bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring infrastructure investment option value
Authors: Power Gabriel J , Tandja M. Charli D. , Bastien Josée , Grégoire Philippe 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose a risk-based framework to estimate the option value of infrastructure investment, accounting for the stochastic behavior of both financial and physical (engineering) variables.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study uses a real-options approach and computes the optimal investment dates and option values using Least Squares Monte Carlo, both the original Longstaff – Schwartz algorithm and the constrained Least Squares approach of Le tourneau – Stentoft.

Findings
– Real-option value for infrastructure investment is substantial. It is beneficial to model jointly financial and engineering risks to better understand the timing and real-option value of infrastructure investment. The analysis further shows which variables are option value drivers.

Research limitations/implications
– Future work could integrate financing constraints into the model, consider path dependency in the physical state variables or integrate sovereign risk, expropriation risk, operational risk or other project risks.

Practical implications
– Financial practitioners and investment managers interested in infrastructure risk finance or project finance will benefit from a novel framework to analyze infrastructure investments in which engineering and financial risks interact in a tractable way.

Social implications
– Public decision-makers will benefit from a better understanding of what determines the value of infrastructure investments, how real-option value affects optimal investment timing and how both are determined by financial and engineering risks.

Originality/value
– The analysis considers financial and engineering risks in a single framework to better understand option value in infrastructure investment. The framework and findings are useful both to risk finance and project finance practitioners and investors as well as engineers and public sector decision-makers.
Student satisfaction or happiness?
Authors: Dean Aftab , Gibbs Paul 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to investigate the purpose of the complex open system of higher education and to explore this transformative experience as personal flourishing, where students come to terms with a way of being, matching their potentiality with their agency and leading to profound happiness. There is influential, but not uncontested (Tsinidou et al., 2010), literature concerning higher education institutes as education service providers, functioning like any other business (DeShields, 2005). Eagle and Brennan (2007, p. 4) argue that academic staff as service providers are thus vital to process delivery. Using a service model and traditional corporate quality frameworks, there is a temptation to measure how a service ethos serves recipients and co-producers – students, donor, industry and sponsors – negating education’s transformative and uncertain nature, rather than taking the externality of process delivery as a guide.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research is based on a questionnaire designed and administered to two cohorts of students in different universities in the UK. It presents the outcomes as indicative results and draws preliminary conclusions on how the student experience might be engaged with to increase happiness as well as satisfaction.

Findings
– The results show a distinct notion of happiness which has specific attributes from those that deliver satisfaction.

Originality/value
– The literature on student experience and more importantly, its reporting conflate happiness and satisfaction. This research shows that they are different, and offers a new way of looking at the student experience data.
Differential transcriptional response to antibiotics by Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E
Authors: Molina‐Santiago Carlos , Daddaoua Abdelali , Gómez‐Lozano María , Udaondo Zulema , Molin Søren , Ramos Juan‐Luis 
Published: January 2015

