bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Security and Early Retirement: The Relationship Between Workers, Firms and Governments
Authors: Lefebvre Mathieu
Published: February 2013

In this paper we survey a number of theoretical and empirical studies in order to propose explanations to the fall of labour force participation at older age. Starting from the largely studied effect of social security schemes on labour supply, we explore the employers behaviour and the role of governments in the development of early retirement schemes. We show that early retirement is the result of a global agreement between firms and government where workers have incentives to early exit the labour market due to generous non actuarial benefits. Firms have an advantage to separate older workers because they are costly compared to young workers and governments hope that by pushing elderly into early retirement they will solve the massive unemployment problem.
La Gouvernance Mutualiste Comme Levier de ContrÔle: Le Cas D'une Banque
Authors: Marsal Christine
Published: February 2013

Il est courant de mettre en doute la réalité du pouvoir des sociétaires élus dans les organes de gouvernance des banques coopératives. Plus encore, lorsqu'il s'agit d'analyser les mandats des élus de caisse locale. Notre recherche a pour objectif d'analyser plus finement les termes de leur engagement. Les résultats de notre étude de cas, montrent que les élus participent à différents leviers de contrôle. Cette participation contribue à canaliser l'action des dirigeants et des cadres intermédiaires.
La représentation de l’espace public par la photographie : Une étude de cas dans la région de Montréal (Québec, Canada)
Authors: Leduc‐Primeau Laurence , Sénécal Gilles , Vachon Nathalie
Published: February 2013

L’espace public est soumis, par‐delà les formes matérielles qui le constituent, aux représentations ou images qui orientent les types d’usages, les formes d’appropriation et la perception générale qu’on s’en fait. En suivant un gradient urbain centre‐périphérie, qui permet de comparer trois secteurs de la région de Montréal (péricentral, périurbain et couronne Nord), nous avons dépouillé le contenu de photographies disponibles dans le cyberespace (issues des différentes municipalités et arrondissements, des journaux locaux et des médias sociaux) afin de dégager les représentations de l’espace public. Que peuvent dire les photographies disponibles en ligne sur la manière dont l’espace est perçu? Nous avons établi des images‐types de l’espace public (nature idyllique, scène urbaine, espace festif, espace vide, portrait de famille) qui étaient représentatives de l’ensemble du corpus étudié. Nous avons comparé les résultats obtenus à une analyse de correspondance qui a permis d’éclairer la structure des interactions entre les variables. L’analyse a montré que les représentations s’inscrivent dans une perspective plutôt différenciée par quartier que par région, et que si les journaux et les municipalités représentent souvent les thèmes de la sociabilité et de la famille, les médias sociaux, eux, montrent davantage des espaces vides, qu’ils soient monumentaux ou du quotidien.
Job leaving intentions and occupation‐related beliefs amongst preregistered dental nurses in Scotland: the mediating role of work engagement and personal accomplishment
Authors: Forbes Gillian , Freeman Ruth , McCombes Wendy , Humphris Gerry
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To identify the job resource beliefs of preregistration dental nurses and subsequently investigate their relationship with work engagement, personal accomplishment and intention to leave amongst this occupational group in Scotland.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey design was used. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Personal accomplishment (a subscale of Maslach Burnout Inventory) and author‐developed questions for job resource beliefs and intention to leave were the measuring instruments used.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐one dental nurses participated (82% response rate). Mean age was 25 and mean job tenure was 17.5 months. The job resource belief most valued was ‘good working relationship’. A multiple mediated path analytical model was explored. Work engagement adjusted for job resource beliefs was very strongly negatively associated with intention to leave (−0.93). There was an indirect relationship between job resource beliefs and intention to leave (−0.28) mediated via work engagement and personal accomplishment.

Conclusions

Dental nurses under training held job resource beliefs about their profession that were associated with work engagement, personal accomplishment and their stability of remaining in the job.
Apolipoprotein E and the genetics of cerebral palsy – where to next?
Authors: O'Callaghan Michael
Published: February 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Lien et al on pages 372–377of this issue.
Oviposition and larval development of a stem borer, Eoreuma loftini, on rice and non‐crop grass hosts
Authors: Beuzelin J.M. , Wilson L.T. , Showler A.T. , Mészáros A. , Wilson B.E. , Way M.O. , Reagan T.E.
Published: February 2013

