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This article studies the causes and effects of transient use of agricultural technology. Most existing studies have assumed that adoption of modern technology is irreversible, and widely ignored the switching between technologies that is often observed in practice. To more fully understand the pattern of agricultural technology adoption, this article takes switching behavior into account and develops a dynamic switching model to analyze transient technology use. The conceptual model is then calibrated and simulated using dynamic programming, and numerical results show that relative profitability, switching costs, and farmer's foresight are important influences on the pattern of transient technology use. Switching costs play a key role in preventing farmers from adopting new technologies, even when they appear otherwise profitable, and can cause farmers to switch back to traditional technologies, even when the move appears otherwise irrational. Also, smallholder farmers, differentiated based on their perception of switching costs and future economic conditions, exhibit heterogeneous decision rules and adoption patterns. Therefore, policies targeted at increasing technology adoption will be more effective if they differentiate specific types of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program was initiated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address challenges related to soil and water degradation by examining soil health under real‐world management practices. Soil health data from 5,300 field sites enrolled in a DNR cost‐share program were analyzed for the effects of tillage intensity [no‐till (NT), reduced tillage (RT), and intensive tillage (IT)] and crop rotational diversity (monoculture, two‐crops, and three or more crops in rotation) within and across six regions in the state. Soil health indicators included soil organic carbon (SOC), active carbon, potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), and aggregate stability. At the state level, SOC, active carbon, and PMN were 14.4, 14.0, and 17.5% greater under NT, and 10.2, 11.0, and 11.2% greater under RT, respectively, compared with IT. Aggregate stability was greater under NT (33.8%) and RT (30.4%) relative to IT (28.0%). Across the state, diversified rotations with three or more crops exhibited 6.1 and 7.9% greater SOC, 6.5 and 7.9% greater active carbon, and 10.7 and 11.6% greater PMN relative to two‐crop rotations or monocultures, respectively. Aggregate stability was significantly greater under diversified rotations (35.5%) relative to two‐crop rotations (30.6%) and monoculture (30.8%). This study highlights the value of on‐farm datasets from real crop production systems and illustrates the potential to increase soil health with adoption of conservation tillage and extended crop rotations in Missouri. Core Ideas: Reduced tillage and no‐till improved soil health across Missouri.Effect sizes varied by region for tillage and crop rotational diversity.No soil health differences between monoculture and two‐crop rotations were detectable.On‐farm datasets offer a unique opportunity to assess managements effects at large scales.Increased rotational diversity offers the potential for improved soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formed the Precision Sustainable Agriculture (PSA) team to conduct interdisciplinary research and technology development to improve adoption and practice of knowledge‐intensive sustainable agricultural practices such as cover cropping. In this paper, we share our approach to cultivating trust among diverse stakeholders (researchers, farmers, extensionists, agricultural and information specialists, private and public entities) vested in agricultural data collection, management, and use. Our trust framework describes how we aim to be trusted with data (through preserving privacy and increasing stakeholder agency) and trusted in the process (through practicing transparency and accountability). It is operationalized through a series of social and technical infrastructures. Our project governance, stakeholder engagement tools and activities, and technology development methods aim to promote transparency and accountability in our process. We use a maturity model to govern data acquisition to ensure that only robust, privacy‐preserving technologies are deployed on our partner farms and describe evolving mechanisms for handling data with varying sensitivity. Finally, we share preliminary work aimed at anticipating data use, and identify challenges on the horizon for cultivating trust in agricultural technologies and data‐driven agriculture. Core Ideas: Sustainable agriculture is information intensive, requiring data sharing among many actors.Trust can be mediated through technology, but only with the input of all data stakeholders.Practicing privacy preserving strategies and increasing stakeholder agency increase trust.Transparency and accountability can aid in fostering trust in the process of data management.Cultivating trust is critical for success in data‐driven and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firsocostat (FIR: previously GS‐0976), a highly sensitive OATP substrate, reduces hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) by inhibiting acetyl‐CoA carboxylases (ACC). Measuring the pharmacodynamic (PD) efficacy of FIR on DNL provides a unique opportunity to determine optimal dosing strategies for liver‐targeted OATP substrates in settings of altered OATP function. A randomized, four‐way crossover drug‐drug interaction study was conducted. Hepatic DNL, a marker for ACC activity, was measured in 28 healthy volunteers after reference, single dose FIR 10 mg, FIR 10 mg plus the OATP inhibitor rifampin (RIF) 300 mg i.v., or RIF 300 mg i.v. (control for DNL effect of RIF), each separated by a 7‐day washout. Samples were collected for pharmacokinetic (PK) and PD assessments through 24 hours after each treatment. Hepatic DNL and its inhibition by FIR were assessed. Twenty‐four subjects completed the study. All adverse events were mild. RIF alone increased hepatic DNL area under the effect curve from time of administration up to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUEClast; 35.7%). Despite a 5.2‐fold increase in FIR plasma exposure (area under the concentration‐time curve from zero to infinity (AUCinf)) when administered with RIF, FIR alone, and FIR + RIF had the same hepatic PD effect, 37.1% and 34.9% reduction in DNL AUEClast, respectively, compared with their respective controls. These findings indicate that large decreases in OATP activity do not alter hepatic intracellular exposure (as inferred by no change in PD) for drugs that are primarily eliminated hepatically and permeability rate‐limited, such as FIR. These results support PK theory that has been difficult to test and provide practical guidance on administration of liver‐targeted drugs in settings of reduced OATP function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterston and Corden have created a tour de force in taking readers on a very personal search for a more hopeful future. Their connection began when Corden sat in the audience during Waterston's 2017 powerful AAA presidential address, "Four Stories, a Lament, and an Affirmation" (Waterston 2018). While Waterston makes sense of the darkness as an anthropologist, Corden makes "visual those observations that illuminate" (9). Corden was so stirred by Waterston's message that she spent the night transforming her notes into inspired sketches about an anthropological journey of hope through difficult times, which she then shared with Waterston. [Extracted from the article]

