bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delay in Diagnosis of Intestinal Obstruction in a Patient with Familial Mediterranean Fever
Authors: Kaya Bülent , Eriş Cengiz , Uçtum Yalim
Published: December 2010

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a recurrent disease characterized by inflammatory process effecting synovial membranes such as peritoneum, pericardium and joints. It usually presents with acute abdominal pain. Intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions may be observed in FMF patients. Sometimes diagnosing intestinal obstruction can be a challenging problem. We were presented a patient with FMF and adhesive intestinal obstruction. He was operated on after 10 days of symptoms. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of the case discussed with literature review.
Empyema Thoracis
Authors: Ahmed Ala Eldin H. , Yacoub Tariq E.
Published: December 2010

Epmyema thoracis is associated with high mortality ranging between 6% to 24%. The incidence of empyema is increasing in both children and adults; the cause of this surge is unknown. Most cases of empyema complicate community- or hospital-acquired pneumonia but a proportion results from iatrogenic causes or develops without pneumonia. Parapneumonic effusions (PPE) develop in about one half of the patients hospitalized with pneumonia and their presence cause a four-fold increase in mortality. Three stages in the natural course of empyema have long been described: the exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing phases. Clinically, PPE are classified as simple PPE, complicated PPE, and frank empyema. Simple PPE are transudates with a pH > 7.20 whereas complicated PPE are exudates with glucose level <2.2 mmol/l and pH < 7.20. Two guidelines statements on the management of PPE in adults have been published by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the British Thoracic Society (BTS). Although they differ in their approach on how to manage PPE, they agree on drainage of the pleural space in complicated PPE and frank empyema. They also recommend the use of intrapleural fibrinolysis and surgical intervention in those who do not show improvement, but the level of evidence for the use of intrapleural fibrinolysis is not high highlighting the need for more research in this area. A recently published large randomized trial has shown no survival advantage with the use of intrapleural streptokinase in patients with pleural infection. However, streptokinase enhances drainage of infected pleural fluid and may still be used in patients with large collection of infected pleural fluid causing breathlessness or ventilatory failure. There is emerging evidence that the combination of intrapleural tPA/DNase is significantly superior to tPA or DNase alone, or placebo in improving pleural fluid drainage in patients with pleural space infection. A guideline statement on the management of PPE in children has been published by the BTS. It recommends the use of antibiotics in all patients with PPE in addition to either video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or tube thoracostomy and intrapleural fibrinolysis. Prospective randomized trials have shown that intrapleural fibrinolysis is as effective as VATS for the treatment of childhood empyema and is a more economic treatment and therefore, should be the primary treatment of choice.
Microscopic Colitis and Medication Use
Authors: Pascua Monina F. , Kedia Prashant , Weiner Mark G. , Holmes John , Ellenberg Jonas , Lewis James D.
Published: December 2010

Background

The incidence of microscopic colitis (MC) is increasing, but its etiology remains unknown. Case reports and limited controlled data suggest that commonly prescribed drugs may be triggers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of selected medication use [Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)] in patients with MC compared to ‘random controls’ and ‘diarrhea controls.'

Methods

All patients were selected from primary care practices of a university health system during 2002 to 2007. Patients with biopsy proven lymphocytic or collagenous colitis were identified as cases. Diarrhea controls consisted of a 10:1 random sample of patients with chronic diarrhea and normal colon biopsies. Ten random controls were matched to each case on sex and index date (date of biopsy proven diagnosis). Drugs prescribed within the year prior to the index date were collected from the electronic medical record system.

Results

26 cases (median age 68.9 yrs), 259 random, and 259 diarrhea controls were identified. The adjusted ORs for PPI, SSRI, and statin prescription within 12 months of diagnosis of MC between cases and diarrhea controls were 0.28 (0.07-1.07), 0.87 (0.28-2.64), 1.12 (0.34-3.71) respectively. Use of PPI and statins was less common in MC patients than in random controls ( P < 0.05 for both comparisons).

Conclusions

While prior data suggest that PPIs, statins, and SSRIs may be etiologically related to MC, our study found no increased association with these drugs.
Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients Presenting Acutely with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lin Chin , Edwards Colin , Armstrong Guy P. , Scott Anthony , Patel Hitesh , Hart Hamish , Christiansen Jonathan P.
Published: December 2010

The prevalence and prognostic importance of CM occurring as a consequence of AF is poorly defined. This study investigated the incidence of CM in patients with AF, its clinical features and long-term outcomes. We demonstrated that CM is common in patients presenting acutely with newly diagnosed rapid AF, and carries a worse long-term prognosis. Systolic dysfunction was reversible in an important proportion of patients, suggesting a greater prevalence of rate-related CM in AF than has previously been postulated. This underscores the importance of appropriate rhythm management strategies and repeat imaging studies.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may precipitate LV dysfunction, potentially leading to cardiomyopathy (CM). The prevalence and prognostic importance of CM occurring as a consequence of AF is poorly defined. We investigated the incidence of CM in patients with AF, its clinical features and long-term outcomes.