A greenhouse study compared oviposition preference and larval development duration of a stem borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), on rice, Oryza sativa L. cv Cocodrie (Poaceae), and four primary non‐crop hosts of Texas Gulf Coast rice agroecosystems. Rice and two perennials, johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., and vaseygrass, Paspalum urvillei Steud. (both Poaceae), were assessed at three phenological stages. Two spring annuals, brome, Bromus spec., and ryegrass, Lolium spec. (both Poaceae), were assessed at two phenological stages. Phenological stages represented the diversity of plant development stages E. loftini may encounter. Plant fresh biomass, dry biomass, and sum of tiller heights were used as measures of plant availability. Accounting for plant availability, rice was preferred over non‐crop hosts, and intermediate and older plants were preferred over young plants. Johnsongrass and vaseygrass were 32–60% as preferred as rice when considering the most preferred phenological stages of each host. Brome and ryegrass received few or no eggs, respectively. Eoreuma loftini larval development (in degree days above developmental threshold temperatures) was fastest on rice and slowest on johnsongrass and vaseygrass. Development duration was only retarded by plant stage on young rice plants. Foliar and stem free amino acid concentrations were determined to help provide insights on the mechanisms of E. loftini oviposition preference and developmental performance.
Barley yellow dwarf virus transmission and feeding behaviour of Rhopalosiphum padi on Hordeum bulbosum clones
Authors: Schliephake E. , Habekuss A. , Scholz M. , Ordon F.
Published: February 2013

A Hordeum bulbosum L. (Poaceae) clone A17 was identified, which showed complete resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV). It was not possible to infect plants of A17 with BYDV‐PAV, ‐MAV, or with CYDV‐RPV by the aphid vectors Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) or Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (both Hemiptera: Aphididae). Plants of the A17 clone and of the BYDV‐susceptible H. bulbosum clone A21 revealed some resistance to R. padi compared to the susceptible winter barley cultivar Rubina [Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae)]. The development time to the imago was longer and the number of nymphs was reduced on both clones compared with cv. Rubina. The probing and feeding behaviour of R. padi on plants of the H. bulbosum clones was studied over 12 h and compared with that on plants of the barley cv. Rubina. Principal component analysis of the results of the feeding behaviour revealed a clear separation of the H. bulbosum genotypes from Rubina. On H. bulbosum the number of penetrations was higher but total feeding time was shorter. Significant differences were mainly found in the phloem feeding parameters for plants of both clones in comparison to Rubina, with the virus resistant A17 clone having the strongest effect and the susceptible A21 clone being intermediate. Most significant differences were found in parameters of the phloem salivation phase. On A17, an average of less than one (0.9) E1 phase per plant was observed (3.3 on A21 and 5.7 on Rubina) and its duration was reduced to less than 1 min (0.9 min) in comparison to 2.4 min on A21 and 5.7 min on Rubina. Also, the phloem feeding (E2) phase was clearly reduced on A17 plants with 0.5 E2 phases per test and a mean duration of 1.1 min in contrast with 2.9 and 3.5 E2 phases per test and 34.1 and 421.3 min for A21 and Rubina, respectively. These results point towards a phloem‐localized factor for aphid resistance in H. bulbosum, i.e., on A17 plants the phloem salivation time is too short for a successful infection by BYDV leading to vector resistance.
Field trapping of male Phyllonorycter ringoniella using variable ratios of pheromone components
Authors: Du Yongjun , Li Ping , Chen Zhiqun , Lin Yanru , Wang Yahong , Qin Yuanxia
Published: February 2013

The sex pheromone of Phyllonorycter ringoniella (Matsumura) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) has been identified to be a blend of (Z)‐10‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z10‐14:OAc) and E4,Z10‐tetradecadienyl acetate (E4,Z10‐14:OAc) in Japan, Korea, and China. However, the commercial product based on previous results is not attractive enough to be used for monitoring and controlling apple leafminer populations in the field. We re‐investigated the attractiveness of the two pheromone components, singly and in blends, in apple orchards in Shangdong and Shaanxi, the main apple‐growing provinces in China. Our results revealed that Z10‐14:OAc alone was not attractive to P. ringoniella male moths in the field, but E4,Z10‐14:OAc alone not only was strongly attractive but caught more males than any of the blends of Z10‐14:OAc and E4,Z10‐14:OAc tested. The most attractive blend ratios differed slightly for the two locations. No clear dose–response relationship was obtained for the 2:8 blend of Z10‐14:OAc and E4,Z10‐14:OAc. However, the dose–response field study of E4,Z10‐14:OAc alone showed that 1 mg per lure achieved the highest moth catch. These findings differ from the previous report of the best pheromone blend in China. Our data showed that E4,Z10‐14:OAc is the major component of the pheromone of P. ringoniella.
Reintroduction of a native galaxiid (Galaxias fasciatus) following piscicide treatment in two streams: response and recovery of the fish population
Authors: Pham Lan , West David , Closs Gerard P.
Published: February 2013

