bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐culture of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spheroids with Autologous Monocytes Predicts Prognosis
Authors: Kross K. W. , Heimdal J. H. , Olsnes C. , Olofsson J. , Aarstad H. J.
Published: February 2008

Co‐culture of monocytes with autologous fragment (F) spheroids originating from malignant (M) tumour or benign (B) control mucosa of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) yields interleukin (IL)‐6 and monocyte chemo‐attractant protein (MCP)‐1 secretion. This study investigates the association between this cytokine co‐culture response and prognosis. Analysis of IL‐6 and MCP‐1 content of supernatants from monocytes in vitro co‐culture with autologous MF‐ or BF‐spheroids was investigated in a cohort of HNSCC patients (n = 65) diagnosed between 1998 and 2005, all of whom were treated with curative intent by primary surgery. The IL‐6 response was expressed as a fraction of the lipopolysaccharid response of the same batch of monocytes. Recurrence, survival and causes of death were then established following the second part of 2005. MCP‐1 levels did not predict prognosis. We found that increased levels of IL‐6 from autologous monocytes in co‐culture with MF‐spheroids predicted recurrence with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.5 [confidence interval (CI): 1.01–2.60; P = 0.05] and co‐culture with BF‐spheroids and monocytes predicted recurrence (HR = 4.17; CI: 1.54–11.29; P = 0.005). The same results where obtained in addition with TNM stage of the patients. Simultaneous analysis of BF‐ and MF‐spheroid co‐culture IL‐6 responses as well as adjustment for age and TNM stage of the patients allowed prediction of total survival (HR = 3.1; CI: 1.11–8.56; P = 0.03) based on BF co‐culture levels. IL‐6 secreted upon in vitro co‐culture with monocytes and BF‐spheroids predicts recurrence and prognosis, whereas co‐culture with monocytes and MF‐spheroids predicts recurrence.
Combinatorial interactions of multiple cis‐elements regulating the induction of the Arabidopsis XERO2 dehydrin gene by abscisic acid and cold
Authors: Chung Susanna , Parish Roger W.
Published: February 2008

Multiple combinations of mutations in the promoter of the XERO2 dehydrin gene were used to identify elements involved in ABA and cold induction. Mutating one of the three ACGT elements (ACGT1) increases expression in the absence of cold or ABA. An AT‐rich element is a novel partner (coupling element) of ACGT‐containing ABA‐responsive cis‐elements. A 12‐bp palindrome also acts as a coupling element for ABA induction and includes one of the three dehydration‐responsive element/C‐repeat (DRE/CRT) elements and two overlapping motifs (TGTCG and TCGGC) previously shown to be statistically enriched in ABA‐dependent and ‘VP1 or ABA’‐dependent activated genes (Plant Physiol. 2005; 139:437). At least two of the DRE/CRT elements are required for significant cold induction. During cold induction the AT‐rich element also functions as a coupling element and ACGT1 is involved in repressing this induction. Two of the ACGT and DRE/CRT elements overlap, and mutating a single base in the ACGT of either of the two GCCGACGT sequences while retaining a DRE element reduced both ABA and cold induction. Changing the spatial relationships between the elements by deletion, inversion or insertion of DNA sequences reduced both cold and ABA induction. Overexpression of CBF1, −2 or −3 induced XERO2 expression in untreated plants. The ABI5 transcription factor may have a role in ABA‐induced XERO2 expression, whereas ABI3 and ABI4 do not. The GCA2 gene was essential for both cold and ABA induction. A combination of the same overlapping and shared elements is used in the regulation of transcription by ABA and cold.
SMAP29 congeners demonstrate activity against oral bacteria and reduced toxicity against oral keratinocytes
Authors: Weistroffer P. L. , Joly S. , Srikantha R. , Tack B. F. , Brogden K. A. , Guthmiller J. M.
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Cathelicidins are antimicrobial peptides found in epithelial and mucosal tissues as well as the secondary granules of neutrophils. SMAP29, a sheep cathelicidin, has differential antimicrobial properties against various pathogens, including periodontal organisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties and cytotoxicity of SMAP29, SMAP28, and three congeners (SMAP18A, SMAP18D, and SMAP14A).

Methods:  The peptides at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 250 μg/ml were tested for their activity against multiple strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros, and Porphyromonas gingivalis using a radial diffusion assay. Cytotoxicity of keratinocytes was evaluated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release after incubation with the individual peptides.

Results:  SMAP28, thought to be the biologically active peptide, was the most potent antimicrobial (range of minimum inhibitory concentrations 0.06–7.03 μg/ml, P < 0.05); however, the activity of SMAP28 and SMAP29 was strongly associated (r = 0.933). The congeners also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the bacteria tested (range of minimum inhibitory concnetrations 0.21–79 μg/ml). Overall, F. nucleatum was the most susceptible organism, while P. gingivalis was the least susceptible. Keratinocyte cytotoxicity was dependent on peptide length and dose. SMAP28 was the most cytotoxic, while SMAP14A was the least cytotoxic.

