bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children (but Not Adults) Can Inhibit False Memories
Authors: Howe Mark L.
Published: November 2005

The role of inhibition in children's (5-, 7-, and 11-year-olds') false memory illusions in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was examined using a list-wise directed-forgetting procedure. Children studied either a single DRM list (control) or two DRM lists in succession with a directed-remembering instruction or a directed-forgetting instruction between list presentations. The findings indicated that, like adults, children effectively suppressed the output of true memories when given a directed-forgetting instruction. Unlike adults, whose false memories are not attenuated in directed-forgetting conditions, children suppressed false memories at recall in the directed-forgetting condition. Because recognition data indicated that the children did generate false memories regardless of instruction, it appears that although adults' false memories are generated automatically and do not become part of their conscious experience, children's false memories are produced with greater effort and conscious processing, and as a result are easier to suppress at output.
Time Does Not Heal All Wounds
Authors: Lucas Richard E.
Published: November 2005

Cross-sectional studies show that divorced people report lower levels of life satisfaction than do married people. However, such studies cannot determine whether satisfaction actually changes following divorce. In the current study, data from an 18-year panel study of more than 30,000 Germans were used to examine reaction and adaptation to divorce. Results show that satisfaction drops as one approaches divorce and then gradually rebounds over time. However, the return to baseline is not complete. In addition, prospective analyses show that people who will divorce are less happy than those who stay married, even before either group gets married. Thus, the association between divorce and life satisfaction is due to both preexisting differences and lasting changes following the event.
Relationships Between Intergroup Contact and Prejudice Among Minority and Majority Status Groups
Authors: Tropp Linda R. , Pettigrew Thomas F.
Published: November 2005

Considerable research has shown that greater intergroup contact corresponds with lower intergroup prejudice, yet little is known regarding how the relationships between contact and prejudice may vary for members of minority and majority status groups. The present research examined differences in contact-prejudice relationships among members of minority and majority status groups, using data from a larger meta-analytic study of the effects of intergroup contact. Results indicate that the relationships between contact and prejudice tend to be weaker among members of minority status groups than among members of majority status groups. Moreover, establishing Allport's (1954) proposed conditions for optimal intergroup contact significantly predicts stronger contact-prejudice relationships among members of majority status groups, but not among members of minority status groups. Implications of these findings for future research on contact between minority and majority status groups are discussed.
Detecting Silent Pauses in Speech
Authors: Mattys Sven L. , Pleydell-Pearce Christopher W. , Melhorn James F. , Whitecross Sharron E.
Published: November 2005

In this study, we introduce pause detection (PD) as a new tool for studying the on-line integration of lexical and semantic information during speech comprehension. When listeners were asked to detect 200-ms pauses inserted into the last words of spoken sentences, their detection latencies were influenced by the lexical-semantic information provided by the sentences. Listeners took longer to detect a pause when it was inserted within a word that had multiple potential endings, rather than a unique ending, in the context of the sentence. An event-related potential (ERP) variant of the PD procedure revealed brain correlates of pauses as early as 101 to 125 ms following pause onset and patterns of lexical-semantic integration that mirrored those obtained with PD within 160 ms of pause onset. Thus, both the behavioral and the electro-physiological responses to pauses suggest that lexical and semantic processes are highly interactive and that their integration occurs rapidly during speech comprehension.
Using Cognitive Models to Map Relations Between Neuropsychological Disorders and Human Decision-Making Deficits
Authors: Yechiam Eldad , Busemeyer Jerome R. , Stout Julie C. , Bechara Antoine
Published: November 2005

Findings from a complex decision-making task (the Iowa gambling task) show that individuals with neuropsychological disorders are characterized by decision-making deficits that lead to maladaptive risk-taking behavior. This article describes a cognitive model that distills performance in this task into three different underlying psychological components: the relative impact of rewards and punishments on evaluations of options, the rate that the contingent payoffs are learned, and the consistency between learning and responding. Findings from 10 studies are organized by distilling the observed decision deficits into the three basic components and locating the neuropsychological disorders in this component space. The results reveal a cluster of populations characterized by making risky choices despite high attention to losses, perhaps because of difficulties in creating emotive representations. These findings demonstrate the potential contribution of cognitive models in building bridges between neuroscience and behavior.
Top-Down Attentional Modulation in Autistic Spectrum Disorders Is Stimulus-Specific
Authors: Greenaway Rebecca , Plaisted Kate
Published: November 2005

This study investigated top-down modulation of bottom-up attentional capture in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) and in a typically developing (TD) comparison group using a spatial-cuing task (Experiment 1) and a series of visual search tasks (Experiment 2) employing task-irrelevant distractors. The effect of color and onset singleton distractors was investigated. The TD group showed similar top-down modulation of color and onset stimuli. The ASD group showed typical top-down modulation of color stimuli, but impaired top-down modulation of onset stimuli. The results suggest that children with ASDs may be impaired at prioritizing dynamic stimuli; this has implications for social processing impairments in ASDs.
Using Unlabelled Data to Update Classification Rules with Applications in Food Authenticity Studies
Authors: Dean Nema , Murphy Thomas Brendan , Downey Gerard
Published: November 2005

