bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Civil Society in the International Negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty
Authors: Whall Helena , Pytlak Allison 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis article provides a detailed examination of the dynamics of the international negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), adopted 2 April 2013, focusing on the role played by civil society. Control Arms – the primary international coalition of civil society organisations on this issue – entered the negotiating process with a comprehensive ‘vision’ of a robust ATT. In a detailed case study of the key areas of civil society engagement during the diplomatic conferences of July 2012 and March 2013, this article examines the coalition's ability to shape the debate on priority campaign issues and impact important aspects of the final treaty text. Its success depended on the development of close collaboration with ‘like‐minded states’ and intergovernmental organizations, careful management of information flows and the strategic use of global advocacy networks. As such, the ATT experience offers many potential lessons for civil society campaigners seeking to influence and shape United Nations diplomatic processes.
Nascent Spirit of New York or Ghost of Arms Control Past?: The Normative Implications of the Arms Trade Treaty for Global Policymaking
Authors: Bolton Matthew , James Katelyn E. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDoes the 2013 United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) represent what Costa Rica's UN Ambassador called a nascent ‘Spirit of New York’ – a change in the rules of the arms control game in favor of humanitarianism and human rights? Or does it represent business as usual – the ghost of Arms Control past? We are convinced by neither the messianic claims of the ATT's most overheated boosters nor the doom‐saying of its most ardent detractors. Rather we argue here that in both the ATT negotiation process and the treaty text, ‘norm entrepreneurs’ like NGOs, Middle Powers and small states have created space for global policy making based on humanitarian and human rights considerations. However, the negotiation and treaty also represent a melding of this ‘maximalist’ human security–civil society approach with UN General Assembly concerns about small arms proliferation and the ‘minimalist’ strategic and commercial interests of the major arms exporters. This hybrid pathway to the treaty's adoption offers possibilities for future global policy making on disarmament and arms control as well as other humanitarian issues.
Auditing and the Purification of Blame
Authors: Skærbæk Peter , Christensen Mark 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAlthough public sector special audit and performance audit are frequently involved in blame, very few studies (save for Radcliffe 1997) provide detailed empirical accounts on how auditing participates in blame allocation. This study sets out to study one case of blame allocation by describing and characterizing the origins of failure and antecedents leading to the need for blame allocation, the institutional entities and arrangements that participate in the blame game, and how these entities, including the supreme audit institution, are mobilized in the processes of blame allocation. Applying a case methodology with Actor–Network Theory principles, the study extends Hood's (2002, 2007) research on blame and blame avoidance strategies by showing how a blame‐frame evaluates and allocates blame. The contribution of the paper is in four parts: first, it reveals the mechanisms that cause scapegoating of particular people and the role of auditors as experts in such mechanisms; second, it assists to develop an understanding of some factors at the core of the “accountability paradox” noted by Roberts (2009); third, it contributes to explanations as to why failing public sector reforms survive controversy and scandal since a scapegoating process can “reboot” reforms by erasing the reform's problems; and fourth, it demonstrates that an understanding of blame can be a useful addition to Actor–Network Theory.
Intrinsic inference difficulties for trait evolution with Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck models
Authors: Ho Lam Si Tung , Ané Cécile 
Published: October 2014

Summary

For the study of macroevolution, phenotypic data are analysed across species on a dated phylogeny using phylogenetic comparative methods. In this context, the Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck (OU) process is now being used extensively to model selectively driven trait evolution, whereby a trait is attracted to a selection optimum μ.

We report here theoretical properties of the maximum‐likelihood (ML) estimators for these parameters, including their non‐uniqueness and inaccuracy, and show that theoretical expectations indeed apply to real trees. We provide necessary conditions for ML estimators to be well defined and practical implications for model parametrization.

We then show how these limitations carry over to difficulties in detecting shifts in selection regimes along a phylogeny. When the phylogenetic placement of these shifts is unknown, we identify a ‘large p ‐ small n’ problem where traditional model selection criteria fail and favour overly complex scenarios. Instead, we propose a modified criterion that is better adapted to change‐point models.

