bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of nitrogen fertilization on net nitrogen mineralization in a grassland soil, northern China
Authors: Zhang X. , Wang Q. , Gilliam F. S. , Bai W. , Han X. , Li L.
Published: February 2012

Nitrogen (N) applications can have a significant effect on soil N availability. The effect of 3 years of N fertilization on soil net N mineralization during the growing season (May–September) was studied in 2005 and 2006 in grassland of northern China. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications of five rates of N addition as urea (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 g N m−2 year−1). Results indicated that net N mineralization rate varied seasonally and between years, ranging from −0.04 to 0.52 μg g−1d−1in 2005 and from −0.09 to 0.39 μg g−1d−1in 2006. Mean N mineralization and nitrification rates were highest in July, in 2005 and 2006, whereas highest ammonification rates occurred in September. Rainfall was significantly correlated with net nitrification. In comparison with the untreated control, N mineralization increased sharply when N fertilization increased from 2 to 8 g N m−2 year−1. Mobile soil NO3−accumulated late in the growing season for the 16 g N m−2 year−1treatment, suggesting the potential for NO3and associated cation leaching. These results suggest that N fertilization of 8 g N m−2 year−1(80 kg N ha−1) is suitable for the management of grassland ecosystems of Inner Mongolia.
Are there trade‐offs between pre‐ and post‐fledging survival in black brent geese?
Authors: Nicolai Christopher A. , Sedinger James S.
Published: February 2012

1. The growth period is an important determinant of fitness later in life through its effects on first‐year survival and future reproduction. Choices by adult females about where to rear their offspring strongly affect growth rates and offspring fitness in geese.

2. Individual female black brent (Branta bernicla nigricans) tend to raise their broods in the same areas each year, and these areas are consistently ranked with respect to growth rates of goslings. Therefore, some females consistently rear their broods on areas resulting in lower post‐fledging fitness.

3. We explore the potential that growth rates of offspring (and associated fitness consequences) are traded off against other vital rates influencing fitness of either adult females or goslings. Growth of goslings primarily influences fitness after fledging, so one hypothesis is that survival before fledging, which is influenced by predation, is traded off against growth rates and post‐fledging survival.

4. We estimated pre‐fledging and post‐fledging survival for goslings reared on areas used by broods from the Tutakoke River black brent colony. We examined recaptures, recoveries by hunters and resightings of brent marked as goslings with webtags and standard leg rings. These data were analyzed using capture–mark–recapture models in program mark to derive separate estimates of pre‐ and post‐fledging survival for 18 cohorts (1987–2004) of black brent goslings across seven brood rearing areas (BRAs).

5. Estimates of pre‐fledging survival probability varied from 0·00 ± 0·00 (mean ± 95% confidence interval) to 0·92 ± 0·1; and estimates of post‐fledging survival probability varied from 0·00 ± 0·00 to 1·00 ± 0·08. Substantial variation existed both among BRAs and years but post‐fledging survival declined substantially during the study.

6. Pre‐ and post‐fledging survival were positively correlated, exhibiting a quadratic relationship (ßpost‐fledging survival = 1·00 (±0·47)x−0·83 (±0·480)x2, where x = pre‐fledging survival). Therefore, we did not find a trade‐off between pre‐ and post‐fledging survival in black brent goslings across BRAs, suggesting that factors other than foraging conditions and predation on goslings must influence selection of BRAs.
Global habitat suitability of cold‐water octocorals
Authors: Yesson Chris , Taylor Michelle L. , Tittensor Derek P. , Davies Andrew J. , Guinotte John , Baco Amy , Black Julie , Hall‐Spencer Jason M. , Rogers Alex D.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Three‐quarters of Octocorallia species are found in deep waters. These cold‐water octocoral colonies can form a major constituent of structurally complex habitats. The global distribution and the habitat requirements of deep‐sea octocorals are poorly understood given the expense and difficulties of sampling at depth. Habitat suitability models are useful tools to extrapolate distributions and provide an understanding of ecological requirements. Here, we present global habitat suitability models and distribution maps for seven suborders of Octocorallia: Alcyoniina, Calcaxonia, Holaxonia, Scleraxonia, Sessiliflorae, Stolonifera and Subselliflorae.

Location  Global.

Methods  We use maximum entropy modelling to predict octocoral distribution using a database of 12,508 geolocated octocoral specimens and 32 environmental grids resampled to 30 arc‐second (approximately 1 km2) resolution. Additionally, a meta‐analysis determined habitat preferences and niche overlap between the different suborders of octocorals.

Results  Suborder Sessiliflorae had the widest potential habitat range, but all records for all suborders implied a habitat preference for continental shelves and margins, particularly the North and West Atlantic and Western Pacific Rim. Temperature, salinity, broad scale slope, productivity, oxygen and calcite saturation state were identified as important factors for determining habitat suitability. Less than 3% of octocoral records were found in waters undersaturated for calcite, but this result is affected by a shallow‐water sampling bias.

