bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Four alleles of AtCESA3 form an allelic series with respect to root phenotype in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pysh Leonard , Alexander Nathan , Swatzyna Laura , Harbert Robert
Published: January 2012

Plant cell shape is determined by the orientation of cellulose microfibrils in the primary cell wall. Consequently, mutations that affect genes encoding the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of cellulose, namely, the cellulose synthase catalytic subunits, can alter cell shape substantially, particularly in the roots of affected plants. The multiple response expansion1 (mre1) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana results from a point mutation in the AtCESA3 gene, which encodes one of the three isoforms of the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit required for synthesis of cellulose in the primary cell wall. Phenotypic comparison of the mre1 mutant with three other alleles (ectopic lignification1‐1, ectopic lignification1‐2 and constitutive expression of vsp1) showed that these four alleles form an allelic series with respect to their root phenotypes, with mre1 being the weakest allele identified to date. These analyses demonstrated that sucrose affects a significant alteration of cell shape in the roots of these mutants and likely suppresses root cell division in them as well, and that the chemical aminoisobutyric acid can suppress these effects of sucrose. Interestingly, the cell walls in the roots of these four AtCESA3 alleles contain different percentages of cellulose, and these percentages correlate with the lengths of the roots and cortex cells in these roots when grown on media containing high levels of sucrose.
Retrograde Tracing with Fluorescent Microspheres Reveals Bifurcating Projections from Central Retina to Tectum and Thalamus in Chicks
Authors: Cao J. , Naito J. , Chen Y.
Published: January 2012

The goal of this study is to demonstrate the dual‐projection pattern of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) projecting to the tectum and visual thalamus in chick using retrograde fluorescent tracers and also to define the morphological properties of these RGCs with dual projections by intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow (LY) combined with immunohistochemistry. Thirty‐two chicks received double injections of green and red fluorescent microspheres into their thalamus and tectum in the same side. In the central retina, most of the labelled RGCs were tec‐RGCs (RGCs projecting to the tectum), a quarter was tha‐RGCs (RGCs projecting to the thalamus), and almost all of the tha‐RGCs were double‐labelled RGCs. An intracellular injection of LY into the double‐labelled RGCs showed all six groups of RGCs without specific populations in each group (J. Comp. Neurol., 2004, 469: 360). These dendritic patterns were mostly mono‐ and bistrata, which extended horizontally in the deeper part of the inner plexiform layer.
piRNA pathway and the potential processing site, the nuage, in the Drosophila germline
Authors: Pek Jun Wei , Patil Veena S. , Kai Toshie
Published: January 2012

The accurate transfer of genetic material in germline cells during the formation of gametes is important for the continuity of the species. However, animal germline cells face challenges from transposons, which seek to spread themselves in the genome. This review focuses on studies in Drosophila melanogaster on how the genome protects itself from such a mutational burden via a class of gonad‐specific small interfering RNAs, known as piRNAs (Piwi‐interacting RNAs). In addition to silencing transposons, piRNAs also regulate other processes, such as chromosome segregation, mRNA degradation and germline differentiation. Recent studies revealed two modes of piRNA processing – primary processing and secondary processing (also known as ping‐pong amplification). The primary processing pathway functions in both germline and somatic cells in the Drosophila ovaries by processing precursor piRNAs into 23–29 nt piRNAs. In contrast, the secondary processing pathway functions only in the germline cells where piRNAs are amplified in a feed‐forward loop and require the Piwi‐family proteins Aubergine and Argonaute3. Aubergine and Argonaute3 localize to a unique structure found in animal germline cells, the nuage, which has been proposed to function as a compartmentalized site for the ping‐pong cycle. The nuage and the localized proteins are well‐conserved, implying the importance of the piRNA amplification loop in animal germline cells. Nuage components include various types of proteins that are known to interact both physically and genetically, and therefore appear to be assembled in a sequential order to exert their function, resulting in a macromolecular RNA‐protein complex dedicated to the silencing of transposons.
Cell lineage and cis‐regulation for a unique GABAergic/glycinergic neuron type in the larval nerve cord of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Nishitsuji Koki , Horie Takeo , Ichinose Aoi , Sasakura Yasunori , Yasuo Hitoyoshi , Kusakabe Takehiro G.
Published: January 2012

The tunicate Ciona intestinalis larva has a simple central nervous system (CNS), consisting of fewer than 400 cells, which is homologous to the vertebrate CNS. Recent studies have revealed neuronal types and networks in the larval CNS of C. intestinalis, yet their cell lineage and the molecular mechanism by which particular types of neurons are specified and differentiate remain poorly understood. Here, we report cell lineage origin and a cis‐regulatory module for the anterior caudal inhibitory neurons (ACINs), a putative component of the central pattern generator regulating swimming locomotion. The vesicular GABA/glycine transporter gene Ci‐VGAT, a specific marker for GABAergic/glycinergic neurons, is expressed in distinct sets of neurons, including ACINs of the tail nerve cord and others in the brain vesicle and motor ganglion. Comparative genomics analysis between C. intestinalis and Ciona savignyi and functional analysis in vivo identified the cis‐regulatory module responsible for Ci‐VGAT expression in ACINs. Our cell lineage analyses inferred that ACINs derive from A11.116 cells, which have been thought to solely give rise to glial ependymal cells of the lateral wall of the nerve cord. The present findings will provide a solid basis for future studies addressing the molecular mechanism underlying specification of ACINs, which play a critical role in controlling larval locomotion.
FOXP3+ regulatory and TIA‐1+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in HIV‐associated Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kiyasu Junichi , Aoki Ryosuke , Tanaka Paula Yurie , Pracchia Luis Fernando , Calore Edenilson Eduardo , Perez Nilda Maria , Kimura Yoshizo , Niino Daisuke , Sugita Yasuo , Takayanagi Ryoichi , Abe Yasunobu , Matsuoka Masao , Ohshima Koichi
Published: January 2012

