bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silencing the Provincial other: Focalisation, Identification and Power in Franz Innerhofer's Schöne Tage
Authors: Firth Catriona
Published: September 2011

Franz Innerhofer's first novel, Schöne Tage, is often held up as an archetype of the Austrian anti‐Heimat novel, whose critical revision of the provincial idyll is believed to have contributed to the linguistic and social emancipation of Austria's rural underclass. Employing a comparative narratological approach, which combines insights from literary and film studies, this article addresses the issue of narrative perspective in Innerhofer's novel. The view ‘von unten’, celebrated as a sign of rural literature's liberation from patriarchal power, is exposed as a problematic peg on which to hang provincial equality. Whilst narrative perspectives may have changed, the language in which they find expression remains firmly in the service of existing power structures, subjugating rather than enfranchising the rural subject. This article examines the connection between perspectival, narrative and identificatory structures and questions the basis of the reader's identification with the text's protagonists in the face of an unidentified, omniscient narrator wielding ultimate narrative power. In locating the basis of the reader's identifications in problematic linguistic power structures, this article demands a re‐evaluation of the impulse in literary history to accord a positive performative function to anti‐Heimat literature.

Franz Innerhofers erster Roman, Schöne Tage, gilt in der Literaturgeschichte als Paradebeispiel des österreichischen Antiheimatromans, der durch seine kritische Transformation der ländlichen Idylle einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur sprachlichen sowie sozialen (Selbst‐)Befreiung der provinziellen Unterschicht geleistet haben soll. Meine Analyse bedient sich literatur‐ und filmtheoretischer Ansätze, um sich narratologisch‐komparativ den diversen Erzählstandpunkten zu widmen, die in Innerhofers Roman vorkommen. Die als sprachliches Befreiungsmittel vielfach gefeierte Perspektive ‘von unten’ erweist sich dadurch als eine äußerst problematische Basis für diese postulierte ländliche Emanzipation. Obwohl der Blickwinkel eindeutig einer tiefgehenden Transformation unterzogen wird, bleibt er immer noch auf die autoritär‐patriarchalisch gefärbten Ausdrucksweisen angewiesen, die das ländliche Subjekt eher knechten als befreien. Die Perspektiven‐, Erzähl‐ und Identifikationsstrukturen werden hier analysiert, um Licht auf die psychoanalytische Grundlage für die vom Leser unternommenen Identifikationen mit den Protagonisten und dem unsichtbaren, allwissenden und daher allmächtigen Erzähler zu werfen. Damit wird einen zutiefst problematischen Aspekt der mit dem Erzählstandpunkt eng verknüpften Identifikationsstrukturen aufgedeckt, der eine kritische Neubewertung der Rezeption erfordert.
Touching Distance: Gender, Germanness, and the Gaze in Angelina Maccarone's Fremde Haut (2005)
Authors: Jeremiah Emily
Published: September 2011

This article explores Angelina Maccarone's 2005 film Fremde Haut, arguing that it exposes the combined force of the constructs ‘nation’ and ‘gender’, which rely on covert or overt violence to maintain their borders and assert their authority. The film tells of Fariba Tabrizi, an Iranian lesbian who enters Germany illegally. Fariba cross‐dresses in order to gain access to the country, and forms a relationship with a German woman. The article investigates how Fremde Haut opens up genders as performative, shifting, and variable, drawing on the work of Sara Ahmed, Judith Butler, R. W. Connell, and Judith Halberstam. As well as challenging the apparent fixity and discreteness of sexes, genders, and sexualities, the film also celebrates transnational exchange, suggesting that nations are not static and impenetrable. Thus, it mounts a dual challenge to heterosexism and nationalism. It also asserts the gaze as (potentially) mutual and ‘feminine’, and challenges masculinist scopophilia (Laura Mulvey) by emphasising touch.

Dieser Artikel untersucht Angelina Maccarones Fremde Haut (2005). Meine Analyse zeigt, wie der Film die vereinte Wirkung der Konstrukte ‘Nation’ und ‘Gender’ offenlegt, die auf verdeckte oder offenkundige Gewalt angewiesen sind, um ihre Grenzen und ihren Einfluss zu behaupten. Der Film erzählt die Geschichte von Fariba Tabrizi, einer iranischen lesbischen Frau, die illegal nach Deutschland einreist. Fariba gibt sich als Mann aus, um sich Zugang zu Deutschland zu verschaffen, und baut eine Beziehung zu einer deutschen Frau auf. Dieser Artikel analysiert, wie Fremde Haut Gender als performativ, veränderlich und mannigfaltig erschließt. Meine Diskussion bezieht Untersuchungen von Sara Ahmed, Judith Butler, R. W. Connell und Judith Halberstam ein. Der Film bestreitet die offenkundige Festigkeit und Eigenständigkeit von Geschlechtern, Gender und Sexualitäten, genauso wie er transnationalen Austausch preist. Er legt damit nahe, dass Nationen nicht feststehend und undurchdringlich sind. Der Film ficht auf diese Weise sowohl Heterozentrismus als auch Nationalismus an. Außerdem beschreibt er den ‘Blick’ (gaze) als (potentiell) wechselseitig und ‘weiblich’ und stellt masculinist scopophilia (Laura Mulvey) in Frage, indem er den Akzent auf Berührung legt.