Main conclusions  The logistical difficulties, expense and vast areas associated with deep‐sea sampling leads to a gap in the knowledge of faunal distributions that is difficult to fill without predictive modelling. Global distribution estimates are presented, highlighting many suitable areas which have yet to be studied. We suggest that approximately 17% of oceans are suitable for at least one suborder but 3.5% may be suitable for all seven. This is the first global habitat suitability modelling study on the distribution of octocorals and forms a useful resource for researchers, managers and conservationists.
A long‐term follow‐up of allergic diseases in Iceland
Authors: Finnbogadóttir Anna Freyja , Árdal Björn , Eiríksson Herbert , Hrafnkelsson Birgir , Valdimarsson Helgi , Lúðvíksson Björn Rúnar , Haraldsson Ásgeir
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Finnbogadóttir AF, Árdal B, Eiríksson H, Hrafnkelsson B, Valdimarsson H, Lúðvíksson BRúnar, Haraldsson Á. A long‐term follow‐up of allergic diseases in Iceland. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012 Doi: 10.1111/j.1399‐3038.2011.01234.x

Introduction:  Allergic disorders are an increasing health problem in many countries, in particular among children. We have evaluated the prevalence and manifestations of allergy in a cohort of young Icelanders for more than two decades. Variations in the epidemiology and clinical expression of allergy in different communities may help to identify etiological factors contributing to these disorders.

Methods:  A cohort of 179 children has been monitored for allergic manifestations for two decades, at the ages of two, four, eight, and 15 years, and most recently at the age of 21 years involving 120 of the participants.

Results:  Cumulative prevalences of 40%, 45%, and 29% have been observed, respectively, for rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and asthma during the study period. None had developed rhinoconjunctivitis at the age of about 2 years, but the point prevalence gradually increased to 33% at the age of 21 years. Conversely, the prevalence of eczema was 31% at the age of 2 years, but gradually declined to 8% at the age of 21 years. The prevalence of asthma peaked at 28% at the age of 4 years, but declined thereafter and has remained stable at about 13% from the age of eight to 21 years.

Discussion:  The prevalence of allergic diseases is high in Iceland among children and young individuals. Asthma and atopic eczema are very common in childhood, but decreases with age while the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis increases markedly. The very high and increasing prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis among 15‐ to 21‐year‐old individuals is noteworthy.
UV responses of Lolium perenne raised along a latitudinal gradient across Europe: a filtration study
Authors: Comont David , Martinez Abaigar Javier , Albert Andreas , Aphalo Pedro , Causton David R. , Figueroa Félix López , Gaberscik Alenka , Llorens Laura , Hauser Marie‐Theres , Jansen Marcel A. K. , Kardefelt Majlis , de la Coba Luque Paqui , Neubert Susanne , Núñez‐Olivera Encarnación , Olsen Jorunn , Robson Matthew , Schreiner Monika , Sommaruga Ruben , Strid Åke , Torre Sissel , Turunen Minna , Veljovic‐Jovanovic Sonja , Verdaguer Dolors , Vidovic Marija , Wagner Johanna , Winkler Jana Barbro , Zipoli Gaetano , Gwynn‐Jones Dylan
Published: February 2012

Lolium perenne (cv. AberDart) was grown at 14 locations along a latitudinal gradient across Europe (37–68°N) to study the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) and climate on aboveground growth and foliar UV‐B absorbing compounds. At each location, plants were grown outdoors for 5 weeks in a replicated UV‐B filtration experiment consisting of open, UV‐B transparent (cellulose diacetate) and UV‐B opaque (polyester) environments. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy was used to compare plant metabolite profiles in relation to treatment and location. UV radiation and climatic parameters were determined for each location from online sources and the data were assessed using a combination of anova and multiple regression analyses. Most of the variation in growth between the locations was attributable to the combination of climatic parameters, with minimum temperature identified as an important growth constraint. However, no single environmental parameter could consistently account for the variability in plant growth. Concentrations of foliar UV‐B absorbing compounds showed a positive trend with solar UV across the latitudinal gradient; however, this relationship was not consistent in all treatments. The most striking experimental outcome from this study was the effect of presence or absence of filtration frames on UV‐absorbing compounds. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of an European approach in studying the impacts of natural UV across a large latitudinal gradient. We have shown the feasibility of coordinated UV filtration at multiple sites but have also highlighted the need for open controls and careful interpretation of plant responses.
Targeted oxygen therapy in special care nurseries: Is uniformity a good thing?
Authors: Buckmaster Adam , Arnolda Gaston , Wright Ian , Foster Jann
Published: February 2012

Aim:  There is wide variation in the commencement of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and the oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets set in special care nurseries (SCNs). Evidence supports minimising unnecessary oxygen exposure. Does the introduction of a protocol advocating the uniform approach of commencing FiO2 at 30% and targeting SpO2 of 94–96% for infants ≥33 weeks gestation with respiratory distress reduce oxygen exposure?