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects CD4+ lymphocytes, leading to a development of malignant lymphomas, such as HIV‐associated Hodgkin Lymphoma (HIV‐HL). This study aimed to assess the differences in cellular composition of the inflammatory reactive background of HIV‐HLs. We examined infiltrating T lymphocytes, specifically regulatory T cells, cytotoxic cells, Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) related antigens and HIV‐receptor CCR5. In all HIV‐HL cases, Hodgkin and Reed‐Sternberg (HRS) cells showed EBER1 expression, LMP‐1 staining positivity and EBNA‐2 staining negativity, except for one case which showed LMP‐1 staining negativity. Our histological findings indicate the percentage of CD8+, TIA‐1+ lymphocytes was significantly higher in HIV‐HL than in non‐HIV‐HL cases (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the percentage of CD4+, FOXP3+ lymphocytes was significantly lower in HIV‐HL than in non‐HIV‐HL cases (P < 0.05) but present. The percentage of CCR5+ lymphocytes was significantly lower in HIV‐HL than in non‐HIV‐HL cases (P < 0.05). Usually, CD4+ and CCR5+ lymphocytes are reported to be rarely detected in HIV‐associated non‐Hodgkin lymphomas, but the presence of CD4+ and/or FOXP3+ lymphocytes may be implicated in the pathogenesis of HL. In addition, although additional CD8+ lymphocytes are probably not EBV‐LMP specific cytotoxic T‐cells, these lymphocytes may also well be involved in the pathogenesis of HIV‐HL.
Effects of iron on the growth and minimal fluorescence yield of three marine Synechococcus strains (Cyanophyceae)
Authors: Liu Shuwen , Juneau Philippe , Qiu Baosheng
Published: January 2012

Two coastal Synechococcus stains PCC 7002 and CC9311 and one oceanic strain WH8102 were cultured with 4–1000 nM Fe in Aquil medium. Compared with those under iron‐replete conditions, their growth rates were significantly decreased by 59% for WH8102 at 15 nM Fe, by 37% for CC9311 at 15 nM Fe and by 57% for PCC 7002 at 4 nM Fe. Among these three strains, PCC 7002 was the most tolerant to iron limitation while WH8102 was the most sensitive to iron limitation. For each strain under the same iron concentration, the growth rates calculated from the minimal fluorescence yield and cell concentration showed no significant difference. The linear correlation was established between the minimal fluorescence yield and cell concentration although the minimal fluorescence yield per cell varied depending on the strains and iron levels. Under iron‐replete conditions, the minimal fluorescence yield per cell was 100‐fold higher for the phycoerythrin‐lacking strain PCC 7002 than two phycoerythrin‐containing strains WH8102 and CC9311. Under iron‐deplete conditions, it was increased respectively by 128% and 7% for WH8102 and CC9311 but was decreased by 30% for PCC 7002. Furthermore, the minimal fluorescence yield per cell for PCC 7002 and CC9311 showed little difference throughout the light and dark diel cycle. However, it was significantly higher for WH8102 in the daytime than in the dark.
Association of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in childhood with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory symptoms in adults
Authors: JOHANNESSEN ANE , BAKKE PER S. , HARDIE JON A. , EAGAN TOMAS M. L.
Published: January 2012

Background and objective:  Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with impaired lung function in childhood, which in turn, is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. However, little is known regarding the direct association between childhood exposure to ETS and the development of COPD. The main objective of the present study was to examine the associations between childhood ETS exposure and adult COPD and respiratory symptoms.

Methods:  Patients with COPD (n = 433) and control subjects (n = 325) participated in the Bergen COPD Cohort Study during 2006–2009. Participants performed spirometry and answered extensive questionnaires. The risk factors for COPD, morning cough, cough with phlegm, chronic cough and dyspnoea were examined using logistic regression analysis. Analyses were stratified by gender.

Results:  The prevalence of childhood exposure to ETS was 61%. After adjustment, women who were exposed to ETS during childhood had a higher risk of COPD than those who were not exposed: odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.0, 3.7. Other important predictors for COPD and respiratory symptoms among women were occupational dust exposure (COPD), family history of COPD (COPD, all symptoms), current exposure to ETS in the home (morning cough) and education (COPD, dyspnoea). ETS exposure during childhood was associated with respiratory symptoms among males (odds ratios 1.5–1.7). Risk factors for COPD among men were occupational dust exposure, family history of COPD and level of education. Occupational dust exposure and family history of COPD also predicted dyspnoea among males.

