bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lacibacter daechungensis sp. nov., isolated from deep freshwater of a reservoir
Authors: Jin Long , Shin Sang-Yoon , Lee Hyung-Gwan , Ahn Chi-Yong , Oh Hee-Mock
Published: July 2013

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain H32-4T, was isolated from 32 m deep water of Daechung reservoir in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Based on the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, the closest neighbouring type strain was

Lacibacter cauensis

NJ-8T with which strain H32-4T shared 98.9 % sequence similarity. The most abundant fatty acids in whole cells of strain H32-4T were C15 : 0 iso (40.6 %), C17 : 0 iso 3-OH (22.4 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 9.3 %) and C15 : 0 (6.6 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain H32-4T was 45.7 mol%. Thus, these combined genotypic and phenotypic data supported the conclusion that strain H32-4T represents a novel species of the genus

Lacibacter

, for which the name Lacibacter daechungensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H32-4T ( = KCTC 32395T = JCM 19172T).
Composition of Escherichia coli population in the neonatal gut: phylogroups and virulence determinants
Authors: Das Parijat , Singh Arun Kumarendu , Mukherjee Suchandra , Rajendran Krishnan , Saha Dhira Rani , Koley Hemanta , Basu Sulagna
Published: July 2013

The composition of Escherichia coli in the neonatal gut has rarely been studied in developing countries. To gain insight into the composition of E. coli in the neonatal gut and to assess factors that could influence colonization by E. coli, analysis of the phylogenetic groups and virulence determinants of E. coli isolated from the guts of neonates in a tertiary care hospital was carried out. The distribution of the phylogroups of 124 E. coli isolates recovered showed that phylogroups A (23 %) and B1 (49 %) accounted for 72 % of the isolates. Isolates of the phylogenetic group B2 were rare (8 %). Virulence factors were also rare with the exception of aerobactin (iucC), which was detected in 45 % of the isolates and was significantly associated with phylogroup B1. Multinomial logistic regression established that colonization with phylogroup B1 was associated with a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit; phylogroup A was associated with a stay on the ward; and phylogroups B2 and D were associated with neonates delivered vaginally. Evaluation of the effect of different E. coli phylogroups, with and without identified virulence determinants, on the gut of neonatal mice showed histopathological changes in the mucosa. The severity of the changes could be correlated with the presence of virulence determinants, irrespective of the phylogroup.
Staphylococcus epidermidis with the icaA−
/icaD−
/IS256
− genotype and protein or protein/extracellular-DNA biofilm is frequent in ocular infections
Authors: Juárez-Verdayes Marco A. , Ramón-Peréz Miriam L. , Flores-Páez Luis A. , Camarillo-Márquez Omar , Zenteno Juan C. , Jan-Roblero Janet , Cancino-Diaz Mario E. , Cancino-Diaz Juan C.
Published: July 2013

In ocular infections (OIs) caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, biofilms composed mainly of poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) have been widely studied, but PNAG-independent biofilms have not. Therefore, we searched for a relationship between the ica operon (involved in PNAG-biofilm) and the biochemical composition of biofilms in isolates from OI. Isolates from OI (n = 62), from healthy conjunctiva (HC; n = 45) and from healthy skin (HS; n = 53), were used to detect icaA and icaD genes, and the insertion sequence 256 (IS256) using PCR. The compositions of the biofilms were determined by treatment with NaIO4, proteinase K and DNase I. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to characterize the isolates, and the expression of aap and embp genes was determined by real-time qPCR. A strong relationship between the icaA
−/icaD
−/IS256
− genotype and protein- or protein/extracellular DNA (eDNA)-biofilm composition was found in the isolates from OI (53.6 %), whereas the icaA
+/icaD
+/IS256
− genotype and carbohydrate-biofilm was most prevalent in isolates from HC (25 %) and HS (25 %). Isolates with an icaA
−/icaD
−/IS256
− genotype and protein-biofilm phenotype were predominantly of the ST2 lineage, while carbohydrate-biofilm-producing strains were mainly of the ST9 lineage. The protein-biofilm-producing strains had higher expression levels of aap gene than carbohydrate-biofilm-producing strains; while embp gene did not have the same pattern of expression. These results suggest that S. epidermidis strains with icaA−
/icaD−
/IS256
− genotype and protein- or protein/eDNA-biofilms have a stronger ability to establish in the eye than S. epidermidis strains with icaA+
/icaD+
/IS256

−
genotype and PNAG-biofilms.
Phylogenetic and histological variation in avipoxviruses isolated in South Africa
Authors: Offerman Kristy , Carulei Olivia , Gous Tertius A. , Douglass Nicola , Williamson Anna-Lise
Published: July 2013

