bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Procurement Auction for Toxic Assets with Asymmetric Information
Authors: Armantier Olivier , Holt Charles A , Plott Charles R
Published: October 2013

The proposed 2008 TARP auction was intended to remove “toxic” assets from portfolios of financially stressed banks. The Treasury selected a design whereby bids to sell different securities would be normalized by “reference prices” that reflect relative value estimates. We conduct a series of experiments indicating that a simple Reference Price Auction can be an effective mechanism for avoiding serious effects of adverse selection and strategic bid manipulation, even with inaccurate reference prices. Beyond the TARP auction, our results are relevant to various multi-object auctions with value heterogeneity. (JEL D44, D82, G21)
Distribution and morphological abnormalities of recent foraminifera in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea, Italy)
Authors: MELIS R. , COVELLI S.
Published: October 2013

The Marano and Grado Lagoon, is a northern Adriatic wetland system of relevant naturalistic and economic value, that is constantly under quality control in accordance with the current environmental directives. Benthic foraminifers community with its morphological abnormalities were investigated in the recent sediments (about 10 years old) of 21 stations collected in the framework of the “MIRACLE” Project which aimed at testing the coexistence of clam farming with high Hg contamination. Euryhaline foraminifers, well known in Mediterranean brackish-waters, mainly characterizes the total assemblage. A. tepida dominates in areas characterized by low salinity, high clay and Corg content, but also to anthropogenic pressure. E. gunteri and H. germanica are recorded in the western sector of the lagoon, which is more affected by salinity variations and agricultural activities. Slightly higher values of assemblage diversity appear in less restricted areas of the lagoon or, at least, where physical parameters such as temperature and salinity are less variable. The test abnormalities, carried out on total assemblage, shows that the FAI (Foraminiferal Abnormality Index) values always exceed 1% of the total assemblage, with clear decreasing gradients from inland to the sea (from N to S) and from W to E in the studied area.
Zooplankton community dynamics and environmental factors in Lake Ozeros (Greece)
Authors: CHALKIA E. , KEHAYIAS G.
Published: October 2013

A one year investigation of the zooplankton community composition and dynamics in Lake Οzeros (western Greece) revealed 25 invertebrate species (16 rotifers, three copepods, five cladocerans and one mollusc larva). The mean zooplankton abundance fluctuated between 59.4 to 818 ind l-1, having maximum values in spring. The species composition and seasonal variation do not differentiate Lake Ozeros from the nearby lakes. The presence of the dominant calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus drieschi and some of the rotifer species recorded are characteristics of either oligo- or eutrophic lakes. According to the trophic state index (TSI) Lake Ozeros is a meso-eutrophic ecosystem, in which the eutrophic character was possibly the result of the high charge with phosphorus (being raised by 28.9 % in comparison to previous decades), which came into the lake via the surrounding agricultural cultivations and mainly the pig-raising activities. In contrast, the concentrations of ΝΟ3, ΝΟ2 and NH4 have considerably decreased possibly due to the termination of the tobacco cultivations around the lake during the last years. The novel information on the abiotic and especially the biotic elements of Lake Ozeros provided by the present study can contribute to the effective management of this aquatic ecosystem in the future.
Granulomas caused by Mycobacterium sp. in farmed Turbot Scopthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: JERONIMO D. , BARBOSA A. , RAMOS M. , MARQUES J. , MOREIRA M. H. , SOUSA J. A. , CRUZ C. , SARAIVA A.
Published: October 2013

Turbot, Scophthlalmus maximus, is a Pleuronectiformes fish that occurs in northeast Atlantic along the European coast and in the Mediterranean Sea and is produced in aquaculture since the last quarter of the twentieth century. During a survey conducted in a turbot fish farm nodular formations were occasionally observed in several organs, especially in the kidney and in the spleen. Microscopic observations showed that these nodules contained acid-fast bacilli. The molecular identification of the isolated bacteria conducted to the Mycobacterium genus. Although no abnormal mortalities were evident morbidity was observed. The normal development and welfare of infected fish decrease and the condition factor, the haematocrit and the haemoglobin concentration in blood decreases significantly with the increase of nodules abundance.
An Approximation Algorithm for the Continuous k-Medians Problem in a Convex Polygon
Authors: Carlsson John Gunnar , Jia Fan , Li Ying
Published: October 2013

We give a fast and simple factor 2.74 approximation algorithm for the problem of choosing the k medians of the continuum of demand points defined by a convex polygon C. Our algorithm first surrounds the input region with a bounding box, then subdivides the bounding box into subregions with equal area. Simulation results on the convex hulls of the 50 states in the United States show that the practical performance of our algorithm is within 10% of the optimal solution in the vast majority of cases.
Dynamic Inventory–Pricing Control Under Backorder: Demand Estimation and Policy Optimization
Authors: Feng Qi , Luo Sirong , Zhang Dan
Published: October 2013

Inventory-based dynamic pricing has become a common operations strategy in practice and has received considerable attention from the research community. From an implementation perspective, it is desirable to design a simple policy like a base-stock list-price (BSLP) policy. The existing research on this problem often imposes restrictive conditions to ensure the optimality of a BSLP policy, which limits its applicability in practice. In this paper, we analyze the dynamic inventory and pricing control problem in which the demand follows a generalized additive model (GAM). The GAM overcomes the limitations of several demand models commonly used in the literature, but introduces analytical challenges in analyzing the dynamic program. Via a variable transformation approach, we identify a new set of technical conditions under which a BSLP policy is optimal. These conditions are easy to verify because they depend only on the location and scale parameters of demand as functions of price and are independent of the cost parameters or the distribution of the random demand component. Moreover, although a BSLP policy is optimal under these conditions, the optimal price may not be monotone decreasing in the inventory level. We further demonstrate our results by applying a constrained maximum likelihood estimation procedure to simultaneously estimate the demand function and verify the optimality of a BSLP policy on a retail data set.
Robust and Adaptive Network Flows
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Nasrabadi Ebrahim , Stiller Sebastian
Published: October 2013