Conclusions:  Exposure to ETS during childhood was associated with COPD and respiratory symptoms in adulthood. Although active smoking is still the most important risk factor for COPD, reduction of childhood ETS exposure could contribute to the prevention of COPD and respiratory symptoms.
Effects of budesonide/formoterol combination therapy versus budesonide alone on airway dimensions in asthma
Authors: HOSHINO MAKOTO , OHTAWA JUNICHI
Published: January 2012

Background and objective:  Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long‐acting β2‐agonists results in improved asthma symptom control compared with the use of inhaled corticosteroids alone. However, the effects of combination therapy on structural changes and inflammation of the airways are still unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of budesonide/formoterol with those of budesonide alone on airway dimensions and inflammation in individuals with asthma.

Methods:  Fifty asthmatic patients were randomized to treatment with budesonide/formoterol (200/6 µg, two inhalations bd) or budesonide (200 µg, two inhalations bd) for 24 weeks. Airway dimensions were assessed using a validated computed tomography technique, and airway wall area (WA) corrected for body surface area (BSA), percentage WA (WA%), wall thickness/Ösquare root BSA, and luminal area (Ai)/BSA at the right apical segmental bronchus, were measured. The percentage of eosinophils in induced sputum, pulmonary function, and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaires (AQLQ) were also evaluated.

Results:  There were significantly greater decreases in WA/BSA (P < 0.05), WA% (P < 0.001) and wall thickness/square root BSA (P < 0.05), and increases in Ai/BSA (P < 0.05), in subjects treated with budesonide/formoterol compared with those treated with budesonide. The reduction in sputum eosinophils and increase in per cent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) were greater for subjects treated with budesonide/formoterol compared with those treated with budesonide alone. In the budesonide/formoterol group, the changes in WA% were significantly correlated with changes in sputum eosinophils and FEV1% (r = 0.84 and r = 0.64, respectively). There were improvements in the AQLQ scores after treatment with budesonide/formoterol.

Conclusions:  Budesonide/formoterol combination therapy is more effective than budesonide alone for reducing airway wall thickness and inflammation in individuals with asthma.
Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from indigenous high‐country tussock grassland in New Zealand with descriptions of two new genera and eight new species
Authors: Scheller Ulf , Barratt Barbara I P
Published: January 2012

Two collections of Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from soil cores in high‐country subalpine and alpine tussock grassland in New Zealand contained 757 specimens representing 11 species, eight of which are recognised as new to science, including two representing new genera. The following new taxa are described here by the first author: Ataktopauropus Scheller gen. n. for Ataktopauropus adaios Scheller sp. n., Decapauropus orestes Scheller sp. n., Decapauropus undulatus Scheller sp. n., Nesopauropus upsilon Scheller sp. n., Pauropus otagoensis Scheller sp. n., Pounamupauropus Scheller gen. n. for Pounamupauropus bartonae Scheller sp. n. and Stylopauropoides vesica Scheller sp. n. (all seven species in family Pauropodidae), and Borneopauropus neozelandicus Scheller sp. n. (family Brachypauropodidae). The genera Nesopauropus Scheller and Borneopauropus Scheller are reported from New Zealand for the first time.
Beetle communities associated with the tree fernDicksonia antarcticaLabill. in Tasmania
Authors: Fountain‐Jones Nicholas M , McQuillan Peter B , Grove Simon
Published: January 2012

Tree ferns are a conspicuous element of many wet forests in Australia, and in increasing demand in export markets, but little is known about their beetle fauna. The tree fernDicksonia antarcticaLabill. was sampled over four seasons at four sites in Tasmania. A total of 108 species of beetles, representing 35 families, were collected from three discrete microhabitats on 80 individual tree ferns. Beetle numbers were highest in the crown litter, then live fronds and least from the trunk. Curculionoids were the most diverse and abundant group of beetles and an anthribid genus,XynotropisBlackburn, was most numerous. The crown litter was numerically dominated by species from four families, Anthribidae, Leiodidae, Ptiliidae and Staphylinidae. Two other families, Latridiidae and Coccinellidae, were most abundant on the live fronds, while Tenebrionidae, Staphylinidae and Anthribidae were common on the trunks. Predators, followed by fungivores contributed the highest proportion of species richness, however fungivores, spore‐feeders and detritivores were most abundant as individuals. Despite a large foliar biomass, herbivores were notably few in numbers and diversity. The beetle assemblage on each of the three microhabitats associated with tree ferns was distinctive and characterised by sets of species that displayed some degree of geographical variation. Indicator analysis revealed that 13 species were broadly characteristic of site‐by‐microhabitat combinations. For exported tree ferns, the beetle fauna appears to be low in pest potential.
Heterostyly and the possibility of its breakdown by polyploidization
Authors: NAIKI AKIYO
Published: January 2012

Heterostyly is a genetically controlled sexual polymorphism promoting outcrossing by animal pollinators. The occurrence of heterostyly in angiosperms was investigated, and 199 genera in 28 families in 15 orders were recognized as taxa that contain heterostylous species. A correlation between the occurrence of heterostyly and ploidy level was found in some limited groups in Primulaceae and Rubiaceae. In such taxa, individuals with a lower ploidy level tended to have heterostyly and individuals with a higher ploidy level tended to have monomorphic flowers. It appears reasonable that the first step of the breakdown of heterostyly was the recombination of the supergene in a diploid heterostylous plant, and then poyploidization incidentally occurred. Polyploidization itself does not necessarily appear to have direct effects on the breakdown of heterostyly.
Seed dispersal effectiveness increases with body size in New Zealand alpine scree weta (Deinacrida connectens)
Authors: LARSEN HANNAH , BURNS KEVIN C.
Published: January 2012