Conclusion:  The antimicrobial activities against oral microorganisms and the minimal toxicity seen in this study suggest that the congeners of SMAP29 may serve as an alternative to traditional antibiotics in the prevention and treatment of periodontal and other oral diseases.
Distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in cardiovascular specimens from Japanese patients
Authors: Nakano K. , Inaba H. , Nomura R. , Nemoto H. , Takeuchi H. , Yoshioka H. , Toda K. , Taniguchi K. , Amano A. , Ooshima T.
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, is gaining increasing attention for its possible association with cardiovascular diseases. Its fimbriae are classified into six genotypes (types I–V and Ib) based on the diversity of the fimA genes encoding the fimbrial subunits. In this study, fimA genotypic distribution was analyzed in P. gingivalis‐infected cardiovascular specimens.

Methods:  A total of 112 heart valves and 80 atheromatous plaque specimens were collected from patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, as well as 56 dental plaque specimens. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each, and polymerase chain reaction analysis was carried out with a P. gingivalis‐specific set of primers. P. gingivalis‐positive specimens were further analyzed to discriminate the fimA genotype using polymerase chain reaction with fimA type‐specific primer sets.

Results:  P. gingivalis was detected in 10.4% of the cardiovascular specimens and 50.0% of the dental plaque samples. In the latter, type II was most frequently detected (35.7%), followed by types I (28.6%) and IV (21.4%), while types IV and II were detected with considerable frequencies of 45.0% and 30.0%, respectively, in the cardiovascular specimens. In contrast, the occurrence of type I was limited (5.0%) in the cardiovascular specimens.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that specific fimA genotypic clones, which are reportedly associated with periodontitis, are also frequently harbored in cardiovascular specimens, indicating the possible involvement of type II and IV clones in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
Increased interleukin‐18 in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis patients
Authors: Figueredo C. M. , Rescala B. , Teles R. P. , Teles F. P. , Fischer R. G. , Haffajee A. D. , Socransky S. S. , Gustafsson A.
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  This study aimed to measure the levels of interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) in inflamed shallow sites and inflamed deep sites in patients with periodontitis and to compare the data with results from inflamed shallow sites in patients with gingivitis. A secondary aim was to examine the composition of the subgingival microbiota in the sampled sites.

Methods:  Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from five gingivitis sites and five periodontitis sites from 18 patients with chronic periodontitis, and from five gingivitis sites from 15 patients with gingivitis. Samples from each site category were pooled and IL‐18 levels were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The subgingival microbiota was analyzed by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization.

Results:  All clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid volumes were higher in periodontitis sites compared with gingivitis sites from patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. The total amount of IL‐18 was higher in periodontitis sites than gingivitis sites in both periodontitis (P = 0.018) and gingivitis (P = 0.002) patients and was higher in gingivitis sites from periodontitis patients than in those from gingivitis patients (P = 0.015). There were higher levels of Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola (red complex species) in periodontitis sites compared with gingivitis sites in both the periodontitis and gingivitis patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Levels of IL‐18 were higher in patients with chronic periodontitis compared with patients with gingivitis, even at sites with similar pocket depths. The presence of similar levels of red complex species in gingivitis sites from periodontitis patients and from gingivitis patients suggested that the higher levels of IL‐18 were not associated with a different microbial challenge.
Do brassinosteroids mediate the water stress response?
Authors: Jager Corinne E. , Symons Gregory M. , Ross John J. , Reid James B.
Published: February 2008

Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been suggested to increase the resistance of plants to a variety of stresses, including water stress. This is based on application studies, where exogenously applied bioactive BRs have been shown to improve various aspects of plant growth under water stress conditions. However, it is not known whether changes in endogenous BR levels are normally involved in mediating the plant’s response to stress. We have utilized BR mutants in pea (Pisum sativum L.) to determine whether changes in endogenous BR levels are part of the plant’s response to water stress and whether low endogenous BR levels alter the plant’s ability to cope with water stress. In wild‐type (WT) plants, we show that while water stress causes a significant increase in ABA levels, it does not result in altered BR levels in either apical, internode or leaf tissue. Furthermore, the plant’s ability to increase ABA levels in response to water stress is not affected by BR deficiency, as there was no significant difference in ABA levels between WT, lkb (a BR‐deficient mutant) and lka (a BR‐perception mutant) plants before or 14 days after the cessation of watering. In addition, the effect of water stress on traits such as height, leaf size and water potential in lkb and lka was similar to that observed in WT plants. Therefore, it appears that, at least in pea, changes in endogenous BR levels are not normally part of the plant’s response to water stress.
Color‐Based Association Among Heterospecifics in Lake Malaŵi Rock‐Dwelling Cichlids
Authors: Jordan Rebecca C.
Published: February 2008

