bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making a living on Flores, Indonesia: Why understanding surplus distribution is crucial to economic development
Authors: Curnow Jayne
Published: August 2010

Donors and aid agencies are now looking to strategies of pro‐poor economic growth to raise living standards in developing countries. I critically examine how particular conceptualisations of economy and economic development shape the broader context within which pro‐poor growth approaches are implemented by governments and development agencies. While pro‐poor growth may expand a national economy, surplus will be distributed in a community and among individuals according to culturally specific logics. To exemplify this point I discuss the community economy of Bomolo on the remote, rural island of Flores, Indonesia. The Ngadha people of Bomolo are identified by the Indonesian state, religious organisations and development agencies as lacking and in need of economic development. Yet in Bomolo, gambling, although illegal and antithetical to development, is fantastically popular, and large amounts of cash surplus are spent on this popular pastime. I argue for more attention to the issue of surplus – the outcome of pro‐poor growth. In particular, I propose that surplus distribution is a crucial yet underdeveloped component of the growth equation.
An Examination of Labor Productivity Growth and Structural Changes in the Singapore Labor Force*
Authors: Lim Chong‐Yah , Lee Chee‐Tong
Published: August 2010

This paper ﬁrst examines the sources of growth in the Singapore economy by decomposing real per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth into two components. It is found that, for the period 1974–1999, labor productivity was a signiﬁcant source of economic growth in Singapore. Conversely, the contribution of the rate of change in employment ratio was only of secondary importance. On further decomposition, the rate of change in employment ratio was due mainly to rate of change in population age‐structure ratio and rate of change in labor‐force participation rate. Growth patterns of the labor force were examined after it has been segregated according to gender, citizenship and age group independently. Labor productivity growth was highest in the transport, storage and communication sector, while labor productivity growth was lowest in the ﬁnancial, insurance, real estate and business services sector.
World Trade in Used Automobiles: A Gravity Analysis of Japanese and US Exports*
Authors: Pelletiere Danilo , Reinert Kenneth A.
Published: August 2010

We estimate a gravity model of Japanese and US exports of used automobiles that incorporates an original, ordered measure of protection in global, used automobile markets. The model confirms that, overall, protection by our measure is suppress‐ive and often statistically significant and that what we term ‘Grubel income effects’ are present. However, Japanese export behavior appears to differ in some important respects from that of the USA, with distance and protection levels being less significant and left‐hand side driving patterns being a critical explanatory variable.
Education and Earnings in Transition: The Case of Lao*
Authors: Onphanhdala Phanhpakit , Suruga Terukazu
Published: August 2010

This paper is a study on the returns to education in Lao, a country that has been largely neglected by the published literature. The authors found that the private rates of returns to education have risen significantly with economic transition. In particular, returns for young workers are considerably higher than for older workers. Although large earnings premiums are generally received by workers with high levels of education, the most profitable investment in education for a large number of paid employees is still the primary level. Moreover, there are the significant public–private sector wage differentials. The research findings have important implications for public sector salaries and the financing of education in Lao.
The Welfare Goal of Antitrust Laws in Asia: for whom should the law toil?
Authors: Round David K , Zuo Alec
Published: August 2010

It is argued that an antitrust law should include a clear, long‐term, economy‐wide welfare goal. For any country—especially for developing countries—legislating to promote the competitive process, it is essential to include in the law a clearly‐specified objects clause to guide administrative and judicial conduct. Without a clear objects clause, firms, competition agencies, and the courts will not have any guidance as to the government's overarching goal when it passed the legislation. This uncertainty will lead to inefficient regulation; will run the risk of special interests being accommodated; and will lead to the likelihood of false positives and negatives being made by regulators and the courts. We review the antitrust laws in some Asian economies and find that most of them have not incorporated a clear objects clause in their statutes.
VARIANCE ESTIMATION FOR SAMPLE AUTOCOVARIANCES: DIRECT AND RESAMPLING APPROACHES
Authors: Hurvich Clifford M. , Simonoff Jeffrey S. , Zeger Scott L.
Published: August 2010

The usual covariance estimates for datan‐1from a stationary zero‐mean stochastic process {Xt} are the sample covariances Both direct and resampling approaches are used to estimate the variance of the sample covariances. This paper compares the performance of these variance estimates. Using a direct approach, we show that a consistent windowed periodogram estimate for the spectrum is more effective than using the periodogram itself. A frequency domain bootstrap for time series is proposed and analyzed, and we introduce a frequency domain version of the jackknife that is shown to be asymptotically unbiased and consistent for Gaussian processes. Monte Carlo techniques show that the time domain jackknife and subseries method cannot be recommended. For a Gaussian underlying series a direct approach using a smoothed periodogram is best; for a non‐Gaussian series the frequency domain bootstrap appears preferable. For small samples, the bootstraps are dangerous: both the direct approach and frequency domain jackknife are better.
HETEROGENEITY AMONG SUSCEPTIBLES IN EPIDEMIC MODELS
Authors: Marschner Ian C.
Published: August 2010

