bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHIN‐SALE PRICE VARIATION AT CATTLE AND CARCASS AUCTIONS
Authors: Todd M. C. , Cowell M. D.
Published: April 2012

Price variability within cattle and carcass auction sales is examined through two statistical studies. A substantial element of the price variation at the cattle auction examined is found to be due to differences in the cattle‐type factors — sex, carcass weight, fatness and breed, and the factors district of origin, lot size and time of sale. Several of these factors are also found to be important explanators of price variation at carcass auctions.
ESTIMATING THE IMPACT OF BEEF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS IN THE US IMPORT MARKET
Authors: Chambers R. G. , Just R. E. , Moffitt L. J. , Schmitz A.
Published: April 2012

A beef import model is specified and estimated using disequilibrium econometrics. The statistical significance of the model suggests that disequilibrium has historically existed in the US beef import market. Surplus analysis based on the disequilibrium framework indicates that a welfare loss has been incurred as a result of the quota and associated voluntary restraint programmes that have existed in that market.
THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF POSSIBLE NEW ZEALAND WHEAT PRICING SCHEMES*
Authors: Rich M. M.
Published: April 2012

An empirical policy simulation analysis that was performed prior to the adoption of the revised N.Z. wheat pricing arrangements is reported. The analysis was particularly timely as it coincided with, and made an input to, discussions between the various parties attempting to derive an improved wheat pricing scheme. The implications of making N.Z. farm‐gate wheat pricing more responsive to world market prices were assessed using a simulation model to distill information on the impact of alternative pricing schemes on those criteria thought to be of interest to policymakers. The results also indicated how the recently announced new scheme would have performed. This information aided public decision making, particularly in clarifying some of the trade‐offs that are necessary in choosing a pricing scheme.
PRICE EFFECTS OF WOOL MARKETING INNOVATIONS: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Jackson Brenda , Spinks Murray
Published: April 2012

Conflicting claims are often made about the price effects of specific wool marketing innovations. In this paper, a regression model is used to estimate the price effects of two innovations, namely, computerised selling by separation and pre‐sale, dense packaging of wool. The results are indicative of aggregate price differentials between wool sold via the 'normal' system and via an innovative system for the particular wool types and sale dates analysed. The extent to which price effects may be offset by differences in selling charges is also considered. In addition, some underlying reasons for price differences, where they exist, are proposed.
AN OPTIMAL‐CONTROL APPROACH TO STABILISING AUSTRALIAN WOOL PRICES*
Authors: Hinchy Mike , Simmons Phil
Published: April 2012

In this paper, some aspects of the application of optimal‐control techniques to wool industry price stabilisation are considered. It is not intended to provide a blueprint for the immediate adoption of optimal‐control techniques in the management of wool price stablisation. Rather, the contribution is to the developmental and evaluative process involved in considering these techniques. A new econometric model of wool price and supply is also presented, since none of the existing models satisfied the requirements of the study.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: MORELLI EMERY A.
Published: April 2012

Book reviewed in this article:

Getting from Here to There: A Policy for the Post‐Keynesian Age. By W. W. Rostow.

Agriculture and Economic Growth in an Open Economy: The Case of Argentina. By D. Cavallo AND Y. Mundlak.

Urban Food Marketing and Third World Rural Development. By T. Scarlett Epstein.

Livestock Production Systems and Livestock Development in Tropical Africa. By Hans E. Jahnke.

Farm Accounting and Management. By Ford Sturrock, Seventh Edition.

Farm Business Management: Successful Decisions in a Changing Environment. By Peter H. Calkins and Dennis D. Dupietre.

Assessing the Social Costs of Oil Spills: The Amoco‐Cadiz Case Study. By U.S. Department OF Commerce, National Oceanic AND Atmospherica Administration.

Economic Theory of Co‐operative Enterprises: Selected Readings. By Liam Kennedy (ed.).
BELIEFS AND VALUES IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH*
Authors: Hardaker J. Brian
Published: April 2012

Attention is drawn to the values that are often kept hidden but condition what research agricultural economists do. It is pointed out that the economic theory, which guides most research, is not value free and that therefore the lack of debate about theory amongst Australian agricultural economists may be unhealthy. In a world with uncertainty, the research process is likened to learning, leading to a suggestion that Bayesian procedures provide a more satisfactory conceptual framework for the process of enquiry than does the conventional hypothesistesting approach. While difficulties in the practical applicability of Bayesian methods are understood, they do provide insights which permit some of the more inappropriate uses of hypothesis testing to be recognised. The view of research enquiry as learning also leads to an appreciation of the desirability of a more honest acceptance of the inherent subjectivity of the process. Finally, attention is drawn to the need for vigilance over professional standards in research.
RESOURCE DEGRADATION ON AGRICULTURAL LAND: INFORMATION PROBLEMS, MARKET FAILURES AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION*
Authors: Wills Ian R.
Published: April 2012