Female mate choice can be an imperfect barrier against hybridization. Among the cichlid fishes of the East African great lakes, sexual selection on male nuptial coloration has been noted as being particularly important for reproductive isolation among closely related lineages. Diversification of the rock‐dwelling cichlids of Lake Malaŵi has led to a repeating pattern of color morphs wherein more distantly related species may look more similar than a more closely related pair. Using members of the Metriaclima zebra group and a heterogener, I tested the hypothesis that females would spend greater time associating with males more similarly colored to her species than females would with divergently colored, although more closely related males. Experimental results were consistent with this hypothesis, thus supporting the speculation and some field observation that mate choice can fail as a barrier to hybridization if a female encounters a distantly related male that shares the nuptial coloration of males of her own species and color morph. This notion is discussed in the broader context of both the adaptive and non‐adaptive mechanisms that have been suggested to be important to the radiation of this group.
Sexual Cannibalism in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)
Authors: Segoli Michal , Arieli Ruthie , Sierwald Petra , Harari Ally R. , Lubin Yael
Published: February 2008

Sexual cannibalism may represent an extreme form of male monogamy. According to this view, males gain reproductive success by sacrificing themselves to females. We studied the occurrence and timing of sexual cannibalism in the brown widow spiderLatrodectus geometricusand compared male courtship and mating behavior with virgin and with previously mated females.We found that events of sexual cannibalism are frequent, that they occur during copulation and that males initiate cannibalism by placing the abdomen in front of the female’s mouth‐parts during copulation (somersault behavior). Both the somersaults and mating occurred more frequently with virgins than with previously mated females. Our results support the hypothesis that sexual cannibalism is a male strategy in this species. The somersault behavior was previously known only from the redback spider,Latrodectus hasselti.It is as yet unknown whether self‐sacrifice has evolved more than once in this genus.
Different Forms of Vigilance in Response to the Presence of Predators and Conspecifics in a Group‐Living Mammal, the European Rabbit
Authors: Monclús Raquel , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: February 2008

In group‐living mammals, the major functions of vigilance are to detect the presence of predators and to monitor the movements of conspecific competitors, i.e. of potential opponents in agonistic encounters. The minimum distance to such a conspecific competitor that an animal considers safe is usually lower than to a predator, whereas the frequency of encounters with conspecifics is higher. Therefore, the acquisition of information about a predator or about a conspecific could lead to the existence of at least two different modes of vigilance behaviour. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare different forms of vigilance behaviour that European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, display in anti‐predator and social contexts. We conducted an observational study on individually marked animals from a field enclosure population. We recorded social interactions of the animals, the presence of aerial predators (common buzzard Buteo buteo), and the vigilance behaviour of the rabbits. We distinguished between two forms of vigilance of different intensity: subtle and overt. The frequencies of both forms of vigilance displayed by the rabbits differed significantly in occurrence, duration, and distribution over time. Females and males showed higher frequencies of overt but not subtle vigilance when buzzards were present. In contrast, the presence of conspecifics in close proximity affected the display of subtle but not overt vigilance: males increased the frequency of subtle vigilance when other males were close. Females increased subtle vigilance in proximity of males and females; however, this effect was only apparent in females with a more unstable social situation. In conclusion, European rabbits differentially increased two different forms of vigilance behaviour in social and anti‐predator contexts.
Fixed vs. Random Temporal Predictability of Predation Risk: An Extension of the Risk Allocation Hypothesis
Authors: Ferrari Maud C. O. , Rive Alix C. , MacNaughton Camille J. , Brown Grant E. , Chivers Douglas P.
Published: February 2008

Predation is a strong selective force acting on prey animals. Predation is by nature highly variable in time; however, this aspect of predation risk has traditionally been overlooked by behavioural ecologists. Lima and Bednekoff proposed the predation risk allocation hypothesis (RAH), predicting how temporal variation in predation risk drives prey antipredator behaviours. This model is based on the concept that prey adaptively allocate their foraging and antipredator efforts across high‐ and low‐risk situations, depending on the duration of high‐ vs. low‐risk situations and the relative risk associated with each of them. An unstudied extension of the RAH is the effect of predictability of predation risk. A predictable risk should lead to prey displaying minimal vigilance behaviours during predictable low‐risk periods and the strongest antipredator behaviours during risky periods. Conversely, an unpredictable predation risk should result in prey displaying constant vigilance behaviour, with suboptimal foraging rates during periods of safety but antipredator behaviours of lower intensity during periods of risk. We tested this extension of the RAH using convict cichlids exposed to high‐risk alarm cues at two frequencies of risk (1× vs. 3×) per day, on either a fixed or random schedule for 5 d. We then tested the fish for a response to high‐risk cues (alarm cues) and to low‐risk cues (disturbance resulting from the introduction of distilled water). Our study supports previous results on the effects of risk frequency and cue intensity on cichlid behaviour. We failed to show an effect of risk predictability on the behavioural responses of cichlids to high‐risk alarm cues, but predictability did influence responses to low‐risk cues. We encourage further studies to test the effect of predictability in other systems.
Female Mate Choice, Calling Song and Genetic Variance in the Cricket,Gryllodes sigillatus
Authors: Champagnon Jocelyn , Cueva del Castillo Raúl
Published: February 2008