An authentic food is one that is what it purports to be. Food processors and consumers need to be assured that, when they pay for a specific product or ingredient, they are receiving exactly what they pay for. Classification methods are an important tool in food authenticity studies where they are used to assign food samples of unknown type to known types. A classification method is developed where the classification rule is estimated by using both the labelled and the unlabelled data, in contrast with many classical methods which use only the labelled data for estimation. This methodology models the data as arising from a Gaussian mixture model with parsimonious covariance structure, as is done in model-based clustering. A missing data formulation of the mixture model is used and the models are fitted by using the EM and classification EM algorithms. The methods are applied to the analysis of spectra of food-stuffs recorded over the visible and near infra-red wavelength range in food authenticity studies. A comparison of the performance of model-based discriminant analysis and the method of classification proposed is given. The classification method proposed is shown to yield very good misclassification rates. The correct classification rate was observed to be as much as 15% higher than the correct classification rate for model-based discriminant analysis.
Modelling the Effects of Repellent Chemicals on Foraging Bees
Authors: Ridout Martin S. , Faddy Malcolm J. , Solomon Michael G.
Published: November 2005

Many pesticide sprays that are used for crop protection are harmful to honey-bees. It can therefore be beneficial to add to the spray chemical compounds that are repellent to bees, to discourage them from feeding on recently sprayed crops. Experiments were conducted using an artificial feeding station to assess the repellent effects of various compounds. In this system, bees arrive at the feeding station, choose between feeding dishes to which different chemicals have been added, feed for a variable period and then depart. The number of bees at each feeding dish is recorded at intervals of 1 min. We discuss the analysis of data from this type of experiment, based on a queuing theory model.
A Comparison of Procedures to Correct for Base-Line Differences in the Analysis of Continuous Longitudinal Data: A Case-Study
Authors: Verbeke G. , Fieuws S. , Lesaffre E. , Kato B. S. , Foreman M. D. , Broos P. L. O. , Milisen K.
Published: November 2005

The main advantage of longitudinal studies is that they can distinguish changes over time within individuals (longitudinal effects) from differences between subjects at the start of the study (base-line characteristics; cross-sectional effects). Often, especially in observational studies, subjects are very heterogeneous at base-line, and one may want to correct for this, when doing inferences for the longitudinal trends. Three procedures for base-line correction are compared in the context of linear mixed models for continuous longitudinal data. All procedures are illustrated extensively by using data from an experiment which aimed at studying the relationship between the post-operative evolution of the functional status of elderly hip fracture patients and their preoperative neurocognitive status.
Anti‐epileptic drug phenytoin enhances androgen metabolism and androgen receptor expression in murine hippocampus
Authors: Meyer Ralf Peter , Hagemeyer Christoph Eugen , Knoth Rolf , Kaufmann Michel Rene , Volk Benedikt
Published: November 2005

Epilepsy is very often related to strong impairment of neuronal networks, particularly in the hippocampus. Previous studies of brain tissue have demonstrated that long‐term administration of the anti‐epileptic drug (AED) phenytoin leads to enhanced metabolism of testosterone mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. Thus, we speculate that AEDs affect androgen signalling in the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated how the AED phenytoin influences the levels of testosterone, 17β‐oestradiol, and androgen receptor (AR) in the hippocampus of male C57Bl/6J mice. Phenytoin administration led to a 61.24% decreased hippocampal testosterone level as compared with controls, while serum levels were slightly enhanced. 17β‐Oestradiol serum level was elevated 2.6‐fold. Concomitantly, the testosterone metabolizing CYP isoforms CYP3A11 and CYP19 (aromatase) have been found to be induced 2.4‐ and 4.2‐fold, respectively. CYP3A‐mediated depletion of testosterone‐forming 2β‐, and 6β‐hydroxytestosterone was significantly enhanced. Additionally, AR expression was increased 2‐fold (mRNA) and 1.8‐fold (protein), predominantly in the CA1 region. AR was shown to concentrate in nuclei of CA1 pyramidal neurons. We conclude that phenytoin affects testosterone metabolism via induction of CYP isoforms. The increased metabolism of testosterone leading to augmented androgen metabolite formation most likely led to enhanced expression of CYP19 and AR in hippocampus. Phenytoin obviously modulates the androgen signalling in the hippocampus.
Cumulative effect of norepinephrine and dopamine carrier blockade on extracellular dopamine increase in the nucleus accumbens shell, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and prefrontal cortex
Authors: Carboni Ezio , Silvagni Alessandra , Vacca Cinzia , Di Chiara Gaetano
Published: November 2005

