bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tragedy, utopia and medical progress
Authors: Fredriksen S
Published: July 2006

In this article, tragedy and utopia are juxtaposed, and it is proposed that the problem of “medicalisation” is better understood in a framework of tragedy than in a utopian one. In utopia, it is presupposed that there is an error behind every setback and every side effect, whereas tragedy brings to light how side effects can be the result of irreconcilable conflicts. Medicalisation is to some extent the result of such a tragic conflict. We are given power by medical progress, but are also confronted with our fallibility, thus provoking insecurity. This situation is illustrated by the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent epidemiological investigations have shown that infants sleeping in a prone position have a 15–20 times higher risk of dying from SIDS than infants sleeping in a supine position. A simple means of preventing infant death is suggested by this discovery, but insecurity is also created. What else has been overlooked? Perhaps a draught, or wet diapers, or clothes of wool are just as dangerous as sleeping prone? Further investigations and precautions will be needed, but medicalisation prevails.
Polemic: five proposals for a medical school admission policy
Authors: Cowley C
Published: July 2006

Five proposals for admitting better applicants into medical school are discussed in this article: (1) An A level in a humanity or social science would be required, to supplement—not replace—the stringent science requirement. This would ensure that successful candidates would be better “primed” for the medical curriculum. (2) Extra points in the applicant’s initial screening would be awarded for an A level in English literature. (3) There would be a minimum age of 23 for applicants, although a prior degree would not be required. This is to ensure that the applicants are mature enough to know themselves and the world better, to make a more informed and motivated choice of career, and to get more out of the humanities components of the curriculum. (4) A year’s full-time experience in a healthcare or charity environment would be desirable. (5) Applicants would be given two lists of interview discussion topics to prepare: works of literature and topics in healthcare politics.
Just another drug? A philosophical assessment of randomised controlled studies on intercessory prayer
Authors: Turner D D
Published: July 2006

The empirical results from recent randomised controlled studies on remote, intercessory prayer remain mixed. Several studies have, however, appeared in prestigious medical journals, and it is believed by many researchers, including apparent sceptics, that it makes sense to study intercessory prayer as if it were just another experimental drug treatment. This assumption is challenged by (1) discussing problems posed by the need to obtain the informed consent of patients participating in the studies; (2) pointing out that if the intercessors are indeed conscientious religious believers, they should subvert the studies by praying for patients randomised to the control groups; and (3) showing that the studies in question are characterised by an internal philosophical tension because the intercessors and the scientists must take incompatible views of what is going on: the intercessors must take a causation-first view, whereas the scientists must take a correlation-first view. It therefore makes no ethical or methodological sense to study remote, intercessory prayer as if it were just another drug.
Improving the quality of consent to randomised controlled trials by using continuous consent and clinician training in the consent process
Authors: Allmark P , Mason S
Published: July 2006

Objective:To assess whether continuous consent, a process in which information is given to research participants at different stages in a trial, and clinician training in that process were effective when used by clinicians while gaining consent to the Total Body Hypothermia (TOBY) trial. The TOBY trial is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the use of whole-body cooling for neonates with evidence of perinatal asphyxia. Obtaining valid informed consent for the TOBY trial is difficult, but is a good test of the effectiveness of continuous consent.

Methods:Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 sets of parents who consented to the TOBY trial and with 10 clinicians who sought it by the continuous consent process. Analysis was focused on the validity of parental consent based on the consent components of competence, information, understanding and voluntariness.

Results:No marked problems with consent validity at the point of signature were observed in 19 of 27 (70%) couples. Problems were found mainly to lie with the competence and understanding of the parents: mothers, particularly, had problems with competence in the early stages of consent. Problems in understanding were primarily to do with side effects. Problems in both competence and understanding were observed to reduce markedly, particularly for mothers, in the post-signature phase, when further discussion took place. Randomisation was generally understood but unpopular. Information was not always given by clinicians in stages during the short period available before parents gave consent. Most clinicians, however, were able to give follow-up information.

Discussion:Consent validity was found to compare favourably with similar trials examined in the Euricon study.

Conclusion:Adopting the elements of the continuous consent process and clinician training in RCTs should be considered by researchers, particularly when they have concerns about the quality of consent they are likely to obtain by using a conventional process.
Maternal and paternal occupational exposure to agricultural work and the risk of anencephaly
Authors: Lacasaña M , Vázquez-Grameix H , Borja-Aburto V H , Blanco-Muñoz J , Romieu I , Aguilar-Garduño C , García A M
Published: July 2006

Aims:To evaluate the association between parental occupational exposure to agricultural work and the risk of anencephaly in three Mexican states.

Methods:A paired case control study (1:1) was done based on records of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Neural Tube Defects in Mexico; 151 cases of anencephaly of more than 20 weeks’ gestation were selected between March 2000 and February 2001. Controls were selected from the same maternity services as those of the cases and were born alive without congenital malformations. Information was obtained from both parents by means of a general questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, and a specific questionnaire on occupational exposure to pesticides. Exposures were analysed with emphasis on the three months before and one month after the last menstruation periods (acute risk period (ARP)), as well as exposure prior to the abovementioned period (non-acute risk period (NARP)).