SummaryMulti‐drug resistant bacteria are a major threat to humanity, especially because the current battery of known antibiotics is not sufficient to combat infections produced by these microbes. Therefore, the study of how current antibiotics act and how bacteria defend themselves against antibiotics is of critical importance. Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E exhibits an impressive array of RND efflux pumps, which confer this microorganism high resistance to organic solvents and antibiotics that would kill most other microorganisms. We have chosen DOT‐T1E as a model microbe to study the microbial responses to a wide battery of antibiotics (chloramphenicol, rifampicin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, kanamycin, spectinomycin and gentamicin). Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA)‐seq analyses revealed that each antibiotic provokes a unique transcriptional response profile in DOT‐T1E. While many of the genes identified were related to known antibiotic targets, others were unrelated or encoded hypothetical proteins. These results indicate that our knowledge of antibiotic resistance mechanisms is still partial. We also identified 138 new small RNAs (sRNAs) in DOT‐T1E, dramatically adding to the 16 that have been previously described. Importantly, our results reveal that a correlation exists between the expression of messenger RNA and sRNA, indicating that some of these sRNAs are likely involved in fine tuning the expression of antibiotic resistance genes. Taken together, these findings open new frontiers in the fight against multi‐drug resistant bacteria and point to the potential use of sRNAs as novel antimicrobial targets.
First trimester contingent testing with either nuchal translucency or cell‐free DNA. Cost efficiency and the role of ultrasound dating
Authors: Conner Peter , Gustafsson Sven , Kublickas Marius 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the performance and cost efficacy of different first‐trimester contingent screening strategies based on an initial analysis of biochemical markers.DesignRetrospective study.SettingSwedish National Quality Register for prenatal diagnosis.Population35 780 women with singleton pregnancies.MethodsSerum values from first trimester biochemistry were re‐analyzed in a contingent approach. For risks between 1:40 and 1:1000, risk estimates from nuchal translucency measurements were added and outcomes were compared using either a final cut‐off risk of 1:200 to proceed with invasive testing or offering non‐invasive prenatal testing. In a subgroup of 12 836 women with regular menstrual cycles the same analyses were performed using data on the last menstrual period for determining gestational age. The costs of detecting one case of aneuploidy were compared.Main outcome measuresComparison of screening strategies.ResultsThe detection rate was the same (87%) in the contingent group as in complete combined screening, with only 41% requiring a nuchal translucency scan. As an alternative, offering non‐invasive prenatal testing to the intermediate risk group would result in a detection rate of 98%, but the cost to detect one case of trisomy 21 would be 83% higher than the cost associated with traditional combined screening.ConclusionsFirst trimester examination using a contingent approach will achieve similar results compared with full combined screening. Non‐invasive prenatal testing will not be cost‐effective when a high proportion of pregnancies need further testing.
Myeloid heme oxygenase‐1 promotes metastatic tumor colonization in mice
Authors: Lin Heng‐Huei , Chiang Ming‐Tsai , Chang Po‐Chiao , Chau Lee‐Young 
Published: January 2015

Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) is a heme degradation enzyme with antioxidant and immune‐modulatory functions. HO‐1 promotes tumorigenesis by enhancing tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Whether HO‐1 has an effect on cancer progression through stromal compartments is less clear. Here we show that the growth of tumor engrafted subcutaneously in syngeneic mice was not affected by host HO‐1 expression. However, lung metastasis arisen from subcutaneous tumor or circulating tumor cells was significantly reduced in HO‐1+/− mice comparing to wild type (WT) mice. The reduced lung metastasis was also observed in B6 mice bearing HO‐1+/− bone marrow as comparing to WT chimeras, indicating that HO‐1 expression in hematopoietic cells impacts tumor colonization at the metastatic site. Further experiments demonstrated that the numbers of myeloid cells recruited to pulmonary premetastatic niches and metastatic loci were significantly lower in HO‐1+/− mice than in WT mice. Likewise, the extents of tumor cell extravasation and colonization at the metastatic loci in the early phase of metastasis were significantly lower in HO‐1+/− mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that HO‐1 impacted chemoattractant‐induced myeloid cell migration by modulating p38 kinase signaling. Moreover, myeloid HO‐1‐induced expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin‐10 promoted tumor cell transendothelial migration and STAT3 activation in vitro. These data support a pathological role of myeloid HO‐1 in metastasis and suggest a possibility of targeting myeloid HO‐1 for cancer treatment.
Rigosertib induces cell death of a myelodysplastic syndrome‐derived cell line by DNA damage‐induced G2/M arrest
Authors: Hyoda Tomoko , Tsujioka Takayuki , Nakahara Takako , Suemori Shin‐ichiro , Okamoto Shuichiro , Kataoka Mikio , Tohyama Kaoru 
Published: January 2015