I like the themes of absurdity, the absurdity of norms, and of crossing borders, of overstepping the line. I cross them every day […]. Even as a child I had to explain my name. Then I had to explain myself as a lesbian. Things always had to be explained. I think that is so absurd. (Angelina Maccarone)2
Voluntary Cooperation in Terms of International Financial Supervision
Authors: Diev Pavel
Published: September 2011

This article analyzes the issue of voluntary cooperation in terms of international financial supervision. A simple modeling framework is provided where financial supervision is an international public good and thus may be underprovided globally. The article asks a simple question: would national supervisors cooperate and increase the level of global supervision, and by how much? I use coalition formation game theory to address this question. The main results are the following. If the situation is completely symmetric (identical‐sized countries and symmetric externalities), the amount of cooperation is relatively high and full cooperation could be achieved for particular numbers of countries involved in the negotiations. However, in general, full cooperation would not be an equilibrium because countries have incentives to free ride on the cooperation of other countries. Introducing asymmetries in the size of the countries and/or in the externalities between countries reduces the scope for cooperation. However, higher asymmetries are not necessarily related to lower cooperation if the distribution of asymmetries has a particular shape, such that big countries are generating large externalities on small countries, as it might be the case in reality.
Deutschland als Weltmeister der Steuerliteratur? Fallstudie einer Legende
Authors: Wagner Franz W. , Zeller Susanne
Published: September 2011

This paper analyzes the production of tax literature in Germany empirically. It provides evidence to reject the argument made by politicians and the media that Germany produces three quarters of the global tax literature. It also finds that regarding the length of the tax code and the actual costs of declaring taxes, Germany is middle of the class globally. Using a case study, the paper analyzes the motives of authors of tax literature. The evidence shows that most publications are not motivated by generating knowledge, but by self-marketing, lobbying, and personal satisfaction. Overall, publications on a specific topic follow a pattern of decreasing (rather than increasing) quality over time. These repeated publications without generation of incremental knowledge are due to the organization of the market for publications in Germany, but unrelated to features of the tax system.
Ansteckungsgefahren im Eurogebiet und die Rettungsmaßnahmen des Frühling 2010
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Modery Wolfgang
Published: September 2011

A large number of German economists have spoken out against the package of aid measures provided by the Member States of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the countries within the euro area that have been facing severe financial difficulties. This includes in particular the opinion of 189 German economists on the EU debt crisis (see the plenum of German economists, 2011) and the study of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of January 2011. Above all many German economists question whether those measures were necessary in order to prevent the emergence of contagion risks and domino effects within the European monetary union following a restructuring in one of the euro area countries. This paper illustrates the main channels of possible contagion. It emphasises how important it is, especially given the current crisis situation, to maintain the confidence of international investors in the willingness of euro area countries to honour their debt. In this respect, contract compliance on the part of highly-indebted national governments towards their creditors is essential. By contrast, if in the case of Greece for example financial market participants were to perceive a debt restructuring as a viable and politically acceptabelle option in case financial problems emerge in individual euro area countries, access to the capital markets will be harmed for the majority of these countries for many years to come.
The Euromelanoma skin cancer prevention campaign in Europe: characteristics and results of 2009 and 2010
Authors: van der Leest R.J.T. , de Vries E. , Bulliard J‐L. , Paoli J. , Peris K. , Stratigos A.J. , Trakatelli M. , Maselis T.J.E.M.L. , Šitum M. , Pallouras A.C. , Hercogova J. , Zafirovik Z. , Reusch M. , Olah J. , Bylaite M. , Dittmar H.C. , Scerri L. , Correia O. , Medenica L. , Bartenjev I. , Guillen C. , Cozzio A. , Bogomolets O.V. , del Marmol V.
Published: September 2011

Background  Euromelanoma is a skin cancer education and prevention campaign that started in 1999 in Belgium as ‘Melanoma day’. Since 2000, it is active in a large and growing number of European countries under the name Euromelanoma.

Objective  To evaluate results of Euromelanoma in 2009 and 2010 in 20 countries, describing characteristics of screenees, rates of clinically suspicious lesions for skin cancer and detection rates of melanomas.

Methods  Euromelanoma questionnaires were used by 20 countries providing their data in a standardized database (Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, FYRO Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldavia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine).

Results  In total, 59 858 subjects were screened in 20 countries. Most screenees were female (64%), median ages were 43 (female) and 46 (male) and 33% had phototype I or II. The suspicion rates ranged from 1.1% to 19.4% for melanoma (average 2.8%), from 0.0% to 10.7% for basal cell carcinoma (average 3.1%) and from 0.0% to 1.8% for squamous cell carcinoma (average 0.4%). The overall positive predictive value of countries where (estimation of) positive predictive value could be determined was 13.0%, melanoma detection rates varied from 0.1% to 1.9%. Dermoscopy was used in 78% of examinations with clinically suspected melanoma; full body skin examination was performed in 72% of the screenees.