We explore the decision‐making process of commercial poultry enterprises facing rising input costs in Nigeria. Using a cross‐sectional dataset and a 1‐year weekly panel of farm inputs and prices, we employ a discrete time, discrete control and state space dynamic programming (DP) model, disaggregated by farm size, to determine optimal decisions. In the presence of high feed costs and increased energy use, the optimal strategy for medium‐sized farms is to sell and exit the industry. However, it remains profitable for large firms to stay in the sector. The findings indicate that broiler farms need larger batch sizes to withstand input price increases and rising energy costs. While Nigeria has seen a rapid growth of commercial livestock enterprises, the sensitivity of the poultry industry to changes in feed prices is a major threat to the sector and highlights the importance of acquiring higher batch sizes and employing other risk management tools, such as contracts to forward price input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Kentucky is among the most frequently isolated S. enterica serovars from food animals in the United States. Recent research on isolates recovered from these animals suggests there may be geographic and host specificity signatures associated with S. Kentucky strains. However, the sources and genomic features of human clinical S. Kentucky isolated in the United States remain poorly described. To investigate the characteristics of clinical S. Kentucky and the possible sources of these infections, the genomes of all S. Kentucky isolates recovered from human clinical cases in the State of Maryland between 2011 and 2015 (n = 12) were sequenced and compared to a database of 525 previously sequenced S. Kentucky genomes representing 12 sequence types (ST) collected from multiple sources on several continents. Of the 12 human clinical S. Kentucky isolates from Maryland, nine were ST198, two were ST152, and one was ST314. Forty‐one per cent of isolates were recovered from patients reporting recent international travel and 58% of isolates encoded genomic characteristics similar to those originating outside of the United States. Of the five isolates not associated with international travel, three encoded antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to tetracycline or aminoglycosides, while two others only encoded the cryptic aac(6′)‐Iaa gene. Five isolates recovered from individuals with international travel histories (ST198) and two for which travel was not recorded (ST198) encoded genes conferring resistance to between 4 and 7 classes of antibiotics. Seven ST198 genomes encoded the Salmonella Genomic Island 1 and substitutions in the gyrA and parC genes known to confer resistance to ciprofloxacin. Case report data on food consumption and travel were, for the most part, consistent with the inferred S. Kentucky phylogeny. Results of this study indicate that the majority of S. Kentucky infections in Maryland are caused by ST198 which may originate outside of North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) represent patients’ perspective about their well‐being. Aim: To assess PRO changes in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) after treatment with selonsertib (SEL) and to associate them with different biomarkers. Methods: Patients with NASH and stage 2‐3 fibrosis received SEL 6 mg or 18 mg orally QD alone or in combination with simtuzumab (SIM, 125 mg SC weekly) or SIM alone for 24 weeks. Biopsies were obtained at baseline and at treatment week 24. PROs were assessed using SF‐36, CLDQ and WPAI:SHP. Results: Seventy‐two patients with NASH were included (54 ± 10 years, 31% male, 65% stage 3, 71% diabetes). Baseline physical health‐related PRO scores were significantly lower than population norms (P < .05). During treatment, there were no consistent differences in treatment‐emergent PRO changes between different regimens (P > .05). However, NASH subjects who experienced ≥2 decrease in NAFLD Activity Score or ≥1‐stage reduction in fibrosis showed significant improvements in their PROs (up to +15.5% of a PRO range size, P < .05). Additionally, improvements in PROs (up to +21.5%, P < .05) were noted in patients with at least 50% relative reduction in collagen, while NASH subjects with >17% increase in their collagen experienced PRO worsening (up to −13.9%, P < .05). Baseline serum CK‐18, IL‐6 and CRP significantly correlated with PROs (rho from −0.24 to −0.38, P < .05). Conclusions: A decrease in hepatic collagen is the most prominently associated with improvement of PROs in NASH patients with F2‐F3 treated with SEL. Furthermore, serum cytokines are associated with baseline PROs and with treatment‐emergent changes in PROs in patients with NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus × giganteus yield and fertilizer N requirements have been well studied in Europe and parts of the United States, but few reports have investigated its production on eroded claypan soils economically marginal for grain crops. This study was conducted to evaluate yield potential and fertilizer N strategies for young and mature M. × giganteus on eroded soils. Constant (medium, high) and priming (low, medium, high) fertilizer N rates were applied during 2013 to 2015 at three locations in Missouri to young stands planted in 2012. Constant rates (low, medium, high) also were applied to one mature stand planted in 2007. Winter biomass yield (13.3-23.8 Mg ha-1) was comparable to more productive soils and increased with N fertilization at only two sites with young stands. At one location, yield increased by 44, 48, and 82% with fertilization in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, while the other location increased by 43% only in 2015. At both locations, the medium constant rate (67 kg N ha-1 yr-1) was the lowest rate that maximized total yield across 3 yr. This rate was efficient as it did not increase N removal in harvested biomass. Fertilization always increased leaf chlorophyll concentration (LCC) and siteyears with relative LCC <0.85 had yield response to N, while those at or above this level did not. Nitrogen fertilization is not always needed for M. × giganteus on eroded soils with low organic matter content, and relative LCC can accurately identify when fertilization is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