A multi‐kinase inhibitor, rigosertib (ON 01910.Na) has recently been highlighted as a novel type of anti‐cancer agent for the treatment of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), but its action mechanisms remain to be clarified. We investigated the in vitro effects of rigosertib on an MDS‐derived cell line MDS‐L and a myeloid leukemia cell line HL‐60. Rigosertib suppressed the proliferation of both HL‐60 and MDS‐L cells and induced apoptosis by inhibition of the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway. As the effects on cell cycle, rigosertib treatment promoted the phosphorylation of histone H2AX and led to the DNA damage‐induced G2/M arrest. In addition, an immunofluorescence staining study demonstrated the abnormal localization of aurora A kinase, suggesting that rigosertib causes perturbation of spindle assembly and deregulated mitotic patterns towards cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We also found that rigosertib exerted growth inhibitory effects on two lymphoid cell lines, Jurkat and Ramos. We further examined the molecular pathways influenced by rigosertib from the gene expression profiling data of MDS‐L cells and found a possible involvement of rigosertib treatment in the upregulation of the genes related to microtubule kinetics and the downregulation of the mRNA degradation system. The gene set enrichment analysis showed the suppression of “nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD)” as the most significantly affected gene set. These data provide a new aspect and a potential utility of rigosertib for the treatment of refractory hematopoietic malignancies.
Sal‐like protein 2 upregulates p16 expression through a proximal promoter element
Authors: Wu Zhenghua , Cheng Kebin , Shi Lidan , Li Zheqi , Negi Hema , Gao Guangwei , Kamle Suchitra , Li Dawei 
Published: January 2015