Conclusion  Although the population screened during Euromelanoma was relatively young, high rates of clinically suspected melanoma were found. The efficacy of Euromelanoma could be improved by targeting high‐risk populations and by better use of dermoscopy and full body skin examination.
The costs of drinking: comparative water dependency of sable antelope and zebra
Authors: Cain J. W. , Owen‐Smith N. , Macandza V. A.
Published: September 2011

Resource partitioning among the ungulate species occupying African savanna ecosystems has been well documented in relation to food resources and habitat features, but few studies have addressed how distinctions in surface water dependency contribute to coexistence. During the dry season surface water becomes restricted to a few perennial sources, while the food resources remaining at this time are also most limited in quantity, especially near water where animals congregate to drink. We compared the movement patterns to and from water of sable antelope Hippotragus niger and zebra Equus quagga herds in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. Owing to distinctions in their digestive systems, we expected sable to drink less frequently than zebra, allowing sable to occupy regions further from surface water than zebra. Sable travelled to water at 2–4‐day intervals, versus 1–2‐day intervals for zebra. However, sable travelled c. 25% greater distances to water due to the location of their late dry season home ranges relative to perennial water sources; zebra home ranges were generally closer to water sources. Travelling 10–15 km to and from water substantially reduced time spent foraging and resting by both species on days when animals drank. Longer intervals between travel to water by the sable antelope herd enabled it to occupy regions of the landscape further from water than those heavily exploited by the more common grazers during the critical dry season months. By avoiding concentrations of other grazers, the sable also probably gained a reduction in predation risk, balancing the substantial costs in terms of time and energy associated with travel to water. Thereby the distinctions in water dependency of this relatively rare grazer facilitated its coexistence alongside more abundant grazers in the KNP.
To ensure maternal mortality is reduced, quality of care needs to be monitored and improved alongside increasing skilled delivery coverage rates
Authors: Mathai M
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Mathai M. To ensure maternal mortality is reduced, quality of care needs to be monitored and improved alongside increasing skilled delivery coverage rates. BJOG 2011; 118 (Suppl. 2): 12–14.
Achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Nepal
Authors: Malla DS , Giri K , Karki C , Chaudhary P
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Malla DS, Giri K, Karki C, Chaudhary P. Achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Nepal. BJOG 2011;118 (Suppl. 2):60–68.

The under 5 child mortality rate in Nepal is on track to achieve the target of 54 per 1000 live births by 2015 compared with 158 per 1000 live births in 1991. The maternal mortality rate also looks set to drop to its target of 134 per 100, 000 live births by 2015 from 539 per 100, 000 live births in 1991. A 3‐year interim plan (2008–11) was established to provide free basic health care for all citizens and the safe delivery incentive programme has proved to help progression towards achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. The development of a policy targeting women, children and vulnerable populations in hard to reach places is a key feature. The principle of a primary healthcare approach is applied in the development and implementation of strategy plans and programmes. The focus is on ensuring that there are functioning facilities for essential obstetric care at health facilities and provision of trained personnel at delivery.
RETRACTED: The oxysterol 27‐hydroxycholesterol regulates α‐synuclein and tyrosine hydroxylase expression levels in human neuroblastoma cells through modulation of liver X receptors and estrogen receptors–relevance to Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Marwarha Gurdeep , Rhen Turk , Schommer Trevor , Ghribi Othman
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1119–1136.

Loss of dopaminergic neurons and α‐synuclein accumulation are the two major pathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. Currently, the mechanisms governing depletion of dopamine content and α‐synuclein accumulation are not well understood. We showed that the oxysterol 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐OHC) reduces the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate‐limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, and increases α‐synuclein levels in SH‐SY5Y cells. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in 27‐OHC effects were not elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that 27‐OHC regulates TH and α‐synuclein expression levels through the estrogen receptors (ER) and liver X receptors (LXR). We specifically show that inhibition of ERβ mediates 27‐OHC‐induced decrease in TH expression, an effect reversed by the ER agonist estradiol. We also show that 27‐OHC and the LXR agonist GW3965 increase α‐synuclein while the LXR antagonist 5α‐6α‐epoxycholesterol‐3‐sulfate significantly attenuated the 27‐OHC‐induced increase in α‐synuclein expression. We further demonstrate that LXRβ positively regulates α‐synuclein expression and 27‐OHC increases LXRβ‐mediated α‐synuclein transcription. Our results demonstrate the involvement of two distinct pathways that are involved in the 27‐OHC regulation of TH and α‐synuclein levels. Concomitant activation of ERβ and inhibition of LXRβ prevent 27‐OHC effects and may therefore reduce the progression of Parkinson’s disease by precluding TH reduction and α‐synuclein accumulation.
Adipose triglyceride lipase affects triacylglycerol metabolism at brain barriers
Authors: Etschmaier Karoline , Becker Tatjana , Eichmann Thomas O. , Schweinzer Cornelia , Scholler Monika , Tam‐Amersdorfer Carmen , Poeckl Michael , Schuligoi Rufina , Kober Alexandra , Chirackal Manavalan Anil Paul , Rechberger Gerald N. , Streith Ingo E. , Zechner Rudolf , Zimmermann Robert , Panzenboeck Ute
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1016–1028.

