bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on lapse in life insurance: what has been done and what needs to be done?
Authors: Eling Martin , Kochanski Michael
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review research on lapse in life insurance and to outline potential new areas of research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider theoretical lapse rate models as well as empirical research on life insurance lapse and provide a classification of these two streams of research. More than 50 theoretical and empirical papers from this important field of research are reviewed. Challenges for lapse rate modeling, lapse risk mitigation techniques, and possible trends in future lapse behavior are discussed.

Findings

Lapse rate modeling has been a very active field of research in the last years, as evidenced by the 44 papers on lapse modeling considered in this review. Moreover, a fair amount of empirical work (another 12 papers) has been done, especially on the issue of how environmental variables affect lapse. Research on individual policyholder and contract information is more scarce, since such information is typically treated as confidential.

Practical implications

The risks arising from lapse are of high economic importance. Lapsation is thus of interest not only to academics, but is highly relevant for the industry, regulators, and policymakers, especially in regard to designing an appropriate regulatory environment. Lapsation also impacts many actuarial tasks, such as product design, pricing, hedging, and risk management. A review of the recent literature might be helpful for these tasks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first structured review of the increasingly important literature on life insurance lapsation. Next to the structured review of the existing models and the empirical evidence, the paper also contributes to the literature by discussing challenges for lapse rate modeling and possible trends.
Why do Japanese companies file patents in China? Revisited
Authors: Zhang Xingyuan , Nakata Yoshifumi
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Chinese patent application upsurge among Japanese MNEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors extended the sample provided by Nakata and Zhang, from the period of 1995 and 2003 to 1995 and 2007, and paid more attention to the market advantage of Japanese MNEs and competitive relationships such as those between Japanese MNEs and domestic as well as other foreign firms in China.

Findings

The present findings indicated that after China revised its patent law for the second time and joined the WTO, patenting by Japanese MNEs became increasingly driven by those that operated diversified businesses in China. Competition in IPR measured by the technology proximity of Japanese MNEs with domestic as well as other foreign firms showed a positive correlation with regard to increased patenting.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper that focused on the effects of Chinese IPR reform on the Chinese patenting behavior by Japanese MNEs.
Leaders' social media usage intentions for in‐bound customer communications
Authors: Milewicz Chad , Saxby Carl
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper develops and tests a model depicting the drivers of organizational leaders' intentions to use social media for in‐bound customer communications in a political marketing context. This model improves practitioners and researchers understanding of what influence leaders' attitudes and intentions toward using social media to enhance marketing communications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses mediated OLS regression analysis with survey data collected from a national sample of political candidates running for the US House of Representatives in 2010.

Findings

Overall satisfaction with social media for marketing communications and customers' normative expectations that organizations use social media for marketing communications drive leaders' future intentions to use social media for in‐bound customer communications. Perceived ease of use, and perceived social media usefulness for in‐bound and out‐bound customer communications drive overall satisfaction with social media for marketing communications.

Research limitations/implications

Leaders support social media as a tool to enhance marketing communications if they perceive relevant social influence and technical applicability. Whereas we find empirical support of our model in a US political context, future research should test our model in other cultural and organizational contexts.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a gap between what research addresses in regards to new media and what is happing in practice. This paper adds to the body of research in marketing and other disciplines that explains the integration and use of social media for marketing communications.
Determinants of acquisitions: an Indian perspective
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate firm level determinants of the firm's decision on acquisition strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 360 firms across fast growing sectors in India, namely automobile, FMCG and pharmaceutical were selected for six years, i.e. from 2004‐2010, thus making a sample of 360 firms. Hypothesis were tested using panel logit regression and instrumental IV variable regression.

Findings

Findings suggest that earnings volatility and business group affiliation are statistically significant determinants of the firm's acquisition decision. Earnings volatility follows inverted “U” curvilinear relationship with a firm's propensity to bid for acquisition and business group affiliation is a quasi moderator, i.e. has both direct and moderating impact on earnings volatility and acquisition likelihood relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Out of several manufacturing and service sectors only three fastest growing sectors are selected. Moreover, though study has been conducted in emerging market, i.e. India. For further generalization, other emerging economies should have also been selected. However, availability of data restricts scope of study.

Practical implications

Managers can look at strategies like acquisition to reduce their volatility. However, they have to make this decision in a prudent manner as acquisition itself is a risky strategy. Moreover, managers of stand alone firms should seek to find solutions of resource scarcity.

Originality/value

Determinants mentioned above have not been investigated earlier with respect to acquisition decision especially in emerging market context.
Is the Indian stock market cointegrated with other Asian markets?
Authors: Rajwani Shegorika , Mukherjee Jaydeep
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkages between Indian stock markets with other Asian stock markets namely, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and China. Such a study is particularly important because if the level of integration among the markets is high, then investing in different markets will not generate long term gains from portfolio diversification or reduction in risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies unit root test in the presence of endogenous structural breaks that uses a Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test statistics and the Gregory and Hansen cointegration technique that allows for endogenous determined structural break in the relationship have been applied.