Sal‐like protein 2 (Sall2), a homeotic transcription factor, is a putative tumor suppressor. We have previously shown that Sall2 activates the transcription of tumor suppressor gene p21 and suppresses tumorigenesis through cell cycle inhibition and induction of apoptosis. To investigate additional Sall2‐regulated downstream genes, we analyzed the differences in mRNA expression profiles with and without exogenously expressed Sall2. We identified 1616 Sall2‐responsive genes through gene expression arrays. Promoter‐reporter assays of p16INK4A and several other tumor‐related genes indicated that the Sall2 regulation of these promoters was not significantly different between the two major forms of Sall2 with alternative exon 1 or exon 1A. Additional analysis showed that Sall2‐induced p16 promoter activation was Sall2 dose‐dependent. Deletion and site‐directed mutagenesis of the p16 promoter identified a consensus Sall2 binding site (GGGTGGG) proximal to the p16 transcription start site and was critical for p16 promoter activation. Finally, to confirm the significance of Sall2‐activated p16 expression in cell cycle regulation, we co‐transfected the SKOV3 cells with a Sall2 expression construct and a p16 minigene and also co‐transfected the ES‐2 cells with a Sall2 expression construct and the siRNA against p16 for flow cytometry analysis. Our results showed that Sall2 enhanced the p16 minigene blocking of cell cycle progression and p16 knockdown with siRNA abolished most of the Sall2 inhibition of cell cycle progression. These findings indicate that Sall2 targets multiple cell cycle regulators, including p16, through their promoters, adding knowledge to the understanding of Sall2 and p16 gene regulation, and how Sall2 deregulation may promote cancer formation.
Effect of maternal age at childbirth on insulin resistance: the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Yun Kyung‐Jin , Han Kyungdo , Kim Mee Kyoung , Park Young‐Moon , Baek Ki‐Hyun , Song Ki‐Ho , Kil Kicheol , Kwon Hyuk‐Sang 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectiveThis study aimed to assess insulin resistance according to maternal age at childbirth.Patients and methodsThe data used in this study were obtained from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This study included a total of 2233 nondiabetic female subjects ≥30 years of age that were subdivided into groups according to their obesity and abdominal obesity (AOB) statuses. The homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was used to quantify the insulin resistance according to age at first childbirth and last childbirth.ResultsAge at first childbirth showed a negative relationship with HOMA‐IR in both the nonobese and non‐AOB groups, while age at last childbirth showed a positive relationship with HOMA‐IR in both the nonobese and non‐AOB groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ages at first and last childbirth were significantly associated with the highest HOMA‐IR quartile. The odds ratio was 0·9 (95% confidence interval: 0·82–0·98) for age at first childbirth, and 1·07 (95% confidence interval: 1·01–1·14) for age at last childbirth in the nonobese and non‐AOB groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study suggests that insulin resistance is increased in females who experienced their first childbirth at a younger age or their last childbirth at a later age, particularly in nonobese individuals. Because these data suggest that childbearing age could be an independent risk factor for diabetes, a high‐quality prospective study assessing the relationship between childbearing age and insulin resistance should be performed.
High‐frequency jet ventilation for endolaryngotracheal surgery – chart review and procedure analysis from the surgeon's and the anaesthesiologist's point of view
Authors: Helmstaedter V. , Tellkamp R. , Majdani O. , Warnecke A. , Lenarz T. , Durisin M. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveHigh‐frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) arose as a ventilation alternative in laryngotracheal surgery as it offers the surgeon a better overview and more space for microsurgical manipulations. On the contrary, anaesthesiologic monitoring is limited and (relative) contraindications exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedure. Contraindications and limitations are discussed from the surgeon's and the anaesthesiologist's point of view, and relevant aspects of oncologic surgery are identified.DesignRetrospective chart review and analysis of clinical experiences.SettingUniversity Teaching hospital.Patients and main outcome measuresEighty adult patients (97 cases) treated at our institution between June 2012 and September 2013 were included. HFJV was performed using thin, subglottically placed catheters. The analysis focuses on complications and practical steps.ResultsIndications were benign (63%) and malignant pathologies (37%). The CO2 laser was used in 34 cases (35%). The mean operating time averaged 53 min (3–404 min) and the mean duration of anaesthesia was 81 min (16–438 min). Two thirds of the operated patients had a body mass index higher than 25 kg/m2. Eighty‐four per cent were classified as ASA I and II according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. All pathologies could well be exposed by the surgeon. Two reversible desaturations to 70% were documented. In another case, emergency re‐intubation was necessary as the saturation dropped below 50%. In 8 (8%) cases, elective re‐intubation to conventional tubes was performed during the course of the operation as HFJV did not establish optimal oxygenation conditions. No severe intra‐operative bleeding was observed.ConclusionsHigh‐frequency jet ventilation represents a safe ventilation approach for laryngotracheal surgery in experienced hands. Due to the better overview, it offers a better orientation on anatomical structures and on the pathology. Special attention has to be laid on obesity, reflux and cardiopulmonary diseases. However, individual decisions can be made under consideration of all co‐morbidities. A close pre‐ and intra‐operative interdisciplinary work up is required.
