bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Membrane properties and spike generation in rat visual cortical cells during reversible cooling
Authors: Volgushev Maxim , Vidyasagar Trichur R. , Chistiakova Marina , Yousef Tagrid , Eysel Ulf T.
Published: August 2004

We studied the effects of reversible cooling between 35 and 7 °C on membrane properties and spike generation of cells in slices of rat visual cortex.

Cooling led to a depolarization of the neurones and an increase of the input resistance, thus bringing the cells closer to spiking threshold. Excitability, measured with intracellular current steps, increased with cooling.

Synaptic stimuli were most efficient in producing spikes at room temperature, but strong stimulation could evoke spikes even below 10 °C.

Spike width and total area increased with cooling, and spike amplitude was maximal between 12 and 20 °C. Repetitive firing was enhanced in some cells by cooling to 20–25 °C, but was always suppressed at lower temperatures.

With cooling, passive potassium conductance decreased and the voltage‐gated potassium current had a higher activation threshold and lower amplitude. At the same time, neither passive sodium conductance nor the activation threshold of voltage‐dependent sodium channels changed. Therefore changing the temperature modifies the ratio between potassium and sodium conductances, and thus alters basic membrane properties.

Data from two cells recorded in slices of cat visual cortex suggest a similar temperature dependence of the membrane properties of neocortical neurones to that described above in the rat.

These results provide a framework for comparison of the data recorded at different temperatures, but also show the limitations of extending the conclusions drawn from in vitro data obtained at room temperature to physiological temperatures. Further, when cooling is used as an inactivation tool in vivo, it should be taken into account that the mechanism of inactivation is a depolarization block. Only a region cooled below 10 °C is reliably silenced, but it is always surrounded by a domain of hyperexcitable cells.
A circadian clock regulates the pH of the fish retina
Authors: Dmitriev Andrey V. , Mangel Stuart C.
Published: August 2004

Although it is generally accepted that the acid/base ratio of tissue, as represented by the pH, is strictly regulated to maintain normal function, recent studies in the nervous system have shown that neuronal activity can result in significant shifts in pH. In the vertebrate retina, many cellular phenomena, including neuronal activity, are regulated by a circadian clock. We thus investigated whether a circadian clock regulates the pH of the retina.

pH‐sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure the extracellular pH of the in vitro goldfish retina superfused with a bicarbonate‐based Ringer solution in the subjective day and night; that is, under conditions of constant darkness.

These measurements demonstrated that a circadian clock regulates the pH of the vertebrate retina so that the pH is lower at night compared to the day. This day‐night difference in retinal pH was observed at two different values of Ringer solution pH, indicating that the circadian phenomenon is independent of the superfusion conditions.

The circadian‐induced shift in pH was several times greater than light‐induced pH changes and large enough to influence synaptic transmission between retinal neurons.

These findings indicate that a circadian clock regulates the pH of the vertebrate retina. Thus, an intrinsic oscillator in neural tissue may modulate metabolic activity and pH as part of normal daily function.
Field potentials generated by group II muscle afferents in the lower‐lumbar segments of the feline spinal cord
Authors: Riddell J. S. , Hadian M.
Published: August 2004

The actions of group II muscle afferents projecting to the lower‐lumbar (L6 and L7) segments of the cat spinal cord were investigated by recording the cord dorsum and focal synaptic field potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of hindlimb muscle nerves.

Cord dorsum potentials recorded over the lower‐lumbar segments were generally much smaller than those produced by group II afferents terminating within the midlumbar and sacral segments. Only group II afferents of tibialis posterior produced potentials with an amplitude (mean maximal amplitude 39 μV, n= 7) approaching that of potentials over other segments.

Focal synaptic potentials (mean maximal amplitudes 135–200 μV) were evoked by group II afferents of the following muscle nerves, listed in order of effectiveness: quadriceps, tibialis posterior (throughout L6 and L7), gastrocnemius soleus, flexor digitorum longus, posterior biceps‐semitendinosus and popliteus (mainly within L7).

Field potentials were recorded in the dorsal horn (laminae IV–V) and also more ventrally in a region which included the lateral part of the intermediate zone (lateral to the large group I intermediate field potentials) and often extended into the ventral horn (laminae V–VII). The latencies of the group II potentials are considered compatible with the monosynaptic actions of the fastest conducting group II muscle afferents.

The results are compared with morphological evidence on the pattern of termination of group II muscle afferents in the lower‐lumbar segments and with previous descriptions of the actions of group II muscle afferents in midlumbar and sacral segments.
Mechanical cutaneous stimulation alters Ia presynaptic inhibition in human wrist extensor muscles: a single motor unit study
Authors: Aimonetti Jean‐Marc , Vedel Jean‐Pierre , Schmied Annie , Pagni Simone
Published: August 2004

Reflex responses were evoked by radial nerve stimulation in 25 single motor units in the extensor carpi radialis muscles of seven subjects during voluntary isometric wrist extension. The responses consisted of narrow peaks in the post‐stimulus time histograms with latencies compatible with monosynaptic activation.

