bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Private Foundations Increase Current Distributions to Qualify for a 50 Percent Tax Rate Reduction?
Authors: Yoder Timothy R. , McAllister Brian P.
Published: February 2012

Private foundations choose distribution policies that involve trade-offs between current and future distributions. Our study investigates the willingness of private foundations to increase current distributions to qualify for a reduced excise tax rate on net investment income. We find that foundations sometimes choose to pay a higher tax rate on net investment income rather than pay higher amounts of current distributions, particularly when their investment assets increase and when they must increase their annual distribution rate above that paid in the prior year. As in prior research (Sansing and Yetman 2006; Yoder et al. 2011), we find that larger foundations are more likely to qualify for the reduced tax rate. However, we find that larger foundations are also less willing to increase current distributions in response to a necessary increase in their annual distribution rate. We believe this provides evidence that larger foundations have sticky distribution policies—they focus on maintaining stable distribution rates. Finally, we find that foundations with insufficient current resources to make necessary rate increases, as well as older foundations that have increased investment assets, are less willing to increase their current distributions to qualify for the reduced tax rate.
A Relative Cost Framework of Demand for External Assurance of XBRL Filings
Authors: Alles Michael G. , Gray Glen L.
Published: February 2012

There has been much discussion in the academic literature and in the XBRL community on the role of audit firms in providing assurance services for XBRL filings, especially now that the use of XBRL has been mandated in the United States. This paper presents the development of a framework of the demand for external assurance of XBRL filings predicated on two relative cost arguments. First, that in the absence of a mandate for XBRL filings to be assured by an external auditor, a manager will compare the cost of obtaining external assurance against the cost of obtaining confidence on the filings internally. Second, managers will be reluctant to pay more for external assurance on an XBRL filing than they paid to prepare it. The former is called the external cost relative to internal cost comparison, and the latter the external cost relative to preparation cost comparison. Based on our relative cost framework, it is predicted that there will only be a role for externally provided assurance of XBRL filings if the cost of that assurance can be either reduced or appear less significant to clients. The former outcome can be brought about by shifting assurance from the XBRL filings themselves to assurance of the preparer through a SSAE No. 16/SAS No. 70 report, thereby converting the cost of XBRL assurance from a variable cost to a fixed cost that is spread among many filers. External auditors can also attempt to make the cost of XBRL assurance less salient to managers by folding that cost into their total audit fees.
The Ten Most-Cited Papers in Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting: 2009 versus 2011
Authors: O'Leary Daniel E.
Published: February 2012

This paper presents the ten papers from the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting with the most Google Scholar citations. I find that nine out of ten papers from the 2009 list are on this 2011 list, suggesting that the most-cited papers are a relatively stable set at this time. Further, I find that the ten most-cited papers account for roughly 70 percent of the citations for the journal, to-date. Finally, over the last two years eight of the ten most-cited have at least as many citations as they did over the first five years of the journal and, for that eight, there were twice as many citations from 2009 to 2011, as there were from 2004 to 2009.
Supreme Court Holds in Mayo Foundation that Medical Residents are Not Students
Authors: Mannino Laura Lee
Published: February 2012

In Mayo Foundation v. U.S., the United States Supreme Court recently ended a dispute as to whether stipends paid to medical residents are subject to FICA. A statutory provision excludes “students” from FICA, and the question was whether medical residents could be considered students, thereby making them eligible for the exclusion. The Treasury Department amended its definition of “student,” as that term is used in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), following adverse decisions in several circuits. What began as a case of statutory construction turned into one of administrative authority. Ultimately, the Court upheld the regulation, which categorically denies medical residents from being eligible for the student exemption. The Supreme Court's decision reaches far beyond this narrow issue, however, because the underlying analysis applies in all areas of administrative law. The Court made clear that a uniform standard of deference applies not only to the Treasury Department, but to all administrative agencies. That standard, which was announced by the Court in Chevron USA v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. in 1984, states that an agency's rule or interpretation will be upheld as long as Congress was silent or ambiguous with regard to the issue at hand, and the rule or interpretation is a permissible construction of the statute.
Increased QT Interval Dispersion Predicts 15-Year Cardiovascular Mortality in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Giunti Sara , Gruden Gabriella , Fornengo Paolo , Barutta Federica , Amione Cristina , Ghezzo Giuseppe , Cavallo-Perin Paolo , Bruno Graziella
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive role of increased corrected QT (QTc) and QT interval dispersion (QTd) on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large, unselected type 2 diabetic population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The prospective study included 1,357 type 2 diabetic patients from the Casale Monferrato Study. At baseline, QTc intervals >0.44 s and QTd intervals >0.08 s were considered abnormally prolonged. Both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were assessed 15 years after the baseline examination.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 862 subjects per 12,450 person-years died. Multivariate analysis showed that the hazard ratio (HR) of cardiovascular mortality was significantly increased in subjects with prolonged QTd (1.26 [95% CI 1.02–1.55]) and was only slightly reduced after multiple adjustments. Conversely, prolonged QTc did not increase the HRs for all-cause or cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased QTd predicts cardiovascular mortality after a long-term follow-up period in a large, unselected population of type 2 diabetic subjects.
East Africans in Sweden Have a High Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hjern Anders , Söderström Ulf , Åman Jan
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of type 1 diabetes in children with an origin in Sub-Saharan Africa in Sweden.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Nationwide register study based on retrieved prescriptions of insulin during 2009 in children aged 0–18 years. The study population consisted of 35,756 children in families with an origin in Sub-Saharan Africa and 1,666,051 children with native Swedish parents.