We investigated, by microdialysis in various brain areas, the possibility that dopamine could be captured by the norepinephrine transporter when the dopamine transporter is pharmacologically blocked. Administration of reboxetine, a selective blocker of the norepinephrine transporter, 20 min after the administration of GBR 12909, a selective blocker of the dopamine transporter, produced an increase of dopamine output in the nucleus accumbes shell (+408% above basal) greater than that obtained by GBR 12909 alone (+308% above basal). On the contrary, reboxetine did not increase further the dopamine output produced by GBR 12909 in the nucleus accumbens core or in the dorsal caudate, areas lacking a consistent noradrenergic innervations. A cumulative effect of dopamine and norepinephrine transporter blockade on the output of dopamine in dialysates was also observed in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and in the prefrontal cortex. This study shows that dopamine extracellular concentration can be elevated by norepinephrine transporter blockade, even in areas where the dopamine transporter is predominant, when the latter is pharmacologically blocked. This phenomenon may have relevance in psychostimulant dependence as well as in antidepressant pharmacology.
Brain‐type creatine kinase activates neuron‐specific K+‐Cl– co‐transporter KCC2
Authors: Inoue Koichi , Yamada Junko , Ueno Shinya , Fukuda Atsuo
Published: November 2005

GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult CNS, is excitatory at early developmental stages as a result of the elevated intracellular Cl– concentration ([Cl–]i). This functional switch is primarily attributable to the K+‐Cl– co‐transporter KCC2, the expression of which is developmentally regulated in neurons. Previously, we reported that KCC2 interacts with brain‐type creatine kinase (CKB). To elucidate the functional significance of this interaction, HEK293 cells were transfected with KCC2 and glycine receptor α2 subunit, and gramicidin‐perforated patch‐clamp recordings were performed to measure the glycine reversal potential (Egly), giving an estimate of [Cl–]i. KCC2‐expressing cells displayed the expected changes in Egly following alterations in the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) or administration of an inhibitor of KCCs, suggesting that the KCC2 function was being properly assessed. When added into KCC2‐expressing cells, dominant‐negative CKB induced a depolarizing shift in Egly and reduced the hyperpolarizing shift in Egly seen in response to a lowering of [K+]o compared with wild‐type CKB. Moreover, 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), an inhibitor of CKs, shifted Egly in the depolarizing direction. In primary cortical neurons expressing CKB, the GABA reversal potential was also shifted in the depolarizing direction by DNFB. Our findings suggest that, in the cellular micro‐environment, CKB activates the KCC2 function.
An aplysia dopamine1‐like receptor: molecular and functional characterization
Authors: Barbas Demian , Zappulla Jacques P. , Angers Stéphane , Bouvier Michel , Mohamed Habib A. , Byrne John H. , Castellucci Vincent F. , DesGroseillers Luc
Published: November 2005

In Aplysia, the neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes and motor functions, like feeding behaviour, and in the siphon‐gill withdrawal reflex. In this paper, we report the characterization of the first Aplysia D1‐like dopamine receptor (Apdop1) mainly expressed in the CNS, heart and buccal mass. Following expression of the Apdop1 receptor in HEK293 cells, a higher level of cAMP was observed in the absence of the receptor ligand, showing that Apdop1 is constitutively active. This activity was blocked by the inverse agonist flupentixol. Application of dopamine (EC50 of 35 nm) or serotonin (EC50 of 36 μm) to Apdop1‐transfected HEK293 cells further increased the level of cAMP, suggesting that the receptor is linked to the stimulatory Gs protein pathway. When expressed in cultured sensory neurons, Apdop1 immunoreactivity was observed in the cell body and neurites. Control sensory neurons responded to dopamine with a decrease in excitability mediated by a pertusis toxin‐sensitive G protein. Expression of Apdop1 produced an increase in hyperpolarization in the absence of agonist and an increase in membrane excitability following stimulation by dopamine. In the presence of pertussis toxin to inhibit the Gi protein inhibitory pathway responsible for decrease in excitability mechanism, Stimulation of membrane excitability was observed. Apdop1 sensitivity to dopamine makes it a potential modulator of operant conditioning procedure.
Knockout of p75NTR impairs re‐myelination of injured sciatic nerve in mice
Authors: Song Xing‐Yun , Zhou Fiona H‐H. , Zhong Jin‐Hua , Wu Linda L. Y. , Zhou Xin‐Fu
Published: November 2005