Information problems impede private contracting for the supply of many natural resource services. They are also likely to prevent the government identifying and achieving optimum levels of natural resource degradation on agricultural land. In particular, the distributional impacts of government intervention create incentives for strategic distortions of information by interested parties. Resource conservation measures which impose costs on beneficiaries, and which provide positive incentives for farmers to monitor resource degradation, may be superior because they reduce information problems.
THE DEMAND FOR MILK IN AUSTRALIA ESTIMATION OF PRICE AND INCOME EFFECTS FROM THE 1984 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY*
Authors: Bewley Ronald A.
Published: April 2012

Cross‐sectional data are used to estimate a three‐equation generalised addilog demand system (GADS); two equations are used to express the demand for milk by method of sale and a residual equation is used to close the system. It is shown that, as the average budget share of the residual equation approaches unity, the GADS equations for the incomplete system are approximately equivalent to double logarithmic equations. It is found that aggregate milk demand is relatively insensitive to both price and income, but the degree of substitution between delivered and non‐delivered milk is both large and highly significant. A new test for influential data in the system context is developed and it suggests that the reported results are robust to variations in the sample space.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND RESPONSES FOR POULTRY MEAT IN AUSTRALIA1
Authors: Bhati U.N.
Published: April 2012

This study of poultry meat supply and demand responses has two objectives. The first is to help meet the needs of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics for models for its commodity outlook and other work. The second objective is to quantify the effects on the poultry meat sector of a recent significant change in the domestic feed wheat marketing policy.

The paper commences with a review of changes in the poultry meat sector since about 1970, including a description of the new feed wheat policy and its relevance to the poultry sector. The review forms a basis for the formulation, estimation and interpretation of an econometric model of poultry meat supply and demand.
THE RELATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF A RANGE OF ECONOMIC POLICIES FOR IMPROVING AUSTRALIA'S BALANCE OF TRADE*
Authors: Stoeckel Andrew B. , Higgs Peter J.
Published: April 2012

Australia faces a very serious trade problem. A large improvement in the balance of trade is required simply to stop its international debt from rising above levels which are already considered too high. In this paper, a range of economic policies are examined. Each generates a $A1 billion improvement (in 1985‐86 prices) in the balance of trade after about 2 years. The following economic shocks are examined: an increase in world agricultural prices; a cut in real wages; a reduction in protection for manufacturing industries; a change in the tax mix in favour of indirect taxation; and a contraction in real domestic absorption. The impacts of these shocks are derived from simulations with ORANI, a computable general equilibrium model of the Australian economy. The effects of these shocks on the agricultural sector are studied in detail.
PUBLIC CHOICE THEORY AND AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL POLICY REFORM*
Authors: Martin William J.
Published: April 2012

Recent discussion of the process of policy reform has tended to focus on public and private interest theories of public choice as alternative models. The analysis of Australian agricultural policy presented in this paper draws on several extensions of the private interest model including the contractarian framework, extra‐rational considerations such as moral attitudes and the desire to participate. Recent agricultural policy reforms in Australia are examined in the light of those theories. This examination highlights the importance of ideas and changes in the rules for policy formulation in influencing policy outcomes. In some cases the private interest theory appears to offer an adequate explanation while, in others, it provides only a partial explanation of policy change, and requires extension if policy choice is to be influenced, or even understood. An important independent role for economists and policy makers is seen both in the formulation of policies and in the design of rules for policy choice.
TRANSFERABLE WATER ENTITLEMENTS WHICH SATISFY HETEROGENEOUS RISK PREFERENCES
Authors: Alaouze Chris M.
Published: April 2012

Irrigators in Victoria have a water entitlement which is composed of a highly secure water right and additional water which may be purchased if available. Water entitlements in NSW are based on the irrigated area with the actual volume of water received in any year depending almost entirely on seasonal conditions. Musgrave and Lesueur (1973) argued that these entitlements could be replaced by a portfolio of entitlements, with each type of entitlement in the portfolio guaranteeing a nominated minimum value of water at a different probability. Thus, irrigators could purchase a portfolio of water entitlements which would suit their individual risk preferences. The purpose in this paper is to show how a water authority can construct a portfolio of water entitlements which satisfies these requirements and also to demonstrate that the entitlements in the portfolio satisfy a first degree stochastic dominance relationship. A worked example is presented in which these results are illustrated.
THE ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION*
Authors: Clements Kenneth W. , Selvanathan Saroja
Published: April 2012

In this paper is presented an analysis of the consumption patterns of beer, wine and spirits for Australia using data for the period 1955/56‐1985/86. The validity of the demand theory hypotheses demand homogeneity and Slutsky symmetry has been tested using recently developed distribution? free procedures. The findings were that (i) beer and wine were necessities and spirits a strong luxury; (ii) beer and spirits are specific complements; and (iii) the homogeneity and symmetry hypotheses are acceptable. Preference for wine consumption seems to be independent of preference for beer and spirits.
A MODEL OF THE DISAGGREGATED DEMAND FOR MEAT IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Cashin Paul
Published: April 2012

