bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospitalization Earlier than 1 Year Prior to Admission as an Additional Risk
Factor for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization
Authors: McAllister Laura , Gaynes Robert P. , Rimland David , McGowan John E.
Published: March 2010

Our case-control study sought to identify risk factors for colonization with
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at
hospital admission among patients with no known healthcare-related risk factors.
We found that patients whose most recent hospitalization occurred greater than 1
year before their current hospital admission were more likely to have MRSA
colonization. In addition, both the time that elapsed since the most recent
hospitalization and the duration of that hospitalization affected risk.
Monks and Businessmen in Catalonia: The Benedictines of Montserrat (1900–1936)
Authors: Roca Javier Fernández
Published: March 2010

This article studies the strategy developed by the Benedictine Community at the Monastery of Montserrat to conceal their patrimony through the constitution of a public limited company. The singularity of this case lies in the opacity that the Benedictines created regarding their properties in the eyes of the government and in the fact that the public limited company was, rather than just a simple mechanism to conceal the Community's assets, a real tool for business management. This instrumental character included a strategy for the enlargement of the patrimony, a line of improvement in the use of rented estates and services, and the execution of the Community's decisions concerning its assets. The business analysis of Larsa is focused on the development of the firm compared to that of its geographical environment, Catalonia, so as to show the similarities and differences between the Benedictine public limited company, managed by members of a religious order, and those run by laymen. Larsa's strategy was based, as that of similar firms, on organic growth and a low level of indebtedness, although a break occurred in that strategy as the result of an exogenous shock (the October 1934 Revolution) that forced the company to modify its objectives from longevity and solvency to profit maximization, dividend distribution, and even business decapitalization.
Intravenous levosimendan vs. dobutamine in acute decompensated heart failure patients on beta‐blockers
Authors: Bergh Claes‐Håkan , Andersson Bert , Dahlström Ulf , Forfang Kolbjorn , Kivikko Matti , Sarapohja Toni , Ullman Bengt , Wikström Gerhard
Published: March 2010

Aims

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of a 24 h intravenous infusion of levosimendan and a 48 h infusion of dobutamine on invasive haemodynamics in patients with acutely decompensated chronic NYHA class III–IV heart failure. All patients were receiving optimal oral therapy including a β‐blocker.

Methods and results

This was a multinational, randomized, double‐blind, phase IV study in 60 patients; follow‐up was 1 month. There was a significant increase in cardiac index and a significant decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at 24 and 48 h for both dobutamine and levosimendan. The improvement in cardiac index with levosimendan was not significantly different from dobutamine at 24 h (P = 0.07), but became significant at 48 h (0.44 ± 0.56 vs. 0.66 ± 0.63 L/min/m2; P = 0.04). At 24 h, the reduction in the mean change in PCWP from baseline was similar for levosimendan and dobutamine, however, at 48 h the difference was more marked for levosimendan (−3.6 ± 7.6 vs. −8.3 ± 6.7 mmHg; P = 0.02). No difference was observed between the groups for change in NYHA class, β‐blocker use, hospitalizations, treatment discontinuations or rescue medication use. Reduction in B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was significantly greater with levosimendan at 48 h (P = 0.03). According to physician's assessment, the improvement in fatigue (P = 0.01) and dyspnoea (P = 0.04) was in favour of dobutamine treatment, and hypotension was significantly more frequent with levosimendan (P = 0.007). No increase in atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia was seen in either group.

Conclusion

A 24 h levosimendan infusion achieved haemodynamic and neurohormonal improvement that was at least comparable at 24 h and superior at 48 h to a 48 h dobutamine infusion.
Science-to-management pathways in US Atlantic herring management: using governance network structure and function to track information flow and potential influence
Authors: Hartley Troy W. , Glass Christopher
Published: March 2010

Hartley, T. W., and Glass, C. 2010. Science-to-management pathways in US Atlantic herring management: using governance network structure and function to track information flow and potential influence. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1154–1163. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) are crucial members of the ecosystem and economy of the Northwest Atlantic, and a challenging species for management, which in the United States is a multistakeholder process, involving commercial and recreational fishing interests, conservation organizations, state and federal governments, and other interested parties. Given the large number of stakeholders, fisheries management has been conceptualized as a governance network, through which multiple parties access the decision-making process and seek to influence the process or outcome. Network analysis is employed to assess the access pathways for scientific information, i.e. collaborative acoustic-survey data, into stock-assessment decisions and the development process for the fisheries management plan. The governance network map was constructed for US Atlantic herring management in 2006 and 2007. The pathways of information flow in the network showed that participants in the collaborative acoustic survey were well connected to the stock-assessment and fisheries-management processes and decision-makers, particularly through key individuals bridging between the industry, science, and management communities. Heavy reliance on those individuals serving a bridging role made the network connectivity vulnerable, however. The network structure also demonstrated significant influence potential for acoustic-survey information. Ramifications for science-to-management pathways in fisheries are discussed.
The infralimbic cortex regulates the consolidation of extinction after cocaine self-administration
Authors: LaLumiere Ryan T. , Niehoff Kate E. , Kalivas Peter W.
Published: March 2010