Results:The children of mothers who worked in agriculture in the ARP had a greater risk of anencephaly (OR = 4.57, 95% CI 1.05 to 19.96). The risk of fathers having a child with anencephaly was greater in those who applied pesticides irrespective of whether it was done in the ARP or the NARP (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 0.73 to 8.64; and OR = 2.03, 95% CI 0.58 to 7.08, respectively).

Conclusions:These results support the hypothesis of the effect of maternal exposure to agricultural work on anencephaly and suggest that exposure of the father to pesticides in the periconceptional period or prior to this can also increase the risk of having an anencephalic child.
bFGF induces an earlier expression of nephrogenic proteins after ischemic acute renal failure
Authors: Villanueva Sandra , Cespedes Carlos , Gonzalez Alexis , Vio Carlos P.
Published: July 2006

Recovery from acute renal failure (ARF) requires the replacement of injured cells with new cells that restore tubule epithelial integrity. We described recently the expression of a wide range of nephrogenic proteins in tubular cells after ARF induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) (Villanueva S, Cespedes C, and Vio CP. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 290: R861–R870, 2006). These markers, namely, Vimentin, neural cell adhesion molecules (Ncam), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), paired homeobox-2 (Pax-2), bone morphogene protein-7 (BMP-7), Noggin, Lim-1, Engrailed, Smad, phospho-Smad, hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), VEGF, and Tie-2, are expressed in a time frame similar to that observed in normal kidney development. bFGF participates in early kidney development as a morphogen involved in mesenchyme/epithelial transition, and it is reexpressed in the recovery phase of ARF. To test the hypothesis that bFGF can accelerate the regeneration after renal damage, we used recombinant bFGF and studied the expression pattern of the above described morphogens in ARF. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of renal ischemic injury and were injected with bFGF 30 μg/kg followed by reperfusion. Rats were killed and the expression of nephrogenic proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In the animals subjected to I/R treated with bFGF, we observed a 12- to 24-h earlier and more abundant reexpression of the proteins Ncam, bFGF, Pax-2, BMP-7, Noggin, Lim-1, Engrailed, VEGF, and Tie-2 than the I/R untreated rats. In addition, we observed a reduction in renal damage markers ED-1 and α-smooth muscle actin. These results indicate that bFGF can participate in the regeneration process and suggest that the treatment with bFGF can induce an earlier regeneration process after ischemic acute renal failure.
Regulation of progranulin expression in myeloid cells
Authors: Ong Colin H. P. , He Zhiheng , Kriazhev Leonid , Shan Xiaochuan , Palfree Roger G. E. , Bateman Andrew
Published: July 2006

Progranulin (pgrn; granulin-epithelin precursor, PC-cell-derived growth factor, or acrogranin) is a multifunctional secreted glycoprotein implicated in tumorigenesis, development, inflammation, and repair. It is highly expressed in macrophage and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Here we investigate its regulation in myeloid cells. All- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increased pgrn mRNA levels in myelomonocytic cells (CD34+progenitors; monoblastic U-937; monocytic THP-1; progranulocytic HL-60; macrophage RAW 264.7) but not in nonmyeloid cells tested. Interleukin-4 impaired basal expression of pgrn in U-937. Differentiation agents DMSO, and, in U-937 only, phorbol ester [phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate (PMA)] elevated pgrn mRNA expression late in differentiation, suggestive of roles for pgrn in more mature terminally differentiated granulocyte/monocytes rather than during growth or differentiation. The response of pgrn mRNA to ATRA differs in U-937 and HL-60 lineages. In U-937, ATRA and chemical differentiation agents greatly increased pgrn mRNA stability, whereas, in HL-60, ATRA accelerated pgrn mRNA turnover. The initial upregulation of pgrn mRNA after stimulation with ATRA was independent of de novo protein synthesis in U-937 but not HL-60. Chemical blockade of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation impaired ATRA-stimulated pgrn expression in HL-60 but not U-937, whereas in U-937 it blocked PMA-induced pgrn mRNA expression, suggestive of cell-specific roles for NF-κB in determining pgrn mRNA levels. We propose that: 1) ATRA regulates pgrn mRNA levels in myelomonocytic cells; 2) ATRA acts in a cell-specific manner involving the differential control of mRNA stability and differential requirement for NF-κB signaling; and 3) elevated pgrn mRNA expression is characteristic of more mature cells and does not stimulate differentiation.
Relationship between cardiac output and oxygen consumption during upright cycle exercise in healthy humans
Authors: Beck Kenneth C. , Randolph Lakesha N. , Bailey Kent R. , Wood Christina M. , Snyder Eric M. , Johnson Bruce D.
Published: July 2006