Findings

The results suggest that the Indian stock markets are not integrated with any of the Asian markets either individually or collectively, and conclude that Indian markets are not sensitive to the dynamics in these markets in the long run.

Originality/value

Since the level of integration has been studied keeping in mind the different economical phases like recession and boom, the study has incorporated the possibility of existence of structural breaks in the individual stock return series as well as in their relationship. The lack of evidence on interlinkage of Indian stock markets with other Asian markets suggests that the trend of Indian markets is not in sync with other markets, possibly due to difference in macroeconomic structure. Since the level of integration has been studied keeping in mind the different economical phases like recession and boom, the study has incorporated the possibility of existence of structural breaks in the individual stock return series as well as in their relationship. The lack of evidence on interlinkage of Indian stock markets with other Asian markets suggest that the trend of Indian markets is not in sync with other markets, possibly due to difference in macroeconomic structure.
Economic valuation of historic properties: review and recent developments
Authors: Yung Esther H.K. , Yu Philip L.H. , Chan Edwin H.W.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify a list of underlying considerations in choosing the appropriate economic valuation method for use in the conservation of historic property and to highlight the importance of non‐use values in making decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough literature review is conducted to provide a concise overview of the most commonly used economic valuation methods in the cultural heritage field. The stated and revealed preference methods were analyzed. Their theoretical basis, methodology and analysis procedures are described. By highlighting the strengths and limitations of these evaluation methods for use in the different context, a list of underlying factors for choosing the appropriate method for different decision‐making problems in managing historic properties were deduced.

Findings

The underlying considerations in choosing the appropriate evaluation method in historic properties include “Matching the objectives ”, “Evaluate use or non‐use values ”, “Scope of evaluation ”, “availability of data”, “Time and cost of conducting the methods”, “Methodological procedures”, “Analysis of the methods”, and “Local contexts where the techniques will be applied”.

Originality/value

The long‐term significance of this study is to enhance a holistic understanding of the quantitative approach to evaluate the value of historic properties. This enhanced understanding should help to inform the decision‐makings on comparing and prioritizing the management of heritage facilities when confronted with limited resources.
Publicizing insecurity, privatizing security: Chinese wholesalers' surveillance cameras in a Paris suburb (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Trémon Anne‐Christine
Published: July 2013

Since the early nineties, several hundreds of Chinese immigrants have settled in what has become known as the ‘Chinese wholesalers area’. For the past two years, Chinese wholesalers in Aubervilliers have been calling on public authorities to address the problem of street robberies and violent thefts, which they experience on a daily basis. Yet, they have been encouraged by the authorities to ensure their own protection, by – amongst other things – installing surveillance cameras to film the streets. This is illegal according to French legislation on camera surveillance. Knowing this, why have surveillance cameras been adopted as a solution? This question guides the ethnographic analysis presented here of a situation where the installation of surveillance cameras was locally negotiated by the main actors involved – namely, the wholesalers’ representatives and the police.
A Non‐linear Model of the Trade Cycle: Mathematical Reflections on Hugh Hudson's Classic
Authors: Ragupathy V. , Zambelli Stefano , Velupillai K. Vela
Published: July 2013

Hugh Hudson's classic article on A Model of the Trade Cycle has never, to the best of our knowledge, received the serious attention it deserved. It was written in what we would like to call the classic Hicks‐Kaldor mode, i.e. relying on ingenious diagrammatic techniques for expository purposes, and, indeed, developing an innovative model of the trade cycle where interaction of monetary and real forces were modelled in terms of elements common to the classic nonlinear endogenous models of these two pioneers. In this paper we reconsider the analytical contents of Hudson's classic, and its expository technique, in the light of later, mathematical, approaches to the same topic. It is a clear example of how a mathematical reading and reformulation of an economically motivated geometric method proves fruitful in furthering the frontiers of economic analysis. Our conclusion is that there is still much to be gained in the expository style adopted by Hudson, especially when viewed mathematically; but, more importantly, there are innovative suggestions and still relevant reflections on theorising and understanding actual performances of advanced industrial economies. Above all Hudson's classic is permeated with the policy underpinnings of a rich model of the trade cycle.
Airline Schedule Competition and the Entry Route Choices of Low‐Cost Carriers
Authors: Kawasaki Akio , Lin Ming Hsin
Published: July 2013