The infralimbic cortex (IL) regulates the consolidation of extinction learning for fear conditioning. Whether the IL influences the consolidation of extinction learning for cocaine self-administration is unknown. To address this issue, male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent 2 wk of cocaine self-administration followed by extinction training. On the first 5 d of extinction, rats underwent brief (15- or 30-min) extinction sessions and received intra-IL microinjections immediately after each extinction session. On days 6–12 of extinction, rats underwent full-length (2-h) extinction sessions that were used to assess the retention of the extinction learning from the short sessions. IL inactivation via microinjections of the GABA agonists baclofen and muscimol (BM) immediately after the extinction sessions (days 1–5) impaired the retention of extinction learning. Control experiments demonstrated that this effect was not due to inactivation of the prelimbic cortex or due to effects of the drugs on the subsequent day's behavior. In contrast, post-training intra-IL microinjections of the allosteric AMPA receptor potentiator 4-[2-(phenylsulfonylamino)ethylthio]-2,6-difluorophenoxyacetamide (PEPA) enhanced retention of the extinction learning. As evidence suggests a role for the β-adrenergic receptors in memory consolidation, other rats received microinjections of the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist clenbuterol or antagonist ICI-118,551 (ICI). Post-training intra-IL administration of clenbuterol or pre-training administration of ICI enhanced or impaired, respectively, the retention of extinction learning. These data indicate that the IL, and specifically the glutamatergic and β-adrenergic systems in the IL, regulates the consolidation of extinction of cocaine self-administration and that the IL can be manipulated to influence the retention of extinction.
Activin plays a key role in the maintenance of long-term memory and late-LTP
Authors: Ageta Hiroshi , Ikegami Shiro , Miura Masami , Masuda Masao , Migishima Rika , Hino Toshiaki , Takashima Noriko , Murayama Akiko , Sugino Hiromu , Setou Mitsutoshi , Kida Satoshi , Yokoyama Minesuke , Hasegawa Yoshihisa , Tsuchida Kunihiro , Aosaki Toshihiko , Inokuchi Kaoru
Published: March 2010

A recent study has revealed that fear memory may be vulnerable following retrieval, and is then reconsolidated in a protein synthesis-dependent manner. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of these processes. Activin βA, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is increased in activated neuronal circuits and regulates dendritic spine morphology. To clarify the role of activin in the synaptic plasticity of the adult brain, we examined the effect of inhibiting or enhancing activin function on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). We found that follistatin, a specific inhibitor of activin, blocked the maintenance of late LTP (L-LTP) in the hippocampus. In contrast, administration of activin facilitated the maintenance of early LTP (E-LTP). We generated forebrain-specific activin- or follistatin-transgenic mice in which transgene expression is under the control of the Tet-OFF system. Maintenance of hippocampal L-LTP was blocked in the follistatin-transgenic mice. In the contextual fear-conditioning test, we found that follistatin blocked the formation of long-term memory (LTM) without affecting short-term memory (STM). Furthermore, consolidated memory was selectively weakened by the expression of follistatin during retrieval, but not during the maintenance phase. On the other hand, the maintenance of memory was also influenced by activin overexpression during the retrieval phase. Thus, the level of activin in the brain during the retrieval phase plays a key role in the maintenance of long-term memory.
Balance between SIRT1 and DBC1 expression is lost in breast cancer
Authors: Sung Ji‐Youn , Kim Ranah , Kim Ja‐Eun , Lee Juhie
Published: March 2010

SIRT1 (silent mating‐type information regulation 2 homologue 1)‐mediated cellular resistance to various stresses is negatively regulated by deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1), which was originally reported to be deleted in breast cancer. However, the suggested functions of SIRT1 as a potential tumor promoter and of DBC1 as a potential tumor suppressor have been challenged by observations of their respective down‐ and up‐regulation in various cancers. The aim of the present study was to simultaneously evaluate the expression levels of SIRT1 and DBC1 in the normal and tumor breast tissues from 28 breast cancer patients and to determine correlations with clinicopathological variables. SIRT1 and DBC1 expression was higher in tumor tissues than in matched normal tissues at the protein level, but not at the transcriptional level. Overexpression of SIRT1 and DBC1 in tumor tissue was correlated with favorable and unfavorable clinicopathological factors, suggesting their pleiotropic functions as a potential tumor promoter and tumor suppressor in tumorigenesis. Interestingly, although the overall expression of SIRT1 and DBC1 increased in tumor breast tissues, the correlation between SIRT1 and DBC1 expression was weaker in tumor tissue than in normal tissue. This suggests that the negative regulation of SIRT1 by DBC1 may retard tumorigenesis in breast tissue. Therefore, the correlation between SIRT1 and DBC1 is a potential prognostic indicator in breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate and PIP5‐kinase Iα are required for invadopodia formation in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Hideki , Yoshida Shuhei , Muroi Emi , Kawamura Masahiro , Kouchi Zen , Nakamura Yoshikazu , Sakai Ryuichi , Fukami Kiyoko
Published: March 2010