When the infection rate associated with an epidemic appears to decline over time, one explanation is a constant level of infectiousness combined with heterogeneity among the susceptible population. In this paper we consider random effects models for such heterogeneity, particularly in discrete time. Maximum likelihood techniques are discussed as well as a more convenient approach based on martingale estimating equations. An application to data on a smallpox outbreak is considered.
ROBUST ANALYSIS OF THE BIFURCATING AUTOREGRESSIVE MODEL IN CELL LINEAGE STUDIES
Authors: Huggins Richard M. , Marschner Ian C.
Published: August 2010

A robust estimation procedure for the bifurcating autoregressive model in cell lineage studies is proposed. The method is illustrated by application to a real data set and is compared with least squares estimates in a small simulation study.
SELECTING SATISFACTORY SECRETARIES
Authors: Yeo A.J. , Yeo G.F.
Published: August 2010

The probability of selecting the ath best out of n applicants in the secretary problem is evaluated by probabilistic arguments for monotone order k stopping rules. This leads to an explicit optimizing function for selecting (with payoffs) one of the k best applicants. This optimization problem can be solved directly both for a finite and for an unlimited number of applicants, yielding a variety of numerical results. Extensions are given for two choices with success if two applicants are selected from among the k best.
THE MAXIMUM RESISTANCE OF TESTS
Authors: Coakley Clint W. , Hettmansperger Thomas P.
Published: August 2010

The breakdown point of an estimator is the smallest fraction of contamination that can force the value of the estimator beyond the boundary of the parameter space. It is well known that the highest possible breakdown point, under equivariance restrictions, is 50% of the sample. However, this upper bound is not always attainable. We give an example of an estimation problem in which the highest possible attainable breakdown point is much less than 50% of the sample. For hypothesis testing, we discuss the resistance of a test and propose new definitions of resistance. The maximum resistance to rejection (acceptance) is the smallest fraction of contamination necessary to force a test to reject (fail to reject) regardless of the original sample. We derive the maximum resistances of the t‐test and sign test in the one‐sample problem and of the t‐test and Mood test in the two‐sample problem. We briefly discuss another measure known as the expected resistance.
Real Effects of Monetary Policy in New Zealand
Authors: Karim Shahnawaz , Lee Minsoo , Gan Christopher
Published: August 2010

This article analyses the dynamic effects of unexpected domestic and foreign monetary policy shocks on industrial output in New Zealand based on a new open economy macroeconomic model. Empirical analyses are performed using unrestricted recursive open economy vector autoregressive models involving policy and non‐policy variables for New Zealand and four of its most important trading partners (that is, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). The empirical findings are in accord with the qualitative predictions of the conventional monetary transmission mechanism applicable to a small open economy. Consequently, no empirical anomalies are observed in the dynamic behaviour of New Zealand industrial output in response to restrictive monetary innovations of domestic and foreign origin.
Computer‐based scaffolding to facilitate students' development of expertise in academic writing
Authors: Proske Antje , Narciss Susanne , McNamara Danielle S.
Published: August 2010

Research on expert performance suggests that deliberate practice provides optimal opportunities for expertise development. This study examined whether the provision of computer‐based scaffolding (CBS) guiding deliberate practice facilitates students' development of writing expertise. A CBS environment escribo was designed to externally support expert writing activities, generate feedback and offer opportunities to practise corrected performance in academic writing. There were two testing times. First, the effects of practising writing with escribo were compared with the effects of a practice‐only situation without support. Second, a post‐test comprised composing an essay discussing an academic position without scaffolding. Results revealed that the escribo group at both testing times wrote essays of better comprehensibility than students in the practice‐only group. Furthermore, at both testing times the escribo group expended significantly more time on prewriting. These findings suggest that CBS guiding deliberate practice may be a promising means to facilitate the development of writing expertise.
Design characteristics of virtual learning environments: an expert study
Authors: Mueller Daniel , Strohmeier Stefan
Published: August 2010

Virtual learning environments (VLE) constitute the current information systems' (IS) category for electronically supported corporate training and development. Frequently supposed advantages of using VLE refer, for instance, to the efficiency, individuality, ubiquity, timeliness and task orientation of learning. However, a crucial precondition of realizing such advantages is an appropriate systems design. Hence, the question which specific design characteristics actually characterize successful VLE is of specific interest for training and development practice. This paper therefore addresses design characteristics by conducting an expert study that is based on a general theory of IS success and previous insights of the literature. As a result, a set of relevant, well‐defined design characteristics is presented and discussed while implications for research and practice are derived.
The effectiveness of task‐oriented intervention and trunk restraint on upper limb movement quality in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: SCHNEIBERG SHEILA , MCKINLEY PATRICIA A , SVEISTRUP HEIDI , GISEL ERIKA , MAYO NANCY E , LEVIN MINDY F
Published: August 2010

Aim  The goal of this study was to contribute evidence towards the effectiveness of task‐oriented training with and without restriction of trunk movement (trunk restraint) on the quality of upper limb movement in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method  We used a prospective, single‐subject research design in 12 children (three males, nine females; aged 6–11y; median 9y) with di‐, hemi‐, or quadriplegia. Movements of the most affected arm were assessed five times: three times before training, immediately after training, and 3 months after training. The main outcome measures were the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (Melbourne) and upper limb movement kinematics during a functional reaching task. Children were randomly allocated to one of two groups: task‐oriented training with or without trunk restraint. Treatment consisted of three 1‐hour sessions per week for 5 weeks (total training duration 15h). Treatment effects were determined using single‐subject research design analysis – regression through baseline data and standard mean differences.