The rehabilitation of native communities by means of eradicating unwanted fish species using piscicides is an example of employing disturbance to achieve conservation successes. Such projects provide a valuable opportunity to test the efficiency of the tool and the impacts on the receiving aquatic communities, as disturbance occurs at a known time. The piscicide ‘rotenone’ has been widely used to eradicate invasive or unwanted fish species worldwide. However, there is little information regarding the impact on native fish being reintroduced to a stream after rotenone treatment. The mass depletion of aquatic invertebrates due to rotenone dosing is of particular concern, as food‐limitation could negatively impact on fish growth, condition and recruitment, compromising the aims of rehabilitation. For the first time in New Zealand, rotenone was employed to eradicate brown trout (Salmo trutta) from two streams that also supported populations of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus). Impacts on fish and aquatic invertebrates were studied in two treatment and two reference streams in Karori, Wellington. Analysis showed that invertebrate densities declined significantly in the treatment streams in the 2‐week to 2‐month period after dosing. Following reintroduction after rotenone treatment, banded kokopu condition declined significantly and levels of fish mobility were variable. One year after rotenone dosing, there was recruitment of banded kokopu juveniles in the treatment streams indicating successful reproduction, with no equivalent increase in the reference streams. Results are a positive indication for the use of rotenone as an effective conservation tool to remove unwanted fish species where they threaten native populations.
Mediofrontal event‐related potentials following observed actions reflect an action prediction error
Authors: Kobza Stefan , Bellebaum Christian
Published: February 2013

Both execution and observation of erroneous actions have been shown to increase the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as reflected in characteristic event‐related potential (ERP) components labelled error‐related negativity (ERN) and observer error‐related negativity (oERN), respectively. Whereas these labels implicate a modulation of both components by response accuracy, recent findings suggest a more general involvement of the ACC in the detection of unexpected events. In previous studies, a lower frequency of erroneous as compared with correct observed actions resulted in lower expectation of erroneous actions. The present study investigates whether ERPs following observed actions are modulated by response accuracy or violation of expectation. Sixteen human subjects observed a virtual person whose actions in a game were expected or unexpected. Action expectation was independent of accuracy. In both conditions, subjects observed correct and incorrect actions equally often. Whereas ERPs were not modulated by accuracy, we found an enhanced amplitude of a negative frontocentral ERP component in the time window of the oERN for unexpected as compared with expected observed actions, which we suggest reflects an action prediction error. These results propose that the function of the ACC in performance monitoring depends less on accuracy of actions but rather on predictions and their violations. Future research will have to clarify whether the present ERP modulations revealed a feature of the oERN or whether they represent a distinct component.
The phenanthrene‐sorptive interface of an arable topsoil and its particle size fractions
Authors: Pronk G. J. , Heister K. , Woche S. K. , Totsche K. U. , Kögel‐Knabner I.
Published: February 2013

Sorption of organic chemicals in soil is affected by the properties and availability of surfaces. These surfaces are composed of diverse mineral, organic and biological components, forming a soil's ‘biogeochemical interface’. Phenanthrene was used to probe the hydrophobic sorptive capacity of the interface of an arable soil. Batch sorption experiments were carried out with the bulk soil as well as the fine (0.2–6.3 µm) and coarse (6.3–63 µm) particle size fractions of two arable topsoil samples with different organic matter (OM) contents from a Eutric Cambisol. The specific surface area (SSA) of the bulk soil and particle size fractions was determined by BET‐N2 and EGME sorption. OM composition was characterized by solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy. No clear relationship was found between phenanthrene sorption and SSA. We conclude that phenanthrene probes a specific fraction of the soil interface that is not well represented by the traditional methods of SSA detection such as BET‐N2 and EGME sorption. The sorption behaviour of phenanthrene may therefore provide a useful additional tool to characterize the specific affinity of the soil biogeochemical interface for hydrophobic molecules. Sorption capacity for phenanthrene increased after particle‐size fractionation, indicating that the reduced availability of the interface caused by the aggregated structure is important for the sorptive capacity of a soil. This should be considered when projecting data obtained from extensively treated and fractionated samples to the actual interaction with biogeochemical interfaces as they are present in soil.
Robust erosion measurement in agricultural fields by colour image processing and image measurement
Authors: Filin S. , Goldshleger N. , Abergel S. , Arav R.
Published: February 2013

Soil erosion is defined as a displacement of solid particles originating from soil, rock and other sediments by the forces of wind and water. Erosion affects soil micro‐topography and surface roughness and may lead to clogging of drainage systems, flooding and destruction of the upper part of the soil structure, thereby causing damage to cultivated land. Thus, quantification of changes in the amount and rate of soil erosion is vital for agricultural planning as well as for setting up different soil‐conservation systems. This paper describes an image‐based scheme for quantifying amounts of erosion and estimating the change in volume of raised beds resulting from irrigation or rainstorms in cultivated fields. Unlike existing methods that are labour‐intensive and error‐prone, the proposed approach is autonomous, accurate and can be applied with low‐cost digital cameras. Emphasis is placed on robustness to actual field conditions, including variations in illumination and shading and imaging from general vantage points. To accommodate varying field conditions, we propose the use of colour image‐processing, illumination‐invariant algorithms and linear photogrammetric models. Linear models eliminate the complex task of approximating camera‐position parameters, and introduction of colour‐driven image processing facilitates a computationally robust algorithm for volume estimation. Thus, the end‐product is a model that can be used by those who are unskilled in photogrammetry and image processing, with little or no guidance. Experiments show that estimates of volume and erosion reach accuracy levels of about 0.07 m3 ha−1.
Monocyte/macrophage interactions with myogenic precursor cells during skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Saclier Marielle , Cuvellier Sylvain , Magnan Mélanie , Mounier Rémi , Chazaud Bénédicte
Published: February 2013