Weta are giant, flightless orthopterans that are endemic to New Zealand. Although they are known to consume fleshy fruits and disperse seeds after gut passage, which is unusual among insects, their effectiveness as seed dispersal mutualists is debated. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments on alpine scree weta (Deinacrida connectens) and mountain snowberries (Gaultheria depressa) to investigate how fruit consumption rates, the proportion of ingested seeds dispersed intact and weta movement patterns vary with weta body sizes. On average weta dispersed 252 snowberry seeds nightly and travelled at a rate of 4 m min−1. However, seed dispersal effectiveness varied over three orders of magnitude and was strongly associated with body sizes. Smaller weta consumed few snowberry seeds and acted primarily as seed predators. On the other hand, the largest weta consumed and dispersed thousands of seeds each night and appear to be capable of transporting seeds over large distances. Overall results indicate that scree weta shift from being weakly interacting seed predators to strongly interacting, effective seed dispersers as they increase in size.
Detecting change in an Australian flowering record: Comparisons of linear regression and cumulative sum analysis change point analysis
Authors: KEATLEY MARIE R. , HUDSON IRENE L.
Published: January 2012

Linear regression and cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) change point analyses were used to determine whether there had been a significant change in the first flowering date between 1983 and 2006 for 65 species. Both methods agreed that the first flowering date of 47 species did not change and that eight species had a significant change (P < 0.05) in their flowering. Three species shifted to later flowering and five species to earlier. Over the observation period, each method found that the average shift to later flowering was greater (37.4 days or approx. 1.56 days per year for CUSUM change point analysis and 51.4 days or 2.14 days per year for linear regression) than that to earlier flowering (28.4 days or approx. 1.20 days per year for change point analysis and 46.5 days or 1.97 days per year for linear regression). For the remaining 10 species the results of linear regression and change point methods differed. Each method found five species (three earlier flowering and two later) to have a significantly changed first flowering date over their observation period, where the other method did not. Some of these differences can be attributed to the fact that the CUSUM method can detect multiple change points whereas linear regression can not. Significant change points in first flowering date were identified for 13 species between the years 1987 to 1998. The most frequent year identified as a change point year was 1995. The two methods, although not interchangeable, had strong agreement (84.6%) in detecting shifts. This gives greater confidence that a change in flowering has occurred for eight species and equally importantly, that no change in first flowering date has occurred for 47 species.
Low temperature tolerance and starvation ability of the oak processionary moth: implications in a context of increasing epidemics
Authors: Meurisse Nicolas , Hoch Gernot , Schopf Axel , Battisti Andrea , Grégoire Jean‐Claude
Published: January 2012

We investigated how modifications in winter and spring temperature conditions may affect the survival of a spring‐hatching Lepidoptera, the oak processionary moth Thaumetopoea processionea.

Supercooling and chilling injury experiments indicate that eggs are especially cold hardy at the start of the winter period, although this ability is reduced later in the season. In the spring, young larvae are sufficiently cold hardy to ensure no direct mortality as a result of late frosts.

A comparison of phenological models shows that neonate larvae may await the unfolding of new oak leaves for relatively long periods (e.g. 1–30 days). Under both low (4°C after 5 days at 16°C) and high temperature experimental scenarios (constant 16°C), the majority of neonate larvae can survive starvation for more than 2 weeks.

Larvae may also suffer from food depletion once their development has been initiated (e.g. during cold springs) if the threshold temperature for feeding is not reached for several consecutive days, or in the case of late frosts affecting foliage availability. When temperature is reduced to 4°C, developing larvae become inactive and do not feed anymore; their starvation survival capability is reduced to approximately 2 weeks (cold spring hypothesis). At 16°C, developing larvae that are deprived of food can only survive for 10 days (late frost hypothesis).

We conclude that, in the oak processionary moth, neonate larvae are relatively well adapted to early hatching relative to budburst, ensuring them the highest foliage quality for development. In some years, however, phenological asynchrony or cold spring conditions may affect the persistence of populations at the limits of the species' range.
Magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility artifact due to pigmented intraorbital silicone prosthesis
Authors: Dees D. Dustin , Knollinger Amy M. , Simmons Jeffery P. , Seshadri Ravi , MacLaren Nicole E.
Published: January 2012

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of two cases with intracranial disease and pigmented intraorbital prosthetics are presented. A brown prosthetic (Case 1) caused a significant magnetic susceptibility artifact, which necessitated removal to properly image the brain. The artifact observed on MRI images is likely due to ferromagnetic pigments used for coloring. A black prosthetic (Case 2) caused no imaging artifact. The carbon‐based pigments used to color the black prosthetic implant do not appear to cause imaging artifact. The pigments currently used to color the brown pigmented orbital prostheses cause significant magnetic susceptibility artifact and may require removal to evaluate the brain and surrounding structures completely.
A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEASURES OF CENTRAL BANK INDEPENDENCE
Authors: CARGILL THOMAS F.
Published: January 2012