Results  Although the Melbourne scores were largely unchanged after training, some children in each group improved arm trajectory smoothness (effect size 0.55–1.87), and most children improved elbow extension range (effect size 0.55–4.79). However, more children in the trunk restraint group than in the no restraint group demonstrated reduced trunk displacement (effect size 0.94–2.25) and longer‐term improvements in elbow extension and trunk use. Among the group who underwent training without trunk restraint, trunk displacement was unchanged or increased, and fewer carry‐over effects were apparent at follow‐up.

Interpretation  This proof‐of‐principle study showed that greater improvement in the quality of upper limb movement in children with CP, including less compensatory trunk use and better carry‐over effects, was achieved by training with trunk restraint.
Motor proficiency of 6‐ to 9‐year‐old children with speech and language problems
Authors: VISSCHER CHRIS , HOUWEN SUZANNE , MOOLENAAR BEN , LYONS JIM , SCHERDER ERIK J A , HARTMAN ESTHER
Published: August 2010

Aim  This study compared the gross motor skills of school‐age children (mean age 7y 8mo, range 6–9y) with developmental speech and language disorders (DSLDs; n=105; 76 males, 29 females) and typically developing children (n=105; 76 males, 29 females). The relationship between the performance parameters and the children’s age was investigated as well as the role of the type of DSLD.

Method  The children with DSLDs were classified by their schools’ speech and language therapists into three subgroups: children with speech disorders (n=16), those with language disorders (n=41), or those with both (n=48). They were tested with the Test of Gross Motor Development, 2nd edition.

Results  Compared with their typically developing peers, all three DSLD subgroups scored lower on the locomotor (all p values <0.001) and object control sub tests (all p values <0.001). Significant performance differences were found between the three types of DSLD (all p values <0.01) where the children with language disorders only performed better. Older children performed better than the younger ones (plocomotor=0.029, pobject control <0.001), but the magnitude of differences between the children with DSLDs and their peers did not change with increasing age.

Interpretation  Children with DSLDs have poor gross motor skills. Although the performance of children with DSLDs improves with increasing age, it lags behind that of typically developing children. The present results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for children with motor deficits.
CHEMICAL ASSAYS OF TEMPER AND CLAY: MODELLING POTTERY PRODUCTION AND EXCHANGE IN THE UPLANDS NORTH OF THE PHOENIX BASIN, ARIZONA, USA*
Authors: ABBOTT DAVID R. , LACK ANDREW D. , MOORE GORDON
Published: August 2010

A lack of mineralogical variation characterizes the prehistoric pottery in the uplands of central Arizona. Virtually all of the ceramics in that region were tempered with phyllite, which has previously precluded provenance analyses and the investigation of pottery production and distribution in the upland zone. As shown with assays with an electron microprobe, however, both the clay fraction and the temper fragments are chemically diverse and geographically distinct, allowing many of the phyllite‐tempered wares to be sourced, thereby leading to models about the organization of ceramic production and exchange in the upland zone north of the Phoenix Basin.
Dysregulation of epithelial Na+ absorption induced by inhibition of the kinases TORC1 and TORC2
Authors: Mansley Morag K , Wilson Stuart M
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although the serum and glucocorticoid‐inducible protein kinase 1 (SGK1) appears to be involved in controlling epithelial Na+ absorption, its role in this physiologically important ion transport process is undefined. As SGK1 activity is dependent upon target of rapamycin complex 2 (TORC2)‐catalysed phosphorylation of SGK1‐Ser422, we have explored the effects of inhibiting TORC2 and/or TORC1 upon the hormonal control of Na+ absorption.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Na+ absorption was quantified electrometrically in mouse cortical collecting duct cells (mpkCCD) grown to confluence on permeable membranes. Kinase activities were assessed by monitoring endogenous protein phosphorylation, with or without TORC1/2 inhibitors (TORIN1 and PP242) and the TORC1 inhibitor: rapamycin.