RESULTS

The odds ratio (OR) for insulin medication in Swedish-born children in families originating in East Africa was 1.29 (95% CI 1.02–1.63) compared with offspring of native Swedish parents, after adjustment for age and sex, and less common in children who themselves were born in East Africa: 0.50 (0.34–0.73). Offspring of parents from other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa had a comparatively low risk for insulin medication.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that Swedish-born children with an origin in East Africa have a high risk of type 1 diabetes.
Effect of Glycemic Control on Sudomotor Denervation in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Luo Kai-Ren , Chao Chi-Chao , Hsieh Paul-Chen , Lue June-Horng , Hsieh Sung-Tsang
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE

Sudomotor symptoms are a common component of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, but the pathology of sudomotor innervation and its relationship with glycemic control have remained obscured.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We enrolled 42 patients (26 males and 16 females aged 56.64 ± 12.67 years) with diabetic neuropathy defined by symmetric distally predominant sensory symptoms, abnormal nerve conduction studies, and reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density in the leg. Skin biopsies of the distal leg were immunostained with antiprotein gene product 9.5 for nerve fibers and counterstained with Congo red for sweat glands. Sweat gland innervation index (SGII) was quantified with a new computerized area-based morphometric system.

RESULTS

Protein gene product 9.5(+) nerve terminals surrounded secretory coils of the sweat glands in the skin of control subjects. Sudomotor denervation was present in diabetic patients, manifesting as depletion of periglandular nerve fibers with lower SGII compared with 42 age- and sex-matched control subjects (2.54 ± 1.87 vs. 4.68 ± 1.51%, P < 0.001). The SGII was correlated with HbA1c (P = 0.011) and was lower in patients with anhidrosis of the feet compared with those with normal sweating of the feet (0.82 ± 0.69 vs. 3.00 ± 1.81%, P = 0.001). Sudomotor denervation was concordant with cardiac autonomic dysfunction as assessed with reduced heart rate variability (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Sudomotor denervation is a significant presentation of diabetic neuropathy, and the SGII was associated with HbA1c. A skin biopsy offers a structural assessment of sudomotor innervation.
Efficacy and Safety of Taspoglutide Monotherapy in Drug-Naive Type 2 Diabetic Patients After 24 Weeks of Treatment
Authors: Raz Itamar , Fonseca Vivian , Kipnes Mark , Durrwell Laurence , Hoekstra John , Boldrin Mark , Balena Raffaella
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of taspoglutide monotherapy in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 373 patients with type 2 diabetes naive to antihyperglycemic medication were randomized to weekly subcutaneous taspoglutide 10 or 20 mg or placebo.

RESULTS

HbA1c reductions from baseline were greater with taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg than placebo (least squares mean [SE] changes: –1.01% [0.07], –1.18% [0.06], and –0.09% [0.07], respectively; both P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Decreases in bodyweight were greater with taspoglutide 10 mg (–1.45 kg [0.32]) and with 20 mg (–2.25 kg [0.30]) than placebo (–1.23 kg [0.31]; P = 0.61 and P = 0.02 for taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg vs. placebo, respectively). Gastrointestinal adverse events and injection site reactions were more common with taspoglutide than placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

In drug-naive patients, once-weekly taspoglutide improved glycemic control, reduced body weight, and was generally well tolerated.
Ground Thermal Inertia for Energy Efficient Building Design: A Case Study on Food Industry
Authors: Mazarrón Fernando R. , Cid-Falceto Jaime , Cañas Ignacio
Published: February 2012

The search for energy efficient construction solutions is still pending in the agro-food industry, in which a large amount of energy is often consumed unnecessarily when storing products. The main objective of this research is to promote high energy efficiency built environments, which aim to reduce energy consumption in this sector. We analyze the suitability of using the thermal inertia of the ground to provide an adequate environment for the storage and conservation of agro-food products. This research compares different construction solutions based on the use of ground thermal properties, analyzing their effectiveness to decrease annual outdoor variations and provide adequate indoor conditions. The analysis undertaken is based on over five million pieces of data, obtained from an uninterrupted four year monitoring process of various constructions with different levels of thermal mass, ranging from high volume constructions to others lacking this resource. It has been proven that constructive solutions based on the use of ground thermal inertia are more effective than other solutions when reducing the effects of outdoor conditions, even when these have air conditioning systems. It is possible to reach optimal conditions to preserve agro-food products such as wine, with a good design and an adequate amount of terrain, without having to use air conditioning systems. The results of this investigation could be of great use to the agro-food industry, becoming a reference when it comes to the design of energy efficient constructions.
Acidic Polysaccharide Extracts from Gastrodia Rhizomes Suppress the Atherosclerosis Risk Index through Inhibition of the Serum Cholesterol Composition in Sprague Dawley Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Kim Kui-Jin , Lee Ok-Hwan , Han Chan-Kyu , Kim Young-Chan , Hong Hee-Do
Published: February 2012