When the skin of the palm and finger tips was continuously swept using a soft rotating brush, the purely monosynaptic components of the motor unit responses, as assessed from the contents of the first two 0.25 ms bins of the peak, were found to increase. This increase did not affect the motoneurone net excitatory drive, as assessed by measuring the mean duration of the inter‐spike intervals. The cutaneous inputs activated by the brush may have reduced the tonic presynaptic inhibition exerted on the Ia afferents homonymous to the extensor motor units tested.

To further investigate whether Ia presynaptic inhibition was involved, the responses of the extensor motor units were conditioned by stimulating the median nerve 20 ms earlier, using a protocol which is known to induce Ia extensor presynaptic inhibition originating from flexor Ia afferents. The median nerve stimulation did not affect the motoneurone excitatory drive, but led to a decrease in the responses of the extensor motor units to the radial nerve stimulation, especially in the purely monosynaptic components. This decrease was consistent with the Ia presynaptic inhibition known to occur under these stimulation conditions.

The cutaneous inputs activated by the brush were found to reduce the Ia presynaptic inhibition generated by the median nerve stimulation, without affecting the distribution of the Ia presynaptic inhibition among the various types of motor units tested.

The present data suggest that cutaneous inputs from the palm and finger tips may relieve the Ia presynaptic inhibition exerted on the wrist extensor motor nuclei, and thus enhance the proprioceptive assistance to fit the specific requirements of the ongoing motor task.
Distribution of presynaptic inhibition on type‐identified motoneurones in the extensor carpi radialis pool in man
Authors: Aimonetti Jean‐Marc , Vedel Jean‐Pierre , Schmied Annie , Pagni Simone
Published: August 2004

The question was addressed as to whether the magnitude of Ia presynaptic inhibition might depend on the type of motor unit activated during voluntary contraction in the wrist extensor muscles. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of applying electrical stimulation to the median nerve on the responses of 25 identified motor units to radial nerve stimulation delivered 20 ms after a conditioning stimulation.

The reflex responses of the motor units yielded peaks in the post‐stimulus time histograms with latencies compatible with monosynaptic activation. Although median nerve stimulation did not affect the motoneurone net excitatory drive assessed from the mean duration of the inter‐spike interval, it led to a decrease in the contents of the first two 0.25 ms bins of the peak. This decrease may be consistent with the Ia presynaptic inhibition known to occur under these stimulation conditions.

In the trials in which the median nerve was being stimulated, the finding that the response probability of the motor units, even in their monosynaptic components, tended to increase as their force threshold and their macro‐potential area increased and as their twitch contraction time decreased suggests that the median nerve stimulation may have altered the efficiency with which the Ia inputs recruited the motoneurones in the pool.

These effects were consistently observed in seven pairs of motor units each consisting of one slow and one fast contracting motor unit which were simultaneously tested, which suggests that the magnitude of the Ia presynaptic inhibition may depend on the type of motor unit tested rather than on the motoneurone pool excitatory drive.

The present data suggest for the first time that in humans, the Ia presynaptic inhibition may show an upward gradient working from fast to slow contracting motor units which is able to compensate for the downward gradient in monosynaptic reflex excitation from ‘slow’ to ‘fast’ motor units. From a functional point of view, a weaker Ia presynaptic inhibition acting on the fast contracting motor units may contribute to improving the proprioceptive assistance to the wrist myotatic unit when the contraction force has to be increased.
Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task
Authors: Hodges Paul W. , Gandevia S. C.
Published: August 2004

The co‐ordination between respiratory and postural functions of the diaphragm was investigated during repetitive upper limb movement. It was hypothesised that diaphragm activity would occur either tonically or phasically in association with the forces from each movement and that this activity would combine with phasic respiratory activity.

Movements of the upper limb and ribcage were measured while standing subjects performed repetitive upper limb movements ‘as fast as possible’. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings of the costal diaphragm were made using intramuscular electrodes in four subjects. Surface electrodes were placed over the deltoid and erector spinae muscles.

In contrast to standing at rest, diaphragm activity was present throughout expiration at 78 ± 17% (mean ± s.d.) of its peak inspiratory magnitude during repeated upper limb movement.

Bursts of deltoid and erector spinae EMG activity occurred at the limb movement frequency (≈2.9 Hz). Although the majority of diaphragm EMG power was at the respiratory frequency (≈0.4 Hz), a peak was also present at the movement frequency. This finding was corroborated by averaged EMG activity triggered from upper limb movement. In addition, diaphragm EMG activity was coherent with ribcage motion at the respiratory frequency and with upper limb movement at the movement frequency.

The diaphragm response was similar when movement was performed while sitting. In addition, when subjects moved with increasing frequency the peak upper limb acceleration correlated with diaphragm EMG amplitude. These findings support the argument that diaphragm contraction is related to trunk control.