We study network flow problems in an uncertain environment from the viewpoint of robust optimization. In contrast to previous work, we consider the case that the network parameters (e.g., capacities) are known and deterministic, but the network structure (e.g., nodes and arcs) is subject to uncertainty. In this paper, we study the robust and adaptive versions of the maximum flow problem and minimum cut problems in networks with node and arc failures, and establish structural and computational results. The adaptive two-stage model adjusts the solution after the realization of the failures in the network. This leads to a more flexible model and yields less conservative solutions compared to the robust model.

We show that the robust maximum flow problem can be solved in polynomial time, but the robust minimum cut problem is NP-hard. We also prove that the adaptive versions are NP-hard. We further characterize the adaptive model as a two-person zero-sum game and prove the existence of an equilibrium in such games.

Moreover, we consider a path-based formulation of flows in contrast to the more commonly used arc-based version of flows. This leads to a different model of robustness for maximum flows. We analyze this problem as well and develop a simple linear optimization model to obtain approximate solutions. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of adaptive maximum flows over time in networks with transit times on the arcs. Unlike the deterministic case, we show that this problem is NP-hard on series-parallel graphs even for the case that only one arc is allowed to fail. Finally, we propose heuristics based on linear optimization models that exhibit strong computational performance for large-scale instances.
Parallel Machine Scheduling: Impact of Adding Extra Machines
Authors: Rustogi Kabir , Strusevich Vitaly A.
Published: October 2013

We consider the classical scheduling problems of processing jobs on identical parallel machines to minimize (i) the makespan (the maximum completion time) or (ii) the total flow time (the sum of the completion times). The focus of this study is on the impact that additional machines may have, if added to the system. We measure such a machine impact by the ratio of the value of the objective function computed with the original number of machines to the one computed with extra machines. We give tight bounds on the machine impact for the problem of minimizing the makespan, for both the preemptive and non-preemptive versions, as well as for the problem of minimizing the total flow time. We also present polynomial-time exact and approximation algorithms to make a cost-effective choice of the number of machines, provided that each machine incurs a cost and the objective function captures the trade-off between the cost of the used machines and a scheduling objective.
Effect of bioadhesive agents on physico-chemical properties of suppositories
Authors: Świąder Katarzyna , Szopa Aleksandra , Serefko Anna , Świąder Mariusz , Poleszak Ewa
Published: October 2013

Dissolution rate of an active substance from suppositories may be altered by the qualitative and quantitative selection of suitable excipients. Thus, the accelerated-release or sustained-release suppositories can be manufactured. The objective of our study was to prepare the suppositories containing paracetamol in Novata BD and Novata BCF bases by the fusion method as well as to evaluate the influence of addition of the bioadhesive substances, namely: hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and methylcellulose (MC) at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20%, on the physico-chemical properties of suppositories. Assessment of the preparations were based on the outcomes of the following tests: uniformity of mass, uniformity of content of active substance, hardness of suppositories, softening time determination and the disintegration time of suppositories. Release of the active substance into the phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 was also performed. Content of the active substance was determined spectrophotometrically at 243 nm. On the basis of the obtained results it may be concluded that the addition of MC at concentrations of 15%, 20% and HPMC at concentrations of 5%, 10%,15%, 20% delays the release of active substance from suppositories. The physical properties of the prepared suppositories met the requirements of the Polish Pharmacopoeia, 9th edition.
Mechanisms of interaction of acetaminophen metabolites in terms of hepatotoxicity
Authors: Topoła Milena , Podawacz Magdalena , Śliwińska-Mossoń Mariola , Sajewicz Waldemar , Milnerowicz Halina
Published: October 2013

The most serious complication after ingestion of a toxic dose of acetaminophen is liver damage. The aim of study was to review the research on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. It was shown that effect of the acetaminophen metabolism is the production of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone, which is formed by bioactivation with the participation of cytochrome P450 enzymes. The combination of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone and proteins can cause a disruption in protein homeostasis in cell membrane and mitochondrion. It may interfere with cellular signal process. Small and chronic doses of acetaminophen lead to damage of the cell nucleus. These effects can explain the mechanism of hepatotoxicity. N- acetyl- pbenzoquinone can cause an increase in oxidative stress. Lipids peroxidation and proteins oxidation are the main factors, which lead to necrosis of hepatocytes. It was shown that N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone can cause a decrease in GSH level and SH groups. For this reason, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone was recognized as a key factor of the acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.
Evaluation of students’ knowledge of cannabis influence on human health
Authors: Sobczyński Jan , Drozd Mariola , Wośko Sylwia , Wielgus Sławomir , Ostapkiewicz Aneta , Kochaniec Monika , Szymańska Jolanta
Published: October 2013