Methods

We reviewed 292 consecutive patients (average age 72 ± 13yrs) presenting acutely with AF and tachycardia over a 3 year period from June 2004. Clinical details were obtained from medical records. CM was defined as ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 50% on index admission.

Results

Echo was performed 93% of patients at index admission, and 69 (24%) had CM (average EF% = 37 ± 11), 60 of which were newly diagnosed. Patients with CM had significantly higher presenting heart rate (141 ± 19 vs. 132 ± 23 bpm), larger end-diastolic (5.7 vs. 5.2 cm) and end-systolic (4.5 vs. 3.2 cm) dimensions, and larger left atrial size (4.6 vs. 4.3 cm) ( P < 0.05 for all). They were also statistically more likely ( P < 0.05) to be male, present with breathlessness, have a history of coronary disease, and be treated with digoxin and warfarin. Follow-up echo between 6 and 12 months was performed in 46% of patients with new CM, and average EF rose to 53 ± 12%. At an average follow-up of 2.5 years, there was a significant increase in mortality in CM patients (16% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

CM is common in patients presenting acutely with newly diagnosed rapid AF, and carries a worse long-term prognosis. Systolic dysfunction was reversible in an important proportion of patients, suggesting a greater prevalence of rate-related CM in AF than has previously been postulated. This underscores the importance of appropriate rhythm management strategies and repeat imaging studies.
Article Commentary: The Alternatively Spliced Form “b” of the Epithelial Sodium Channel α subunit (α ENaC): Any Prior Evidence of its Existence?
Authors: Shehata Marlene F.
Published: December 2010

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is critical in maintaining sodium balance across aldosterone-responsive epithelia. ENaC is a combined channel formed of three subunits (αβγ) with α ENaC subunit being the most critical for channel functionality. In a previous report, we have demonstrated the existence and mRNA expression levels of four alternatively spliced forms of the α ENaC subunit denoted by -a, -b, -c and -d in kidney cortex of Dahl S and R rats. Of the four alternatively spliced forms presently identified, α ENaC-b is considered the most interesting for the following reasons: Aside from being a salt-sensitive transcript, α ENaC-b mRNA expression is ~32 fold higher than α ENaC wildtype in kidney cortex of Dahl rats. Additionally, the splice site used to generate α ENaC-b is conserved across species. Finally, α ENaC-b mRNA expression is significantly higher in salt-resistant Dahl R rats versus salt-sensitive Dahl S rats. As such, this commentary aims to highlight some of the previously published research articles that described the existence of an additional protein band on α ENaC western blots that could account for α ENaC-b in other rat species.
Comparison of Co-phenylcaine Spray or Lidocaine/Epinephrine Nasal Packing for Flexible Laryngoscopy
Authors: De Freitas R.P. , Hanna B.C. , Hall S.J.
Published: December 2010

Background

Nasal preparation prior to flexible laryngoscopy is a common ENT practice. Co-phenylcaine is increasingly used because it is safe and has both anaesthetic and vasoconstrictive properties. Lidocaine 4% and epinephrine 1:1000 nasal packing is another method used in our department.

Methods

A prospective case series was performed on eighty-one patients requiring flexible laryngoscopy. Patients were enrolled into either a co-phenylcaine or a lidocaine/epinephrine packing group. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to record unpleasantness of nasal preparation and flexible laryngoscopy. Decongestion and ease of endoscope passage were recorded by the doctors.

Results

Bad taste was statistically significantly worse when using cophenylcaine for nasal preparation ( P = 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in overall unpleasantness from nasal preparation or from subsequent flexible laryngoscopy between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in degree of decongestion or ease of endoscope passage between the two groups.

Conclusion

There is no statistically significant advantage of using cophenylcaine spray over non-proprietary lidocaine 4% and epinephrine 1:1000 nasal packing. However cost and bad taste is less with nasal packing.
Melatonin, a Promising Role in Taxane-Related Neuropathy
Authors: Nahleh Z. , Pruemer J. , Lafollette J. , Sweany S.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

Melatonin has neuroprotective effects in animal studies and has been suggested to decrease adverse reactions of chemotherapy including neuropathy. This pilot trial aimed at assessing whether melatonin, given during taxane chemotherapy for breast cancer, will decrease the incidence and/or severity of neuropathy.