Remyelination is an important aspect of nerve regeneration after nerve injury but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR, in activated Schwann cells in the Wallerian degenerated nerve is up‐regulated and may play a role in the remyelination of regenerating peripheral nerves. In the present study, the role of p75NTR in remyelination of the sciatic nerve was investigated in p75NTR mutant mice. Histological results showed that the number of myelinated axons and thickness of myelin sheath in the injured sciatic nerves were reduced in mutant mice compared with wild‐type mice. The myelin sheath of axons in the intact sciatic nerve of adult mutant mice is also thinner than that of wild‐type mice. Real‐time RT–PCR showed that mRNA levels for myelin basic protein and P0 in the injured sciatic nerves were significantly reduced in p75NTR mutant animals. Western blots also showed a significant reduction of P0 protein in the injured sciatic nerves of mutant animals. These results suggest that p75NTR is important for the myelinogenesis during the regeneration of peripheral nerves after injury.
Regulation of axotomy‐induced dopaminergic neuron death and c‐Jun phosphorylation by targeted inhibition of cdc42 or mixed lineage kinase
Authors: Crocker Stephen J. , Hayley Shawn P. , Smith Patrice D. , Mount Matthew P. , Lamba Wiplove R. , Callaghan Steven M. , Slack Ruth S. , Park David S.
Published: November 2005

Mechanical transection of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway at the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) results in the delayed degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). We have previously demonstrated that c‐Jun activation is an obligate component of neuronal death in this model. Here we identified the small GTPase, cdc42, and mixed lineage kinases (MLKs) as upstream factors regulating neuronal loss and activation of c‐Jun following MFB axotomy. Adenovirus‐mediated expression of a dominant‐negative form of cdc42 in nigral neurons blocked MFB axotomy‐induced activation (phosphorylation) of MAP kinase kinase 4 (MKK4) and c‐Jun, resulting in attenuation of SNpc neuronal death. Pharmacological inhibition of MLKs, MKK4‐activating kinases, significantly reduced the phosphorylation of c‐Jun and abrogated dopaminergic neuronal degeneration following MFB axotomy. Taken together, these findings suggest that death of nigral dopaminergic neurons following axotomy can be attenuated by targeting cell signaling events upstream of c‐Jun N‐terminal mitogen‐activated protein kinase/c‐Jun.
Transient hypoxia induces sequestration of M1and M2muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Mou Liping , Gates Alicia , Mosser Valerie A. , Tobin Andrew , Jackson Darrell A.
Published: November 2005

Oxidative stress has been implicated in impairing muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) signaling activity. It remains unclear, however, whether alterations in the cell surface distribution of mAChRs following oxidative stress contribute to the diminished mAChR signaling activity. We report here that M1and M2mAChRs, stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, undergo sequestration following transient hypoxic‐induced oxidative stress (2% O2). Sequestration of M1and M2mAChRs following transient hypoxia was associated with an increase in phosphorylation of these receptors. Over‐expression of a catalytically inactive G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2 K220R) blocked the increased phosphorylation and sequestration of the M2, but not M1, mAChRs following transient hypoxia. Hypoxia induced phosphorylation and sequestration of the M1mAChR was, however, blocked by over‐expression of a catalytically inactive casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α K46R). These results are the first demonstration that M1and M2mAChRs undergo sequestration following transient hypoxia. The data suggest that increased phosphorylation of M1and M2mAChRs underlies the mechanism responsible for sequestration of these receptors following transient hypoxia. We report here that distinct pathways involving CK1α and GRK2 mediated sequestration of M1and M2mAChRs following transient hypoxic‐induced oxidative stress.
NMDA receptor subunit‐dependent modulation by conantokin‐G and Ala(7)‐conantokin‐G
Authors: Ragnarsson L. , Yasuda T. , Lewis R. J. , Dodd P. R. , Adams D. J.
Published: November 2005

The modulation of recombinant NMDA receptors by conantokin‐G (con‐G) and Ala(7)‐conantokin‐G (Ala(7)‐Con‐G) was investigated inXenopusoocytes injected with capped RNA coding for NR1 splice variants and NR2 subunits using the two‐electrode voltage clamp technique. Glutamate exhibited a marginally higher apparent affinity for NR2A‐containing receptors than NR2B‐containing receptors, regardless of the NR1 subunit present. Conantokins were bath applied to give cumulative concentration responses in the presence of 3 and 30 μmglutamate. Both contantokins exhibited biphasic concentration‐response relationships at NR2A‐containing NMDA receptors, producing potentiation at low conantokin concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. These effects were stronger with glutamate concentrations near its EC50, and less marked at saturating concentrations. In contrast, the conantokin concentration‐response relation was monophasic and inhibitory at NR2B‐containing receptors. We conclude that the combinations of subunits that comprise the NMDA receptor complex influence conantokin and glutamate affinities and the nature of the responses to conantokins.
Cross‐talk of vitamin D and glucocorticoids in hippocampal cells
Authors: Obradovic Darja , Gronemeyer Hinrich , Lutz Beat , Rein Theo
Published: November 2005

