bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of a group‐based dietary intervention for limiting gestational weight gain among obese women: A randomized trial
Authors: Vesco Kimberly K. , Karanja Njeri , King Janet C. , Gillman Matthew W. , Leo Michael C. , Perrin Nancy , McEvoy Cindy T. , Eckhardt Cara L. , Smith K. Sabina , Stevens Victor J. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveObservational studies suggest that minimal gestational weight gain (GWG) may optimize pregnancy outcomes for obese women. This trial tested the efficacy of a group‐based weight management intervention for limiting GWG among obese women.MethodsOne hundred and fourteen obese women (BMI [mean ± SD] 36.7 ± 4.9 kg/m2) were randomized between 7 and 21 weeks' (14.9 ± 2.6) gestation to intervention (n = 56) or usual care control conditions (n = 58). The intervention included individualized calorie goals, advice to maintain weight within 3% of randomization and follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension dietary pattern without sodium restriction, and attendance at weekly group meetings until delivery. Control participants received one‐time dietary advice. Our three main outcomes were maternal weight change from randomization to 2 weeks postpartum and from randomization to 34 weeks gestation, and newborn large‐for‐gestational age (birth weight >90th percentile, LGA).ResultsIntervention participants gained less weight from randomization to 34 weeks gestation (5.0 vs. 8.4 kg, mean difference = −3.4 kg, 95% CI [‐5.1‐1.8]), and from randomization to 2 weeks postpartum (−2.6 vs. +1.2 kg, mean difference = −3.8 kg, 95% CI [‐5.9‐1.7]). They also had a lower proportion of LGA babies (9 vs. 26%, odds ratio = 0.28, 95% CI [0.09‐0.84]).ConclusionsThe intervention resulted in lower GWG and lower prevalence of LGA newborns.
Agroforestry systems: helping smallholders adapt to climate risks while mitigating climate change
Authors: Lasco Rodel D. , Delfino Rafaela Jane P. , Espaldon Marya Laya O. 
Published: August 2014