Methods

Twenty two consecutive patients beginning chemotherapy for breast cancer with paclitaxel, or docetaxel were enrolled. Patients received melatonin 21 mg daily at bedtime. Incidence and severity of neuropathy were assessed using neurological examinations, toxicity assessment per NCI-CTC 3.0 scale and FACT-Taxane quality of life questionnaire.

Results

Neuropathy was seen in 45% (n = 10) of patients, 23% (n = 6) grade 1 and 22% (n = 5) Grade 2 neuropathy. No grade 3 neuropathies were reported. The majority (55%) of all patients reported no neuropathy. Compliance with melatonin (>60% of dose) was seen in most patients (86%) No patient reported daytime sedation. The median FACT-Taxane quality of life end of study score was 137, with only a 0.5 median decline from baseline.

Conclusion

Patients receiving melatonin during taxane chemotherapy had a reduced incidence of neuropathy. Melatonin may be useful in the prevention or reduction of taxane-induced neuropathy and in maintaining quality of life. Larger trials are warranted to further explore the role of melatonin in neuropathy treatment and prevention.
Paclitaxel as Neoadjuvant Therapy for High Grade Angiosarcoma of the Spleen: A Brief Report and Literature Review
Authors: Vakkalanka Bhanu , Milhem Mohammed
Published: December 2010

Introduction

Splenic angiosarcoma is a rare tumor with only a few cases reported in the literature. Surgical resection offers the best chance of cure for this aggressive neoplasm but is often precluded by infiltration of the tumor to surrounding critical structures. We report a case of a locally advanced angiosarcoma rendered operable by treatment with Paclitaxel monotherapy.

Case presentation

A 69 year old female presented with a high grade splenic angiosarcoma, considered inoperable due to the extent of local spread. She received three cycles of single agent Paclitaxel and underwent a successful resection of the tumor.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy options for splenic angiosarcoma are not well studied. Paclitaxel as monotherapy is a useful therapeutic option in down staging tumors, facilitating surgical resection and merits further study in clinical trials.
Sudden Unexpected Death Associated with Ileocecal Duplication Cyst and Clinical Review
Authors: Kashiwagi Y , Suzuki S. , Watanabe K. , Nishimata S. , Kawashima H. , Takekuma K. , Hoshika A.
Published: December 2010

Duplications of the alimentary tract are very rare. A one-month-old female presented with symptoms of anorexia, vomiting and continuous watery diarrhea. The plain abdominal radiograph showed thickened intestinal wall and signs of small bowel obstruction. The fevers, vomiting, and continuous wartery diarrhea persisted despite antibiotics, and worsened. The patient failed to respond to medical managements, 27 hours after admission, the patient died due to multiple organ failures. The autopsy was performed, small bowel obstruction due to an ileocecal duplication cyst (3 × 3 cm) was recognized. The ileocecal duplication cyst was attached to the ileum which was changed edematous and necrotic. This potential diagnosis should be borne in mind for a patient who complains of abdominal symptoms with an unknown cause, and duplication cyst should be recognized as a fatal cause in infant.
Ricinus Communis Var Minor Inhibits Follicular Development and Possibly Ovulation in Human Subjects as Shown by Ultrasound Follicle Tracking
Authors: Goncim H.Y. , Mador E.S. , Ogunranti J.O.
Published: December 2010

There is no evidence from literature to show the use of ultrasound follicle tracking to monitor ovulation in women on Ricinus communis contraception. In the present study 20 women desiring contraception, gave an informed consent to be scanned from day 9 to day 16 of one of their menstrual cycle to track for follicles. After taking one seed of Ricinus communis, the women were again scanned for the same duration. The result obtained showed normal follicular development before the administration of Ricinus communis and the abolition of follicular development in all the 20 volunteers after taking one seed of Ricinus communis ( Figs. 1a and 1b ). This result showed that one seed of Ricinus communis taken orally is capable of preventing ovulation in humans and hence its anticonceptive effect may be due in part to the prevention of ovulation.
Link between Periodontal Diseases, Inflammatory Markers and Preterm Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: El-Gharib M.N. , Nassar M.M. , Elabyary M.T. , Elhawary T.M. , Elshourbagy S.H.
Published: December 2010

Objective

To scrutinize the assumed association between chronic periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight (PTLB) infants.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Tanta University Hospital.

Patients

The study incorporated 200 pregnant women in the first stage of labor of a single baby with intact membranes. A hundred women had definite preterm labor and delivered, later live infants whose birth weight were < 2500 g and 100 women with full term labor and delivered, later live infants weighting ≥2500 g.

Intervention

All patients included in the study were subjected to history taking, general, obstetrical examination and periodontal evaluation. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured in gingival cervicular fluid, maternal serum and amniotic fluid using ELISA technique.