Thirteen novel avipoxviruses were isolated from birds from different regions of South Africa. These viruses could be divided into six groups, according to gross pathology and pock appearance on chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). Histopathology revealed distinct differences in epidermal and mesodermal cell proliferation, as well as immune cell infiltration, caused by the different avipoxviruses, even within groups of viruses causing similar CAM gross pathology. In order to determine the genetic relationships among the viruses, several conserved poxvirus genetic regions, corresponding to vaccinia virus (VACV) A3L (fpv167locus, VACV P4b), G8R (fpv126locus, VLTF-1), H3L (fpv140locus, VACV H3L) and A11R–A12L (fpv175–176locus) were analysed phylogenetically. The South African avipoxvirus isolates in this study all grouped in clade A, in either subclade A2 or A3 of the genusAvipoxvirusand differ from the commercial fowlpox vaccines (subclade A1) in use in the South African poultry industry. Analysis of different loci resulted in different branching patterns. There was no correlation between gross morphology, histopathology, pock morphology and phylogenetic grouping. There was also no correlation between geographical distribution and virus phenotype or genotype.
Estimating and interpreting FST: The impact of rare variants
Authors: Bhatia Gaurav , Patterson Nick , Sankararaman Sriram , Price Alkes L.
Published: July 2013

In a pair of seminal papers, Sewall Wright and Gustave Malécot introduced FST as a measure of structure in natural populations. In the decades that followed, a number of papers provided differing definitions, estimation methods, and interpretations beyond Wright's. While this diversity in methods has enabled many studies in genetics, it has also introduced confusion regarding how to estimate FST from available data. Considering this confusion, wide variation in published estimates of FST for pairs of HapMap populations is a cause for concern. These estimates changed—in some cases more than twofold—when comparing estimates from genotyping arrays to those from sequence data. Indeed, changes in FST from sequencing data might be expected due to population genetic factors affecting rare variants. While rare variants do influence the result, we show that this is largely through differences in estimation methods. Correcting for this yields estimates of FST that are much more concordant between sequence and genotype data. These differences relate to three specific issues: (1) estimating FST for a single SNP, (2) combining estimates of FST across multiple SNPs, and (3) selecting the set of SNPs used in the computation. Changes in each of these aspects of estimation may result in FST estimates that are highly divergent from one another. Here, we clarify these issues and propose solutions.
Focal uncaging of GABA reveals a temporally defined role for GABAergic inhibition during appetitive associative olfactory conditioning in honeybees
Authors: Raccuglia Davide , Mueller Uli
Published: July 2013

Throughout the animal kingdom, the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key modulator of physiological processes including learning. With respect to associative learning, the exact time in which GABA interferes with the molecular events of learning has not yet been clearly defined. To address this issue, we used two different approaches to activate GABA receptors during appetitive olfactory conditioning in the honeybee. Injection of GABA-A receptor agonist muscimol 20 min before but not 20 min after associative conditioning affects memory performance. These memory deficits were attenuated by additional training sessions. Muscimol has no effect on sensory perception, odor generalization, and nonassociative learning, indicating a specific role of GABA during associative conditioning. We used photolytic uncaging of GABA to identify the GABA-sensitive time window during the short pairing of the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US) that lasts only seconds. Either uncaging of GABA in the antennal lobes or the mushroom bodies during the CS presentation of the CS–US pairing impairs memory formation, while uncaging GABA during the US phase has no effect on memory. Uncaging GABA during the CS presentation in memory retrieval also has no effect. Thus, in honeybee appetitive olfactory learning GABA specifically interferes with the integration of CS and US during associative conditioning and exerts a modulatory role in memory formation depending on the training strength.
A scanning CCD detector for powder diffraction measurements
Authors: Toby B. H. , Madden T. J. , Suchomel M. R. , Baldwin J. D. , Von Dreele R. B.
Published: July 2013

Several different approaches have traditionally been used for detection of X-ray powder diffraction patterns, including area detectors, point detectors and position-sensitive detectors. Each has advantages. This paper discusses use of a low-cost CCD detector attached to a diffractometer arm, where line-by-line readout of the CCD is coupled to continuous motion of the arm. When this type of detector is used and where X-ray optics are employed to focus the source image onto the detector plane both high-resolution and rapid measurements can be performed, with data collection over a complete 2θ range. This is particularly advantageous for synchrotron applications but valuable also for Guinier diffractometer laboratory instruments. Peak resolutions are shown to be moderately better than what can be obtained with a position-sensitive detector and significantly better than with an area detector. Many samples have intrinsically broadened peak shapes for which little improvement in data quality could be obtained with an analyzer-crystal detector. With comparable numbers of modules, these CCD data collection speeds can be close to those with position-sensitive detectors, but without the low-angle asymmetry seen in the latter.
Tunnel-dependent supercapacitance of MnO2: effects of crystal structure
Authors: Sun Congting , Zhang Yuanjian , Song Shuyan , Xue Dongfeng
Published: July 2013