Active ingredients of cannabis are reported to possess a dis tinct pharmacological effect on human body and may therefore be utilized to treat certain diseases. However, according to the Polish law cannabis is an illicit drug. As opinions on cannabis are conflicting, negative perception and lack of knowledge and of cannabis may hinder its future medical use. The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ knowledge of cannabis and cannabis products. The study was performed using a survey method; respondents (176 students representing various courses and universities) answered the questions included in a questionnaire. Questions concerned cannabis impact on human health and its po ten tial use in medical practice. Study participants were also asked about their sources of information on cannabis. The re sult showed that although the majority of the study participants knew about possible use of cannabis in medicine, the knowl edge of specific cannabis uses was low. It can be therefore concluded that there is a risk of future rejection of the medical use of cannabis by patients due to insufficient knowledge. The basic knowledge should be included in educating students on drugs and their health impact. Most of the respondents declared media, as a source of information on cannabis.
Pólitískar stöðuveitingar á Íslandi
Authors: Kristinsson Gunnar Helgi
Published: October 2013

Í greininni er leitað leiða til að meta umfang pólitískra stöðuveitingar á Íslandi. Skipun í æðstu störf í stjórnsýslu ríkisins á tímabilinu 2001 til 2005 er skoðuð í því augnamiði, samtals 111 stöðuveitingar. Leitað var upplýsinga um þessar stöðuveitingar með viðtölum og ályktanir dregnar af þeim. Kynnt eru þrjú líkön af stöðuveitingum: klassíska skrifræðislíkanið, faglega líkanið og pólitíska líkanið. Stöðuveiting var talin samrýmast pólitíska líkaninu ef ástæða var til að ætla að stöðuveitandi hefði hagsmuni - aðra en þá stjórnsýslulegu og faglegu hagsmuni sem fyrri líkönin tvö gera grein fyrir - af ráðningu þess sem starf hreppti. Samkvæmt þeim gögnum sem aflað var með þessum hætti samrýmdust 44 prósent þeirra stöðuveitinga sem til rannsóknar voru pólitíska líkaninu. Niðurstöðurnar rannsóknarinnar eru túlkaðar í samhengi við þróun fyrirgreiðslukerfisins á Íslandi og skipulag stjórnmálaflokkanna.
Fyrning kynferðisbrota gegn börnum
Authors: Ólafsdóttir Svala Ísfeld
Published: October 2013

Hér á eftir er rakinn aðdragandi þeirra breytinga sem gerðar voru á fyrningarreglum almennra hegningarlaga vegna kynferðisbrota gegn börnum síðasta vor með lögum nr. 61/2007. Ein þeirra fól í sér að alvarleg kynferðisbrot gegn börnum fyrnast nú ekki. Frá refsipólitísku og afbrotafræðilegu sjónarmiði er þessi breyting athyglisverð. Í henni felst frávik frá þeirri stefnumörkun löggjafans til langs tíma að fækka ófyrnanlegum brotum og að eingöngu þau brot sem geta varðað ævilöngu fangelsi skuli vera ófyrnanleg. Ekkert þeirra kynferðisbrota sem breytingin tekur til getur varðað svo þungri refsingu. Breytingin átti sér langan aðdraganda, þótt svo mætti virðast af ferli málsins á Alþingi vorið 2007 að hana hafi borið brátt að. Fjöldi frumvarpa sem að þessu snúa hefur verið lagður fram á Alþingi síðari ár og umræður á þeim vettvangi um eðli kynferðisbrota gegn börnum, rannsóknir fagfólks og reynslusögur fórnarlamba kynferðisbrota og lýsingar þeirra á afleiðingum brotanna á lífshlaup sitt, skýra þetta frávik frá meginstefnu löggjafans að verulegu leyti. Ákvörðunin var tekin eftir mikil skoðanaskipti og umræður. Aðdragandinn sýnir að breytingin byggist á sérstöku eðli þessara brota og felur í sér áherslu á alvarlegar og langvarandi afleiðingar þeirra fyrir fórnarlömbin, sem taldar eru vega þyngra en almenn rök að baki fyrningarreglum um réttarstöðu brotamanns, erfiðleika við rannsókn brotanna og sönnun. Á hinn bóginn má vera að vegna þessara vandkvæða feli breytingin fyrst og fremst í sér táknræna viðurkenningu löggjafans á alvarleika brotanna, fremur en að hún eigi eftir að hafa mikla raunhæfa þýðingu.
Markaðsfræðilegt sjónarhorn á stöðu stjórnmálaflokka fyrir alþingiskosningarnar 2007
Authors: Guðlaugsson Þórhallur
Published: October 2013

Viðfangsefni greinarinnar er mat á staðfærslu stjórnmálaflokka og hvernig ímynd og staðfærsla tengjast faglegu markaðsstarfi, samkeppnishæfni og árangri. Fjallað er um niðurstöður rannsóknar þar sem lagt er mat á staðfærslu stjórnmálaflokka hjá ungu fólki og skoðað með hvaða hætti hún endurspeglar árangur í kosningum. Í þessu sambandi eiga stjórnmálaflokkar í nokkrum vanda. Stjórnmálaflokkar eru ekki fyrirtæki þar sem hægt er að gefa út tiltekna línu hvað samskipti og skilaboð varðar. Vissulega reyna menn þó að stilla saman strengi sína, sérstaklega í kosningabaráttunni. Þar virðast flestir flokkar leggja áherslu á loforð, þ.e. kjósi menn flokkinn þá muni þetta eða hitt gerast eða breytast eftir kosningar. Fólk virðist þó ekki gera ráð fyrir því að stjórnmálamenn standi við gefin loforð og virðast margir bera meira traust til einstaklinga almennt en stjórnmálamanna. Kjósendur hafa iðulega óljósa mynd af því fyrir hvað tiltekinn stjórnmálaflokkur stendur en ýmislegt bendir til þess að tengsl séu á milli staðfærslu og árangurs í kosningum. Þrír stjórnmálaflokkar virðast hafa skýra og afgerandi stöðu hjá ungu fólki, Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn, Vinstrihreyfingin grænt framboð og Framsóknarflokkurinn. Tveir þeirra tengjast jákvæðum eiginleikum en einn neikvæðum gildum. Tveir stjórnmálaflokkar virðast hafa óljósa stöðu í huga ungra kjósenda, Samfylkingin og Frjálslyndi flokkurinn. Hafa þarf í huga að staðfærsla verður ekki mæld í eitt skipti fyrir öll og mikilvægt að mæla hana reglulega ef niðurstöðurnar eiga að nýtast í faglegu markaðsstarfi flokkanna.
Lýðræði. Drög að greiningu
Authors: Kristinsson Gunnar Helgi
Published: October 2013

