bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piezoelectric Transverse Shear Actuation and Sensing of Plates, Part 1: A Three-Dimensional Mixed State Space Formulation
Authors: Benjeddou A. , Deu J.-F.
Published: July 2008

This paper, in two parts, presents in this first part an exact three-dimensional solution of transverse shear actuation and sensing of simply-supported piezoelectric laminated plates. For this, the piezoelectric laminae are considered initially polarized along their first materialaxis (x1) and subjected to through-thickness electric field. Hence, transverse shear strains can be induced or measured under electric or mechanical loading, respectively. The formulation is based on a new mixed state space approach that retains the standard state mechanical displacement and transverse stress variables augmented with the electric potential and transverse displacement. The latter are condensed analytically at the piezoelectric lamina transfer matrix level. Thus, the solution of the assembled system is reduced to that of only a third-order one. Both open- and closed-circuit electric boundary conditions are considered for sensing and actuation problems, respectively. Corresponding computational procedures are also detailed. In part two of the paper, the present approach is applied to transverse actuation and sensing of sandwich plates. Parametric studies are also conducted for physical understanding of these mechanisms. Presented analytical results are useful for future reference and comparison with other approximate laminate electromechanics.
Intelligent Material Systems Using Epoxy Particles to Repair Microcracks and Delamination Damage in GFRP
Authors: Zako M. , Takano N.
Published: July 2008

The objective of this study is to propose an intelligent material system that can perform a self-repairing operation against initial damage that might occur in GFRP laminates. Specifically, we highlight the development of a novel actuator to be used in such self-repairing operations. There has been much research on sensor systems to detect damage and some actuators to control the shape of the structure or to control the vibration. However, no literature can be found on the actuator aiming at the self-repair of damage. For this purpose, a small grain particle-type adhesive is embedded in a glass/epoxy composite (GFRP) laminate. The diameter of the particle is approximately 50 gim. Hence, in the developed intelligent material system, coldsetting epoxy resin is used as the matrix, uni-directionally arranged glass fiber is used as the reinforcement, and a thermosetting epoxy particle is used as a repairing actuator. The volume fraction of the particles in the matrix was approximately 40%. The embedded particles can repair the damage, when melted by heat. Basic characteristics of the particles were investigated first, and we confirmed that the embedded particles in the matrix can melt by heat and flow to repair the crack. We also confirmed that the embedded particles do not deteriorate the stiffness of the GFRP laminate. Then we investigated the efficiency of the repairing operation against initial damage such as microscopic matrix cracks and delamination, by conducting two typical tests, i.e., static three-point bending of [0/90] laminate and tensile fatigue of [O/90], laminate. Damage was observed by CCD camera. As a result, the decrease in the stiffness due to initial damage has been recovered and consequently increased the residual fatigue life.
Acrylic Fabrics Treated with Plasma for Outdoor Applications
Authors: Pane S. , Tedesco R. , Greger R.
Published: July 2008

The increasing interest in the application of plasma processes on textiles is due both to the necessity of adding value to products and to develop new pollution free technologies. In fact, plasma treatments allow modification of the textile surface behaviour with a flexible process, which can impart particular properties to the fabrics, such as waterproofing, oil repellence, antistatic behaviour, etc. In addition, plasma processes are characterised by the very small quantity of chemicals involved and by the absence of solvent or water, which are usually employed in traditional finishing processes.

In this work the effect of different plasma treatments on the properties of acrylic fabrics for outdoor applications was explored. In particular, the possibility of substituting plasma processes for the traditional cleaning and waterproofing processes of outdoor acrylic fabrics was evaluated.

The properties of the plasma treated acrylic fabrics have been compared with the characteristics of the fabrics traditionally treated.

The resistance of plasma treatments to wear, UV and weather exposure has been also evaluated.
Parents’ childhood fever management: community survey and instrument development
Authors: Walsh Anne , Edwards Helen , Fraser Jenny
Published: July 2008

Title. Parents’ childhood fever management: community survey and instrumentdevelopment.

Aim. This paper is a report of a study to explore Australian parents’ knowledge, beliefs, practices and information sources about fever management and develop a scale to measure parents’ fever management practices.

Background. Parental fever phobia and overuse of antipyretics to reduce fever continue. No scales to measure parents’ fever management practices are available.

Method. A community‐based, postal survey was carried out in 2005 with 401 Australian parents of well children aged 6 months–5 years. Respondents were recruited through advertising (48·4%), face‐to‐face (26·4%) and snowball (24·4%) methods. A 33‐item instrument was developed; construct and content validity were determined by an expert panel and item reliability by test–retest.