The focus of this study is the estimation of the Australian demand for meat between 1967 and 1990, employing a demand systems approach which uses the linear approximate, almost ideal demand system (LA/AIDS) model. Two demand systems are estimated by maximum likelihood methods, one for aggregate types of meat and one for disaggregated meat products. After correcting for serial correlation in the two demand systems, restrictions from utility theory are imposed and tested for their appropriateness. By using a new data set on the Australian retail price and consumption offresh pork, ham and bacon, the results from the disaggregated model provide the first estimates of the own‐price, cross‐price and expenditure elasticities for these commodities.
CONTRADICTORY PREDICTIONS ON SUPPLY RESPONSE UNDER STABILIZATION: A RECONCILIATION
Authors: Quiggin John C.
Published: April 2012

Two separate bodies of literature on stabilization give radically different results, yet these contradictions have not attracted any attention. The first arises from the neoclassical theory of stabilization and predicts that beneficial stabilization will always attract positive supply response. The second arises from the work of Newbery and Stiglitz and predicts 'perverse' supply response for highly risk averse producers. In this paper, the differences which yield these results are described and some suggestions are made for a generalized model.
WHICH COUNTRY LOSES THE LEAST IN A TRADE WAR?
Authors: Gaisford James D. , Kerr William A.
Published: April 2012

Trade actions, which can generally be claimed as trade wars, appear to be on the rise. This is particularly true in the case of agricultural commodities. It is a common perception that large countries will be the victors in such contests and this clearly affects the trade strategies of small countries, including Australia. The relationship between free‐trade and trade‐war pay‐offs in the context of a prisoner's dilemma is explored in this paper. It is shown why neither a favourable terms of trade movement, a flatter import demand curve nor a larger population is, on its own, a sufficient condition for a relative victory in a trade war. The implications for small country trade strategies are then discussed.
THE RETURNS FROM RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIAN BROADACRE AGRICULTURE*
Authors: Mullen John D. , Cox Thomas L.
Published: April 2012

Many people share the view that too little is invested in R & D in agriculture. The relationship between several measures of productivity and research expenditure was estimated using data from ABARE's surveys of broadacre industries and a new data series on R & D expenditure for the period 1953 to 1988. The internal rate of return to research was estimated to be in the range of 15 to 40 percent which does not provide strong evidence that Australia is either under‐ or over‐investing in public research.
DEREGULATION AND EFFICIENCY IN GRAIN TRANSPORT
Authors: Brennan Donna C.
Published: April 2012

In this paper, it is argued that removing restrictions on road transport will not be sufficient to encourage efficiency improvements in grain freight industry while rail authorities continue to operate as public monopolies. This is because of the structure of costs in the grain freight industry, which imply that road transport cannot compete with rail transport in areas where road is the more efficient mode. While the tendency for a regulated monopoly to cross‐subsidise inefficient operations is common place, the focus in this analysis is on the nature of the cross‐subsidy in the grain freight industry, and shows that it is a type of cross‐subsidy that is well hidden by aggregation. A model of investment in a rail network is presented where the monopoly power afforded to the rail industry is shown to be due to economies of traffic density. A case study of the grain rail network in Western Australia is presented where it is shown that the rail authority has been able to maintain very uneconomic sections of rail line, despite the introduction of road competition and apparently competitive pricing practices.
RISK ATTITUDE, PLANTING CONDITIONS AND THE VALUE OF SEASONAL FORECASTS TO A DRYLAND WHEAT GROWER*
Authors: Marshall Graham R. , Parton Kevin A. , Hammer G.L.
Published: April 2012

The value of a seasonal forecasting system based on phases of the Southern Oscillation was estimated for a representative dryland wheat grower in the vicinity of Goondiwindi. In particular the effects on this estimate of risk attitude and planting conditions were examined. A recursive stochastic programming approach was used to identify the grower's utility‐maximising action set in the event of each of the climate patterns over the period 1894‐1991 recurring in the imminent season. The approach was repeated with and without use of the forecasts. The choices examined were, at planting, nitrogen application rate and cultivar and, later in the season, choices of proceeding with or abandoning each wheat activity. The value of the forecasting system was estimated as the maximum amount the grower could afford to pay for its use without expected utility being lowered relative to its non‐use.
THE DEMAND FOR LDC EXPORTS OF PRIMARY COMMODITIES: THE CASE OF THE PHILIPPINES*
Authors: Warr Peter G. , Wollmer Frances
Published: April 2012

The economic case for taxing exports rests on the elasticity of demand for the exports concerned, but the true values of these elasticities are controversial. The international demand for Philippine exports of coconut products is examined in this paper. The hypothesis that the Philippines is a 'small country' exporter of coconut products is rejected using the specification of a price‐normalised demand equation and the implications of this finding are discussed.
BEYOND ALTRUISTIC AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACT MOTHERHOOD: THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL
Authors: VAN ZYL LIEZL , WALKER RUTH
Published: April 2012