There is growing evidence for a role of vitamin D3 signalling in the brain. In this study, we investigated the influence of vitamin D3, in combination with glucocorticoids, on differentiation of the hippocampal progenitor line HIB5, as well as survival of rat primary hippocampal cells. In HIB5, pre‐treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) alone inhibited neurite outgrowth and abolished activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway during platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced differentiation, consistent with previous findings. Interestingly, pre‐treating HIB5 with vitamin D3 significantly reduced these effects of Dex and, in addition, lowered the transactivational function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in transient reporter gene assays. A further impact of vitamin D3 on glucocorticoid effects was observed in a rat primary hippocampal culture known to be particularly sensitive to prolonged GR activation. In this model, Dex induced considerable cell death after 72 h of exposure in vitro. However, 24 h of pre‐treatment with low doses of vitamin D3 substantially reduced the degree of Dex‐induced apoptosis in primary hippocampal cells. Taken together, our experiments demonstrate a cross‐talk between vitamin D3 and glucocorticoids in two hippocampal models, a feature that may have important implications in disorders with dysregulated glucocorticoid signalling, including major depression.
Regulation of endogenous human NPFF2 receptor by neuropeptide FF in SK‐N‐MC neuroblastoma cell line
Authors: Änkö Minna‐Liisa , Panula Pertti
Published: November 2005

Neuropeptide FF has many functions both in the CNS and periphery. Two G protein‐coupled receptors (NPFF1 and NPFF2 receptors) have been identified for neuropeptide FF. The expression analysis of the peptide and receptors, together with pharmacological and physiological data, imply that NPFF2 receptor would be the primary receptor for neuropeptide FF. Here, we report for the first time a cell line endogenously expressing hNPFF2 receptor. These SK‐N‐MC neuroblastoma cells also express neuropeptide FF. We used the cells to investigate the hNPFF2 receptor function. The pertussis toxin‐sensitive inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity upon receptor activation indicated coupling to Gi/oproteins. Upon agonist exposure, the receptors were internalized and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade was activated. Upon neuropeptide FF treatment, the actin cytoskeleton was reorganized in the cells. The expression of hNPFF2 receptor mRNA was up‐regulated by neuropeptide FF. Concomitant with the receptor mRNA, the receptor protein expression was increased. The homologous regulation of hNPFF2 receptor correlates with our previous resultsin vivoshowing that during inflammation, the up‐regulation of neuropeptide FF mRNA precedes that of NPFF2 receptor. The regulation of hNPFF2 receptor by NPFF could also be important in the periphery where neuropeptide FF has been suggested to function as a hormone.
Congressional Budgeting at Age 30: Is It Worth Saving?
Authors: MEYERS ROY T. , JOYCE PHILIP G.
Published: November 2005

The congressional budget process is now 30 years old. We review this history to describe why the process was adopted, how it has evolved, and what it has produced. In the early years, the process institutionalized but did not prevent the creation of a significant deficit. During the 1990s, the process was improved and the deficit was converted to a surplus. Since 1999, both the budget process and budget discipline have greatly eroded. We propose some technical and organizational changes that might improve the process, but in the end, what is most needed are leaders who will promote fiscal responsibility for the federal government.
Public Financing in Developing and Transition Countries
Authors: BAHL ROY , WALLACE SALLY
Published: November 2005

The widespread adoption of fiscal decentralization laws during the past 25 years can be mostly tracked to economic efficiency gains and nation‐building objectives. Subnational governments (SNGs) in industrialized countries account for about twice the share of total government expenditures as in developing countries. Transition countries also assign more expenditure responsibilities to SNGs than do the developing countries. There has been little growth in the SNG expenditure or tax shares over the past three decades. We confirm the basic hypotheses that the SNG expenditure share is significantly higher in countries with higher incomes, larger populations, and a lower degree of corruption.
The Discourse of Governmental Accounting and Auditing
Authors: HARRIS JEAN
Published: November 2005

An overview is presented of the discourse during the past 25 years about governmental accounting and auditing. To discuss the nature of discourse, 975 abstracts were reviewed from applied and scholarly publications. To gain insight into the discourse, these abstracts are classified in various ways. And to foster future research, works with a high potential for informing future research are identified from this discourse of the past.
Congressional Delegation of Spending Power to the Defense Department in the Post‐9–11 Period
Authors: CANDREVA PHILIP J. , JONES L. R.
Published: November 2005

The advantages of increased delegation of resource management authority by Congress have long been argued by defense leadership. It is an important issue because of its relevance to congressional assessment of defense management, budget priorities, and how to enforce policy preferences. This paper investigates the series of supplemental appropriations for the war on terrorism to determine (a) under what conditions, and how and why Congress delegates budget authority to defense, (b) what happened with respect to the degree of delegation after appropriation during budget execution, and (c) what this case teaches us about the evolving budgetary relationship between Congress and the Defense Department.
Fiscal Reaction to State Aid Uncertainties: Evidence from New York State
Authors: VÁNYOLÓS ISTVÁN
Published: November 2005

Late budgets have become increasingly present across the states and especially persistent in states such as New York and California. The combination of delayed states budgets and institutional constraints may trigger specific budgetary strategies. Uncertainty over state aid may lead school districts to over‐ or underestimate school budgets, which ultimately may have an effect on real property taxes and the amount of education consumed. Evidence from New York State school districts suggests that school districts react to uncertainty in the state budget through a combination of revenue, expenditure, and fund balance changes. The findings suggest that districts engage in “gaming” the institutional constraints, and tend to build up large fund balances as a response to perceived uncertainty.
Support for Earmarked Public Spending on Culture: Evidence from a Referendum in Metropolitan Detroit
Authors: RUSHTON MICHAEL
Published: November 2005