Results. Moderate fever (40·0 ± 1·0°C) was reported to be harmful (88%), causing febrile convulsions (77·7%). Usual practices targeted temperature reduction, antipyretic administration (87·8%), temperature monitoring (52·5%). Fewer evidence‐based practices, such as encouraging fluids (49·0%) and light clothing (43·8%), were reported. Positive changes over time (36·4%) included less concern and delayed or reduced antipyretic use. Negative practice changes (22·7%) included greater concern and increased antipyretic use. Medical advice was sought for illness symptoms (48·7%) and high (37·4%) or persistent (41·5%) fevers. Fever management was learnt from doctors, family and friends and working experience, while receiving conflicting information (41·9%) increased concerns and created uncertainty about best practice.

Conclusion. Parents need consistent evidence‐based information about childhood fever management. The Parental Fever Management Scale requires further testing with different populations and in different cultures and healthcare systems to evaluate its usefulness in nursing practice and research.
Cultural encounters in reflective dialogue about nursing care: a qualitative study
Authors: Torsvik Malvin , Hedlund Marianne
Published: July 2008

Title.  Cultural encounters in reflective dialogue about nursing care: a qualitative study.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore how students developed reflective nursing practice through cultural encounters between students from Tanzania and Norway.

Background.  Nursing students need to develop cultural care competence to care for patients in a globalized world. One way to achieve this goal may be through international practice experience. Previous studies have shown that students visiting developing countries matured personally and intellectually more than those who experienced encounters between developed countries.

Method.  The study was exploratory, using qualitative data about nursing practice and cultural encounters experienced by nursing students from Tanzania and Norway. Data were collected through participatory observation, students’ logs and focus group interviews in 2006.

Findings.  The encounter was characterized with an open attitude facilitating a good context for co‐learning between the students. Three main themes were identified. The Norwegian students emphasized nurse–patient relationships, individualized care, direct communication and emotional involvement. The Tanzanian nursing students demonstrated a collectivist approach in nursing characterized by nurse–relative–patient relationships, and they emphasized curing attributes with skilful performance of procedures.

Conclusion.  A cultural encounter between students from different culture proved to be a fruitful way of teaching nurses. The opportunity to share thoughts, reflect on value systems and personal practice through dialogue with students from a different culture offer possibility in terms of cultural competence, reflexivity and consciousness of various ways practising nursing. This may contribute to bringing the practice of nursing a step forward in both cultures.
Segmentation of touching cell nuclei using gradient flow tracking
Authors: LI G. , LIU T. , NIE J. , GUO L. , CHEN J. , ZHU J. , XIA W. , MARA A. , HOLLEY S. , WONG S.T.C.
Published: July 2008

Reliable cell nuclei segmentation is an important yet unresolved problem in biological imaging studies. This paper presents a novel computerized method for robust cell nuclei segmentation based on gradient flow tracking. This method is composed of three key steps: (1) generate a diffused gradient vector flow field; (2) perform a gradient flow tracking procedure to attract points to the basin of a sink; and (3) separate the image into small regions, each containing one nucleus and nearby peripheral background, and perform local adaptive thresholding in each small region to extract the cell nucleus from the background. To show the generality of the proposed method, we report the validation and experimental results using microscopic image data sets from three research labs, with both over‐segmentation and under‐segmentation rates below 3%. In particular, this method is able to segment closely juxtaposed or clustered cell nuclei, with high sensitivity and specificity in different situations.
Image segmentation of liver fibrosis
Authors: WU H.‐S. , FIEL M.I. , SCHIANO T.D. , GIL J.
Published: July 2008

Quantitation of connective tissue versus parenchymal tissue compartments is important in assessment of fibrosis (scarring) and its progression in liver disease. This paper presents a two‐step algorithm for quantifying fibrosis in liver biopsies stained with Sirius red. With this staining technique, collagen and cell nuclei appear similarly stained, whereas cytoplasm appears pale. The first step of the algorithm is to separate similarly stained areas occupied by collagen and hepatocyte nuclei. Since the total area of the combined collagen and cell nuclei is usually much smaller than the remaining liver parenchyma, a non‐linear intensity mapping is applied to enhance the smaller cluster in order to match the larger one in both intensity and size. The second step is to differentiate the fibrotic areas usually having irregular shapes from hepatocyte nuclei that have relatively uniform size and have circular shape. The proposed algorithm has been applied to quantify the development of progressive fibrosis and its possible regression in liver biopsy specimens from patients with parenteral‐induced liver injury undergoing intestinal transplantation.
Genetic variation affecting host–parasite interactions: major‐effect quantitative trait loci affect the transmission of sigma virus in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: BANGHAM JENNY , KNOTT SARA A. , KIM KANG‐WOOK , YOUNG ROBERT S. , JIGGINS FRANCIS M.
Published: July 2008

