bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and ranking of critical success factors for BOT projects in India
Authors: Gupta Aayushi , Chandra Gupta Mahesh , Agrawal Ranjan 
Published: October 2013

Purpose– The study aims to identify and rank the critical success factors (CSFs) for BOT projects in India.Design/methodology/approach– The study was conducted based on an extensive literature review and focus group discussions. Through structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted with executives from leading construction, consultancy and government organizations. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out of which 60 responses were received. Analytical hierarchy process method was used to analyze the data.Findings– Concession agreement, short-construction period, selection procedure of concessionaire, sufficient long-term demand and sufficient net cash inflow emerged as the top five factors critical for the success of the BOT projects in India.Practical implications– The identified CSFs should influence the policy development towards BOT projects and are expected to enhance the success rate of these projects.Originality/value– The study has made much-needed contribution to the extant literature on BOT projects. The findings would be valuable in assisting government (owner) and private participants to have a better understanding of the critical factors leading to success of these projects. The results from the current study are crucial as not many studies have been conducted in India as compared to China and West.
Soil hypha‐mediated movement of allelochemicals: arbuscular mycorrhizae extend the bioactive zone of juglone
Authors: Achatz Michaela , Morris E. Kathryn , Müller Frank , Hilker Monika , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Allelopathy is a phenomenon where plants have deleterious effects on growth of surrounding plants through the production of chemical substances. Soil hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may enhance transport processes of allelochemicals by providing ‘highways’ connecting plants below‐ground.

In three studies ranging from high ecological realism to experimental control, we showed that the presence of mycorrhizal hyphae may strongly contribute to the transport of allelochemicals. We analysed the accumulation of naturally released juglone in the field in intact or disrupted hyphal connections and determined its growth reducing effects on sensitive target plants in a bioassay. Secondly, we tested the effects of Juglans regia leaf litter addition in the presence or absence of the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis on target plants, and finally, we added pure juglone to Lycopersicon lycopersicum plants in the presence or absence of Rhizophagus.

Throughout, we found increased juglone transfer if mycorrhizal hyphae were present, resulting in reduced growth of target plants.

Our results point to mycorrhizal hyphae playing an important role in extending the bioactive zone of allelochemicals. We suggest that hyphal networks increase the effectiveness of allelochemicals in natural systems and play a crucial role in chemical interaction processes and hence influence plant community structure.
Functional trait metrics are sensitive to the completeness of the species' trait data?
Authors: Pakeman Robin J. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Functional diversity (FD) is an important concept for studies of both ecosystem processes and community assembly, so it is important to understand the behaviour of common metrics used to express it.

Data from an existing study of the relationship between FD and environmental drivers were used to simulate the impact of a progressive failure to measure the traits of all the species present under three scenarios: intraspecific variation between sites ignored (i), assessed (ii) or (iii) ignored but with metrics calculated at the sampling unit rather than the site level.

All the FD metrics were highly sensitive to failing to measure the traits of all the species present. Functional dispersion, functional richness and Rao's entropy all generally declined with a reduced proportion of species or cover assessed for traits, whilst functional divergence and evenness increased for some sites and decreased for others. Functional richness was the most sensitive (mean absolute deviation at 70% of species assessed had a range of 11·2–28·2% across scenarios), followed by functional evenness (range 6·4–38·5%), functional divergence (5·2–8·3%), Rao's entropy (1·4–7·0%) and functional dispersion (0·7–3·5%).