It has become common to distinguish between altruistic and commercial contract motherhood (or ‘surrogacy’). Altruistic arrangements are based on the ‘gift relationship’: a woman is motivated by altruism to have a baby for an infertile couple, who are free to reciprocate as they see fit. By contrast, in commercial arrangements both parties are motivated by personal gain to enter a legally enforceable agreement, which stipulates that the contract mother or ‘surrogate’ is to bear a child for the intending parents in exchange for a fee. She is required to undergo medical examinations and to refrain from behaviour that could harm the foetus. The intending parents are the child's legal parents from the outset. The parties to the contract can, but are not expected to, maintain contact after the transaction is completed. We argue that contract motherhood should not be organized according to the norms of the gift relationship, and that contract mothers should be compensated for their labour. However, we accept that there are good reasons for rejecting the commercial model as a suitable framework for contract pregnancy, and argue, instead, in favour of viewing it as a profession.
‘I hope he goes first’: Exploring determinants of engagement in future planning for adults with a learning disability living with ageing parents. What are the issues?
Authors: Bibby Rita
Published: April 2012

Accessible Summary

This paper attempts to find out why it is that many adults with a learning disability and their older parents and carers do not make plans for their future.

The author takes a look at other research to try and find the reasons for why this is.

The author finds that this may be to do with the type of relationship families have with professionals and if they feel able to trust them.

The author suggests ways to improve these relationships.

This paper reports on the key findings from a review of the literature on future planning for adults with a learning disability who live with older parents and carers. This area has gained attention in recent years, owing to the improved life expectancy of people with a learning disability and the increasing number who now outlive their parents. For those currently living with older parents and carers, this has major implications for the future, with the likelihood that formal services will eventually take over the care role. It is suggested that the presence of a plan for the future, formulated at a time of stability and in advance of any crisis, may lead to improved outcomes for this next phase of life. However, regardless of several policy initiatives to encourage active planning for the future, the take‐up rate remains poor. This review of the literature seeks to offer an explanation for this through identifying the barriers to future planning as experienced by people with a learning disability and their older carers. The evidence suggests that there are ten key barriers to engagement in future planning. Consideration is given to each of these in turn, and a common thread is identified, that of the quality of the relationships between the families and the professionals who they come into contact with. Gaps in the research are considered, and the need for further work identified to reflect the views of black and minority ethnic families and so‐called hidden families who are not known to statutory services. Also highlighted is the lack of participation in the research of those people with more severe disabilities who use alternative methods of communication.
Obtaining consent from young people with autism to participate in research
Authors: Loyd Daisy
Published: April 2012

Accessible summary

Young people with autism should be involved in research about them.

Sometimes it can be difficult to understand what it means to be involved in research.

Approaches can be devised to help young people with autism say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to research and understand their involvement.

Young people with autism were involved in a study examining the participation of young people with autism in drama education. This study considers the approaches devised to obtain consent from ten young people with autism who communicated in different ways. The process of obtaining consent and monitoring assent is outlined and evaluated. The research illustrates that young people with autism who communicate in different ways can give their consent and be helped to understand what it means to be involved in research. Challenges specific to researching a group of young people with autism are considered and implications for future research presented.
Dentists’ attitude to provision of care for people with learning disabilities in Udaipur, India
Authors: Nagarajappa Ramesh , Tak Mridula , Sharda Archana J. , Asawa Kailash , Jalihal Sagar , Kakatkar Gauri
Published: April 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 57–62

Dentists’ attitude to provision of care for people with learning disabilities in Udaipur, India

This study determines and compares the attitudes of dentists to the provision of care for people with learning disabilities according to gender, qualification, previous experience of treating patients with learning disabilities and work experience of dentists. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 247 dentists (166 men and 81 women) using a pretested structured questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed the respondent’s attitude towards learning‐disabled patients in five categories: beliefs about treating them, their capabilities, discrimination against these patients, their social behaviour and quality of care to be received by these patients. The information on dentist’s gender, qualification, work experience and previous experience of treating patients with learning disabilities was also collected through questionnaire. The Student’s t‐test and anova test were used for statistical analysis. The mean attitude score was found to be 71.13 ± 8.97. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean attitude scores of dentists with work experience (p = 0.000). Study subjects with postgraduate qualification and previous experience of treating patients with learning disabilities had significantly greater mean attitude score than their counterparts (p = 0.000). The overall attitude of dentists towards provision of care for people with learning disabilities was favourable, which increased with higher qualification and past experience.
Adsorption characteristics of ionic and nonionic surfactants on hydrophobic pigment in aqueous medium
Authors: Sis Hikmet , Birinci Mustafa
Published: April 2012