In natural populations, genetic variation affects resistance to disease. Whether that genetic variation comprises lots of small‐effect polymorphisms or a small number of large‐effect polymorphisms has implications for adaptation, selection and how genetic variation is maintained in populations. Furthermore, how much genetic variation there is, and the genes that underlie this variation, affects models of co‐evolution between parasites and their hosts. We are studying the genetic variation that affects the resistance of Drosophila melanogaster to its natural pathogen — the vertically transmitted sigma virus. We have carried out three separate quantitative trait locus mapping analyses to map gene variants on the second chromosome that cause variation in the rate at which males transmit the infection to their offspring. All three crosses identified a locus in a similar chromosomal location that causes a large drop in the rate at which the virus is transmitted. We also found evidence for an additional smaller‐effect quantitative trait locus elsewhere on the chromosome. Our data, together with previous experiments on the sigma virus and parasitoid wasps, indicate that the resistance of D. melanogaster to co‐evolved pathogens is controlled by a limited number of major‐effect polymorphisms.
Control of pathogenic CD8+ T cell migration to the brain by IFN‐γ during experimental cerebral malaria
Authors: BELNOUE E. , POTTER S. M. , ROSA D. S. , MAUDUIT M. , GRÜNER A. C. , KAYIBANDA M. , MITCHELL A. J. , HUNT N. H. , RÉNIA L.
Published: July 2008

Previous studies have shown that IFN‐γ is essential for the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) in mice. However, the exact role of IFN‐γ in the pathway (s) leading to CM has not yet been described. Here, we used 129P2Sv/ev mice which develop CM between 7 and 14 days post‐infection with PbA. In this strain, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were involved in the effector phase of CM. When 129P2Sv/ev mice deficient in the IFN‐γ receptor α chain (IFN‐γR1) were infected with PbA, CM did not occur. Migration of leucocytes to the brain at the time of CM was observed in wild type (WT) but not in deficient mice. However, in the latter, there was an accumulation of T cells in the lungs. Analysis of chemokines and their receptors in WT and in deficient mice revealed a complex, organ‐specific pattern of expression. Up‐regulation of RANTES/CCL5, IP‐10/CCL3 and CCR2 was associated with leucocyte migration to the brain and increased expression of MCP‐1/CCL2, IP‐10/CCL3 and CCR5 with leucocyte migration to the lung. This shows that IFN‐γ controls trafficking of pathogenic T cells in the brain, thus providing an explanation for the organ‐specific pathology induced by PbA infection.
Fungal and mycobacterial infections after Campath (alemtuzumab) induction for renal transplantation
Authors: Walsh R. , Ortiz J. , Foster P. , Palma‐Vargas J. , Rosenblatt S. , Wright F.
Published: July 2008

Objectives: To report our experience with fungal and mycobacterial (tuberculosis) infection following induction with Campath (alemtuzumab).

Methods: We reviewed the database of 477 renal transplant patients induced with alemtuzumab. All those who had a fungal or mycobacterial infection were found, and the details of these complications reviewed.

Results: Five patients were found to have fungal (3) or tuberculous (2) infection. The incidence of fungal infection was 0.6% and that of tuberculous infection was 0.4%. Mortality rates for these 2 types of infection were 50% and 100%, respectively. During the same period, there was an overall mortality of 1.7% (n=5). No surviving patient lost graft function.

Conclusion: Although fungal and mycobacterial infections caused significant mortality, the overall incidence remains low and comparable to that associated with other induction agents.
In vitro effect of cyclosporin A on primary and chronic BK polyoma virus infection in Vero E6 cells
Authors: Acott P.D. , O'Regan P.A. , Lee S.H. , Crocker J.F.S.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is known to possess antiviral activity against several viruses in vitro, but the effect of CsA on BK polyoma virus (BKV) replication has not been examined. We investigated the impact of CsA on primary, chronic, and high‐level BKV infection using a cell system of kidney cell origin (Vero E6 cells). During the first 2 h post infection, cells treated with CsA up to 3200 μg/L showed a near‐identical BK viral load to untreated cells, with only a very minor reduction in the CsA‐treated cells observed at 4 h. In chronic culture, CsA completely suppressed the primary BKV infection peak in a non‐dose‐dependent manner within the dose range of 200–12,800 μg/L (P<0.05). BKV reactivation was also inhibited in the presence of CsA at doses of 200–3200 μg/L: the mean number of BKV DNA copies/mL remained stable or even decreased slightly compared with a 7‐log increase in the non‐CsA group (P<0.01). CsA did not influence BKV DNA copies/mL in Vero E6 cells with high‐level infection (>109 copies/mL). Cellular protein measurements indicated that the antiviral effect of CsA was not a result of cytotoxicity. These findings from a relevant in vitro kidney cell system indicate that CsA suppresses the primary BKV infection peak and inhibits escape to BKV reactivation; these effects are dose independent and not related to cytotoxicity. The intracellular antiviral mode of action of CsA against BKV does not appear to be via inhibition of viral cell entry pathways.
Use of Glutamine and Low Density Lipoproteins Isolated from Egg Yolk to Improve Buck Semen Freezing
Authors: Ali Al Ahmad MZ , Chatagnon G , Amirat‐Briand L , Moussa M , Tainturier D , Anton M , Fieni F
Published: July 2008