The results indicate that activity of human phrenic motoneurones is organised such that it contributes to both posture and respiration during a task which repetitively challenges trunk posture.
Molecular determinants of inactivation in voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels
Authors: Hering Steffen , Berjukow Stanislav , Sokolov Stanislav , Marksteiner Rainer , Weiß Regina G. , Kraus Richard , Timin Evgeni N.
Published: August 2004

Evolution has created a large family of different classes of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels and a variety of additional splice variants with different inactivation properties. Inactivation controls the amount of Ca2+ entry during an action potential and is, therefore, believed to play an important role in tissue‐specific Ca2+ signalling. Furthermore, mutations in a neuronal Ca2+ channel (Cav2.1) that are associated with the aetiology of neurological disorders such as familial hemiplegic migraine and ataxia cause significant changes in the process of channel inactivation. Ca2+ channels of a given subtype may inactivate by three different conformational changes: a fast and a slow voltage‐dependent inactivation process and in some channel types by an additional Ca2+‐dependent inactivation mechanism. Inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ channels are determined by the intrinsic properties of their pore‐forming α1‐subunits and by interactions with other channel subunits. This review focuses on structural determinants of Ca2+ channel inactivation in different parts of Ca2+ channel α1‐subunits, including pore‐forming transmembrane segments and loops, intracellular domain linkers and the carboxyl terminus. Inactivation is also affected by the interaction of the α1‐subunits with auxiliary β‐subunits and intracellular regulator proteins. The evidence shows that pore‐forming S6 segments and conformational changes in extra‐ (pore loop) and intracellular linkers connected to pore‐forming segments may play a principal role in the modulation of Ca2+ channel inactivation. Structural concepts of Ca2+ channel inactivation are discussed.
Frequency‐dependent regulation of rat hippocampal somato‐dendritic excitability by the K+ channel subunit Kv2.1
Authors: Du Jing , Haak Laurel L. , Phillips‐Tansey Emily , Russell James T. , McBain Chris J.
Published: August 2004

The voltage‐dependent potassium channel subunit Kv2.1 is widely expressed throughout the mammalian CNS and is clustered primarily on the somata and proximal dendrites, but not axons, of both principal neurones and inhibitory interneurones of the cortex and hippocampus. This expression pattern suggests that Kv2.1‐containing channels may play a role in the regulation of pyramidal neurone excitability. To test this hypothesis and to determine the functional role of Kv2.1‐containing channels, cultured hippocampal slices were incubated with antisense oligonucleotides directed against Kv2.1 mRNA.

Western blot analysis demonstrated that Kv2.1 protein content of cultured slices decreased > 90 % following 2 weeks of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, when compared with either control missense‐treated or untreated cultures. Similarly, Kv2.1 immunostaining was selectively decreased in antisense‐treated cultures.

Sustained outward potassium currents, recorded in both whole‐cell and outside‐out patch configurations, demonstrated a selective reduction of amplitude only in antisense‐treated CA1 pyramidal neurones.

Under current‐clamp conditions, action potential durations were identical in antisense‐treated, control missense‐treated and untreated slices when initiated by low frequency stimulation (0.2 Hz). In contrast, spike repolarization was progressively prolonged during higher frequencies of stimulation (1 Hz) only in cells from antisense‐treated slices. Similarly, action potentials recorded during electrographic interictal activity in the ‘high [K+]o’ model of epilepsy demonstrated pronounced broadening of their late phase only in cells from antisense‐treated slices.

Consistent with the frequency‐dependent spike broadening, calcium imaging experiments from single CA1 pyramidal neurones revealed that high frequency Schaffer collateral stimulation resulted in a prolonged elevation of dendritic [Ca2+]i transients only in antisense‐treated neurones.

These studies demonstrate that channels containing Kv2.1 play a role in regulating pyramidal neurone somato‐dendritic excitability primarily during episodes of high frequency synaptic transmission.
Interneurones in pathways from group II muscle afferents in the lower‐lumbar segments of the feline spinal cord
Authors: Riddell J. S. , Hadian M.
Published: August 2004

Interneurones receiving excitatory input from group II muscle afferents of hindlimb nerves and located in the lower‐lumbar (L6‐L7) segments of the cat spinal cord were investigated using both extracellular and intracellular recording.

The interneurones were located mainly in the lateral parts of laminae IV‐VII, dorsal and lateral to the main region in which interneurones with input from group I muscle afferents are located. Almost half the sample of interneurones (38 of 76) were characterized by an ipsilateral ascending projection within the lateral funiculus to the L4 level.

The most powerful group II excitation was produced by afferents of the quadriceps and deep peroneal muscle nerves (which discharged 70–80 % of extracellularly recorded neurones) while group II afferents of tibialis posterior, posterior biceps‐semitendinosus and gastrocnemius soleus were also highly effective (discharging 45–55 % of extracellularly recorded neurones). A proportion of intracellularly recorded group II EPSPs were monosynaptic.

Seventy‐five per cent of the extracellularly recorded interneurones were discharged by group II afferents of two or more muscle nerves and 43 % by afferents of three or more nerves.

Group I muscle afferents evoked small EPSPs in over one‐quarter of the intracellularly recorded interneurones and virtually all were strongly excited by cutaneous afferents. Evidence of excitatory input from joint, interosseous and group III muscle afferents was also observed.