The current study is based on the investigation of the adsorption properties of ionic and nonionic surfactants on an organic hydrophobic pigment powder, namely, β‐copper phthalocyanine, in aqueous medium. The nonionic surfactants, selected systematically to represent varying degrees of ethoxylation, are nonylphenol ethoxylates, whereas the ionic surfactant is sodium oleate, a carboxylate‐type anionic reagent. The adsorption of surfactants was assessed qualitatively by surface analysis of powders, before and after the adsorption of the surfactants. The experimental results were explained by the structural and other properties of the surfactants and the surface properties of the pigment. The specific adsorption of surfactants on pigments was verified by zeta potential measurements, as they altered the zeta potential values to a great extent. Nonionic surfactants decreased the absolute value of the zeta potential of the powder; whereas anionic surfactant sodium oleate shifted the zeta potential to more negative values. On the one hand, Fourier Transform–infrared and X‐ray diffraction examinations of the pigments did not show any noticeable evidence for surfactant untreated or treated copper phthalocyanine. On the other hand, thermal analysis (both thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) showed clear evidence of the surfactants on both pigments, as substantial changes in thermogravimetric curves were assessed.
Bipolar tissue sealant device decreases hemoglobin loss in multilevel spine surgery
Authors: Hill Steven E. , Broomer Bob , Stover John , White William , Richardson William
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Traditional techniques for obtaining hemostasis during orthopedic surgery, such as conventional electrocautery and sealants, have limited clinical effectiveness in reducing hemoglobin (Hb) loss and requirement for transfusion. The bipolar tissue sealant device studied in this trial combines radiofrequency energy with saline irrigation to hemostatically seal both cut bone and soft tissue, potentially aiding hemostasis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing multilevel posterior lumbar instrumentation and fusion were randomly assigned to unipolar cautery alone (control group) or unipolar cautery plus use of the bipolar tissue sealant device (treatment group). Hb loss from the surgical field was measured (rather than estimated) and compared between the two groups. The primary hypothesis was that the treatment group would lose significantly less Hb than the control group.

RESULTS: The control group experienced a mean Hb loss of 102.4 g while the treatment group showed a significantly lower mean Hb loss of 66.2 g (p = 0.0004). No significant difference was found between groups with respect to secondary endpoints including length of surgery, number of red blood cell units transfused, number of total blood component units transfused, transfusion avoidance, length of stay, or serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION: Use of a bipolar tissue sealant device in addition to unipolar cautery significantly decreased Hb loss during multilevel, posterior lumbar spinal instrumentation and fusion when compared with unipolar cautery alone.
Institutional Equity Trading Costs: NYSE Versus Nasdaq
Authors: CHAN LOUIS K. C. , LAKONISHOK JOSEF
Published: April 2012

We compare execution costs (market impact plus commission) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq for institutional investors. The differences in cost generally conform to each market's area of specialization. Controlling for firm size, trade size, and the money management firm's identity, costs are lower on Nasdaq for trades in comparatively smaller firms, while costs for trading the larger stocks are lower on NYSE. The cost differences estimated from a regression model are, however, sensitive to the choice of time period.
Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition Prevents Atrial Fibrillation in a Canine Model of Atrial Pacing‐Induced left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: SAKABE MASAO , FUJIKI AKIRA , SAKAMOTO TAMOTSU , NAKATANI YOSUKE , MIZUMAKI KOICHI , INOUE HIROSHI
Published: April 2012

Allopurinol and Atrial Fibrillation. Aims: Oxidative stress could be a possible mechanism and a therapeutic target of atrial fibrillation (AF). Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition reduces oxidative stress, but the effects of XO inhibitor on AF have not been evaluated. Hence, we assessed the effects of XO inhibitor, allopurinol, on progression of atrial vulnerability in dogs associated with tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results:
The dogs were subjected to atrial tachypacing (ATP, 400 bpm) without atrioventricular block for 4 weeks. The dynamics of atrial‐tachycardia remodeling were evaluated in allopurinol‐treated dogs (ALO, n = 5), placebo‐treated controls (CTL, n = 6), and sham‐operated dogs (n = 6). In CTL dogs, 4 weeks of ATP significantly increased AF duration (DAF; from 0.2 ± 0.2 seconds to 173 ± 67 seconds, P < 0.05) and decreased atrial effective refractory period (ERP; from 152 ± 9 milliseconds to 80 ± 4 milliseconds at a cycle length of 350 milliseconds, P < 0.01). Allopurinol attenuated the ATP effects on ERP (118 ± 6 milliseconds, P < 0.01) or DAF (0.6 ± 0.3 seconds, P < 0.05).

In CTL dogs, ATP‐induced rapid ventricular responses decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; from 58.6 ± 0.1 to 23.5 ± 2.4%, P < 0.01), and increased left atrial diameter (LAD; from 17 ± 1 mm to 24 ± 1 mm, P < 0.01). ATP increased atrial fibrosis when compared with sham‐operated dogs (CTL 10.7 ± 0.8% vs Sham 1.1 ± 0.3%, P < 0.01). Allopurinol suppressed atrial fibrosis (2.3 ± 0.6%, P < 0.01 vs CTL) and eNOS reduction without affecting LVEF (20.6 ± 2.2%, ns) and LAD (23 ± 1 mm, ns).