Contents

To improve the results obtained with a reference cryopreservation extender (control extender: Triladyl® + 20% (v/v) egg yolk + 6.4% (v/v) glycerol) for freezing caprine semen, glutamine was added to 18 split ejaculates at concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 mm (experiment 1). In experiment 2, glutamine was added to 18 split ejaculates at concentrations of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mm. In the third experiment, the egg yolk was replaced with the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction of egg yolk. The quality of frozen then thawed spermatozoa in each extender was compared using computer‐assisted semen analysis. In experiment 1, glutamine at concentrations of 20 mm and 40 mm significantly improved sperm motility compared with the control extender. However, at 120 mm, a significant decrease in motility and velocity was observed. In experiment 2, motility, curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) were improved in glutamine at 25 mm compared with the control. In experiment 3, 8% LDL and 25 mm glutamine significantly improved sperm motility, straight line velocity and ALH. In the fourth experiment, the quality of the previously defined freezing extender (Triladyl® + 8% (v/v) LDL + 25 mm glutamine + 6.4% (v/v) glycerol) was tested by comparing acrosome, tail membrane, plasma membrane and DNA integrity in 18 split ejaculates of frozen then thawed spermatozoa with spermatozoa that had been frozen then thawed in the control extender, and with spermatozoa from fresh, unfrozen sperm. The percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes and tail membranes was significantly higher with the newly defined extender than that observed with the control extender. There was no significant difference in the percentage of spermatozoa with intact DNA between the frozen and fresh semen.
Conservation of the European Mink (Mustela lutreola): Focus on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies
Authors: Amstislavsky S , Lindeberg H , Aalto J , Kennedy MW
Published: July 2008

Contents

The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a small mammal, which belongs to the Mustelidae family (Carnivora). Earlier, the range of distribution of this species encompassed much of the European continent. During the 20th century, the numbers of European mink declined and the range of its distribution became reduced to three fragmented populations; today this species faces extinction. The urgent necessity for effective conservation efforts to protect the European mink is accepted by the governmental organizations as well as scientific communities of most European countries. In this paper, the reasons for the disappearance of European mink are reviewed and results of past conservation efforts based on captive breeding and reintroduction programmes are critically evaluated in the broad context of modern concepts of conservation genetics and reproductive biology. The data recently obtained on the reproduction and pre‐implantation development of European mink and the prospects of incorporation of modern reproductive technologies into the conservation programme of this species are discussed.
Association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes in Chinese adults in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Shi Z.‐M. , Hu X.‐S. , Yuan B.‐J. , Gibson R. , Dai Y. , Garg M.
Published: July 2008

Background   The intake of iron is positively related to the risk of diabetes, whilst magnesium intake is inversely related. However, it is unknown whether there is an interaction between dietary magnesium and iron expressed as a ratio and diabetes.

Methods   This is a cross‐sectional household survey carried out in 2002 in Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 2849 men and women aged ≥ 20 years participated (participation rate 89.0%). Iron and magnesium intake was assessed by 3‐day weighed food records. Fasting plasma glucose, serum ferritin and haemoglobin were measured.

Results   The mean intake of iron and magnesium was 25 mg/day and 332 mg/day, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.0% in men and 2.6% in women. Magnesium intake was negatively associated with diabetes when adjusted for age and sex, but not in a fully adjusted model. A strong inverse association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes was observed. In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios of diabetes across quartiles of magnesium : iron intake ratio were: 1.0, 0.63 [95% confidence interval 0.32–1.25], 0.36 (0.16–0.81) and 0.48 (0.20–1.14) (P for trend 0.038). There was an interaction between central obesity and magnesium : iron ratio.

Conclusion   Magnesium : iron intake ratio is an independent risk marker for diabetes in Chinese adults. As this is a cross‐sectional study, we cannot establish any causal relationship.
A qualitative exploration of multiple medicines beliefs in co‐morbid diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Stack R. J. , Elliott R. A. , Noyce P. R. , Bundy C.
Published: July 2008

Aim   Multiple medicines are typically prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non‐adherence to medicines can arise for those who self‐manage the complex regimens typical of T2D and CVD. Perceptions about treatment and illness are probable drivers of adherence and self‐management behaviours. However, few studies have explored perceptions about multiple medicines and none has examined the complexities of managing medicines used in T2D and CVD. We explored perceptions towards multiple medicines expressed by people managing co‐morbid T2D and CVD.