The challenges we identify here are inherent to trait evolution models on phylogenetic trees when observations are limited to present‐day taxa, and require the addition of fossil taxa to be alleviated. We conclude with recommendations for empiricists.
Assessing risks to ecosystems within biodiversity hotspots: a case study from southwestern Australia
Authors: English Valerie , Keith David A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe south west of Western Australia is a global biodiversity hotspot that contains a suite of highly restricted and threatened ecosystems. In common with some other global hotspots, this region has high levels of alpha, beta and gamma diversity characterized by local endemism and spatial turnover of species. The region therefore includes a suite of highly localized species assemblages in complex mosaics across the landscape. Such landscapes pose particular challenges for assessing risks to biodiversity because the status of the most extensive species assemblages within broad scale assessment units tends to mask the status of those that are most restricted. Hence, risk assessments at different thematic scales may sometimes reveal different outcomes and salient threats. We examined these expectations by applying the IUCN Red List criteria for ecosystems at a fine thematic scale to assess risks to shrublands on southern Swan Coastal Plain ironstones, one of the most restricted ecosystems in the region, distinguished by its component suite of endemic flora. The ecosystem was found to be critically endangered due to its declining distribution and restricted current extent in combination with threats, particularly weed invasion. These outcomes suggest two scaling effects when a broader suite of assemblages in the region are considered; the perceived levels of risk may be less extreme; and the main threatening processes that influence risk assessment outcomes rank differently in importance. Both effects are critical to future management to promote persistence of ecosystems, as the priorities and actions will vary between local and regional scales, as will their conservation outcomes. In this case the major needs are to limit vegetation clearing and water extraction and mitigate the invasion of weeds and impacts of disease. The relative emphasis on these strategies varies between local and regional scales.
Clozapine use reduced psychiatric hospitalization and emergency room visits in patients with bipolar disorder independent of improved treatment regularity in a three‐year follow‐up period
Authors: Wu Chi‐Shin , Wang Sheng‐Chang , Liu Shi‐Kai 
Published: October 2014

ObjectivesThe efficacy of clozapine in bipolar disorder remains to be systemically examined. In the current study, we sought to disentangle the effect of clozapine from that of improved treatment regularity and to compare the effect of clozapine with the effect of regular treatment for bipolar disorder by exploring the complete 10‐year clozapine prescription data from a Taiwanese total population health claims database.MethodsIn the period between 2000 and 2009, 3,874 (3.3%) out of the 117,785 patients identified as having bipolar disorder in a Taiwanese total population health claims database were ever prescribed clozapine. Among them, 920 patients with bipolar disorder who had good pre‐clozapine medication compliance and received at least two clozapine prescriptions were further categorized according to their clozapine medication possession ratio (MPR) as regular users (MPR ≥ 0.8; n = 476) and irregular users (MPR < 0.8; n = 444). Using a mirror‐image design, we compared the numbers of emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations and hospital days, and the average durations of a single hospitalization during the pre‐ and post‐clozapine mirror periods with a follow‐up time of up to three years, controlling for time‐variant course confounders.ResultsThe patterns of change in outcome indices from the pre‐clozapine period to the post‐clozapine period differed significantly between the two clozapine‐user groups. Clinical outcome indices improved only in regular users, while they deteriorated in irregular users. Over the three‐year follow‐up period, the irregular users consistently had a higher adjusted risk for increased numbers of ER visits [odds ratio (OR): 2.06–2.43], hospitalizations (OR: 2.52–3.22), and total hospital days (OR: 2.42–2.91) when compared to the regular users. Thus, effects of clozapine were consistently demonstrated in one‐ to three‐year mirror comparison periods.ConclusionsClozapine, when used with high treatment regularity (MPR > 0.8), was effective in reducing the numbers of ER visits, hospitalizations, and total hospital days in patients with bipolar disorder with previous frequent hospitalizations and ER visits despite regular pre‐clozapine treatment for bipolar disorder. However, high early attrition and suboptimal treatment compliance need to be rectified in order to optimize the outcome of clozapine treatment in bipolar disorders.
Long‐term analysis of oncological outcomes after laparoscopic radical cystectomy in Europe: results from a multicentre study by the European Association of Urology (EAU) section of Uro‐technology
Authors: Albisinni Simone , Rassweiler Jens , Abbou Clement‐Claude , Cathelineau Xavier , Chlosta Piotr , Fossion Laurent , Gaboardi Franco , Rimington Peter , Salomon Laurent , Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Stolzenburg Jens‐Uwe , Teber Dogu , van Velthoven Roland 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveTo report long‐term outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) in a multicentre European cohort, and explore feasibility and safety of LRC.Patients and MethodsThis study was coordinated by European Association of Urology (EAU)‐section of Uro‐technology (ESUT) with nine centres enrolling 503 patients undergoing LRC for bladder cancer prospectively between 2000 and 2013. Data were retrospectively analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to explore peri‐ and postoperative characteristics of th ecohort. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to evaluate recurrence‐free survival (RFS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Outcomes were also stratified according to tumour stage, lymph node (LN) involvement and surgical margin status.ResultsMinor complications (Clavien I–II) occurred in 39% and major (IIIa–IVb) in 17%. In all, 10 (2%) postoperative deaths were recorded. The median (interquartile, IQR) LN retrieval was 14 (9–17) and positive surgical margins were detected in 29 (5.8%) patients. The median (mean, IQR) follow‐up was 50 (60, 19–90), during which 134 (27%) recurrences were detected. Actuarial RFS, CSS and OS rates were 66%, 75% and 62% at 5 years and 62%, 55%, 38% at 10 years. Significant differences in RFS, CSS and OS were found according to tumour stage, LN involvement and margin status (log‐rank P < 0.001). On multivariate Cox analysis, T stage and LN involvement (both P < 0.001) were significant predictors of RFS, CSS and OS. Positive margins were significant predictors of RFS (P = 0.016) and CSS (P = 0.043).ConclusionsIn this European LRC multicentre study, the largest to date, long‐term RFS, CSS and OS rates after LRC appear comparable to those reported in current open RC series. Further randomised controlled trials are necessary to assess the global impact of LRC.
Fumarate hydratase immunohistochemical staining may help to identify patients with multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL) and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome
Authors: Llamas‐Velasco M. , Requena L. , Kutzner H. , Schärer L. , Rütten A. , Hantschke M. , Paredes B. E. , Mentzel T. 
Published: October 2014

AimsMultiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL) also named as hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer syndrome (HLRCC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygotic germline mutations in fumarate hydratase (FH) with incomplete penetrance and clinically challenging to diagnose. To test immunohistochemistry for FH as a potential marker for the detection of FH‐deficiency.Methods and resultsWe have tested 42 smooth muscle neoplasms, 13 lesions of patients with suspicious or confirmed HLRCC, 20 sporadic piloleiomyomas, two angioleiomyomas and 7 leiomyosarcomas. FH staining grades from 1 to 3. Ten of the 13 lesions from the patients with HLRCC syndrome showed negative FH staining. Most sporadic piloleiomyomas presented grade 3 FH staining although five cases presented grade 1 FH staining. Sensitivity of FH staining in our series is 83.3% but specificity is 75%.ConclusionsThis staining could indicate a high risk of HLRCC in most of the confirmed cases but it could also suggest the presence of a syndrome in up to 25% of sporadic cases. HLRCC syndrome should be rule out in FH negative piloleiomyomas after complete anamnesis if multiple lesions or positive familiar history is found.
The Contradictions of Pro‐poor Participation and Empowerment: The World Bank in East Africa
Authors: O'Meally Simon 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTParticipatory approaches remain central to development practice and the World Bank continues to espouse them with the promise to make its aid more pro‐poor. Yet participation's (in)effectiveness has become the focus of renewed, polarizing debates, and assessments of the form and function of the World Bank's participatory paradigm are still contested and unresolved. Through extensive field data collected in East Africa, this article seeks to move the debate forward. It presents three interrelated arguments: (1) the World Bank's participatory approach remains largely circumscribed by a Post‐Washington Consensus neoliberalism; (2) the approach, nonetheless, pro‐actively supports pro‐poor gains, and creates space for more alternative initiatives; (3) however, its effectiveness in fostering pro‐poor empowerment is undermined by deep inequalities and political economy dynamics on the ground. Two implications are discussed, which challenge conventional wisdom. First, the World Bank's approach could be seen as a hierarchical system of elements in which certain aspects, but not others, are insulated from popular deliberation. Second, participatory development should be (re)imagined as an open‐ended process rooted in the politicization of inequality and embedded in the dynamics of capitalist development, which also points to the critical role of a developmental state.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease vs. obesity on the risk of erosive oesophagitis
Authors: Hung Wei‐Chieh , Wu Jin‐Shang , Yang Yi‐Ching , Sun Zih‐Jie , Lu Feng‐Hwa , Chang Chih‐Jen 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundErosive oesophagitis (EE) may be complicated by oesophageal ulcers, peptic stricture, Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. There have been few studies examining the influence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on EE, and even fewer exploring the simultaneous effects of NAFLD, general and central obesity on EE. We thus aim to clarify the relationship between NAFLD and EE when general and/or central obesity are considered simultaneously.Materials and methodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we enrolled 12 090 subjects who underwent a health check‐up at the Health Examination Center of a university hospital between January 2000 and August 2009 for analysis. NAFLD was diagnosed using liver ultrasound and EE was defined according to the Los Angeles classification by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.ResultsSubjects with EE (1922; 15·9%) had a higher proportion of NAFLD, general and central obesity. With adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia, hypertriglyceridemia, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, alcohol consumption, tea drinking, smoking and habitual exercise, the results of the multivariate analyses showed that general obesity, central obesity and NAFLD were all significantly associated with EE in their separate models. When considering general obesity, central obesity and NAFLD simultaneously, NAFLD, but neither general nor central obesity, remained positively correlated to EE. In addition, male gender, hiatal hernia and hypertriglyceridemia were all significantly associated with EE.ConclusionIn addition to general and central obesity, NAFLD is independently associated with increased risk of EE, and the detrimental effect of NAFLD on EE might be greater than those of general and central obesity.
Detection of living Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in wood, using reverse transcriptase loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP)
Authors: Leal I. , Allen E. , Foord B. , Anema J. , Reisle C. , Uzunovic A. , Varga A. , James D. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryPinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease, is an inhabitant of native pine species of North America, where its presence has minor impact. In contrast, the introduction of this nematode to forests in Asia and Europe has devastated some pine stands and is recognized as a pest of significant phytosanitary concern by the National Plant Protection Organizations of several countries. The ability to detect PWN in internationally traded wood products is crucial to reduce the spread of this organism. Currently, the majority of molecular techniques for the detection of PWN rely on the presence of genomic DNA and thus fail to differentiate between living and dead PWN. The detection of dead nematodes could lead to unnecessary trade disruption. Therefore, accurate techniques for the detection of and differentiation between living and dead PWN are critical. We have developed a reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) assay, which specifically identifies living PWN in wood by detecting the presence of mRNA encoding an expansin gene as a viability marker. This diagnostic method was found to be more sensitive, faster and less dependent on expensive laboratory equipment than PCR. In addition, unlike PCR, it allows for simple colour detection of amplification products. This method will help resolve disputes over the detection of PWN by clarifying whether it originates from live or dead organisms. Where approved treatments are implemented, unnecessary trade disruption will be avoided, thus protecting market access of wood products from PWN‐infested areas.
Effects of fine sediment addition and removal on stream invertebrates and fish: a reach‐scale experiment
Authors: Ramezani Javad , Rennebeck Lasse , Closs Gerard P. , Matthaei Christoph D. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryLand use change due to intensifying agricultural practices has profound effects on streams and rivers worldwide, and has been identified as an important source of fine sediment inputs to streams affecting both habitats and biota. Although the effects of sedimentation on stream organisms have been widely studied, manipulative field experiments involving fish and conducted at the reach scale are lacking. Further, it is unknown whether experimentally removing fine sediment from streams can reverse the negative impacts of sedimentation.Two farmland streams were manipulated for 2 months, by adding or removing fine sediment (using a powerful water blaster) in 50‐m reaches twice (initially and 1 month later). Each stream contained one sediment addition, one removal and one control reach separated by buffer zones. Streams were sampled on five occasions, and water physicochemistry, invertebrate community variables and fish densities (native species and introduced brown trout), diet and condition were determined.Multivariate benthic invertebrate community composition changed in response to the sediment manipulations. Total taxon richness, density of the caddis fly larvaAoteapsychespp. and brown trout density responded negatively to sediment addition and positively to its removal. A similar trend, although not statistically significant, was observed for native fish density. Trout condition was also poorer in sediment addition reaches than in removal or control reaches.Our study provides experimental evidence from real streams that increased levels of deposited fine sediment can not only affect stream habitats and invertebrate communities, but also fish communities including trout density and condition. Further, sediment removal can reverse these negative effects, at least temporarily. These findings should help decision makers develop mitigation plans for current farming practices and improved best management systems for the future.
Cystatin C‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate and periodontitis
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Taylor George W. , Sato Misuzu , Nakamura Kazutoshi , Yoshihara Akihiro , Miyazaki Hideo 
Published: October 2014