Methods:  A ‘Before After’ study was undertaken in three SCNs. Data were recorded for all infants admitted to the SCNs who required oxygen over a 3‐year period. Infants were analysed in gestational age groups: 33–36 weeks (late preterm) and +37 weeks (term/post‐term).

Results:  Of the 19 830 infants born, 868 (4%) were treated with oxygen. The introduction of an oxygen‐targeting protocol resulted in a statistically and clinically significant reduction in the proportion of infants who were treated with any oxygen for 1 h or more, 4 h or more and in the proportion who received >30% FiO2 for 1 h or more (all P≤ 0.01). This reduction was significant for infants of both gestational age groups. The median duration of oxygen for term/post‐term infants was reduced from 12 h pre‐protocol to 10 h post‐protocol (P= 0.01); however, no significant difference was found for the preterm group (reduced from 11 to 8 h, P= 0.07).

Conclusion:  Introduction of a uniform oxygen protocol in SCNs for infants ≥33 weeks gestation with respiratory distress reduces the number of infants receiving oxygen and, in term infants, the duration of oxygen exposure.
Nurse preparedness for the non‐communicable disease escalation in Thailand: A cross‐sectional survey of nurses
Authors: Kaufman Nicholas D. , Rajataramya Benjaporn , Tanomsingh Saengchom , Ronis David L. , Potempa Kathleen
Published: February 2012

Chronic diseases are now the largest cause of mortality in Thailand, and form an increasingly large portion of the healthcare landscape. In the Thai health system, many patients with chronic conditions receive care and disease management services from nurses, yet specialized training in chronic diseases is not currently part of standard nursing degree programs. Given the evolving epidemiology of the Thailand population, we questioned whether practicing nurses remain confident in their knowledge and skills in chronic disease management. We conducted a cross‐sectional, self‐efficacy survey of nurses in eight randomly‐selected provinces in Thailand, receiving 468 responses. Nurse self‐efficacy was analyzed in prominent chronic disease types, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and pulmonary diseases. Factors, such as geographic location, education level, continuing education experience, and hospital size, were found to significantly affect nurse self‐efficacy levels; nurses highly prioritized additional training in heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, followed by hypertension, cancer, and diabetes.
Action learning enhances professional development of research supervisors: an Australian health science exemplar
Authors: Davis Kierrynn , Brownie Sonya , Doran Frances , Evans Sue , Hutchinson Marie , Mozolic‐Staunton Beth , Provost Stephen , van Aken Rosalie
Published: February 2012

The worldwide academic workforce is ageing. At the same time, health and human services workforces are expanding. The preparation of educators to fill gaps in expertise and to position the health sciences for future growth is an urgent need. The findings from a recent action learning project that aimed to enhance the professional growth and development of higher degree researcher student supervisors in a School of Health and Human Sciences are presented. Seven early career researchers and the facilitator met for two hours every two to three weeks over 4 months between April and July 2010, in a rural and regional university in New South Wales, Australia. The processes initiated were a combination of experiential knowledge, referral to relevant published reports, use of an effective supervision checklist, and critical conversations. Learning outcomes centered on higher degree management and supervision pedagogy, communities of practice, knowledge translation, and the establishment of a research culture. The contextual barriers and implications of the methodology and learning outcomes for the professional development of health and human science practitioners, researchers and educators is also discussed.
Comparison of lifestyle behaviors and related factors between Asian American and white adults with prediabetes
Authors: Zhou Qiuping (Pearl) , Oh Kyeung Mi
Published: February 2012

This study compares lifestyle behaviors and related factors between Asian American and white adults with self‐reported prediabetes and identifies covariates/predictors for regular physical activity and adequate intake of fruits/vegetables. Using data from the United States of America Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 302 Asian Americans and 9558 white adults were analyzed. There were no significant differences for participating in regular physical activity or consumption of adequate fruits/vegetables between the two groups. Overall, 40% of the respondents engaged in regular physical activity, whereas less than 25% reported an adequate intake of fruits/vegetables. In the adjusted models, compared to white, Asian Americans were less likely to have impaired physical (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36 0.80) or mental health (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.61), or cardiovascular diseases (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.87). The covariates/predictors that relate to the behaviors differed between the groups. We conclude that interventions to increase physical activity and healthy eating for Asian American and white adults with prediabetes should address the different covariates/predictors for each group.
Evaluation of educational program on osteoporosis awareness and prevention among nurse students in China
Authors: Zhang Yin‐Ping , Li Xiao‐Mei , Wang Duo‐Lao , Guo Xiao‐Yuan , Guo Xiong
Published: February 2012