Obesity is associated with a broad spectrum of cardio-metabolic disturbances, including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CDV). A high-fat diet has been shown to cause an elevation of the plasma cholesterol levels in humans, and the control of serum cholesterol has been demonstrated to be important in the prevention of CVD and atherosclerosis. The aims of this study were to demonstrate that crude and acidic polysaccharide extracts from Gastrodia rhizomes suppress atherosclerosis through the regulation of serum lipids in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats fed a high-fat diet. We examined the concentrations of serum lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, in SD rats fed a high-fat diet and evaluated the atherogenic index. Here, we show that both crude and acidic polysaccharide extracts from Gastrodia rhizomes inhibited the total cholesterol and LDL levels. Moreover, there was a significantly suppressed atherosclerosis risk due to the acidic polysaccharide extract from Gastrodia rhizome. Taken together, our results suggested that acidic polysaccharide extracts from Gastrodia rhizomes might be beneficial for lowering the incidence of CVD and atherosclerosis by reducing the de novo synthesis of total cholesterol and the LDL levels.
Genetic and Phenotypic Analyses of a Papaver somniferum T-DNA Insertional Mutant with Altered Alkaloid Composition
Authors: Kawano Noriaki , Kiuchi Fumiyuki , Kawahara Nobuo , Yoshimatsu Kayo
Published: February 2012

The in vitro shoot culture of a T-DNA insertional mutant of Papaver somniferum L. established by the infection of Agrobacterium rhizogenes MAFF03-01724 accumulated thebaine instead of morphine as a major opium alkaloid. To develop a non-narcotic opium poppy and to gain insight into its genetic background, we have transplanted this mutant to soil, and analyzed its alkaloid content along with the manner of inheritance of T-DNA insertion loci among its selfed progenies. In the transplanted T0 primary mutant, the opium (latex) was found to be rich in thebaine (16.3% of dried opium) by HPLC analysis. The analyses on T-DNA insertion loci by inverse PCR, adaptor-ligation PCR, and quantitative real-time PCR revealed that as many as 18 copies of T-DNAs were integrated into a poppy genome in a highly complicated manner. The number of copies of T-DNAs was decreased to seven in the selected T3 progenies, in which the average thebaine content was 2.4-fold that of the wild type plant. This may indicate that the high thebaine phenotype was increasingly stabilized as the number of T-DNA copies was decreased. In addition, by reverse transcription PCR analysis on selected morphine biosynthetic genes, the expression of codeine 6-O-demethylase was clearly shown to be diminished in the T0 in vitro shoot culture, which can be considered as one of the key factors of altered alkaloid composition.
Tree Species Detection Accuracies Using Discrete Point Lidar and Airborne Waveform Lidar
Authors: Vaughn Nicholas R. , Moskal L. Monika , Turnblom Eric C.
Published: February 2012

Species information is a key component of any forest inventory. However, when performing forest inventory from aerial scanning Lidar data, species classification can be very difficult. We investigated changes in classification accuracy while identifying five individual tree species (Douglas-fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, red alder, and black cottonwood) in the Pacific Northwest United States using two data sets: discrete point Lidar data alone and discrete point data in combination with waveform Lidar data. Waveform information included variables which summarize the frequency domain representation of all waveforms crossing individual trees. Discrete point data alone provided 79.2 percent overall accuracy (kappa = 0.74) for all 5 species and up to 97.8 percent (kappa = 0.96) when comparing individual pairs of these 5 species. Incorporating waveform information improved the overall accuracy to 85.4 percent (kappa = 0.817) for five species, and in several two-species comparisons. Improvements were most notable in comparing the two conifer species and in comparing two of the three hardwood species.
An Object-Based Image Analysis Method for Monitoring Land Conversion by Artificial Sprawl Use of RapidEye and IRS Data
Authors: Dupuy Stéphane , Barbe Eric , Balestrat Maud
Published: February 2012

In France, in the peri-urban context, urban sprawl dynamics are particularly strong with huge population growth as well as a land crisis. The increase and spreading of built-up areas from the city centre towards the periphery takes place to the detriment of natural and agricultural spaces. The conversion of land with agricultural potential is all the more worrying as it is usually irreversible. The French Ministry of Agriculture therefore needs reliable and repeatable spatial-temporal methods to locate and quantify loss of land at both local and national scales. The main objective of this study was to design a repeatable method to monitor land conversion characterized by artificial sprawl: (i) We used an object-based image analysis to extract artificial areas from satellite images; (ii) We built an artificial patch that consists of aggregating all the peripheral areas that characterize artificial areas. The “artificialized” patch concept is an innovative extension of the urban patch concept, but differs in the nature of its components and in the continuity distance applied; (iii) The diachronic analysis of artificial patch maps enables characterization of artificial sprawl. The method was applied at the scale of four departments (similar to provinces) along the coast of Languedoc-Roussillon, in the South of France, based on two satellite datasets, one acquired in 1996–1997 (Indian Remote Sensing) and the other in 2009 (RapidEye). In the four departments, we measured an increase in artificial areas of from 113,000 ha in 1997 to 133,000 ha in 2009, i.e., an 18% increase in 12 years. The package comes in the form of a 1/15,000 valid cartography, usable at the scale of a commune (the smallest territorial division used for administrative purposes in France) that can be adapted to departmental and regional scales. The method is reproducible in homogenous spatial-temporal terms, so that it could be used periodically to assess changes in land conversion rates in France as a whole.
Performance Study of the Application of Artificial Neural Networks to the Completion and Prediction of Data Retrieved by Underwater Sensors
Authors: Baladrón Carlos , Aguiar Javier M. , Calavia Lorena , Carro Belén , Sánchez-Esguevillas Antonio , Hernández Luis
Published: February 2012