A proportional relationship between the specific capacitance of MnO2 and the percentage of effective Mn centers that act as active sites in the Faradaic charge storage has been established on the basis of a tunnel structure–crystallization behavior correlation. A quantitative relationship between the effective Mn centers at the surfaces and in the tunnels can distinguish the specific capacitance values that arise from the adsorption/desorption and insertion/extraction processes, respectively, of different MnO2 crystallographic forms in the Faradaic charge storage. The different specific capacitance values between the MnO2 crystallographic forms are mainly attributed to the different effective utilizations of Mn centers in the size-limited tunnels. The present model demonstrates that increasing the percentage of effective Mn centers via decreasing the crystal size can facilitate obtaining MnO2-based electrode materials with higher specific capacitance values.
xrayutilities: a versatile tool for reciprocal space conversion of scattering data recorded with linear and area detectors
Authors: Kriegner Dominik , Wintersberger Eugen , Stangl Julian
Published: July 2013

General algorithms to convert scattering data of linear and area detectors recorded in various scattering geometries to reciprocal space coordinates are presented. These algorithms work for any goniometer configuration including popular four-circle, six-circle and kappa goniometers. The use of commonly employed approximations is avoided and therefore the algorithms work also for large detectors at small sample–detector distances. A recipe for determining the necessary detector parameters including mostly ignored misalignments is given. The algorithms are implemented in a freely available open-source package.
The importance of landscape and spatial structure for hymenopteran‐based food webs in an agro‐ecosystem
Authors: Fabian Yvonne , Sandau Nadine , Bruggisser Odile T. , Aebi Alex , Kehrli Patrik , Rohr Rudolf P. , Naisbit Russell E. , Bersier Louis‐Félix
Published: July 2013

Understanding the environmental factors that structure biodiversity and food webs among communities is central to assess and mitigate the impact of landscape changes.

Wildflower strips are ecological compensation areas established in farmland to increase pollination services and biological control of crop pests and to conserve insect diversity. They are arranged in networks in order to favour high species richness and abundance of the fauna.

We describe results from experimental wildflower strips in a fragmented agricultural landscape, comparing the importance of landscape, of spatial arrangement and of vegetation on the diversity and abundance of trap‐nesting bees, wasps and their enemies, and the structure of their food webs.

The proportion of forest cover close to the wildflower strips and the landscape heterogeneity stood out as the most influential landscape elements, resulting in a more complex trap‐nest community with higher abundance and richness of hosts, and with more links between species in the food webs and a higher diversity of interactions. We disentangled the underlying mechanisms for variation in these quantitative food web metrics.

We conclude that in order to increase the diversity and abundance of pollinators and biological control agents and to favour a potentially stable community of cavity‐nesting hymenoptera in wildflower strips, more investment is needed in the conservation and establishment of forest habitats within agro‐ecosystems, as a reservoir of beneficial insect populations.
Assessing resilience and state‐transition models with historical records of cheatgrass Bromus tectorum invasion in North American sagebrush‐steppe
Authors: Bagchi Sumanta , Briske David D. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T. , Ben Wu X.
Published: July 2013

Resilience‐based approaches are increasingly being called upon to inform ecosystem management, particularly in arid and semi‐arid regions. This requires management frameworks that can assess ecosystem dynamics, both within and between alternative states, at relevant time scales.

We analysed long‐term vegetation records from two representative sites in the North American sagebrush‐steppe ecosystem, spanning nine decades, to determine if empirical patterns were consistent with resilience theory, and to determine if cheatgrass Bromus tectorum invasion led to thresholds as currently envisioned by expert‐based state‐and‐transition models (STM). These data span the entire history of cheatgrass invasion at these sites and provide a unique opportunity to assess the impacts of biotic invasion on ecosystem resilience.

We used univariate and multivariate statistical tools to identify unique plant communities and document the magnitude, frequency and directionality of community transitions through time. Community transitions were characterized by 37–47% dissimilarity in species composition, they were not evenly distributed through time, their frequency was not correlated with precipitation, and they could not be readily attributed to fire or grazing. Instead, at both sites, the majority of community transitions occurred within an 8–10 year period of increasing cheatgrass density, became infrequent after cheatgrass density peaked, and thereafter transition frequency declined.

Greater cheatgrass density, replacement of native species and indication of asymmetry in community transitions suggest that thresholds may have been exceeded in response to cheatgrass invasion at one site (more arid), but not at the other site (less arid). Asymmetry in the direction of community transitions also identified communities that were ‘at‐risk’ of cheatgrass invasion, as well as potential restoration pathways for recovery of pre‐invasion states.

Synthesis and applications. These results illustrate the complexities associated with threshold identification, and indicate that criteria describing the frequency, magnitude, directionality and temporal scale of community transitions may provide greater insight into resilience theory and its application for ecosystem management. These criteria are likely to vary across biogeographic regions that are susceptible to cheatgrass invasion, and necessitate more in‐depth assessments of thresholds and alternative states, than currently available.
Optimal export tax rates of cocoa beans: A vector error correction model approach
Authors: Permani Risti
Published: July 2013

Aiming to support downstream cocoa processing industries, the Indonesian Government announced an export tax on cocoa beans in 2010. This paper investigates whether the Indonesian Government has imposed an optimal tax rate and examines the determinants of cocoa bean export growth using data from Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia for 1970–2011 and applying a vector error correction model. This study highlights the interdependence of major cocoa exporting countries' policy and reveals that Indonesia currently imposes a tax rate that is above its optimal rate.
Performance of transient elastography (TE) and factors associated with discordance in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mahadeva Sanjiv , Mahfudz Anis Shafina , Vijayanathan Anushya , Goh Khean‐Lee , Kulenthran Arumugam , Cheah Phaik‐Leng
Published: July 2013

Objective

To determine the accuracy of transient elastography (TE) and factors associated with discordance between TE and liver histology in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

The accuracy of TE was assessed and compared with the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) in patients with histologically proven NAFLD. Factors associated with discordance between liver histology and TE were analyzed.