There is increasing interest to combine adaptation and mitigation measures that provide win–win solutions to climate change. Agroforestry systems offer compelling synergies between adaptation and mitigation. This article reviews the empirical evidence from various studies on how trees and agroforestry systems enhance smallholders' capacity to adapt to climate risks. Agroforestry systems improve resilience of smallholder farmers through more efficient water utilization, improved microclimate, enhanced soil productivity and nutrient cycling, control of pests and diseases, improved farm productivity, and diversified and increased farm income while at the same time sequestering carbon. Although these seems very promising, tradeoffs may arise both at the farm and landscape scales. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:825–833. doi: 10.1002/wcc.301This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development
Temperature loggers decrease costs of determining bird nest survival
Authors: Sutti Flavio , Strong Allan M. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTWe tested whether temperature loggers (iButtons®) placed inside bird nests could be used to estimate the date the nest hatched or failed and compared their efficiency and cost to observational data. Temperature loggers were more precise (approx. 1 hr error vs. 1–3‐days error for researcher visit) in estimating fate date for 28 nests of 15 species of birds monitored in the Champlain Valley of Vermont (USA) between May and August 2010. Our nest sample represented a wide range of nest characteristics, and considerably expanded the range of species whose nests have been monitored successfully with temperature data loggers. The use of iButtons would have reduced the number of visits to the nest by 15%, decreasing disturbance, and allowing for more time spent searching for additional nests, or for employment of a smaller field crew. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Prediction of Lymph Node Involvement in Patients with Breast Tumors Measuring 3–5 cm in a Middle‐Income Setting: the Role of CancerMath
Authors: Pijnappel E. N. , Bhoo‐Pathy N. , Suniza J. , See M. H. , Tan G. H. , Yip C. H. , Hartman M. , Taib N. A. , Verkooijen H. M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn settings with limited resources, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) is only offered to breast cancer patients with small tumors and a low a priori risk of axillary metastases.ObjectiveWe investigated whether CancerMath, a free online prediction tool for axillary lymph node involvement, is able to identify women at low risk of axillary lymph node metastases in Malaysian women with 3–5 cm tumors, with the aim to offer SNB in a targeted, cost‐effective way.MethodsWomen with non‐metastatic breast cancers, measuring 3–5 cm were identified within the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) breast cancer registry. We compared CancerMath‐predicted probabilities of lymph node involvement between women with versus without lymph node metastases. The discriminative performance of CancerMath was tested using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsOut of 1,017 patients, 520 (51 %) had axillary involvement. Tumors of women with axillary involvement were more often estrogen‐receptor positive, progesterone‐receptor positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)‐2 positive. The mean CancerMath score was higher in women with axillary involvement than in those without (53.5 vs. 51.3, p = 0.001). In terms of discrimination, CancerMath performed poorly, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.553 (95 % confidence interval CI 0.518–0.588). Attempts to optimize the CancerMath model by adding ethnicity and HER2 to the model did not improve discriminatory performance.ConclusionFor Malaysian women with tumors measuring 3–5 cm, CancerMath is unable to accurately predict lymph node involvement and is therefore not helpful in the identification of women at low risk of node‐positive disease who could benefit from SNB.
Human genetic disorders involving glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and glycosphingolipids (GSL)
Authors: Ng Bobby G. , Freeze Hudson H. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractGlycosylation – enabling genes are thought to comprise approximately 1–2 % of the human genome, thus, it is not surprising that more than 100 genetic disorders have been identified in this complex multi‐pathway cellular process. Recent advances in next generation sequencing technology (NGS) have led to the discovery of genetic causes of many new disorders and importantly highlighted the broad phenotypes that occur. Here we will focus on two glycosylation pathways that involve lipids; glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and glycosphingolipids (GSL) with emphasis on the specific gene defects, their biochemical properties, and their expanding clinical spectra. These disorders involve the intersection of two pathways: lipids and carbohydrates. Studies of both pathways were founded on structural biochemistry. Those methods and their more refined and sensitive descendants can both identify the specific genes that cause the disorders and validate the importance of the specific mutations.
United Nations Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5: Augmenting the role of health professional associations
Authors: Perron Liette , Vander Plaetse Bart , Taylor David 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe present study aimed to assess changes in the organizational capacity of health professional associations (HPAs) before and after a structured capacity building intervention, which included strategic investment of resources at institutional and technical levels. Self‐assessments of organizational capacity were conducted by seven HPAs from low‐resource countries involved in the FIGO Leadership in Obstetrics and Gynecology for Impact and Change (LOGIC) Initiative in Maternal and Newborn Health. The self‐assessment tool comprised a questionnaire focusing on five core organizational dimensions, completed through a participatory and externally facilitated process. Differences were assessed using the two‐sided sign test. All seven HPAs made improvements, with gains in an overall index (P = 0.017) and in the specific dimensions of culture (P = 0.016), operational capacity (P = 0.016), performance (P = 0.03), and functions (P = 0.016). Increased capacity contributed to the ability of each HPA to enhance their credibility and assume leadership in national efforts to improve maternal and newborn health.
The p53/mouse double minute 2 homolog complex deregulation in merlin‐deficient tumours
Authors: Ammoun Sylwia , Schmid Marei Caroline , Zhou Lu , Hilton David A. , Barczyk Magdalena , Hanemann Clemens Oliver 
Published: August 2014

Deficiency of the tumour suppressor merlin leads to the development of schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas occurring spontaneously or as a part of the hereditary disease Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Merlin loss is also found in a proportion of other cancers like mesothelioma, melanoma, breast cancer and glioblastoma. The tumour suppressor/transcription factor p53 regulates proliferation, survival and differentiation and its deficiency plays a role in the development of many tumours. 53 can be negatively regulated by FAK, PI3K/AKT and MDM2 and possibly positively regulated by merlin in different cell lines. In this study we investigated the role of p53 in merlin‐deficient tumours. Using our in vitro model of primary human schwannoma cells we have previously demonstrated that FAK is overexpressed/activated and localises into the nucleus of schwannoma cells increasing proliferation. AKT is strongly activated via platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) – and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) – receptors increasing survival. Here we investigated p53 regulation and its role in proliferation and survival of human primary schwannoma cells using western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and proliferation, survival and transcription factor assays. In human primary schwannoma cells p53 was found to be downregulated while MDM2 was upregulated leading to increased cell proliferation and survival. p53 is regulated by merlin involving FAK, AKT and MDM2. Merlin reintroduction into schwannoma cells increased p53 levels and activity, and treatment with Nutlin‐3, a drug which increases p53 stability by disrupting the p53/MDM2 complex, decreased tumour growth and reduced cell survival. These findings are important to dissect the mechanisms responsible for the development of merlin‐deficient tumours and to identify new therapeutic targets. We suggest that Nutlin‐3, possibly in combination with FAK or PI3K inhibitors, can be employed as a novel treatment for schwannoma and other merlin‐deficient tumours.
FACTIVE VERBS AND PROTAGONIST PROJECTION
Authors: Buckwalter Wesley 
Published: August 2014