Invadopodia are ventral cell protrusions formed in invasive cancer cells. Because invadopodia have extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation activity, they are thought to function in cancer invasion. In this study, we examined the roles of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and PI(4,5)P2‐producing enzymes in invadopodia formation in MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that PI(4,5)P2 accumulates at invadopodia on the ventral cell surface. Injection of an anti‐PI(4,5)P2 antibody inhibited invadopodia formation along with gelatin degradation activity. Sequestering of PI(4,5)P2 by overexpression of the phospholipase C (PLC) δ1‐pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a specific probe for PI(4,5)P2, also blocked invadopodia formation, while a mutated PLCδ1‐PH domain that lacks PI(4,5)P2‐binding activity had no effect. Cellular PI(4,5)P2 production is mainly mediated by type‐I phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate 5‐kinase (PIP5KI) family proteins, which include PIP5KIα, Iβ, and Iγ. Real‐time quantitative PCR analysis showed that PIP5KIα is a dominant isoform expressed in MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Knockdown of PIP5KIα by small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited invadopodia formation and gelatin degradation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that endogenous PIP5KIα protein localizes at invadopodia, which is corroborated by the observation that exogenously expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐fused PIP5KIα protein also accumulates at gelatin degradation sites. These results indicate that localized production of PI(4,5)P2 by PIP5KIα is required for invadopodia formation and ECM degradation by human breast cancer cells. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Deterministic assembly of land snail communities according to species size and diet
Authors: Schamp Brandon , Horsák Michal , Hájek Michal
Published: March 2010

1. We investigated whether coexisting snail species in 145 treeless fen communities in the Western Carpathian Mountains differed more in size and diet than would be expected by chance, as predicted for traits commonly associated with competition and differential resource acquisition under limiting similarity theory.

2. Contrary to expectations, coexisting snail species were no more different in body size than expected by chance under a null model. However, variation in body size played a significant role in structuring snail communities: coexisting snail species were significantly more similar with respect to body size.

3. We developed two new test statistics to expand our investigation of limiting similarity to include diet, a nominal trait. We tested whether communities of snails were characterized by a greater richness of diet, and whether different diets were represented more or less evenly within communities. Communities of snails were significantly less evenly distributed than expected by chance, with detritivores being over‐represented relative to predatory strategies.

4. We also examined the effect of water pH and conductivity, herbaceous cover, and bryophyte and vascular plant richness, on these trends by examining how the effect size of our tests varied across these gradients. Convergence in species size increased with increasing habitat pH. Specifically, smaller snail species were over‐represented in fen communities in general, and this effect was accentuated in increasingly calcareous fens.

5. Theory predicts that traits related strongly to environmental conditions are more likely to be convergent. Our findings support this suggestion, as small snail species have an advantage in tolerating freezing conditions over winter when refuges are limited.

6. These results add to the growing body of literature demonstrating that variation in body size and diet play a strong role in structuring communities, although frequently in ways not predicted by limiting similarity theory. Finally, our results increase our understanding of how species are assembled non‐randomly into communities with respect to important traits.
Peritraumatic Distress Inventory as a predictor of post‐traumatic stress disorder after a severe motor vehicle accident
Authors: Nishi Daisuke , Matsuoka Yutaka , Yonemoto Naohiro , Noguchi Hiroko , Kim Yoshiharu , Kanba Shigenobu
Published: March 2010

Aim:  The aim of this study was to examine the utility of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) as a predictor of subsequent post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in severe motor vehicle accident survivors.

Methods:  Patients consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit were assessed immediately and 1 month after accidents in this prospective study. The predictive value for post‐traumatic stress symptoms at 1 month of the PDI at initial assessment was examined by using multivariate regression analysis. Moreover, the accuracy of the PDI as a predictor of PTSD was determined using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Post‐traumatic stress symptoms were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale – Revised questionnaire, and PTSD was assessed using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale.

Results:  Seventy‐nine patients completed the Impact of Event Scale – Revised questionnaire, and 64 patients participated in a structured interview. Of 64 patients, 13 met the diagnostic criteria of full or partial PTSD. The PDI was an independent predictor of post‐traumatic stress symptoms (P = 0.003). The data indicated that a cut‐off score of 23 maximized the balance between sensitivity (77%) and specificity (82%) in this study. Compared with negative predictive value (93%), positive predictive value was not high (53%).

Conclusion:  The study suggests the predictive usefulness of the PDI for subsequent PTSD in accident survivors. Its adequate usage should be further elaborated.
A single‐blind, comparative study of zotepine versus haloperidol in combination with a mood stabilizer for patients with moderate‐to‐severe mania
Authors: Chan Hung‐Yu , Jou Shaw‐Hua , Juang Yeong‐Yuh , Chang Ching‐Jui , Chen Jiahn‐Jyh , Chen Chiung‐Hsu , Chiu Nan‐Ying
Published: March 2010

Aims: Atypical antipsychotics are increasingly used in the management of acute mania. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of zotepine compared to haloperidol in combination with a mood stabilizer (lithium or valproate) for treatment of acute mania.