Method   Nineteen adults managing multiple medicines for T2D and CVD participated in semi‐structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using a modified grounded theory framework.

Results   Participants were sceptical about the prescription of additional medicines, particularly CVD medicines. Often medicines for T2D management were thought to be more important than medicines prescribed for CVD management. Lifestyle change was thought to be a way of reducing CVD risk and this was related to the lower status given to CVD medication. Lipid‐lowering medicines were often thought to be the least important CVD medication prescribed, with some participants considering cessation of medicines to test their necessity.

Conclusions   Despite evidence on the severity of macrovascular complications in T2D being available, participants in this study undervalued their CVD medications. Survey research is needed to assess how widely held these beliefs are and whether these beliefs influence non‐adherence. Future research should explore how healthcare professionals can best address such beliefs.
Personality Trait Similarity Between Spouses in Four Cultures
Authors: McCrae Robert R. , Martin Thomas A. , Hrebícková Martina , Urbánek Tomáš , Boomsma Dorret I. , Willemsen Gonneke , Costa Paul T.
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT
We examined patterns of trait similarity (assortative mating) in married couples in four cultures, using both self‐reports and spouse ratings on versions of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. There was evidence of a subtle but pervasive perceived contrast bias in the spouse‐rating data. However, there was strong agreement across methods of assessment and moderate agreement across cultures in the pattern of results. Most assortment effects were small, but correlations exceeding .40 were seen for a subset of traits, chiefly from the Openness and Agreeableness domains. Except in Russia, where more positive assortment was seen for younger couples, comparisons of younger and older cohorts showed little systematic difference. This suggested that mate selection, rather than convergence over time, accounted for similarity. Future research on personality similarity in dyads can utilize different designs but should assess personality at both domain and the facet levels.
Predicting Marital Satisfaction From Self, Partner, and Couple Characteristics: Is It Me, You, or Us?
Authors: Luo Shanhong , Chen Hao , Yue Guoan , Zhang Guangjian , Zhaoyang Ruixue , Xu Dan
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTPast research on the link between personal characteristics and marital satisfaction has taken either anindividualor adyadicapproach. Theindividualapproach examines how self and/or partner characteristics are associated with satisfaction, whereas thedyadicapproach focuses on couple characteristics such as couple similarity. The current research was designed to integrate both approaches. A modified Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Kenny, 2000) was proposed to test simultaneously the contributions of self characteristics, partner characteristics, and two types of couple similarity (level similaritymeasured by the absolute difference score andshape similaritymeasured by the profile correlation) in predicting husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction. This model was tested by structural equation modeling in two large, nationally representative, urban samples (N=536 and 537 couples) from China. The results were largely replicated across four personality domains and two value domains, suggesting that all predictors tended to make independent contributions to satisfaction except the absolute difference score.
Mentoring Relationships and Programs for Youth
Authors: Rhodes Jean E. , DuBois David L.
Published: July 2008

Mentoring is one of the most popular social interventions in American society, with an estimated three million youth in formal one-to-one relationships. Studies have revealed significant associations between youth involvement in mentoring relationships and positive developmental outcomes. These associations are modest, however, and depend on several intervening processes. Centrally important is the formation of close, enduring connections between mentors and youth that foster positive developmental change. Effects of mentoring programs likewise typically have been small in magnitude, but they increase systematically with the use of program practices likely to support relationship development. Gaps between research and practice are evident both in the indiscriminate use of the term mentoring in the prevention field and in a focus on the growth and efficiency of mentoring programs at the expense of quality. Continued expansion of effective mentoring will require a better alignment of research and practice.
An Adaptation for Altruism
Authors: McCullough Michael E. , Kimeldorf Marcia B. , Cohen Adam D.
Published: July 2008

People feel grateful when they have benefited from someone's costly, intentional, voluntary effort on their behalf. Experiencing gratitude motivates beneficiaries to repay their benefactors and to extend generosity to third parties. Expressions of gratitude also reinforce benefactors for their generosity. These social features distinguish gratitude from related emotions such as happiness and feelings of indebtedness. Evolutionary theories propose that gratitude is an adaptation for reciprocal altruism (the sequential exchange of costly benefits between nonrelatives) and, perhaps, upstream reciprocity (a pay-it-forward style distribution of an unearned benefit to a third party after one has received a benefit from another benefactor). Gratitude therefore may have played a unique role in human social evolution.
It's Fascinating Research
Authors: Pexman Penny M.
Published: July 2008