This study assessed a targeted continuing osteoporosis educational program and investigated awareness and prevention of osteoporosis in Chinese female pre‐internship nurse students. A quasi‐experimental study was conducted. The program was presented to 256 nurse students. The baseline knowledge score of the nurse students was low (9.78 ± 3.13). They had inadequate osteoporosis health beliefs, self‐efficacy and related behaviors. The educational program significantly augmented osteoporosis knowledge (Student's pairedt = −13.42,P < 0.001), total osteoporosis health beliefs (Student's pairedt = −4.46,P < 0.001), and the subscale (P < 0.001) except for the perceived barriers to exercising and calcium intake. Participants showed a significant increase in self‐efficacy (Student's pairedt = −6.45,P < 0.001) post intervention. Those who completed the program were better prepared to prevent and manage osteoporosis. Additionally, nurse students became more concerned about bone health of family members, subjects and themselves because of attending the program. Results of this study reinforce the need for osteoporosis‐related continuing education in nurse students before clinical internship.
Impact of technology‐based care and management systems on aged care outcomes in Australia
Authors: McDonald Tracey , Russell Frances
Published: February 2012

This study determined the impact of a computerized care documentation system on client outcomes, regulatory compliance, and staff workloads after 3 years of use. The survey was conducted at an 800‐bed aged care facility, and staff using the computerized care system were invited to participate (n = 112). The survey was an adapted version of the Nurses Computer Attitudes to Technology Inventory, which was refined to make it relevant to the aged care workplace. Four multiple regression models were produced, assessing the impact of the computerized care management system on staff and workload; time; accuracy, and regulatory data; and resident care. The analysis showed that the perceived benefits of the computerized system were influenced by personal attitudes towards computer use and feelings of empowerment related to the computer system. Even those with poor computer skills and feelings of insecurity about using computers believed that there were significant benefits to be gained by using the system. This result has implications with regards to the training and recruitment of staff in the aged care sector, as facilities introduce computerized care systems.
Impact of regional and local anaesthetics on length of stay in knee arthroplasty
Authors: Crowley Conor , Dowsey Michelle M. , Quinn Colm , Barrington Michael , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: February 2012

Background:  Regional and local anaesthetic techniques are thought to improve postoperative pain control and functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty, potentially leading to a reduction in hospital length of stay.

Objectives:  The objective of this study was to evaluate the reporting quality and discuss the clinical findings of the available literature on these modalities that included length of stay as a study outcome.

Data sources:  The electronic databases Pubmed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane library were searched using key words.

Review methods:  Eight‐hundred and forty‐three papers were identified in the search. Fifteen of these met the inclusion criteria. Eight further studies were identified from their reference lists to give a final total of 23 studies that were reported against the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) 2001 statement checklist.

Results:  The mean criteria CONSORT score was 17.3/22 (79%). The majority of studies that compared femoral nerve blocks with placebo or conventional pain management modalities failed to demonstrate a significant reduction in length of stay. All studies that compared femoral nerve blocks with epidurals found no significant difference in length of stay. Only half of the studies comparing local anaesthetic techniques to placebo or conventional pain management methods found a significant reduction in length of stay.

Conclusions:  The reporting quality has specific deficiencies in the areas of sample size calculation, randomization whilst there was under‐reporting of blinding. Regional and local anaesthetic techniques have not demonstrated a clear reduction in hospital length of stay. Epidurals and femoral nerve blocks have similar impacts on length of stay.
Levodopa influences striatal activity but does not affect cortical hyper‐activity in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Martinu K. , Degroot C. , Madjar C. , Strafella A. P. , Monchi O.
Published: February 2012

Motor studies of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have shown cortical hypo‐activity in relation to nigrostriatal dopamine depletion. Cognitive studies also identified increased cortical activity in PD. We have previously suggested that the hypo‐activity/hyper‐activity patterns observed in PD are related to the striatal contribution. Tasks that recruit the striatum in control participants are associated with cortical hypo‐activity in patients with PD, whereas tasks that do not result in cortical hyper‐activity. The putamen, a structure affected by the neurodegeneration observed in PD, shows increased activation for externally‐triggered (ET) and self‐initiated (SI) movements. The first goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of levodopa on the putamen’s response to ET and SI movements. Our second goal was to assess the effect of levodopa on the hypo‐activity/hyper‐activity patterns in cortical areas. Patients with PD on and off levodopa and healthy volunteers performed SI, ET and control finger movements during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Healthy participants displayed significant differences in putamen activity in ET and SI movements. These differences were reduced in patients off medication, with non‐task‐specific increases in activity after levodopa administration. Furthermore, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex showed significant increases in activity during SI movements in healthy controls, whereas it was hypo‐active in PD. This region showed significantly increased activity during ET movements in patients off medication. Levodopa had no effect on this discrepancy. Our results suggest that dopamine replacement therapy has a non‐task‐specific effect on motor corticostriatal regions, and support the hypothesis that increases and decreases in cortical activity in PD are related to the mesocortical dopamine pathway imbalance.
The effectiveness of home‐based individual tele‐care intervention for stroke caregivers in South Korea
Authors: Kim S.S. , Kim E.J. , Cheon J.Y. , Chung S.K. , Moon S. , Moon K.H.
Published: February 2012

KIM S.S., KIM E.J., CHEON J.Y., CHUNG S.K., MOON S. & MOON K.H. (2011) The effectiveness of home‐based individual tele‐care intervention for stroke caregivers in South Korea. International Nursing Review59, 369–375

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to develop effective intervention programmes that can reduce family caregiver burden as they provide care to stroke patients so that family caregivers can adapt to and deal with the new circumstances from the early stages of stroke. We also intended to verify the effectiveness of the developed programme.