This study investigates the entry route choices of low‐cost carriers (LCCs). A LCC considers whether to enter a spoke route or a rim route of a major carrier's hub‐spoke network. Under a Cournot schedule competition model, we demonstrate that rim entry is more profitable for LCCs if connecting passengers' hub‐through additional travel time cost is large, and spoke entry is more profitable if this time cost is small. Welfare analysis shows that rim entry is socially preferable when the time cost is large and that spoke entry is socially preferable when the time cost is small. In a certain range of time costs, however, LCCs choose spoke entry even though it is not socially preferable.
A giant crocodile in the Dubois Collection from the Pleistocene of Kali Gedeh (Java)
Authors: DELFINO Massimo , DE VOS John
Published: July 2013

The fauna of the Pleistocene Homo‐bearing sites of Java has been well known for more than a century. A recent revision of the crocodylian remains confirmed both the validity of Gavialis bengawanicus and the synonymization of Crocodylus ossifragus with C. siamensis. Here we report on a still unpublished crocodylian specimen collected by Eugene Dubois in the latest Early Pleistocene of Kali Gedeh that can be tentatively referred to the genus Crocodylus. The size of the specimen, the approximately 1 m long lower jaw in particular, indicated that this crocodile attained a total length of approximately 6 or 7 m. Along with specimens from the Plio–Pleistocene of Africa, this material provides evidence for gigantism in Crocodylus. It is not clear whether or not the ‘temperature‐size rule’ applies to fossil crocodylians, but due to the growing interest in predicting future temperature‐related size changes of the extant organisms, it would be interesting to study in detail the past reaction to temperature changes of crocodylians and other terrestrial ectothermic animals.
Showing Restraint, Signaling Resolve: Coalitions, Cooperation, and Crisis Bargaining
Authors: Wolford Scott
Published: July 2013

How do coalition partners affect the dynamics of crisis bargaining? I analyze a model in which a potential coalition leader faces a trade‐off between signaling resolve to a target and retaining a partner's support by limiting the costs of war. The strength of the target conditions the partner's effect. When the target is strong, the need to ensure military cooperation reduces the probability of war by discouraging bluffing, though resolute types can signal resolve by foregoing coalitional support. When the target is weaker, a resolute coalition leader moderates threats to preserve military cooperation, foregoing the chance to signal resolve and increasing the chances of war, even as the partner successfully moderates the leader's bargaining posture. Thus, coalitions may face higher probabilities of war against weaker targets than stronger ones, coalitions are more likely against weak than strong targets, and partners can increase or decrease the probability of war.
Examining long‐term outcomes of bladder exstrophy: a 20‐year follow‐up
Authors: Gupta Angela D. , Goel Sameer K. , Woodhouse Christopher R.J. , Wood Dan
Published: July 2013

Objective

To examine long‐term quality‐of‐life, urinary continence and sexual function outcomes in patients diagnosed with bladder exstrophy (BE).

Patients and Methods

A total of 65 patients with BE and follow‐up of at least 20 years were identified.

After informed consent for inclusion in the study, the patients were asked to complete three validated questionnaires, the Short‐Form 36 quality‐of‐life questionnaire (SF‐36), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), to assess quality of life, perceived urinary continence and sexual function.

Results

In all, 21 patients responded to the questionnaires, yielding a 32% response rate.

High scores in each of the eight dimensions of the SF‐36 reflected a positive perception of quality of life by respondents; calculated scores were compared with those of a normal control group. The only significant difference found between the groups was that the study population perceived their general health to be poorer than those in the control group.

High scores on the ICIQ indicate high levels of subjective incontinence in patients, with scores ranging from 0 to 21. Reporting scores of 0 (continent), 12/21 patients perceived their continence to be normal, 9/21 patients had scores >2 (mild), with one patient scoring a 16, and 11 (severe incontinence), patients reported no identifiable leakage during normal activities.

There was a 29% response rate for the IIEF (15 patients completed this). IIEF scores were broken down into five dimensions and mean scores were calculated. The mean scores showed mild to moderate dysfunction in each category, including overall satisfaction with sexual experience.

Conclusions

The patient‐reported quality of life in patients with BE was normal in all dimensions, with the exception of perception of general health. Half of the patients reported normal continence and had no complaints of urinary leakage.