The relationship between cardiac output (CardOut) and oxygen consumption (V̇o2) during exercise has generally been assumed to be linear. To test this assumption, we studied 72 healthy subjects using a graded, 2-min cycle-ergometry exercise test to maximum while measuring gas exchange continuously and CardOut at the end of each stage, the latter using an open-circuit gas technique. Data for V̇o2 and CardOut at each stage were fit to a quadratic expression y = a + ( b·V̇o2) + ( c·V̇o22), and statistical significance of the quadratic c term was determined in each subject. Subjects were then divided into two groups: those with statistically significant negative quadratic term (“negative curvature group,” n = 25) and those with either nonsignificant quadratic term or c significantly > 0 (“non-negative curvature group,” n = 47, 2 with c significantly > 0). We found the negative curvature group had significantly higher maximal V̇o2/kg (median 37.9 vs. 32.4 ml·min−1·kg−1; P = 0.03) higher resting stroke volume (SV; median 77 vs. 60 ml; P = 0.04), lower resting heart rate (HR; median 72 vs. 82 beats/min, P = 0.04), and higher tissue oxygen extraction at maximal exercise (17.1 ± 2.2 vs 15.5 ± 2.1 ml/100 ml; P < 0.01), with tendencies for higher maximal CardOut and SV. We also found the HR vs. V̇o2 relationship to be negatively curved, with negative curvature in HR associated with the negative curvature in CardOut ( P < 0.05), suggesting the curvature in the CardOut vs. V̇o2 relationship was secondary to curvature in HR vs. V̇o2. We conclude that the CardOut vs. V̇o2 relationship is not always linear, and negative curvature in the relationship is associated with higher fitness levels in normal, non-elite-athletic subjects.
In vivo lung morphometry with hyperpolarized3He diffusion MRI in canines with induced emphysema: disease progression and comparison with computed tomography
Authors: Tanoli Tariq S. K. , Woods Jason C. , Conradi Mark S. , Bae Kyongtae Ty , Gierada David S. , Hogg James C. , Cooper Joel D. , Yablonskiy Dmitriy A.
Published: July 2006

Despite a long history of development, diagnostic tools for in vivo regional assessment of lungs in patients with pulmonary emphysema are not yet readily available. Recently, a new imaging technique, in vivo lung morphometry, was introduced by our group. This technique is based on MRI measurements of diffusion of hyperpolarized3He gas in lung air spaces and provides quantitative in vivo tomographic information on lung microstructure at the level of the acinar airways. Compared with standard diffusivity measurements that strongly depend on pulse sequence parameters (mainly diffusion time), our approach evaluates a “hard number,” the average acinar airway radius. For healthy dogs, we find here a mean acinar airway radius of ∼0.3 mm compared with 0.36 mm in healthy humans. The purpose of the present study is the application of this technique for quantification of emphysema progression in dogs with experimentally induced disease. The diffusivity measurements and resulting acinar airway geometrical characteristics were correlated with the local lung density and local lung-specific air volume calculated from quantitative computed tomography data obtained on the same dogs. The results establish an important association between the two modalities. The observed sensitivity of our method to emphysema progression suggests that this technique has potential for the diagnosis of emphysema and tracking of disease progression or improvement via a pharmaceutical intervention.
MnSOD Deficiency Increases Endothelial Dysfunction in ApoE-Deficient Mice
Authors: Ohashi Masuo , Runge Marschall S. , Faraci Frank M. , Heistad Donald D.
Published: July 2006

Objective—

In mice that are heterozygous for mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2
+/−
) with apoE deficiency (apoE
−/−
), mitochondrial DNA damage increases formation of atherosclerotic lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SOD2 provides protection against increased vascular superoxide and endothelial dysfunction in apoE-deficient mice.

Methods and Results—

Four groups of mice [apoE
−/−
/SOD2
+/−
(
apoe
/
sod2
), apoE
−/−
/SOD2
+/+
(
apoe
/
SOD2
), apoE
+/+
/SOD2
+/−
(
apoE
/
sod2
), and apoE
+/+
/SOD2
+/+
(
apoE
/
SOD2
)] were fed normal chow diet, and studied at 15 to 17 months of age. Serum cholesterol levels were similar in
apoe
/
sod2
and
apoe
/
SOD2
mice, and also were similar in
apoE
/
sod2
and
apoE
/
SOD2
mice. Intimal area was increased in aorta, but not carotid artery, of
apoe
/
sod2
and
apoe
/
SOD2
mice. In carotid artery, superoxide was increased (67±5.2 relative fluorescence intensity/vessel area [RI] in apoe/sod2 mice, 31±3.1 RI in
apoE
/
SOD2
mice,
P
<0.05), and relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in
apoe
/
sod2
mice versus
apoe
/
SOD2, apoE/sod2, apoE/SOD2
mice. Tiron improved relaxation to acetylcholine. In aorta, superoxide levels were increased and relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in
apoe/sod2 and apoe/SOD2
mice, but responses were similar in
apoe
/
sod2
and
apoe
/
SOD2
mice.