Methods: This was a multi‐center, randomized, rater‐blinded, parallel‐group, flexible‐dose study. Forty‐five hospitalized patients with moderate‐to‐severe manic, bipolar disorder (DSM‐IV) were randomly assigned to a zotepine or a haloperidol 4‐week treatment group.

Results: There was no significant between‐group difference in the Young Mania Rating Scale total scores between the zotepine and haloperidol groups (−23.7 ± 12.1 vs –22.3 ± 11.0, respectively). The adverse events in both groups were mild to moderate. The haloperidol group reported a higher incidence of treatment‐related adverse events, especially parkinsonism and akathisia, compared to the zotepine group. Serum uric acid decreased more in the zotepine group than in the haloperidol group.

Conclusion: In combination with a mood stabilizer, zotepine appears to be as effective as haloperidol in treating moderate‐to‐severe mania in the acute phase, but has the advantages of lowering hyperuricemia and fewer extrapyramidal side‐effects. Double‐blinded studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.
The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Taiwanese adults
Authors: Chen Ning‐Hung , Chuang Li‐Pang , Yang Cheng‐Ta , Kushida Clete A. , Hsu Shih‐Chieh , Wang Pa‐Chun , Lin Shih‐Wei , Chou Yu‐Ting , Chen Rou‐Shayn , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Lai Szu‐Chia
Published: March 2010

Aim:  Few studies have examined the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Asian populations, with existing data suggesting substantially lower rates of RLS in Asian populations compared with Caucasians. However, varying definitions of RLS as well as problematic methodology make conclusions about RLS prevalence in Asian populations difficult to interpret. The current study therefore examines the prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults.

Methods:  Subjects were 4011 Taiwanese residents over the age of 15 years. Data was collected using a computer‐assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system between 25 October 2006 and 6 November 2006.

Results:  The prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults was found to be 1.57%. In addition, individuals with RLS had a higher body mass index (BMI) and incidence of chronic conditions and comorbidities including insomnia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, backache and mental illness. Women with RLS also had a higher incidence of post‐menopausal syndrome.

Conclusion:  Findings from the current study suggest that the prevalence of RLS in Taiwan is 1.57% by telephone interview. Individuals with RLS had a higher incidence of chronic insomnia and many other chronic disorders. The association and long‐term consequences of RLS with these chronic disorders warrants further longitudinal observation and study.
Rapid response to antipsychotic treatment on psychotic prodrome: Implications from a case series
Authors: Liu Chen‐Chung , Sheu Yi‐Han , Wu Szu‐Ying , Lai Meng‐Chuan , Hwu Hai‐Gwo
Published: March 2010

The feasible intervention strategy at the prodromal state of psychosis is under debate. We report nine subjects clinically in a putative prodromal state of psychosis who responded to low‐dose aripiprazole within the first week of medication. We conjecture that the pathophysiological processes might be easier to modify by antipsychotics in the prodromal state and we believe a short‐term low‐dose trial of antipsychotic agents is a convenient option for subjects at ultra high risk of psychosis. We urge specific attention to monitor the dissolution of psychotic‐like symptoms carefully in order to have a better understanding of the pathogenesis and pharmacotherapy in the inception of psychosis.
Characteristics of the tree‐drawing test in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Kaneda Ayako , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Saito Manabu , Sugawara Norio , Nakagami Taku , Furukori Hanako , Kaneko Sunao
Published: March 2010

Aims:  A tree‐drawing test acts as both a projective psychological examination as well as a supplementary psychodiagnostic tool. There is little information relating the characteristics of schizophrenia and the tree‐drawing test. The present study compared the structural and morphological differences in the results of the tree‐drawing test between schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals, as well as between schizophrenic patients who responded well to treatment and those who responded poorly.

Methods:  The subjects included 202 chronic schizophrenic patients and 113 healthy individuals. The schizophrenic patients were categorized as ‘good responders’ or ‘poor responders’ based on their response to medical treatments. The tree‐drawing test was performed on all subjects. The tree drawn by each subject was analyzed structurally and morphologically.

Results:  There were significant differences between the trunk and branches drawn by schizophrenic patients and those drawn by healthy controls. There were no significant differences between the good responders and the poor responders in any aspect of the tree drawings. Multiple regression models showed that the ratio of the tree area to the total area of the drawing paper, the width of the trunk, the trunk base opening, and the size of the branch ends were significantly associated with schizophrenia.