Adult skeletal muscle has the remarkable property of regenerating after damage, owing to satellite cells and myogenic precursor cells becoming committed to adult myogenesis to rebuild the muscle. This process is accompanied by the continuing presence of macrophages, from the phagocytosis of damaged myofibres to the full re‐formation of new myofibres. In recent years, there has been huge progress in our understanding of the roles of macrophages during skeletal muscle regeneration, notably concerning their effects on myogenic precursor cells. Here, we review the most recent knowledge acquired on monocyte entry into damaged muscle, the various macrophage subpopulations, and their respective roles during the sequential phases of muscle repair. We also discuss the role of macrophages after exercise‐induced muscle damage, notably in humans.
Phenotypic plasticity in the spawning traits of bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) in novel ecosystems
Authors: COULTER ALISON A. , KELLER DOUG , AMBERG JON J. , BAILEY ELIZABETH J. , GOFORTH REUBEN R.
Published: February 2013

1. Bigheaded carp, including both silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp, are successful invasive fishes that threaten global freshwater biodiversity. High phenotypic plasticity probably contributes to their success in novel ecosystems, although evidence of plasticity in several spawning traits has hitherto been largely anecdotal or speculative.

2. We collected drifting eggs from a Midwestern U.S.A. river from June to September 2011 and from April to June 2012 to investigate the spawning traits of bigheaded carp in novel ecosystems.

3. Unlike reports from the native range, the presence of drifting bigheaded carp eggs was not related to changes in hydrological regime or mean daily water temperature. Bigheaded carp also exhibited protracted spawning, since we found drifting eggs throughout the summer and as late as 1 September 2011. Finally, we detected bigheaded carp eggs in a river reach where the channel is c. 30 m wide with a catchment area of 4579 km2, the smallest stream in which spawning has yet been documented.

4. Taken with previous observations of spawning traits that depart from those observed within the native ranges of both bighead and silver carp, our findings provide direct evidence that bigheaded carp exhibit plastic spawning traits in novel ecosystems that may facilitate invasion and establishment in a wider range of river conditions than previously envisaged.
Flow velocity underpins microhabitat selection by gobies of the Australian Wet Tropics
Authors: DONALDSON JAMES A. , EBNER BRENDAN C. , FULTON CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: February 2013

1. Water flow is a critical driver of aquatic ecosystem health and function. Amid rising concerns over changing flow regimes, there is an urgent need to understand the functional mechanisms by which flow influences patterns of freshwater biodiversity.

2. We explored the functional link between flow velocity and microhabitat specialisation in a speciose group of freshwater gobies (comprising over half the total fish species richness) within insular streams of the Australian Wet Tropics under base flow conditions. We addressed two particular questions: (i) What is the relative selectivity of species towards streambed composition and water flow velocity? and (ii) Can patterns of microhabitat occupation be explained by differences in intrinsic flow performance among species? To answer these questions, we combined visual field observations of microhabitat use with flow tank assessments of flow speed performance.

3. Tropical freshwater gobies displayed strong specificity towards flow velocities, while being relatively non‐selective towards streambed composition. At opposite extremes of the spectrum, we found Sicyopterus lagocephalus occupying high‐flow (>1.0 ms−1) microhabitats while Redigobius bikolanus selected slower‐flow (<0.05 ms−1) areas. These patterns of microhabitat flow specificity were largely explained by the different abilities of species to swim and/or cling to the substratum under these different flow settings.

4. Our findings confirm suggestions that predictable base flows in tropical streams support habitat specialists, which include one species capable of occupying areas of extremely high flow that very few other fishes can withstand.