Female preferences for song patterns of males ofGryllodes sigillatusand genetic variance of morphological traits correlated with them were analyzed. Females preferred short pulses associated with large males. The males’ thorax width, wing length and femur III length showed stronger relationship with the song pulse duration, whereas the relationship between pulse duration and wing width was not significant. Interestingly, this last trait was the only one that showed significant levels of genetic variance. Perhaps these results could be explained by the evolutionary response to sexual selection. Sexual selection could deplete the genetic variance in the male traits related to male‐mating success.
Reproductive stage tolerance to salinity and alkalinity stresses in rice genotypes
Authors: Rao P. Surekha , Mishra B. , Gupta S. R. , Rathore A.
Published: February 2008

Salinity and alkalinity (sodicity) seriously threaten rice production in south Asia. Improving screening methodologies for identifying sources of tolerance is crucial for breeding salt tolerant rices. Rice genotypes of varying tolerance (tolerant, semi‐tolerant and sensitive) were screened in saline soil of electrical conductivity, ECe 4 and 8 dS/m and alkali soil of pH 9.5 and 9.8 in lysimeters. Vegetative growth events were less affected by both the stresses in comparison to reproductive stage. Grain yield was reduced by 26.7%, 45.7% and 50.3% at ECe 8 dS/m in three tolerance groups respectively. At pH 9.8 the reduction was 25.1%, 37.2% and 67.6% in the three groups respectively. Higher floret fertility contributed to higher seed set and grain yields in tolerant genotypes whereas higher spikelet sterility led to poor seed set and lower grain yields in sensitive genotypes. The 1000 grains weight was also significantly reduced at ECe 4 or pH 9.8. Screening at reproductive stage for morphological traits like floret fertility is thus more useful to identify rice genotypes tolerant to both salinity and alkalinity stress. Genotypic (G) and environmental (E) effects and GE interactions were highly significant for the growth attributes and grain yield. Based on analysis of variance, genotypes tolerant to salinity and alkalinity as well to both the stresses were identified.
Development of EuroFIR‐BASIS – a composition and biological effects database for plant‐based bioactive compounds
Authors: Black L. , Kiely M. , Kroon P. , Plumb J. , Gry J.
Published: February 2008

Summary  Bioactive compounds, such as those derived from plant foods, are of growing interest to the scientific community and food industry because of their putative health‐promoting properties. Increasing evidence reports beneficial effects of bioactive compounds, particularly against cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. EuroFIR‐BASIS (BioActive Substances in Food Information System) is a unique online database that collates international research on the composition and biological effects of plant‐based bioactive compounds into a single, comprehensive reference resource. EuroFIR‐BASIS covers multiple compound classes and 330 major European food plants with data sourced from quality‐assessed, peer‐reviewed literature. The database is internet‐deployed to ensure widespread accessibility and facilitates searches against a number of different variables. EuroFIR‐BASIS is intended for use by a wide audience, including scientists, researchers, epidemiologists, food regulatory authorities and product developers in the food industry. The database has been designed to accommodate continual expansion as research develops to ensure that it remains a current and useable resource.
Functional foods and the satiety cascade
Authors: Bellisle F.
Published: February 2008

Summary  The ‘satiety cascade’ describes a series of behavioural and physiological events that occur following food intake and that inhibit further eating until the return of hunger signals. Satiety is a crucial element of the psycho‐physiological mechanisms that allow adequate energy regulation and bodyweight control. Functional foods can affect satiety by acting at various moments of the satiety cascade. The present paper briefly describes recent concepts and findings about how certain characteristics of foods could enhance the intensity and duration of satiety, with potential impact on bodyweight control. The notions of energy content and energy density, glycaemic index, and the influence of nutrient and food components on satiety will be discussed, in the context of the present interest in functional foods acting on satiety.
The impact of caffeine on mood, cognitive function, performance and hydration: a review of benefits and risks
Authors: Ruxton C. H. S.
Published: February 2008

Summary The reputed benefits of moderate caffeine consumption include improvements in physical endurance, cognitive function, particularly alertness and vigilance, mood and perception of fatigue. In contrast, there are concerns that excessive intakes increase the risks of dehydration, anxiety, headache and sleep disturbances. This paper is a review of double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials published over the past 15 years to establish what range of caffeine consumption would maximise benefits and minimise risks for cognitive function, mood, physical performance and hydration. Of the 41 human studies meeting the inclusion criteria, the majority reported benefits associated with low to moderate caffeine intakes (37.5 to 450 mg per day). The available studies on hydration found that caffeine intakes up to 400 mg per day did not produce dehydration, even in subjects undergoing exercise testing. It was concluded that the range of caffeine intake that appeared to maximise benefit and minimise risk is 38 to 400 mg per day, equating to 1 to 8 cups of tea per day, or 0.3 to 4 cups of brewed coffee per day. The limitations of the current evidence base are discussed.
What foods for toddlers?
Authors: Weaver L. T. , More J. A. , Harris G.
Published: February 2008