The methodology of measuring central bank independence suggested by Bade and Parkin three decades ago and inverse correlations between the measures and inflation have been widely accepted. The measurement literature has made important contributions identifying elements of institutional design that establish the relationship between the central bank and the government and the measurements from an ordinal perspective provide some useful insights about the major institutional redesigns of central banks during the past several decades. At the same time, the measurement literature is problematic. First, a dummy variable bifurcating central banks into groups of independent and less independent central banks can duplicate the standard correlations suggesting the information content of the specific measures is limited; second, the correlations between inflation and measures of independence are not as stable as claimed; and most important, the measurements are subject to classification problems that have not been fully appreciated. Review of the institutional design and history of the Bank of Korea, Bank of Japan, and the Federal Reserve provide evidence the classification problems are important. The measures of independence are more appropriately regarded as ordinal rankings of central bank independence rather than considered cardinal measures suitable for econometric modeling. (JEL E50, E58, E65)
INFLATION DYNAMICS AND LABOR MARKET SPECIFICATIONS: A BAYESIAN DYNAMIC STOCHASTIC GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM APPROACH FOR JAPAN'S ECONOMY
Authors: ICHIUE HIBIKI , KUROZUMI TAKUSHI , SUNAKAWA TAKEKI
Published: January 2012

Which labor market specification is better able to describe inflation dynamics, a widely used sticky wage model or a recently investigated labor market search model? Using a Bayesian likelihood approach, we estimate these two models with Japan's data. This article shows that the labor market search model is superior to the sticky wage model in terms of both marginal likelihood and out‐of‐sample forecast performance, particularly regarding inflation. The labor market search model is better able to replicate the cross‐correlation among inflation, real wages, and output in the data. Moreover, in this model, real marginal cost is determined by both hiring cost and unit labor cost that varies with employment fluctuations, which gives rise to a high contemporaneous correlation between inflation and real marginal cost as represented in the New Keynesian Phillips curve. (JEL E24, E32, E37)
A LABORATORY STUDY OF DUOPOLY PRICE COMPETITION WITH PATIENT BUYERS
Authors: CASON TIMOTHY N. , MAGO SHAKUN D.
Published: January 2012

This article reports a duopoly experiment in which sellers compete to sell to a potentially patient buyer. Each period sellers simultaneously post prices and the buyer costlessly observes either one or both prices. The buyer can then either accept an observed price or reject all offers. Following a rejection, sellers may have an opportunity to post prices again in another round. We study how the duopolists' pricing behavior responds to changes in the likelihood of the buyer observing multiple prices, γ, and the probability of continuing to another round, δ. The unique stationary equilibrium features mixed strategies. Consistent with the equilibrium, observed prices are decreasing in γ and δ. Contrary to the equilibrium, however, buyers sometimes reject profitable price offers, and average prices are lower than predicted when only one round of offers is possible and higher than predicted in the multiple‐round game. (JEL D43, D83, L13)
ON THE EVOLUTION OF TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY IN LATIN AMERICA
Authors: FERREIRA PEDRO CAVALCANTI , PESSÔA SAMUEL DE ABREU , VELOSO FERNANDO A.
Published: January 2012

Because of several policy distortions, including import‐substitution industrialization, widespread government intervention, and both domestic and international competitive barriers, there has been a general presumption that Latin America has been much less productive than the leading economies in the last decades. In this paper we show, however, that until the late 1970s Latin American countries had high productivity levels relative to the United States. It is only after the late 1970s that we observe a fast decrease of relative total factor productivity (TFP) in Latin America. We also show that the inclusion of human capital in the production function makes a crucial difference in the TFP calculations for Latin America. (JEL O11, O47, O54)
US Trade in Advanced Technology Products
Authors: Co Catherine Yap
Published: January 2012

In 2002, US net exports of advanced technology products (ATPs) registered a deficit of US$16.6 billion for the first time. By 2006, the ATP trade deficit reached US$43.7 billion. This is primarily due to China's increasing importance as an ATP import source and does not indicate a wholesale loss of US competitiveness in ATPs. Mostly, China's market share gain came at the expense of other Asian countries. This geographical shift in China's favor is due to her greater integration with Asian supply chains. Trade gravity regressions show that the USA exports more advanced technology parts and accessories to lower income countries but advanced technology capital and consumer goods imports by the USA are not correlated with the income of the import source countries. Thus, there is weak evidence that labor cost savings via foreign assembly operations dominate US ATP trade with middle and low income countries.
Remittances and Relative Prices
Authors: Nath Hiranya K. , Vargas‐Silva Carlos
Published: January 2012

Using Mexican data, this article analyzes the impact of the workers' remittances on the cross‐section distribution of prices as well as on the evolution of individual relative prices over time for 272 consumer items. The results suggest that there are important differences in the responses of relative prices to remittances according to various categories of these items. While the relative prices of a number of nontradable service items such as housing consistently rise, the relative prices of several durable items such as furniture tend to fall in response to the remittance shock. Furthermore, remittances explain substantial variation in prices for a large number of consumer durables and services at various time horizons. The relative price responses are more volatile over time for most food items and less volatile for nonfood and service items reflecting different degrees of price flexibility.
Foreign Aid, Government Spending, and the Environment
Authors: Chao Chi‐Chur , Hu Shih‐Wen , Lai Ching‐Chong , Tai Meng‐Yi
Published: January 2012