AbstractNearly all philosophers agree that only true things can be known. But does this principle reflect actual patterns of ordinary usage? Several examples in ordinary language seem to show that ‘know’ is literally used non-factively. By contrast, this paper reports five experiments utilizing explicit paraphrasing tasks, which suggest that these non-factive uses are actually not literal. Instead, they are better explained by a phenomenon known as protagonist projection. It is argued that armchair philosophical orthodoxy regarding the truth requirement for knowledge withstands current empirical scrutiny.
The Effects of Inflation on Life Office Practice
Authors: Linnell D. R. 
Published: August 2014

1.1. The effects of inflation are gradual, and are difficult to separate from the effects of other influences. This paper looks briefly at some of the effects in the past, and then takes a look into the future.1.2. In the last seventy years this country has experienced three periods of rapid inflation. The first two were connected with the two major Wars. During the Wars the Government took action in the form of price controls and subsidies to restrain the growth in prices. We are now experiencing another bout of inflation (and another bout of Government action).1.3. The recent inflation has not been a purely British phenomenon. It has been shared by most of the world. I. S. Friedman (1973) points out that action by individual countries is unlikely to succeed in beating inflation. In the absence of any concerted action, he concludes that inflation is likely to be with us for the foreseeable future.
Transfer Value Payments Between Occupational Pension Schemes.
Authors: Pomery M. A. , Jones M. J. 
Published: August 2014

It is now 20 years since a Joint Working Party of the Institute and Faculty, comprising Messrs Spratling, Bacon and Bromfield, presented a paper (J.I.A.83, Part III) on the results of its investigation into the actuarial and other problems arising in connexion with the transferability of pension rights.That paper and the discussions on it at the Faculty and Institute were concerned mainly with the general principle involved in maintaining or ‘preserving’ the rights of individual members of occupational pension schemes who changed employment. This could be achieved either:(i) through the scheme of the employer the member was leaving by providing what they called ‘cold storage benefits’ (and which we refer to in this paper as preserved benefits) or(ii) through the scheme of the employer which he was joining by means of a transfer value payment to that scheme from the former scheme.
The South African Life Assurance Market.
Authors: Bernstein M. 
Published: August 2014

Two previous papers have been presented on the South African life assurance market but they have both dealt with the Actuary in South Africa. The first one was presented in 1957 by Messrs. Smit, Sherman, Williams and Roger and the second in 1974 by Mr P. W. Barke.The historical and geographical information given in this paper expands on that given by Mr Barke but is reproduced here for completeness.
The First Year of Contracting-Out.
Authors: Johnson D. G. 
Published: August 2014

The new Earnings-Related State Pension Scheme was introduced, under the terms of the Social Security Pensions Act, 1975, on 6th April, 1978. The arrangements represented the product of more than fifteen years' efforts to establish a meaningful earnings-related supplement to the flat-rate basic State pension. Various proposals had been mooted, the first of which was probably the Graduated Pension Scheme, introduced in 1961, which was followed by the Crossman and Joseph schemes. The latter two schemes fell foul of changes of government and it was not until 1975 that the joint efforts of Barbara Castle and the late Brian O'Malley reached fruition in the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.The Earnings-Related State Pension Scheme embodied in the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 ultimately received the approval of all the major political parties. It provides an earnings-related pension over and above the flat-rate basic State pension for all employees except those who reach pensionable age (65 for men, 60 for women) in the fiscal year commencing 6th April 1978 or married women (or widows) who have opted to make National Insurance contributions at the reduced rate and, therefore, not participate for retirement benefits from the State Scheme.
Measurement of Pension Fund Investment Performance.
Authors: Hager D. P. 
Published: August 2014

In the United States the theoretical and practical aspects of the measurement of investment performance have been well researched, and the investment managers and pension fund trustees are accustomed to having a battery of statistics available on the performance of a pension fund.By contrast, in the United Kingdom, attention has only really been given to this subject in this decade. It has taken time for both investment managers and trustees to appreciate the need to measure performance and to move away from a solely qualitative assessment of the ability of investment managers to one involving a quantitative element.There are just a few papers by U.K. authors on the investment performance of pension funds and the Institute has discussed the subject only once. This was in November 1976 when J. P. Holbrook presented a comprehensive paper covering both theoretical and practical aspects of performance measurement.
Modern Stockbroking.
Authors: Grimes T. 
Published: August 2014

Most professional people have some idea of the job done by the Stock Exchange, but probably only those actually involved in the management of investments know the range of services which are provided by stockbrokers. The aim of this paper is to give a brief insight into these services, and to take a look at some aspects of stock exchange activities in more detail.
The first section of the paper covers the basic service of a stockbroker, that of buying or selling stock, or executing switches. This is followed by a brief description of settlement systems, and some of the other services that stockbrokers provide are then described. The final two sections cover more general questions about the operation of the Stock Exchange.
Group Life Insurance.
Authors: Lockyer J. 
Published: August 2014