Results

A significant association between chronic periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight infants.

Conclusion

Screening of pregnant women chronic periodontal disease seems to be a helpful prediction and consequently prevention of preterm labour.
Pneumococcal Induced T-activation with Resultant Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Authors: Oliver J.W. , Akins R.S. , Bibens M.K. , Dunn D.M.
Published: December 2010

Thrombotic microangiopathies are disorders resulting from platelet thromboses forming in the microvasculature with resultant schistocyte forms. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia often complicated by acute renal failure in children. HUS is typically caused by bacterial infection, most commonly enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Neuraminidase-producing organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae have also been reported as potential etiologies. The pathogenesis in these cases involves cleavage of sialic acid residues from the surfaces of erythrocytes, platelets, and glomerular capillary endothelial cells, exposing the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, a process known as T-activation. We describe a 2-year-old girl who presented with pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis ultimately resulting in a thrombotic microangiopathy with acute renal failure, most consistent with HUS. The patient's direct antiglobulin test was positive. Polyagglutination was observed with human adult serum, but not with umbilical cord serum. Her red blood cells (RBCs) were reactive against peanut and soybean lectins, but not Salvia sclarea or Salvia horminum lectins. These findings are consistent with T-activation. Clinicians should be cognizant of the possibility of T-activation with resultant HUS in patients infected with neuraminidase-producing bacteria. Such patients may be difficult to identify using monoclonal typing antisera, as these typically do not have anti-T antibodies. Whether such patients are at risk for transfusion-associated hemolysis is debatable.
Almost all one-relator groups with at least three generators are residually finite
Authors: Sapir Mark V. , Špakulová Iva
Published: December 2010

We prove that with probability tending to 1, a one-relator group with at least three generators and the relator of length
n
is residually finite, is a virtually residually (finite
p
-)group for all sufficiently large
p
, and is coherent. The proof uses both combinatorial group theory and non-trivial results about Brownian motions.
Uniqueness and stability properties of monostable pulsating fronts
Authors: Hamel François , Roques Lionel
Published: December 2010

We prove the uniqueness, up to shifts, of pulsating traveling fronts for reaction-diffusion equations in periodic media with Kolmogorov–Petrovskiĭ–Piskunov type nonlinearities. These results provide in particular a complete classification of all KPP pulsating fronts. Furthermore, in the more general case of monostable nonlinearities, we also derive several global stability properties and convergence to pulsating fronts for solutions of the Cauchy problem with front-like initial data. In particular, we prove the stability of KPP pulsating fronts with minimal speed, which is a new result even in the case when the medium is invariant in the direction of propagation.
Gradient potential estimates
Authors: Mingione Giuseppe
Published: December 2010

Pointwise gradient bounds via Riesz potentials like those available for the Poisson equation actually hold for general quasilinear equations.
Inflation and Relative Price Variability: New Evidence for the United States
Authors: Becker Sascha S. , Nautz Dieter
Published: December 2010

This article provides new evidence on the empirical relationship between inflation and relative prices in the United States. In line with the predictions of recent monetary search models, we find that the impact of expected inflation on relative price variability (RPV) has disappeared during the recent period when inflation expectations have been stabilized on a low level. Endogenous break‐point tests are applied to identify the timing and to confirm the significance of the changing role of inflation for RPV. The empirical findings are robust with respect to different price indices, disaggregation levels, and measurement concepts.
Slotting Allowances and Manufacturers' Retail Sales Effort
Authors: Foros Øystein , Kind Hans Jarle , Sand Jan Yngve
Published: December 2010

A manufacturer's incentives to undertake noncontractible investments depend on the profit margin on her sales to the retailer, and slotting allowances can facilitate such incentives by increasing unit wholesale prices. At first glance it is tempting to conclude that slotting allowances should be particularly prevalent for product categories where the manufacturer's scope for undertaking noncontractible sales effort is relatively large. At odds with this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) among other organizations, reports that slotting allowances are more commonly used for product categories where the scope for noncontractible effort by the manufacturer is presumably relatively small. To scrutinize this puzzle we set up a simple model with one manufacturer and one retailer, where the manufacturer undertakes noncontractible demand‐enhancing investments. The predictions from the model are consistent with market observations.
Post‐Injury Work Outcomes Revisited
Authors: Baldwin Marjorie L. , Conway Karen Smith , Huang Ju-Chin
Published: December 2010