Conclusion—

SOD2 protects against oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in carotid artery of apoE-deficient mice.
Intrauterine, Environmental, and Genetic Influences in the Relationship Between Birth Weight and Lipids in a Female Twin Cohort
Authors: Skidmore Paula M.L. , Cassidy Aedin , Swaminathan Ramasamyiyer , Falchi Mario , Spector Tim D. , MacGregor Alex J.
Published: July 2006

Objective—

To investigate the association between birth weight and lipid levels in a cohort of UK female twins.

Methods and Results—

Birth weights and fasting blood lipid levels were available for 2900 women aged 18 to 80 years. Individual level regressions indicated that a 1-kg increase in birth weight was associated with a 0.08-mmol/L decrease in total cholesterol (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.12, −0.04) and a 0.06-mmol/L decrease in low-density lipoprotein (−0.10, −0.03). Using a regression model that includes both mean twin pair birth weight and individual twin’s difference from the pair mean, we found that these significant relationships were between twin pairs only and not within pairs. We found no significant relationships for high-density lipoprotein. When monozygotic and dizygotic twins were analyzed separately we found similar effect sizes. Restricting the analysis to postmenopausal women we found stronger relationships between birth weight and lipid levels, which was attenuated after adjustment for body mass index (BMI).

Conclusions—

These novel results suggest that significant relationships between birth weight and lipids are mediated through shared influences on the maternal environment and do not support the hypothesis that fetal malnutrition is an important determinant of adult lipid levels. Adjustment for BMI also indicates that postnatal growth may be more important than prenatal growth.
Atypical GPI-Anchored T-Cadherin Stimulates Angiogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Philippova Maria , Banfi Andrea , Ivanov Danila , Gianni-Barrera Roberto , Allenspach Roy , Erne Paul , Resink Thérèse
Published: July 2006

Objective—

T-cadherin (T-cad) is an atypical GPI-anchored member of the cadherin superfamily. In vascular tissue, T-cad expression is increased during atherosclerosis, restenosis, and tumor neovascularization. In vitro, overexpression and/or homophilic ligation of T-cad on endothelial cells (ECs) facilitates migration, proliferation, and survival. This study investigated T-cad effects on angiogenesis.

Methods and Results—

In vitro, T-cad homophilic ligation induced arrangement of ECs into a capillary-like network in a 2-dimensional model of EC differentiation and stimulated in-gel endothelial sprout outgrowth in an EC spheroid model and a modified Nicosia tissue assay. Sprouting from spheroids composed of adenoviral-infected T-cad overexpressing ECs or T-cad siRNA transfected ECs were significantly increased or reduced, respectively. In vivo, T-cad potentiated VEGF effects on neovascularization in a model of myoblast-mediated gene transfer to mouse skeletal muscle; vessel caliber after co-delivery of T-cad and VEGF was significantly greater than after delivery of VEGF alone.

Conclusions—

We unequivocally identify T-cad as a novel modulator of angiogenesis and suggest that this molecule can be exploited as a target for modulation of therapeutic angiogenesis, as well as for prevention of pathological conditions associated with abnormal neovascularization.
GM-CSF Deficiency Reduces Macrophage PPAR-γ Expression and Aggravates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice
Authors: Ditiatkovski Michael , Toh Ban-Hock , Bobik Alex
Published: July 2006

Objective—Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions but its significance for lesion development is unknown. Consequently, we investigated the significance of GM-CSF expression for development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/−) mice.

Methods and Results—We generated apoE−/−mice deficient in GM-CSF (apoE−/−.GM-CSF−/−mice), fed them a high-fat diet, and compared lesion development with apoE−/−mice. We measured lesion size, macrophage, smooth muscle cell, and collagen accumulation at the aortic sinus, and expression of genes that regulate cholesterol transport and inflammation. No differences in serum cholesterol were found between the 2 groups. Lesion size in hyperlipidemic apoE−/−.GM-CSF−/−increased by 30% (P<0.05), macrophage accumulation doubled, and collagen content reduced by 15% (P<0.05); smooth muscle cell accumulation and vascularity were unaffected. Analysis of PPAR-γ, ABCA1, and CD36 in lesions showed reduced expression (50%, 65%, and 55%, respectively), whereas SR-A doubled. In peritoneal macrophages, PPAR-γ and ABCA1 expression was also reduced by 50% and 70%, respectively, as was cholesterol efflux, by 50%. In lesions, pro-inflammatory MCP-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression increased 2- and 3.5-fold, respectively, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression enhanced and interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist reduced by 50%.