Conclusion:
Allopurinol suppresses AF promotion by preventing both electrical and structural remodeling. These results suggest that XO may play an important role in enhancement of atrial vulnerability, and might be a novel target of AF therapy. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 pp. 1130‐1135, October 2012)
Determining Activation Volume for the Pressure‐Induced Phase Transformation in β‐Eucryptite Through Nanoindentation
Authors: Ramalingam Subramanian , Reimanis Ivar E. , Packard Corinne E.
Published: April 2012

β‐eucryptite (LiAlSiO4) has received widespread attention, both industrially and academically because of its low negative average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and one dimensional Li‐ion conductivity. It undergoes a reversible pressure‐induced phase transformation at ~1 GPa to a metastable polymorph, ε‐eucryptite. In the present work, low load (~30 μN) nanoindentation tests were performed on polycrystalline and single crystal β‐eucryptite to characterize this phase transformation. Hundreds of tests at several loading rates revealed a rate‐dependence, with higher loading rates suppressing the deviation from isotropic elastic behavior—a signature of a thermally‐activated process. The occurrence of reversible hysteretic loops in the load‐displacement curves is consistent with a reversible process during nanoindentation, viz. the phase transformation. Calculations of the activation volume suggest that the nucleation event that is believed to mark the onset of the phase transformation is approximately the size of the silica and alumina tetrahedra comprising the β‐eucryptite structure. This study provides fundamental insights into the mechanism of pressure‐induced phase transformation in β‐eucryptite.
1  Beyond Belief: The Archaeology of Religion and Ritual
Authors: Rowan Yorke M
Published: April 2012

Until recently, the study of religion and ritual by archaeologists was typically found among those studying “world religions,” particularly those with the benefit of texts. Building upon a renewed interest in archaeological explorations of ancient religion and sacred ritual, the authors in this volume construct new understandings of the material forms of religion through the combination of multiple perspectives and differing methodological approaches. By using a variety of strategies applied to widely divergent regions and time periods, these scholars demonstrate how the archaeological study of ancient religion and ritual is methodologically and theoretically valid.
5  Toward an Archaeology of Secrecy: Power, Paradox, and the Great Gods of Samothrace
Authors: Blakely Sandra
Published: April 2012

The mystery cult of the Great Gods of Samothrace offers productive material for theory building with respect to the archaeology of secrecy in ritual contexts. The social practice of secrecy builds political power and relies on communicative strategies that simultaneously conceal and reveal, employing culturally specific codes involving abstraction, ambiguity, metaphor, and allusion. Samothrace increased its secrecy as it grew in prestige: archaeological materialization of this secrecy includes euphemistic inscriptions and magnetized iron rings used as tokens of initiation. The rings use myth, philosophy, and ritual practice to communicate the initiate's status while emphasizing the rites’ resistance to disclosure.
12  What Should an Archaeology of Religion Look Like to a Blind Archaeologist?
Authors: Joyce Rosemary A.
Published: April 2012

Archaeology understands religion from embodied practices; interrogates the role of materiality in the reproduction of religion, accomplished in ritual; and explores what historical perspectives tell us about how religions persist and change. Archaeology is specially prepared to examine the repetition of practices over time, and their mediation through material forms. Embodied practices, routinized, unquestioned, yet subject to recognition and approval as “right,” are the core of religion in action, or ritual. A pragmatic archaeological approach asks not what religionis,but what itdoes,and how the material and historical basis of archaeology might change our view of religion.
Decreased level of melatonin in serum predicts left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Dominguez‐Rodriguez Alberto , Abreu‐Gonzalez Pedro , Arroyo‐Ucar Eduardo , Reiter Russel J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  As experimental studies suggest that melatonin is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction (MI), this study sought to investigate the relationships between circulating levels of melatonin and left ventricular (LV) remodelling in patients after acute MI. This prospective study included 161 patients (age 61 ± 3 yr; 78% men) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention who were assessed echocardiographically at hospital discharge (day 3–7) and at 12 months. LV remodelling was defined as >20% increase in LV end‐diastolic volume at 12‐month follow‐up compared with baseline. Serum melatonin concentrations were measured at admission, during the light period. Twenty‐four patients showed LV remodelling, and 137 had no evidence of LV remodelling. Patients with LV remodelling had lower levels of melatonin at study entry [9.96 (8.28–11.03) versus 16.74 (13.77–19.59) pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.0001]. Multivariate analysis showed that melatonin levels (OR = 2.10, CI 95% 1.547–2.870, P < 0.001) were an independent predictor of LV remodelling at 12‐month follow‐up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.959 (CI 95% 0.93–0.98; P < 0.0001). To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the relationship between melatonin and LV remodelling during the chronic phase post‐MI.
Omega‐3 essential fatty acid status is improved during nutritional rehabilitation of adolescent girls with eating disorders and weight loss
Authors: Swenne Ingemar , Rosling Agneta
Published: April 2012

Aim:  Essential fatty acid status is altered in eating disorders with weight loss, and deficiencies in polyunsaturated omega‐3 essential fatty acids have been implicated in the development of depression and other psychopathologies. Presently, recovery of essential fatty status during the treatment of adolescent girls with eating disorders has been investigated.