This paper presents a proposal for an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based architecture for completion and prediction of data retrieved by underwater sensors. Due to the specific conditions under which these sensors operate, it is not uncommon for them to fail, and maintenance operations are difficult and costly. Therefore, completion and prediction of the missing data can greatly improve the quality of the underwater datasets. A performance study using real data is presented to validate the approach, concluding that the proposed architecture is able to provide very low errors. The numbers show as well that the solution is especially suitable for cases where large portions of data are missing, while in situations where the missing values are isolated the improvement over other simple interpolation methods is limited.
Towards a Sustainable Spatial Organization of the Energy System: Backcasting Experiences from Austria
Authors: Wächter Petra , Ornetzeder Michael , Rohracher Harald , Schreuer Anna , Knoflacher Markus
Published: February 2012

The transition to a sustainable energy system faces more challenges than a simple replacement of fossil energy sources by renewable ones. Since current structures do not favor sustainable energy generation and use, it is indispensable to change the existing infrastructure. A fundamental change of the energy system also requires re-organizing spatial structures and their respective institutions and governance structures. Especially in Austria, urban sprawl and unsustainable settlement structures are regarded as one of the main developments leading to increased energy demand. One of the aims within the project E-Trans 2050 was to identify socio-economic constellations that are central to the further transformation of the energy system and to focus on actors and their socio-technical framework conditions. Based on a sustainable future vision for the year 2050 a backcasting workshop was conducted to identify necessary steps for the envisaged transition to a more sustainable energy system. The results shed light on the necessary changes for a transformation towards sustainability in the specific Austrian situation. Critical issues are region-specific production of energy and its use, settlement and regional structures and values and role models, which all have a determining influence on energy demand. Combining the knowledge of extensive energy use with available energy resources in spatial planning decisions is a main challenge towards a long term sustainable energy system.
Towards a Risk Governance Culture in Flood Policy—Findings from the Implementation of the “Floods Directive” in Germany
Authors: Heintz Marc Daniel , Hagemeier-Klose Maria , Wagner Klaus
Published: February 2012

The European Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks is likely to cause changes to flood policy in Germany and other member states. With its risk governance approach, it introduces a holistic and catchment-oriented flood risk management and tries to overcome shortcomings of the past, such as the event-driven construction of mainly structural measures. However, there is leeway for interpretation in implementing the directive. The present paper gives an overview on the implementation of the floods directive in Germany and is divided into two qualitative empirical case studies. Case Study I investigates the level of acceptance of the floods directive among decision-makers in the German part of the Rhine river basin. Findings show that the federal states respond differently to the impulse given by the floods directive. Whereas some decision-makers opt for a pro-forma implementation, others take it as a starting point to systematically improve their flood policy. Case Study II presents recommendations for a successful implementation of flood risk management plans that have been developed within a project for the water authority in Bavaria and might be interesting for other federal/member states. For a participation of the interested parties on the level of shared decision-making, the planning process has to work on sub-management-plan level (15–20 communities). The water resources authority has to adopt a multi-faceted role (expert, responsible or interested party depending on the discussed topics).
Burial increases seed longevity of two Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae) subspecies
Authors: Wijayratne Upekala C. , Pyke David A.
Published: February 2012

• Premise of the study: Seed longevity and persistence in soil seed banks may be especially important for population persistence in ecosystems where opportunities for seedling establishment and disturbance are unpredictable. The fire regime, an important driver of population dynamics in sagebrush steppe ecosystems, has been altered by exotic annual grass invasion. Soil seed banks may play an active role in postfire recovery of the foundation shrub Artemisia tridentata, yet conditions under which seeds persist are largely unknown.

• Methods: We investigated seed longevity of two Artemisia tridentata subspecies in situ by retrieving seed bags that were placed at varying depths over a 2 yr period. We also sampled naturally dispersed seeds in litter and soil immediately after seed dispersal and before flowering in subsequent seasons to estimate seed persistence.

• Key results: After 24 mo, seeds buried at least 3 cm below the soil surface retained 30–40% viability whereas viability of seeds on the surface and under litter declined to 0 and < 11%, respectively. The density of naturally dispersed seeds in the seed bank was highly heterogeneous both spatially and temporally, and attrition varied significantly by region.