Conclusion:  The present study suggests that the trees drawn by schizophrenic patients are significantly different from those drawn by healthy individuals, but among schizophrenic patients, it is difficult to distinguish between good responders and poor responders using the tree‐drawing test.
Pilot study of pharmacological treatment for frontotemporal dementia: Effect of Yokukansan on behavioral symptoms
Authors: Kimura Takemi , Hayashida Hideki , Furukawa Hitomi , Takamatsu Junichi
Published: March 2010

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Yokukansan in improving behavioral symptoms of frontotemporal dementia. This study was a prospective, open‐label trial of daily Yokukansan for 4 weeks in 20 frontotemporal dementia patients. Yokukansan treatment was found to significantly improve scores for the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the Stereotypy Rating Inventory. No adverse effects or significant changes in physical findings and laboratory data occurred except for hypokalemia in two cases. The results indicate that Yokukansan can alleviate the behavioral symptoms of frontotemporal dementia. (The clinical trial registration number is UMIN000002704).
c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway in excitotoxic cell death following kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus
Authors: Spigolon Giada , Veronesi Carlo , Bonny Christophe , Vercelli Alessandro
Published: March 2010

Systemic injections of kainic acid (KA) cause epileptic seizures with delayed neuronal damage in the limbic system, particularly in the hippocampus. KA excitotoxicity activates complex signal transduction events that trigger apoptotic cell death. The c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays an important role in cell death, and the peptide D‐JNKI1, a competitive JNK inhibitor, is a potent neuroprotective agent. To analyse the role of JNK and the effects of D‐JNKI1 administration on excitotoxic neuronal death, we induced epileptic seizures by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats; a group of rats received i.p. D‐JNKI1 2 h after KA. KA caused massive cell death in the hippocampus: in Nissl‐stained sections, stereological counts showed a significant decrease in neuronal density in all CA fields, both at 1 and 5 days after seizures, which was partially prevented by D‐JNKI1 treatment. These results were confirmed by counts of degenerating neurons in CA3 in FluoroJade B‐stained sections. Seizure activity also induced marked gliosis as observed with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry. We also analysed c‐Jun activation as a target of JNK and central transcriptional effector in the adult rat brain following KA injection. Phospho‐c‐Jun immunoreactivity was absent in the hippocampus of untreated animals, whereas strong nuclear neuronal labeling could be observed, starting from 3 h after KA administration, in microtubule‐associated protein‐2‐positive neurons but not in GFAP‐positive astrocytes. D‐JNKI1 treatment also reduced the positivity for phospho‐c‐Jun in the hippocampus, thus confirming the specificity of the peptide in blocking JNK. Therefore, JNK is a promising target for blocking seizure‐induced cell death.
IS TIGHTER FISCAL POLICY EXPANSIONARY UNDER FISCAL DOMINANCE?: HYPERCROWDING OUT IN LATIN AMERICA
Authors: GRUBEN WILLIAM C. , WELCH JOHN H.
Published: March 2010

Hypercrowding out occurs when fiscally dominated governments' domestic credit demands are so intrusive to a nation's financial system that a move toward fiscal surplus lowers interest rates and increases growth. We sample nine Latin American countries to test for these relationships. The impulse‐response results of vector error correction models, six nations test positive for these two connections, suggesting market concern despite recent efforts toward fiscal balance. (JEL E430, E620, O230, O540)
DETERMINANTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL NONCOMPLIANCE BY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
Authors: RAHMAN TAUHIDUR , KOHLI MINI , MEGDAL SHARON , ARADHYULA SATHEESH , MOXLEY JACKIE
Published: March 2010

Whereas a large number of empirical studies have been devoted to analyzing determinants of environmental compliance (EC) by firms, less attention has been paid to EC by public water systems (PWS). To address this gap in the literature, this article uses data on compliance with maximum contaminant levels (MCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act for 971 PWS in Arizona and identifies the characteristics of PWS that are associated with violation of MCL standards. Three main findings emerge from the analysis. First, larger PWS are more likely to violate MCL standards than smaller PWS. Second, publicly owned PWS have slightly higher probability of violating MCL standards than privately owned systems. Finally, PWS serving residential areas are more likely to violate MCL standards, as opposed to PWS serving school districts or office buildings. The results suggest that for ensuring safe water for people, effectiveness of monitoring policy, and an efficient utilization of resources, the environmental agencies may focus their monitoring and enforcement efforts on these water systems.(JEL K32, Q53)
CASINOS, HOTELS, AND CRIME
Authors: REECE WILLIAM S.
Published: March 2010

This paper examines the links among casinos, hotels, and crime using Indiana's counties for 1994‐2004. In estimating casinos' impacts, I introduce a measure of casino activity in addition to variables related to the timing of casino opening. I test whether or not the number of hotel rooms affects crime rates. Increased casino activity reduces crime rates except for burglary, where crime rates rise after a lag. Leaving out a measure of casino activity appears to create a serious specification error. Finally, including problem crime data plagued by incomplete reporting affects the estimated impact of casinos on crime. (JEL R11, L83)
SHOULD A MANDATORY SUBORDINATED DEBT POLICY BE INTRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM? EVIDENCE FROM THE ISSUANCE ACTIVITY OF BANKS AND BUILDING SOCIETIES
Authors: HAMALAINEN PAUL , HOWCROFT BARRY , HALL MAXIMILIAN
Published: March 2010