Summary  The toddler years (12–36 months) are a period of changing nutritional requirements and food intake. As a time of considerable growth and development, they are crucial not only to the health of the toddler, but also to his or her later health. Toddlers need a relatively energy‐dense diet to meet their needs for growth and activity, but also adequate micronutrients to guard against iron deficiency, rickets and growth faltering. Healthy eating habits in toddlerhood can be the basis for lifelong healthy eating, including the prevention of obesity, diabetes and dental caries. Parents and carers need clear and consistent advice, and healthcare professionals need access to evidence‐based information and best practice in order to support them.
Responding to crises and disasters: the role of risk attitudes and risk perceptions
Authors: Pennings Joost M.E. , Grossman Daniel B.
Published: February 2008

Discussions are taking place both in the United States and in Europe about how governments should respond to both disasters and crises, and how citizens' non‐desirable behaviour might be managed with respect to such disasters. Here we examine the role that risk attitudes and risk perceptions play in decision making behaviour of individuals in times of crises and disasters and how knowledge about individual behaviour and its drivers may be helpful when developing policy. The proposed framework complements the existing literature, thereby further enriching the knowledge of crises and disaster management.
Images of war: using satellite images for human rights monitoring in Turkish Kurdistan1
Authors: De Vos Hugo , Jongerden Joost , Van Etten Jacob
Published: February 2008

In areas of war and armed conflict it is difficult to get trustworthy and coherent information. Civil society and human rights groups often face problems of dealing with fragmented witness reports, disinformation of war propaganda, and difficult direct access to these areas. Turkish Kurdistan was used as a case study of armed conflict to evaluate the potential use of satellite images for verification of witness reports collected by human rights groups. The Turkish army was reported to be burning forests, fields and villages as a strategy in the conflict against guerrilla uprising. This paper concludes that satellite images are useful to validate witness reports of forest fires. Even though the use of this technology for human rights groups will depend on some feasibility factors such as prices, access and expertise, the images proved to be key for analysis of spatial aspects of conflict and valuable for reconstructing a more trustworthy picture.
The clearinghouse concept: a model for geospatial data centralization and dissemination in a disaster
Authors: Warren Mills Jacqueline , Curtis Andrew , Pine John C. , Kennedy Barrett , Jones Farrell , Ramani Ramesh , Bausch Douglas
Published: February 2008