Sexual function in males was significantly affected across all dimensions, with mild to moderate dysfunction.
The Self‐Reference Effect on Memory in Early Childhood
Authors: Cunningham Sheila J. , Brebner Joanne L. , Quinn Francis , Turk David J.
Published: July 2013

The self‐reference effect in memory is the advantage for information encoded about self, relative to other people. The early development of this effect was explored here using a concrete encoding paradigm. Trials comprised presentation of a self‐ or other‐image paired with a concrete object. In Study 1, 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children (N = 53) were asked in each trial whether the child pictured would like the object. Recognition memory showed an advantage for self‐paired objects. Study 2 (N = 55) replicated this finding in source memory. In Study 3 (N = 56), participants simply indicated object location. Again, recognition and source memory showed an advantage for self‐paired items. These findings are discussed with reference to mechanisms that ensure information of potential self‐relevance is reliably encoded.
Berg et al. reply
Authors: Berg Anne T , Caplan Rochelle , Baca Christine B , Vickrey Barbara G
Published: July 2013

Please also see the reply to this letter by 963–964.
Light‐driven tipping points in polar ecosystems
Authors: Clark Graeme F. , Stark Jonathan S. , Johnston Emma L. , Runcie John W. , Goldsworthy Paul M. , Raymond Ben , Riddle Martin J.
Published: July 2013

Some ecosystems can undergo abrupt transformation in response to relatively small environmental change. Identifying imminent ‘tipping points’ is crucial for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the face of climate change. Here, we describe a tipping point mechanism likely to induce widespread regime shifts in polar ecosystems. Seasonal snow and ice‐cover periodically block sunlight reaching polar ecosystems, but the effect of this on annual light depends critically on the timing of cover within the annual solar cycle. At high latitudes, sunlight is strongly seasonal, and ice‐free days around the summer solstice receive orders of magnitude more light than those in winter. Early melt that brings the date of ice‐loss closer to midsummer will cause an exponential increase in the amount of sunlight reaching some ecosystems per year. This is likely to drive ecological tipping points in which primary producers (plants and algae) flourish and out‐compete dark‐adapted communities. We demonstrate this principle on Antarctic shallow seabed ecosystems, which our data suggest are sensitive to small changes in the timing of sea‐ice loss. Algae respond to light thresholds that are easily exceeded by a slight reduction in sea‐ice duration. Earlier sea‐ice loss is likely to cause extensive regime shifts in which endemic shallow‐water invertebrate communities are replaced by algae, reducing coastal biodiversity and fundamentally changing ecosystem functioning. Modeling shows that recent changes in ice and snow cover have already transformed annual light budgets in large areas of the Arctic and Antarctic, and both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are likely to experience further significant change in light. The interaction between ice‐loss and solar irradiance renders polar ecosystems acutely vulnerable to abrupt ecosystem change, as light‐driven tipping points are readily breached by relatively slight shifts in the timing of snow and ice‐loss.
Use of a Custom Orthotic Boot for Management of Distal Extremity and Pad Wounds in Three Dogs
Authors: Hardie Robert J. , Lewallen James T.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To describe use of a custom orthotic boot for management of distal extremity and pad wounds in dogs.

Study Design

Clinical report.

Animals

Dogs (n = 3).

Methods

A custom orthotic boot made of lightweight copolymer plastic was used to immobilize the distal extremity and protect full‐thickness wounds involving the medial or lateral aspect of the metatarsus including a portion of the metatarsal pad in 3 dogs. Boots were made in a bivalve design with closed‐cell foam padding and adjustable straps that allowed for easy application. They were molded with the tarsocrural joint in slight hyperextension and the metatarsophalangeal joints in a neutral position so that the wounds and metatarsal pads were “off weighted” when the dogs were standing. In addition, a “window” was cut out directly over the wounds to minimize direct contact between the boot and the wound.

Results

Wounds healed by contraction and epithelialization in 21, 21, and 45 days. The only complication encountered was mild skin irritation at the top of the boot in 2 dogs that was managed with additional closed‐cell foam padding.

Conclusion

A custom orthotic boot was effective at immobilizing the distal extremity and reducing contact between the wound and the boot which allowed for complete healing by contraction and epithelialization.
Cranichis badia, C. brevirostris and C. silvicola spp. nov. (Orchidaceae, Cranichidinae) from Colombia and Venezuela
Authors: Kolanowska Marta , Szlachetko Dariusz L.
Published: July 2013

Three new species of the genus Cranichis first recognized by Jany Renz but never published, C. badia, C. brevirostris and C. silvicola, are described and illustrated. Information about their ecology and distribution is provided together with a brief discussion on their related species.
Integrative review: salutogenesis and health in older people over 65 years old
Authors: Tan Khoon‐Kiat , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Chan Sally Wai‐Chi
Published: July 2013

Aims

To synthesize the evidence in published studies that used a salutogenic framework to explore the relationship between generalized resistance resources, a sense of coherence, health and the quality of life in people aged 65 years and over.

Background

Since 1979, increasing interest has been shown in salutogenesis and the relationship of generalized resistance resources and a sense of coherence with health and quality of life. With populations ageing, it is important to explore how older people can advance in years successfully and continue to enjoy good health and an acceptable quality of life.

Design

Integrative review.