• Conclusions: Our study suggests that Artemisia tridentata has the potential to form a short‐term soil seed bank that persists longer than has been commonly assumed, and that burial is necessary for seed longevity. Use of seeding techniques that promote burial of some seeds to aid in formation of a soil seed bank may increase restoration potential.
Coverage‐based consensus calling (CbCC) of short sequence reads and comparison of CbCC results to identify SNPs in chickpea (Cicer arietinum; Fabaceae), a crop species without a reference genome
Authors: Azam Sarwar , Thakur Vivek , Ruperao Pradeep , Shah Trushar , Balaji Jayashree , Amindala BhanuPrakash , Farmer Andrew D. , Studholme David J. , May Gregory D. , Edwards David , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: February 2012

• Premise of the study: Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are frequently used for resequencing and mining of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by comparison to a reference genome. In crop species such as chickpea (Cicer arietinum) that lack a reference genome sequence, NGS‐based SNP discovery is a challenge. Therefore, unlike probability‐based statistical approaches for consensus calling and by comparison with a reference sequence, a coverage‐based consensus calling (CbCC) approach was applied and two genotypes were compared for SNP identification.

• Methods: A CbCC approach is used in this study with four commonly used short read alignment tools (Maq, Bowtie, Novoalign, and SOAP2) and 15.7 and 22.1 million Illumina reads for chickpea genotypes ICC4958 and ICC1882, together with the chickpea trancriptome assembly (CaTA).

• Key results: A nonredundant set of 4543 SNPs was identified between two chickpea genotypes. Experimental validation of 224 randomly selected SNPs showed superiority of Maq among individual tools, as 50.0% of SNPs predicted by Maq were true SNPs. For combinations of two tools, greatest accuracy (55.7%) was reported for Maq and Bowtie, with a combination of Bowtie, Maq, and Novoalign identifying 61.5% true SNPs. SNP prediction accuracy generally increased with increasing reads depth.

• Conclusions: This study provides a benchmark comparison of tools as well as read depths for four commonly used tools for NGS SNP discovery in a crop species without a reference genome sequence. In addition, a large number of SNPs have been identified in chickpea that would be useful for molecular breeding.
Ultra‐barcoding in cacao (Theobroma spp.; Malvaceae) using whole chloroplast genomes and nuclear ribosomal DNA
Authors: Kane Nolan , Sveinsson Saemundur , Dempewolf Hannes , Yang Ji Yong , Zhang Dapeng , Engels Johannes M. M. , Cronk Quentin
Published: February 2012

• Premise of study: To reliably identify lineages below the species level such as subspecies or varieties, we propose an extension to DNA‐barcoding using next‐generation sequencing to produce whole organellar genomes and substantial nuclear ribosomal sequence. Because this method uses much longer versions of the traditional DNA‐barcoding loci in the plastid and ribosomal DNA, we call our approach ultra‐barcoding (UBC).

• Methods: We used high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing to scan the genome and generate reliable sequence of high copy number regions. Using this method, we examined whole plastid genomes as well as nearly 6000 bases of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences for nine genotypes of Theobroma cacao and an individual of the related species T. grandiflorum, as well as an additional publicly available whole plastid genome of T. cacao.

• Key results: All individuals of T. cacao examined were uniquely distinguished, and evidence of reticulation and gene flow was observed. Sequence variation was observed in some of the canonical barcoding regions between species, but other regions of the chloroplast were more variable both within species and between species, as were ribosomal spacers. Furthermore, no single region provides the level of data available using the complete plastid genome and rDNA.

• Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that UBC is a viable, increasingly cost‐effective approach for reliably distinguishing varieties and even individual genotypes of T. cacao. This approach shows great promise for applications where very closely related or interbreeding taxa must be distinguished.
Intraperitoneal IL-6 Signaling in Incident Patients Treated with Icodextrin and Glucose Bicarbonate/Lactate–Based Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions
Authors: Opatrna Sylvie , Lysak Daniel , Trefil Ladislav , Parker Clare , Topley Nicholas
Published: February 2012

Objective

In this study, we compared the activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of ongoing peritoneal inflammation and biocompatibility, and its other signaling components, the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble Gp130 (sGp130), in peritoneal effluent from patients treated with icodextrin-based (E) peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution and glucose-based bicarbonate/lactate–buffered (P) solution.

Methods

Using baseline peritoneal ultrafiltration capacity, 33 stable incident PD patients were allocated either to P only ( n = 20) or to P plus E for the overnight dwell ( n = 13). We used ELISA to determine IL-6, sIL-6R, and sGp130 in timed overnight effluent at 1, 6, and 12 months after PD initiation. Flow cytometry was used to measure expression of IL-6R and Gp130 on isolated peritoneal leukocytes at the same time points. Peritonitis was an exclusion criterion.