Current research is beginning to question the role and effectiveness of traditional rules‐based bank regulatory oversight in favor of incentive‐compatible regulatory design and market discipline and, in particular, mandatory subordinated debt market discipline. However, research on the suitability of a mandatory subordinated debt policy (MSNDP) has focused primarily on the United States. The primary aims of this article, therefore, are to examine the market for subordinated debt (SND) issued by UK credit institutions and to assess the suitability of introducing an MSNDP into UK banking regulation. A further contribution of this article is that it explores SND issuance and its characteristics at a bank level and, uniquely, considers them in relation to regulatory, structural, and economic events that either are specific to the UK or otherwise affect international banks. The article compares the UK findings with research on SND markets in the United States and Europe and, in so doing, raises concerns over whether an MSNDP for the largest global credit institutions would be feasible. Although the focus of this study is the UK banking industry, the country‐focused bank‐level approach provides conclusions that might be relevant to other countries considering the implementation of an MSNDP.(JEL G18, G28)
THE EFFECTS OF THE 1996 U.S.‐CANADA SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT ON THE INDUSTRIAL USERS OF LUMBER: AN EVENT STUDY
Authors: MALHOTRA NISHA , GULATI SUMEET
Published: March 2010

In this article, we analyze whether the Softwood Lumber Agreement between the United States and Canada imposed significant economic costs on industries that use softwood lumber in the United States. To ascertain this impact, we use an event study. Our event study analyzes variations in the stock prices of lumber‐using firms listed at the major stock markets in the United States. We find that the news of events leading to the Softwood Lumber Agreement had significant negative impacts on the stock prices of industries using softwood lumber. The average reduction of stock prices for our sample of firms was approximately 5.42% over all the events considered. (JEL F13, F23)
DO SUNK COSTS MATTER?
Authors: MCAFEE R. PRESTON , MIALON HUGO M. , MIALON SUE H.
Published: March 2010

That sunk costs are not relevant to rational decision making is often presented as one of the basic principles of economics. When people are influenced by sunk costs in their decision making, they are said to be committing the “sunk cost fallacy.” Contrary to conventional wisdom, we argue that in a broad range of situations, it is rational for people to condition behavior on sunk costs because of informational content, reputational concerns, or financial and time constraints. Once all the elements of the decision‐making environment are taken into account, reacting to sunk costs can often be understood as rational behavior. (JEL D0, D01, D8, D81, D83, D9, D90)
ON THE PREFERENCES OF PRINCIPALS AND AGENTS
Authors: CASTILLO MARCO , PETRIE RAGAN , TORERO MAXIMO
Published: March 2010

One of the reasons why market economies are able to thrive is that they exploit the willingness of entrepreneurs to take risks that laborers might prefer to avoid. Markets work because they remunerate good judgment and punish mistakes. Indeed, modern contract theory is based on the assumption that principals are less risk averse than agents. We investigate if the risk preferences of entrepreneurs are different from those of laborers by implementing experiments with a random sample of the population in a fast‐growing, small‐manufacturing, economic cluster. As assumed by theory, we find that entrepreneurs are more likely to take risks than hired managers. These results are robust to the inclusion of a series of controls. This lends support to the idea that risk preferences is an important determinant of selection into occupations. Finally, our lotteries are good predictors of financial decisions, thus giving support to the external validity of our risk measures and experimental methods (JEL C93, D81, D86).
PRICING ANOMALIES IN THE MARKET FOR DIAMONDS: EVIDENCE OF CONFORMIST BEHAVIOR
Authors: SCOTT FRANK , YELOWITZ AARON
Published: March 2010

Some goods are consumed not just for their intrinsic utility but also for the impression their consumption has on others. We analyze the market for such a commodity—diamonds. We collect data on price and other attributes from the inventories of three large online retailers of diamonds. We find that people are willing to pay premiums upward of 18% for a diamond that is one‐half carat rather than slightly less than a half carat and between 5% and 10% for a one‐carat rather than a slightly less than one‐carat stone. Since a major portion of larger gem‐quality diamonds are used for engagement rings, such an outcome is consistent with Bernheim's model of conformism, where individuals try to conform to a single standard of behavior that is often established at a focal point. In this case, prospective grooms signal their desirability as a mate by the size of the diamond engagement ring they give their fiancées. (JEL A1, D4)
NOT ALL RIVALS LOOK ALIKE: ESTIMATING AN EQUILIBRIUM MODEL OF THE RELEASE DATE TIMING GAME
Authors: EINAV LIRAN
Published: March 2010

I develop a new empirical model for discrete games and apply it to study the release date timing game played by distributors of movies. The results suggest that release dates of movies are too clustered around big holiday weekends and that box office revenues would increase if distributors shifted some holiday releases by one or two weeks. The proposed game structure could be applied more broadly to situations where competition is on dimensions other than price. It relies on sequential moves with asymmetric information, making the model particularly attractive for studying (common) situations where player asymmetries are important. (JEL C13, C51, L13, L15, L82)
A THEORY OF BILATERAL OLIGOPOLY
Authors: HENDRICKS KENNETH , MCAFEE R. PRESTON
Published: March 2010