We use data for Ontario workers with permanent impairments resulting from work‐related injuries to investigate the complex relationships among post‐injury work outcomes: wages, accommodations, returning to the same or different employer, and duration of work absence. We argue the different aspects of post‐injury work experience may be jointly determined, making post‐injury job characteristics endogenous in a duration model. To explore the endogeneity issues we instrument post‐injury job variables from first‐stage equations and compare results from this “informed” model to a “naive” model that treats the variables as exogenous. We find that returning to one's pre‐injury employer is associated with more favorable post‐injury work outcomes, including higher wages, greater likelihood of job accommodations, and shorter durations of work absence relative to workers who change employers. We also find substantial differences between the naive and informed models, with accommodations having the predicted negative effect on duration only after we control for endogeneity.
Information Use and Transference among Legally Separated Share Markets—An Experimental Approach
Authors: Qi Li , Ochs Jack
Published: December 2010

Several countries have adopted legally separated share markets (LSSM), where local firms market separate claims to the same dividend flow to domestic and foreign investors who cannot arbitrage across LSSM. We designed a laboratory experiment to test whether the inside information in one LSSM is reflected in the prices of both markets. We find that insider information does transfer across markets. The extent of this transfer depends upon whether the location of insiders is publicly known, how close prices in the informed market get to the full information equilibrium, and how much the price variance is in this market. We also observe insiders' behavior and performance under different market conditions. Efforts by insiders to manipulate the market increase when their location is unknown to the public. On average such efforts pay off to the whole group of insiders but not to the initiator of these manipulative transactions.
Foreign Direct Investment and Inflation
Authors: Sayek Selin
Published: December 2010

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are able to shift investments between home and host countries to minimize the negative effects of changes in the macroeconomic environment. This article formalizes a model that allows studying this investment‐smoothing behavior of MNEs facing inflation taxes in both the home and the host country. The MNE is allowed to invest in two economies, home and host, and to finance its foreign direct investment (FDI) either through domestic or foreign sources. The investment smoothing by the MNE is studied for cases of both vertical and horizontal FDI. The results suggest FDI is used as a hedging tool, mitigating the effects of inflation taxes even if there are no formal hedging mechanisms. The investment‐smoothing reaction of MNEs depends on the reason for investment, the financing sources of FDI, and the substitutability between factors of production. Finally, this investment‐smoothing possibility (FDI) reduces the real negative effects of inflation.
The Policy Choices and Reaction Functions of Bank of England MPC Members
Authors: Harris Mark N. , Spencer Christopher
Published: December 2010

The results of an econometric exercise are presented, showing that Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members appointed from outside the ranks of Bank of England staff (outsiders) react differently to forecasts of inflation and output than those appointed from within the Bank (insiders). All results are reinforced by the well‐established findings that, compared with outsiders, insiders choose higher interest rates, are more likely to vote as a bloc, and feature on the winning side of policy decisions more frequently. On the basis of these results, it is argued that the current MPC framework is biased toward the policy choices of insiders.
Price Discrimination and Efficient Distribution
Authors: Beard T. Randolph , Blair Roger D. , Kaserman David L. , Stern Michael L.
Published: December 2010

This paper focuses on third‐degree price discrimination by an upstream firm with some degree of monopoly power. Downstream firms fall into two categories: efficient and inefficient, according to their relative costs of transforming a unit of the upstream good into a unit of final product. Under ordinary static conditions, price discrimination favors the inefficient firms, which have more elastic demands. We consider, however, the possibility that discrimination in the opposite direction can alter the downstream market structure toward greater efficiency. Discriminatory pricing, then, involves charging a higher price to the less efficient firms. Such pricing is shown to be both potentially profitable for the upstream firm and welfare improving as average consumer prices fall.
The Effect of High School JROTC on Student Achievement, Educational Attainment, and Enlistment
Authors: Pema Elda , Mehay Stephen
Published: December 2010

The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is a high school initiative that serves many at‐risk students. Its goals range from reducing dropout rates and improving academic achievement to preparing students for military careers. Using data from High School and Beyond (HSB) and the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS), we estimate average treatment effects on students attending schools that typically host JROTC. Applying a two‐stage matching technique, we find that JROTC participants have poorer academic outcomes than other students; although, a large portion of these differences is explained by their at‐risk status. In addition, program effects appear to differ by demographic group, with black participants having lower dropout rates than white participants. The program also appears to improve self‐esteem scores of females. Although the majority of JROTC participants do not join the military, we find large marginal enlistment effects.
Access to Bottleneck Inputs under Oligopoly: A Prisoners' Dilemma?
Authors: Brito Duarte , Pereira Pedro
Published: December 2010