The properties of the interneurones are compared with those of others in the lumbosacral segments and the possibility that they may function as last‐order premotor interneurones is discussed.
The influence of mode of delivery, hormonal status and postnatal O2 environment on epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) expression in perinatal guinea‐pig lung
Authors: Baines Deborah L. , Folkesson Hans G. , Norlin Andreas , Bingle Colin D. , Yuan Hai Tao , Olver Richard E.
Published: August 2004

We have studied factors that potentially modulate the expression of mRNA coding for subunits of the amiloride‐sensitive sodium channel, αENaC and βENaC, in lungs of vaginally and Caesarean (CS)‐delivered late gestation fetal guinea‐pigs.

Expression of αENaC and βENaC mRNAs was developmentally regulated in the late gestation fetus, reaching peak levels at term (68 days post conception, PC) and postnatally, respectively. In animals delivered by CS at 65 days PC and term, αENaC mRNA expression was significantly increased by day 1 post partum, reaching levels greater than those normally achieved in vaginally delivered animals at term. In contrast, βENaC mRNA levels remained significantly lower postnatally in animals delivered by CS at 65 days PC compared with those in vaginally and CS‐delivered animals at term.

Plasma cortisol and total triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased towards term, were higher 1 day after vaginal delivery but declined towards pre‐term levels by day 3. Cortisol levels also increased rapidly in the CS‐delivered animals, reaching levels similar to those in vaginally delivered animals at day 1. Plasma T3 levels at days 1 and 3 were significantly lower in animals delivered by CS at 65 days PC.

The increase in αENaC mRNA paralleled the increase in plasma cortisol after delivery, but not T3, and inhibition of cortisol synthesis with 2‐methyl‐1,2‐di‐3‐pyridyl‐1‐propanone (metyrapone) after CS delivery suppressed the increase in αENaC mRNA expression.

Concomitant with the increase in αENaC mRNA expression after CS delivery at 65 days PC was an increase in the amiloride‐blockable component of lung fluid clearance by day 3 postnatally.

We conclude that in late gestation guinea‐pigs delivered by CS there is a significant increase in lung αENaC expression postnatally, which is mediated, in part, by the postnatal rise in cortisol at delivery. This in turn leads to an increase in amiloride‐sensitive lung fluid clearance, which is unrelated to labour.
Lactate, glucose and O2 uptake in human brain during recovery from maximal exercise
Authors: Ide Kojiro , Schmalbruch Ina K. , Quistorff Bjørn , Horn Allan , Secher Niels H.
Published: August 2004

The metabolic activity of the brain has not been evaluated during physical exercise. In six volunteers substrate uptake by the brain was determined during graded exercise and recovery from maximal exercise by measuring the arterial‐internal jugular venous concentration differences(a–v differences).

The a–v difference for lactate increased from 0.02 ± 0.08 mmol l−1 at rest to 0.39 ± 0.13 mmol l−1 during exercise and remained positive during 30 min of recovery (P < 0.05). The a–v difference for glucose (0.55 ± 0.06 mmol l−1 at rest) did not change significantly during exercise, but during the initial 5 min of recovery it increased to 0.83 ± 0.10 mmol l−1 (P < 0.05). The O2 a–v difference at rest of 3.11 ± 0.30 mmol l−1 remained stable during exercise, then increased during the initial 5 min of recovery (3.77 ± 0.52 mmol l−1) and remained high during the subsequent 30 min recovery period (3.62 ± 0.64 mmol l−1; P < 0.05). Thus the O2/glucose uptake ratio did not change during exercise (pre‐exercise 5.95 ± 0.68; post‐exercise 6.02 ± 1.39) but decreased to 4.93 ± 0.99 during the initial 5 min of recovery (P < 0.05). When lactate uptake was included, the resting O2/carbohydrate uptake ratio of 5.84 ± 0.73 was reduced to 4.42 ± 0.25 during exercise and decreased further during the recovery phase (to 3.79 ± 0.30; P < 0.05).

In contrast, in the resting and immobilised rat, lactate infusion to a level similar to that obtained during maximal exercise in humans did not affect the a–v difference for lactate.

The large carbohydrate uptake by the brain during recovery from maximal exercise suggests that brain glycogen metabolism is important in the transition from rest to exercise, since this would explain the significant post‐exercise decrease in the O2/carbohydrate uptake ratio.
Action of a NO donor on the excitation–contraction pathway activated by noradrenaline in rat superior mesenteric artery
Authors: Ghisdal Philippe , Gomez Jean‐Pierre , Morel Nicole
Published: August 2004

The aim of the present study was to investigate the actions of NO donors in ratsuperior mesenteric artery stimulated with noradrenaline by studying their effects on isometric tension, membrane potential (Vm), cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) and accumulation of inositol phosphates.

In unstimulated arteries, SNAP (S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine, 10 μm) hyperpolarised Vm by 3.0 ± 0.5 mV (n= 9). In KCl‐stimulated arteries, SNAP relaxed contraction without changing Vm and [Ca2+]cyt.