Currently, little is known about the role of intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) lipases in the brain. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is encoded by the PNPLA2 gene and catalyzes the rate‐limiting step of lipolysis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ATGL deficiency on brain lipid metabolism in vivo using an established knock‐out mouse model (ATGL‐ko). A moderate decrease in TAG hydrolase activity detected in ATGL‐ko versus wild‐type brain tissue was accompanied by a 14‐fold increase in TAG levels and an altered composition of TAG‐associated fatty acids in ATGL‐ko brains. Oil Red O staining revealed a severe accumulation of neutral lipids associated to cerebrovascular cells and in distinct brain regions namely the ependymal cell layer and the choroid plexus along the ventricular system. In situ hybridization histochemistry identified ATGL mRNA expression in ependymal cells, the choroid plexus, pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, and the dentate gyrus. Our findings imply that ATGL is involved in brain fatty acid metabolism, particularly in regions mediating transport and exchange processes: the brain–CSF interface, the blood–CSF barrier, and the blood–brain barrier.
Alteration in N‐glycomics during mouse aging: a role for FUT8
Authors: Vanhooren Valerie , Dewaele Sylviane , Kuro‐o Makoto , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Dollé Laurent , van Grunsven Leo A. , Makrantonaki Evgenia , Zouboulis Christos C. , Chen Cuiying C. , Libert Claude
Published: September 2011

We recently reported that N‐glycosylation changes during human aging. To further investigate the molecular basis determining these alterations, the aging process in mice was studied. N‐glycan profiling of mouse serum glycoproteins in different age groups of healthy C57BL/6 mice showed substantial age‐related changes in three major N‐glycan structures: under‐galactosylated biantennary (NGA2F), biantennary (NA2), and core α‐1,6‐fucosylated ‐β‐galactosylated biantennary structures (NA2F). Mice defective in klotho gene expression (kl/kl), which have a shortened lifespan, displayed a similar but accelerated trend. Interestingly, the opposite trend was observed in slow‐aging Snell Dwarf mice (dw/dw) and in mice fed a calorically restricted diet. We also discovered that increased expression and activity of α‐1,6‐fucosyltransferase (FUT8) in the liver are strongly linked to the age‐related changes in glycosylation and that this increased FUT8 and fucosylation influence IGF‐1 signaling. These data demonstrate that the glycosylation machinery in liver cells is significantly affected during aging and that age‐related increased FUT8 activity could influence the aging process by altering the sensitivity of the IGF‐1R signaling pathway.
Conserved cysteine residues in the mammalian lamin A tail are essential for cellular responses to ROS generation
Authors: Pekovic Vanja , Gibbs‐Seymour Ian , Markiewicz Ewa , Alzoghaibi Fahad , Benham Adam M. , Edwards Robert , Wenhert Manfred , von Zglinicki Thomas , Hutchison Christopher J.
Published: September 2011

Pre‐lamin A and progerin have been implicated in normal aging, and the pathogenesis of age‐related degenerative diseases is termed ‘laminopathies’. Here, we show that mature lamin A has an essential role in cellular fitness and that oxidative damage to lamin A is involved in cellular senescence. Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) aged replicatively or by pro‐oxidants acquire a range of dysmorphic nuclear shapes. We observed that conserved cysteine residues in the lamin A tail domain become hyperoxidized in senescent fibroblasts, which inhibits the formation of lamin A inter‐ and intramolecular disulfide bonds. Both in the absence of lamin A and in the presence of a lamin A cysteine‐to‐alanine mutant, which eliminates these cysteine residues (522, 588, and 591), mild oxidative stress induced nuclear disorganization and led to premature senescence as a result of decreased tolerance to ROS stimulators. Human dermal fibroblasts lacking lamin A or expressing the lamin A cysteine‐to‐alanine mutant displayed a gene expression profile of ROS‐responsive genes characteristic of chronic ROS stimulation. Our findings suggest that the conserved C‐terminal cysteine residues are essential for lamin A function and that loss or oxidative damage to these cysteine residues promotes cellular senescence.
Cerebrovascular responses to cold pressor test during static exercise in humans
Authors: Vianna Lauro C. , Sales Allan Robson Kluser , da Nóbrega Antonio Claudio Lucas
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise modulates the responses of middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCA Vmean) and cerebrovascular conductance to sympathetic stimulation (i.e. cold pressor test – CPT). To accomplish this, MCA Vmean responses were assessed during CPT, static handgrip exercise (HG) at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction and combined condition (HG + CPT), assigned in a counterbalanced order, in eight healthy subjects. Blood pressure (BP), cardiac output (CO) and end‐tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2) were also measured non‐invasively, and an index of vascular conductance was calculated for MCA (CVCi). BP increased from rest (P<0·05) during CPT and HG and was additionally augmented during HG + CPT (P<0·05 versus rest, CPT and HG). Despite the greater augmentation in BP during HG + CPT, MCA Vmean was similarly increased during both HG (18·5 ± 2%, P<0·05 versus rest) and combined condition (19·6 ± 2%, P<0·05 versus rest). MCA Vmean remained unchanged from rest during CPT only. CVCi was slightly reduced (P<0·05) from rest during HG but was greatly reduced by CPT (P<0·05 versus rest). The reduction in CVCi evoked by CPT at rest (−15 ± 2%, P<0·05 versus rest) was significantly attenuated during HG (−8 ± 2%, P<0·05 versus CPT). Increases in CO were similar in all trials, and PETCO2 was unchanged from rest throughout the experiments. In summary, the cerebral conductance index decreases during the cold pressure test while that reduction is smaller when the CPT is conducted during the HG. This was critical for the maintenance of MCA Vmean during combined condition.
Analysis of factors associated with patient satisfaction in ophthalmology: the influence of demographic data, visit characteristics and perceptions of received care
Authors: Schoenfelder Tonio , Klewer Joerg , Kugler Joachim
Published: September 2011