KEY RESULTS Inhibition of TORC1/2 (TORIN1, PP242) suppressed basal SGK1 activity, prevented insulin‐ and dexamethasone‐induced SGK1 activation, and caused modest (10–20%) inhibition of basal Na+ absorption and substantial (∼80%) inhibition of insulin/dexamethasone‐induced Na+ transport. Inhibition of TORC1 did not impair SGK1 activation or insulin‐induced Na+ transport, but did inhibit (∼80%) dexamethasone‐induced Na+ absorption. Arginine vasopressin stimulated Na+ absorption via a TORC1/2‐independent mechanism.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Target of rapamycin complex 2, but not TORC1, is important to SGK1 activation. Signalling via phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase/TORC2/SGK1 can explain insulin‐induced Na+ absorption. TORC2, but not TORC1, is also involved in glucocorticoid‐induced SGK1 activation but its role is permissive. Glucocorticoid‐induced Na+ transport displayed a requirement for TORC1 activity. Therefore, TORC1 and TORC2 contribute to the regulation of Na+ absorption. Pharmacological manipulation of TORC1/2 signalling may provide novel therapies for Na+‐sensitive hypertension.
The GABABreceptor as a target for antidepressant drug action
Authors: Ghose Subroto , Winter Michelle K , McCarson Kenneth E , Tamminga Carol A , Enna Salvatore J
Published: August 2010

Preclinical and clinical data suggest that a modification in GABABreceptor expression and function may contribute to the symptoms of major depression and the response to antidepressants. This includes laboratory animal experiments demonstrating that antidepressants modify brain GABABreceptor expression and function and that GABABreceptor antagonists display antidepressant potential in animal models of this condition. Clinical and post‐mortem studies reveal changes in GABAergic transmission associated with depression as well as depression‐related changes in GABABsubunit expression that are localized to the cortical depression network. Detailed in this review are the preclinical and clinical data implicating a role for the GABABreceptor system in mediating symptoms of this disorder and its possible involvement in the response to antidepressants. Particular emphasis is placed on clinical and post‐mortem studies, including previously unpublished work demonstrating regionally‐selective modifications in GABABreceptor subunit expression in brain samples obtained from depressed subjects. Together with the earlier preclinical studies, these new data point to a role for the GABABsystem in major depression and support the antidepressant potential of GABABreceptor antagonists.
How Might Shadow Price Restrictions Reduce Technical Efficiency? Evidence from a Restricted DEA Analysis of Coffee Farms in Vietnam
Authors: Garcia Andres F. , Shively Gerald E.
Published: August 2010

We use data from smallholder coffee farms in Vietnam to measure the technical efficiency of coffee producers, and the degree to which potential restrictions on the shadow prices of chemical inputs might reduce overall efficiency among these farmers. Using input‐oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) we find the use of pesticide and herbicide accounts for a relatively small proportion of overall technical efficiency in the sample. We place restrictions on input shadow prices and show that restricting their importance does not dramatically alter patterns or measures of short‐run efficiency.
Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis
Authors: OWLIA Mohammad Bagher , MEHRPOOR Golbarg , SOLEIMANI Hossein
Published: August 2010

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare disease characterized by erosive polyarthritis and nodular skin lesions which is associated with malignancy in some cases. We describe a 44‐year‐old woman with polyarthralgia, numerous skin nodules, mucosal lesions and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate who was admitted to hospital for further evaluation. Tissue biopsy of skin nodules showed large histiocytes with ground‐glass eosinophilic cytoplasm, typical of MRH. Clinical manifestation and radiological pattern of MRH may be misdiagnosed as other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and nodal osteoarthritis, but histopathology the characteristic pattern can differentiate MRH from any other condition.
Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina of Mesonephric Pattern
Authors: Shaaban Mamdouh M.
Published: August 2010

Summary: A case of primary vaginal adenocarcinoma of probable mesonephric origin is presented and a review of the literature with reference to the condition is made.
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation: Monitoring the antenatal and short‐term neonatal outcome
Authors: TRAN Hong , FINK Michelle A. , CRAMERI Joe , CULLINANE Fiona
Published: August 2010

Objective:  To determine the antenatal and short‐term neonatal outcome of antenatally detected congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM).

Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted on all women with an antenatal diagnosis of CCAM who attended the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, between January 1995 and December 2005.

Results:  An antenatal diagnosis of CCAM was made in 38 singleton pregnancies. Serial ultrasounds were performed in 34 cases. Thirteen lesions (38%) appeared to resolve, ten lesions (29%) appeared to decrease, four lesions (12%) appeared to remain unchanged and seven lesions (21%) appeared to increase in size. Four pregnancies (10.5%) were complicated by hydrops fetalis which was associated with a poor outcome. Thirty‐seven babies were liveborn. Seven babies (18.9%) developed respiratory distress. Two of these babies died within two days of birth resulting in three deaths in total. Two babies were lost to follow up (n = 33). Sixty per cent of babies in whom the CCAM appeared to resolve on antenatal ultrasound had an abnormal chest X‐ray (CXR). All computed tomography (CT) scans (eight of eight) in this group were abnormal. Of the surviving babies, 27.3% (nine of 33) have had surgery to date.