The disaster clearinghouse concept originates with the earthquake community as an effort to coordinate research and data collection activities. Though prior earthquake clearinghouses are small in comparison to what was needed in response to Hurricane Katrina, these seminal structures are germane to the establishment of our current model. On 3 September 2005, five days after Katrina wrought cataclysmic destruction along the Gulf Coast, FEMA and Louisiana State University personnel met to establish the LSU GIS Clearinghouse Cooperative (LGCC), a resource for centralization and dissemination of geospatial information related to Hurricane Katrina. Since its inception, the LGCC has developed into a working model for organization, dissemination, archiving and research regarding geospatial information in a disaster. This article outlines the formation of the LGCC, issues of data organization, and methods of data dissemination and archiving with an eye towards implementing the clearinghouse model as a standard resource for addressing geospatial data needs in disaster research and management.
EVALUATING GAINS FROM MERGERS IN A NON‐PARAMETRIC PUBLIC GOOD MODEL OF POLICE SERVICES
Authors: SIMPER Richard , WEYMAN‐JONES Thomas
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT**:  The merger of police services in the UK has been suggested on the grounds that efficiency improvements will be possible. This paper applies a public good model of the police service to evaluate the potential efficiency gains from mergers of police services in England and Wales. It uses a non‐parametric method suggested by Bogetoft and Wang (2005). We construct a dataset that reflects the public good nature of police service and allows for the exogenous imposition by government on the level of police service budgets. Our main finding is that English and Welsh police service mergers could lead to increases in police staff resource efficiencies between 10 per cent and 70 per cent. Hence, we confirm the government's decision to merge English and Welsh police services.
THE ECONOMICS OF THE NON‐DISTRIBUTION CONSTRAINT: A CRITICAL REAPPRAISAL
Authors: VALENTINOV Vladislav
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT**:  This paper re‐examines the non‐distribution constraint as a key structural feature of non‐profit organization. It argues that its traditional understanding as a trustworthiness‐enhancing device is incomplete. This paper shows that the non‐distribution constraint is also a reflection of the directly utility‐enhancing character of involvement in non‐profit firms for their key stakeholders. This alternative explanation allows one to solve the central puzzle of trustworthiness theory: why doesn't the non‐distribution constraint destroy entrepreneurial motivation? Additionally, it helps one to understand the role of the non‐distribution constraint in economic theories of non‐profit organization that do not rely on trustworthiness theory. Finally, it enables one to logically integrate the different economic theories of non‐profit organization.
EFFICIENCY AND SURVIVAL: THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COFFEE AGREEMENT'S DEMISE ON COSTA RICA'S COOPERATIVE COFFEE PROCESSING, 1988–2005
Authors: MOSHEIM Roberto
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT**:  This paper uses a profit per member (or dividend) frontier model to analyze the impact of the 1989 demise of the International Coffee Agreement on a group of Costa Rican coffee processing cooperatives. Firm‐level data on costs span the period from 1988/89 to 1992/93 and information on cooperative survival covers 1988/89 to 2004/05. The more efficient member‐owned enterprises survived the crisis. An increasing cost of servicing the smallest farmers may constitute an incentive to restrict membership, however. Dividends fall as investor‐owned firms compete to buy farmers' raw coffee. Still, member loyalty does enable cooperative processors to maintain scale economies and market share. Despite several bankruptcies, cooperative firms in Costa Rica processed 40 percent of the national crop in 2004/05, the same proportion as in 1988/89.
PRIVATIZATION AND LIBERALIZATION: COSTS AND BENEFITS IN THE PRESENCE OF WAGE‐BARGAINING
Authors: GRÖNBLOM Sonja , WILLNER Johan
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT**: The most important economic motive for privatization and liberalization is to reduce costs, which are believed to be higher in a public monopoly for several reasons, including internal rent capture. We assume that there is wage‐bargaining both before and after privatization and liberalization. Wages are then in most cases reduced by liberalization but not by privatization as such. Social welfare may increase after liberalization with decentralized wage‐bargaining if many firms enter, if the employees' bargaining strength is high and if there is no need of vertical separation. However, the social costs of privatization and liberalization are more likely to dominate despite free entry if sunk costs are high, and will always dominate under central wage‐bargaining or vertical separation.
A Market Based Anti‐Inflation Policy
Authors: Dabscheck Braham
Published: February 2008

“Of all conceivable macroeconomic institutional innovations. a well‐workina incomes policy probably is the most urgently required. That it is not an easy one to make is demonstrated by the fact that, in the face of an almost worldwide demand for such a technique, neither economists nor administrators seem to have come up with a convincing proposal”.

Wallich [41, p.89].
Flying higher‐together
Authors: Del Canho Dave , Engelfriet Joeri
Published: February 2008

Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have become a model for making a merger successful. Dave Del Canho and Joeri Engelfriet helped the two airlines fly higher. They tell how.
Sustainable leadership
Authors: Makipere Kristiina , Yip George
Published: February 2008

Corporate sustainability is ascribed to leading‐edge companies. But the research of Kristiina Makipere and George Yip reveal why some companies are viewed as sustainable businesses while others are not. Feeling pressure to make your business more sustainable? That's the best place to start.
Modal Flexibility Analysis of Cable‐Stayed Ting Kau Bridge for Damage Identification
Authors: Ni Y. Q. , Zhou H. F. , Chan K. C. , Ko J. M.
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  The cable‐stayed Ting Kau Bridge has been permanently instrumented with more than 230 sensors for long‐term structural health monitoring. In this article, the feasibility of using the measured dynamic characteristics of the bridge for damage detection is studied. Making use of a validated three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM), modal flexibility matrices of the bridge are constructed using a few truncated modes and incomplete modal vectors at the sensor locations. The relative flexibility change (RFC) between intact and damage states is then formulated as an index to locate damage. The applicability of this flexibility index for damage location in the cable‐stayed bridge is examined by investigating various damage scenarios including those at stay cables, longitudinal stabilizing cables, bearings and supports, longitudinal girders and cross girders, and taking into account measurement noise in modal data. The influence of two ambient factors, that is, temperature change and traffic loading, on the damage detectability is also analyzed by approximately considering an equivalent alteration in the material and structural behaviors. It is revealed that in the absence of ambient effects the RFC index performs well for locating damage of different severities in single‐damage cases. In multi‐damage cases the RFC index may provide false‐negative identification for damage at the members with low sensitivity. Eliminating ambient effects is requisite for reliable detection of damage at stay cables and cross girders. The capability of the RFC index for locating damage at cross girders is significantly dropped in the presence of measurement noise.
The Observability Problem in Traffic Network Models
Authors: Castillo Enrique , Conejo Antonio J. , Menéndez José María , Jiménez Pilar
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  This article deals with the problem of observability of traffic networks, understanding as such the problem of identifying which is the subset of OD‐pair and link flows that can be calculated based on a subset of observed OD‐pair and link flows and related problems. Two algebraic methods for solving the observability problems are given, one global approach based on null‐spaces and a step by step procedure allowing updating the information once each item of information (OD‐pair or link flow) becomes available. In particular, seven different observability problems are stated and solved using the proposed methods, which are illustrated by their application to the Nguyen‐Dupuis network problem. The results show that the proposed methods provide useful information on which OD‐pair or link flows are informative on other OD‐pair and link flows, and that the methods are applicable to large networks.
SPECIAL INTEREST POLITICS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHENING PATENT PROTECTION IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Authors: CHU ANGUS C.
Published: February 2008