Citation information: Schoenfelder T, Klewer J & Kugler J. Analysis of factors associated with patient satisfaction in ophthalmology: the influence of demographic data, visit characteristics and perceptions of received care. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 580–587. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00869.x

Purpose:  To identify factors associated with satisfaction among patients receiving ophthalmic services and to indicate the intensity of this relationship.

Methods:  The data used was obtained through a self‐administered, post‐visit questionnaire from randomly selected 507 patients treated in seven eye clinics in Germany. The instrument assessed satisfaction with several aspects of care and patient baseline and visit characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate techniques were used to reveal relations between indicators and overall satisfaction.

Results:  Factor analysis yielded two factors, ‘medical aspects of care’ and ‘performance of service’, explaining 55% of total variance. Cronbach’s α coefficient for both scales indicates acceptable internal consistency. Bivariate analysis showed strong relations between overall satisfaction and perceived care with weaker findings pertaining to visit characteristics. Not any of the demographic variables was associated with overall satisfaction. Perceived length of stay, intention to return to the clinic, and occurrence of complications were influential attributes on satisfaction ratings. The multivariate analysis identified seven factors associated with overall satisfaction including the treatment outcome (OR: 4.57), kindness of the nurses (OR: 5.27) and medical practitioners (OR: 2.23), room amenities (OR: 2.72), organization of procedures and operations (OR: 2.71), information about anaesthesia (OR: 1.95), and cleanliness (OR: 1.93).

Conclusions:  Factors associated with patient satisfaction in ophthalmology concern medical aspects like the organization of procedures and operations but also aspects that are not directly related to technical care, such as kindness of the nurses and cleanliness. Results show that patients’ subjective experiences of received care and services relate more strongly and consistently to overall satisfaction than patient demographic data or visit characteristics. Revealed factors predicting patient satisfaction are alterable by health care managers. Therefore, focusing on these attributes represents an effective manner to enhance patient satisfaction in ophthalmology.
Self‐Serving Attribution Bias, Overconfidence, and the Issuance of Management Forecasts
Authors: LIBBY ROBERT , RENNEKAMP KRISTINA
Published: September 2011

Prior studies document that managers consider a variety of costs and benefits when deciding whether to issue earnings forecasts. Using an abstract experiment and a survey of experienced financial managers, we provide evidence that managerial overconfidence may also contribute to this decision. Our experiment shows that participants engage in self‐serving attribution, giving greater weight to internal than external factors as explanations for good performance. This increases confidence in improved future performance, which increases their willingness to issue forecasts. Two facets of the stable individual trait overconfidence, dispositional optimism and miscalibration, also contribute to confidence in improved future performance and willingness to issue forecasts. Consistent with these results, experienced financial manager survey participants believe other managers are likely to overestimate the extent to which they contribute to positive firm performance, and both overoptimism about firm performance and overconfidence in their ability to predict future firm performance contribute to issuance of earnings forecasts.
Inhibition of voltage‐gated Na+ currents in sensory neurones by the sea anemone toxin APETx2
Authors: Blanchard Maxime G , Rash Lachlan D , Kellenberger Stephan
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE APETx2, a toxin from the sea anemone Anthropleura elegantissima, inhibits acid‐sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3)‐containing homo‐ and heterotrimeric channels with IC50 values < 100 nM and 0.1–2 µM respectively. ASIC3 channels mediate acute acid‐induced and inflammatory pain response and APETx2 has been used as a selective pharmacological tool in animal studies. Toxins from sea anemones also modulate voltage‐gated Na+ channel (Nav) function. Here we tested the effects of APETx2 on Nav function in sensory neurones.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Effects of APETx2 on Nav function were studied in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones by whole‐cell patch clamp.

KEY RESULTS APETx2 inhibited the tetrodotoxin (TTX)‐resistant Nav 1.8 currents of DRG neurones (IC50, 2.6 µM). TTX‐sensitive currents were less inhibited. The inhibition of Nav 1.8 currents was due to a rightward shift in the voltage dependence of activation and a reduction of the maximal macroscopic conductance. The inhibition of Nav 1.8 currents by APETx2 was confirmed with cloned channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In current‐clamp experiments in DRG neurones, the number of action potentials induced by injection of a current ramp was reduced by APETx2.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS APETx2 inhibited Nav 1.8 channels, in addition to ASIC3 channels, at concentrations used in in vivo studies. The limited specificity of this toxin should be taken into account when using APETx2 as a pharmacological tool. Its dual action will be an advantage for the use of APETx2 or its derivatives as analgesic drugs.
Venous thromboembolism following gynaecological surgery for suspected or confirmed malignancy
Authors: HITOS Kerry , WAIN Gerard V. , FLETCHER John P.
Published: September 2011

Background:  Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication following gynaecological surgery, with malignancy placing patients at an even greater risk.