It is clear that failing to measure the traits of all species at a site can have a serious impact on the value of any functional trait metric computed and on any conclusions drawn from such data. Future studies of FD need to concentrate on the potential impact of the sampling regime of both traits and species and the scale at which the computations are made on the behaviour of metrics and subsequent robustness of the results.
Acarbose, 17‐α‐estradiol, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid extend mouse lifespan preferentially in males
Authors: Harrison David E. , Strong Randy , Allison David B. , Ames Bruce N. , Astle Clinton M. , Atamna Hani , Fernandez Elizabeth , Flurkey Kevin , Javors Martin A. , Nadon Nancy L. , Nelson James F. , Pletcher Scott , Simpkins James W. , Smith Daniel , Wilkinson J. Erby , Miller Richard A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryFour agents — acarbose (ACA), 17‐α‐estradiol (EST), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and methylene blue (MB) — were evaluated for lifespan effects in genetically heterogeneous mice tested at three sites. Acarbose increased male median lifespan by 22% (P < 0.0001), but increased female median lifespan by only 5% (P = 0.01). This sexual dimorphism in ACA lifespan effect could not be explained by differences in effects on weight. Maximum lifespan (90th percentile) increased 11% (P < 0.001) in males and 9% (P = 0.001) in females. EST increased male median lifespan by 12% (P = 0.002), but did not lead to a significant effect on maximum lifespan. The benefits of EST were much stronger at one test site than at the other two and were not explained by effects on body weight. EST did not alter female lifespan. NDGA increased male median lifespan by 8–10% at three different doses, with P‐values ranging from 0.04 to 0.005. Females did not show a lifespan benefit from NDGA, even at a dose that produced blood levels similar to those in males, which did show a strong lifespan benefit. MB did not alter median lifespan of males or females, but did produce a small, statistically significant (6%, P = 0.004) increase in female maximum lifespan. These results provide new pharmacological models for exploring processes that regulate the timing of aging and late‐life diseases, and in particular for testing hypotheses about sexual dimorphism in aging and health.
A frameshift mutation in the cubilin gene (CUBN) in Beagles with Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome (selective cobalamin malabsorption)
Authors: Drögemüller Michaela , Jagannathan Vidhya , Howard Judith , Bruggmann Rémy , Drögemüller Cord , Ruetten Maja , Leeb Tosso , Kook Peter H. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMammals are unable to synthesize cobalamin or vitamin B12 and rely on the uptake of dietary cobalamin. The cubam receptor expressed on the intestinal endothelium is required for the uptake of cobalamin from the gut. Cubam is composed of two protein subunits, amnionless and cubilin, which are encoded by the AMN and CUBN genes respectively. Loss‐of‐function mutations in either the AMN or the CUBN gene lead to hereditary selective cobalamin malabsorption or Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS). We investigated Beagles with IGS and resequenced the whole genome of one affected Beagle at 15× coverage. The analysis of the AMN and CUBN candidate genes revealed a homozygous deletion of a single cytosine in exon 8 of the CUBN gene (c.786delC). This deletion leads to a frameshift and early premature stop codon (p.Asp262Glufs*47) and is, thus, predicted to represent a complete loss‐of‐function allele. We tested three IGS‐affected and 89 control Beagles and found perfect association between the IGS phenotype and the CUBN:c.786delC variant. Given the known role of cubilin in cobalamin transport, which has been firmly established in humans and dogs, our data strongly suggest that the CUBN:c.786delC variant is causing IGS in the investigated Beagles.
Identifying seminal papers in the Australasian Journal on Ageing 1982–2011: A Delphi consensus approach
Authors: Parkinson Lynne , Richardson Kristy , Sims Jane , Wells Yvonne , Naganathan Vasi , Brooke Elizabeth , Lindley Richard 
Published: October 2013