5. The functional link between flow and gobioid fish distribution patterns could occur throughout tropical streams of the Indo‐Pacific and Caribbean as a widespread phenomenon that may help inform stream flow management guidelines to maintain this substantial component of tropical freshwater biodiversity around the globe.
Media use and transnational political and civic participation: a case study of Mexicans in the USA
Authors: HICKERSON ANDREA A.
Published: February 2013

Although communication is largely understood as a prerequisite for transnational activity, little research explores exactly how transnational communities use media and what the implications of media use are for transnational civic and political participation. Research from communication studies suggests that media can affect civic and political participation in various, sometimes contradictory, ways. In an effort to merge literature from transnational and communication studies, in this study I focus on the case of Mexicans in the USA, offering secondary analyses of two datasets concerning their communication habits and civic and political participation in Mexico. Results suggest differential effects on participation based on preferences for certain media and pre‐existing attitudes.
Exploring Women's Retirement: Continuity, Context and Career Transition
Authors: Duberley Joanne , Carmichael Fiona , Szmigin Isabelle
Published: February 2013

This paper reports on an exploratory study examining women's views about and experiences of retirement. It has long been recognized that women's careers often follow a different path than men's due to the differential impact of family and domestic responsibilities and their relative underrepresentation at higher levels of organizations. However, many studies of retirement have implicitly assumed a conventional male career as the norm, where retirement is seen as marking a neat ending to continuous employment. This paper aims to present a richer understanding of women's retirement, utilizing contextual national data and qualitative analysis. The paper begins with a brief summary of literature looking at women's career development. We then explore the concept of retirement and consider current literature with regard to women's retirement. Following a brief discussion of our research approach, we provide some national context using quantitative data. We then discuss the qualitative findings, examining the areas of continuity and change that women experienced in retirement and exploring the factors that they felt enabled and constrained them.
Agreement between periapical radiographs and cone‐beam computed tomography for assessment of periapical status of root filled molar teeth
Authors: Cheung G. S. P. , Wei W. L. L. , McGrath C.
Published: February 2013

Aim

To assess the agreement between periapical radiograph (PA) and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) for periapical assessment of root filled maxillary and mandibular molars.

Methodology

Periapical radiograph and CBCT (iCat) images of 60 previously root filled molars (30 maxillary and 30 mandibular) were obtained at a review clinic. Agreement between PA and CBCT assessments of (i) number of canals per tooth, (ii) number of lesions per tooth, (iii) mesial‐distal dimension of lesions, (iv) coronal‐apical dimension of lesions and (v) presence of ‘J’‐shaped lesions were determined in comparison analyses and correlation analysis.

Results

There were significant differences between PA and CBCT assessment for the mean number of canals (P < 0.001) and periapical lesions (P < 0.001), mean mesial‐distal (P < 0.001) and coronal‐apical dimension of the lesion (if present; P < 0.001) and the mean number of ‘J’‐shaped lesions (P < 0.05). The magnitude of the statistical differences (or bias) was greater for maxillary than mandibular molars regarding the number and size of the lesions identified. Correlation values were weaker between PA and CBCT assessments of maxillary molars than for mandibular molars in all parameters assessed.

Conclusion

There were substantial disagreements between PA and CBCT for assessing the periapical status of molar teeth, especially for the maxillary arch. The findings have implications in periapical diagnosis and for evaluating the outcome of endodontic care.
Expression of a cytokine, interleukin‐23, in experimental periapical lesions
Authors: Hu Y. , Xiong H. , Peng B.
Published: February 2013

Aim

To investigate the expression of interleukin (IL)‐23, a new member of the IL‐12 family, in experimental periapical lesions.

Methodology

Periapical lesions were induced in Wistar rats by occlusal surface pulp exposure in mandibular first molars. The rats were randomly sacrificed 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 56 days after pulp exposure. The jaws that contained the first molars were obtained and routinely prepared for radiographic, histological, enzyme histochemical, immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescence analyses. Data were analysed by one‐way analysis of variance and the Pearson correlation test.

Results

The number of IL‐23‐positive cells increased from day 7 to day 35 and then gradually decreased. The number of osteoclasts increased and peaked on day 14 and then gradually decreased from day 21 to day 56. A significant positive correlation existed between the number of IL‐23 positive cells and the size of bone resorption in periapical lesions from day 7 to day 56 (r = 0.875, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Interleukin‐23 can be observed and may be associated with inflammatory response and bone resorption in periapical lesions.
Evaluation of the Joypex 5 and Root ZX II: an in vivo and ex vivo study
Authors: Soares R. M. V. , Silva E. J. N. L. , Herrera D. R. , Krebs R. L. , Coutinho‐Filho T. S.
Published: February 2013

Aim

To evaluate in vivo and ex vivo the accuracy of the multifrequency electronic root canal length measurement device (ERCLMD) Joypex 5 and compare it with the Root ZX II. The ex vivo methodology for evaluation of the accuracy of ERCLMDs was also validated by comparison with in vivo results.

Methodology

Twenty single‐rooted human teeth that were scheduled for extraction were selected. Working length measurements were performed in vivo with the Joypex 5 and Root ZX II. After the teeth were extracted, each canal was measured with the ERCLMDs ex vivo. Then, a size 15 K‐file was used to determine the reference working length (RWL), which was established 0.5 mm from the major foramen by direct observation. The measurements of working length obtained with the different methods and ERCLMDs were compared by analysis of variance and Tukey's test at P < .05. Statistical correlations were also performed.