In horizontal mergers, concentration is often measured with the Hirschman–Herfindahl Index (HHI). This index yields the price–cost margins in Cournot competition. In many modern merger cases, both buyers and sellers have market power, and indeed, the buyers and sellers may be the same set of firms. In such cases, the HHI is inapplicable. We develop an alternative theory that has similar data requirements as the HHI, applies to intermediate good industries with arbitrary numbers of firms on both sides, and specializes to the HHI when buyers have no market power. The more inelastic is the downstream demand, the more captive production and consumption (not traded in the intermediate market) affects price–cost margins. The analysis is applied to the merger of the gasoline refining and retail assets of Exxon and Mobil in the western United States. (JEL L13, L41)
CHEATING IN CONTESTS
Authors: GILPATRIC SCOTT M.
Published: March 2010

Wherever competition is used to motivate a desirable activity or productive effort it may also motivate undesirable and therefore prohibited behavior—that is, cheating—that the organizer of the contest attempts to police. For example, when workers compete for promotion, bonuses, or other rewards, they may misrepresent their output (i.e., commit fraud) or increase their output by unacceptable means (e.g., violate regulations). We show how the extent of cheating is determined by the payoffs at stake in the contest, the random component of output, probability of cheating being detected, number of contestants, and the penalty associated with being found to have cheated. We find that while greater enforcement reduces cheating, it may also reduce productive effort. We also identify how two particular aspects of enforcement, the awarding of default victories and use of correlated rather than independent audits, affect cheating behavior. (JEL J33, K42)
Combining etanercept with traditional agents in the treatment of psoriasis: a review of the clinical evidence
Authors: Foley PA , Quirk C , Sullivan JR , Dolianitis C , Hack SP , Thirunavukkarasu K , Cooper AJ
Published: March 2010

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder manifesting primarily in skin and potentially in joints, frequently necessitating treatment with conventional systemic therapies, phototherapy or biological agents. Patients with moderate to severe disease suffer a diminished quality of life, experience significant comorbidities and have a higher mortality. Although traditional treatments are effective in the short‐term, their use is often limited by concerns over long‐term toxicity, including end‐organ damage and risk of malignancy. Combination therapy is a commonly used approach and is often more effective than any single agent. Lower doses of two treatments in combination can also minimize potential side effects from a single agent at higher doses. Etanercept is a recombinant human tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α receptor (p75) protein fused with the Fc portion of IgG1 that binds to TNFα. This article reviews the evidence on the efficacy and safety of etanercept in combination with methotrexate, acitretin, narrowband UVB and cyclosporin. The largest body of evidence assesses the combination with methotrexate, although evidence is available for the other combinations. Data suggest that although highly effective as monotherapy, etanercept in combination with a conventional systemic agent can enhance efficacy and allow drug sparing. Potentially, the combination may also result in faster treatment responses and permit safe transitioning from one systemic agent to another. Evidence to date suggests that these benefits can be achieved without significant additional toxicity, although long‐term data on the efficacy and safety of the combination in psoriatic populations is limited and further evaluation is warranted.
Gene expression profiling in psoriatic scalp hair follicles: clobetasol propionate shampoo 0.05% normalizes psoriasis disease markers
Authors: Aubert J , Reiniche P , Fogel P , Poulin Y , Lui H , Lynde C , Shapiro J , Villemagne H , Soto P , Voegel JJ
Published: March 2010

Background  Clobetasol propionate shampoo is effective and safe in treatment of scalp psoriasis (SP). Gene expression profiling of psoriatic skin biopsies led to the identification of numerous disease‐related genes. However, it remained unknown whether the gene expression profile of hair follicles of SP patients was also affected.

Objectives  To determine whether psoriasis‐related genes are differentially regulated in the hair follicles of SP patients and whether the modulation of these genes can be correlated with clinical severity scores.

Methods  A single arm, open study was conducted in three centres. SP patients received daily treatment with clobetasol propionate shampoo. At Baseline, Weeks 2 and 4, investigators assessed clinical severity parameters and collected scalp hair follicles in anagen phase. Total RNA extracted from hair follicles was used to determine the expression level of 44 genes, which were reported previously to be upregulated in the skin of psoriasis patients.

Results  RNA of good quality and sufficient quantity was obtained from hair follicles of psoriasis patients and healthy volunteers (HV). The expression level of 10 inflammation‐related genes was significantly increased in psoriatic hair follicles. The patient’s exploratory transcriptomic score, defined as the mean fold modulation of these 10 genes compared with HV, correlated with clinical severity scores. Clobetasol propionate shampoo was effective in decreasing both the exploratory transcriptomics and the clinical severity scores.

Conclusion  Hair follicles of SP patients are affected by the inflammatory process. The change in the expression level of inflammation‐related genes correlates with the severity of the disease.
Correlation between the dermatoscopic and histopathological features of pigmented basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tabanlıoğlu Onan D , Şahin S , Gököz Ö , Erkin G , Çakır B , Elçin G , Kayıkçıoğlu A
Published: March 2010

Background  Dermatoscopy has a great value in the diagnosis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is a clinical variant of BCC. The precise definitions of histopathological correlates of dermatoscopic features observed in pigmented BCC have not been established yet.