Using the precinct‐level voting results of a 2002 referendum in Metropolitan Detroit to increase property taxes, with the proceeds earmarked for cultural institutions, this paper inquires into the pattern of voting support for an increased public funding of culture. The estimation matches voting precincts to census tracts, and employs tract‐level economic and demographic data. Results are compared with public opinion survey data from the United States and a similar referendum in Switzerland.
A Race to the Bottom? Exploring County Spending Shortfalls under Welfare Reform in North Carolina
Authors: BERNER MAUREEN
Published: November 2005

North Carolina's experiment with local control of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families programs provides a unique example of the budget implications of state to local government policy devolution. County‐level expenditure data indicate that after state to local government devolution, only 45 of 100 counties met welfare maintenance of effort (MOE) budget requirements. Several important factors, including control over program eligibility and benefit levels, were significantly associated with MOE spending variation. Counties given more flexibility spent dramatically less than others. Many failed to meet MOE requirements without penalty, year after year. These issues raise serious questions about decentralization from both the budget and policy perspectives.
Electrophysiology of Pulmonary Veins
Authors: CHEN YI‐JEN , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: November 2005

Pulmonary veins were found to be important foci for the genesis and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. Morphological studies have demonstrated the presence of complex anatomic structures and different types of cardiomyocytes in pulmonary veins. Numerous studies have suggested that the combination of reentrant and nonreentrant mechanisms (automaticity and triggered activity) are the underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms of atrial fibrillation initiation from the pulmonary veins. Electropharmacological studies further indicated that pulmonary veins contained distinct arrhythmogenic activity. Several experimental models have been used to study the pulmonary vein electrical activity and demonstrate the precipitating factors for enhancing the pulmonary vein arrhythmogenic activity. The aim of this review article is to provide a critical overview of the current understanding of the basic and clinical electrophysiology of pulmonary veins and to underscore the importance of future research in this field.
Increased Intra‐QRS Fragmentation in Magnetocardiography as a Predictor of Arrhythmic Events and Mortality in Patients with Cardiac Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: KORHONEN PETRI , HUSA TERHI , TIERALA ILKKA , VÄÄNÄNEN HEIKKI , MÄKIJÄRVI MARKKU , KATILA TOIVO , TOIVONEN LAURI
Published: November 2005

Introduction: Increased intra‐QRS fragmentation score (FRA) in magnetocardiography (MCG) has shown association with sustained ventricular arrhythmias in post‐MI patients suggesting its relation to arrhythmia substrate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increased FRA in MCG predicts arrhythmic events and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (MI) with cardiac dysfunction.

Methods and Results: A series of 158 patients with acute MI and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% were studied. Their age was 60 ± 10 years and LVEF 40 ± 6%. MCG was registered and FRA was computed. For comparison, QRS duration in 12‐lead ECG was measured. In a mean follow‐up of 50 ± 15 months, 32 (20%) patients died and 18 (11%) had an arrhythmic event. Both arrhythmic event rate and all‐cause mortality were significantly higher in patients with increased FRA (P < 0.001 for both). In contrast, increased QRS duration in ECG predicted all‐cause mortality (P < 0.05) but not arrhythmic events. In multivariate analysis, FRA was an independent predictor of both arrhythmic events and all‐cause mortality. Using a combined criterion of increased FRA and LVEF < 30% yielded positive and negative predictive accuracies of 50% and 91% for arrhythmic events.

Conclusion: In post‐MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction, increased intra‐QRS fragmentation in high‐resolution magnetocardiography predicts arrhythmic events, whereas QRS duration in 12‐lead ECG predicts all‐cause mortality. Analysis of intra‐QRS fragmentation by MCG may assist in guiding therapy of post‐MI patients, for example, by selecting those who would benefit most from prophylactic implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator therapy.
Preexisting Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Report of Five Cases
Authors: WONGCHAROEN WANWARANG , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , WU MEI‐HAN , TAI CHING‐TAI , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , LIN YENN‐JIANG , CHANG CHENG‐YEN , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: November 2005

Introduction: Acquired pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a well‐known complication following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the details of congenital PV stenosis have not been reported in patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF.

Methods and Results: A total of 178 patients (110 men, age: 54 ± 11 years) with drug‐refractory AF received MRA or multidetector CT (MDCT) before ablation for delineation of PV morphologies. Five PVs in 5 patients (2.8%) showed at least 50% stenosis before ablation. We demonstrated two types of preexisting PV stenosis. Type I is the external compression of PV by the descending aorta, observed in LIPV of the three patients. Type II is the focal narrowing of PV, observed in RSPV of the two patients.