We analyze the incentives of vertically integrated oligopolists to concede access to their bottleneck inputs to an entrant in the downstream market. First, two vertically integrated incumbents make access price offers to an entrant that chooses which one to accept, if any. Second, firms compete on Salop's circle. The firms may be asymmetrically located on the circle, to reflect differences in consumer shares. For some levels of asymmetry, the incumbents face a prisoners' dilemma with respect to conceding access to their bottleneck inputs. Entry by a downstream firm may lead to lower retail prices. However, entry may also lead to higher retail prices for the access provider and for the entrant. We also consider the cases where there are several incumbents and where the entrant makes the access price offers.
Compensation for Earnings Risk under Worker Heterogeneity
Authors: Berkhout Peter , Hartog Joop , Webbink Dinand
Published: December 2010

We use two large data sets to estimate the Risk Augmented Mincer equation and test for risk compensation in expected earnings. We replicate earlier findings of a positive premium for risk and a negative premium for skew and add confirmation of the key results if we control for individual ability. We compare risk compensation and risk distributions between some labor market groups and find that immigrants and natives do not differ in risk attitudes, that public sector workers are undercompensated for their risk, and that risk compensation by gender is not fully consistent with higher risk aversion for women. We express concern that a linear compensation model may be too simple.
Variety, Globalization, and Social Efficiency
Authors: Cox W. Michael , Ruffin Roy J.
Published: December 2010

The standard formal presentation of the Dixit‐Stiglitz‐Krugman (DSK) model of monopolistic competition with a constant‐elasticity‐of‐substitution (CES) utility function supposes a sufficient number of firms so that the elasticity of demand facing each variety is approximated by a constant elasticity of substitution. Such a formulation forces economies of scale to be frozen so that firm size never changes. We use a Bertrand‐Nash interpretation of the equilibrium that allows the elasticity of demand facing each variety to depend on the number of varieties, thus allowing the gains from globalization to reflect both the increase in variety and the exploitation of economies of scale. We also develop a precise expression for per capita real income with any number of sectors and examine the age‐old question of the socially optimal number of varieties.
Ethics, Welfare, and Markets: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Lence Sergio H. , Hayes Dermot J.
Published: December 2010

The present article examines society's welfare when goods with identical physical attributes can be produced using two alternative technologies, one of them less ethically desirable but less expensive for at least some producers. For the scenario where identification costs must be borne by producers and consumers of the high‐quality good, the outcome under unregulated markets is identical to the optimal solution of a central planner constrained to neither ban the undesirable technology nor segregate the low‐quality good. However, under certain circumstances the unregulated market equilibrium may be improved upon by government intervention that shifts the burden of identification costs to the producers of the low‐quality good, or which bans the production of the low‐quality good. The optimal intervention needs to be determined case‐by‐case and depends on consumer preferences, relative production costs, and relative costs of identification and fraud prevention.
Productivity Measurement in Gambling: Plant‐level Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Paton David , Siegel Donald S. , Williams Leighton Vaughan
Published: December 2010

Although gambling is one of the fastest‐growing service industries, there have been no studies of total factor productivity (TFP) in this sector. We attempt to fill this gap using establishment‐level data from the United Kingdom. We also discuss key measurement issues in calculating gambling productivity and estimate labor and TFP equations, based on a stochastic frontier production function framework, focusing in particular on the impact of information technology on productivity. Our preliminary results suggest that the production function models fit well, generating plausible elasticity estimates. We find consistent evidence that productivity increased following major reforms to gambling taxation in 2001. Our findings yield limited evidence of regional variations in efficiency. Another key preliminary result is that internet operations appear to be associated with higher relative efficiency.
Cheating and Enforcement in Asymmetric Rank‐Order Tournaments
Authors: Stowe C. Jill , Gilpatric Scott M.
Published: December 2010

In rank‐order tournaments, undesirable but output‐enhancing activities, such as cheating, may occur. Cheating may be especially tempting when one player has an advantage over another. We show that when audit probabilities are low (high), the leading (trailing) player has more incentive to cheat. Furthermore, we show that “correlated” audits are more effective at decreasing the frequency of cheating than independent audits. Finally, we show that differential monitoring schemes, where contestants are audited based on either their initial position or final ranking, more efficiently achieve full deterrence than schemes that monitor contestants with equal probability.
An Essay on Human Rights and the Market for Social Contracts
Authors: Francis Andrew M.
Published: December 2010

In this article, I discuss an economic theory of human rights. Interpreting the social contract as a market good, a vector of rights that cannot be unbundled, I construct a competitive model in which citizens demand and states supply social contracts. An international market for social contracts matches citizens with states and determines the optimal social contracts. Human rights are the set of rights common to all equilibrium social contracts under perfectly competitive conditions. I explain that in reality, states may renege on their promises to citizens and may interfere with the market for social contracts. Thus, I argue for limits on state sovereignty and suggest that the international authority enforce social contracts and enhance the efficiency of the market for social contracts.
Targeting Teaching: The Welfare Costs of Market Restrictions
Authors: Colander David , Gaastra Sieuwerd , Rothschild Casey
Published: December 2010