Methods:  Fatty acids were analysed in erythrocyte membranes of 24 adolescents girls with eating disorders of short duration, and on the average >10 kg weight loss at presentation. Blood samples were obtained at presentation and following weight recovery on standard diet without supplementation with essential fatty acids.

Results:  Alterations of essential fatty status observed at presentation largely normalized during treatment. Omega‐3 status improved following weight gain.

Conclusion:  Adequate nutrition, normalization of eating behaviours, weight gain and the consequent return to normalization of metabolism and endocrine function are sufficient to ensure normalization of essential fatty acid status. Supplementation with omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids does not appear warranted.
Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in an elderly population in the city of Valparaiso, Chile
Authors: Cueto Alfredo , Martínez René , Niklander Sven , Deichler Javiera , Barraza Alan , Esguep Alfredo
Published: April 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00663.x

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in an elderly population in the city of Valparaiso, Chile

Objective:  Chilean population is ageing, which means an increase in the prevalence of multiple pathologies, including those located in the oral cavity.

Aim:  To measure the prevalence and distribution of oral mucosal lesions and to identify associated risk factors in elderly patients in the city of Valparaiso.

Material and methods:  This study includes 126 patients over 60 years. The sample was calculated with a sampling error of 3.7% from a population size of 6000 file cards. Frequency and contingency tables were made together with odds ratios, with a confidence interval of 95%. Finally, we built a predictive model based on a binary logistic regression.

Results:  From the whole sample, 85 patients (67.5%) had some oral mucosal lesion. The most frequent lesions were denture‐induced stomatitis (37.1%). It was noted that there is a statistically significant association between the use of denture and the presence of oral candidiasis. The consumption of drugs and the use of denture increase the likelihood of having oral mucosal lesions.

Conclusion:  There is a high prevalence of oral lesions in the elderly patients of Valparaiso. The use of drugs and /or denture increases significantly the likelihood that a person over 60 years presents lesions in the oral mucosa.
DEALING “COMPETENTLY WITH THE SERIOUS ISSUES OF THE DAY”: HOW DEWEY (AND POPPER) FAILED
Authors: Phillips D.C.
Published: April 2012

In Reconstruction in Philosophy, John Dewey issued an eloquent call for contemporary philosophy to become more relevant to the pressing problems facing society. Historically, the philosophy of a period had been appropriate to social conditions (indeed, this is why it had developed as a discipline), but despite the vast changes in the contemporary world and the complex challenges confronting it philosophy had remained ossified. Karl Popper also was dissatisfied with contemporary philosophy, which he regarded as too often focusing upon “minute” problems. Both Dewey and Popper, however, were optimistic that the situation could be turned around. In this essay D.C. Phillips argues that the resources they mustered give no basis for this optimism; in particular, Phillips emphasizes that philosophy cannot have traction with closed‐minded or fanatical individuals. Dewey passed over cases where his ideas about democratic processes and free intellectual exchange faced intractable difficulties, according to Phillips, and he further suggests that Popper “waffled” over the so‐called “myth of the framework.”
Zur Kenntnis der Askorbinsäure‐Oxydase1
Authors: Rosenberg Hans
Published: April 2012

Die in Gurken enthaltene hochwirksame Askorbinsäure‐Oxydase wurde an zwei Stereo‐Isomeren der 1‐Askorbinsäure auf ihre Spezifität geprüft.

Die Wirksamkeit der Askorbinsäure‐Oxydase gegenüber d‐Askorbinsäure und d‐Arabo‐askorbinsäure ist geringfügig im Vergleich mit ihrer Wirksamkeit gegenüber 1‐Askorbinsäure.

Nach Abschluß dieser Arbeit finden wir eine kurze Mitteilung von Zilva (1936, Biochemic. J. 30, 1215), daß ein Homologon der d‐Askorbinsäure, d‐Gluko‐Askorbinsäure, von Askorbinsäure‐Oxydase langsam, aber vollständig oxydiert wird.
Die Restreduktion des Blutes in der Ruhe und während körperlicher Arbeit1
Authors: Bøje O.
Published: April 2012

Die Restreduktion im Totalblut bei der Blutzuckerbestimmung a.m. Hagedorn‐Jensen wird nach Vergären der Glukose bestimmt. Sie ist durchschnittlich 11 — 12 mg% als Glukose berechnet, von der Totalreduktion unabhängig und nicht von körperlicher Arbeit beeinflußt.