publisher‐imprint‐name Springer volume‐issue‐count 1 issue‐article‐count 0 issue‐toc‐levels 0 issue‐pricelist‐year 2016 issue‐copyright‐holder The Author(s) issue‐copyright‐year 2016 article‐contains‐esm Yes article‐numbering‐style Unnumbered article‐registration‐date‐year 2016 article‐registration‐date‐month 7 article‐registration‐date‐day 14 article‐toc‐levels 0 toc‐levels 0 volume‐type Regular journal‐product ArchiveJournal numbering‐style Unnumbered article‐grants‐type OpenChoice metadata‐grant OpenAccess abstract‐grant OpenAccess bodypdf‐grant OpenAccess bodyhtml‐grant OpenAccess bibliography‐grant OpenAccess esm‐grant OpenAccess online‐first false pdf‐file‐reference BodyRef/PDF/40169_2016_Article_109.pdf pdf‐type Typeset target‐type OnlinePDF issue‐type Regular article‐type OriginalPaper journal‐subject‐primary Medicine & Public Health journal‐subject‐secondary Medicine/Public Health, general journal‐subject‐collection Medicine open‐access true --> Background: High‐throughput technologies have the potential to identify non‐invasive biomarkers of liver pathology and improve our understanding of basic mechanisms of liver injury and repair. A metabolite profiling approach was employed to determine associations between alterations in serum metabolites and liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: Sera from 45 non‐diabetic patients with chronic HCV were quantitatively analyzed using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. A metabolite profile of advanced fibrosis (METAVIR F3‐4) was established using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis modeling and validated using seven‐fold cross‐validation and permutation testing. Bioprofiles of moderate to severe steatosis (≥33 %) and necroinflammation (METAVIR A2‐3) were also derived. The classification accuracy of these profiles was determined using areas under the receiver operator curves (AUROCSs) measuring against liver biopsy as the gold standard. Results: In total 63 spectral features were profiled, of which a highly significant subset of 21 metabolites were associated with advanced fibrosis (variable importance score >1 in multivariate modeling; R2 = 0.673 and Q2 = 0.285). For the identification of F3–4 fibrosis, the metabolite bioprofile had an AUROC of 0.86 (95 % CI 0.74–0.97). The AUROCs for the bioprofiles for moderate to severe steatosis were 0.87 (95 % CI 0.76–0.97) and for grade A2–3 inflammation were 0.73 (0.57–0.89). Conclusion: This proof‐of‐principle study demonstrates the utility of a metabolomics profiling approach to non‐invasively identify biomarkers of liver fibrosis, steatosis and inflammation in patients with chronic HCV. Future cohorts are necessary to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic liver injury can result in fibrosis that may progress over years to end-stage liver disease. The most effective anti-fibrotic therapy is treatment of the underlying disease, however when not possible, interventions to reverse or slow fibrosis progression are needed. Aim The aim of this study was to study the safety and tolerability of simtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against lysyl oxidase-like 2 ( LOXL2) enzyme, in subjects with hepatitis C virus ( HCV), human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV), or HCV- HIV co-infection and advanced liver disease. Methods Eighteen subjects with advanced liver fibrosis received simtuzumab 700 mg intravenously every 2 weeks for 22 weeks. Transjugular liver biopsies were performed during screening and at the end of treatment to measure hepatic venous pressure gradient ( HVPG) and to stage fibrosis. Results Treatment was well-tolerated with no discontinuations due to adverse events. No significant changes were seen in HVPG or liver biopsy fibrosis score after treatment. Exploratory transcriptional and protein profiling using paired pre- and post-treatment liver biopsy and serum samples suggested up-regulation of TGF-β3 and IL-10 pathways with treatment. Conclusion In this open-label, pilot clinical trial, simtuzumab treatment was well-tolerated in HCV- and HIV-infected subjects with advanced liver disease. Putative modulation of TGF-β3 and IL-10 pathways during simtuzumab treatment merits investigation in future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general three-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs), the entanglement entropy receives a logarithmic contribution whenever the entangling surface contains a sharp corner of opening angle θ. Such contribution is controlled by a regulator-independent function [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The Red Sea is characterised by a unique fauna and historical periods of desiccation, hypersalinity and intermittent isolation. The origin and contemporary composition of reef-associated taxa in this region can illuminate biogeographical principles about vicariance and the establishment (or local extirpation) of existing species. Here we aim to: (1) outline the distribution of shallow water fauna between the Red Sea and adjacent regions, (2) explore mechanisms for maintaining these distributions and (3) propose hypotheses to test these mechanisms. Location Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Methods Updated checklists for scleractinian corals, fishes and non-coral invertebrates were used to determine species richness in the Red Sea and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula and assess levels of endemism. Fine-scale diversity and abundance of reef fishes within the Red Sea were explored using ecological survey data. Results Within the Red Sea, we recorded 346 zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate scleractinian coral species of which 19 are endemic (5.5%). Currently 635 species of polychaetes, 211 echinoderms and 79 ascidians have been documented, with endemism rates of 12.6%, 8.1% and 16.5% respectively. A preliminary compilation of 231 species of crustaceans and 137 species of molluscs include 10.0% and 6.6% endemism respectively. We documented 1071 shallow fish species, with 12.9% endemic in the entire Red Sea and 14.1% endemic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Based on ecological survey data of endemic fishes, there were no major changes in species richness or abundance across 1100 km of Saudi Arabian coastline. Main conclusions The Red Sea biota appears resilient to major environmental fluctuations and is characterized by high rates of endemism with variable degrees of incursion into the Gulf of Aden. The nearby Omani and Arabian Gulfs also have variable environments and high levels of endemism, but these are not consistently distinct across taxa. The presence of physical barriers does not appear to explain species distributions, which are more likely determined by ecological plasticity and genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the dynamics of microinsurance demand by risk-averse agents who can borrow and lend subject to a liquidity constraint, and also perceive a risk of insurer default. Liquidity constraints and perceived insurer default both reduce the demand for insurance, possibly leading to nonparticipation. We also evaluate an alternative insurance design that allows agents to delay premium payment until the end of the insured period when income is realized and indemnities are paid. We show this alternative design increases insurance take-up by relaxing the liquidity constraint and ameliorating concerns about insurer default. We also investigate the value of delayed premium payment, and the importance of the associated problem of reneging if the insured event does not occur, under a range of conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The geological and palaeo-climatic forces that produced the unique biodiversity in the Red Sea are a subject of vigorous debate. Here, we review evidence for and against the hypotheses that: (1) Red Sea fauna was extirpated during glacial cycles of the Pleistocene and (2) coral reef fauna found refuge within or just outside the Red Sea during low sea level stands when conditions were inhospitable. Location Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean. Methods We review the literature on palaeontological, geological, biological and genetic evidence that allow us to explore competing hypotheses on the origins and maintenance of shallow-water reef fauna in the Red