In most introductory and intermediate microeconomics textbooks, the measurable welfare effects of price controls, quantitative restrictions, and market restrictions more generally, are depicted as a Harberger triangle. This depiction understates these restrictions' inefficiency costs because it captures only the “top‐down” distortion caused by the wedge these restrictions drive between market‐wide quantity demanded and quantity supplied. It ignores the “bottom‐up” distortions caused by allocative inefficiencies on the constrained side of the market. In this article we describe a simple graphical exposition of these bottom‐up distortions. We argue that this graph can provide students with a picture of both the top‐down and bottom‐up inefficiencies. Moreover, it can be used for simple back‐of‐the‐envelope estimates of the magnitudes of the two inefficiencies.
Swing Voting and Fast‐Track Authority
Authors: DeVault James M.
Published: December 2010

Following the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993 and the Uruguay Round Agreement in 1994, the United States appeared to be on the verge of an era of unprecedented trade liberalization. Since that time, however, the United States has struggled to pass almost every important trade liberalization bill. Results indicate that the factor most likely responsible for the difficulty in achieving trade liberalization over the last 15 years is shifting pressures within the U.S. House of Representatives related to partisanship and constituency.
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF 4-H ACTIVITIES AS PERCEIVED BY LOUISIANA 4-H AGENTS
Authors: Burnett Michael F. , Johnson Earl C. , Hebert Lanette
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this article was to identify a potentially useful theoretical framework to classify learning strategies and to determine specific learning tactics that may be useful in a distance education environment. Although a variety of taxonomies describe and classify student learning, McKeachie, Pintrich, Lin, and Smith (1986) proposed a taxonomy that encompasses the cognitive, metacognitive, and resource management aspects of learning. In this article, this model served as the theoretical framework to further identify specific learning tactics that may be useful in a distance education environment. In terms of specific cognitive strategies, note-taking was the only tactic found to distinguish between achievement levels. Metacognitive strategies including planning, monitoring, and self-regulation distinguished between achievement levels of students. Resource management strategies such as learning schedules, quality studying, motivation, and communicating with the instructor also distinguished between achievement levels of students. Although several specific tactics have been identified as predictors of student success, a paucity of research involving adult students in distance education environments was prevalent. Thus, research is needed to test experimentally the proposed theoretical framework and specific learning tactics in a distance education environment.
STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPECTED IMPACT FROM SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Authors: Williams David L.
Published: December 2010

Economically sound environmentally protective, and socially acceptable are the three widely advocated components of sustainable agriculture. The public expects farming to be socially and environmentally responsible, and farmers desire to farm within more responsible boundaries. Research is being conducted to identify agricultural practices that address all three components of sustainable agriculture and educational programs are being developed to disseminate the new knowledge. The purpose of this study was to determine high school agricultural education students' self-assessed knowledge of and expected impact from sustainable agriculture. The respondents were 386 agricultural education students from 31Iowa high schools. Likert-type scales were used to measure knowledge and impact. Students rated themselves as having limited knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, but the expected impact was high, especially for environmental and social aspects. Students’ positive belief regarding the expected impact from sustainable agriculture provides a base upon which a curriculum can be developed to help students gain the knowledge needed to realize the potential they see in sustainable agriculture.
PERCEIVED STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THREATS IMPACTING THE DIFFUSION OF DISTANCE EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES IN A COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
Authors: Murphrey Theresa Pesl , Dooley Kim E.
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with using distance education (DE) technologies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University from the perspective of administrators, faculty, and professional support staff. Rogers ' Diffusion of Innovation (1995) served as the theoretical underpinnings for the study. Qualitative research (naturalistic inquiry) was employed and the constant comparative method was used for data analysis (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Analysis revealed that respondents perceived various organizational strengths and recognized the opportunity to utilize DE technologies to improve instruction and reach new audiences through collaboration and new courses/programs. A need was expressed to expand policies/procedures to address critical issues (i.e., incentives, support, training, quality control, careers, and communication channels). Competition, dependency on outside assistance, and misinformation on the Internet were perceived as organizational threats. Based on Rogers' attributes (1995), the rate of adoption of DE technologies could be enhanced through revised policies/procedures and the development of strategies to address critical issues.
Perceptions Of Oregon Secondary Principals Regarding Integrating Science Into Agricultural Science And Technology Programs
Authors: Thompson Gregory W.
Published: December 2010