Results

No significant difference was observed between in vivo and ex vivo measurements or the different types of ERCLMDs. The Bland–Altman plot confirmed the agreement of different methods and ERCLMDs to measure canal length. The R2 coefficient obtained in both situations, comparing the ERCLMDs, was close to 1, denoting a strong agreement between measurements obtained with the Joypex 5 and Root ZX II and between in vivo and ex vivo methodologies.

Conclusion

The Joypex 5 and Root ZX II had similar accuracy in determining working length of root canals. The ex vivo methodology for evaluation of the accuracy of ERCLMDs was validated when compared with the in vivo results.
Patterns of change in youth unemployment regimes: France and Switzerland compared
Authors: Chabanet Didier , Giugni Marco
Published: February 2013

The comparison between France and Switzerland enables us to compare a country that has a strong interventionist tradition in the labour market and whose youth unemployment is endemically high with a more liberal country that is faced with a more recent increase in youth unemployment but which, nevertheless, remains relatively measured. Starting from different rules and values, the two youth unemployment systems resemble each other insofar as both exclude most unemployed youth from all available benefits. From this angle, French egalitarianism rejoins Swiss differentialism. In both cases, it is not the least of paradoxes that the system of unemployment insurance so little benefits those who are most vulnerable to the economic crisis and the present dearth of jobs.
Characterization and risk stratification of prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy
Authors: Buse Stephan , Höfner Thomas , Müller Stephan C , Hermann Edwin , Wieland Wolf F , May Matthias , Stief Christian G , Bastian Patrick J , Hohenfellner Markus , Haferkamp Axel
Published: February 2013

Objective

To describe the prevalence of incidental prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder malignancy; to quantify the association between incidental prostate cancer and mortality in these patients; and to quantify the association between incidental prostate cancer and age in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder malignancy at six academic institutions were assessed. End‐points were the histological diagnosis of prostate cancer in the radical cystoprostatectomy specimens and mortality. The association between incidental prostate cancer and mortality was calculated by multivariable Cox regression, and the association between age and the occurrence of prostate cancer was calculated by logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1122 patients (aged 65.6 ± 10 years) were included in this analysis. Prostate cancer was detected in 17.8% (n = 200) of the cystoprostatectomy specimens. After multivariable adjustment, prostate cancer was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.56). There was a significant association between age and the presence of prostate cancer in the cystoprostatectomy specimen. The odds ratio for the presence of prostate cancer was 1.028 (95% confidence interval 1.011–1.045; P < 0.001) per each year after the age of 40 years.

Conclusions

Concomitant prostate cancer is an independent prognostic factor for mortality after radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. When considering a prostate‐sparing technique, urologists should consider that every fifth to sixth patient will present with a concomitant prostate cancer, and that after the age of 40 years, the odds of a concomitant prostate cancer increases by 2.8% per year, thus warranting a careful balance between the oncological risks and quality of life issues.
Preoperative assessment by magnetic resonance imaging is useful for planning the treatment of an enlarged uterus by total laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Hatta Koji , Terai Yoshito , Okuda Kiyoji , Nakamura Yoshihiro , Yoo Saha , Tanaka Yoshimichi , Tsunetoh Satoshi , Hayashi Atsushi , Yamashita Yoshiki , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: February 2013

Aim

The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative parameters among the three approaches used to treat large uterine myomas: laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and abdominal hysterectomy, and to evaluate the selection criteria for laparoscopic hysterectomy as determined by magnetic resonance imaging.

Material and Methods

The medical records of 155 patients who underwent a hysterectomy between January 2007 and April 2010 were examined. We also compared the indications and outcomes of LAVH and TLH for myomas larger than 7 cm.

Results

Patients who underwent LAVH or TLH had a lower average intraoperative blood loss, less intense postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays than patients in the TAH group, although the length of the operations in the laparoscopic groups were significantly longer. To evaluate the selection criteria for the large sized myomas, we compared the LAVH and TLH groups for the myomas larger than 7 cm. The greatest uterine transverse diameters and the weight of the uteri were not significantly different between the LAVH and TLH groups (94.7 ± 20.8 and 83.1 ± 17.6 mm, 371.6 ± 160.3 and 286.7 ± 158.0 g, respectively). The average intraoperative blood loss in the TLH group was significantly lower than that in the LAVH (121.3 ± 111.2 vs 379.3 ± 222.4 g, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that TLH is a better procedure for treating a large uterus no larger than 10 cm in its greatest transverse diameter. The preoperative total length of myoma nodules determined by MRI is a useful preoperative indicator of the uterine weight.
New horizon on successful management for a woman with repeated implantation failure due to unresponsive thin endometrium: Use of extended estrogen supplementation
Authors: Shen Meng‐Shun , Wang Chia‐Woei , Chen Chi‐Huang , Tzeng Chii‐Ruey
Published: February 2013