Conclusion: Preexisting stenosis of PV may be a consequence of congenital focal narrowing or external compression by the adjacent structures. Detection of this condition by 3D CT or MRA before catheter ablation can provide information for planning of ablation strategy and prevent misdiagnosis of ablation‐related PV stenosis.
An Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Wall Area Index for Functional Detection of Myocardial Injury in Hemodynamically Unloaded Hearts
Authors: Gilman Gregory , Hansen William H. , Hagen Mary E. , Rosales A. Gabriela , Bailey Kent R. , McGregor Christopher G. A. , Belohlavek Marek
Published: November 2005

Functional assessment of the left ventricle is affected by loading conditions. Detection of rejection‐mediated myocardial injury in a heterotopic heart transplant model is a challenge for the echocardiographer because the heart is in an unloaded state. We examined the relationship of a novel left ventricular (LV) wall area index (LVWAI) and serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels. The LVWAI, based on prior methods of determining LV mass, was defined as the difference between epicardial and endocardial areas divided by the epicardial area. The biphasic morphometric response of LVWAI reflected changes in the cTnT levels and allowed echocardiographic detection of myocardial injury in hemodynamically unloaded hearts.
The Renter Squeeze: Minority and Low‐Income Renters Feel Pressures from Housing Boom and Weak Labor Market
Authors: Loewentheil Nathaniel , Weller Christian E.
Published: November 2005

The housing market boom over the last decade has been welcomed by most Americans as a positive economic phenomenon, with beneficial effects on families and neighborhoods. However, this housing boom, while benefiting homeowners, has hurt America's renting population, a population among which minorities and the poor are vastly overrepresented. As rents have risen, renters have been forced to commit a greater percentage of their resources to simply keeping their homes, and thus found it difficult to invest in their own properties. Steady or falling incomes have exacerbated this bind, while a worsening public education and transportation system has added to the burden, particularly for poor and minority renters. The Federal government has failed to respond to this growing crisis, instead choosing to cut or curtail major renter‐assistance programs.
Orphan Living Situations in Malawi: A Comparison of Orphanages and Foster Homes
Authors: Zimmerman Brigitte
Published: November 2005

Orphans have become an increasingly large percentage of the population in Sub‐Saharan Africa due to the AIDS epidemic. Debate ensues about more supportive living situations for these youth, with most research supporting foster homes over orphanages. This article compares these two situations in the country of Malawi, considering how the two systems meet material needs, psychosocial needs, and those needs created by the constraints of the nonprofit environment in Malawi. Interviews were conducted with 50 orphans, nine orphanage and foster system administrators, five foster and group home caregivers, five health care workers, and five community members. All interviewees were asked questions about the children's routine, educational experience, residence characteristics, responsibilities, free time, health care, and future prospects. Administrators and parents were also queried about the management and organization of the programs, and health care workers were asked additional questions about the orphans’ health care and supplies for it. It was found that Malawian orphans placed in orphanages have an advantage over those placed in foster homes along the dimensions of lodging, health care, food quantity and variety, clothing, and school supplies. Additionally, children in orphanages have more autonomy, and have a broader concept of their future potential. Orphanage residents view their caregivers as compassionate and loving. Finally, it was found that orphanages are more efficient in providing care and at exchanging information with other organizations. They are also easier to replicate for use in other areas than are community‐based programs. The article concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of these findings and directions for future research.
National and international agricultural research and rural poverty: the case of rice research in India and China
Authors: Fan Shenggen , Chan‐Kang Connie , Qian Keming , Krishnaiah K.
Published: November 2005

We measure the total benefits from rice varietal improvement research in China and India, using variety adoption and performance data over the last two decades. Genetic or pedigree information is used to partition the total benefits between these two countries and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Finally, reported elasticities of poverty reduction with respect to agricultural output growth are used to assess the effects of national and international research on poverty reduction in rural India and China. The results indicate that rice varietal improvement research has contributed tremendously to increase in rice production, accounting for 14% to 24% of the total production value over the last two decades in both countries. Rice research has also helped reduce large numbers of rural poor. IRRI played a crucial role in these successes. In 1999, for every US$1 million invested at IRRI, more than 800 and 15,000 rural poor were lifted above the poverty line in China and India, respectively. These poverty reduction effects were even larger in the earlier years.
How does aversion to intertemporal variation affect hedging behavior?
Authors: Frechette Darren L.
Published: November 2005

Standard models of hedging behavior assume that hedgers wish to minimize net price variation. They treat variation as risk and fail to distinguish random variation at a specific point in time from pre‐determined intertemporal variation. Recursive utility differentiates between random and nonrandom variation by allowing the elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS) to be imperfect. The inverse of the EIS measures the hedger's aversion to intertemporal variation and is distinct from aversion to risk. Optimal hedge ratios decline toward zero as aversion to intertemporal variation increases. These results may help explain why hedgers commonly hedge less than recommended by standard models.
Financial structure, production, and productivity: evidence from the U.S. food manufacturing industry
Authors: Hossain Ferdaus , Jain Ruchi , Govindasamy Ramu
Published: November 2005