Í greininni er gerð tilraun til að þróa greiningarramma fyrir lýðræðiskerfi sem byggist á þróun lýðræðishugmynda og kenninga undanfarna áratugi. Ramminn gengur út á að kanna hvaða meginspurningum öll lýðræðiskerfi þurfa að svara í framkvæmd og jafnframt gera grein fyrir því hvernig tekið hefur verið á hliðstæðum álitaefnum í fræðikenningum á sviðinu. Útkoman er greiningarrammi sem byggist á fjórum meginvíddum lýðræðishugtaksins: borgararéttindum, yfirvegun, almannahag og meirihlutaræði.
Sviptingar í fjárhag lífeyrissjóðanna
Authors: Ísleifsson Ólafur
Published: October 2013

Viðfangsefni þessarar greinar er leit að skýringum þess að fjárhagur lífeyrissjóða hins almenna vinnumarkaðar snerist úr að vera mjög bágborinn í að vera svo sterkur að fá lönd standa Íslandi á sporði þegar kemur að lífeyriseignum mældum sem hlutfall af landsframleiðslu. Til skamms tíma hafa lífeyrissjóðirnir einnig almennt átt fyrir skuldbindingum sínum á tryggingafræðilegan mælikvarða. Fyrirfram má gera ráð fyrir að þættir eins og verðtrygging fjárskuldbindinga, góð ávöxtun eigna, aukið val um fjárfestingarkosti og þrenging á réttindum í samþykktum sjóða hafi ráðið úrslitum. Í ritgerðinni er fjallað um tryggingafræðilegar úttektir sem mælikvarða á fjárhagsstöðu lífeyrissjóða. Leidd eru rök að því að niðurstaða tryggingafræðilegra úttekta sé tiltölulega viðkvæm fyir breytingum á ávöxtunarkröfu, sem er hinn eiginlegi grundvöllur úttektanna. Varpað er ljósi á bága stöðu sjóðanna þangað til fjárhagur þeirra snerist við og grafist fyrir um skýringar á þeirri þróun. Leitt er í ljós að verðtrygging eigna sjóðanna hafi ráðið úrslitum í því efni. Sýnt er fram á sterka samleitni sem gætti í viðsnúningi á fjárhag sjóða hins almenna vinnumarkaðar um eða upp úr miðjum tíunda áratug 20. aldar. Loks er fjallað um áhrif efnahagshruns haustið 2008 á fjárhag sjóðanna.
The Nordic States and Agenda-Setting in the European Union: How Do Small States Score?
Authors: Magnúsdóttir Gunnhildur Lily , Þórhallsson Baldur
Published: October 2013

This paper examines whether particular subjective features are better suited than objective feature, to study the ability of the Nordic EU member states to have a say within the environmental policy of the EU. The Nordic states will be placed within a conceptual framework intended to explain states’ ability to exercise influence internationally. The paper will argue that raditional quantitative measures normally defining size of states, such as the population, territorial size, GDP and military strength, do not give a clear picture of their influence within the EU. The paper argues that subjective features, which are concerned with how various domestic and external actors regard the Nordic states in environmental matters, have enabled the Nordic states to punch above their weight in EU environmental policy-making. Also, it is maintained here that features such as Nordic politicians’ ambitions and prioritizations and their ideas about EU decision-making processes may indicate their states’ ability to influence within the Union. Furthermore, we claim that states’ administrative competence and the degree of domestic cohesion, combined with the degree to which the state maintains an external united front are important indicators of their success in the EU.
Allocation of Fishing Harvest Rights in Iceland and Norway - the Development since 1990
Authors: Grétarsson Helgi
Published: October 2013

Unlike most western countries, marine fisheries in Iceland and Norway is still of some national significance. For more than two decades now, the two countries have managed their fisheries with complicated quota systems. The main rules of these two systems are explained in the article. However, the main purpose of the article is to describe how harvest rights in the two countries have been allocated since 1990. In both countries the principle of grandfathering the harvest rights has prevailed, i.e., the initial allocation has protected the professional interest of those that have already participated in the fisheries. Despite this, rules on the matter have not been engraved in stone since they have been dynamic and contingent on various amendments by the legislature and government. Basic rules on allocation have been stipulated in acts in Iceland, while in Norway they have mostly been based on regulations. Since harvest rights are transferable in Iceland, this, in principle, should make the harvest rights better protected than in Norway. However, when the matter is scrutinized, it becomes clear that the Icelandic parliament has in fact reallocated harvest rights on a recurrent basis. In Norway, rules on allocation of harvest rights have been relatively stable. This can be partly explained by the fact that the most important stakeholders in the Norwegian fisheries have in practice had important say on how the harvest rights have been allocated.
Þróun tekjuskiptingarinnar á Íslandi 1992-2010
Authors: Ólafsson Stefán , Kristjánsson Arnaldur Sölvi
Published: October 2013