Methods:  This study employed a quasi‐experimental design with a repeated‐measures analysis. We included five hospitals specialized in stroke care in Seoul Metropolitan areas. Seventy‐three patients from these hospitals agreed to participate in this study.

Results:  The score of family caregiver burden decreased by 8.07 (±18.67) in the experimental group and increased by 1.65 (±7.47) in the control group, which was a significant difference (t = 2.257, P = 0.027) between pre‐ and post‐intervention. The family caregiver burden of experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (F = 3.649, P = 0.033).

Conclusions:  The home‐based individual tele‐care intervention, in addition to the hospital‐based group programme, was cost‐effective and supportive in reducing family caregivers' burden by providing relevant information for their needs in timely manner.
Adapting multi‐family therapy to families who care for a loved one with an eating disorder in the Czech Republic combined with a follow‐up pilot study of efficacy
Authors: Mehl A. , Tomanová J. , Kuběna A. , Papežová H.
Published: February 2012

This research article provides an insight into the Multifamily Therapy (MFT) for families caring for a patient with an eating disorder at the Centre for Eating Disorders at the First Psychiatric Clinic in Prague. We describe the sometimes rocky path of MFT in Czech healthcare and the challenges we encountered in working with this approach in the Czech Republic. Additionally, we discuss the preliminary results of our follow‐up‐pilot study in which we tested the efficacy of our MFT programme on patients' quality of life and self‐esteem. Fifteen patients completed the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale (RSES) and the brief Schwartz outcome scale (SOS‐10) at pre‐treatment and post‐treatment. Our results show a significant improvement of quality of life (F (1, 14) = 13.03, P = 0.003) and a significant reduction of self‐esteem (Z = −2.721 P = 0.07). This pilot study shows divergent results concerning the efficacy of MFT on patients' quality of life and their self‐esteem.
Knowledge Benefits of Social Capital upon Repatriation: A Longitudinal Study of International Assignees
Authors: Reiche B. Sebastian
Published: February 2012

abstract

This study integrates social resources theory and social exchange theory arguments to examine the knowledge benefits that international assignees' host‐unit social capital entails upon repatriation. Specifically, I hypothesize that assignees' host‐unit social capital, operationalized as their number of work group contacts and their proportion of trusted ties at the host unit, positively relates to two specific knowledge benefits upon repatriation: continued access to host‐unit knowledge; and continued transfer of host‐unit knowledge to colleagues in assignees' new positions. Assignees' perceptions of career and repatriation support are expected to moderate these relationships. The hypotheses are tested with a longitudinal sample of 85 inpatriate assignees in 10 German multinationals. I contribute to the literatures on international assignments, social capital, and MNC knowledge flows by explaining how and under what conditions assignees' host‐unit social capital entails knowledge benefits upon repatriation.
Little Pitchers Use Their Big Ears: Preschoolers Solve Problems by Listening to Others Ask Questions
Authors: Mills Candice M. , Danovitch Judith H. , Grant Meridith G. , Elashi Fadwa B.
Published: February 2012

Children ask questions and learn from the responses they receive; however, little is known about how children learn from listening to others ask questions. Five experiments examined preschoolers’ (N = 179) ability to solve simple problems using information gathered from listening to question‐and‐answer exchanges between 2 parties present in the same room. Overall, the ability to efficiently use information gathered from overheard exchanges improved between ages 3 and 5. Critically, however, across ages children solved the majority of problems correctly, suggesting preschoolers are capable of learning from others’ questions. Moreover, children learned from others’ questions without explicit instruction and when engaged in another activity. Implications for the development of problem‐solving skills are discussed.
Longitudinal Links Between Spanking and Children’s Externalizing Behaviors in a National Sample of White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian American Families
Authors: Gershoff Elizabeth T. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Sexton Holly R. , Davis‐Kean Pamela , Sameroff Arnold J.
Published: February 2012