Results

Altogether 131 patients with a mean age of 49.9 years, including 69 men and 62 women, with NAFLD underwent liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by TE. Among all patients, 120 (91.6%) had a successful LSM with an interquartile to median ratio of 0.15. The accuracy of TE in detecting ≥F3 and F4 fibrosis, assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, were 0.77 and 0.95, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the optimal LSM cut‐off values for detecting ≥F3 fibrosis (sensitivity 70.4% and specificity 66.6%) and F4 (sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 89.3%) were modest, but better than those of APRI. Discordance between TE and histology for fibrosis grading was observed in 22.5% of patients, but it could not be explained by body mass index, alanine aminotransferase level, the length of the biopsied specimens or the grade of steatosis.

Conclusion

TE plays an important role in the detection of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with NAFLD and its accuracy does not appear to be influenced by components of the disease.
Geohazards Induced by the Lushan Ms7.0 Earthquake in Sichuan Province, Southwest China: Typical Examples, Types and Distributional Characteristics
Authors: Yongshuang ZHANG , Shuwen DONG , Chuntang HOU , Changbao GUO , Xin YAO , Bin LI , Jianjun DU , Jiagui ZHANG
Published: July 2013

Geohazards induced by the Lushan Ms 7.0 earthquake on April 20, 2013 mainly have four types: collapse, landslide, slope debris flow, and sand‐soil liquefaction. These geohazards mainly occurred near the epicenter, on steep slopes or below cliffs in high mountain and deep valley areas, and at or near fault ends. They have no obvious relationships to active faults, but their relationships to the weathering degree and structures of rock and rock mass are obvious. Compared with the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake on May 12, 2008, the Lushan earthquake is relatively little in the impact force and the throwing amount. All of these should be related to the magnitude of this earthquake, not very large but not very little. This character of the Lushan earthquake would make some processes uncompleted so as to bring about some concealed geohazards. Finally, in order to deal with challenges presented by such conceal geohazards, some brief recommendations are put forward.
A New Nodosaurid Ankylosaur from the Chaochuan Formation of Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Rongjun CHEN , Wenjie ZHENG , AZUMA Yoichi , SHIBATA Masateru , Tianliang LOU , Qiang JIN , Xingsheng JIN
Published: July 2013

Dongyangopelta yangyanensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Chaochuan Formation (Albian – Cenomanian) of Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China is characterized: the convex anterior surface of the first presacral rod centrum strongly inflates laterally and slightly curves posteriorly; the fused pelvic shield composes of larger pebble‐shaped bosses, defined by smaller tubercles or flat stretches of bone; most osteoderms are heavily roughened with notches and grooves for dermal attachment along the edge; domed triradiate osteoderm is present; sigmoid curvature of the dorsal surface of the ilium is present; the preacetabular process curves lateroventrally at the anterior end and has a shallow groove in the edge of the lateral and anterior ends and strong lateromedial expansion of the distal femur. The femoral head is well separated from the greater trochanter, indicating that Dongyangopelta is a nodosaurid ankylosaur, the second from southeast China. Phylogenetic analysis also positions this taxon in the Nodosauridae clade. Dongyangopelta differs from Zhejiangosaurus in the characters of presacral rod, ilium, and femur. Dongyangopelta represents the first ankylosaur outside North America and Europe that definitively possesses a pelvic shield with fused armor.
Fault‐Growth Pattern of the South Margin Normal Fault of the Yuguang Basin in Northwest Beijing and its Influencing Factors
Authors: Lin WANG , Qinjian TIAN , Dewen LI , Xiaoliang ZHANG
Published: July 2013

Based on high‐resolution remote sensing image interpretation, digital elevation model 3‐D analysis, field geologic field investigation, trenching engineering, and ground‐penetrating radar, synthetic research on the evolution of the Yuguang Basin South Margin Fault (YBSMF) in northwest Beijing was carried out. We found that the propagation and growth of faults most often occurred often at two locations: the fault overlapping zone and the uneven or rough fault segment. Through detailed observation and analysis of all cropouts of faults along the YBSMF from zone a to zone i, we identified three major factors that dominate or affect fault propagation and growth. First, the irregularity of fault geometry determine the propagation and growth of the fault, and therefore, the faults always propagate and grow at such irregular fault segments. The fault finally cuts off and eliminates its irregularity, making the fault geometry and fault plane smoother than before, which contributes to the slipping movement of the half‐graben block in the basin. Second, the scale of the irregularity of the fault geometry affects the result of fault propagation and growth, that is, the degree of the cutting off of fault irregularity. The degree of cutting off decreases as irregularity scale increases. Third, the maximum possible slip displacement of the fault segment influences the duration of fault propagation and growth. The duration at the central segments with a large slip displacement is longer than that at the end segments with a smaller slippage value.
The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act and Exit Strategies of Private Firms
Authors: Bova Francesco , Minutti‐Meza Miguel , Richardson Gordon , Vyas Dushyantkumar
Published: July 2013