AimsThe aim of this study was to identify seminal Australasian Journal on Ageing papers published over 30 years through a Delphi consensus process.MethodThe main data collection was a three‐round Delphi consensus study with 38 past and current members of the Australasian Journal on Ageing Editorial Board, Editorial Team and Management Committee.ResultsThree papers were agreed as top‐ranking. One of the top‐ranking articles was also highly cited. One article was published in the 1990s, two in 2001.ConclusionsWhile it is difficult to judge how well the top‐ranking papers represent seminal papers arising over 30 years, these papers do represent three different research strengths in Australasia, they do span three different disciplines, and they do reflect some of the diversity that characterises ageing research in Australasia over 30 years.
Meta‐analysis of the success of block following combined spinal‐epidural vs epidural analgesia during labour
Authors: Heesen M. , Van de Velde M. , Klöhr S. , Lehberger J. , Rossaint R. , Straube S. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObservational studies suggest that combined spinal‐epidural analgesia (CSE) is associated with more reliable positioning, lower epidural catheter replacement rates, and a lower incidence of unilateral block compared with epidural analgesia. However, evidence from high‐quality trials still needs to be assessed systematically. We performed a systematic review that included 10 randomised controlled trials comparing CSE and epidural analgesia in 1722 labouring women in labour. The relative risk of unilateral block was significantly reduced after CSE vs epidural analgesia (0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.97), but significant between‐study heterogeneity was present (I2 = 69%, p = 0.01). No differences were found for rates of epidural catheter replacement, epidural top‐up, and epidural vein cannulation. On the basis of current best evidence, a consistent benefit of CSE over epidural analgesia cannot be demonstrated for the outcomes assessed in our review. A large randomised controlled trial with adequate power is required.
Therapeutic effect of inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort® Turbuhaler) on the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation
Authors: Ju N. Y. , Gao H. , Huang W. , Niu F. F. , Lan W. X. , Li F. , Gao W. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThis prospective, double‐blind trial was designed to evaluate the effect of inhaled budesonide on lung function and the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation. One hundred patients scheduled for lobectomy were allocated randomly to pre‐operative nebulised budesonide or saline. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from either the collapsed or the ventilated lung both before one‐lung ventilation and 30 min after re‐expansion of the lung. The concentrations of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytokines were determined. Budesonide treatment, compared with saline, reduced both peak (mean (SD) 3.7 (0.4) vs 2.5 (0.2) kPa) and plateau (mean (SD) 3.1 (0.2) vs 2.2 (0.1) kPa, respectively, p < 0.001 for both) ventilatory pressures. Thirty minutes after re‐expansion, lung compliance increased in the budesonide group compared with saline (57.5 (4.1) vs 40.1 (3.5) ml.cmH2O‐1, respectively p < 0.001). Budesonide also reduced the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but increased interleukin‐10 30 min after re‐expansion (p < 0.05 for all measures). Pre‐operative nebulisation of budesonide may be effective in improving ventilatory mechanics and reducing the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation during thoracic surgery.
Five‐year actual survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer
Authors: Perysinakis Iraklis , Avlonitis Spyridon , Georgiadou Despoina , Tsipras Hercules , Margaris Ilias 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyse retrospectively the long‐term results of patients who were operated for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and identify significant prognostic factors.MethodsEighty patients who were surgically treated for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head between 1995 and 2006 met the inclusion criteria and were subject to retrospective analysis. Possible prognostic factors were evaluated and independent predictors of survival were determined.ResultsA classic Whipple procedure was performed in 47 patients and a pylorus‐preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in 32 patients; one patient underwent total pancreatectomy. Five‐year survival rate in this group of patients was 13.6%. Median survival time was 24 months. Univariable analysis demonstrated stage of disease, tumour size and grade and nodal status as significant predictive factors of survival. Multivariable analysis indicated tumour size, nodal status and disease stage as significant prognostic indicators in terms of survival.ConclusionsLong‐term survival in pancreatic cancer is still very low. Prognostic factors include differentiation of the tumour, disease stage and nodal status. So far, there has been no reliable method that can accurately predict which patient will mostly benefit from surgical resection. This means that pancreatic cancer resection should nearly always be attempted.
Cautery versus scalpel for abdominal skin incisions: a double blind, randomized crossover trial of scar cosmesis
Authors: Stupart Douglas A. , Sim Felix W. , Chan Zheng H. , Guest Glenn D. , Watters David A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in cosmetic outcome between using cutting diathermy and using a scalpel to make abdominal skin incisions.MethodThis was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind crossover study. The primary end point was wound cosmesis as judged by the patient. In each case, one‐half of the skin incision was made using diathermy, and one‐half using a scalpel blade. Patients were contacted at 6 months post‐operatively, and were asked which half of the wound looked better to them. A panel of 18 surgeons was also shown photographs of the wounds taken after 6 months, and were asked the same question.ResultsOf the 31 patients with complete follow‐up, 11 (35%) reported no difference between the two halves of the wound. Nine (29%) preferred the half incised with diathermy, and 11 (35%) preferred the half incised with the scalpel (P = 0.82, chi‐squared test). Twenty‐four patients consented to having their wound photographed. There was no difference in the surgeons' preference between the diathermy and scalpel halves of the incision (P = 0.35, signed‐rank test).ConclusionWe found the use of cutting diathermy to make abdominal skin incisions to be cosmetically equivalent to cutting with the scalpel. As previous studies have not shown adverse wound outcomes using this technique, and considering the safety concerns for theatre staff when the scalpel is used, the routine use of cutting diathermy for skin incisions in abdominal surgery is justified.