Conclusions—GM-CSF deficiency increases atherosclerosis under hypercholesterolemic conditions, indicating antiatherogenic role for GM-CSF. We suggest this protective role is mediated by PPAR-γ and ABCA1, molecules that affect cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation.
Identification of Cell Cycle Regulatory and Inflammatory Genes As Predominant Targets of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in the Heart
Authors: Tenhunen Olli , Rysä Jaana , Ilves Mika , Soini Ylermi , Ruskoaho Heikki , Leskinen Hanna
Published: July 2006

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate cardiomyocyte growth and apoptosis in response to extracellular stimulation, but the downstream effectors that mediate their pathophysiological effects remain poorly understood. We determined the targets and role of p38 MAPK in the heart in vivo by using local adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of constitutively active upstream kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3b (MKK3bE) and wild-type p38α in rats. DNA microarray analysis of animals with cardiac-specific overexpression of p38 MAPK revealed that 264 genes were upregulated more than 2-fold including multiple genes controlling cell division, cell signaling, inflammation, adhesion, and transcription. A large number of previously unknown p38 target genes were found. Using gel mobility-shift assays we identified several cardiac transcription factors that were directly activated by p38 MAPK. Finally, we determined the functional significance of the altered cardiac gene-expression profile by histological analysis and echocardiographic measurements, which indicated that p38 MAPK overexpression-induced gene expression results in myocardial cell proliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis. In conclusion, we defined the novel target genes and transcription factors as well as the functional effects of p38 MAPK in the heart. Expression profiling of p38 MAPK overexpression identified cell cycle regulatory and inflammatory genes critical for pathological processes in the adult heart.
Sustained Currents Through ASIC3 Ion Channels at the Modest pH Changes That Occur During Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Yagi Junichi , Wenk Heather N. , Naves Ligia A. , McCleskey Edwin W.
Published: July 2006

Acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is highly expressed on sensory neurons that innervate heart and skeletal muscle and, therefore, is proposed to detect lactic acidosis and to transduce angina and muscle ischemic pain. A difficulty with this idea is that ASIC3 rapidly desensitizes. How can a desensitizing ion channel mediate a persisting sensation such as angina? Here, we show that rat ASIC3 produces a sustained current within the limited range of extracellular pH (7.3 to 6.7) that occurs during cardiac and skeletal muscle ischemia; experiments use patch clamp on transfected cell lines and on fluorescently tagged sensory neurons that innervate rat heart. No such sustained current occurs with ASIC1a (either as homomers or 1a/3 heteromers), whereas ASIC2a/3 heteromers give much larger currents than ASIC3 homomers. The sustained current persists even over tens of minutes because it is caused by a region of pH where there is overlap between inactivation and activation of the channel. Lactate, an anaerobic metabolite, allows the current to activate at slightly more basic pH. Surprisingly, amiloride, which blocks ASICs when they are activated at lower pH, increases ASIC3 current evoked at pH 7.0. Cardiac sensory neurons exhibit a small, perfectly sustained current when pH changes from 7.4 to 7.0. At least some of this current is carried by ASICs because the current is increased by both Zn
2+
, an ASIC modulator, and amiloride. We suggest that this sustained mode is the most relevant form of ASIC3 gating for triggering angina and other ischemic pain.
Nutrition and Stroke Prevention
Authors: Fisher Marc , Lees Kennedy , Spence J. David
Published: July 2006

Nutrition is much more important in prevention of stroke than is appreciated by most physicians. The powerful effects of statin drugs in lowering the levels of fasting cholesterol, combined with an unbalanced focus on fasting lipids (as opposed to postprandial fat and oxidative stress), have led many physicians and patients to believe that diet is relatively unimportant. Because the statins can lower fasting lipids by &50% to 60%, and a low-fat diet only lowers fasting cholesterol by &5% to 10%, this error is perhaps understandable. However, a Cretan Mediterranean diet, which is high in beneficial oils, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in cholesterol and animal fat, has been shown to reduce stroke and myocardial infarction by 60% in 4 years compared with the American Heart Association diet. This effect is twice that of simvastatin in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study: a reduction of myocardial infarction by 40% in 6 years. Vitamins for lowering of homocysteine may yet be shown to be beneficial for reduction of stroke; a key issue is the high prevalence of unrecognized deficiency of vitamin B
12
, requiring higher doses of vitamin B
12
than have been used in clinical trials to date. Efforts to duplicate with supplementation the evidence of benefit for vitamins E, C, and beta carotene have been largely fruitless. This may be related to the broad combination of antioxidants included in a healthy diet. A Cretan Mediterranean diet is probably more effective because it provides a wide range of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables of all colors.
The Material Consequences of Welfare States
Authors: Scruggs Lyle , Allan James P.
Published: July 2006