Sea. Results Palaeontological (microfossil) evidence indicates that some areas of the central Red Sea were devoid of most plankton during low sea level stands due to hypersaline conditions caused by almost complete isolation from the Indian Ocean. However, two areas may have retained conditions adequate for survival: the Gulf of Aqaba and the southern Red Sea. In addition to isolation within the Red Sea, which separated the northern and southern faunas, a strong barrier may also operate in the region: the cold, nutrient-rich water upwelling at the boundary of the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Biological data are either inconclusive or support these putative barriers and refugia, but no data set, that we know of rejects them. Genetic evidence suggests that many endemic lineages diverged from their Indian Ocean counterparts long before the most recent glaciations and/or are restricted to narrow areas, especially in the northern Red Sea. Main conclusions High endemism observed in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden appears to have multiple origins. A cold, nutrient-rich water barrier separates the Gulf of Aden from the rest of the Arabian Sea, whereas a narrow strait separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden, each providing potential isolating barriers. Additional barriers may arise from environmental gradients, circulation patterns and the constriction at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Endemics that evolved within the Red Sea basin had to survive glacial cycles in relatively low salinity refugia. It therefore appears that the unique conditions in the Red Sea, in addition to those characteristics of the Arabian Peninsula region as a whole, drive the divergence of populations via a combination of isolation and selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing analyses of market participation are based on a "double-hurdle" modeling approach. Such models are appropriate only when all members of the population of interest actually produce the good. In some contexts, however (e.g., smallholder farmers), many members of the population do not produce particular goods that they could produce and that their neighbors do produce. Policies influencing market participation among producers may thus also induce additional farmers to become producers. Previous double-hurdle approaches do not allow explicitly for this possibility. To address these limitations, this article presents a "triple-hurdle" approach with an initial stage that includes nonproducers. The model is used to identify the factors associated with Kenyan smallholder farmers choosing to participate in dairy production, and the role that these producers choose to play (or not) in the marketplace. In the midst of debates underway over the privatization of the parastatal Kenya Creameries Company, new knowledge about smallholder participation in dairy could be an important contribution. Results suggest the importance of rural electrification, training, and improved grazing practices. We find that expected net sales are significantly higher when farmers have access to informal private markets. We also describe a version of the ordered tobit model that includes nonproducers and is nested in our triple-hurdle model. A likelihood ratio test shows the latter to be a significantly better fit to our data. We discuss how insights gained from this study differ from the insights that would come from a double-hurdle ordered tobit that also includes nonproducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the increasing popularity and use of Internet among citizens of the U.S. and mentions the impact of social media sites, blogs and customer review sites on the customer-centered communication. Topics discussed include customer approach to online news sources, 24-hour news networks, and social media for information, aspects of proactive communication and increasing use of customer-centered communication system.

In recent years, parastatal grain marketing boards have re-emerged as important elements of grain markets in eastern and southern Africa, yet little is known about how farmers are responding to their scaled up activities. This article develops a conceptual model of farmers' production decisions in the context of dual output marketing channels (government and private sector) when output prices at harvest time and the availability of one of the marketing channels are unknown at planting time. It then applies the model to the case of Zambia and uses nationally representative household-level panel survey data to estimate the effects of the Food Reserve Agency ( FRA), the government parastatal maize marketing board, on smallholder crop production and fallow land. The FRA buys maize from smallholders at a pan-territorial price that typically exceeds market prices in major maize producing areas. Results suggest that increases in the farmgate FRA maize price raise farmer maize price expectations, which induces a supply response. Smallholders respond to an increase in the FRA price by extensifying their maize production. On average, a 1% increase in the FRA price is associated with 0.06% increases in smallholders' maize area planted and quantity harvested. There is also some evidence that farmers reduce the area of land under fallow in response to FRA incentives but there is no evidence of reductions in the area planted to other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Modifications to the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease ( MELD) have been proposed to improve prioritization of liver transplant ( LT) candidates. Using a U.S. database, we derived a revised MELD including sodium and albumin [5-variable MELD (5v MELD)] that improved prediction of waiting list mortality. Our objectives were to confirm the association between hypoalbuminaemia and mortality and to externally validate 5v MELD in Canadian LT candidates. Methods Among adults registered on the LT waiting list at the University of Alberta (01/2000-10/2009), Cox regression determined the association between albumin and 1-year waiting list mortality. The discrimination of MELD, MELDNa and 5v MELD for predicting 1-year mortality were compared using c-statistics. Results Among 677 patients, 17% died and 51% underwent LT within 1 year of listing. Median serum albumin was 3.1 g/dl (IQR 2.6-3.6) and 70% of patients were hypoalbuminaemic (albumin <3.5 g/dl). One-year mortality in patients with normal serum albumin and hypoalbuminaemia were 14% and 29% respectively ( P = 0.004). For patients with serum albumin between 2.0 and 4.0 g/dl, an approximately linear, inverse relationship was observed between albumin and 1-year mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.45; 95% CI 1.03-2.03; P = 0.03]. For this outcome, the c-statistic of 5vMELD (0.778) was superior to those of MELD (0.754) and MELDNa (0.765) (both P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Hypoalbuminaemia is an independent predictor of mortality on the LT waiting list. Compared with MELD and MELDNa, 5v MELD improves prediction of mortality suggesting that modification of these scores to include serum albumin should be considered as a means of prioritizing LT candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent expansions in biofuel production have led to concerns about an emerging “new relationship” between energy prices and the prices of agricultural feedstock for biofuel. We provide new econometric evidence on this relationship using common trend-common cycle decompositions to estimate long-run and short-run co-movement across various energy and agricultural prices. We also test for the presence of regime changes that may alter the relationship between energy and agricultural feedstock prices under certain conditions. We find that co-movements between energy and agricultural feedstock prices tend to dissipate in the long-run, which has important implications for biofuel and food policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) genotype and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen ( qHBsAg) have been related to clinical outcome. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV genotype and qHBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B ( CHB). Methods Six hundred and thirty patients with CHB were seen in four urban tertiary referral centres in Canada. HBV genotype was determined by line probe assay (INNO-LIPA) and HBV DNA quantified by commercial PCR (Roche TaqMan, sensitivity <55 IU/ml or AMPLICOR, sensitivity <60 IU/ml). Titres of qHBsAg were determined by an in-house assay based on the WHO standard (calibration range 0.24-62.5 IU/ml). Results In 630 patients (57% male, 69% Asian, median age 42 years), 21% were hepatitis B e antigen positive and the median alanine aminotransferase was 29 U/L. The HBV genotype distribution was A (16%), B (29%), C (31%), D (16%), E (6%). HBV genotype was strongly associated with ethnicity, but neither genotype nor qHBsAg correlated with the degree of fibrosis. In the treatment-naïve patients, the baseline qHBsAg levels correlated with HBV DNA ( r = 0.2517, P < 0.0008). The median qHBsAg levels were lowest in patients with genotype B ( P < 0.0001), but no significant correlation was noted with all other HBV genotypes. Conclusions In this large North American HBV epidemiological study, genotypes B and C were the most common; however, all genotypes (A-E) were observed with varied distribution nationwide. Baseline qHBsAg significantly correlated with HBV DNA and with HBV genotype B, but not with liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groupers are a valuable fishery resource of reef ecosystems and are among those species most vulnerable to fishing pressure because of life history characteristics including longevity, late sexual maturation and aggregation spawning. Despite their economic importance, few grouper fisheries are regularly monitored or managed at the species level, and many are reported to be undergoing declines. To identify major threats to groupers, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria were applied to all 163 species. Red List assessments show that 20 species (12%) risk extinction if current trends continue, and an additional 22 species (13%) are considered to be Near Threatened. The Caribbean Sea, coastal Brazil and Southeast Asia contain a disproportionate number of Threatened species, while numerous poorly documented and Near Threatened species occur in many regions. In all, 30% of all species are considered to be Data Deficient. Given that the major threat is overfishing, accompanied by a general absence and/or poor application of fishery management, the prognosis for restoration and successful conservation of Threatened species is poor. We believe that few refuges remain for recovery and that key biological processes (e.g. spawning aggregations) continue to be compromised by uncontrolled fishing. Mariculture, through hatchery-rearing, increases production of a few species and contributes to satisfying high market demand, but many such operations depend heavily on wild-caught juveniles with resultant growth and recruitment overfishing. Better management of fishing and other conservation efforts are urgently needed, and we provide examples of possible actions and constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, governments throughout eastern and southern Africa have increasingly used strategic reserves and/or marketing boards to influence grain market outcomes, yet little is known about how these activities are affecting grain markets. This article estimates the effects of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) on maize market prices in production and consumption regions in Zambia using a vector autoregression model and monthly data from July 1996 through December 2008. In recent years, FRA has become the dominant buyer of smallholder maize in Zambia. Simulations show that FRA activities stabilized market prices throughout the July 1996-December 2008 study period and raised mean prices between July 2003 and December 2008 by 17-19%. The price raising effects of FRA policies have assisted surplus maize producers but adversely affected net buyers of maize in Zambia, namely urban consumers and the majority of the rural poor. The increase in maize price stability is unlikely to have had substantial welfare effects on poor households. In contrast, relatively wealthy producers are likely to have benefited from the higher average and more stable maize prices resulting from FRA policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional threshold models of price transmission allow for different speeds of adjustment to equilibria depending on the magnitude of price differentials between markets. However, these models typically assume only one underlying long-run equilibrium price relationship. In this article we develop a framework for allowing multiple equilibria and multiple speeds of adjustment with regime separation depending on the magnitude of trade flows between regions, rather than the magnitude of price differentials. Applying this framework to maize price transmission between South Africa and Zambia shows no transmission during periods of high imports, when the government was heavily involved in maize importation, but stronger transmission during periods of low imports when the government was not importing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a volatility spillover model, we find evidence of significant spillovers from crude oil prices to corn cash and futures prices, and that these spillover effects are time-varying. Results reveal that corn markets have become much more connected to crude oil markets after the introduction of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Furthermore, when the ethanol-gasoline consumption ratio exceeds a critical level, crude oil prices transmit positive volatility spillovers into corn prices and movements in corn prices are more energy-driven. Based on this strong volatility link between crude oil and corn prices, a new cross-hedging strategy for managing corn price risk using oil futures is examined and its performance is studied. Results show that this cross-hedging strategy provides only slightly better hedging performance compared with traditional hedging in corn futures markets alone. The implication is that hedging corn price risk in corn futures markets alone can still provide relatively satisfactory performance in the biofuel era. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights regarding the strange familiar and familiar strange in anthropology. The author references the work of Melford Spiro who wrote the attribution of making the familiar strange and the strange familiar to a good poetry as regarded by S. T. Coleridge. The author cites that the process of the exotic becoming familiar was recognized by Bronislaw Malinowski through anthropological ethnographies.