This study examined whether the longitudinal links between mothers’ use of spanking and children’s externalizing behaviors are moderated by family race/ethnicity, as would be predicted by cultural normativeness theory, once mean differences in frequency of use are controlled. A nationally representative sample of White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian American families (n = 11,044) was used to test a cross‐lagged path model from 5 to 8 years old. While race/ethnic differences were observed in the frequency of spanking, no differences were found in the associations of spanking and externalizing over time: Early spanking predicted increases in children’s externalizing while early child externalizing elicited more spanking over time across all race/ethnic groups.
Strengthening and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Slabs with Carbon‐Fiber Reinforced Polymers Using a Refined Bond Model
Authors: Finckh Wolfgang , Zilch Konrad
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  Slabs are one of the main load‐bearing elements in nearly every structure. Because of additional live loads or modifications of the building structure these slabs often have to be strengthened. Using externally bonded carbon‐fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips to strengthen existing concrete structures has become common practice. One of the main failure modes is the loss of the composite action between the concrete and the CFRP strip making the bond force transfer very important. This bond force transfer depends on many parameters including the concrete strength, the ratio between shear force, and bending moment. A new parameter recently discovered by the Technische Universität München (TUM) is the deflection of the structural elements themselves. Because of this deflection self‐inducted contact pressure occurs. This contact pressure affects a higher bond transfer. The lower effective depth of slabs compared to beams causes higher deflections. In this article, first a few principles on the strengthening with adhesive‐bonded CFRP strips and the characteristics of the bond are explained. Then, the basics of the bond force transfer, at the end anchorage and in the rest of the element, are summarized. Based on these essentials, as well as numerous experiments, the change in the bond force transfer at the structural element caused by the curvature is then derived. With these findings, a complete verification concept is presented, which is ideal for computerized calculations. This verification concept is finally compared to several full‐scale test results presented in pertinent literature.
Does Ownership Type Matter for Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Dam Lammertjan , Scholtens Bert
Published: February 2012

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This study examines how different types of owners relate to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Research Findings/Insights: We use firm‐level data for more than 600 European firms from 16 countries and 35 industries for 2005. We find that ownership by employees, individuals, and firms is associated with relatively poor corporate social policies of the firms they invest in. In contrast, the holdings by banks and institutional investors as well as those by the state appear to be neutral in this respect.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study develops and tests notions as to how particular types of owners could have a specific impact on the firm's CSR. The relative value put upon CSR can differ along different types of owners. This results from their different economic roles in society. The study provides empirical support for the relationship between ownership type and CSR policies in Europe. As such, it provides a new focus on the content of shareholder activism, namely that shareholder background has to be taken into account. Another innovation is that we show it is important to account for the multidimensional nature of CSR as well.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers a new perspective for firms, investors and other stakeholders about portfolio investments and CSR. As we find that it does matter who invests, corporate engagement policies can be directed much more effectively. In particular, the investors who act as intermediaries appear to be the most sensitive ones in this respect. Our study suggests that firms should take the background of their shareholders into account in relation to their CSR strategy. Furthermore, our study helps stakeholders to direct their efforts more effectively. It also provides a perspective for executives and investment managers of multinational firms to consider if and how they can create social value next to shareholder value. We suggest that policy makers promote the transparency of ownership information as well as that of CSR performance.
Kindergartners' Temperament, Classroom Engagement, and Student–teacher Relationship: Moderation by Effortful Control
Authors: Valiente Carlos , Swanson Jodi , Lemery‐Chalfant Kathryn
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine whether kindergartners' (N = 291; M age = 5 years) effortful control (EC), impulsivity, anger, or shyness predict their classroom participation, school liking, and student–teacher relationship. Parents and teachers reported on children's temperament. Children's EC and impulsivity were also assessed with the Continuous Performance Task. Teachers and children reported on classroom participation and school liking, and teachers reported on the student–teacher relationship. Consistent with predictions, EC was frequently positively related to the outcomes. Both impulsivity and anger were often negatively related to the outcomes. Evidence of a quadratic relation, in the form of an inverted U, between shyness and the student–teacher relationship also emerged. There was evidence that EC moderated many of the main effects. Subsequent analyses for impulsivity and anger demonstrated that the negative relations were often only for children low in EC whereas the negative relation for shyness was for children high in EC. Findings illustrate the utility in considering multiple ways components of temperament relate to early indices of school success.
A Process Model of Parenting and Adolescents' Friendship Competence
Authors: Cook Emily C. , Buehler Cheryl , Fletcher Anne C.
Published: February 2012

This study examined the prospective relationship between negative parenting behaviors and adolescents' friendship competence in a community sample of 416 two‐parent families in the Southeastern USA. Adolescents' externalizing problems and their emotional insecurity with parents were examined as mediators. Parents' psychological control was uniquely associated with adolescents' friendship competence. When both mediators were included in the same model, adolescents' perceptions of emotional insecurity in the parent–adolescent relationship fully mediated the association between parents' psychological control and adolescents' friendship competence. Parental hostility was associated with friendship competence indirectly through adolescents' emotional insecurity. Results contribute to identifying the mechanisms by which parenting affects youths' friendship competence, which is important in informing theory and practice regarding interpersonal relationships in adolescence.
Social Status, Perceived Social Reputations, and Perceived Dyadic Relationships in Early Adolescence
Authors: Badaly Daryaneh , Schwartz David , Gorman Andrea Hopmeyer
Published: February 2012