Several recent studies have focused attention on the relationship between welfare states and poverty, looking primarily at relative poverty and employing concepts of welfare state generosity that are problematic. This has made it difficult to evaluate claims that equality has come at the expense of economic growth. In this article, the authors examine more directly the relationship between welfare state generosity in three social insurance programs— unemployment, sickness, and pensions—and poverty levels in advanced industrial democracies in the past quarter of the 20th century. The results strongly suggest that more generous entitlements to key social insurance programs are associated not only with lower relative poverty but also with lower absolute poverty. This supports the contention that promoting relative economic equality can improve the absolute material well-being of the poor. However, no evidence suggests that relatively more generous unemployment benefits systematically reduce poverty.
Will a Million Muslims March?
Authors: Pfaff Steven , Gill Anthony J.
Published: July 2006

Presently, Islam in Europe has a weak and divided political voice. This article draws on collective action theory and the religious economies model to analyze Muslim interest organizations in democratic polities. The authors develop general theoretical propositions and apply them to a case study of mosque – state relations in the federal state ( land) of Berlin. The study shows that institutional features of the German polity and diaspora Islam make collective action difficult and provide opportunities for factions (“spoilers”) to under-mine broad-based collective action if they perceive centralizing organizations as compromising doctrinal and organizational autonomy. In addition, conflicts between organizations representing conservative Muslim interests and secularly oriented ones further complicate collective action. The result is narrow interest articulation by smaller, less diverse groups. Based on our study, the authors consider the general applicability of our propositions and their implications for European polities.
Emerging Varieties of Capitalism in Transition Countries
Authors: Feldmann Magnus
Published: July 2006

This article analyzes patterns of economic coordination in Estonia and Slovenia, two postsocialist countries in Central and Eastern Europe, by using the varieties of capitalism (VOC) framework. The article argues that Estonia and Slovenia are very good examples of liberal and coordinated market economies. Market-based coordination of economic relations predominates in Estonia, whereas Slovenia has highly institutionalized coordination. Industrial relations and wage bargaining arrangements are the main focus, but other areas studied by the VOC literature are briefly considered as well. The article also accounts for the origins of these arrangements by examining the interaction of two sets of factors: economic organization and industrial relations under the old system, on one hand, and strategic policy choices, especially the effects of privatization and monetary policy on formalizing coordination, on the other. The article considers some general implications of this analysis for studying successful postsocialist transition and comparative capitalism.
Effects of Automobile Commute Characteristics on Affect and Job Candidate Evaluations
Authors: Van Rooy David L.
Published: July 2006

The current study assesses the effects of the commuting environment on affective states and hiring decisions. A total of 136 undergraduate females were randomly assigned to one of four conditions based on the length (10 km vs. 30 km) and level of congestion (low vs. high) during a commute. Multivariate analyses of variance indicate that affective states were differentially influenced before and during the commute between the conditions. Even the anticipatory prospect of encountering congestion led to elevations of anxiety. Subjective impedance was also found to act as a partial, and at times full, mediator that contributed to negative emotional states. Hiring decisions for unqualified candidates were determined in part by the commute that a person drove, indicating that commuting can influence subsequent work behavior.
Responses to Scenes with Spreading, Rounded, and Conical Tree Forms
Authors: Lohr Virginia I. , Pearson-Mims Caroline H.
Published: July 2006

Research has shown that people typically give high aesthetic preference ratings to trees with spreading canopies, similar to those found on the African savanna. If the savanna hypothesis is correct, people likely will have strong emotional responses to such trees as well. In this study, preferences and emotional responses of 206 participants to viewing scenes with different tree forms and urban elements were examined. Slide images of spreading, rounded, or columnar trees, or inanimate objects in two urban scenes were created. As expected, participants found scenes with trees more attractive than scenes with inanimate objects, and they rated spreading trees more attractive than rounded or columnar trees. Participants reported more positive emotions when viewing trees compared to inanimate objects, and they were happier when viewing spreading trees compared with other tree forms. These results are consistent with the savanna hypothesis, with emotional responses relating to preferences for trees with spreading forms.
Setting Targets for Health Care Performance: Lessons from a Case Study of the English NHS
Authors: Bevan Gwyn
Published: July 2006

This paper examines problems of setting targets for health care performance in which the centre sets a uniform set of targets and levels of performance. The case study examined by the paper is from the system of performance assessment of ‘star ratings’ that was introduced from 2001 by the Department of Health to give each organisation in the NHS in England a single summary score from zero rating to three stars. Star ratings were directed at holding trusts' chief executives to account for the local delivery of national priorities through a process of ‘naming and shaming’, in which Chief Executives of zero-rated organisations were at risk of losing their jobs. This paper outlines the underlying model and its three underlying assumptions: the centre can determine a scoring system to prioritise what matters; failures of performance that are not reflected in the scoring system do not matter; and the advantages of a system of scoring on accountable targets outweigh the disadvantages of various types of gaming responses. This paper examines the application of the model of star ratings to a case study of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), which are complex organisations with three diverse sets of responsibilities: delivering primary care, commissioning secondary care, and supervising public health. It outlines an alternative model and the issues this raises for governance of health care performance.
The Tax Man Cometh - but is he Efficient?
Authors: Førsund Finn R , Kittelsen Sverre A.C. , Lindseth Fode , Fjeld Edvaedsen Dag
Published: July 2006