Data Sources

CINAHL Plus with full text, JSTOR, PsycInfo, PubMed, SCOPUS, Sociological Abstracts and Web of Science were searched for studies published from 1979–2011.

Review Methods

The integrative review adopted a five‐stage approach – problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis and presentation.

Results

Eight studies – one qualitative and seven cross‐sectional quantitative studies – from Western countries were included in the review. In general, a strong sense of coherence among older people was correlated with better physical, social and mental health. The use of generalized resistance resources, such as appraisal, coping strategies and social support, was correlated with their sense of coherence, perceived holistic health and quality of life.

Conclusion

In communities, older people who have access to generalized resistance resources are more likely to have a strong sense of coherence, relatively good health and an acceptable quality of life. Further intervention studies should address how older people can develop and employ generalized resistance resources.
Epigenetic silencing of the WNT antagonist Dickkopf 3 disrupts normal Wnt/β‐catenin signalling and apoptosis regulation in breast cancer cells
Authors: Xiang Tingxiu , Li Lili , Yin Xuedong , Zhong Lan , Peng Weiyan , Qiu Zhu , Ren Guosheng , Tao Qian
Published: July 2013

Dickkopf‐related protein 3 (DKK3) is an antagonist of Wnt ligand activity. Reduced DKK3 expression has been reported in various types of cancers, but its functions and related molecular mechanisms in breast tumorigenesis remain unclear. We examined the expression and promoter methylation of DKK3 in 10 breast cancer cell lines, 96 primary breast tumours, 43 paired surgical margin tissues and 16 normal breast tissues. DKK3 was frequently silenced in breast cell lines (5/10) by promoter methylation, compared with human normal mammary epithelial cells and tissues. DKK3 methylation was detected in 78% of breast tumour samples, whereas only rarely methylated in normal breast and surgical margin tissues, suggesting tumour‐specific methylation of DKK3 in breast cancer. Ectopic expression of DKK3 suppressed cell colony formation through inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of breast tumour cells. DKK3 also induced changes of cell morphology, and inhibited breast tumour cell migration through reversing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and down‐regulating stem cell markers. DKK3 inhibited canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signalling through mediating β‐catenin translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm and membrane, along with reduced active‐β‐catenin, further activating non‐canonical JNK signalling. Thus, our findings demonstrate that DKK3 could function as a tumour suppressor through inducing apoptosis and regulating Wnt signalling during breast tumorigenesis.
Use of handheld reflectance confocal microscopy for in vivo diagnosis of solitary facial papules: a case series
Authors: Fraga‐Braghiroli N.A. , Stephens A. , Grossman D. , Rabinovitz H. , Castro R.P.R. , Scope A.
Published: July 2013

Background

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) can be useful for evaluation of solitary pink papules that are suspicious for skin cancer. RCM has been challenging to apply to curvy facial areas because of the need for attaining full contact between the skin and RCM probe. A smaller diameter handheld RCM probe has been recently introduced to clinical practice.

Objective

To describe the utility of RCM handheld probe as a bedside adjunct for clinical diagnosis of solitary facial papules.

Methods

This is a retrospective descriptive case series of six patients presented with a diagnostically equivocal solitary facial papule. All lesions reported were evaluated and imaged clinically, dermoscopically and with handheld RCM, followed by biopsy for histopathological analysis.

Results

The series included biopsy‐proven basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (n = 2), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1), sebaceous hyperplasia (n = 1), desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (n = 1) and compound nevus (n = 1). Handheld RCM was easy to apply to the curved facial surfaces and allowed for reaching a correct bedside diagnosis.

Conclusion

For clinically and dermoscopically equivocal small papules on curved facial surfaces, handheld RCM may be particularly helpful in differentiating benign lesions from skin cancer.
Calcium Regulation in the Protozoan Model, Paramecium tetraurelia
Authors: Plattner Helmut
Published: July 2013

Early in eukaryotic evolution, the cell has evolved a considerable inventory of proteins engaged in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, not only to avoid toxic effects but beyond that to exploit the signaling capacity of Ca2+ by small changes in local concentration. Among protozoa, the ciliate Paramecium may now be one of the best analyzed models. Ciliary activity and exo‐/endocytosis are governed by Ca2+, the latter by Ca2+ mobilization from alveolar sacs and a superimposed store‐operated Ca2+‐influx. Paramecium cells possess plasma membrane‐ and endoplasmic reticulum‐resident Ca2+‐ATPases/pumps (PMCA, SERCA), a variety of Ca2+ influx channels, including mechanosensitive and voltage‐dependent channels in the plasma membrane, furthermore a plethora of Ca2+‐release channels (CRC) of the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate and ryanodine receptor type in different compartments, notably the contractile vacuole complex and the alveolar sacs, as well as in vesicles participating in vesicular trafficking. Additional types of CRC probably also occur but they have not been identified at a molecular level as yet, as is the equivalent of synaptotagmin as a Ca2+ sensor for exocytosis. Among established targets and sensors of Ca2+ in Paramecium are calmodulin, calcineurin, as well as Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases, all with multiple functions. Thus, basic elements of Ca2+ signaling are available for Paramecium.
Ecological Footprint Policy? Land Use as an Environmental Indicator
Authors: van den Bergh Jeroen C.J.M , Grazi Fabio
Published: July 2013