This investigation examined social acceptance and popularity as correlates of perceived social reputations and perceived dyadic relationships in a cross‐sectional sample of 418 6th and 7th grade students (approximate average age of 12 years). We assessed early adolescents' social status using peer nominations and measured their perceptions of their social status, behavioral reputations, and friendships from a combination of self‐ratings and peer nominations. Social acceptance was positively related to perceptions of social acceptance and friendships and negatively related to perceptions of rejection and a victimized reputation. Popularity was positively associated with perceptions of popularity, rejection, and an aggressive reputation and negatively associated with perceptions of unpopularity and a socially withdrawn reputation. Our results were, in general, consistent with the suggestion that social acceptance is related to perceiving facets of reputations and relationships relevant to forming and maintaining friendships whereas popularity is related to perceiving facets pertinent to gaining social power.
Popularity Contagion Among Adolescents
Authors: Marks Peter E. L. , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Crick Nicki R.
Published: February 2012

This study aimed to support the theory of popularity contagion, which posits that popularity spreads among friends spontaneously and regardless of behavioral changes. Peer nominations of status and behavior were collected annually between 6th and 12th grades from a total of 1062 adolescents. Longitudinal hypotheses were mostly supported using path analyses, showing (1) that individual popularity could be predicted by friends’ popularity levels over time, even when controlling for stability of individual popularity; (2) that this prediction was not accounted for by behavioral contagion of aggressive or prosocial behaviors; and (3) that individual social preference generally could not be predicted by friends’ preference levels over time. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Cumulative Risk, Negative Emotionality, and Emotion Regulation as Predictors of Social Competence in Transition to School: A Mediated Moderation Model
Authors: Chang Hyein , Shelleby Elizabeth C. , Cheong JeeWon , Shaw Daniel S.
Published: February 2012

The goals of this study were to examine the additive and interactive effects of cumulative risk and child negative emotionality on children's social competence in the transition from preschool to school and to test whether these associations were mediated by child emotion regulation within a sample of 310 low‐income, ethnically diverse boys. Multiple informants and methods were used to measure contextual risk factors and negative emotionality at the ages of 1.5 and two, emotion dysregulation at the age of 3.5, and social competence in the home at the age of five and in school at the age of six. Results indicated that the relation between cumulative risk and emotion dysregulation was amplified for children with higher levels of negative emotionality. In turn, emotion dysregulation predicted lower social competence across both the home and the school contexts. This study represents an early effort to develop an integrative model of social competence by considering joint contributions of contextual risk, negative emotionality, and emotion regulation.
Reactive Temperament and Sensitivity to Context in Childcare
Authors: Phillips Deborah , Crowell Nancy A. , Sussman Amy L. , Gunnar Megan , Fox Nathan , Hane Amie Ashley , Bisgaier Joanna
Published: February 2012

Consistent with Biological Sensitivity to Context and Differential Susceptibility hypotheses, this study found that children who, as infants, were more temperamentally reactive were more sensitive to the quality of childcare they experienced as toddlers, but not to the amount of childcare with peers they had experienced since birth. Children with both highly positively and negatively reactive temperaments were more socially integrated when care quality was higher and less integrated when care quality was lower compared with moderately reactive children. Reactive temperament was not found to moderate relations between care quality or care duration and internalizing or externalizing behavior problems. These findings support the need to consider individual differences among children in evaluating the impacts of childcare.
Focused estimation and model averaging with penalization methods: an overview
Authors: Claeskens Gerda
Published: February 2012

The quest for a good estimator of a certain focus or target is present regardless of the dimensionality of the data. Obtaining such a good estimator with low mean squared error (MSE), or a prediction with low prediction error often proceeds via a variable selection or model selection search. Estimators can also be averaged to enlarge the space of possible estimators in an attempt to further lower the MSE. While these methods are being studied mostly for unpenalized estimation methods in situations with the number of variables much smaller than the sample size, this article concentrates on the additional difficulties and challenges when applying focused model selection for squared error loss with penalized estimation, for example, in a context of high‐dimensional data.
How Real is Mobility Between Low Pay, High Pay and Non-Employment?
Authors: Pavlopoulos Dimitris , Muffels Ruud , Vermunt Jeroen K.
Published: February 2012

The aim of the paper is to investigate the effect of measurement error on low pay transition probabilities. Our approach combines the virtues of panel regression and latent class models, though it does not require the use of validation or reinterview data. Using British, German and Dutch panel data, we show that the true estimated low pay transition probability is much lower that what previous research has found. This implies that almost half of the observed transitions can be attributed to measurement error. The highest low pay transition probabilities are found in Germany and the lowest in the Netherlands. When applying this correction for measurement error in a multivariate model of low pay transitions, the results indicate that measurement error attenuates considerably the effects of the main covariates, such as training, job change, change in the type of employment contract and shift from part-time to full-time employment.
When, Where and How to Perform Efficiency Estimation
Authors: Badunenko Oleg , Henderson Daniel J. , Kumbhakar Subal C.
Published: February 2012