Background: Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but nationwide American data is unavailable. Our objective was to describe ALA epidemiology and outcomes in USA from a population-based perspective. Methods: Patients hospitalized with ALA between 1993 and 2007 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Patient characteristics, interventions and outcomes including mortality were determined. The annual incidence of ALA and temporal trends were determined using the negative binomial regression models. Results: Between 1993 and 2007, 848 hospitalizations for ALA, corresponding to ∼4100 hospitalizations nationwide, were identified. The annual incidence was 1.38 per million population with a 2.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0-4.8%; P=0.06] average annual decline during this study. Most patients were hospitalized in western (54%) and southern states (27%), and 48% were Hispanic. Males (incidence rate ratio vs. females: 4.53; 95% CI 4.19-4.90) had the highest incidence rates. Percutaneous and surgical drainage was required in 48 and 7% of patients respectively. Although length of stay [median, 6 days; interquartile range (IQR) 4-10] and hospital charges (US$25 345; IQR US$15 030-42 275) were substantial, in-hospital mortality was rare (0.8%). Females [odds ratio (OR) 6.12; CI 1.39-26.8], patients ≥60 years (OR 13.3; 95% CI 2.5-71.5), and those with ≥3 comorbidities (OR 5.80; 95% CI 1.30-25.8), particularly malnutrition, had an increased risk of death. Conclusions: ALA is rare and the incidence has decreased in USA. Young, Hispanic males in southwestern states are most frequently affected. Mortality caused by ALA is lower than what was reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Administrative databases could be useful in studying the epidemiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC); however, there is no information regarding the validity of the diagnostic code in administrative databases. The aims of this study were to determine the validity of administrative data for a diagnosis of PSC and generate algorithms for the identification of PSC patients. The sensitivity (Se) and positive predictive value (PPV) of a PSC diagnosis based on administrative data from 2000 to 2003 were determined through chart review data. Algorithms were developed by considering variables associated with PSC and coding details. A logistic regression model was constructed using covariates associated with PSC. Based on this model, each subject was assigned a probability of having PSC. A cutoff value was selected that maximized the Se and specificity (Sp) of correctly predicting PSC cases. In the administrative data, the initial Se and PPV were 83.7 and 7.2% respectively. The optimal algorithm included one PSC code and one inflammatory bowel disease code and had Se 56% and PPV 59%. Overall, the algorithms yielded inadequate PPV and Se estimates to identify a cohort of true PSC cases. The predictive model was constructed using six covariates. For this model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 93.5%. A cutoff of 0.0729 was used, which maximized the Se 81.9% and Sp 90.7%; however, the PPV was 41.0%. An algorithm for the identification of true PSC cases from administrative data was not possible. We recommend that PSC receives a distinct ICD code from ascending cholangitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the effects of a large discrete maize price increase on the welfare of a sample of rural Kenyan households. The usual first-order welfare approximation formula is extended to a second-order formula that allows for supply and demand responses to the price change. Results show that many rural households are not affected greatly by the price change, and there are about as many gainers as losers. However, these full sample results mask important differences across regions. Welfare gains generally take place in major production areas while losses are in areas where most households are net buyers of maize. Semiparametric methods are used to investigate the relationship between income and the size of the welfare effect, and poverty dominance techniques are applied to study the impacts of the maize price increase on rural poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group (CHBG) is one of the 52 collaborative review groups within The Cochrane Collaboration. The activities of the CHBG focus on collecting hepato-biliary randomized clinical trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT), and including them in systematic reviews with meta-analyses of the trials. In this overview, we present the growth of The CHBG Controlled Trials Register, as well as the systematic reviews that have been produced since March 1996. The CHBG register includes almost 11 000 RCT and 700 CCT publications. The earliest RCT in the register were published in 1955, and the earliest CCT in 1945. From 1945 to 1980, there were less than 100 publications each year. From 1981 to 1997, their number increased from over 100 to 600 a year. After 1997, the number of publications seems to have been decreasing. The CHBG has published 199 protocols for systematic reviews and 107 systematic reviews through to August 2009 in which 21% of the RCT and CCT were included. The CHBG reviews have been cited approximately 1200 times. A large amount of work has been carried out since 1996. However, there is still much to do, as the CHBG register contains a great number of RCT and CCT on topics that have not yet been systematically reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) is widely used for the noninvasive assessment of fibrosis. Our objectives were to examine the prevalence, risk factors and causes of discordance between fibrosis estimated by TE and liver biopsy. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-one patients with hepatitis B, C and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease underwent LSM by TE and liver biopsy. Predictors of discordance (≥2 fibrosis stages) between measures, which occurred in 14% of patients ( n=35), were identified by comparing patient, TE and biopsy characteristics of discordant and nondiscordant cases. Results: According to predefined criteria, 40% of discordances were attributed to TE error and 23% to biopsy error; 37% were indeterminate. In multivariate analysis, mild fibrosis (F0-2 vs. F3-4), and higher body mass index (BMI), ALT and LSM variability [assessed by the ratio of the interquartile range to median LSM (IQR/M)] were independently associated with discordance. Discordance was three-fold more common in patients with obesity (28 vs. 9%), ALT≥60 U/L (20 vs. 7%) and IQR/M ≥0.17 (22 vs. 7%; all P<0.005). Based on these variables, a discordance risk score assigning 1 point to each factor was developed. The prevalence of discordance in patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 factors were 2, 7, 20, and 55% respectively ( P<0.0005). Conclusions: Discordance between liver fibrosis estimated by TE and biopsy occurs in one in seven patients. In assessing the validity of TE results, clinicians must recognize risk factors for discordance and in at-risk patients, consider alternative measures including biomarkers and possibly biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) storage adversely affects PLT structure and function in vitro and is associated with decreased PLT recovery and function in vivo. In pediatric transfusion medicine, it is not uncommon for small residual volumes to remain in parent units after aliquot preparation of leukoreduced apheresis-derived PLTs (LR-ADP). However, limited data exist regarding the impact of storage on residual small-volume LR-ADP. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Standard metabolic testing was performed on residual volumes of LR-ADP after aliquot removal and PLT aggregometry using a dual agonist of ADP and collagen was performed on stored, small-volume aliquots (10-80 mL) created from an in vitro model of PLT storage. RESULTS: Seventy-seven LR-ADP underwent metabolic (n = 67) or metabolic and aggregation (n = 10) studies. All products maintained a pH value of more than 6.89 throughout storage. Lactate and pCO2 increased proportionally with longer storage time. Regardless of acceptable metabolism during storage, aggregation in 10- to 20-mL aliquots was impaired by Day 4 and aliquots less than 40 mL demonstrated the most dramatic decrease in aggregation from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Despite maintenance of acceptable metabolic conditions, residual volumes of LR-ADP develop impaired aggregation in vitro that may adversely affect PLT survival and function in vivo. At volumes below 40 mL, LR-ADP revealed reduced aggregation. As a result, it is recommended to monitor and record volumes of LR-ADP used for pediatric transfusion. Moreover, once LR-ADP attain a volume of 50 mL or less on Day 4 or Day 5 of storage, consider discarding these products until their in vivo efficacy can be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preface: We are heartily grateful for the warm support of all of the people concerned, including the moderators and panelists of both societies for giving us the opportunity to hold the 5th American Urological Association/Japanese Urological Association (AUA/JUA) International Affiliate Society Meeting, held once again at the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (29 May–3 June 2010, San Francisco, California, USA). The year of 2010 is a memorable one, being the start of reciprocal collaborations between the AUA and the JUA. The JUA, in collaboration with the AUA, is promoting an academic exchange program whereby outstanding and promising Japanese and American junior faculty members will be given the opportunity to work in the USA and Japan for 1 month. The program not only allows the sharing of knowledge and experience, but also is designed to foster a closer alliance between the AUA and JUA, and assists in identifying future leaders within both organizations. The AUA and JUA will have an exhibit booth at each other's annual meeting, promoting our new joint activities. Both the JUA and AUA will organize educational courses in Hawaii in 2011. With all of these activities, the JUA hopes it will provide greater opportunities for young Japanese urologists to participate in educational projects in the USA. We would like to thank Professor Anton J. Bueschen, President of AUA, Professor Robert C Flanigan, Secretary General of AUA and the staff of the AUA and JUA for supporting our program. At the same time, we need the support of all the members and their valuable suggestions. We look forward to further participation of AUA members to this meeting. Seiji Naitomd, President of JUA Shin Egawamd, Chairman of the International Committee of JUA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a perspective on major innovations in research on agricultural markets over the past century. We review research on market structure and performance, vertical coordination arrangements, and institutions for producer collective action. Contributions to empirical modeling of agricultural price determination and marketing margins are also evaluated, as are innovations in research on spatial market relationships and the role of storage. Finally, we discuss contributions to understanding market information systems and the functioning of market-based mechanisms for agricultural risk management, including futures, options, and insurance. Although progress over the century has been remarkable, we conclude by highlighting possible directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outcomes of pregnancy in patients with cirrhosis are poorly described. Our objective was to assess obstetric outcomes in cirrhotic women and their infants from a population-based perspective. Methods: We analysed the 1993–2005 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to identify obstetric hospitalizations among patients with cirrhosis ( n=339) and controls matched on age, hospital and year ( n=6625). The effect of cirrhosis on maternal and fetal outcomes was evaluated using regression models with adjustment for patient and hospital factors. Results: Between 1993 and 2005, 114 antepartum and 225 delivery admissions in cirrhotic patients were identified. The estimated mean number of deliveries nationwide increased from 68 to 106 annually between 1993 and 1999 and 2000 and 2005 ( P=0.0004). Patients with cirrhosis were more likely to deliver by caesarean [42 vs. 28%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.88]. Maternal (1.8 vs. 0%; P<0.0001) and fetal mortality (5.2 vs. 2.1%; P<0.0001), antepartum admission (OR 2.97; 95% CI 2.24–3.96), and maternal (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.60–2.57) and fetal complications (OR 3.66; 95% CI 2.74–4.88) were greater among cirrhotic patients than controls. Gestational hypertension, placental abruption and uterovaginal haemorrhage were more common in patients with cirrhosis; their infants had higher rates of prematurity and growth restriction. Hepatic decompensation occurred in 15%, including ascites in 11% and variceal haemorrhage in 5%. In women with decompensation, maternal and fetal mortality were 6 and 12% respectively. Conclusions: Although rare, pregnancies among women with cirrhosis are increasing. Cirrhotic patients and their infants have an increased risk of obstetric complications, emphasizing the importance of close maternal–fetal monitoring during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk of cardiac surgery in patients with cirrhosis is poorly defined. Our objective was to describe outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in cirrhotic patients from a population-based perspective. Methods: We analysed the 1998–2004 Nationwide In-patient Sample to identify patients hospitalized for CABG surgery. The effect of cirrhosis on mortality, complications, length of stay (LOS) and charges was evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: Between 1998 and 2004, there were 403 094 CABG admissions; 711 patients (0.2%) had cirrhosis. The average annual number of surgeries increased 4.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–7.8] in cirrhotic patients, but decreased 5.5% (3.4–7.5) in non-cirrhotic patients. Patients with cirrhosis had an increased risk of mortality [17 vs. 3%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 6.67; 95% CI 5.31–8.31], complications [43 vs. 28%; OR 1.99 (95% CI 1.72–2.30)] and greater LOS and charges ( P<0.0001). Predictors of mortality included age over 60 (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.31–3.73), female gender (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.08–3.41), ascites (OR 3.80; 95% CI 1.95–7.39) and congestive heart failure (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.08–2.84). Hospital volume and off-pump CABG did not affect mortality. Conclusions: Patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality following CABG surgery. Additional studies are necessary to refine risk stratification in this high-risk patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce the concept “excess capital capacity” and employ a stochastic input requirement frontier to measure excess capital capacity in agricultural production. We also propose a two-step estimation method that allows endogenous regressors in stochastic frontier models. The first step uses generalized method of moments to get consistent estimates of the frontier parameters in the presence of endogenous regressors. The second step uses maximum likelihood to measure excess capital capacity and evaluate the factors that influence it. The empirical application to Dutch cash crop farms found varying degrees of excess capital capacity. The policy implications of excess capital capacity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess the perioperative complications and early oncological results in a comparative study matching open radical retropubic (RRP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS From August 2002 to December 2005 we identified 294 patients undergoing RARP for clinically localized prostate cancer. A comparison RRP group of 588 patients from the same period was matched 2:1 for surgical year, age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, clinical stage and biopsy Gleason grade. Perioperative complications were compared. Patients completed a standardized quality-of-life questionnaire. Pathological features were assessed and Kaplan-Meier estimates of biochemical progression-free survival (PFS) were compared. RESULTS There was no significant difference in overall perioperative complications between the RARP and RRP groups (8.0% vs 4.8%, P = 0.064). Wound herniation was more common after RARP (1.0% vs none, P = 0.038), and development of bladder neck contracture was more common after RRP (1.2% vs 4.6%; P < 0.018). The hospital stay was less after RARP (29.3% vs 19.4%, P = 0.004, for a stay of 1 day). At the 1-year follow-up there was no significant difference in continence (RARP 91.8%, RRP 93.7%, P = 0.344) or potency (RARP 70.0%, RRP 62.8%, P = 0.081) rates. The biochemical PFS was no different between treatments at 3 years (RARP 92.4%, RRP 92.2%; P = 0.69). CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in overall early complication, long-term continence or potency rates between the RARP and RRP techniques. Furthermore, early oncological outcomes were similar, with equivalent margin positivity and PFS between the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A personal narrative which explores the author's experience studying liver fibrosis is presented.