Results

At all time points, levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R, and the appearance rates of IL-6 (90.5 pg/min vs. 481.1 pg/min, p < 0.001; 138.6 pg/min vs. 1187.5 pg/min, p < 0.001; and 56.1 pg/min vs. 1386.0 pg/min, p < 0.001), sIL-6R (2035.3 pg/min vs. 4907.0 pg/min, p < 0.01; 1375.0 pg/min vs. 6348.4 pg/min, p < 0.01; and 1881.3 pg/min vs. 5437.8 pg/min, p < 0.01), and sGp130 (37.6 ng/min vs. 65.4 ng/min, p < 0.01; 39.2 ng/min vs. 80.6 ng/min, p < 0.01; 27.8 ng/min vs. 71.0 ng/min, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in peritoneal effluent from E-treated patients than from P-treated patients. Expression of IL6-R and Gp130 on individual leukocyte types isolated from PD effluent did not differ between E- and P-treated patients. The numbers of white blood cells present in effluent were higher in E-treated than in P-treated patients at all time points, but no significant differences were seen in the differential counts or in the number of exfoliated mesothelial cells. The IL-6 parameters in effluent from E-treated patients correlated with their plasma C-reactive protein. Despite the increased activation of the IL-6 system, no increase in peritoneal permeability as assessed by the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine in E effluent or by systemic inflammation was observed throughout the study.

Conclusions

Higher levels of IL-6, its soluble receptors, and leukocyte expression were observed in E-treated than in P-treated patients, but this difference was not associated with alterations in peritoneal permeability or systemic inflammation during 1 year of follow-up. Leukocyte counts in effluent from E-treated patients were within the normal range previously reported for glucose solutions. This lack of clinical consequences may be a result of a parallel rise in sIL-6R and sGp130, which are known to control the biologic activity of IL-6. The utility of IL-6 level determinations, in isolation, for assessing the biocompatibility of PD solutions is questionable.
Ultrafiltration and Dialysis Adequacy with Various Daily Schedules of Dialysis Fluids
Authors: Paniagua Ramón , Debowska Malgorzata , Ventura María-De-Jesús , Ávila–Díaz Marcela , Prado–Uribe Carmen , Mora Carmen , García–López Elvia , Lindholm Bengt , Waniewski Jacek
Published: February 2012

Dialysis regimens for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients vary with the need for fluid removal, but also because of concerns about the local and systemic consequences of high glucose exposure. The implications of various regimens for dialysis adequacy—that is, fluid and small-solute removal—are not always clear. We therefore analyzed ultrafiltration (UF) and adequacy indices for 4 different combinations of dialysis fluid.

Collections of 24-hour dialysate and urine were carried out in 99 patients on CAPD. On 4 separate occasions, each patient performed 4 exchanges in 24 hours, including 3 daily exchanges with 1.36% glucose and 1 night exchange with either 1.36% glucose (G1 schedule), 2.27% glucose (G2 schedule), 3.86% glucose (G3 schedule), or icodextrin (Ico schedule). Weekly, total, and dialysis Kt/V and KT were calculated for both urea and creatinine.

The mean values of urea Kt/V and KT were significantly lower for the G1 schedule than for the G3 and Ico schedules. The adequacy indices for overnight application of 3.86% glucose and icodextrin were similar. Using dialysis fluids with 1.36% and 2.27% glucose overnight reduces glucose exposure, but those schedules may provide inadequate UF and small-solute removal in some patients (UF < 1 L daily, Kt/V < 1.7).
Weekend Compared with Weekday Presentations of Peritoneal Dialysis–Associated Peritonitis
Authors: Johnson David W. , Clayton Philip , Cho Yeoungjee , Badve Sunil V. , Hawley Carmel M. , McDonald Stephen , Boudville Neil , Wiggins Kathryn J. , Bannister Kym , Brown Fiona
Published: February 2012

Objective

Management of peritoneal dialysis (PD)–associated peritonitis requires timely intervention by experienced staff, which may not be uniformly available throughout the week. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of weekend compared with weekday presentation on peritonitis outcomes.

Methods

The study, which used data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, included all Australian patients receiving PD between 1 October 2003 and 31 December 2008. The independent predictors of weekend presentation and subsequent peritonitis outcomes were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Peritonitis presentation rates were significantly lower on Saturdays [0.46 episodes per year; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 to 0.49 episodes per year] and on Sundays (0.43 episodes per year; 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.47 episodes per year) than all other weekdays; they peaked on Mondays (0.76 episodes per year; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.81 episodes per year). Weekend presentation with a first episode of peritonitis was independently associated with lower body mass index and residence less than 100 km away from the nearest PD unit. Patients presenting with peritonitis on the weekend were significantly more likely to be hospitalized [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.32; 95% CI: 1.85 to 2.90], although microbial profiles and empiric antimicrobial treatments were comparable between the weekend and weekday groups. Antimicrobial cure rates were also comparable (79% vs 79%, p = 0.9), with the exception of cure rates for culture-negative peritonitis, which were lower on the weekend (80% vs 88%, p = 0.047). Antifungal prophylaxis was less likely to be co-prescribed for first peritonitis episodes presenting on weekdays (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.89).