Conclusions:  The antenatal diagnosis of CCAM is associated with a good short‐term prognosis. The pregnancy should initially be managed at a tertiary centre with serial ultrasound. Asymptomatic babies should have a postnatal CT even if the CCAM appears to have resolved or decreased on antenatal ultrasound.
Accuracy of fetal gender detection using a conventional nested PCR assay of maternal plasma in daily practice
Authors: TUNGWIWAT Warunee , FUCHAROEN Supan , FUCHAROEN Goonnapa , RATANASIRI Thawalwong , SANCHAISURIYA Kanokwan
Published: August 2010

We have prospectively examined the diagnostic accuracy of a conventional multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of maternal plasma for fetal gender determination in daily practice. Plasma DNAs were obtained from 168 pregnant women between five and 32 weeks of gestation. The 198‐bp‐specific sequence on Y‐chromosome and the 261 bp ATL1‐gene‐specific sequence on X‐chromosome were coamplified in a multiplex nested PCR manner. The results of fetal sex prediction were compared with routine analysis of fetal tissues and birth outcomes. The ATL1‐specific sequences were detected in all cases but Y‐chromosome‐specific signals were observed in 95 of 97 plasma samples of women carrying male fetuses, leading to the sensitivity of 97.9, 100 and 100% for the first, second and third trimesters, respectively, and the specificity of 100% at all gestational stages. Therefore, fetal gender detection in maternal plasma with a conventional multiplex PCR assay is highly accurate in daily practice which should prove useful for non‐invasive prenatal screening of sex‐linked genetic disorders.
How accurate is the reporting of obstetric haemorrhage in hospital discharge data? A validation study
Authors: LAIN Samantha J. , ROBERTS Christine L. , HADFIELD Ruth M. , BELL Jane C. , MORRIS Jonathan M.
Published: August 2010

Background: Routinely collected datasets are frequently used for population‐based research but their accuracy needs to be assured.

Aim: This study aims to assess the accuracy of hospital discharge data in identifying obstetric haemorrhage diagnoses and procedures, and estimate their population incidence.

Methods: The medical records of 1200 randomly selected women were reviewed and compared with obstetric haemorrhage diagnoses and procedures in the hospital discharge data. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using the medical records as the ‘gold standard’. Estimates of population incidence were calculated and weighted by the sampling probabilities.

Results: Estimated population incidence for any antepartum haemorrhage was 1.8 per 100, and post partum haemorrhage was 7.2 per 100 women. Obstetric haemorrhage diagnosis and procedure codes tended to be underreported, with sensitivities ranging from 28.3% to 100%. All codes had specificities of 98.9% or greater. The identification of obstetric haemorrhage differed between levels of severity.

Conclusion: The results indicate that population health datasets can be a reliable information source; however, these datasets could be improved with more complete documentation in medical records.
Combining first and second trimester markers for Down syndrome screening: Think twice
Authors: COCCIOLONE Robert , BRAMELD Kate , O’LEARY Peter , HAAN Eric , MULLER Peter , SHAND Karen
Published: August 2010

Aims: This study compares different screening strategies for the detection of Down syndrome and considers practical implications of using multiple screening protocols.

Methods: The performance characteristics of each screening strategy were assessed based on datasets of Down syndrome (n = 11) and unaffected pregnancies (n = 1006) tested in both first and second trimester, as well as data from first trimester (n = 18 901) and second trimester (n = 40 748) pregnancies.

Results: For a detection rate of 91%, the false positive rates for integrated and serum integrated screening were 2.5% and 6.3%, respectively, compared with combined first trimester (4.6%) and second trimester (12.6%) screening. Contingent and sequential screening protocols achieved detection rates of 82 to 91% with false positive rates between 2.6 and 2.9%. Contingent protocols require retesting of 15 to 20% of cases in the second trimester. Sequential and integrated protocols require retesting of 98 to 100% of cases in the second trimester. The various screening strategies did not always detect the same Down syndrome pregnancies.

Conclusions: Combining first and second trimester markers for Down syndrome screening better defines the at‐risk population. However, integrated protocols complicate management of screening programs and may not be suitable as primary screening strategies. It may be a better use of resources to refine current first and second trimester programs through improved access and new markers. We therefore suggest thinking twice before embracing integrated population screening programs.
The use of fresh‐frozen plasma in England: high levels of inappropriate use in adults and children
Authors: Stanworth Simon J. , Grant‐Casey John , Lowe Derek , Laffan Mike , New Helen , Murphy Mike F. , Allard Shubha
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) is given to patients across a range of clinical settings, frequently in association with abnormalities of standard coagulation tests.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A UK‐wide study of FFP transfusion practice was undertaken to characterize the current patterns of administration and to evaluate the contribution of pretransfusion coagulation tests.