Aims:  To review the incidence of VTE following gynaecological surgery for suspected or confirmed malignancy with respect to prophylactic modalities and to assess the incidence and associated risk factors for bleeding complications.

Methods:  A retrospective cohort study was undertaken between 2001 to 2006 on 1363 women undergoing surgery for suspected or confirmed gynaecological malignancy. Data on demographic details, diagnosis, radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment, operative details, and hospital length of stay (LOS), thromboprophylaxis, in‐hospital and 3‐month readmission rates for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) were collected.

Results:  Median age was 54 years (IQR 44–66) and hospital LOS 7 days (IQR 5–9). 51.6% had a new malignancy and 33.0% benign disease. All in‐hospital VTE events (0.4%; 95% CI 0.2–1.0%) occurred in women with advanced malignancy. VTE rate was 1.5% (95% CI 1.0–2.3%) at 3 months. In‐hospital and 3‐month non fatal PE occurred in 0.4% (95% CI 0.2–0.9%) and 1.1% (95% CI 0.7–1.8%) respectively, with a fatal PE rate of 0.1% (95% CI 0.04–0.5%). Malignancy (OR 10.3; 95% CI 1.3–80.6; P = 0.026) and duration of surgery (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4–3.2; P = 0.001) significantly increased bleeding risk.

Conclusions:  In‐hospital VTE risk is higher following gynaecological surgery for malignancy than for benign disease, despite the use of thromboprophylaxis. Given the higher non fatal PE rate after discharge and increasing trend towards shorter hospital LOS, extended prophylaxis in these patients should be considered.
Adults of European ant‐like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) Scydmaenus tarsatus Müller & Kunze and Scydmaenus hellwigii (Herbst) prey on soft‐bodied arthropods
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI Paweł
Published: September 2011

Scydmaenine beetles are commonly described as predators specialized in capturing and feeding on armored mites of the order Oribatida, and documented cases of feeding on other live arthropods have not been known. Based on laboratory observations and a broad choice of Acari (armored and soft‐bodied) and other soil arthropods, food preferences and associated behavior of two scydmaenine species are clarified and described. Adults of Scydmaenus tarsatus ignored oribatid and mesostigmatan mites, but readily attacked and fed on a soft‐bodied Rhizoglyphus sp. (Acaridae), and on small springtails, especially on Ceratophysella denticulata (Hypogastruridae). A water drinking behavior was observed for this species, not reported previously in any Staphylinidae. Scydmaenus hellwigii ignored all tested Acari (including Rhizoglyphus) and scavenged on dead neanurine collembolans or freshly cut pieces of large springtails; a long term culture was maintained by feeding beetles with isotomid springtails. Previously reported strict specialization of Scydmaenus as a predator on Oribatida was not confirmed and it is concluded that the studied species feed on live soft‐bodied organisms and scavenge on dead arthropods.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies is associated with higher scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale than is Alzheimer's disease
Authors: YAMANE Yumiko , SAKAI Kazuo , MAEDA Kiyoshi
Published: September 2011

Background:  Several reports suggest a higher morbidity of depression in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) than in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, these results have not been duplicated consistently. The psychiatric symptoms of dementia, including depression, are important for its diagnosis and management. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify the characteristics of the depressive symptoms in DLB compared with AD using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Methods:  We examined the GDS score for 86 patients with probable DLB (based on the Consensus Criteria for the clinical diagnosis of DLB) and 86 patients with probable AD (based on criteria of the National Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke‐Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association), who were matched according to age, sex, education, and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. We also examined correlations between GDS scores and age, sex, or MMSE scores in both groups. Correlations between GDS scores and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy were examined in patients with DLB. To characterize the GDS in DLB, its profile was examined using factor structures.

Results:  Scores for DLB patients were twice as high on the GDS as those for AD patients. There was no correlation between GDS score and age, sex, or MMSE scores in either group. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the results of MIBG scintigraphy and GDS scores in the DLB group. Using factor structures, the depression symptom profile of these diseases suggested that depression‐specific symptoms, such as mood, worry, or future outlook, were more frequent in the DLB group than non‐specific symptoms, such as lack of energy, decreased concentration, or apathy.

Conclusions:  The data suggest that depressive symptoms are highly specific symptoms of DLB, independent of other features of this disorder. The GDS could be used as a subsidiary tool in differentiating DLB from AD and is more useful than clinical observations of depression.
Polypharmacy increases the risk of Parkinson's disease in older people in Taiwan: A population‐based study
Authors: LAI Shih‐Wei , SU Li‐Ting , LIN Chih‐Hsueh , TSAI Chon‐Haw , SUNG Fung‐Chang , HSIEH Dennis Paul Hsientang
Published: September 2011

Background:  Little is known about the relationship between polypharmacy and Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that polypharmacy increases the risk of PD in older people in Taiwan.

Methods:  From a randomly sampled cohort of one million health insurance enrollees, we identified 2827 new cases of PD over the period 2000–2008 aged ≥65 years and selected 11 308 age‐matched controls without PD. Medication history and baseline comorbidities were compared between the two groups. We defined ‘polypharmacy’ as an average daily use of five or more prescribed drugs.