Conclusions

Patients on PD are less likely to present with peritonitis on the weekend. Nevertheless, the microbiology, treatment, and outcomes of weekend and weekday PD peritonitis presentations are remarkably similar. Exceptions include the associations of weekend presentation with a higher hospitalization rate and a lower cure rate in culture-negative infection.
The Effect on Peritoneal Dialysis Pathogens of Changing Topical Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Authors: Pierce Dwayne A. , Williamson John C. , Mauck Vicki S. , Russell Gregory B. , Palavecino Elizabeth , Burkart John M.
Published: February 2012

Background

Prophylactic gentamicin 0.1% cream has demonstrated efficacy in preventing both exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis attributable to gram-positive and gram-negative organisms; however, the effect of this practice on the gentamicin susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from such infections is unknown. We therefore examined the effect of a change in our prophylactic topical antibiotic exit-site protocol (from mupirocin 2% cream to gentamicin 0.1% cream) on infection rates and susceptibility patterns.

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study examined two periods of time: before and after the change in exit-site protocol. Each period was 30 months in duration, with a 2-month implementation period between, during which patient data were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and microbiology data were collected for each patient and episode of infection.

Results

Overall, 377 patients were evaluated. In the mupirocin period (MUP), 145 infections occurred in 79 patients, and in the gentamicin period, 145 infections occurred in 93 patients. No significant effect was found either in overall episodes of infection (0.53 per year) or in episodes of peritonitis (0.429 vs 0.375 per year), but episodes of ESI increased significantly (0.098 vs 0.153 per year; p = 0.024; odds ratio: 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 2.28). Episodes of Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis increased by 38% (0.018 vs 0.025 per year), and episodes of S. aureus ESI increased significantly by 150% (0.022 vs 0.055 per year; p = 0.03; hazard ratio: 3.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 8.26). Episodes of pseudomonal peritonitis declined by 68% (0.022 vs 0.007 per year), and episodes of pseudomonal ESI increased by 150% (0.007 vs 0.018 per year). The gentamicin susceptibility for gram-positive isolates demonstrated no significant change; however, the gentamicin susceptibility for Enterobacteriaceae decreased by 12% and for Pseudomonas, by 14%.

Conclusions

The significant increase in episodes of ESI and the decrease in susceptibility for both Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas isolates represent a concerning trend. Centers should examine trends in infection rates and in bacterial susceptibilities to determine the most appropriate agent for ESI prophylaxis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Radiographic Assessment of Carpal Depressions in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Normal Variants or Erosions?
Authors: BOAVIDA PETER , HARGUNANI RIKIN , OWENS CATHERINE M. , ROSENDAHL KAREN
Published: February 2012

Objective.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and followup of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Carpal depressions are commonly observed in healthy children and in patients with JIA. The aim of our study was to further characterize these depressions in patients with JIA.

Methods.

A total of 29 MRI wrist examinations were analyzed. Depressions were classified according to morphology as either tubular or focal. Features including the presence of a vessel related to the depression, evidence of synovitis, bone marrow edema, or loss of joint space on a radiograph taken on the same day were recorded for each depression.

Results.

A total of 173 depressions were identified in 145 carpal bones. Forty percent were capitate depressions. A third were focal depressions and two-thirds were tubular. About 10% of tubular depressions and 30% of focal depressions were associated with features suggesting true erosions, with the remainder likely to represent vascular channels and normal variants.

Conclusion.

Radiologists and clinicians should undertake caution when assessing carpal depressions on MRI because the vast majority are likely to represent normal variants.
Parent and Child Acceptable Symptom State in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: FILOCAMO GIOVANNI , CONSOLARO ALESSANDRO , SCHIAPPAPIETRA BENEDETTA , RUPERTO NICOLINO , PISTORIO ANGELA , SOLARI NICOLETTA , PEDERZOLI SILVIA , VERAZZA SARA , MARTINI ALBERTO , RAVELLI ANGELO
Published: February 2012

Objective.

To explore the parent and child acceptable symptom state in juvenile arthritis (JA-PASS and JA-CASS, respectively) and estimate the JA-PASS and JA-CASS cutoff values for outcome measures.

Methods.

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents completed a multi-dimensional questionnaire that included parent-reported and child-reported outcomes and a question about whether they considered the disease state as satisfactory. Additional assessments included demographic data, physician-reported outcomes, and acute-phase reactant levels. Stepwise logistic regression was used to assess contributors to JA-PASS and JA-CASS. Cutoff values of outcome measures that defined JA-PASS and JA-CASS were determined using both 75th percentile and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve methods. Testing procedures included evaluation of discriminative and construct validity of the satisfaction question and assessment of reliability of JA-PASS and JA-PASS cutoffs.

Results.

Of 584 parents, 385 (65.9%) considered their child in JA-PASS. Of 343 children, 236 (68.8%) considered themselves in JA-CASS. Significant contributors to being in either JA-PASS or JA-CASS were absence of active joints, better rating of overall well-being, and better physical function or health. Cutoff values yielded by 75th percentile and ROC curve methods were similar. Parent, child, and physician global ratings yielded the lowest percentage of false-positive misclassification and the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity. The satisfaction question showed good discriminative and construct validity and the JA-PASS and JA-PASS cutoffs were found to be stable over time.

Conclusion.