RESULTS: A total of 4969 FFP transfusions given to patients in 190 hospitals were analyzed, of which 93.3% were in adults and 6.7% in children or infants. FFP transfusions to adults were given most frequently in intensive‐treatment or high‐dependency units (32%), in operating rooms or recovery (23%), or on medical wards (22%). In adult patients 43% of all FFP transfusions were given in the absence of documented bleeding, as prophylaxis for abnormal coagulation tests or before procedures or surgery. There was wide variation in international normalized ratio (INR) or prothrombin times before FFP administration; in 30.9% of patients where the main reason for transfusion was prophylactic in the absence of bleeding the INR was 1.5 or less. Changes in standard coagulation results after FFP administration were generally very small for adults and children.

CONCLUSIONS: This study raises important questions about the clinical benefit of much of current FFP usage. It highlights the pressing need for better studies to inform and evaluate quantitative data for the effect of plasma on standard coagulation tests.
Cause‐specific mortality associated with leukoreduced, buffy coat–depleted, or no blood transfusion after elective surgery for colorectal cancer: a posttrial 15‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Mortensen Frank V. , Jensen Lone S. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Pedersen Lars
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that both leukoreduced (LR) and buffy coat–depleted (BCD) blood transfusions had a detrimental effect on long‐term overall survival in patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal disease. This analysis investigates long‐term cause‐specific mortality in trial participants diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the Danish Civil Registration System to follow 448 trial participants with CRC, from their enrollment in 1992 to 1995 until January 2007. A total of 108 patients were transfused with BCD blood, 94 with LR blood, and 246 did not receive a transfusion (NT). We reviewed death certificates for study patients who died during follow‐up. Cause‐of‐death data were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐8 and ‐10). The Charlson Comorbidity Index was used for risk adjustment.

RESULTS: A total of 43% of NT, 28% of BCD, and 27% of LR transfused patients were alive after 15 years of follow‐up (p = 0.001 for transfused vs. NT patients). For LR‐transfused versus NT patients the adjusted mortality ratio for death from rectal cancer was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97‐3.38), and for death from cardiovascular disease 2.12 (95% CI, 1.23‐3.62). For BCD versus NT patients the adjusted mortality ratio for death from rectal cancer was 1.19 (95% CI, 0.61‐2.33) and for cardiovascular disease it was 1.68 (95% CI, 0.97‐2.91).

CONCLUSION: LR transfusion is associated with decreased long‐term survival due to death from cardiovascular disease. A similar but weaker tendency was observed for BCD transfusion.
Can Environmental Insurance Succeed Where Other Strategies Fail? The Case of Underground Storage Tanks
Authors: Yin Haitao , Pfaff Alex , Kunreuther Howard
Published: August 2010

Private risk reduction will be socially efficient only when firms are liable for all the damage that they cause. We find that environmental insurance can achieve social efficiency even when two traditional policy instruments—ex post fines and risk management mandates with ex ante fines—do not. Inefficiency occurs with ex post fines, when small firms declare bankruptcy and escape their liabilities, limiting the incentives from this policy tool. Firms ignore mandates to implement efficient risk management because regulatory agencies do not have sufficient resources to monitor every firm. The evolution of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's and states’ underground storage tank programs suggests that mandating environmental insurance can address inefficiency due to small firms declaring bankruptcy. Comparing insurance mandates to risk management mandates, the burden on a regulator is lower if all it has to do is to confirm that the firm has insurance rather than that the firm has actually, and effectively, implemented required management practices. For underground storage tanks, we show that insurance lowered toxic releases.
Breaking the Winner's Curse in Outsourcing
Authors: Jiang Bin , Talluri Srinivas , Yao Tao , Moon Yongma
Published: August 2010

This research utilizes real options theory to investigate how to break the winner's curse in contracting through effective contracting mechanisms. We focus on two contracting approaches: flexible price contract and gain‐sharing contract. For reasons of analytical tractability, we first utilize the geometric Brownian motion as the dynamic model to obtain closed‐form solutions to break the outsourcing winner's curse. Subsequently, we extend our model to the mean‐reverting process and provide numerical examples to verify the validity of our closed‐form results, which have not previously been presented in the outsourcing literature. Finally, we provide prescriptions for the problem of the winner's curse in outsourcing.
Strategic Product/Service Innovations of an Online Firm
Authors: Druehl Cheryl T. , Porteus Evan L.
Published: August 2010