Í þessari grein fjöllum við um nýtt efni úr víðtækum rannsóknum á tekjuskiptingunni sem við höfum unnið að á síðustu árum og setjum það í samhengi við fyrri niðurstöður. Helstu nýmæli greinarinnar eru ný gögn og ítarleg sundurgreining áhrifavalda ójafnaðarþróunarinnar, fyrir og eftir hrun. Niðurstöður sýna að tekjuskiptingin varð ójafnari frá og með árinu 1995 og allt til 2007, eftir tímabil aukins jöfnuðar frá 1988 til 1993. Umfang breytinganna frá 1995 var óvenjumikið á alþjóðavísu. Aukning ójafnaðar er mest þegar allar tekjur eru meðtaldar (ráðstöfunartekjur eftir skatt) en einnig miklar þó fjármagnstekjum sé sleppt að hluta eða alveg. Atvinnutekjur urðu líka ójafnari, þótt í minna mæli væri. Skattastefnan jók umfang ójafnaðar með umtalsverðum hætti á tímabilinu fyrir hrun. Á árinu 2008 til 2010 snerist þróunin við og tekjuskiptingin varð aftur mun jafnari. Nýr samanburður á þróun ójafnaðar ráðstöfunartekna á Norðurlöndunum fimm frá 1995 til 2008 sýnir að ójöfnuður jókst umtalsvert í öllum löndunum, þó að mishratt væri og nokkrar sveiflur séu milli ára. Norrænu þjóðirnar voru með jöfnustu tekjuskiptinguna fyrir og eru áfram í hópi jafnari þjóða eftir aukninguna, enda hefur ójöfnuður aukist í fleiri OECD-ríkjum. Langmest var aukning ójafnaðar þó á Íslandi og fór hún langt fram úr aukningu ójafnaðar í hinum norrænu ríkjunum frá og með árinu 2001 og til 2007. Tilgátum þeirra, sem hafa fullyrt að tekjuskiptingin hafi lítið eða ekkert breyst, er hafnað. Engin ábyggileg gögn styðja þær.
Iceland and the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy: Challenge or Opportunity?
Authors: Bailes Alyson J.K. , Rafnsson Örvar Þ.
Published: October 2013

Iceland had initial misgivings about the EU’s capacity created in 1999 for military crisis management. In the current debate over Iceland’s EU application, questions have been raised about the possible impact of CSDP on the nation’s non-military status. In fact the CSDP is designed to respect national choices in defence; requires unanimity on new actions; and allows case-by-case decisions on participation. Preliminary study of six other small states in the EU suggests that none of them has been obliged by membership to abandon national preferences in this field, though all have made special efforts to support EU police and civilian operations - an area where Iceland is also well qualified to contribute. The more significant effects of EU membership for Icelandic security might in fact come in other, ‘softer’ areas including EU obligations for mutual assistance in civil emergencies.
Stefnumótun og áætlanagerð ráðuneyta. Leiðir að einföldun og samhæfingu
Authors: Unnsteinsson Héðinn , Matthíasson Pétur Berg
Published: October 2013

Ríkisstjórn Samfylkingar og Vinstri hreyfingarinnar - græns framboðs setti sér það verkefni í samstarfsyfirlýsingu árið 2009 að vinna að 20/20 Sóknaráætlun fyrir Ísland. Niðurstöður úr greiningarvinnu og gagnasöfnun 20/20 Sóknaráætlunar urðu í framhaldi grunnurinn að stefnumarkandi framtíðarsýninni, Ísland 2020. Eitt af verkefnum Íslands 2020 er að einfalda, fækka og samþætta helstu stefnur og áætlanir sem ráðuneyti og stofnanir hafa verið að setja fram á síðastliðnum árum. Grundvöllur þeirrar vinnu var greining á 11 stefnum og áætlunum með það að leiðarljósi að fækka þeim, samþætta og einfalda en jafnframt vinna heildstæðar tillögur að breyttu skipulagi fyrir stefnumótun og áætlanagerð innan stjórnsýslunnar. Greiningin á stefnunum var unnin sem hluti af verkefninu um einföldun og fækkun stefna og áætlana. Heildargreiningin var upp á 198 greiningarþætti. Af þeim voru 108 til staðar (55%), 52 voru að hluta til staðar (26%) og 38 voru ekki til staðar (19%). Þegar litið er til grunnþáttanna, eins og hvort stefnan eða áætlunin byggi á rannsóknum eða greiningum þá kemur það almennt nokkuð vel út úr greiningunni. Greiningin leiðir í ljós að styrkleiki stjórnsýslunnar felist í undirbúningi, greiningu og setningu markmiða. Veikleiki stjórnsýslunnar felst m.a. í skorti á tengingu við fjármagn, ófullnægjandi framkvæmd og takmarkaðri eftirfylgni. Í greininni eru lagðar fram tillögur að nýrri framtíðarsýn í stefnumótun innan stjórnsýslunnar. Þær fela í sér að bæta yfirsýn og vinnubrögð, m.a. með því að fækka stefnum og áætlunum, tengja stefnumótun og áætlanagerð ráðuneyta við undirbúning fjárlaga og tryggja að árangursmat og eftirlit sé alltaf fyrir hendi.
Samfélagslegt hlutverk háskóla
Authors: Þorsteinsson Trausti , Kristinsson Sigurður , Sigursteinsdóttir Hjördís
Published: October 2013