Nach langdauernder, körperlicher Arbeit, wo der Blutzucker, a.m. Hagedorn‐Jensen bestimmt, bis auf 40 mg% sinken kann, ist noch ungefähr 30 mg% Glukose im Blut vorhanden.
Discursive and scientific psychology
Authors: Edwards Derek
Published: April 2012

I begin with the origins of Loughborough University's Discourse and Rhetoric Group (DARG), and in particular discursive psychology (DP). Rather than attempting to summarize DP, versions of which are plentiful, the article attempts to clarify various relationships and tensions between DP and other kinds of social psychology, particularly experimental. Common sense psychology is defined as DP's topic rather than rival; the aim is to study how people deploy everyday psychological notions and manage psychological business within talk and text, and what they accomplish by such deployments, rather than trying, as experimental psychology is often characterized as doing, to replace it all with something purportedly better. Claims for DP being particularly interpretative rather than scientific are rejected, by appeal to an ‘interpretative gap’ between phenomena, data, analysis, and conclusions that all research must manage, that gap being often much larger in quantitative and experimental work. The importance of pursuing causal explanations of psychological phenomena is questioned, and the importance asserted, of discovering, through rigorous empirical and conceptual analysis, the normative bases of human conduct and accountability.
Impact, Fire, and Fluid Spread Code Coupling for Complex Transportation Accident Environment Simulation
Authors: Brown Alexander L. , Wagner Gregory J. , Metzinger Kurt E.
Published: April 2012

Transportation accidents frequently involve liquids dispersing in the atmosphere. An example is that of aircraft impacts, which often result in spreading fuel and a subsequent fire. Predicting the resulting environment is of interest for design, safety, and forensic applications. This environment is challenging for many reasons, one among them being the disparate time and length scales that are necessary to resolve for an accurate physical representation of the problem. A recent computational method appropriate for this class of problems has been described for modeling the impact and subsequent liquid spread. Because the environment is difficult to instrument and costly to test, the existing validation data are of limited scope and quality. A comparatively well instrumented test involving a rocket propelled cylindrical tank of water was performed, the results of which are helpful to understand the adequacy of the modeling methods. Existing data include estimates of drop sizes at several locations, final liquid surface deposition mass integrated over surface area regions, and video evidence of liquid cloud spread distances. Comparisons are drawn between the experimental observations and the predicted results of the modeling methods to provide evidence regarding the accuracy of the methods, and to provide guidance on the application and use of these methods.
Influence of magnetic ordering on the elastic properties of PdFe3N
Authors: Takahashi Tetsuya , Music Denis , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: April 2012

Phase pure perovskite Pd–Fe–N thin films were synthesized using combinatorial reactive sputtering and their elastic properties were measured by nanoindentation. The elastic modulus of PdFe3N is 171 ± 14 GPa. Various magnetic configurations, from nonmagnetic to paramagnetic, ferromagnetic (FM), and ferrimagnetic (FiM), were probed by ab initio calculations to identify the possible spin state of the as-grown PdFe3N thin film. Since the Curie temperature for PdFe3N is large, it is expected that our nanoindentation data are consistent with the FM configuration. However, the difference between the calculated elastic modulus in the FM state and the measured one is 24%. The calculated elastic modulus for the FiM configuration is deviating by only 2% from the experimental value. Hence, we propose that the FiM magnetic ordering is quenched during thin film synthesis.
Automated beam placement for breast radiotherapy using a support vector machine based algorithm
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Kong Dewen , Jozsef Gabor , Chang Jenghwa , Wong Edward K. , Formenti Silvia C. , Wang Yao
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

To develop an automated beam placement technique for whole breast radiotherapy using tangential beams. We seek to find optimal parameters for tangential beams to cover the whole ipsilateral breast (WB) and minimize the dose to the organs at risk (OARs).

Methods:

A support vector machine (SVM) based method is proposed to determine the optimal posterior plane of the tangential beams. Relative significances of including/avoiding the volumes of interests are incorporated into the cost function of the SVM. After finding the optimal 3‐D plane that separates the whole breast (WB) and the included clinical target volumes (CTVs) from the OARs, the gantry angle, collimator angle, and posterior jaw size of the tangential beams are derived from the separating plane equation. Dosimetric measures of the treatment plans determined by the automated method are compared with those obtained by applying manual beam placement by the physicians. The method can be further extended to use multileaf collimator (MLC) blocking by optimizing posterior MLC positions.

Results:

The plans for 36 patients (23 prone‐ and 13 supine‐treated) with left breast cancer were analyzed. Our algorithm reduced the volume of the heart that receives >500 cGy dose (V5) from 2.7 to 1.7 cm3 (p = 0.058) on average and the volume of the ipsilateral lung that receives >1000 cGy dose (V10) from 55.2 to 40.7 cm3 (p = 0.0013). The dose coverage as measured by volume receiving >95% of the prescription dose (V95%) of the WB without a 5 mm superficial layer decreases by only 0.74% (p = 0.0002) and the V95% for the tumor bed with 1.5 cm margin remains unchanged.

Conclusions:

This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using a SVM‐based algorithm to determine optimal beam placement without a physician's intervention. The proposed method reduced the dose to OARs, especially for supine treated patients, without any relevant degradation of dose homogeneity and coverage in general.