We study the incentives that drive an online firm to make various types of innovations in a competitive environment. We develop and use a simplified price competition model between two retailers, one online and one offline. A given fraction of consumers, called the Internet penetration, comparison shop online, independent of their customer type, thereby creating two markets for the offline retailer, a captive market and a competitive market. The online product has the steeper of the two linear utility functions, which means that the customers who buy online in our model are high end. We focus on the competitive region in which both retailers are (strictly) profitable in the competitive market and consider innovations that increase high‐end appeal, low‐end appeal, and/or reduce unit cost. We find that the online firm has a strong incentive to invest in innovations that either reduce unit cost and/or, equivalently, increase the appeal to all consumers equally. Investments of this type are strategic complements: implementing one increases the value of another, so the value of two innovations of this type is more than the sum of the values of each individually. We identify a relative strength measure of the online firm such that, as its high‐end appeal increases and/or its unit cost decreases, we say that the online firm is stronger. This strength measure facilitates drawing an explicit dividing line between strong and weak online firms. If Internet penetration increases, the online firm's profits increase if and only if it is strong. If penetration increases over time, it is possible for a strong firm to turn weak and see its profits decrease and possibly disappear completely. A strong online firm has more opportunity to profit from low‐end innovations than does a weak one, while the opposite is true for high‐end innovations. Interestingly, some innovations may actually decrease the online firm's profits. We discuss the implications of our results for existing and future online innovations.
Effects of l‐carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines, C‐reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp (a) hyperlipoproteinemia
Authors: SHAKERI Azam , TABIBI Hadi , HEDAYATI Mehdi
Published: August 2010

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and high concentration of serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] are common complications in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of l‐carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines, C‐reactive protein (CRP), Lp (a), and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp (a) hyperlipoproteinemia [hyper Lp (a)]. This was an unblinded, randomized clinical trial. Thirty‐six hyper Lp (a) hemodialysis patients (23 men and 13 women) were randomly assigned to either a carnitine or control group. Patients in the carnitine group received 1000 mg/d oral l‐carnitine for 12 weeks, whereas patients in the control group did not receive any l‐carnitine supplement. At baseline and the end of week 12, 5 mL of blood were collected after a 12‐ to 14‐hours fast and serum free carnitine, CRP, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α, Lp (a), and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein were measured. Serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly by 86% in the carnitine group at the end of week 12 compared with baseline (P<0.001), while serum CRP and IL‐6 showed a significant decrease of 29% (P<0.05) and 61% (P<0.001), respectively. No significant changes were observed in serum free carnitine, CRP, and IL‐6 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, Lp (a), and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein concentrations. l‐carnitine supplement reduces inflammation in hemodialysis patients, but has no effect on hyper Lp (a) and oxidative stress.
Mexicans as Model Minorities in the New Latino Diaspora
Authors: Wortham Stanton , Mortimer Katherine , Allard Elaine
Published: August 2010

Rapid Mexican immigration has challenged host communities to make sense of immigrants' place in New Latino Diaspora towns. We describe one town in which residents often characterize Mexican immigrants as model minorities with respect to work and civic life but not with respect to education. We trace how this stereotype is deployed, accepted, and rejected both by long‐standing residents and by Mexican newcomers themselves. [Mexican immigration, social identification, ethnic contrasts, minority students]
Learning to Learn Causal Models
Authors: Kemp Charles , Goodman Noah D. , Tenenbaum Joshua B.
Published: August 2010

Learning to understand a single causal system can be an achievement, but humans must learn about multiple causal systems over the course of a lifetime. We present a hierarchical Bayesian framework that helps to explain how learning about several causal systems can accelerate learning about systems that are subsequently encountered. Given experience with a set of objects, our framework learns a causal model for each object and acausal schemathat captures commonalities among these causal models. The schema organizes the objects into categories and specifies the causal powers and characteristic features of these categories and the characteristic causal interactions between categories. A schema of this kind allows causal models for subsequent objects to be rapidly learned, and we explore this accelerated learning in four experiments. Our results confirm that humans learn rapidly about the causal powers of novel objects, and we show that our framework accounts better for our data than alternative models of causal learning.
Aberrant demethylation of the recoverin gene is involved in the aberrant expression of recoverin in cancer cells
Authors: Bazhin Alexandr V. , De Smet Charles , Golovastova Marina O. , Schmidt Jan , Philippov Pavel P.
Published: August 2010

Please cite this paper as: Aberrant demethylation of the recoverin gene is involved in the aberrant expression of recoverin in cancer cells. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 1023–1025.

Abstract:  The Ca2+‐binding protein recoverin is normally specific for the retina. Recoverin aberrantly expressed in lung and melanoma tumors can trigger the host immune response followed by the development of a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome represented by cancer‐ and melanoma‐associated retinopathy, respectively. The mechanisms, underlying the aberrant expression of recoverin in tumor cells, have remained unknown. The data obtained in this study suggest that (i) DNA methylation participates in the repression of synthesis of mRNA for recoverin in normal tissues and (ii) aberrant hypomethylation of the recoverin gene region, overlapping the promoter up‐stream of the first exon and the first exon itself, is involved in the aberrant expression of recoverin in tumor cells.
Primary human keratinocytes efficiently induce IL‐1‐dependent IL‐17 in CCR6+ T cells
Authors: Muhr Philipp , Renne Julius , Schaefer Verena , Werfel Thomas , Wittmann Miriam
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  Keratinocytes and activated T cells interact in skin inflammation by virtue of chemokines and cytokines. T cell‐derived IL‐17 has been described to play an important role in the course of psoriatic inflammation. In this study, we addressed how keratinocytes influence the secretion of IL‐17 in autologous T cell subsets. We found that a co‐culture of autologous keratinocytes and T cell‐receptor‐stimulated T cells markedly enhanced the production of IL‐17. Besides the importance of direct cell contact, this effect was mainly mediated by IL‐1 and could be blocked by the IL‐1 antagonist anakinra. An additional increase in IL‐17 production by IL‐23 was only seen in the presence of IL‐1, which thus plays a permissive role for the action of IL‐23. Importantly, co‐culture of keratinocytes with CCR6+ CD4+ T cells that are enriched for Th17 cells resulted in significantly higher IL‐17 production compared to co‐culture with CD4+ T cells.
Atrial Septal Aneurysm and Cerebrovascular Accidents
Authors: Nair B. , Basta M.
Published: August 2010