Using an endogenous growth model, this paper examines the growth and welfare effects of the allocation of foreign aid in the recipient economy. As public inputs are a productive factor, a rise in the allocation of aid to the public inputs increases growth and hence the welfare of the economy. However, raising the ratio of aid to pollution abatement may not help an economy, because it crowds out public inputs. Since public inputs are also partly financed by income taxation, the welfare‐maximizing income tax rate is larger than the growth‐maximizing rate, because a portion of the aid constitutes a lump‐sum transfer and can increase household consumption and hence welfare.
Welfare Effects of Reducing Home Bias in Government Procurements: A Dynamic Contest Model
Authors: Fujiwara Kenji , Van Long Ngo
Published: January 2012

This paper models an international contest for government procurement as a dynamic game between a domestic firm and a foreign firm. We show that trade liberalization, in the form of a reduction in bias against the foreign firm, improves both domestic and global welfare if (i) either the foreign firm's profit is sufficiently large or (ii) the initial degree of home bias is sufficiently small. If the initial home bias is large, a small reduction in the bias may reduce welfare.
Female Autonomy and Health Care in Developing Countries
Authors: Self Sharmistha , Grabowski Richard
Published: January 2012

Decisions within the household determine the allocation of resources. Theory suggests that the more autonomous women are within the household, the greater influence they will have in that allocation. This paper utilizes several measures of a woman's autonomy within the household. It is hypothesized that the greater the woman's autonomy, the more likely she will be to visit a doctor, rather than other traditional sources of healing/care, when ill. This hypothesis is tested using data drawn from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. The results lend support to the importance of autonomy for a woman in increasing her likelihood of visiting a medical doctor when ill. Additionally, the results show that socio‐economic differences go a long way in explaining differences in healthcare choices for the sick.
European Integration and Inequality among Countries: A Lifecycle Income Analysis
Authors: Pastor José M. , Serrano Lorenzo
Published: January 2012

This paper analyzes the effects of the enlargements of the European Union on inequality using an approach based on individuals' lifecycle incomes. This allows one to consider the effect of different rates of growth and survival rates. Inequality in terms of permanent income was substantially less than in current per capita income at the time of all the enlargements except those of the last 10 years. The results point to the key role of policies that stimulate growth in the less developed countries. With an annual β‐convergence of 2% in current income, inequality in permanent income would be less than one third of what it is now.
The 1997 Asian Currency Crisis, Financial Linkages, and the Monetary Policy of Japan
Authors: Chan Kenneth S. , Dang Vinh Q.T.
Published: January 2012

The evidence is examined that excessively liberal monetary policy by the Bank of Japan, before and after the financial collapse of Japan in 1992, may have led other East Asian economies into “over‐borrowing” and speculative investments, prior to the currency crisis in 1997–98. The authors test for cointegration and Granger causality between Japanese money supply M1 and the domestic investment of eight East Asian economies and Australia. US and German money supplies are also used as a benchmark. There is strong evidence that there are long‐ and short‐run causal relationships between the Japanese money supply and the domestic investment of the Asian crisis‐inflicted economies prior to 1997.
International Transmission of Monetary Shocks and the Non‐neutrality of International Money
Authors: Cheng Wenli , Zhang Dingsheng
Published: January 2012

Monetary shocks and how they are transmitted internationally are investigated in this paper. The paper shows that where a national currency is used as an international medium of exchange, the international money is non‐neutral. In particular, an increase in the supply of the international money leads to a transfer of real resources to the international money‐issuing country from its trading partner. It also induces an expansion of the nontradable sector in the international money‐issuing country, and an expansion of the tradable sector in its trading partner. The real impact of a monetary shock is greater under a fixed exchange rate system than under a flexible exchange rate system.
What Drove the Massive Hoarding of International Reserves in Emerging Economies? A Time‐varying Approach
Authors: Delatte Anne‐Laure , Fouquau Julien
Published: January 2012

Existing empirical models fail to explain the surge in the accumulation of foreign exchange reserves by emerging countries during the last decade. This paper provides an estimate of the demand for international reserves on a panel of emerging countries using a time‐varying panel smooth transition regression (TV‐PSTR) model to relax the assumption of coefficient stability in the relationship. Evidence is dound that the parameters are not constant. In addition, it is observed that the coefficients remained relatively stable until 2000 and then increased gradually and strongly thereafter. The specification provided here accounts for an acceleration that linear specifications fail to explain. Finally, it is found that mercantilist motives are the major driver of this acceleration.
Teaching statistics using classic psychology research: an activities‐based approach
Authors: Holmes Karen Y. , Dodd Brett A.
Published: January 2012

In this article, we discuss a collection of active learning activities derived from classic psychology studies that illustrate the appropriate use of descriptive and inferential statistics.
‘Der Bleistift roch nach Rosmarin’:The Art of Foraging in Stifter, Handke, and Beuys
Authors: Brady Martin
Published: January 2012