Greinin fjallar um rannsókn á því á hvern hátt starfsmenn íslenskra háskóla skilja hlutverk háskóla og samfélagslegar starfsskyldur sínar og það mátað að fjórum ólíkum hefðum í starfsemi háskóla, Newman, Humboldt, Tómas frá Akvínó og Napoleons hefðinni. Spurningalisti var lagður fyrir alla akademíska starfsmenn og sérfræðinga við háskóla á Íslandi. Niðurstöður benda sterklega til þess að grunngildi Humboldt háskólans séu föst í sessi innan íslensks háskólasamfélags. Íslenskt háskólafólk metur mikils það hlutverk háskóla að vera gagnrýnið afl í samfélaginu og tekur undir hugmyndina um háskóla sem sjálfstætt griðland fræðanna þar sem akademískt frelsi er grundvallaratriði. Mikill meirihluti telur mikilvægt að settar verði reglur um kostun á háskólastöðum. Bendir það til að háskólafólk hafi áhyggjur af þeirri þróun að fjársterk hagsmunaöfl geri sig ómissandi við fjármögnun háskólastarfs með þeim afleiðingum að rannsakendur, sérfræðingar, kennarar og nemendur hafi ekki fullt frelsi til að leita sannleikans í hverju máli. Gagnrýni kemur fram á starfsumhverfi íslensks háskólafólks. Þar berast böndin að því kerfi sem notað er til að leggja mat á árangur háskólakennara og sérfræðinga og grundvallarákvarðanir um laun þeirra og framgang í starfi. Matskerfið er beintengt við hag og kjör starfsmanna og því mjög stýrandi. Notkun þess kann að hafa misfarist að því leyti að þeir hvatar sem tækið býr til virðast á skjön við þær faglegu hugsjónir sem háskólafólk aðhyllist að því er varðar þátttöku þess í samfélagslegri umræðu.
The Icelandic media coverage of the constitutional assembly election
Authors: Kolbeins Guðbjörg Hildur
Published: October 2013

On November 27, 2010, the people of Iceland elected 25 individuals to the country’s constitutional assembly. As there were 522 candidates for the 25 seats in the assembly, the media were faced with a new dilemma, i.e. how to ensure impartiality and objectivity in their coverage of the candidates and the subject matter. The present study compares the media coverage of the constitutional assembly election to two other national elections; the general election in the spring of 2009 and the municipal election in the spring of 2010. All news stories in the 13 major print, broadcast and online news outlets in Iceland were coded two weeks prior to each election. The results indicate that the national media almost ignored the constitutional assembly election in comparison to the other elections. There were 632 news stories on the general election, 590 stories on the municipal election but only 165 stories on the constitutional assembly election. The lack of coverage of the candidates for the constitutional assembly seems to reveal that the traditional media, i.e. the print and broadcast media, and the online media did not know how to best serve and inform the public in the democratic process.
The role of social media in the formation of public opinion towards Islamists: A content analysis
Authors: Gazzar Nagwa El
Published: October 2013

Internet technologies – and specifically social media – have provided Egyptians with a new public space for communication and expression, as they offer a chance to participate in discussions about matters of common concern. The virtual world of Face-book offers participants a chance to interpret news provided by the media, shape or re-shape them according to their ideologies and post them via the wall, which is considered a free open forum for discussion.

This research aims to investigate the way users of social media – particularly Facebook groups and Twitter users – express their opinions towards the emerging Islamic movement in Egypt. It argues that both comments and opinions expressed through social media – whether pro or anti-Islamist – show specific frames of expression that are formed and spread over the interactive nature of social media. Research questions investigated the different frames used by Islamists and non-Islamists; the arguments or reasons used by social media users to support those frames; the descriptions of evidence used to support their point of view; and finally, the overall tone of the social media message. The wall comments on online editions of newspapers and Tweets have been analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis was conducted across two phases in the years 2011 and 2012. The results of the content analysis verified the development of a new negative attitude towards Islamists, and a shift from positive attitudes and optimistic public opinion towards Islamists to the opposite side of having a negative public opinion towards their political performance.
Experiencing ‘an opening’
Authors: Whalley Joanne ‘Bob’ , Miller Lee
Published: October 2013

This article asks a fundamental question that is close to the authors’ heart: ‘What is Yoga?’, and then how this might influence both the execution and readings of various body-based performance practices, with a particular focus being given to the in preparation for performance art. Using their own burgeoning relationship to Ashtanga yoga as its base and its filter as an ad hoc training for witnessing performance art, the authors focus upon three interrelated pieces by Marina Abramovic´ (Marina Abramovic´ Presents … as part of the Manchester International Festival, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK, The Pigs of Today are the Hams of Tomorrow, Plymouth, UK and The Artist is Present at MoMA, New York, USA).
Infrared detectors for space applications
Authors: Fick Wolfgang , Gassmann Kai Uwe , Haas Luis-Dieter , Haiml Markus , Hanna Stefan , Hübner Dominique , Höhnemann Holger , Nothaft Hans-Peter , Thöt Richard
Published: October 2013