An adequate thickness and pattern of the pre‐ovulatory endometrium is considered one of the essential requirements for a successful pregnancy. Although various methods for increasing endometrial thickness have been proposed, the real value of these interventions remains controversial. Here, we present a case of successful administration of extended estrogen supplementation before conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in a woman who had experienced repeated implantation failure because of an unresponsive thin endometrium. After the estrogen supplement was administrated for an extended period, the in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer in this patient led to an uneventful twin pregnancy and delivery at term.
Symptomatic deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity in a pregnant woman successfully treated with endovascular procedures
Authors: Yamagami Takuji , Yoshimatsu Rika , Okubo Tomoharu , Tanaka Osamu , Miura Hiroshi , Yamada Kei , Kitawaki Jo , Tsuji Hajime
Published: February 2013

We report a pregnant woman with symptomatic deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity distributing in the left iliac, femoral, popliteal and calf veins. Systemic anticoagulation therapy failed; however, treatment was successful through a combination of various endovascular procedures, including catheter‐directed thrombolysis. During the therapies, an optional inferior vena cava filter was implanted to protect against the development of pulmonary embolism.
Auctioning contracts for environmental services
Authors: Bardsley Peter , Burfurd Ingrid
Published: February 2013

Policy‐based markets for environmental services include government procurement, private procurement to satisfy regulatory requirements and private procurement through government offset markets. These markets are increasingly popular and raise questions about optimal procurement under different regulatory frameworks. The design of these schemes draws together issues in auction design and contract theory. Using a mixed adverse selection, moral hazard model, we show that optimal contract design may differ significantly between procurement and regulatory policy environments. We model risk averse landholders to preserve a key feature of the policy environment. These findings have implications for the design of pollution reduction schemes and the rehabilitation of environmental assets.
A Comparative Study of Environmental Impacts of Two Delivery Systems in the Business‐to‐Customer Book Retail Sector
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2013

China has the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the world. In China, logistics accounts for a significant portion of the total energy use and CO2 emissions in business‐to‐customer (B2C) retailing. This study focuses on the environmental impacts of B2C delivery in China, focusing on the book retail industry. Mathematical models are proposed based on the practical operations of the “e‐commerce networked delivery” (END) system and the “sustainable networked delivery” (SND) system. The energy consumption and CO2 emissions per book are then determined and compared for the two systems. Furthermore, we contrast the findings with those of similar studies conducted for other countries and provide explanations for the differences. The results show that (1) in general, in China, the SND system is better than the END system in terms of environmental impacts; (2) the END system in China generates fewer environmental impacts than those in the United States and the United Kingdom, while the SND system in China has greater environmental impacts than that in the United States; and (3) the wide use of vehicles such as electric bicycles that have low energy consumption rates contributes to the reduction of environmental impacts per book in both the END and SND systems in China. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
A Semiparametric Censoring Bias Model for Estimating the Cumulative Risk of a False‐Positive Screening Test Under Dependent Censoring
Authors: Hubbard Rebecca A. , Miglioretti Diana L.
Published: February 2013

False‐positive test results are among the most common harms of screening tests and may lead to more invasive and expensive diagnostic testing procedures. Estimating the cumulative risk of a false‐positive screening test result after repeat screening rounds is, therefore, important for evaluating potential screening regimens. Existing estimators of the cumulative false‐positive risk are limited by strong assumptions about censoring mechanisms and parametric assumptions about variation in risk across screening rounds. To address these limitations, we propose a semiparametric censoring bias model for cumulative false‐positive risk that allows for dependent censoring without specifying a fixed functional form for variation in risk across screening rounds. Simulation studies demonstrated that the censoring bias model performs similarly to existing models under independent censoring and can largely eliminate bias under dependent censoring. We used the existing and newly proposed models to estimate the cumulative false‐positive risk and variation in risk as a function of baseline age and family history of breast cancer after 10 years of annual screening mammography using data from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. Ignoring potential dependent censoring in this context leads to underestimation of the cumulative risk of false‐positive results. Models that provide accurate estimates under dependent censoring are critical for providing appropriate information for evaluating screening tests.
Eavesdropping foragers use level of collective commotion as public information to target high quality patches
Authors: Laidre Mark E.
Published: February 2013