In noradrenaline‐stimulated arteries, SNAP relaxed tension, repolarised Vm and decreased [Ca2+]cyt with the same potency. Responses to SNAP were unaffected by the following K+ channel blockers: glibenclamide, 4‐aminopyridine, apamin and charybdotoxin, and by increasing the KCl concentration to 25 mM.

In SNAP‐pretreated arteries, the production of inositol phosphates and the contraction stimulated by noradrenaline were inhibited similarly.

The guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ abolished the increase in cyclic GMP content evoked by SNAP and inhibited the effects of SNAP on contraction, Vm and accumulation of inositol phosphates in noradrenaline‐stimulated artery.

These results indicate that, in rat superior mesenteric arteries activated by noradrenaline, inhibition of production of inositol phosphates is responsible for the effects of the NO donor SNAP on membrane potential, [Ca2+]cyt and contraction through a cyclic GMP‐dependent mechanism.
Developmental change in GABAA receptor desensitization kinetics and its role in synapse function in rat cortical neurons
Authors: Hutcheon Bruce , Morley Paul , Poulter Michael O.
Published: August 2004

We examined the maturation of GABAA receptor synapses in cortical pyramidal neurons cultured from embryonic rats. The decay kinetics of GABAA receptor‐mediated miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) were compared with those of responses evoked by GABA in excised membrane patches.

Fast perfusion of 1 or 10 mM GABA on membrane patches evoked currents with different desensitizing time courses in young and old neurons. For neurons older than 4 days in vitro (DIV), GABAA currents had a fast component of desensitization (median ≈ 3 ms) seldom seen in patches from younger neurons. In contrast, mPSCs exhibited a substantial fast component of decay at 2–4 DIV that became more prominent with further development although the median value of its time constant remained unchanged.

The selective α3 subunit positive modulator SB‐205384 had no effect on mPSCs at any time in vitro but potentiated extrasynaptic activity. This suggests that synapse maturation does not proceed by a gradual exchange of early embryonic GABAA receptor subforms for adult forms.

At all ages, the kinetic properties of mPSCs were heterogeneous. This heterogeneity extended to the level of mPSCs from single neurons and may be a normal aspect of synaptic functioning.

These results suggest that inhibitory synapses in developing neurons are capable of selectively capturing GABAA receptors having fast desensitization kinetics. This functional preference probably reflects the developmental turning point from an inwardly looking trophic capacity of embryonic GABAA receptors to a role concerned with information processing.
Gender Differences in Leader Emergence Persist Even for Dominant Women: An Updated Confirmation of Role Congruity Theory
Authors: Ritter Barbara A. , Yoder Janice D.
Published: August 2004

Role congruity theory predicts that women will be less likely than men to emerge as leaders when expectations for the leader role are incongruent with gender stereotypes. A 2 × 2 × 3 design that crossed the sex of the dominant partner, mixed- and same-sex dyads, and masculine, feminine, and neutral tasks involved 120 dyads of unacquainted college students in which one partner scored higher in dominance. In same-sex partnerships, the dominant member consistently emerged as leader. In mixed-sex dyads, the gender typing of the task did not influence dominant male ascendance but it did affect women's. When the task was masculine-typed or neutral, less dominant men were more likely to emerge as the leader of the dyad, frequently being appointed by the dominant woman herself. Thus, even when women possess the agentic quality of dominance consistent with the leader role, the incongruence between masculinized task demands and gender stereotypes mitigate against women's leadership emergence.
A Laboratory Analogue for the Study of Peer Sexual Harassment
Authors: Mitchell Damon , Hirschman Richard , D. J. Angelone , Lilly Roy S.
Published: August 2004

The purpose of this study was to develop a laboratory analogue for the study of peer sexual harassment, and to examine person and situational factors associated with male on female peer sexual harassment. One hundred twenty-two male participants were given the opportunity to tell jokes to a female confederate from a joke list that included sexually offensive jokes, as well as other types of jokes. Participants were exposed to either a sexist laboratory environment or a neutral laboratory environment during the study. Eighty percent of participants told at least one sexually offensive joke to a female confederate. Higher scores on a measure of adversarial sexual beliefs were associated with telling a greater number of sexually offensive jokes. The results suggest that the joke-telling analogue may be a useful means for laboratory explorations of person and situational factors associated with peer sexual harassment.
Not Wanted in the Inbox!: Evaluations of Unsolicited and Harassing E-Mail
Authors: Pek Ne Khoo , Senn Charlene Y.
Published: August 2004