Background: Liver biopsy is an important tool in the management of patients with liver disease. Because biopsy practices may be changing, we studied patterns of use in a large Canadian Health Region. We aimed to describe trends in biopsy utilization and the incidence and costs of complications from a population-based perspective. Methods: Administrative databases were used to identify percutaneous liver biopsies performed between 1994 and 2002. Significant complications were identified by reviewing medical records of patients hospitalized within 7 days of a biopsy and those with a diagnostic code indicative of a procedural complication. Analyses of biopsy rates employed Poisson regression. Results: Between 1994 and 2002, 3627 patients had 4275 liver biopsies (median 1 per patient; range 1–12). Radiologists performed the majority (90%), particularly during the latter years (1994 vs. 2002: 73 vs. 98%; P<0.0001). The overall annual biopsy rate was 54.8 per 100 000 population with a 41% (95% CI 23–61%) increase between 1994 and 2002. Annual increases were greatest in males and patients 30–59 years. Thirty-two patients (0.75%) had significant biopsy-related complications (1994–1997 vs. 1998–2002: 1.28 vs. 0.44%; P=0.003). Pain requiring admission (0.51%) and bleeding (0.35%) were most common. Six patients (0.14%) died; all had malignancies. The median direct cost of a hospitalization for complications was $4579 (range $1164–29 641). Conclusions: Liver biopsy rates are increasing likely owing to the changing epidemiology and management of common liver diseases. The similarity of the complication rate in our population-based study with estimates from specialized centres supports the safety of this important procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associate Editor Ash Tewari Editorial Board Ralph Clayman, USA Inderbir Gill, USA Roger Kirby, UK Mani Menon, USA OBJECTIVES To detail the technique and evaluate in a preliminary study the effectiveness of posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers’ musculofascial plate (PRDMP) in enhancing early continence after robotic and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-two consecutive patients having robotic or laparoscopic RP with PRDMP (group 1). Thirty previous patients not having PRDMP were compared as historical controls (group 2). Continence, as measured by patient self-reporting of the number of pads used/24 h, was assessed at 3 days and 6 weeks after catheter removal, by telephone interview. ‘Continent’ was defined as the use of none or one pads, ‘moderate incontinence’ as two pads, and ‘severe incontinence’ as more than two pads. Intraoperative transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was used to measure the membranous urethral length before and after PRDMP. RESULTS At 3 days after catheter removal, more patients in group 1 were continent than in group 2 (34% vs 3%, P = 0.007). At 6 weeks continence was again better in group 1 (56% vs 17%, P = 0.006). The mean length of the membranous urethra on TRUS measured before RP, after RP but before the musculofascial suture, and afterward, was 15.6, 12 and 14 mm, respectively. Thus, reconstruction restored the length of the transected membranous urethra by a mean of 2 mm. CONCLUSIONS PRDMP during robotic and laparoscopic RP leads to improved maintenance of membranous urethral length and significantly higher early continence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Government of Kenya pursues maize marketing policy objectives through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), which procures and sells maize at administratively determined prices, and stores maize as a contingency against future shortages. A private sector marketing channel competes with the NCPB. This article estimates the effects of NCPB activities on the historical path of private sector prices in Kenyan maize markets between 1989 and 2004. The analysis is carried out using a reduced form vector autoregression model (VAR) estimated with sparse data and imposing only minimal identification restrictions. Results show that NCPB activities have stabilized maize market prices in Kenya, reduced price levels in the early 1990s, and raised average price levels by roughly 20% between 1995 and 2004. Over the past decade, the price-raising activities of the NCPB have transferred income from urban consumers and a majority of small-scale farm households that are net buyers of maize to a relatively small number of large- and small-scale farmers who are sellers of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice trade liberalization in the Philippines should decrease domestic rice prices impacting both agricultural wages and the welfare of agricultural wage earners. This study examines the short-run and long-run relationship between rice prices and agricultural wages in the Philippines using a neoclassical wage determination model. Three empirical frameworks are used—a cointegration/error correction framework, which assumes nonstationary variables in long-run equilibrium, a first difference model that assumes nonstationary variables but no long-run equilibrium, and an OLS framework that assumes the model variables are stationary. Conclusions are reasonably robust across the three empirical frameworks with wages adjusting positively to rice price changes with a short-run elasticity of 0.29 to 0.57, and a long-run elasticity of 0.70 to 1.0 in preferred models. An analysis of welfare implications suggests that although households that are heavily reliant on agricultural wages for income will be adversely affected by rice price decreases, other households will benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess progression and survival among patients with small-volume, well-differentiated, organ-confined prostate cancer found at radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), often defined as being ‘insignificant’, thus testing whether they are indeed ‘insignificant’. PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified 6496 men treated for prostate cancer by RRP between 1990 and 1999, and defined ‘insignificant’ tumours as those in men having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of <10 ng/mL before RRP, a cancer volume of ≤0.5 mL, a specimen Gleason of score ≤6 and stage ≤pT2. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the two-sided log-rank test. RESULTS ‘Insignificant’ tumours were found in 354 (5.5%) men, of whom only one had metastatic progression and none died from prostate cancer, with a median (range) follow-up of 9.2 (0.8–15.6) years. Biochemical progression-free survival (87% vs 85%, respectively, at 10 years, P = 0.5), systemic progression-free survival (100% vs 99%, P = 0.3), overall survival (91% vs 88%, P = 0.16) and cancer-specific survival (100% in each group, P = 0.32) were each similar among men with ‘insignificant’ prostate cancer and men with low-risk (defined by Gleason score, preoperative PSA level, seminal vesicle and surgical margin status) ‘significant’ cancer. Clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score and preoperative PSA doubling time were multivariably predictive of ‘insignificant’ tumours at RRP. CONCLUSIONS ‘Insignificant’ prostate cancer at RRP is associated with a comparable risk of biochemical progression as low-risk ‘significant’ cancer. Although clinical predictors for ‘insignificant’ pathology can be identified, it remains to be established whether such patients can be safely managed conservatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]