Verbal irony is nonliteral language that makes salient a discrepancy between expectations and reality. For researchers who study verbal irony, a critical question is: How do we grasp the meaning of ironic language? The parallel-constraint-satisfaction approach holds promise as an answer to this question. By this account, multiple cues to ironic intent, such as tone of voice, incongruity, and knowledge of the speaker, are processed rapidly and in parallel and this information is coordinated with the utterance itself in order to construct a coherent interpretation that is the best fit for the activated information. Recently, research with individuals who struggle with irony comprehension (typically developing children, individuals with autism-spectrum disorder, individuals with brain injury) has provided new clues about the complex process by which ironic meaning is inferred.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, AND FIRM SURVIVAL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: EVIDENCE FROM MICRO DATA
Authors: Bridges Sarah , Guariglia Alessandra
Published: July 2008

Financial constraints have been found to play an important role on various aspects of firm behavior. Yet, their effects on firm survival have been largely neglected. We use a panel of 61,496 UK firms over the period 1997–2002 to study the effects of financial variables on firms' failure probabilities, differentiating firms into globally engaged and purely domestic. Estimating a wide range of specifications, we find that lower collateral and higher leverage result in higher failure probabilities for purely domestic than for globally engaged firms. This can be seen as evidence that global engagement shields firms from financial constraints.
FOOL THE MARKETS? CREATIVE ACCOUNTING, FISCAL TRANSPARENCY AND SOVEREIGN RISK PREMIA
Authors: Bernoth Kerstin , Wolff Guntram B.
Published: July 2008

We investigate the effects of official fiscal data and creative accounting signals on interest rate spreads between bond yields in the European Union. We find that two different measures of creative accounting indeed both increase the spread. The increase of the risk premium is stronger, if financial markets are unsure about the true extent of creative accounting. Moreover, fiscal transparency reduces risk premia. Instrumental variable regressions confirm these results by addressing potential reverse causality problems and measurement bias.
UNBALANCED SCHEDULES AND THE ESTIMATION OF COMPETITIVE BALANCE IN THE SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Authors: Lenten Liam J. A.
Published: July 2008

Since the season ending in 2001, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) has, unlike other European football leagues, utilised an unbalanced schedule, by which the strongest teams in a given season play each other an extra time, mutatis mutandis for the weakest teams. While this approach may make sense for several reasons, it also has implications for within‐season measures of competitive balance, because it creates biases in the set of win ratios from the end‐of‐season league table. This paper applies a simple log‐probability rule to calculate a set of adjusted win ratios correcting for this inherent bias. Such an adjustment is necessary if one wishes to compare within‐season competitive balance of the SPL with other European leagues. It is shown that by correcting for the unbalanced schedule, the SPL is consistently less competitive over the sample period. The implications of this finding are discussed at length.
Agent‐Based Simulation of Urban Residential Dynamics and Land Rent Change in a Gentrifying Area of Boston
Authors: Jackson Jeremy , Forest Benjamin , Sengupta Raja
Published: July 2008

Certain complex processes are most effectively modeled not on the macro‐scale, but from the bottom‐up, by simulating the decisions of individual entities, or agents. This study uses an agent‐based modeling (ABM) approach to simulate residential dynamics in an area of Boston that has increasingly experienced gentrification in the past decades. The model is instantiated using basic empirical data and uses simple decision‐making rules, differentiated into four classes, to simulate the process of residential dynamics. The model employs the consumption explanation of the cause of gentrification, which emphasizes the choices of individuals drawn to urban amenities, while testing the production explanation, which suggests that major investments from the public and private sphere attract and explain gentrification. Verification shows that the processes in the model work according to its construction, simulates complexity and emergent phenomena, and may be a valuable explanatory tool for understanding and learning about some processes underlying gentrification.
A Space‐Time GIS Approach to Exploring Large Individual‐based Spatiotemporal Datasets
Authors: Shaw Shih‐Lung , Yu Hongbo , Bombom Leonard S
Published: July 2008

The increasing number of large individual‐based spatiotemporal datasets in various research fields has challenged the GIS community to develop analysis tools that can efficiently help researchers explore the datasets in order to uncover useful information. Rooted in Hägerstrand's time geography, this study presents a generalized space‐time path (GSTP) approach to facilitating visualization and exploration of spatiotemporal changes among individuals in a large dataset. The fundamental idea of this approach is to derive a small number of representative space‐time paths (i.e. GSTPs) from the raw dataset by identifying spatial cluster centers of observed individuals at different time periods and connecting them according to their temporal sequence. A space‐time GIS environment is developed to implement the GSTP concept. Different methods of handling temporal data aggregation and the creation of GSTPs are discussed in this article. Using a large individual‐based migration history dataset, this study successfully develops an operational space‐time GIS prototype in ESRI's ArcScene and ArcMap to provide a proof‐of‐concept study of this approach. This space‐time GIS system demonstrates that the proposed GSTP approach can provide a useful exploratory analysis and geovisualization environment to help researchers effectively search for hidden patterns and trends in such datasets.
IMPERFECT MONITORING AND THE DISCOUNTING OF INSIDE MONEY*
Authors: Mills, Jr David C.
Published: July 2008