Taking as its starting point the notion of ‘reading’ as ‘gathering’, implied by the word Lesen, this essay examines some correspondences between foraging, naming, writing, drawing, and reading to establish a clear distinction between foraging and collecting more generally. By way of example, three kinds of foraging are addressed: berry picking, in Adalbert Stifter's short story Der Waldsteig; mushroom collecting, in Peter Handke's fairy‐tale Lucie im Wald mit den Dingsda; gathering medicinal herbs, in particular rosemary, in the drawings, performances, and social sculptures of Joseph Beuys (including Manresa, Barraque D’dull Odde, Geruchsplastik, Blitzschlag mit Lichtschein auf Hirsch). In the literary and visual works discussed here, foraging and its products are therapeutic both physically and spiritually, what Handke terms ‘traumerweiternd’. Moreover, in the case of Beuys in particular this healing process has explicitly social and political implications. The essay also examines foraging as an analogy for the construction of meaning and concludes with a discussion of the clearing as a privileged space in which foraging and gathering, both literally and figuratively, can take place.

Von der Vorstellung des ‘Lesens’ als ‘Sammlung’ ausgehend, untersucht dieser Artikel die engen Verbindungen zwischen Sammeln, Nennen, Schreiben, Zeichnen und Lesen, um den Unterschied zwischen Sammeln als Pflücken und Ernten (‘foraging’) und Sammeln zur Schaffung einer dauerhaften Sammlung zu präzisieren. Als Beispiele dienen hierfür drei verschiedene Arten des Sammelns: Beeren sammeln in Adalbert Stifters Kurzgeschichte Der Waldsteig; Pilze sammeln im Märchen Lucie im Wald mit den Dingsda von Peter Handke; das Sammeln von Heilkräutern, insbesondere Rosmarin, in den Zeichnungen, Aktionen und sozialen Skulpturen von Joseph Beuys (einschließlich Manresa, Barraque D’dull Odde, Geruchsplastik, Blitzschlag mit Lichtschein auf Hirsch). In den hier besprochenen literarischen und künstlerischen Werken sind die Tätigkeit und die Produkte des Suchens im physischen sowie im geistigen Sinne therapeutisch und, laut Handke, ‘traumerweiternd’. Zudem hat der Prozess des Heilens, vor allem bei Beuys, eindeutige soziale und politische Implikationen. Der Artikel untersucht ferner das Suchen als Analogie für die Konstruktion von Bedeutung und schließt mit einer Diskussion der Lichtung als privilegierter Ort des Suchens und des Lesens, im wörtlichen wie im übertragenen Sinne, ab.

der kahle Baum voll von den hellen Äpfeln und den meist dunklen Vögeln, und ich dachte unwillkürlich: ‘Das habe ich nie gelesen!’ (Peter Handke)1

Das Tragende und Leitende im Lesen ist die Sammlung.

(Martin Heidegger)2

wenn das Holz ausgetheilt und angewiesen wird, wenn sie dasselbe schlagen und nach Hause führen, wenn sie Schwämme oder Beeren oder Feuerschwamm suchen (Adalbert Stifter; 3,1: p. 116)3
Genetic Variants in the ADIPOQ Gene and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Case‐Control Study of a Chinese Han population
Authors: Du Juan , Ye Xin hua , Li Qian , Yu Xiaofang , Cheng Jinluo , Ma Jianhua , Gao Yanqin , Lu Ying , Du Wencong , Shi Hui , Zhao Xu , Ye Qing , Zhou Ling
Published: January 2012

Our aim was to investigate whether the ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms are associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Genotypes of MetS patients (n= 1049) and normal controls (n= 1092) were analysed by TaqMan® assay, and serum adiponectin concentration was measured by ELISA. The variant genotypes rs266729CG; rs1063539GC, GC/CC; rs16861205AA and rs7649121AT, AT/TT (Adjusted P= 0.037, 0.044, 0.025, 0.011, 0.019, 0.020, respectively) of the ADIPOQ gene were associated with MetS. Patients with rs266729CG, CG/GG genotypes (P= 0.034, 0.035) and rs7649121AT, AT/TT genotypes (P= 0.013, 0.022) had higher levels of serum adiponectin than those with the CC and AA genotypes respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of haplotypes GGAAAATC and GGGTAACC was lower in cases (10.7% and 4.5%) than in controls (12.1% and 5.9%) [Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) = 0.70 (0.54–0.91), 0.65 (0.46–0.92)]. The ADIPOQ gene variants associated with the risk of MetS in this study must be validated by further functional studies to reveal any potential effects on metabolism.
The Dyskinesia Impairment Scale: a new instrument to measure dystonia and choreoathetosis in dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Authors: MONBALIU ELEGAST , ORTIBUS ELS , de CAT JOS , DAN BERNARD , HEYRMAN LIEVE , PRINZIE PETER , de COCK PAUL , FEYS HILDE
Published: January 2012

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Dyskinesia Impairment Scale (DIS). The DIS consists of two subscales: dystonia and choreoathetosis. It measures both phenomena in dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP).