A patient with multiple cerebrovascular accidents, who has atrial septal aneurysm is described. This condition is considered to be a poiential source of cardiogenic embolism.
Functional interdependence
Authors: Del Aguila Mark , Cox Lisa , Lee Louisa
Published: August 2010

Objective:  The interrelationship between functional capacity, informal networks and the physical environment of the residence and residential location is used to describe age‐care service utilisation and non‐utilisation.

Methods:  Fifty‐two applicants for home‐care services were matched with 52 non‐applicants, and 40 applicants for day‐care services were matched with 40 non‐applicants according to age, gender, mental status, and physical functioning.

Results:  Discriminant Function Analyses indicated home‐care applications are related to network isolation within existing neighbourhoods and that day‐care applicant networks were insufficient to accommodate challenges presented by the immediate physical environment of the residence. The physical environment of the residence also distinguished home‐care applicants from day‐care applicants.

Conclusion:  The findings support the proposed model of functional interdependence that describes service utilisation and non‐utilisation as a function of the interrelationship between functional capacity and the capacity of family, friends, neighbours and communities of interest to accommodate challenges present in the elder persons residence and residential context.
Validation and reliability of the Modified Elderly Mobility Scale
Authors: Kuys Suzanne S , Brauer Sandra G
Published: August 2010

Objective:  To establish concurrent validity, interrater and test–retest reliability of the Modified Elderly Mobility Scale (MEMS).

Methods:  Ninety elderly patients were scored on the MEMS. To establish concurrent validity, 75 patients MEMS scores were compared to Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores using Spearman's correlation. Videotaped patient performances were used to establish interrater and test–retest reliability using percentage absolute agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Results:  The total MEMS score demonstrated a significant association with the motor (r = 0.725) and total FIM scores (r = 0.718). Absolute agreement for interrater reliability was greater than 93% for all test items, with 97 and 98% for the two new measures, respectively. Test–retest reliability demonstrated similar high levels of absolute agreement and had ICCs ranging from 0.870 to 1.0.

Conclusions:  The MEMS is a quick, valid and reliable test of motor function of elderly patients with a spread of functional levels.
Older women in Australia: ageing in urban, rural and remote environments
Authors: Byles Julie , Powers Jennifer , Chojenta Catherine , Warner‐Smith Penny
Published: August 2010

Objective:  To explore differences in quality of life and health service use for older women living in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia.

Methods:  8387 women aged 70–75 years when enrolled in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health completed mailed surveys in 1996, 1999 and 2002.

Results:  Women living in urban, rural and remote areas reported few differences in health and had similar changes in health‐related quality of life (SF‐36) over time. Most SF‐36 subscale scores declined over time, with steeper drops between the ages of 73–78 years and 76–81 years. The use of health services, need for informal care and provision of care to others increased over time. Urban participants used more general practitioner, specialist and allied health services, whereas non‐urban women used more community services and alternative health practitioners.

Conclusion:  Despite similar health problems, health service use differs significantly across urban, rural and remote areas of Australia.
The role of prohibitin in cell signaling
Authors: Mishra Suresh , Ande Sudharsana R. , Nyomba B. L. Grégoire
Published: August 2010

Prohibitin‐1 (PHB, also known as PHB1), a member of the Band‐7 family of proteins, is highly conserved evolutionarily, widely expressed, and present in different cellular compartments. Genetic studies with different organism models have provided strong evidence for an important biological role of PHB in mitochondrial function, cell proliferation, and development. Recent discoveries regarding the involvement of PHB in phophatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)/signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling pathways, and earlier reports on the interaction of PHB with Raf and its critical role in Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling opened up the possibility that PHB has functions outside of the mitochondria (extramitochondrial) and may be a multifunctional protein. The PI3K/Akt and Ras/MAPK/ERK signaling cascades are versatile signaling processes that diverge from the same receptor tyrosine kinase root, and are involved in cell metabolism, proliferation, and development. Here, we review the emerging role of PHB and its post‐translational modifications in signal transduction pathways, especially in PI3K/Akt and Ras/MAPK/ERK signaling. A recent discovery of opposing effects of PHB on longevity under different metabolic states and its potential connection with insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐I signaling is also discussed.