This article evaluates the efficiency of a requirement that private issuers redeem inside money on demand at par in a random‐matching model of money where the issuers of inside money are imperfectly monitored. I find that for sufficiently imperfect monitoring, a par redemption requirement leads to lower social welfare than if private money were redeemed at a discount. A central message of the article is that if inside money and outside money are not perfect substitutes, a par redemption requirement may not be socially optimal because such a requirement effectively binds them to circulate as if they are.
The relations among cumulative risk, parenting, and behavior problems during early childhood
Authors: Trentacosta Christopher J. , Hyde Luke W. , Shaw Daniel S. , Dishion Thomas J. , Gardner Frances , Wilson Melvin
Published: July 2008

Background:  This study examined relations among cumulative risk, nurturant and involved parenting, and behavior problems across early childhood.

Methods:  Cumulative risk, parenting, and behavior problems were measured in a sample of low‐income toddlers participating in a family‐centered program to prevent conduct problems.

Results:  Path analysis was utilized to examine longitudinal relations among these constructs, with results supporting an indirect effect of cumulative risk on externalizing and internalizing problems through nurturant and involved parenting.

Conclusion:  Results highlight the importance of cumulative risk during early childhood, and particularly the effect that the level of contextual risk can have on the parenting context during this developmental period.
Accuracy of Physician Billing Claims for Identifying Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care
Authors: Cadieux Geneviève , Tamblyn Robyn
Published: July 2008

Objective. To assess the accuracy of physician billing claims for identifying acute respiratory infections in primary care.

Study Setting. Nine primary care physician practices in Montreal, Canada (2002–2005).

Study Design. A validation study was carried out to compare diagnoses in 3,526 physician billing claims with diagnoses documented in the corresponding patient medical records.

Data Collection. In‐office medical record abstraction.

Principal Findings. Claims had a high positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and specificity for identifying respiratory infections; however, their sensitivity was below 50 percent. Large variation in sensitivity and PPV was observed among physicians.

Conclusions. Because claims data are now routinely used to monitor antibiotic prescribing in primary care, future research should determine if acute respiratory infection diagnoses are missing from claims at random, or if bias is present.
Adverse Hospital Events for Mentally Ill Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Li Yue , Glance Laurent G. , Cai Xueya , Mukamel Dana B.
Published: July 2008

Context. Patients with mental disorders show higher burden of coronary heart disease, and may face special safety issues during in‐hospital cardiac care.

Objectives. To compare the postoperative complication rate between patients with and without mental disorders undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design, Setting, and Patients. Retrospective analyses of New York state hospital claims between 1997 and 2004 (N=135,701). Complications were defined using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (AHRQ PSI).

Principal Findings. Mental disorders were significantly associated with higher anesthesia complications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=6.44, p<.001), decubitus ulcer (AOR=1.42, p=.006), postoperative hip fracture (AOR=3.29, p<.001), and overall complication rate representing nine PSIs (AOR=1.27, p<.001).

Conclusions. Mentally ill patients undergoing CABG surgery are more likely to experience potentially preventable complications and injuries. The mechanism underlying this observation warrants further study.
Mechanical Restoration of California Mixed‐Conifer Forests: Does it Matter Which Trees Are Cut?
Authors: Miesel Jessica R. , Boerner Ralph E. J. , Skinner Carl N.
Published: July 2008

The montane ecosystems of northern California have been subjected to repeated manipulation and active fire suppression for over a century, resulting in changes in community structure that contribute to increased wildfire hazard. Ecosystem restoration via reduction of stand density for wildfire hazard mitigation has received substantial attention in recent years; however, many ecological questions remain unanswered. This study compares belowground effects of two alternative forest thinning treatments designed to restore the large, old tree component of late‐seral structure, one of which focuses on restoringPinus ponderosadominance (Pine‐preference) and the other of which promotes development of large trees regardless of species (Size‐preference). We evaluated forest floor and soil chemical and microbial parameters in six experimental thinning treatment units of 40 ha each in the Klamath National Forest of northern California 5–6 years after thinning. Inorganic N availability, soil organic C content, phenol oxidase activity, and forest floor C:N ratio were greater in the Size‐preference treatment, whereas forest floor N and soil pH were greater in the Pine‐preference treatment. Our results indicate that these two thinning strategies produce differences in the soil environment that has the potential to affect growth rates of trees that remain, as well as the growth and survivorship of newly established seedlings. Thus, which species/individuals are removed during structural restoration of these mixed‐conifer forests matters both to the belowground components of the ecosystem today and the vegetation and productivity of the ecosystem in future decades.
Rapid Seed Bank Development in Restored Tidal Freshwater Wetlands
Authors: Neff Kelly P. , Rusello Kristin , Baldwin Andrew H.
Published: July 2008