The performance of local tax offices of Norway is studied over a three-year period applying Data Envelopment Efficiency analysis and a Malmquist productivity index. The estimates are bias-corrected using a bootstrap approach recently developed for DEA models. The results show that bias correction and the construction of confidence intervals give a quite different picture without bootstrapping. A set of best practice offices is identified for future work on finding explanations for good performance. The productivity development of individual offices is classified into the four categories: productivity improving cost increase, productivity improving cost savings, productivity decreasing cost savings and productivity decreasing cost increase.
Key Factors in Planning a Sustainable Energy Future Including Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Authors: Hedström Lars , Saxe Maria , Folkesson Anders , Wallmark Cecilia , Haraldsson Kristina , Bryngelsson Mårten , Alvfors Per
Published: July 2006

In this article, a number of future energy visions, especially those basing the energy systems on hydrogen, are discussed. Some often missing comparisons between alternatives, from a sustainability perspective, are identified and then performed for energy storage, energy transportation, and energy use in vehicles. It is shown that it is important to be aware of the losses implied by production, packaging, distribution, storage, and end-use of hydrogen when suggesting a “hydrogen economy.” It is also shown that for stationary electric energy storage, fuel cell electrolyzers could be feasible. Zero-tailpipeemission vehicles are compared. The battery electric vehicle has the highest electrical efficiency, but other requirements imply that plug-in hybrids or fuel cell hybrids might be a better option in some types of vehicles. Finally, a simplified example is applied to the overall results and used to discuss the needs and nature of an energy system based on intermittent energy sources.
Future Energy: The Use of Hydrogen May Be Inevitable
Authors: Bockris John O'M.
Published: July 2006

The predictions by the Department of Energy indicate the maximum of the rate of supply of oil will be reached around 2021, but this neglects the effect of the rapid growth of China and India. It will be necessary to use coal, natural gas, nuclear power, or renewables to supplement, and, after 2021, to replace oil. If coal is used, it can be reacted with steam to produce H2, the burning of which produces only water. If nuclear power is developed, the 30% of nuclear energy at present wasted can be used to produce H2. Renewables are sporadic and need hydrogen as a storage means and for transmission.
Public Acceptance of Hydrogen in the Netherlands: Two Surveys That Demystify Public Views on a Hydrogen Economy
Authors: Zachariah-Wolff J. Leslie , Hemmes Kas
Published: July 2006

Interest in a hydrogen economy has grown significantly in the past decade. However, the success of old technologies that are being re-engineered to work on hydrogen, as well as the creation of new hydrogenbased technologies, hinges upon public interest in and demand for such technologies. With increasing investments in the research and development of hydrogen technologies, there exists a need to monitor public attitudes toward hydrogen to ensure its success as an alternative energy carrier. To address this need, two surveys were conducted. The results of the first survey give insights about how colored information influences the public acceptance of hydrogen, and the results of the second survey elucidate what trade-offs the public is willing to accept during the transition to a hydrogen economy. Furthermore, the research highlights how hydrogen knowledge and acceptance differ among age, education, and gender groups.
Hydrogen in the Methanol Production Process
Authors: Kralj Anita Kovač , Glavič Peter
Published: July 2006

Hydrogen is a very important industrial gas in chemical processes. It is very volatile; therefore, it can escape from the process units and its mass balance is not always correct. In many industrial processes where hydrogen is reacted, kinetics are often related to hydrogen pressure. The right thermodynamic properties of hydrogen can be found for a process simulation and optimization; they can be estimated by the Grayson-Streed model. In the case studied, a methanol plant with a capacity of 150,000 tons/year, the flow rate of hydrogen (H2) can be optimized using nonlinear programming, but good estimates of thermodynamic properties of hydrogen had to be found. In the case study, the model is in relatively good agreement with experimental measurements in the existing methanol production plant. An additional flow rate of hydrogen can increase the methanol production by 1.2%. Total potential profit increase of the additional methanol production was estimated to be 30 kEUR/a (or 103 euros/year).
Determining the Efficacy of Data-Mining Methods in Predicting Gaming Ballot Outcomes
Authors: Delen Dursun , Sirakaya Ercan
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of three popular data-mining methods (artificial neural networks, decision trees, and rough sets) by comparing and contrasting them using gambling ballot data that were collected for tourism policy purposes. Sixty unique prediction models were built for this comparative study. The findings of the study suggest that the rough-set algorithm was the best forecasting tool (among the three) with a cross-validation predictive accuracy of 83.8%, followed by artificial neural networks (79.4%) and decision trees (76.7%). Although the political utility of this study remains to be established, there is sufficient evidence to indicate the efficacy of rough sets in fore-casting gaming ballot outcomes. Policy makers, politicians, investors, and public service administrators can potentially use the results of these contemporary forecasting methods in their decision-making processes. Implications of the findings are discussed within the context of data mining and gambling literature.
The Relational Behavior Between Wholesaler and Retailer Travel Agencies: Evidence From Taiwan
Authors: Tsaur Sheng-Hshiung , Yung Chi-Yeh , Lin Jo-Hui
Published: July 2006