This study was designed as a first step to explore sexual harassment in the electronic domain. One hundred six students read 10 e-mail messages ranging from jokes to spam to a sexual proposition from a stranger and rated them on an offensiveness evaluative scale. Participants also completed social desirability and attitudes toward sexual harassment scales. Messages with sexual content were generally perceived less favourably than e-mail without such content. Gender was critical to the experience of receiving many types of e-mail messages. When the e-mail content was perceived to be offensive, women found it more offensive than did men. Marked gender differences emerged in response to the sexual proposition, which women perceived to be extremely offensive while men rated it as somewhat enjoyable. Tolerance of sexual harassment and familiarity with a type of e-mail were also related to lower offensiveness evaluations for some messages.
Confronting Perpetrators of Prejudice: The Inhibitory Effects of Social Costs
Authors: J. Nicole Shelton , Stewart Rebecca E.
Published: August 2004

The purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which social costs influence whether or not targets of prejudice confront individuals who behave in a prejudiced manner during interpersonal interactions. Consistent with our predictions, we found that although women believe they will confront perpetrators of prejudice regardless of the social costs, in reality, they are less likely to confront male perpetrators in high social cost situations. Implications for how targets cope with prejudice and discrimination are discussed.
Minimizing the Pervasiveness of Women's Personal Experiences of Gender Discrimination
Authors: Foster Mindi D. , Jackson Lydia C. , Hartmann Ryan , Woulfe Shannon
Published: August 2004

Given the Rejection-Identification Model ( Branscombe, Schmitt, & Harvey, 1999 ), which shows that perceiving discrimination to be pervasive is a negative experience, it was suggested that there would be conditions under which women would instead minimize the pervasiveness of discrimination. Study 1 ( N = 91) showed that when women envisioned themselves in a situation of academic discrimination, they defined it as pervasive, but when they experienced a similar laboratory simulation of academic discrimination, its pervasiveness was minimized. Study 2 ( N = 159) showed that women who envisioned themselves experiencing discrimination minimized its pervasiveness more so than women reading about discrimination happening to someone else. Further, mediation analysis showed that minimizing the pervasiveness enhanced positive affect about personal discrimination. Implications for minimizing on both an individual and social level are discussed.
Attitudes Toward Women Mediate the Gender Effect on Attitudes Toward Sexist Language
Authors: Parks Janet B. , Mary Ann Roberton
Published: August 2004

Studies of attitudes toward sexist language have consistently revealed a gender gap, with women considerably more supportive of inclusive language than men. The present study investigated this gender gap in the presence of “attitudes toward women,” a potential mediator variable. Participants were a convenience sample of 18- to 20-year-old college students ( N = 278). Most were European American/White (87%) women (60%). Data were collected using the Modern Sexism Scale, Neosexism Scale, Attitudes Toward Women Scale, and Inventory of Attitudes Toward Sexist/Nonsexist Language-General. The customary gender gap in attitudes toward sexist language was found in this sample. Regression tests of mediation, however, revealed that when measures of attitudes toward women were included in the analysis, the gender effect diminished by as much as 61% ( p < .01). These findings provide empirical evidence of a link between attitudes toward sexist language and the cultural construct, attitudes toward women.
The Influence of Attitudes Toward Women on the Relative Individuation of Women and Men in the Netherlands
Authors: Stewart Tracie L. , Ad van Knippenberg , Joly Janneke , Lippmann Maarten W. , Hermsen Berlinda J. , Harris Kevin R.
Published: August 2004

Two studies compared Dutch college students' individuation of women and men. Participants read trait descriptions and formed impressions of male and female targets. They then attempted to recall which traits had described each target. Consistent with the status hypothesis, participants viewed men as higher status and made fewer recall errors overall for male targets, indicating greater individuation of men. However, this effect was moderated by attitudes. Participants with more traditional attitudes toward women's roles individuated men more than women, whereas those with less traditional views individuated women and men equally.
Who Cares? The Effect of Gender and Context on the Self and Moral Reasoning
Authors: Ryan Michelle K. , David Barbara , Reynolds Katherine J.
Published: August 2004

Theorists suggest that gender differences in moral reasoning are due to differences in the self-concept, with women feeling connected to others and using a care approach, whereas men feel separate from others and adopt a justice approach. Using a self-categorization analysis, the current research suggests that the nature of the self–other relationship, rather than gender, predicts moral reasoning. Study 1 found moral reasoning to be dependent upon the social distance between the self and others, with a care-based approach more likely when interacting with a friend than a stranger. Study 2 suggests that when individuals see others as ingroup members they are more likely to utilize care-based moral reasoning than when others are seen as outgroup members. Further, traditional gender differences in moral reasoning were found only when gender was made salient. These studies suggest that both the self and moral reasoning are better conceptualized as fluid and context dependent.
Assessing Women's Experiences of Sexual Aggression Using The Sexual Experiences Survey: Evidence for Validity and Implications for Research
Authors: Testa Maria , VanZile-Tamsen Carol , Livingston Jennifer A. , Koss Mary P.
Published: August 2004