The motivation and intended benefits for the use of infrared (IR) detectors for space applications are highlighted. The actual status of state-of-the-art IR detectors for space applications is presented based on some of AIM’s currently ongoing focal plane detector module developments covering the spectral range from the short-wavelength IR (SWIR) to the long-wavelength IR (LWIR) and very long-wavelength IR (VLWIR), where both imaging and spectroscopy applications will be addressed. In particular, the integrated detector cooler assemblies for a mid-wavelength IR (MWIR) push-broom imaging satellite mission, for the German hyperspectral satellite mission EnMAP and the IR detectors for the Sentinel 3 SLSTR will be elaborated. Additionally, dedicated detector modules for LWIR/VLWIR sounding, providing the possibility to have two different PVs driven by one ROIC, will be addressed.
Participants' Recall and Understanding of Genomic Research and Large-Scale Data Sharing
Authors: Robinson Jill Oliver , Slashinski Melody J. , Wang Tao , Hilsenbeck Susan G. , McGuire Amy L.
Published: October 2013

As genomic researchers are urged to openly share generated sequence data with other researchers, it is important to examine the utility of informed consent documents and processes, particularly as these relate to participants' engagement with and recall of the information presented to them, their objective or subjective understanding of the key elements of genomic research (e.g., data sharing), as well as how these factors influence or mediate the decisions they make. We conducted a randomized trial of three experimental informed consent documents (ICDs) with participants (n = 229) being recruited to genomic research studies; each document afforded varying control over breadth of release of genetic information. Recall and understanding, their impact on data sharing decisions, and comfort in decision making were assessed in a follow-up structured interview. Over 25% did not remember signing an ICD to participate in a genomic study, and the majority (54%) could not correctly identify with whom they had agreed to share their genomic data. However, participants felt that they understood enough to make an informed decision, and lack of recall did not impact final data sharing decisions or satisfaction with participation. These findings raise questions about the types of information participants need in order to provide valid informed consent, and whether subjective understanding and comfort with decision making are sufficient to satisfy the ethical principle of respect for persons.
Emotional Risks to Respondents in Survey Research: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors: Labott Susan M. , Johnson Timothy P. , Fendrich Michael , Feeny Norah C.
Published: October 2013

Some survey research has documented distress in respondents with pre-existing emotional vulnerabilities, suggesting the possibility of harm. In this study, respondents were interviewed about a personally distressing event; mood, stress, and emotional reactions were assessed. Two days later, respondents participated in interventions to either enhance or alleviate the effects of the initial interview. Results indicated that distressing interviews increased stress and negative mood, although no adverse events occurred. Between the interviews, moods returned to baseline. Respondents who again discussed a distressing event reported moods more negative than those who discussed a neutral or a positive event. This study provides evidence that, among nonvulnerable survey respondents, interviews on distressing topics can result in negative moods and stress, but they do not harm respondents.
A silent myocardial infarction in the diabetes outpatient clinic: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Draman M S , Thabit H , Kiernan T J , O'Neill J , Sreenan S , McDermott J H
Published: October 2013

Silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI), defined as objective evidence of myocardial ischaemia in the absence of symptoms, has important clinical implications for the patient with coronary artery disease. We present a dramatic case of SMI in a diabetes patient who attended annual review clinic with ST elevation myocardial infarction. His troponin was normal on admission but raised to 10.7 ng/ml (normal <0.5) when repeated the next day. His angiogram showed diffused coronary artery disease. We here discuss the implications of silent ischaemia for the patient and for the physician caring for patients with diabetes.

Learning points

Silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI) is an important clinical entity.

SMI is common and occurs with increased frequency in patients with diabetes.

SMI is an independent predictor of mortality.

Recognition may lead to early intervention.
Triglycerides-to-HDL ratio as a new marker of endothelial dysfunction in obese prepubertal children
Authors: de Giorgis Tommaso , Marcovecchio M Loredana , Di Giovanni Ilaria , Giannini Cosimo , Chiavaroli Valentina , Chiarelli Francesco , Mohn Angelika
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate whether there is an association of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG:HDL-C) ratio with cardiovascular risk factors and early signs of vascular damage in obese prepubertal children.

Design and methods

In 50 obese (27 boys, 7.8±1.4 years) and 37 normal-weight (20 boys; 7.3±1.5 years) prepubertal children, anthropometric measurements, oxidative stress markers (urinary isoprostanes (PGF2α (prostaglandin F2α)), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE)) and insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI)) were evaluated. Lipids profile was assessed and the TG:HDL-C ratio was calculated. In addition, high-resolution ultrasound was performed to assess carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

Results

Obese children showed significantly higher values of the TG:HDL-C ratio (1.9±1.1 vs 1.2±0.6, P=0.002) compared with controls. After dividing the population in tertiles of the TG:HDL-C ratio (<1.04, 1.04–1.67, >1.67), cIMT (P=0.0003), and HOMA-IR (P=0.0001) progressively increased from the lower to the upper tertile, whereas WBISI (P=0.0003) and sRAGE (P=0.05) progressively decreased. In a regression model, the TG:HDL ratio was significantly and positively associated with cIMT (r=0.493; P=0.0005). A cutoff point for TG:HDL-C ratio of 1.12 had 81% sensitivity and 49% specificity in the identification of children with cIMT values in the upper quartile (Area under the curve values from receiver operating characteristic curves=0.633±0.065, P=0.045).