The costs and benefits of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) have been oft‐debated since the inception of the Act. Much of the extant literature has assessed the costs and benefits of SOX to publicly traded companies. We focus on the costs of SOX compliance for private firms wanting to exit the private market via either an acquisition by a public firm or an IPO. Consistent with our predictions we establish two principal findings. First, SOX appears to have shifted the preferences of private firms from going public to exiting the private market via acquisition by a public acquirer. Second, private target deal multiples are increasing in variables that proxy for a private target's level of pre‐acquisition SOX compliance. These findings suggest that SOX‐related costs have both restricted the action space of possible exit strategies for private firms and led to lower deal multiples for those private acquisition targets that are less likely to be SOX compliant prior to acquisition.
Retention of participants in medication‐assisted programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries: an international systematic review
Authors: Feelemyer Jonathan , Des Jarlais Don , Arasteh Kamyar , Abdul‐Quader Abu S. , Hagan Holly
Published: July 2013

Background and aims

Medication‐assisted treatment (MAT) is a key component in overdose prevention, reducing illicit opiate use and risk of blood‐borne virus infection. By retaining participants in MAT programs for longer periods of time, more noticeable and permanent changes in drug use, risk behavior and quality of life can be achieved. Many studies have documented retention in MAT programs in high‐income countries, using a 50% average 12‐month follow‐up retention rate as a marker for a successful MAT program. This study contributes to a systematic understanding of how successful programs have been in retaining participants in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) over time.

Methods

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic literature search to identify MAT program studies that documented changes in retention over time for participants in buprenorphine and methadone programs in LMIC. Retention was measured for participants by length of follow‐up, type of MAT and treatment dosage.

Results

There were 58 MAT program studies, with 27 047 participants eligible for inclusion in the review. Overall average retention after 12 months was 54.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 46.2, 63.7%]. Overall average retention was moderately good for both buprenorphine (48.3%, 95% CI = 22.1, 74.6%) and methadone (56.6%, 95% CI = 45.9%, 67.3%) after 12 months of treatment. Among programs using methadone there was no statistically significant difference in average retention by dosage level, and the 10 highest and lowest dosage programs obtained similar average retention levels after 12 months.

Conclusion

Medication‐assisted treatment programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries achieve an average 50% retention rate after 12 months, with wide variation across programs but little difference between those using buprenorphine versus methadone.
Identification of large selective sweeps associated with major genes in cattle
Authors: Druet T. , Pérez‐Pardal L. , Charlier C. , Gautier M.
Published: July 2013

Selection for new favorable variants can lead to selective sweeps. However, such sweeps might be rare in the evolution of different species for which polygenic adaptation or selection on standing variation might be more common. Still, strong selective sweeps have been described in domestic species such as chicken lines or dog breeds. The goal of our study was to use a panel of individuals from 12 different cattle breeds genotyped at high density (800K SNPs) to perform a whole‐genome scan for selective sweeps defined as unexpectedly long stretches of reduced heterozygosity. To that end, we developed a hidden Markov model in which one of the hidden states corresponds to regions of reduced heterozygosity. Some unexpectedly long regions were identified. Among those, six contained genes known to affect traits with simple genetic architecture such as coat color or horn development. However, there was little evidence for sweeps associated with genes underlying production traits.
Does the UK Minimum Wage Reduce Employment? A Meta‐Regression Analysis
Authors: de Linde Leonard Megan , Stanley T. D. , Doucouliagos Hristos
Published: July 2013

The employment effect from raising the minimum wage has long been studied but remains in dispute. Our meta‐analysis of 236 estimated minimum wage elasticities and 710 partial correlation coefficients from 16 UK studies finds no overall practically significant adverse employment effect. Unlike US studies, there seems to be little, if any, overall reporting bias. Multivariate meta‐regression analysis identifies several research dimensions that are associated with differential employment effects. In particular, the residential home care industry may exhibit a genuinely adverse employment effect.
Computerized assessment of competence‐related abilities in living liver donors: the Adult‐to‐Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study
Authors: Freeman Jason , Emond Jean , Gillespie Brenda W. , Appelbaum Paul S. , Weinrieb Robert , Hill‐Callahan Peg , Gordon Elisa J. , Terrault Norah , Trotter James , Ashworth April , Dew Mary Amanda , Pruett Timothy ,   the A2ALL Study Group
Published: July 2013

Background

Despite its importance, determination of competence to consent to organ donation varies widely based on local standards. We piloted a new tool to aid transplant centers in donor assessment.