This study integrates production and financing to examine the impacts of financial structure change on the production, profitability, and productivity growth in the U.S. food manufacturing industry. Empirical results show that during the period covered by this study, agency cost associated with increased debt use by this industry negatively affected its output growth, input demand, profitability, and overall productivity growth. Dividend payment positively contributed to the production and performance of this industry via signaling benefit. However, the negative effects of increased debt use by this industry far outweighed the positive contribution of dividend payment. The U.S. food industry achieved a 0.9% average annual productivity growth, which came primarily from technological progress and capital adjustment. The rapid increase in debt use by this industry was responsible for slowing down the pace of productivity growth via its negative contribution to the total factor productivity growth. Capital expansion was the principal driver of output growth and profitability in this industry.
Measuring and explaining scale efficiency with the parametric approach: the case of Greek tobacco growers
Authors: Karagiannis Giannis , Sarris Alexander
Published: November 2005

Estimates of technical and scale inefficiencies of tobacco farms in Greece during the period 1991–1995 are obtained by using the parametric approach. The degree of technical efficiency was found to be lower than the degree of scale efficiency and thus a greater portion of overall inefficiency is due to producing below the production frontier than to producing at an inefficient scale. In addition, the vast majority of farms in the sample exhibited suboptimal scale implying that output should be expanded to reach the optimal scale. Empirical results are provided to determine the impact of various socioeconomic, demographic, and geoclimatic indicators on technical and scale efficiency.
An analysis of contract farming in East Java, Bali, and Lombok, Indonesia
Authors: Simmons Phil , Winters Paul , Patrick Ian
Published: November 2005

This article examines the emergence and benefits of contract farming in East Java, Bali, and Lombok, Indonesia. After a general review of contract farming in these regions, three contracts, for seed corn in East Java, seed rice in Bali, and broilers in Lombok are described and analyzed using key informant interviews and household survey data. A review of the contracts suggest that there is a wide array of contract types and this is related to the technical requirements of production and the associated costs. Probit analysis is used to identify factors contributing to smallholder participation in farm contracts and a two‐stage estimation process used to measure the effects of farm contracts on gross margins and labor use. Results indicate participation in contracts is influenced by farm size and other factors such as smallholder's age, education, and participation in farm groups. Contracts increased returns to capital for the seed corn and broiler contracts but not for the seed rice contract. All three contracts influenced the types of labor used; however, none of them influenced total farm employment.
The impact of weather on crop yield distribution in Taiwan: some new evidence from panel data models and implications for crop insurance
Authors: Chen Chi‐Chung , Chang Ching‐Cheng
Published: November 2005

This study examines the impact of weather on the yields of seven major crops in Taiwan based on pooled panel data for 15 prefectures over the 1977–1996 period. The unit root tests and maximum likelihood methods involving a panel data model are explored to obtain reliable estimates. The uncertain yield outcome is incorporated into a discrete stochastic programming model to address a comparison between sector analysis with and without considerations of a crop insurance policy under different climate change scenarios. Simulation results suggest that crop insurance may stabilize revenues and protect farmers from exposures to increasing weather‐related risk.
Factors influencing the adoption of maize in Kahramanmaras province of Turkey
Authors: Boz Ismet , Akbay Cuma
Published: November 2005

We investigate the influence of selected socioeconomic characteristics and communication behavior on maize adoption among Kahramanmaras farm operators. A sample of 264 operators selected by stratified sampling technique is used. Early adopters, late adopters, and nonadopters of maize are compared using a chi‐square test of independence and the ordered probit procedure is used to determine the extent to which selected socioeconomic characteristics and communication behavior influence these adopter categories. It is found that adoption of maize in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, is influenced by the educational level of farmers, income, farm size, travels to nearest town, opinion leadership, use of extension personnel, mechanization level, credit use, and agricultural investments. Early adopters of maize possess these characteristics more than late adopters and nonadopters. Based on these findings, agricultural extension organizations should identify and work together with early adopters when promoting an innovation for agricultural communities in Turkey.
Organic pest management decisions: a systems approach to technology adoption
Authors: Park Timothy A. , Lohr Luanne
Published: November 2005

Organic farmers make system‐level crop protection decisions that combine complementary insect, disease, nematode, and weed management strategies. Data from a 1997 national survey of U.S. organic farmers were used in a multivariate count data model to identify the farm and regional factors influencing the adoption of practices across the linked pest management categories. The results show that weed management requires the greatest management effort by organic farmers. More intensive information‐seeking and on‐farm experimentation, higher educational attainment, and intensity of commitment to organic farming are positively related to the number of weed control strategies adopted. Predictions of adoption based on this model and customized to farm and region specifications will give information providers lead time to develop technical support for reduced chemical pest management systems.