In this study we examined the ability of a modified Sexual Experiences Survey (SES; Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987 ) to assess sexual victimization among a local community sample of women ( n = 1,014). Women who reported sexual victimization were interviewed regarding the most recent incident. Those who responded negatively to all SES items were asked whether they had ever feared they would be sexually assaulted but were not, and to describe that incident. Independent coders read a subset of transcripts ( n = 137) and classified each incident as reflecting: one of the SES items, a form of unwanted sex not included on the SES, or not unwanted sex. Coders viewed nearly all incidents elicited by the SES as reflecting some type of unwanted sex. Respondent-coder agreement for rape and coercion incidents was high, but low for contact and attempted rape incidents. The SES scoring continuum, reflecting objective severity of acts, was only modestly associated with subjective trauma associated with rape, attempted rape, coercion, and contact.
Involvement of purinergic nerves in the NANC inhibitory junction potentials in pigeon oesophageal smooth muscle
Authors: Vetri T. , Postorino A. , Fileccia R. , Bonvissuto F. , Abbadessa Urso S.
Published: August 2004

1 Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (0.5 ms in train of 2–32 Hz for 300 ms) in smooth muscle of pigeon oesophagus, in the presence of atropine (1 μm) and guanethidine (1 μm), elicited an inhibitory response consisting of a transient hyperpolarization (inhibitory junction potential, IJP) associated with muscle relaxation.

2 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 μm) induced hyperpolarization correlated to mechanical relaxation.

3 The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine (from 0.1 to 100 μm) caused a concentration‐dependent reduction of electromechanical response to EFS indicating a role for NO in this response.

4 Apamin (1 μm) reduced both IJP and relaxation to EFS but was without effect on the response to SNP indicating a role for purines, which are also blocked by apamin.

5 Adenosine, AMP, ADP and ATP (all from 1 μm to 1 mm) application caused transient hyperpolarization and muscular relaxation with the following order of potency: adenosine > AMP > ADP > ATP.

6 Inhibitory responses evoked by purines are TTX (1 μm) insensitive but they were inhibited by apamin. This indicates that a purine component for the non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) response exists but the purine receptor site is not located on the neurone.

7 Overall these results suggest that NANC inhibitory response elicited by EFS presents two different components apamin‐sensitive, probably purines‐mediated and apamin‐insensitive probably NO‐mediated as apamin only partially block the response to EFS.
Suppression of histamine‐induced tachypnoea in the rhesus monkey by sibenadet: no role for dopamine D2 receptors
Authors: Fozard J. R. , Buescher H. , Farr D. C. , Mazzoni L.
Published: August 2004

1 Sibenadet (Viozan®), a dual dopamine D2/β2‐adrenoceptor agonist, suppresses histamine‐induced tachypnoea in the dog by activating dopamine D2 receptors. We here compare the effects of sibenadet and formoterol, a selective β2‐adrenoceptor agonist, on histamine‐induced tachypnoea in the rhesus monkey.

2 Anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing, rhesus monkeys were set up for measuring airways resistance, respiratory rate, blood pressure and heart rate.

3 Both sibenadet and formoterol administered by aerosol, induced inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor response to aerosolized methacholine accompanied by tachycardia. Sibenadet, but not formoterol, also reduced blood pressure.

4 Administration of histamine by inhalation induced tachypnoea which was accompanied by bronchoconstriction. Tachypnoea to histamine was suppressed by both sibenadet and formoterol at doses which manifest anti‐bronchoconstrictor activity. These effects and the accompanying tachycardia but not the hypotension induced by sibenadet were abolished by pretreatment with propranolol.

5 The dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinagolide, did not suppress tachypnoea to histamine despite inducing a fall in blood pressure indicating activation of dopamine D2 receptors.

6 Thus, both sibenadet and formoterol suppress histamine‐evoked tachypnoea in the rhesus monkey. The effect arises exclusively through activation of β2‐adrenoceptors and probably reflects the anti‐bronchoconstrictor effects of these agents. The results reveal a fundamental difference in the role of dopamine receptors in the airways of dog and rhesus monkey.
Effects of histamine receptor blockade on cardiovascular changes induced by 35 GHz radio frequency radiation heating
Authors: Jauchem J. R. , Ryan K. L. , Tehrany M. R.
Published: August 2004

1 The role of histamine in heat‐induced cardiovascular changes is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of histamine H‐1‐ and H‐2‐antagonism on heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), localized body temperature changes, survival times, and lethal body temperatures that occur during the exposure of anaesthetized rats to 35 GHz radio frequency radiation (RFR).

2 Forty‐eight ketamine‐anaesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed, in several different treatment groups (n = 8 in each), to 35 GHz RFR at a level that resulted in significant body heating and subsequent death. During irradiation, a continuous increase in heart rate and a biphasic response in blood pressure (initial increase followed by a decrease) were observed in all groups of animals.

3 An H‐1‐antagonist, diphenhydramine (1 mg kg−1 body wt) and an H‐2‐antagonist, cimetidine (5 mg kg−1), administered after sustained RFR exposure, failed to reverse the RFR‐induced hypotension. High doses of the drugs (5 and 10 mg kg−1, respectively) also did not alter the response. Post‐RFR survival time was significantly decreased in the high‐dose drug‐treated group, compared with vehicle‐treated (0.9% NaCl, 50% ethanol and 50% D5W) controls.