Group life insurance has attracted little formal discussion in British actuarial circles. Perhaps this is not so surprising. The technical problems posed by group life insurance seem relatively straightforward. Furthermore, there is little doubt that the evolution of present practice has been moulded more by pragmatism than strict theoretical development.
None the less, group life insurance is an important sector of our life insurance industry. Figures produced by the Life Offices' Association reveal that in 1980 approximately 7½ million people were covered under group insurance contracts for a total sum assured of the order £63 billion.
The development of the group insurance industry in this country has been closely associated with the expansion of private pension provision. Group life cover was seen as an inseparable, but very much secondary, adjunct to the more lucrative field of pensions business. However, over the last decade it has become more likely that a group life scheme will be tendered independently of any related pension business. Thus, the point has long been reached where the underwriting of group life business must be considered as a subject in its own right.
Do Actuaries need Standards?.
Authors: Davison Ian Hay 
Published: August 2014

It is a great honour for an accountant to be invited to deliver the Students' Society 1984 Jubilee Lecture. When the Financial Times defined an actuary as “someone who found accountancy too exciting”, I realized that accountancy might be a suitable subject for this Jubilee Lecture.
I note that the Institute of Accountants and Actuaries in Glasgow played a pioneering role in the evolution of the accountancy profession in Scotland during the latter half of the last century.
So the paths of the actuarial and accountancy professions have met, and indeed crossed, on a number of issues, and we have a great deal in common, most of all perhaps a belief in the power of presenting an argument through numbers. Like you, we have members in practice and in commercial employment, we form professional opinions which we express in reports and we are concerned with problems of measurement; also we each have our own procedures, assumptions, jargon and rules, all of which are confusing to the uninitiated.
Outstanding Claims Reserves.
Authors: Lyons G. E. 
Published: August 2014

The paper is based on a Report produced by a working party of the General Insurance Study Group for the General Insurance Seminar held at Bristol in November, 1983. The terms of reference of the working party were:
(i) To review and summarize the published papers on the valuation of outstanding claims.
(ii) To classify the methods described, and comment on the assumptions implied by each method.
(iii) To discuss the problem of estimating the degree of uncertainty associated with the valuation of outstanding claims, disregarding the uncertainty resulting from the effects of inflation and (insofar as this may be taken into account in the valuation) investment income.
The first part of the paper is concerned with terms of reference (i) and (ii), explaining how the paper could be used as part of the loss reserving process and describing the format and presentation of the summaries which are shown in three Appendices.
The Actuary In Damages Cases—Expert Witness or Court Astrologer?.
Authors: Owen R. , Shier P. S. 
Published: August 2014

This paper takes its title from the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal inAuty and Others v National Coal Board (1984). Lord Justice Oliver stated that, “as a method of providing a reliable guide to individual behaviour patterns or to future economic and political events, the predictions of an actuary could be only a little more likely to be accurate (and would almost certainly be less entertaining) than those of an astrologer”.The above statement was referred to by Stewart Lyon, immediate past President of the Institute of Actuaries, in his review of the Session 1983–84 at the Institute's Annual General Meeting in June 1984. Although the quoted passage had received all the publicity, he was more concerned with the judgment in the same case given by Lord Justice Waller who erroneously stated that the expectation of life was an average and assumed that everybody lived to that age and then died. Mr Lyon concluded his remarks on the subject by stating that the Appeal Court's handling of the Auty case raised the general question of whether the actuarial profession needs to adopt a more active approach to public relations.
Airway changes in obstructive sleep apnoea patients associated with a supine versus an upright position examined using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Camacho M , Capasso R , Schendel S 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to describe total volume and cross-sectional area measurement changes in obstructive sleep apnoea patients associated with a supine versus an upright position.Method:A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent cone beam computed tomography in upright and supine positions was performed, and the images were analysed.Results:Five obstructive sleep apnoea patients (all male) underwent both upright and supine cone beam computed tomography imaging. Mean age was 35.0 ± 9.3 years, mean body mass index was 28.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2 and mean apnoea–hypopnoea index was 39.3 ± 23.0 per hour. The airway was smaller when patients were in a supine compared with an upright position, as reflected by decreases in the following airway measurements: total volume; posterior nasal spine, uvula tip, retrolingual and tongue base (not significant) cross-sectional areas; and site of the minimum cross-sectional area (of the overall airway). Total airway volume decreased by 32.6 per cent and cross-sectional area measurements decreased between 32.3 and 75.9 per cent when patients were in a supine position.Conclusion:In this case series, the airway of obstructive sleep apnoea patients was significantly smaller when patients were in a supine compared with an upright position.