Background and ObjectiveAccumulating evidence suggests that decreased kidney function characterised by low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may be associated with periodontitis. Recent studies have suggested that the use of cystatin C strengthens the association between the eGFR and the risks of adverse outcomes in decreased kidney function. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the association of cystatin C‐based eGFR (eGFRcys) and creatinine‐based eGFR (eGFRcreat), the commonly used method to assess kidney function, with periodontitis in 502 Japanese women (average age, 68.6 years).Materials and MethodsGFR was estimated from serum cystatin C and serum creatinine, respectively, using the Japanese equation for GFR. Participants were classified into five groups according to their eGFRcys and eGFRcreat values. Poisson regression models with robust error variance assessed the associations of eGFRcys and eGFRcreat with periodontitis. Tests for trends were performed by fitting the five‐category eGFR variables in their continuous form to the regression models.ResultsParticipants with eGFRcys < 50 ml/min/1.73 m2 were at significantly higher risk of periodontitis compared with the reference group (≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2) (adjusted relative risk = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.12 to 4.02). Additionally, there was a trend towards a higher risk of periodontitis among participants with lower eGFRcys values (p for trend in the multivariable model = 0.008). In contrast, eGFRcreat did not show a significant association with periodontitis.ConclusionThe findings of this study of Japanese older women showed that eGFRcys had a stronger and more linear association with periodontitis than eGFRcreat.