We compare two flexible estimators of technical efficiency in a cross-sectional setting: the non-parametric kernel stochastic frontier analysis estimator of Fan, Li and Weersink with the non-parametric bias-corrected data envelopment analysis estimator of Kneip, Simar and Wilson. We assess the finite sample performance of each estimator via Monte Carlo simulations and empirical examples. We find that the reliability of efficiency scores critically hinges on the ratio of the variation in efficiency to the variation in noise. These results should be a valuable resource to both academic researchers and practitioners.
The Synoptic Problem: On Matthew’s and Luke’s use of Mark
Authors: Abakuks Andris
Published: February 2012

In New Testament studies, the synoptic problem is concerned with the relationships between the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Assuming Markan priority, we investigate the relationship between the words in Mark that are retained unchanged by Matthew and those that are retained unchanged by Luke. This is done by mapping the sequence of words in Mark into binary time series that represent the retention or non-retention of the individual words, and then carrying out a variety of logistic regression analyses.
CONVERGENCE OF BARRIER OPTION PRICES IN THE BINOMIAL MODEL
Authors: Lin Jhihrong , Palmer Ken
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we study the rate of convergence of the European barrier call option price given by the CRR binomial model to the Black–Scholes price as the number of periods n tends to infinity. In general the error is of order and we give explicit formulas for the coefficients of and 1/n in the asymptotic expansion of the error. These coefficients depend on the positions of the barrier and strike in the binomial lattice and enable us to give a rigorous explanation of the observed fact that the error is of order 1/n when n is chosen in an appropriate way.
THE EFFECT OF ESTIMATION IN HIGH‐DIMENSIONAL PORTFOLIOS
Authors: Gandy Axel , Veraart Luitgard A. M.
Published: February 2012

We study the effect of estimated model parameters in investment strategies on expected log‐utility of terminal wealth. The market consists of a riskless bond and a potentially vast number of risky stocks modeled as geometric Brownian motions. The well‐known optimal Merton strategy depends on unknown parameters and thus cannot be used in practice. We consider the expected utility of several estimated strategies when the number of risky assets gets large. We suggest strategies which are less affected by estimation errors and demonstrate their performance in a real data example. Strategies in which the investment proportions satisfy anL1‐constraint are less affected by estimation effects.
MULTIPLICATIVE APPROXIMATION OF WEALTH PROCESSES INVOLVING NO‐SHORT‐SALES STRATEGIES VIA SIMPLE TRADING
Authors: Kardaras Constantinos , Platen Eckhard
Published: February 2012

A financial market model with general semimartingale asset–price processes and where agents can only trade using no‐short‐sales strategies is considered. We show that wealth processes using continuous trading can be approximated very closely by wealth processes using simple combinations of buy‐and‐hold trading. This approximation is based on controlling the proportions of wealth invested in the assets. As an application, the utility maximization problem is considered and it is shown that optimal expected utilities and wealth processes resulting from continuous trading can be approximated arbitrarily well by the use of simple combinations of buy‐and‐hold strategies.
RATING BASED LÉVY LIBOR MODEL
Authors: Eberlein Ernst , Grbac Zorana
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we consider modeling of credit risk within the Libor market models. We extend the classical definition of the default‐free forward Libor rate and develop the rating based Libor market model to cover defaultable bonds with credit ratings. As driving processes for the dynamics of the default‐free and the predefault term structure of Libor rates, time‐inhomogeneous Lévy processes are used. Credit migration is modeled by a conditional Markov chain, whose properties are preserved under different forward Libor measures. Conditions for absence of arbitrage in the model are derived and valuation formulae for some common credit derivatives in this setup are presented.
MEAN–VARIANCE PORTFOLIO OPTIMIZATION WITH STATE‐DEPENDENT RISK AVERSION
Authors: Björk Tomas , Murgoci Agatha , Zhou Xun Yu
Published: February 2012

The objective of this paper is to study the mean–variance portfolio optimization in continuous time. Since this problem is time inconsistent we attack it by placing the problem within a game theoretic framework and look for subgame perfect Nash equilibrium strategies. This particular problem has already been studied in Basak and Chabakauri where the authors assumed a constant risk aversion parameter. This assumption leads to an equilibrium control where the dollar amount invested in the risky asset is independent of current wealth, and we argue that this result is unrealistic from an economic point of view. In order to have a more realistic model we instead study the case when the risk aversion depends dynamically on current wealth. This is a substantially more complicated problem than the one with constant risk aversion but, using the general theory of time‐inconsistent control developed in Björk and Murgoci, we provide a fairly detailed analysis on the general case. In particular, when the risk aversion is inversely proportional to wealth, we provide an analytical solution where the equilibrium dollar amount invested in the risky asset is proportional to current wealth. The equilibrium for this model thus appears more reasonable than the one for the model with constant risk aversion.