Secondary principals that had an Agricultural Science and Technology Program in their school were targeted for this study to determine their support for integrating science into Agricultural Education Programs in Oregon. The data indicated that principals have responded positively to the call to integrate science into the agricultural education curriculum. Principals agreed that students were more aware of the connection between science and agriculture, students learn more about agriculture, and science concepts are easier to understand through integration. A majority of the principals agreed that teacher preparation programs should provide instruction on how to integrate science and that student teachers should be placed in programs that integrate science. Principals believed that integrating science in agricultural education would contribute to educational reform by helping students meet state standards. Alignment and integration are key changes principals listed to help programs meet state standards. Meeting state standards and teacher initiative (or interest), inservice training, funding, and opportunities to integrate with a science teacher were the most common reasons listed to integrate science. According to the principals, barriers to integrating science were lack of appropriate equipment, funds, and workshops, while school and community support for agriculture programs will increase by integrating more science.
When FFA Was King Of The Radio Airwaves
Authors: Hillison John , Williams Sharon
Published: December 2010

Many agricultural educators are not aware of the extensive use made by the National FFA broadcasting on the radio as a mass media during the 1930s and early 1940s. This period of time represented one when the most influential mass media in the United States was the radio. From 1931 until 1944 a total of 157 radio broadcasts were made over the NBC Radio Network. The broadcasts carried news of the day concerning the FFA including several state association activities. Various dignitaries such as President Franklin Roosevelt and the Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace were either on the programs or were represented on the programs. The period showed significant growth for the National FFA from 60,000 members to 80,000 members and also recorded the FFA's contribution to World War II. The national radio broadcasts spawned several state FFA radio broadcasts and proved to be a marvelous public relations outlet for the organization. The authors conclude with the point that teacher educators need to teach about such activities as the radio broadcasts as a way of completing the total picture of its history.
Elementary And Middle School Agriculture Curriculum Development: An Account Of Teacher Struggle At Countryside Charter School
Authors: Trexler Cary J. , Hikawa Hiro
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to document elementary and middle school teachers' progress in developing a food, agriculture, renewable resources, and environment (FARE) based curriculum and to describe how the use of a United States Department of Education grant provided resources that affected teachers' progress toward this end. A theoretical framework advocating peer interaction and expert guidance was used to guide the study. Interviews with six teachers and support staff were used to gather data to document efforts in curriculum development for a multi-aged charter school. Discourse analysis was used to interpret findings. Initially, teachers did not have sufficient training and experience to develop the FARE-based curriculum. In addition, the lack of organizational structure, time, materials, and the delay of completing facilities for the new school hampered teachers' curriculum development efforts. Resources provided by the USDE grant helped teachers develop a process for curriculum development and provided needed time. However, teachers' lack of curriculum development expertise, time, materials, resources, literature, and administrative support continued to hamper the FARE –based curriculum initiative in the charter school. These findings underscore the need for pre- and in-service teacher training on curriculum integration, for teacher time to develop new curriculum that includes collaborative work among teachers and uses local resources, and for administrative support for curriculum innovation in agriculturally-based charter schools.
Stakeholder Effect: A Qualitative Study Of The Influence Of Farm Leaders' Ideas On A Sustainable Agriculture Education Program For Adults
Authors: Grudens-Schuck Nancy
Published: December 2010

This paper considers issues related to farmers' control of program planning for non-formal agricultural adult education1. Discussion is based on an empirical study of a $10 million Canadian sustainable agriculture education program that was initiated, created, and controlled by a coalition of farm organizations, supplanting a traditional role of extension. Theories of participatory extension education provide a theoretical framework for consideration of issues in the case. Participation theory guides the formation of partnerships among extension, communities, industry, and government. In the area of sustainable agriculture, however, stakeholders may conflict, presenting challenges to engagement and decision-making processes. Moreover, agricultural education researchers have produced little data to show effects of stakeholder involvement in program planning, putting the extension system at risk of desiring increased levels of engagement without a knowledge base about potential impacts. The study was conducted over a 3-year period using cultural anthropology and participatory action research. Farmers strongly influenced five program elements: (a) staffing, (b) content, (c) instruction, (d) evaluation, and (e) composition of planning group.
AN INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION NETWORK’S POTENTIAL AS A COMMUNICATION AND STUDENT TEACHER SUPERVISION TOOL IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Authors: Miller Greg , Miller W. Wade , Kessell John E.
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this study was to test an alternative method for facilitating communication between student teachers and university supervisors. The study was guided by two research questions and three hypotheses and used two quasi-experimental research designs along with focus group interviews to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) was an effective tool for communication and instructional supervision. It was recommended that ICN-facilitated supervision be integrated into agriculture student teacher supervisory practice at Iowa State University. The basis of this recommendation is that ICN- facilitated supervision was judged to be equal to traditional supervision in terms of its effectiveness, it was viewed favorably by those who experienced it, and it offers potential economic benefits.