Objective  The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the dermatoscopic features of pigmented BCC and their histopathological counterparts to provide clear histopathological definitions of each dermatoscopic feature.

Methods  In this case series that comprised a methodological component, after the orientation of dermatoscopic features was determined by placing sutures in the lesions, the histopathological counterparts of each were examined and definitions were made accordingly.

Results  Although the most common histopathological subtype of BCC is the solid type, the most common histopathological subtype observed in the pigmented BCC lesions in the present study was the superficial multifocal type (72.5%). Blue‐whitish veil was observed in 57.5% (n = 23) of the lesions, a percentage higher than that reported in the literature. In addition to confirming the previously histopathologically defined dermatoscopic features of pigmented BCC, we identified three histopathologically undefined features of pigmented BCC that are spoke‐wheel areas, large blue‐grey ovoid nests and multiple blue‐grey globules.

Conclusion  Dermatoscopy facilitates prediction of the corresponding histopathological findings in pigmented BCC, based on specific dermatoscopic features.
No evidence found that childhood onset of psoriasis influences disease severity, future body mass index or type of treatments used
Authors: De Jager MEA , De Jong EMGJ , Meeuwis KAP , Van De Kerkhof PCM , Seyger MMB
Published: March 2010

Background  In more than one‐third of the psoriatic population, the first manifestations occur in childhood. Whether the age of onset of psoriasis influences the march of psoriasis is not known.

Objectives  To describe the epidemiology and clinical features as well as prescribed treatments and familial distribution in psoriasis depending on the age of onset of the disease.

Methods  A structured questionnaire was sent to 5300 adult psoriatic patients. Respondents were divided into two groups: patients who experienced an onset of disease before the age of 18 [childhood onset psoriasis (COP)] and patients with an onset of disease from the age of 18 [adult onset psoriasis (AOP)].

Results  Questionnaires of 1926 (36.3%) patients were suitable for analysis. In 37.1% of patients, first signs of the disease occurred before the age of 18. COP occurs predominantly in females, has a longer delay in diagnosis and a higher frequency of familial distribution. The development of guttate and erythrodermic psoriasis in adulthood is more frequently seen in COP. In contrast to common belief, type of psoriasis in COP often remains the same from childhood to adulthood. There was no evidence found that getting psoriasis before the age of 18 years influences development of high body mass index in adulthood, disease severity in later life or type of treatments used.

Conclusions  The age of onset of psoriasis essentially does not influence the subsequent course of the disease in adulthood.
Frequency of thrombophilia determinant factors in patients with livedoid vasculopathy and treatment with anticoagulant drugs – a prospective study
Authors: Di Giacomo TB , Hussein TP , Souza DG , Criado PR
Published: March 2010

Background Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a chronic idiopathic disease characterized by painful purpuric macules on lower extremities. Its exact aetiology remains uncertain, but thrombotic and microcirculatory phenomena have been implicated as possible pathogenic factors.

Objectives To assess prospectively the frequency of thrombophilia and to verify the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy among LV patients.

Methods Thirty‐four LV patients were tested for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin activity, protein C and S activity, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, prothrombin gene mutation, factor V Leiden mutation, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation, plasma homocysteine and fibrinogen. Thirteen of these patients were treated with anticoagulant drugs (either warfarin or heparin).

Results Of 34 patients, 18 (52%) presented laboratory abnormalities of procoagulant conditions. Positive treatment response to anticoagulant therapy was observed in 11 patients. Improvement of pain was obtained in 1–3 weeks, an average of 1.8 week. Complete healing of the lesions was observed in about 2.3 months. Remission was sustained even after treatment interruption and lasted an average 7.8 months. No severe adverse effects were noticed.

Conclusion The authors suggest all patients with diagnosis of LV to be investigated for thrombophilic status. Anticoagulant drugs were well tolerated and seemed to be effective in treating not only LV symptoms but also its ulcerations.
Estimating the propagule size of a cryptogenic crested newt population
Authors: Arntzen J. W. , Burke T. , Jehle R.
Published: March 2010

Encountering cryptogenic populations that are either native or introduced is a common but underreported phenomenon in field biology. Such local species' occurrences of unknown origin hamper our understanding of species' natural distribution ranges, and pose a problem to conservation management decisions. Genetic tools are frequently used to infer the ancestry of natural or invasive populations based on spatial geographical variation. Here we describe the occurrence of cryptogenic crested newtsTriturus cristatus c. 25 km away from their main range and situated in an area where an introduction has taken place half a century ago. We first verify the suitability of a coalescent‐based analysis that reconstructs the number of founder individuals of a putative propagule from a source pool, based on previously published data documenting a well‐known introduction (the Laysan finch on the Hawaiian archipelago). After showing the validity of the approach, we apply this analysis to the case ofT. cristatus, revealing that the number of effective founders would have been of the same order as the current effective carrying capacity of the population. We thus argue that the localT. cristatusoccurrence is in fact of natural origin, with the documented introduction having little or no impact to the current gene pool. The result has major implications to our understanding of the species' habitat requirements in a zone of parapatry with a closely related species.