Sensitization to palladium and nickel in Europe and the relationship with oral disease and dental alloys
Authors: Muris Joris , Goossens An , Gonçalo Margarida , Bircher Andreas J. , Giménez‐Arnau Ana , Foti Caterina , Rustemeyer Thomas , Feilzer Albert J. , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe role of palladium and nickel sensitization in oral disease and dermatitis is not fully understood.ObjectivesTo investigate whether sensitization to these metals was associated with exposure to dental alloys and oral and skin complaints/symptoms in a European multicentre study.MethodsIn six dermatology clinics, patch tests with palladium (3% Na2PdCl4; Pd = 102.0 µmol/g) and nickel (5% NiSO4.6H2O; Ni = 190.2 µmol/g) were performed in consecutive patients, and patients' characteristics were collected with a questionnaire and a clinical investigation.ResultsIn total, 906 patients were included, of whom 24.3% reacted to palladium and 25.2% to nickel. The rate of monosensitization was 6–7% for both metals. Palladium sensitization (as opposed to no sensitization to both metals) was associated with exposure to dental crowns [odds ratio (OR) 2.0], skin reactivity to metals (OR 2.8), oral lichenoid lesions (OR 4.7), xerostomia (OR 7.3), and metal taste (OR 20.7), but not with eczema, stomatitis, or oral burning sensation. Additionally, xerostomia (OR 8.7) and metal taste (OR 4.6) were associated with sensitization to both metals.ConclusionsClinically, it is important for palladium‐sensitized patients to undergo an oral examination, with particular attention to the presence of/exposure to dental crowns. In the case of metal contact allergy, exposure to dental crowns could play a role.
Outreach training model for accredited colorectal specialists in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: feasibility and evaluation of challenges
Authors: Hamdan M. F. , Day A. , Millar J. , Carter F. J. C. , Coleman M. G. , Francis N. K. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and safety of an outreach model of laparoscopic colorectal training of accredited specialists in advanced laparoscopic techniques and to explore the challenges of this model from the perspective of a National Training Programme (NTP) trainer.MethodProspective data were collected for unselected laparoscopic colorectal training procedures performed by five laparoscopic colorectal NTP trainees supervised by a single NTP trainer with an outreach model between 2009 and 2012. The operative and postoperative outcomes were compared with standard laparoscopic colorectal training procedures performed by six senior colorectal trainees under the supervision of the same NTP trainer within the same study period. The primary outcome was 30‐day mortality. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare continuous variables and the Chi squared or Fisher's exact tests were applied for the analysis of categorical variables. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsDuring the study period 179 elective laparoscopic colorectal procedures were performed. This included 54 cases performed by NTP trainees and 125 cases performed by the supervised trainees. There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, pathology and procedure type between both groups. Seventy‐eight per cent of the patients operated on by the NTP trainees had had no previous abdominal surgery, compared with 50% in the supervised trainees' group (P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences in 30‐day mortality or the operative and postoperative outcome between both groups. There were, however, difficulties in training an already established consultant in his or her own hospital and these were overcome by certain adjustments to the programme.ConclusionOutreach laparoscopic training of colorectal surgeons is a feasible and safe model of training accredited specialists and does not compromise patient care. The challenges encountered can be overcome with optimum training and preparation.
Development of Clitoria ternatea as a biopesticide for cotton pest management: assessment of product effect on Helicoverpa spp. and their natural enemies
Authors: Mensah Robert , Leach David , Young Alison , Watts Nick , Glennie Peter 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe Australian cotton industry is now dominated by transgenic (Bt) varieties, which provide a strong platform for integrated pest management (IPM) of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). New IPM‐compatible tools are required to manage the development of resistance in Helicoverpa spp. and the control of other sucking pests. A 10‐year study commenced in 2001 to identify short‐range, non‐volatile compounds on organ surfaces of plants that deter feeding or oviposition, or are toxic and do not support development of Helicoverpa spp. on cotton plants. The results of the initial study identified Clitoria ternateaL. (Fabaceae) as non‐preferred for Helicoverpa spp. oviposition and larval feeding. The study found that C. ternatea fractionalized extract mixture (fractions 2, 3, 4, and 6) caused oviposition and feeding deterrence as well as direct toxicity to Helicoverpa spp. This study has developed an oil‐based semiochemical product from C. ternatea identified in the initial study into a potential commercial product. The application of 1–2% (vol/vol) of the oil‐based formulation of the C. ternatea mixture against Helicoverpa spp. on commercial transgenic and conventional cotton crops resulted in Helicoverpa spp. oviposition and larval feeding deterrence, as well as caused direct mortality to larvae. No negative effect on beneficial insects was observed. In conclusion, the ability of the oil‐based C. ternatea mixture to control Helicoverpa spp. infestations, while conserving beneficial insect populations, suggests its potential for use in supplementing IPM programs to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides on transgenic and conventional cotton crops.