Studies of seed bank development have rarely been included in evaluations of wetland restoration. We compared the seed bank of a recently restored tidal freshwater marsh in Washington, D.C., Kingman Marsh, with seed banks of another restored site (Kenilworth Marsh) and two reference marshes (Dueling Creek and Patuxent Marsh). The density and richness of emerging seedlings from Kingman Marsh seed bank samples increased from less than 4 seedlings and 2 taxa/90‐cm2 sample in 2000 (the year of restoration) to more than 130 seedlings and 10 taxa/90‐cm2 sample in 2003. The most important seed bank taxa at Kingman Marsh included Cyperus spp., Juncus spp., Lindernia dubia, Ludwigia palustris, and the non‐native Lythrum salicaria. These taxa are not abundant in most mid‐Atlantic tidal freshwater marshes but are almost identical to those described for a created tidal freshwater wetland in New Jersey. Seed banks of both the restored sites contained few seeds of several important species found at the reference sites. Flooding had a significant negative effect on emerging seedling density and taxa density, suggesting that slight decreases in soil elevation in restored wetlands will dramatically decrease recruitment from the seed bank. Because seed banks integrate processes affecting growth and reproduction of standing vegetation, we suggest that seed banks are a useful metric of wetland restoration success and urge that seed bank studies be incorporated into monitoring programs for restored wetlands.
The Financial Costs of Ecologically Nonsustainable Farming Practices in a Semiarid System
Authors: Herling Margot C. , Cupido Clement F. , O'Farrell Patrick J. , Du Plessis Lozelle
Published: July 2008

Nonsustainable ostrich farming practices have degraded large areas of the Little Karoo, a semiarid region in South Africa. The Little Karoo lies within the Succulent Karoo biome, a recognized biodiversity hotspot. A financial feasibility analysis was undertaken from a private landowner’s perspective to examine the costs and benefits of rehabilitating degraded areas thereby allowing farmers to shift their production focus from ostrich to sheep farming, a financially stable and relatively conservation‐compatible land use. Our aim was to raise awareness, at a private landowner level, to the opportunity costs incurred through unsustainable land use practices. We calculated and contrasted net present values for rehabilitation and no rehabilitation scenarios and investigated model sensitivities relating to seed costs, seedling survival and ostrich product prices. Rehabilitation was not found to be financially feasible for private landholders over 20 years. Seedling survival and associated seed costs were found to have strong controlling effects. Third parties need to contribute both financially and in terms of research outputs if sustainable land use practices are to be achieved in this area. This study elucidates the true costs associated with the unsustainable practice of ostrich farming and sounds a cautionary warning.
Outcome predictors for surgical treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis
Authors: Aull‐Watschinger Susanne , Pataraia Ekaterina , Czech Thomas , Baumgartner Christoph
Published: July 2008

Summary

Purpose: To study long‐term postoperative course and identify predictors for postoperative seizure control in patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ascertained histopathologically. To compare patients becoming seizure‐free (i.e., cured from epilepsy) and patients experiencing prolonged seizure‐free periods interposed with recurring seizures.

Methods: One hundred thirty‐five patients (74 women) underwent complete evaluation for epilepsy surgery. The predictive value of duration of epilepsy, age at onset, age at surgery, gender, febrile convulsion history, ictal dystonic posturing, unilateral interictal electroencephalography (EEG) discharges (IED), preoperative secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures (SGTCS), and preoperative seizure frequency for short‐ and long‐term postoperative seizure control were evaluated with two classification systems: Classification 1 (seizure‐freedom with or without auras during 12‐months before observation points) and the stringent classification 2 [International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Ia; absolute absence of seizures and auras after operation].

Results: Unilateral IED at year 1 and 2 (p = 0.037 and p = 0.034), male gender and low seizure frequency at year 2 (p = 0.013 and p = 0.046) were significant predictors for seizure freedom using classification 1. All variables (except male gender at year 2; p = 0.035) lost their predictive power, applying classification 2. The proportion of seizure‐free patients remained stable between 70% to 79% with classification 1, but decreased from 64.4% at year 1 to 45.8% at year 5 with classification 2.

Discussion: Positive predictors of short‐term outcome do not predict long‐term outcome in patients with TLE associated with HS. Absolute freedom of seizures and auras cannot be predicted by conventional preoperative variables.