The acceptable symptom state is a relevant concept for children with JIA and their parents and constitutes a valid outcome measure that is potentially applicable in routine practice and clinical trials.
Dysregulation of the Microvasculature in Nonlesional Non-Sun-exposed Skin of Patients with Lupus Nephritis
Authors: IZMIRLY PETER M. , SHVARTSBEYN MARIANNA , MEEHAN SHANE , FRANKS ANDREW , BRAUN ALAN , GINZLER ELLEN , XU SHERRY X. , YEE HERMAN , RIVERA TANIA , ESMON CHARLES , BARISONI LAURA , MERRILL JOAN T. , BUYON JILL P. , CLANCY ROBERT M.
Published: February 2012

Objective.

Membrane endothelial protein C receptor (mEPCR) is highly expressed in peritubular capillaries of kidneys from patients with active and poorly responsive lupus nephritis (LN). We investigated the hypothesis that changes in the microvasculature are widespread with extension to the dermal vasculature.

Methods.

Skin biopsies from uninvolved skin (buttocks) were performed in 27 patients with LN and 5 healthy controls. Sections were stained with specific antibodies reactive with mEPCR, adiponectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and CD31; then assessed by enumeration of stained blood vessels (percentage positive blood vessels) blinded to knowledge of clinical information.

Results.

There was a significant increase in the prevalence of blood vessels that stained for mEPCR and ICAM-1 in patients compared to controls [94% vs 59% (p = 0.045) and 81% vs 67% (p = 0.037), respectively]. Adiponectin staining and CD31 staining were similar between the groups (45% vs 43% and 98% vs 92%). Dermal staining for mEPCR was greater in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis than in those with membranous disease (96% vs 60%; p = 0.029). A composite of poor prognostic renal markers and death was significantly associated with greater expression of mEPCR staining.

Conclusion.

These data are consistent with the notion that in patients with LN, activation of the microvasculature extends beyond the clinically targeted organ. The insidious expression of this widespread vasculopathy may be a contributor to longterm comorbidities.
Aberrant Chondrocyte Hypertrophy and Activation of ß-Catenin Signaling Precede Joint Ankylosis inank/ankMice
Authors: LAS HERAS FACUNDO , PRITZKER KENNETH P.H. , SO ANTHONY , TSUI HING WO , CHIU BASIL , INMAN ROBERT D. , TSUI FLORENCE W.L.
Published: February 2012

Objective.

We assessed the role ofAnkin the maintenance of postnatal articular cartilage using theank/ankmouse (mice homozygous forprogressive ankylosis).

Methods.

We analyzedank/ankmice and wild-type littermates (8, 12, and 18 weeks old). Sections from decalcified, paraffin-embedded joints were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Articular chondrocyte size and cartilage thickness were determined using morphometric methods. Immuno-histochemical staining was performed with anticollagen X, antitissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), and anti-ß-catenin antibodies on fixed joint sections. Axin2 expression in paw joint lysates in wild-type versusank/ankmice were compared using Western blot analysis.

Results.

In all age groups of normal mice studied, calcified cartilage (CC) chondrocyte areas were significantly larger than those of uncalcified cartilage (UC) chondrocytes. However, similar chondrocyte areas (UC vs CC) were found in 12-week and 18-week-oldank/ankmice, indicating that hypertrophic chondrocytes were present in the UC of these mutant mice. Theank/ankmice showed an increase in CC thickness. Theank/ankUC hypertrophic chondrocytes showed diffuse immuno-reactivity for collagen X and TNAP. Increased ß-catenin activation was demonstrated by nuclear localization of ß-catenin staining inank/ankchondrocytes. Axin2 expression from paw lysates was downregulated inank/ankmice.

Conclusion.

We identified a previously unrecognized phenotype in the articular cartilage ofank/ankmice: collagen X-positive hypertrophic chondrocytes in the UC. It is possible that consequent to downregulation of axin2 expression, ß-catenin signaling was activated, leading to accelerated chondrocyte maturation and eventual ankylosis inank/ankjoints. Our studies shed new light on the contribution of a key signaling pathway in this model of joint ankylosis.
La logique et le Soi : les suites de certaines crises de la pensée occidentale
Authors: van Fraassen Bas C.
Published: February 2012

Résumé Prononcée à l’occasion de la remise du Prix Giulo Preti en 2009, cette conférence examine et questionne le contraste entre le sens de crise intellectuelle dans le monde scientifique des premières décennies du xx e siècle et l’absence apparente d’un tel sens de crise dans la philosophie actuelle. Depuis le xix e siècle, on se trouve confronté à des changements de perspectives qui modifient notre position au sein de l’univers, de la logique et du langage. C’est non seulement ce que nous pensons mais les outils avec lesquels nous – nous – pensons qui ont été interrogés. Ainsi, comment proposer de nouveaux cadres de pensée à l’intérieur des cadres cognitifs habituellement utilisés pour juger de la viabilité de tout changement conceptuel? Tels sont les paradoxes auxquels les philosophes et les scientifiques de la première moitié du xx e siècle, en proie à une crise, ont tenté de répondre. Il semblerait que les philosophes d’aujourd’hui aient préféré surmonter les apories de leurs aînés en niant l’existence de la crise qui, plus qu’un frein, peut pourtant se révéler un moteur fécond de réflexion.