This study examined the relational behavior model between wholesale and retail travel agencies. The conceptual model of the study is based on the relational behavior model and relationship marketing literature. The study surveyed 201 retailers in Taiwan. The results indicated that wholesalers' relational behaviors (initiating, signaling, and disclosing behaviors), offering support, and end-users' satisfaction positively influence the relationship quality between travel wholesalers and retailers. In turn, relationship quality positively influences retailers' loyalty and wholesalers' market share. The study highlights the moderators of relationship age and product importance and suggests that they have salient influences on the antecedents and consequences of the relational behavior models. Specifically, retailers' loyalty is reduced when relationship age is short and products become less important. This study supports the theoretical model of relational behavior between travel wholesalers and retailers and provides suggestions for relationship marketing in the travel industries.
Does Publicizing a Tax Credit for Political Contributions Increase Its Use?
Authors: Boatright Robert G. , Green Donald P. , Malbin Michael J.
Published: July 2006

We present the results of an experiment using nonpartisan, informational direct mail—of the sort that a public relations–conscious government agency might use—to encourage Ohio voters to contribute money to political candidates. Ohio provides full tax credits of up to $50 to citizens who make contributions to state candidates. We found that the mailing produced a modest and marginally significant increase in the number of citizens who filed for the tax credit. This is consistent with earlier survey research findings by two of the authors suggesting that increased knowledge of the tax credit would be likely to increase its use. The experiment suggests that direct mail campaigns might not be the most cost-effective means for encouraging increased contributions. However, even a modest increase in participation could have important effects, given the small size of the current donor pool.
Listening to Hearings
Authors: Brasher Holly
Published: July 2006

In this study, I consider the role of legislative hearings in the legislative process. Previous studies of legislative outcomes often omit a discussion of hearings or do not incorporate hearings in a systematic way. One obvious purpose that hearings might serve is to provide the information and expertise necessary to solve any problems with the legislation, and once acquired, this information would allow the bill to move forward. I challenge the assumption that the information produced by legislative hearings makes it more likely that a bill will become law. I propose that in advancing a hearing, members of Congress signal that the legislation involves problems and may not be ready to move forward. To analyze the role of legislative hearings, I use bills introduced in the U.S. Senate during the 104th Congress (1995-1996). I use a bivariate probit model for hearings and subsequent events in the legislative process as dependent variables to determine whether legislative hearings and legislative outcomes are independent. Using information from the 103rd through 108th Congresses, I find that hearings do not increase the likelihood that a bill will become law during that Congress or in later Congresses.
Racial Identity and Latino Vote Choice
Authors: Stokes-Brown Atiya Kai
Published: July 2006

Little empirical research has investigated the influence of racial identification on Latino vote choice. This article examines this relationship controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors. I argue that because race is central in determining the life chances and social positions of groups in the United States, racial self-identification influences the Latino voter's decision to cast a ballot for a coethnic candidate over a non-Latino candidate. Ordered probit models show that race is a significant predictor of Latino vote choice. The findings raise interesting questions about Latino bloc voting, candidate preference, and participation more broadly.
An interactive visualization tool to explore the biophysical properties of amino acids and their contribution to substitution matrices
Authors: Bulka Blazej , desJardins Marie , Freeland Stephen J
Published: July 2006

Background

Quantitative descriptions of amino acid similarity, expressed as probabilistic models of evolutionary interchangeability, are central to many mainstream bioinformatic procedures such as sequence alignment, homology searching, and protein structural prediction. Here we present a web-based, user-friendly analysis tool that allows any researcher to quickly and easily visualize relationships between these bioinformatic metrics and to explore their relationships to underlying indices of amino acid molecular descriptors.

Results

We demonstrate the three fundamental types of question that our software can address by taking as a specific example the connections between 49 measures of amino acid biophysical properties (e.g., size, charge and hydrophobicity), a generalized model of amino acid substitution (as represented by the PAM74-100 matrix), and the mutational distance that separates amino acids within the standard genetic code (i.e., the number of point mutations required for interconversion during protein evolution). We show that our software allows a user to recapture the insights from several key publications on these topics in just a few minutes.

Conclusion

Our software facilitates rapid, interactive exploration of three interconnected topics: (i) the multidimensional molecular descriptors of the twenty proteinaceous amino acids, (ii) the correlation of these biophysical measurements with observed patterns of amino acid substitution, and (iii) the causal basis for differences between any two observed patterns of amino acid substitution. This software acts as an intuitive bioinformatic exploration tool that can guide more comprehensive statistical analyses relating to a diverse array of specific research questions.