Public information offers a valuable means for social foragers to determine the relative quality of foraging patches. Despite much evidence that foragers use public information based on others’ feeding behavior, no experiments have examined whether foragers might use public information based on others’ competitive behavior, particularly the collective commotion that can be generated by aggregations. Such commotion could potentially provide a rich source of public information: as foragers compete in a patch with an especially high value resource, their heightened competition intensity could enable eavesdropping foragers to target this superior patch, based simply on its higher level of collective commotion. To test the hypothesis that the level of collective commotion is used as public information by eavesdropping foragers I conducted field experiments on terrestrial hermit crabs Coenobita compressus. These animals engage in collective competitive interactions in foraging patches for food and shells, generating variable levels of commotion across different quality patches. By experimentally manipulating the level of collective commotion in sham aggregations in the wild I show that a higher level of commotion is exploited by eavesdropping foragers to differentially target more valuable patches. Broadly, these results highlight an underappreciated significance of competitive by‐products and higher‐ order collective pheno mena as forms of public information for foragers.
The contribution of feeding mode to obesogenic growth trajectories in American Samoan infants
Authors: Hawley N. L. , Johnson W. , Nu'usolia O. , McGarvey S. T.
Published: February 2013

What is already known about this subject

Samoan adults are recognized for their particularly high body mass index and prevalent obesity.

While Polynesians are understudied, in other populations infancy is a critical period in the development of obesity.

Breastfeeding has been shown to attenuate obesity risk.

What this study adds

Samoan infants show remarkably rapid gain in weight but not length in early infancy resulting in a prevalence of overweight and obesity far higher than has been previously reported elsewhere.

Breastfeeding is associated with slower weight gain in infancy suggesting that its protective benefits for obesity risk are generalizable outside of European‐derived populations.

Background

Samoans are recognized for their particularly high body mass index and prevalent adult obesity but infants are understudied.

Objective

To examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and determine the contribution of feeding mode to obesogenic growth trajectories in American Samoan infants.

Methods

Data were extracted from the well baby records of 795 (n = 417 male) Samoan infants aged 0–15 months. Mixed‐effects growth models were used to produce individual weight and length curves. Further mixed‐effects models were fitted with feeding mode (breastfed, formula‐ or mixed‐fed) as a single observation at age 4 (±2) months. Weight and length values were converted to z‐scores according to the Centers for Disease Control 2000 reference.

Results

At 15 months, 23.3% of boys and 16.7% of girls were obese (weight‐for‐length > 95th percentile). Feeding mode had a significant effect on weight and length trajectories. Formula‐fed infants gained weight and length faster than breastfed infants. Formula‐fed boys were significantly more likely to be obese at 15 months (38.6%) than breastfed boys (23.4%), χ2 = 8.4, P < 0.01, odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval (1.04, 4.05).

Conclusion

Obesity in American Samoans is not confined to adults. Obesity prevention efforts should be targeted at early life and promotion of breastfeeding may be a suitable intervention target.
Change in body composition during a weight loss trial in obese adolescents
Authors: Parks E. P. , Zemel B. , Moore R. H. , Berkowitz R. I.
Published: February 2013

What is already known about this subject

Adolescence is an important period of physiological growth.

Loss of central adiposity with preservation of lean mass during weight loss is optimal.

There are discrepancies in the literature concerning changes in lean mass during weight loss in adolescents.

What this study adds

This study provides information of regional and total body composition change in adolescents during weight loss.

This study controls for important factors that impact body composition in growing adolescents such as age, sex, height, baseline weight and race.

This study provides correlations of changes in waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) with total and trunk fat mass during weight loss in adolescents.

Background

Changes in body composition during weight loss among obese adolescents are poorly understood. This study characterized the composition of weight loss and its association with changes in waist circumference (WC) in obese adolescents.

Methods

Total (Tot), trunk (Tr) and appendicular (Ap) fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry in 61 obese adolescents (40 girls) who participated in a randomized controlled weight loss trial. Changes in body composition were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 months using mixed‐effects regression models. Correlation analysis of change in WC and total and regional compartments of FM and LM were assessed.

Results

Weight loss for adolescents was 90.3% FM and 15.9% LM at 0–6 months, and 98.2% FM and 7% LM at 0–12 months. At 12 months, girls lost 2.67 kg more TotFM than boys in models adjusted for height, age, race and baseline weight. Boys gained LM in all compartments in all models. At 12 months, girls lost TotLM (2.23 ± 0.74, P < 0.004) and ApLM (0.69 ± 0.31, P = 0.03) and gained TrLM (0.37 ± 0.35, P = 0.29). The percentage LM, increased for boys and girls in all models. TotFM was correlated with body mass index (BMI) change with TotFM (R = 0.70–0.91, P = 0.001) and WC change (R = 0.53–0.55, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Weight loss in obese adolescents during a weight loss trial using lifestyle management and sibutramine was primarily from trunk FM. Although absolute LM increased in boys and decreased in girls, the percentage of weight that is LM increased for both boys and girls. Changes in BMI were more reflective of changes in FM than changes in WC.