boards also increase labor redundancy in state‐controlled firms. We find only weak evidence that higher‐quality institutions help to restrain expropriation of minority investors.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: In Chinese listed firms, a major conflict of interest arises between majority and minority investors. Also, the state may exercise its control rights to achieve imperative social and political objectives, to the detriment of external investors. Yet, as the stock market valuation and financial performance of state‐controlled firms rise with the fraction of shares held by the state, future research should better delineate the conditions under which state ownership is either detrimental or beneficial to firms. Next, the results indicate that governance mechanisms suggested by conventional agency theory are deficient in Chinese listed firms. Future research could therefore establish more clearly when internal and external governance mechanisms are likely to work, thereby also taking into account the identity of the controlling shareholder.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: Investors should be aware that expropriation in Chinese listed firms has specific implications when the state is the controlling owner. Also, at this stage of development, independent directors and external governance mechanisms can hardly protect the best interests of minority investors. Rather, expropriation is counterbalanced when voting rights are concentrated in the hands of other large block holders. Policy makers should work on ownership restructuring, board independence, and institutional quality to better protect minority rights in Chinese listed firms.