Methods

We assessed competence‐related abilities among potential living liver donors (LDs) in the nine‐centerA2ALLstudy. ProspectiveLDs viewed an educational video and were queried to assess Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning, and ability to express a Final Choice using theMacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research,adapted for computerized administration inLDs(“MacLiver”). Videotaped responses were scored by a clinical neuropsychologist (JF).

Results

Ninety‐threeLDs were assessed. Mean (standard deviation; domain maximum) scores were as follows: Understanding: 18.1 (2.6; max = 22), Appreciation: 5.1 (1.0; max = 6), Reasoning: 3.1 (0.8; max = 4), and Final Choice: 3.8 (0.5; max = 4). Scores did not differ by demographics, relationship to the recipient, eligibility to donate, or eventual donation (p > 0.4). Higher education was associated with greater Understanding (p = 0.004) and Reasoning (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Standardized, computerized education with independent ratings of responses may (1) alert the clinical staff to potential donors who may not be competent to donate and (2) highlight areas needing further assessment and education, leading to better informed decision making.
DNA interstrand cross‐link repair: understanding role of Fanconi anemia pathway and therapeutic implications
Authors: Shukla Pallavi , Solanki Avani , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Vundinti Babu Rao
Published: July 2013

Interstrand cross‐links (ICLs) are extremely toxic DNA lesions that prevent DNA double‐helix separation due to the irreversible covalent linkage binding of some agents on DNA strands. Agents that induce these ICLs are thus widely used as chemotherapeutic drugs but may also lead to tumor growth. Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to ICL sensitivity. This review provides update on current understanding of the role of FA proteins in repairing ICLs at various stages of cell cycle. We also discuss link between DNA cross‐link genotoxicity caused by aldehydes in FA pathway. Besides this, we summarize various ICL agents that act as drugs to treat different types of tumors and highlight strategies for modulating ICL sensitivity for therapeutic interventions that may be helpful in controlling cancer and life‐threatening disease, FA.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a new proposal of workup
Authors: Mangiacavalli Silvia , Cocito Federica , Pochintesta Lara , Pascutto Cristiana , Ferretti Virginia , Varettoni Marzia , Zappasodi Patrizia , Pompa Alessandra , Landini Benedetta , Cazzola Mario , Corso Alessandro
Published: July 2013

Objective

Diagnostic criteria for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) require quantification of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) and skeletal survey to discriminate between MGUS and multiple myeloma (MM). By contrast, recent published guidelines suggest that these procedures could be avoided in the presence of serum monoclonal spike (M‐spike) of small amount (≤1.5 g/dL). Aim of this study is to better quantify the risk of missing a diagnosis of MM, not performing bone marrow aspirate and skeletal survey in patients with M‐spike ≤ 1.5 g/dL asymptomatic for bone pain.

Methods

We reviewed data of 2282 patients consecutively observed from January 1974 to December 2010 in our single hematology department. We considered eligible for this study 1271 patients with grade <2 NCI bone pain, confirmed to have an MGUS or an MM after extensive standardized diagnostic workup including bone marrow biopsy, skeletal bone survey and laboratory tests.

Results

The risk of finding a BMPC infiltration ≥10% in patients with an M‐spike ≤ 1.5 g/dL was very low (7.3%), although significantly different according to IgH isotype (4.7% for IgG vs. 20.5% for IgA). The risk of finding bone lesions with M‐spike ≤ 1.5 g/dL was negligible (2.5%), regardless of IgH isotype.

Conclusion

In asymptomatic patients with M‐spike of small amount (≤1.5 g/dL): (i) BMPC evaluation may be reasonably avoided in patients with IgG M‐spike, while should always be part of diagnostic workup in the presence of IgA M‐spike and (ii) skeletal survey, less predictive for MM, should not be routinely indicated irrespective of IgH isotype.
Novel dedicator of cytokinesis 8 mutations identified by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification
Authors: Tóth Beáta , Pistár Zsuzsanna , Csorba Gabriella , Balogh István , Kovács Tímea , Erdős Melinda , Maródi László
Published: July 2013

Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency is an innate error of adaptive immunity characterized by recurrent infections with viruses, bacteria and fungi, very high serum IgE concentrations, and a progressive deterioration of T‐ and B‐cell‐mediated immunity. We studied the genetic and immunological features of two sisters (aged 11 and 6 yr). Mutational analysis of genomic DNA and cDNA from the patients and their parents, by a combination of PCR and bidirectional targeted sequencing, failed to localize the mutation site. However, a multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay revealed two novel large deletions, del1‐14 exons and del8‐18 exons, of DOCK8 in both patients. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that DOCK8 protein was absent from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of both patients. These data suggest that compound heterozygous del1‐14 exons and del8‐18 exons mutations result in a loss of function of DOCK8 protein and a typical DOCK8 deficiency phenotype.
Data envelopment analysis with discrete‐valued inputs and outputs
Authors: Amirteimoori Alireza , Kordrostami Sohrab
Published: July 2013

The conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) measures the relative efficiencies of a set of decision making units, which has real‐valued inputs and outputs. In many real occasions, there are cases in which some inputs and/or outputs must only take some particularised real or integer values. These values are referred to as discrete data. The need to deal with discrete‐valued data in DEA naturally occurs when we use real‐valued or integer‐valued DEA, but the reduced inputs and outputs of an inefficient decision making unit are restricted to some particular real or integer values. In this case, axioms such as unbounded ray, convexity and free disposability as discussed in the conventional DEA are violated. In this paper, an alternative extension of DEA in the case of discrete‐valued data has been faced. An axiomatic foundation is proposed to define the new production possibility set. In order to exemplify the method, a case of 25 Iranian gas companies' activities are illustrated.
Hope and Burden among Latino Families of Adults with Schizophrenia
Authors: Hernandez Mercedes , Barrio Concepción , Yamada Ann‐Marie
Published: July 2013

This study examined hope and family burden among Latino families of individuals with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 54 family members, one family member per outpatient adult recruited from public mental health programs in a diverse urban community. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis that the family member's increased hope for the patient's future would be associated with decreased family burden beyond effects explained by the patient's length of illness and severity of symptoms. Results supported the study hypothesis. Family hope for the patient's future was associated with four of five types of family burden. Findings point to the prominent role of hope as a source of resilience for Latino families dealing with severe mental illness of a loved one.
Elevated methane emissions from a paddy field in southeast China occur after applying anaerobic digestion slurry
Authors: Huang Hong‐Ying , Cao Jin‐Liu , Wu Hong‐Sheng , Ye Xiao‐Mei , Ma Yan , Yu Jian‐Guang , Shen Qi‐Rong , Chang Zhi‐Zhou
Published: July 2013

One hundred million tons of farm stalk waste and livestock and poultry excrement are used every year in China for the production of clean energy (biogas) by anaerobic digestion. Consequently, a large amount of fermented liquid is produced, and if disposed of improperly, it will result in secondary pollution. Agricultural application of this anaerobic slurry as a liquid fertilizer would reduce possible eutrophication of water sources from random slurry discharge and supply a superior organic fertilizer for farming. This study investigated the effect of applying anaerobic digestion slurry as a liquid fertilizer on the methane emitted from a paddy field. A two‐year (2008–2009) field experiment replacing chemical fertilizer with liquid fertilizer from anaerobically digested pig manure slurry was conducted in a paddy field in Yixing, Jiangsu, China. A static closed chamber method was used to measure methane fluxes over the period from June 2008 to October 2009. All fertilizer treatments increased methane emissions relative to untreated controls, with increases in methane ranging from 40–70% in 2008 to 48–84% in 2009. Paddy fields treated with anaerobically digested pig manure slurry had greater methane emissions (8–84% in 2008 and 3–26% in 2009) than those treated with chemical fertilizer. This suggests that the anaerobic digestion slurry would increase methane emission and so is unsuitable as a liquid fertilizer in paddy fields without development of cultivation practices to limit these emissions.
Clinical response of edentulous people treated with mini dental implants in nine dental practices
Authors: Mundt Torsten , Schwahn Christian , Stark Thomas , Biffar Reiner
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To analyse implant survival, prosthetic aftercare and quality of life (QoL) after stabilisation of complete dentures with mini‐implants.

Background

Many edentulous patients refuse implant therapy due to the expenses and fear of surgery. Studies on minimally invasive and low‐cost mini‐implants remain rare.

Materials and methods

A total of 133 participating patients from nine private practices were evaluated via patient records, questionnaires and clinical examinations. Complications, maintenance, QoL questions and the German short version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP‐G14) were analysed.

Results

After 7 to 61 months, 15 of 336 maxillary implants and 11 of 402 mandibular implants had to be removed. In addition, four mandibular implants experienced fracture. The difference between the 4‐year survival rates of 94.3% for the maxilla and 95.7% for the mandible was not statistically significant (p = 0.581). All original 144 overdentures remained functional. The prosthetic interventions were typically limited to repairs of acrylic base fractures (about one in five patients), changes of plastic O‐rings and relining procedures. The participants showed OHIP‐G14 scores (median = 2) that were comparable with those of patients with overdentures retained by conventional implants.

Conclusions

Mini‐implant survival was similar to that of regular‐diameter implants. Although some prosthetic aftercare was necessary, none of the overdentures had to be replaced. Prospective studies comparing conventional and mini‐implants are warranted.
Roost site selection by Little Owls Athene noctua in relation to environmental conditions and life‐history stages
Authors: Bock Anja , Naef‐Daenzer Beat , Keil Herbert , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi , Perrig Marco , Grüebler Martin U.
Published: July 2013