This article argues that policies aimed at sustainability need to address the spatial dimensions of environmental problems and their solutions. In particular, spatial configurations of economic activities deserve attention, which means addressing land use, infrastructure, trade, and transport. Unfortunately, good theory and indicators to support the analysis and design of spatial‐environmental policies are not fully developed. One approach that has become very popular in the last decade is the ecological footprint (EF). It is both an environmental accounting tool and aggregate indicator, which is used by scientists, environmental organizations, and popular media. Despite criticisms of the EF method in the past, its popularity has only increased. In fact, an increasing number of publications with an application of the EF appear in scientific journals. We review the EF approach from indicator‐methodology and welfare angles and assess its policy relevance. Our conclusion is that it does not offer any meaningful information for public policy.
Observed changes in the alertness and communicative involvement of students with multiple and severe disability following in‐class mentor modelling for staff in segregated and general education classrooms
Authors: Foreman P. , Arthur‐Kelly M. , Bennett D. , Neilands J. , Colyvas K.
Published: July 2013

Background

The improvement of engagement and involvement in communicative and socially centred exchanges for individuals with multiple and severe disability (MSD) presents complex and urgent challenges to educators. This paper reports the findings of an intervention study designed to enhance the interactive skills of students with MSD using an in‐class mentor model of staff development to improve the skills and strategies of their communication partners in two distinct educational settings.

Methods

Observational data were collected on eight students with MSD and their 16 teachers and teachers' aides (paraprofessionals), using a multiple baseline across students design, replicated across special and general school setting types.

Results

Results indicated variable improvements in student alertness and increased communicative interactions. In some cases significant differences in communicative involvement and awake‐active‐alert activity were observed.

Conclusions

These findings underline the complexity of variables involved in delivering educational and communicative interventions for staff working with this population. Implications for further research and application to daily practices in classrooms are discussed.
Concordance of the Mini‐Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults who have Developmental Disabilities (PASADD) and the Brief Symptom Inventory
Authors: Beail N. , Mitchell K. , Vlissides N. , Jackson T.
Published: July 2013

Background

When assessing the mental health needs of people who have intellectual disabilities (ID) it is important to use measures that have good validity and reliability to ensure accurate case recognition and reliable and valid outcome data. Measures developed for this purpose tend to be self‐report or by informant report. Multi‐trait screening tools developed to identify psychological and psychiatric disorders in people who have ID tend to be informant based. Research examining the concordance of different tools has found this to be high but not for specific diagnoses. Multi‐trait self‐report measures are fewer and have not been compared with informant approaches. This study aims to examine the concordance between two multi‐trait measures of mental health used with people who have ID. One administered to informants [the Mini‐Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults who have Developmental Disabilities (PASADD)] and one self‐report [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)]

Method

The measures were completed with 109 adults who have ID and with someone who knows them well.

Results

Level of agreement across the four scales in common was good for three. The poorest convergence was for the obsessive compulsive disorder sub‐scales. However, a high level of concordance was found between most sub‐scales.

Conclusion

The BSI and the PASSAD seem to be good indicators of psychiatric problems and psychological distress; however, similar to other multi‐trait measures they did not demonstrate appropriate specificity for particular disorders.
Integration of a high‐NA light microscope in a scanning electron microscope
Authors: ZONNEVYLLE A.C. , VAN TOL R.F.C. , LIV N. , NARVAEZ A.C. , EFFTING A.P.J. , KRUIT P. , HOOGENBOOM J.P.
Published: July 2013

We present an integrated light‐electron microscope in which an inverted high‐NA objective lens is positioned inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM objective lens and the light objective lens have a common axis and focal plane, allowing high‐resolution optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy on the same area of a sample simultaneously. Components for light illumination and detection can be mounted outside the vacuum, enabling flexibility in the construction of the light microscope. The light objective lens can be positioned underneath the SEM objective lens during operation for sub‐10 μm alignment of the fields of view of the light and electron microscopes. We demonstrate in situ epifluorescence microscopy in the SEM with a numerical aperture of 1.4 using vacuum‐compatible immersion oil. For a 40‐nm‐diameter fluorescent polymer nanoparticle, an intensity profile with a FWHM of 380 nm is measured whereas the SEM performance is uncompromised. The integrated instrument may offer new possibilities for correlative light and electron microscopy in the life sciences as well as in physics and chemistry.
Morphological characteristics of fulvic acid fractions observed by atomic force microscopy
Authors: YU J. , XU Q. , LIU Z. , GUO X. , HAN S. , YUAN S. , TONG L.
Published: July 2013