Results:  Compared with patients using between none and one drug, the odds ratios (ORs) for PD increased to 1.53, 2.08, 2.64, and 2.95 for patients using two to four, five to seven, eight to nine, and ≥10 drugs, respectively. The other conditions associated with PD were dementia (OR 3.43), stroke (OR 2.30), depression (OR 2.15), and alcoholism (OR 2.11). Hyperlipidemia (OR 0.90) was inversely associated with PD.

Conclusions:  Polypharmacy was shown to increase the risk of PD in older people in Taiwan, with risk increasing with the number of medications taken daily. Dementia, stroke, depression, and alcoholism were also associated with an increased risk of PD, whereas there was an inverse correlation between PD and hyperlipidemia.
Skeletal ossification and sequence heterochrony in xenarthran evolution
Authors: Hautier Lionel , Weisbecker Vera , Goswami Anjali , Knight Frank , Kardjilov Nikolay , Asher Robert J.
Published: September 2011

Previous analyses of how mammals vary in their ossification sequences have focused on monotremes, marsupials, and boreoeutherian placentals. Here, we focus on the sequence of cranial and postcranial ossification events during growth in the xenarthran skull and skeleton, including armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. We use two different methods to quantify sequence heterochrony: sequence analysis of variance (ANOVA) and event‐paring/Parsimov. Our results indicate that Parsimov is conservative and does not detect clear heterochronic shifts between xenarthran and boreoeutherian placentals. Sequence‐ANOVA performs better, but both methods exhibit sensitivity to the artifactual accumulation of ties. By controlling for ties and taking into account results that the methods have in common, our analysis suggests that xenarthrans significantly differ from other placentals by a late ossification of the sternum and an early ossification of the phalanges and pubis. We interpret these differences as showing that heterochrony plays a role in the skeletal development of xenarthrans, a change from previous studies that have emphasized the developmental homogeneity of the skeleton across placental mammals.
CHLOROPHYLL C PIGMENT PATTERNS IN 18 SPECIES (51 STRAINS) OF THE GENUS PSEUDO‐NITZSCHIA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Zapata Manuel , Rodríguez Francisco , Fraga Santiago , Barra Lucia , Ruggiero Maria Valeria
Published: September 2011

The pigment composition of 18 species (51 strains) of the pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia was examined using HPLC. The carotenoid composition was typical for diatoms, with fucoxanthin (the major xanthophyll), diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, and β,β‐carotene. However, a diverse array of chl c pigments was observed in the studied strains. All Pseudo‐nitzschia strains contained chl a and chl c2, traces of Mg‐2,4‐divinyl phaeoporphyrin a5 monomethyl ester (MgDVP), and traces of a chl c2–like pigment originally found in the haptophyte Pavlova gyrans. The distribution of chl c1 and chl c3 was variable among species (present in seven and 14 species, respectively). Based on chl c distribution, three major pigment types were defined: type 1 (chl c1 + c2, four species: P. australis, P. brasiliana, P. multiseries, and P. seriata), type 2 (chl c1 + c2 + c3, three species: P. fraudulenta, P. multistriata, and P. pungens), and type 3 (chl c2 + c3, 11 species: P. arenysensis, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. decipiens, P. delicatissima, P. galaxiae, P. mannii, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. subcurvata, P. cf. subpacifica, and a novel Pseudo‐nitzschia species). Type 1 and 2 species also shared the absence of a particular morphological character, the central nodule in the raphe, with the only exception of P. fraudulenta. The implications of such pigment diversity in chemotaxonomy, HAB monitoring, ecology, and phylogeny of Pseudo‐nitzschia species are discussed.
Asset Prices, Liquidity, and Monetary Policy in an Exchange Economy
Authors: LAGOS RICARDO
Published: September 2011

I formulate a model in which money coexists with equity shares on a risky aggregate endowment. Agents can use equity as a means of payment, so shocks to equity prices translate into aggregate liquidity shocks that disrupt the mechanism of exchange. I characterize a family of optimal monetary policies and find that the resulting equity prices are independent of monetary considerations. I also study a perturbation of the family of optimal policies that targets a positive constant nominal interest rate and find that in this case the real equity return includes a liquidity return that depends on monetary considerations.
MBA Program Trends and Best Practices in Teaching Sustainability: Live Project Courses
Authors: Sroufe Robert , Ramos Diane
Published: September 2011

This study offers a model for incorporating live sustainability consulting projects in an MBA curriculum to nurture cross‐functional faculty collaboration while offering students proving ground for solving contemporary challenges related to ethical management of all forms of capital. We attempt to first lay a foundation for the recent evolution of sustainability within business schools, and then provide evidence that an opportunity exists for decision science scholars to play a key role as facilitators of this wave of pedagogy. Our research is based on publicly available data that rank business schools relative to their integration of sustainability within MBA programs, our experiences with 39 project clients over a 3‐year period, an analysis of client and student feedback, and anecdotal evidence of success in the development of live project‐based consulting courses. The case study highlights the potential and scalability of this proposed pedagogy to deliver live projects as either a stand‐alone course or an integrated part of the curriculum.
Teaching Introductory Business Statistics Using the DCOVA Framework
Authors: Levine David M. , Stephan David F.
Published: September 2011