Roost site selection is a state‐dependent process, affected by the individual's costs and benefits of roosting at a specific site in the available environment. Costs and benefits of different roost sites vary in relation to intrinsic factors and environmental conditions. Thus, the cost–benefit functions of roost sites are expected to differ between seasons and life‐history stages, resulting in adjustments in roost site selection. Studying roost site selection throughout the year therefore provides information about year‐round habitat requirements at different life‐history stages. However, little is known about the roosting behaviour of birds. Here, the roost site selection of Little Owls Athene noctua was studied by repeated daytime location of 24 adult and 75 juvenile radiotagged individuals from July to November. Little Owls preferred sheltered roost sites such as tree cavities with multiple entrances. They increasingly used sheltered sites from summer to winter and preferentially used sheltered roost sites with low ambient temperatures. Juveniles used significantly less sheltered sites during dispersal than before and afterwards, and used less sheltered sites than adults within their home‐range. The survival probability of birds roosting frequently at exposed sites was reduced. Roost site selection is probably driven by the two mechanisms of predator avoidance and thermoregulation, and the costs of natal dispersal may include increased predation threat and higher energy expenditure for thermoregulation. We suggest that adequate roost sites, such as multi‐entrance tree cavities, are an important habitat requirement for Little Owls and that habitat quality can be affected by manipulating their availability.
RECURSIVE EQUILIBRIA IN AN AIYAGARI‐STYLE ECONOMY WITH PERMANENT INCOME SHOCKS
Authors: KUHN MORITZ
Published: July 2013

We prove existence of a recursive competitive equilibrium (RCE) for an Aiyagari‐style economy with permanent income shocks and derive important economic implications. We show that there exist equilibria where borrowing constraints are never binding and establish a nontrivial lower bound on the equilibrium interest rate. These results imply distinct consumption dynamics compared to existing studies. We present a new approach to solve the agent's problem that uses lattices of consumption functions to deal with permanent income shocks and an unbounded utility function. The approach provides a theoretical foundation for convergence of the time iteration algorithm widely used in applied work.
DIRECTED SEARCH, COORDINATION FAILURE, AND SELLER PROFITS: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF POSTED PRICING WITH SINGLE AND MULTIPLE PRICES
Authors: ANBARCI NEJAT , FELTOVICH NICK
Published: July 2013

We experimentally examine posted pricing and directed search. In one treatment, capacity‐constrained sellers post fixed prices, which buyers observe before choosing whom to visit. In the other, firms post both “single‐buyer” (applied when one buyer visits) and “multibuyer” (when multiple buyers visit) prices. We find, based on a 2 × 2 (two buyers and two sellers) market and a follow‐up experiment with 3 and 2 × 3 markets, that multibuyer prices can be lower than single‐buyer prices or prices in the one‐price treatment. Also, allowing the multibuyer price does not affect seller profits and increases market frictions.
LABOR MARKET EQUILIBRIUM WITH REHIRING
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ‐BLANCO JAVIER
Published: July 2013

Consistent with the empirical evidence, this article analyzes a labor market in which separations are not permanent and reactivated firms prefer to rehire former employees instead of seek new ones. Workers engage in job search due to the uncertain prospects of rehiring. If firms can commit to wages contingent on rehiring, they backload wages to provide incentives for workers to reduce their unobservable search effort. Under risk aversion and incomplete markets, if productivity at reactivation is sufficiently high, the tension between wage backloading and consumption smoothing leads to excessive search in equilibrium.
THE EVOLUTION OF EDUCATION: A MACROECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Authors: RESTUCCIA DIEGO , VANDENBROUCKE GUILLAUME
Published: July 2013

Between 1940 and 2000 there was a substantial increase in educational attainment in the United States. What caused this trend? We develop a model of human capital accumulation that features a nondegenerate distribution of educational attainment in the population. We use this framework to assess the quantitative contribution of technological progress and changes in life expectancy in explaining the evolution of educational attainment. The model implies an increase in average years of schooling of 24%, which is the increase observed in the data. We find that technological variables and in particular skill‐biased technical change represent the most important factors in accounting for the increase in educational attainment. The strong response of schooling to changes in income is informative about the potential role of educational policy and the impact of other trends affecting lifetime income.
LEGAL INSTITUTIONS, INNOVATION, AND GROWTH
Authors: ANDERLINI LUCA , FELLI LEONARDO , IMMORDINO GIOVANNI , RIBONI ALESSANDRO
Published: July 2013

We analyze the relationship between legal institutions, innovation, and growth. We compare a rigid legal system (the law is set before the technological innovation) and a flexible one (the law is set after observing the new technology). The flexible system dominates in terms of welfare, amount of innovation, and output growth at intermediate stages of technological development—periods when legal change is needed. The rigid system is preferable at early stages of technological development, when commitment problems are severe. For mature technologies, the two legal systems are equivalent. We find that rigid legal systems may induce excessive R&D investment.
STRATEGIC EFFECTS OF THREE‐PART TARIFFS UNDER OLIGOPOLY
Authors: CHAO YONG
Published: July 2013

The distinct element of a three‐part tariff (3PT), compared with linear pricing (LP) or a two‐part tariff, is its quantity target within which the marginal price is zero. This quantity target instrument enriches the firm's strategy set in dictating the competition to a specific level, even in the absence of a usual price discrimination motive. With general differentiated linear demands, the competitive effect of a 3PT in contrast to LP depends on the degree of substitutability between products: Competition is intensified when two products are more differentiated, yet softened when two products are more substitutable.