Since the 1980s, the pharmaceutical industry has benefited substantially from a series of policy changes that have strengthened the patent protection for brand‐name drugs as a result of the industry's political influence. This paper incorporates special interest politics into a quality‐ladder model to analyze the policy‐makers' tradeoff between the socially optimal patent length and campaign contributions. The welfare analysis suggests that the presence of a pharmaceutical lobby distorting patent protection is socially undesirable in a closed‐economy setting but may improve social welfare in a multi‐country setting, which features an additional efficiency tradeoff between monopolistic distortion and international free riding on innovations.
THE U.S. WESTWARD EXPANSION*
Authors: Vandenbroucke Guillaume
Published: February 2008

The U.S. economic development in the 19th century was characterized by the westward movement of population and the accumulation of productive land in the West. This article presents a model of migration and land improvement to identify the quantitatively important forces driving these phenomena. The conclusion is that the decrease in transportation costs induced the westward migration, whereas population growth was responsible for the investment in productive land.
WHY HAVE AGGREGATE SKILLED HOURS BECOME SO CYCLICAL SINCE THE MID‐1980s?*
Authors: Castro Rui , Coen‐Pirani Daniele
Published: February 2008

We document and discuss a dramatic change in the cyclical behavior of aggregate skilled hours since the mid‐1980s. Using CPS data for 1979:1–2003:4, we find that the volatility of skilled hours relative to the volatility of GDP has nearly tripled since 1984. In contrast, the cyclical properties of unskilled hours have remained essentially unchanged. We evaluate whether a simple supply/demand model for skilled and unskilled labor with capital‐skill complementarity in production can help explain this stylized fact. Our model accounts for about 60% of the observed increase in the relative volatility of skilled labor.
OPTIMAL FISCAL POLICY IN THE DESIGN OF SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS*
Authors: Conesa Juan C. , Garriga Carlos
Published: February 2008

The quantitative literature has documented that a privatization of the social security system generates large long‐run welfare gains at the cost of welfare losses for transition generations. In this article, we maximize over the entire policy space, following the optimal fiscal policy approach. The resulting allocation, by construction, lies on the constrained Pareto frontier. We find that the optimal design of reforms exhibits sizeable welfare gains arising from a reduction in labor supply distortions. In contrast, the welfare gains coming from the reduction of savings distortions are relatively small.
The effects of population density and sociality on scent marking in the yellow mongoose
Authors: Le Roux A. , Cherry M. I. , Manser M. B.
Published: February 2008

We investigated scent marking in the yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata focusing on a low‐density population where all offspring dispersed upon reaching sexual maturity. Dominant males appeared to be the main territory defenders and demarcators, with offspring foraging and marking only near the territory cores. The cheek‐marking rates of dominant males increased during the breeding season and may have been involved in olfactory mate guarding. We compared our low‐density population with a high‐density population displaying natal philopatry. The two populations differed markedly in terms of individual contributions to territorial marking, as subordinate group members in the low‐density population performed almost no territorial marking or defence, but were the primary scent‐markers and territory defenders in the high‐density population. We discuss scent‐marking distinctions between populations in the context of ecological and social differences.
How oniscophagous spiders overcome woodlouse armour
Authors: Řezáč M. , Pekár S. , Lubin Y.
Published: February 2008

Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscoidea) are well defended by a heavy armour and many species have noxious secretions. Oniscophagy (feeding on woodlice) may be an important part of the biology of at least some members of the spider genus Dysdera (Dysderidae). Yet there little is known about the diet and possible specializations for feeding on woodlice in these spiders. Dysdera has unusual variability in mouthpart morphology, which may be related to the diet. Here, we investigate five species of Dysdera and consider the relationship between mouthpart morphology, capture frequency and prey‐capture behaviour. We show that species with unmodified chelicerae readily capture a variety of arthropods, but refuse woodlice as prey, whereas species with modified chelicerae feed on woodlice and reject most of the other prey. Among the oniscophagic species, the grasping methods used during the capture of woodlice varied. Species with elongate chelicerae inserted one chelicera into the soft ventral side of the woodlouse and placed the other chelicera on the dorsal side of the woodlouse. Species with dorsally concave chelicerae quickly tucked their chelicerae under the woodlouse and bit the ventral side of the woodlouse's body. Species with flattened chelicerae inserted their chelicerae between the sclerites into the armour of the woodlouse.
Mental stress and trapezius muscle activation under psychomotor challenge: A focus on EMG gaps during computer work
Authors: Schleifer Lawrence M. , Spalding Thomas W. , Kerick Scott E. , Cram Jeffrey R. , Ley Ronald , Hatfield Bradley D.
Published: February 2008