Structural studies on fulvic acids (FAs) are significantly important since they are believed to be involved in many environmentally important processes, such as adsorption and transportation of organic and inorganic pollutants. In this research, morphology characteristics of FAs were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). FAs that were isolated from three soil layers (A1, B and C) of the same vertical profile in a Korean pine forest were divided into four fractions (FA‐1, FA‐2, FA‐3 and FA‐4) by a sequence of successive elution processes. Most of FAs appeared as a platy particle in the AFM topographic and phase images. Among these platy particles, some have a regular shape, such as round flake and oblong flake; others have irregular structures, such as sand heaps. Particle morphologies of different FA fractions, including hydrophilic and hydrophobic FAs fractions, were similar. However, particle sizes and distributions of FA fractions from different soil layers at the same vertical profile did differ. Particle sizes of hydrophobic FAs were relevant with respect to the soil depth. They were increased with the increasing of the soil depth. FAs from C layers were more heterogeneous with respect to the A1 and B. Our results may foster a better understanding for the relevance between the morphology of FA particles with the soil layers and the soil depth.
WHAT HAS 20 YEARS OF PUBLIC–PRIVATE PAY GAP LITERATURE TOLD US? EASTERN EUROPEAN TRANSITIONING vs. DEVELOPED ECONOMIES
Authors: Lausev Jelena
Published: July 2013

This paper surveys the literature on public–private sector pay differentials based on 20 years of research in transitioning countries of Eastern Europe (EE) and compares the results with estimates obtained from developed market economies. The majority of empirical studies from EE economies found evidence of public sector pay penalties during the period of economic transition from a communist to market‐based economy. In developed economies, however, the average differential is usually around zero or positive. The public sector pay inequality reducing effect relative to the private sector is greater in transitioning economies than in developed economies. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the sign of the public sector pay gap as well as the relative public sector pay distribution change with the progress of economic transition towards those usually observed in developed economies. Different pay‐setting arrangements between private and public sectors and competition for workers seem to be major arguments for the existence of systematic pay differences between the two sectors.
Immediate Loading of Dental Implants in the Esthetic Region Using Computer‐Guided Implant Treatment Software and Stereolithographic Models for a Patient with Eating Disorders
Authors: Galindo Daniel F. , Butura Caesar C.
Published: July 2013

This manuscript describes the reconstruction of a maxillary anterior segment using immediate implant placement and immediate implant loading techniques, aided by computer‐guided implant treatment software and stereolithographic models and surgical templates, in a patient with a history of eating disorder. Her medical and dental histories did not make her a candidate for the use of conventional 2‐stage implant surgery and restorative procedures along with an interim removable prosthesis.
Morphology of congenital portosystemic shunts emanating from the left gastric vein in dogsand cats
Authors: White R. N. , Parry A. T.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To describe the anatomy of congenital portosystemic shunts emanating from the left gastric vein in dogs and cats.

Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of dogs and cats managed for congenital portosystemic shunts.

Results

Forty‐six dogs and 27 cats met the inclusion criteria of a congenital portosystemic shunt emanating from the left gastric vein. Of the 46 dogs, 28 (61%) had a shunt that entered the left phrenic vein, 10 (22%) had a shunt that entered the post hepatic caudal vena cava and in 8 (17%) the shunt entered the azygos vein. Of the 27 cats, 19 (70%) had a shunt that entered the left phrenic vein and 8 (30%) had a shunt that entered the post hepatic caudal vena cava.

Clinical Significance

The systemic vein into which the shunt entered was consistent showing three common presentations: left gastro‐phrenic, left gastro‐caval and left gastro‐azygos. This information may help with surgical planning in cases undergoing shunt closure surgery.
Variance in male reproductive success and sexual size dimorphism in pinnipeds: testing an assumption of sexual selection theory
Authors: González‐Suárez Manuela , Cassini Marcelo H.
Published: July 2013

The theory of evolution by sexual selection for sexual size dimorphism (SSD) postulates that SSD primarily reflects the adaptation of males and females to their different reproductive roles. For example, competition among males for access to females increases male body size because larger males are better able to maintain dominant status than smaller males. Larger dominant males sire most offspring while smaller subordinate males are unsuccessful, leading to skew in reproductive success. Therefore, species with male‐biased SSD are predicted to have greater variance in male reproductive success than those in which both sexes are similar in size.