Introductory business statistics students often receive little guidance on how to apply the methods they learn to further business objectives they may one day face. And those students may fail to see the continuity among the topics taught in an introductory course if they learn those methods outside a context that provides a unifying framework. The DCOVA problem‐solving framework that presents discrete steps to define, collect, organize, visualize, and analyze data addresses these concerns while helping to enhance the perceived value of taking statistics courses.
The Bicycle Assembly Line Game
Authors: Klotz Dorothy
Published: September 2011

“The Bicycle Assembly Line Game” is a team‐based, in‐class activity that helps students develop a basic understanding of continuously operating processes. Each team of 7–10 students selects one of seven prefigured bicycle assembly lines to operate. The lines are run in real‐time, and the team that operates the line that yields the highest revenue wins. Students learn through discovery “What drives output rate?”; “How is capacity managed relative to market demand?”; and “Why does inventory accumulate?” Because task times are constant, the game provides a nice lead‐in to the topic of line balancing. This game has been successfully used in both undergraduate‐ and MBA‐level operations management courses.
Integrating Geographic Information Systems in Business School Curriculum: An Initial Example
Authors: King Michael A. , Arnette Andrew N.
Published: September 2011

Geographic information systems have experienced rapid growth and user adoption over the last four decades, due to an increasing value to the business community. However, business schools are not teaching geospatial concepts and the related location intelligence to their students. This curriculum decision seems completely at odds with business’ day‐to‐day dependence on a wide array of geographic information system applications. Business schools typically teach relational and object‐oriented database courses, quantitative methods, decision supports systems, and Visual Basic for Applications, which are all directly related to the basic concepts of geographic information systems. In addition, these concepts are all part of location intelligence, a more business intuitive term than geospatial analysis. Spatial data modeling is discussed and compared to standard data modeling frameworks such as ANSI/SPARC. Geographic standards are introduced, along with an overview of the OpenGIS Simple Features Specification for SQL. A discussion of how to utilize MySQL open source database software for spatial queries is included, along with a comparison to PostgreSQL/PostGIS. Through the use of these software programs and the techniques introduced in this article, it is possible to integrate the concepts of location intelligence into business curriculum without requiring students to learn new GIS‐specific programs. Enhancing student knowledge of this subject area through existing skill sets provides for smoother integration of this material into existing curriculum, as these topics could be added into established courses and would not require new courses to be developed.
An Analysis of the Demand for Earthquake Insurance
Authors: Athavale Manoj , Avila Stephen M.
Published: September 2011

Abstract

This research examines the decision to purchase earthquake insurance by analyzing data on earthquake insurance price and penetration in the New Madrid fault zone in Missouri. Earthquake risk is of concern to consumers, the insurance industry, industry regulators, and government agencies because of the potentially catastrophic nature of losses resulting from a major earthquake. Despite the significance of the earthquake peril, the recent literature does not contain estimates of the price and income elasticity of the demand for earthquake insurance. Our analysis indicates that homeowners acquire earthquake insurance because of risk considerations, at higher levels of risk the demand for earthquake insurance is higher, and the price of earthquake coverage does not provide incremental information in explaining the demand for earthquake coverage.
Chronotropic Incompetence and Abnormal Heart Rate Recovery Early after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: DIMOPOULOS STAVROS , DIAKOS NIKOLAOS , TSELIOU ELENI , TASOULIS ATHANASIOS , MPOUCHLA ANTHI , MANETOS CHRISTOS , KATSAROS LAMBROS , DRAKOS STAVROS , TERROVITIS JOHN , NANAS SERAFIM
Published: September 2011

Background: Chronotropic response to exercise and heart rate recovery immediately after exercise (HRR1) are valid prognostic markers in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to evaluate heart rate profile during and after exercise in CHF patients early after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

Methods: We enrolled seven stable consecutive CHF patients (five males, mean age: 45 ± 16 years) after 1 month of LVAD (HeartMate II; Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA, USA) implantation, seven healthy subjects, and 14 patients with advanced HF (HF control group) who performed an incremental symptom‐limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). CHF patients performed CPET at 1 and 3 months after LVAD. HRR1 was defined as the HR difference from peak to 1 minute after exercise and chronotropic response to exercise as the chronotropic reserve ([CR, %]=[peak HR‐resting HR/220‐age‐resting HR]× 100).

Results: LVAD patients 3 months after implantation had a significantly different HR profile during exercise compared to healthy controls, with significantly lower CR (57 ± 31 vs 90 ± 14, %, P < 0.001) and HRR1 (14 ± 6 vs 28 ± 8, bpm, P < 0.01). HR profile during exercise did not significantly change 1 and 3 months after LVAD implantation. There was no statistical difference compared to HF control group and LVAD group regarding cardiopulmonary parameters.

Conclusions: LVAD patients present an impaired CR and an abnormal HRR1 after implantation, indicating significant cardiac autonomic abnormalities. These alterations seem to remain unaltered 3 months after LVAD implantation. (PACE 2011; 34:1607–1614)