Therapeutic efficacy of topical unoprostone isopropyl in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Akiyama Masato , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Yoshida Noriko , Notomi Shoji , Murakami Yusuke , Hisatomi Toshio , Enaida Hiroshi , Ishibashi Tatsuro 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical unoprostone isopropyl (unoprostone) on patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).MethodsForty patients with typical forms of RP were included in the study. Seventeen of 40 patients were treated with 0.12% topical unoprostone twice daily in a randomly selected eye. Patients underwent follow‐up examinations every 3 months after treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was monitored by visual acuity and visual field measurement testing using the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA: the central 10‐2 programme). Moreover, 12 RP patients who were included this study and 12 normal subjects were evaluated in terms of their macular blood flow of both eyes after instillation of unoprostone using the laser speckle method.ResultsOne year after treatment, the ‘macular sensitivity’, calculated by HFA as the average sensitivity of the central 12 points, was preserved in the fellow eyes as well as the unoprostone‐treated eyes. On the other hand, that in the eyes of the control RP patient was significantly decreased. Moreover, there were significantly greater improvements of the ‘macular sensitivity’ in the unoprostone‐treated eyes than the fellow eyes. The change ratios of macular blood flow obtained from both RP patients and normal subjects were significantly increased in both the treated and the fellow eyes. No severe side‐effects were observed.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that topical unoprostone might have a therapeutic efficacy in patients with RP as a consequence of the macular blood flow improvement as well as its direct neuroprotective effect.
Prevalence of myopia in school children in greater Beijing: the Beijing Childhood Eye Study
Authors: You Qi Sheng , Wu Li Juan , Duan Jia Li , Luo Yan Xia , Liu Li Juan , Li Xia , Gao Qi , Wang Wei , Xu Liang , Jonas Jost B. , Guo Xiu Hua 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeTo determine the prevalence of myopia in school children in Greater Beijing.MethodsThe Beijing Childhood Eye Study was a school‐based cross‐sectional study. One school of each level (primary, junior high, senior high) was randomly selected from nine randomly selected districts of Greater Beijing. The children underwent non‐cycloplegic refractometry and their parents an interview.ResultsOf 16 771 eligible students, 15 066 (89.8%) children with a mean age of 13.2 ± 3.4 years (range: 7–18 years) participated. Prevalence of myopia defined as refractive error of ≤−0.50 diopters (D), ≤−1.00 D, ≤−6.00 D and ≤−8.00 D in the right eye was 64.9 ± 0.4%, 53.0 ± 0.4%, 4.3 ± 0.2% and 1.0 ± 0.1% respectively. In multivariate analysis, prevalence of myopia was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with higher age, female gender, urban region and school type. Prevalence of myopia of ≤−1.00 D and of ≤−8.0 D increased from 9.7% and 0% in 7 year olds, respectively, to 74.2% and 1.8% in 17‐ or 18 year olds respectively. The latter figure was already similar (p = 0.39) to the prevalence of high myopia in the elderly Beijing Eye Study population (1.6%). In a subset of 1082 children undergoing cycloplegia, difference in refractive error between prior to and after cycloplegia was 0.31 ± 0.47 diopters.ConclusionsOn the basis of previous investigations from China, our study indicated an ongoing myopic shift in the young generation. Since the prevalence of high myopia in children aged 17 or 18 years was already similar to the one in the elderly Beijing population, the data prognosticate an increase in vision threatening high myopia in the future adult population.
Retrograde colon intussusception in an adult due to adenoma: Treatment by combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach
Authors: Shibahara Kotaro , Ueda Masanobu , Takai Maki , Sonoda Kozo , Yoshida Michio , Maekawa Soichiro 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis report describes the case of a young patient who underwent laparoscopic surgery to reduce for a retrograde intussusception of the sigmoid‐descending colon caused by adenoma of the sigmoid colon. A 36‐year‐old woman visited our hospital, complaining primarily of vomiting and abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan showed the typical finding of intussusception. An emergency colonoscopy revealed that the invaginated colon with a polypoid mass was protruding into the descending colon. A gastrografin enema showed the invaginated bowel segment at the descending colon. We performed endoscopic polypectomy and then hand‐assisted laparoscopic reduction. The pathological finding showed tubular adenoma. Laparoscopy is a diagnostic or therapeutic tool for selected cases of adult intussusception. Benign tumor is one of the causes of intussusception in adults and a good indication for laparoscopic surgery.
Percutaneous nephroscopic management of an isolated giant renal hydatid cyst guided by single‐incision laparoscopy using conventional instruments: The Santosh‐PGI technique
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Choudhary Gautam R , Pushkarna Arawat , Najjapa Bhuvnesh , Ht Vatasla 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroductionIsolated renal hydatid rarely presents, but when it does occur, it requires surgical treatment. We report our experience with a novel technique involving percutaneous management of a giant renal hydatid cyst with single‐incision laparoscopic assistance.Material and Surgical TechniqueFirst we performed retrograde ureteropyelogram, which did not show any communication between the cyst and the calyceal. A Veress needle was used for pneumoperitoneum. Three conventional laparoscopic trocars used. Under laparoscopic guidance, we punctured the cyst. The scolicidal solution used was 10% povidone‐iodine. The endocyst was removed under vision with grasping forceps through the nephroscope. A Portex drain was placed into the cyst cavity.DiscussionPercutaneous aspiration and instillation of scolicidal agents followed by re‐aspiration have been previously reported. This is an attractive procedure because of its acceptable success rates and reduced morbidity. In our case, simple aspiration of the cyst would not have been successful because the cyst was full of daughter cysts. Also, a blind percutaneous puncture of the cyst and dilatation could have perforated the colon or the mesocolon, which is often wrapped over the surface of such giant cysts thereby making laparoscopic guidance and mobilization of the colon imperative. We devised this unique treatment method for this patient involving three conventional ports at a single umbilical site. We believe this is the first reported case of its kind in the world. Not only this technique is minimally invasive, it is also cost‐effective, as only conventional laparoscopic ports and instruments are used during the procedure.