We tested this prediction among the Pinnipedia, a mammalian group with a great variation in SSD. From a literature review, we identified genetic estimates of male reproductive success for 10 pinniped taxa (eight unique species and two subspecies of a ninth species) that range from seals with similarly sized males and females to species in which males are more than four times as large as females.

We found no support for a positive relationship between variance in reproductive success and SSD among pinnipeds after excluding the elephant seals Mirounga leonina and Mirounga angustirostris, which we discuss as distinctive cases.

Several explanations for these results are presented, including the revival of one of Darwin's original ideas. Darwin proposed that natural selection may explain SSD based on differences in energetic requirements between sexes and the potential for sexual niche segregation. Males may develop larger bodies to exploit resources that remain unavailable to females due to the energetic constraints imposed on female mammals by gestation and lactation. The importance of this alternative explanation remains to be tested.
Mutants of phage bIL67 RuvC with enhanced Holliday junction binding selectivity and resolution symmetry
Authors: Green Victoria , Curtis Fiona A. , Sedelnikova Svetlana , Rafferty John B. , Sharples Gary J.
Published: July 2013

Viral and bacterial Holliday junction resolvases differ in specificity with the former typically being more promiscuous, acting on a variety of branched DNA substrates, while the latter exclusively targets Holliday junctions. We have determined the crystal structure of a RuvC resolvase from bacteriophage bIL67 to help identify features responsible for DNA branch discrimination. Comparisons between phage and bacterial RuvC structures revealed significant differences in the number and position of positively‐charged residues in the outer sides of the junction binding cleft. Substitutions were generated in phage RuvC residues implicated in branch recognition and six were found to confer defects in Holliday junction and replication fork cleavage in vivo. Two mutants, R121A and R124A that flank the DNA binding site were purified and exhibited reduced in vitro binding to fork and linear duplex substrates relative to the wild‐type, while retaining the ability to bind X junctions. Crucially, these two variants cleaved Holliday junctions with enhanced specificity and symmetry, a feature more akin to cellular RuvC resolvases. Thus, additional positive charges in the phage RuvC binding site apparently stabilize productive interactions with branched structures other than the canonical Holliday junction, a feature advantageous for viral DNA processing but deleterious for their cellular counterparts.
Identifying Mother–child Interaction Styles Using a Person‐centered Approach
Authors: Nelson Jackie A. , O'Brien Marion , Grimm Kevin J. , Leerkes Esther M.
Published: July 2013

Parent–child conflict in the context of a supportive relationship has been discussed as a potentially constructive interaction pattern; the current study is the first to test this using a holistic analytic approach. Interaction styles, defined as mother–child conflict in the context of maternal sensitivity, were identified and described with demographic and stress‐related characteristics of families. Longitudinal associations were tested between interaction styles and children's later social competence. Participants included 814 partnered mothers with a first‐grade child. Latent profile analysis identified agreeable, dynamic, and disconnected interaction styles. Mothers' intimacy with a partner, depressive symptoms, and authoritarian childrearing beliefs, along with children's later conflict with a best friend and externalizing problems, were associated with group membership. Notably, the dynamic style, characterized by high sensitivity and high conflict, included families who experienced psychological and relational stressors. Findings are discussed with regard to how family stressors shape parent–child interaction patterns.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Intra‐Asia Trade: Evidence by Type of Goods
Authors: Tang Hsiao Chink
Published: July 2013

This paper examines the impact of intra‐Asia exchange rate volatility on intra‐Asia trade in primary goods, intermediate goods, equipment goods and consumption goods from 1980 to 2009. For Asia, the evidence shows that as intraregional exchange rate volatility increases, intraregional exports in these goods fall. This adverse impact is even more pronounced in the subregion of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)+5 comprising ASEAN member countries plus the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Japan; the Republic of Korea; and Taipei, China; and especially among intermediate and equipment exports. Again, the impact magnifies in an even smaller subgroup excluding the smaller ASEAN economies. These results underline the significant impact of exchange rate volatility on the region's production networks. For South Asia, however, exchange rate volatility appears to have a positive impact on exports. Still, caution is warranted given that South Asian economies trade relatively little with each other.
Housing Development and Urbanisation in China
Authors: Yao Shujie , Luo Dan , Wang Jianling
Published: July 2013

Rapid urbanisation and rising income have led to a strong demand for housing in urban China. However, housing development has been distorted by speculation, income inequality and lack of government support for low‐cost houses. In recent years, house prices become so high, making the vast majority of urban residents unable to afford, whereas rich families are able to buy many and leave them vacant. Income inequality is a major cause for rising house prices, which, in turn, exaggerates income inequality further. This vicious relationship has caused social tension between the rich and the poor and unhappiness among the middle‐ and low‐income groups. This paper discusses the factors responsible for the housing bubble in China and recommends appropriate policies to resolve this problem.