Momentary reductions in the electrical activity of working muscles (EMG gaps) contribute to the explanation for the relationship between psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal problems in computer work. EMG activity and gaps in the left and right trapezii were monitored in 23 participants under low and high mental workload (LMW and HMW) demands during computer data entry. Increases in EMG activity and decreases in EMG‐gap frequencies in both left and right trapezius muscles were greater during HMW than LMW. In addition, heart period and end‐tidal CO2 were lower during HMW, whereas self‐reported mood states were higher during HMW. The correspondence between lower end‐tidal CO2 and lower EMG‐gap frequencies suggests that hyperventilation (overbreathing) may mediate trapezius muscle activation. The reduction of EMG gaps suggests that the salutary benefits of momentary rest from musculoskeletal work are diminished during mental stress.
Probing attentional dysfunctions in schizophrenia: Startle modification during a continuous performance test
Authors: Hazlett Erin A. , Dawson Michael E. , Schell Anne M. , Nuechterlein Keith H.
Published: February 2008

Startle eyeblink modification was measured in 20 relatively asymptomatic medicated schizophrenia outpatients and 18 matched controls in order to test for deficits in early and later stages of attentional processing during a memory‐load version of the Continuous Performance Test. Participants viewed a series of digits and pressed a button after the digit 7 of each 3–7 sequence. On some trials, a startling noise burst was presented either 120 or 1200 ms following cues that a response might be needed soon (the digit 3) and also following noncues. Controls showed greater startle inhibition at 120 ms following cue than noncue prepulses, whereas patients showed equal inhibition to both, suggesting a deficiency in allocation of controlled attentional resources in early stages of processing. The patients, however, did show large startle inhibition at 120 ms when a distracting stimulus accompanied the task‐relevant cue, unlike the controls, who ignored the distracting stimulus. In contrast, both groups showed equal startle inhibition 1200 ms following cue and noncue prepulses, indicating that later modality‐specific attention processes are not impaired in patients during this paradigm. Both groups also showed equal inhibition at 120 ms during passively attended prepulses, suggesting that automatic attentional processes were not impaired in these patients.
Self‐focus and task difficulty effects on effort‐related cardiovascular reactivity
Authors: Gendolla Guido H. E. , Richter Michael , Silvia Paul J.
Published: February 2008

Two experiments examined the joint impact of self‐focused attention and task difficulty on performance‐related cardiovascular reactivity. Predictions were derived from an application of the principles of motivational intensity theory and its integration with the active coping approach to performance conditions that have consequences for self‐esteem. According to this model, self‐focus will induce a state of self‐evaluation and thus augment the importance of success, and cardiovascular reactivity will increase with difficulty until a task becomes impossible or the goal is not worth the necessary resources. Supporting these predictions, 2 experiments found that high self‐focus increased performance‐related systolic blood pressure reactivity when difficulty was unfixed (“do your best”) or fixed at a high level. When the task was easy or impossible, however, high self‐focus did not affect systolic reactivity relative to low self‐focus.
Lateralized frontal activity elicited by attention‐directing visual and auditory cues
Authors: Green Jessica J. , Conder Julie A. , McDonald John J.
Published: February 2008

In event‐related potential studies of voluntary spatial attention, lateralized activity observed over anterior scalp sites prior to an impending target has been interpreted as the activity of a supramodal attentional control mechanism in the frontal lobes. However, variability in the scalp topography and presence of this activity across studies suggests that multiple neural generators contribute to the lateralized activity recorded at the scalp. Using distributed source modeling we found two distinct frontal lobe sources following attention‐directing cues, one dependent on the sensory modality of the eliciting stimulus and one dependent on the response requirements of the task. Differential activity of these sources depending on task parameters suggests that neither source reflects activity necessary for controlling attention.
Attributions, deception, and event related potentials: An investigation of the self‐serving bias
Authors: Krusemark Elizabeth A. , Keith Campbell W. , Clementz Brett A.
Published: February 2008

Self‐serving attributions occur when negative personal outcomes are ascribed to external circumstances and when positive outcomes are ascribed to internal factors. Individuals strategically employ the self‐serving bias to maintain and protect positive self‐views. The current study investigated the neural correlates of the self‐serving bias using dense array EEG, giving 20 participants false (success or failure) feedback during a facial working memory task. Participants made self‐serving attributions during the task, primarily following failure feedback. Voltage and source analyses in response to attribution stimuli revealed that, compared to self‐serving responses, non‐self‐serving attributions were preceded by enhanced dorsomedial frontal cortex activity. This finding suggests that unbiased attributions require greater self‐control, overriding the automatic tendency for self‐enhancement.