Method Twenty‐five participants with dyskinetic CP (17 males; eight females; age range 5–22y; mean age 13y 6mo; SD 5y 4mo), recruited from special schools for children with motor disorders, were included. Exclusion criteria were changes in muscle relaxant medication within the previous 3 months, orthopaedic or neurosurgical interventions within the previous year, and spinal fusion. Interrater reliability was verified by two independent raters. For interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients were assessed. Standard error of measurement, the minimal detectable difference, and Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency were determined. For concurrent validity of the DIS dystonia subscale, the Barry–Albright Dystonia Scale was administered.

Results The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total DIS score and the two subscales ranged between 0.91 and 0.98 for interrater reliability. The reliability of the choreoathetosis subscale was found to be higher than that of the dystonia subscale. The standard error of the measurement and minimal detectable difference values were adequate. Cronbach’s alpha values ranged from 0.89 to 0.93. Pearson’s correlation between the dystonia subscale and Barry–Albright Dystonia Scale was 0.84 (p<0.001).

Interpretation Good to excellent reliability and validity were found for the DIS. The DIS may be promising for increasing insights into the natural history of dyskinetic CP and evaluating interventions. Future research on the responsiveness of the DIS is warranted.
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOME ARCHAEOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT FLINT FROM DENMARK AND SWEDEN
Authors: HUGHES R. E. , HÖGBERG A. , OLAUSSON D.
Published: January 2012

Flint was one of the most widely employed raw materials for artefact manufacture in Denmark and Sweden during the Stone Age, and it continued to be used during subsequent periods. Prehistoric flint mining and lithic manufacturing studies in these countries have attracted considerable attention, but there have been no recent attempts to chemically characterize the geological source materials. This paper builds on a pilot study (Hughes et al. 2010) and uses energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis to determine quantitative composition estimates for nine major, minor and certain trace elements in seven archaeologically significant flint sources in Denmark and Sweden, along with new data on a number of other sources of prehistoric significance. These data provide a geochemical foundation for ongoing research devoted to determining contrasts and continuities in the time and space utilization of flint sources in Scandinavian prehistory.
POROSITY DETERMINATION WITH HELIUM PYCNOMETRY AS A METHOD TO CHARACTERIZE WATERLOGGED WOODS AND THE EFFICACY OF THE CONSERVATION TREATMENTS
Authors: DONATO I. D. , LAZZARA G.
Published: January 2012

The helium pycnometer allows us to measure the cell‐wall density of dry woods and the basic density of wood samples soaked with water and/or a consolidant solution if a non‐volatile solvent is used. These parameters were correlated to the porosity, which for degraded waterlogged wood is related to the maximum water content. Moreover, this has revealed the possibility of investigating, by means of accurate cell‐wall density determination, the efficacy of several consolidants in the treatment of waterlogged woods.
Revealing their hand: lute tablatures in early seventeenth‐century England
Authors: KENNY ELIZABETH
Published: January 2012

In this article I investigate how musical concepts were transmitted in the manuscript culture of late sixteenth‐ and early seventeenth‐century lute music in England. Using material from the Mynshall and ML Lute Books I will suggest that a mental map of music theory is built through physical process in a way that might help to explain – at least in England – the gap between the theory books and the working methods of players and composers. Exploring the physical imprint which a piece of lute tablature represents, I will demonstrate that archaeological concepts such as the relationship between materiality and memory are potentially more useful than more textually based historical ones in exploring much of the instrumental music of the past. The books document a process of tailoring musical ideas to an individual's physical strengths and weaknesses, which has priority over transmitting a ‘good’ version of a musical text. The processes behind different kinds of left and right hand ornamentation demonstrate not only the individual player's skills but are related to the meaning of the different sides of the body in a wider cultural context. This has performance practice implications: should a player transmit or embody a musical idea?
Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Sudhakar Selvin , Khairnar Prakash , Nanda Navin C.
Published: January 2012

Since the advent of matrix array transducer, three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has come to frequent clinical use. It has significantly enhanced the communication between the operators and cardiac imagers in the operating room as well as in the cardiac interventional labs. This article reviews the history, technological aspects, and the protocol for acquisition and processing of the data sets. It also discusses its advantages in various clinical scenarios, both in diagnostic and therapeutic situations. It highlights its limitations in the current form and prospects of future development. (Echocardiography 2012;29:103‐111)
Role of Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in Pericardial Disease
Authors: Sudhakar Selvin , Nanda Navin C.
Published: January 2012

Despite the high sensitivity of two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) in diagnosing pericardial effusion, it has limitations in assessing its size and extent and in evaluating other pericardial pathologies. There are only limited reports so far, but live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic Echocardiography (3DTTE) has shown promise and potential advantages over 2DTTE in certain clinical situations. With its ability to crop and view cardiac structures from any desired angulation it offers incremental value in assessing the anatomy of the pericardium including echo densities within the effusion, fibrinous bands, and loculated effusions. It offers significant supplemental information over 2DTTE in clinical scenarios like post cardiac surgery follow up of hemopericardium, quantification of the effusion, evaluation of pericardial masses including granuloma, differentiating pericardial effusion from ascites and pleural effusion and in studying the extent of the disease in constrictive pericarditis. However, comprehensive studies are needed to further define its role in daily clinical practice. (Echocardiography 2012;29:98‐102)