Conclusion

This study confirms the reliability of the TG:HDL-C ratio as a useful marker of cardiovascular risk. Interestingly, our results underline that the TG:HDL-C ratio is directly related with early signs of vascular damage already present in prepubertal children.
Computational modeling the electrocaloric effect for solid-state refrigeration
Authors: Barr J.A. , Nishimatsu T. , Beckman S.P.
Published: October 2013

The electrocaloric effect holds promise for possible application in refrigeration technologies. There is much interest in this subject and experimental studies have shown the possibility for creating materials with a modest sized electrocaloric response. However, theoretical studies lag behind the experimental effort due to the lack of computational methods to accurately study the finite temperature response. Here the freely distributed feram, an effective Hamiltonian molecular dynamics method, is demonstrated for predicting the electrocaloric response of BaTiO3.
Enhanced thermopower of GaN nanowires with transitional metal impurities
Authors: Nemnes G. A. , Visan Camelia , Mitran T. L. , Nicolaev Adela , Ion L. , Antohe S.
Published: October 2013

The thermopower properties of GaN nanowires with transitional metal impurities are investigated in the framework of constrained spin density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The nanowires are connected to nanoscopic Al[111] electrodes, which ensure a natural coupling to the wurtzite structure of the nanowires. We investigate the thermoelectric properties comparatively for the pristine GaN nanowire and the system with one Mn adatom. Our study points out the predicted qualitative behavior for systems with a peak in the total transmission, as well as the sign change in the thermopower. For the system with the magnetic impurity we find an enhanced conductance, thermopower and figure of merit. The detectable spin current polarization suggests the device structure may be also used in low temperature sensing applications.
Medication withdrawal may be an option for a select group of patients in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Olival Guilherme Sciascia do , Cavenaghi Vitor Breseghello , Serafim Vitor , Thomaz Rodrigo Barbosa , Tilbery Charles Peter
Published: October 2013

This article describes the clinical and radiological evolution of a stable group of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis that had their disease-modifying therapy (DMT) withdrawn. Forty patients, which had made continuous use of one immunomodulator and had remained free of disease for at least 5 years, had their DMT withdrawn and were observed from 13 to 86 months. Out of the followed patients, 4 (10%) patients presented with new attacks. In addition to these patients, 2 (5%) patients had new lesions revealed by magnetic resonance imaging that did not correspond to clinical attacks. Despite these results, the difficult decision to withdraw medication requires careful analysis. Withdrawal, however, should not be viewed as simply the suspension of treatment because these patients should be evaluated periodically, and the immunomodulators should be readily reintroduced if new attacks occur. Nonetheless, medication withdrawal is an option for a select group of patients.
There is much to be learnt about the costs of multiple sclerosis in Latin America
Authors: Romano Marina , Machnicki Gerardo , Rojas Juan Ignacio , Frider Nadina , Correale Jorge
Published: October 2013

METHOD: A systematic review of the literature from 1990 to 2011 was conducted. Outcome measures included: mean cost of disease modifying therapies (DMTs), mean cost of treatment of relapses and mean cost of disease by stage stratification measured by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). RESULTS: Seven studies from three countries (Brazil, Argentina and Colombia) were included. In 2004, in Argentina, the mean cost of DMT treatment was reported to be USD 35,000 per patient treated. In Brazil, the total MS expenditure of DMTs rose from USD 14,011,700 in 2006 to USD 122,575,000 in 2009. Patient costs ranged between USD 10,543 (EDSS 8-9.5) and USD 25,713 (EDSS 3-5.5). Indirect costs markedly increased for the EDSS 8-9.5 patients. CONCLUSION: Further research assessing the economic burden of MS in LA is warranted.
Professor Abraham Akerman
Authors: Teive Helio Afonso Ghizoni , Zorzetto Francis Paciornik , Moro Adriana , Munhoz Renato Puppi , Filho Pericles Andrade Maranhao , Novak Edison Matos
Published: October 2013

The authors present a historical review of the contribution of Professor Abraham Akerman to Brazilian neurology, including the famous sign known as “the Alajouanine-Akerman unstable ataxic hand”.
Leprosy neuropathy: clinical presentations
Authors: Nascimento Osvaldo J M
Published: October 2013

Leprosy is a chronic infectious peripheral neuropathy caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The different clinical presentations of the disease are determined by the quality of the host immune response. Early detection of leprosy and treatment by multidrug therapy are the most important steps in preventing deformity and disability. Thus the early recognition of the clinical leprosy presentation is essential. Mononeuritis, mononeuritis multiplex (MM), polyneuritis (MM summation) are the most frequent. The frequent anesthetic skin lesions are absent in the pure neuritic leprosy presentation form. Isolated peripheral nerve involvement is common, including the cranial ones. Arthritic presentation is occasionally seen, usually misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. Attention should be given to autonomic dysfunctions in leprosy. There are clinical presentations with severe neuropathic pain - painful small-fiber neuropathy. Leprous late-onset neuropathy (LLON) clinical presentation should be considered facing a patient who develop an inflammatory neuropathy many years after a previous skin leprosy treatment.
Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Takayanagui Osvaldo M.
Published: October 2013

Cysticercosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases of the nervous system in humans, and constitutes a major public health problem for most of the developing world. The clinical manifestations of neurocysticercosis (NCC) largely depend on the the host immune response against the parasite. NCC diagnosis is based upon neuroimaging studies (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and antibody/antigen detection in the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. Anticysticercal therapy has been marked by an intense controversy. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical benefit of treatment have yield conflicting data with some studies indicating a benefit and others failing to show a difference. Prevention strategies must rely on multiple approaches, tailoring each to the special features of the particular endemic area.