4 In experiments in which the two drugs were administered prior to RFR exposure, MAP in animals receiving high‐dose antihistamines was significantly depressed compared with that of vehicle‐treated animals during the first 35 min of RFR exposure. Antihistamine pretreatment, however, did not alter the total RFR exposure time required for death to occur.

5 In summary, pharmacological blockade of H‐1 and H‐2 receptors is not beneficial in anaesthetized rats made hypotensive by RFR exposure. This indicates that activation of H‐1 and H‐2 receptors by histamine does not occur to any significant extent and does not mediate the hypotensive response developed in this model of hyperthermia.
Effect of World Fertility Scenarios on International Living Standards
Authors: GUEST ROSS S. , MCDONALD IAN M.
Published: August 2004

This paper applies a two good, multi‐region Ramsey‐Solow model of the world economy to determine the impact that alternative world fertility rates would have on international capital markets and living standards. Notable features of the model include: relative consumption demands and relative employment efficiencies that vary by age, traded and non‐traded goods, vintage technology, outward‐looking reference consumption, a proportion of non‐optimising rule‐of‐thumb consumers and imperfect capital mobility due to asymmetric information. The model suggests that projected demographic change will imply a flow of international capital from the ageing regions to the younger regions; and that the world interest rate will fall. The lower world interest rate will cause a loss in living standards for ageing regions, the lenders, and a gain for the younger regions, who are borrowers.
The US Economy from 1992 to 1998: Results from a Detailed CGE Model*
Authors: DIXON PETER B. , RIMMER MAUREEN T.
Published: August 2004

This paper describes historical and decomposition simulations undertaken for 1992–98 with a 500‐sector computable general equilibrium model of the US. The historical simulation provides estimates of movements in unobservable technology and preference variables. The decomposition simulation explains developments in the US economy in terms of movements in these variables and in observable exogenous variables such as tariffs. Both simulations produce many results. Here we use decomposition results to show that rapid growth in US international trade is explained mainly by technology changes that reduced costs in export‐orientated industries and increased inputs of commodities that are heavily imported.
The Effects of Wealth and Income on Subjective Well‐Being and Ill‐Being*
Authors: HEADEY BRUCE , WOODEN MARK
Published: August 2004

The accepted view among psychologists and, increasingly, economists is that household income has statistically significant but only small effects on measures of subjective well‐being. Income, however, is clearly an imperfect measure of the economic circumstances of households. Using data drawn from the 2002 wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, this paper demonstrates that wealth, which can be viewed as providing a degree of economic security, is at least as important to well‐being and ill‐being as income.
What Does the Taylor Rule Say About a New Zealand–Australia Currency Union?*
Authors: BJÖRKSTEN NILS , KARAGEDIKLI ÖZER , PLANTIER CHRISTOPHER , GRIMES ARTHUR
Published: August 2004

It has been suggested that the New Zealand economy may have similar characteristics and face similar shocks to some Australian states, so lowering the costs of a trans‐Tasman currency union. We test this, under the assumption that differences in Taylor rule‐implied interest rate paths for different regions give an indication of differences in aggregate shocks that hit different economies. We compare implied Taylor rule interest rates for each of the Australian states to implied Taylor rule rates for New Zealand. We also compare them to realised 90‐day rates. We find that the Taylor rule‐implied rates in Australian states and in New Zealand are similarly correlated with actual Australian interest rates.
Distributing the Gains from Waterfront Productivity Improvements
Authors: LAWRENCE DENIS , RICHARDS ANYA
Published: August 2004

Despite significant increases in waterfront productivity in recent years, waterfront users have complained that reductions in charges have been insufficient. This paper applies an indexing method that allows us to construct ‘what‐if’ scenarios where the contribution of productivity, price changes and changes in firm size to stevedore profitability can clearly be seen. We then calculate the distribution of the benefits of productivity improvements between customers, labour and shareholders. We find that the direct purchasers of stevedoring services have reaped gains from waterfront reform over the past five years, receiving around 67 per cent of the available ‘productivity dividend’ in the form of lower real stevedoring prices.
Health and Economic Impact of Air Pollution in Jakarta
Authors: RESOSUDARMO BUDY P. , NAPITUPULU LUCENTEZZA
Published: August 2004

Jakarta is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Air pollution in Jakarta is above the safe limits specified by the World Health Organization. It is estimated that the health cost of Jakarta's air pollution in 1999 reached $US220 million. In 2001 the government planned to launch a program to control vehicle emissions. This paper aims to estimate economic impact of this program. To achieve this goal, the paper estimates the economic costs of air pollution in Jakarta for the year 2015 with and without the program.
Employee Training in Australia: Evidence from AWIRS*
Authors: ALMEIDA‐SANTOS FILIPE , MUMFORD KAREN A.
Published: August 2004

We use linked data for 13 991 employees and 1494 workplaces to analyse the incidence of employer‐provided training in Australia. We find potential experience, current job tenure, low education levels, skilled vocational training and part‐time or fixed‐term employment status are all associated with a lower probability of recent training. In contrast to studies for other countries, we find no evidence of discrimination on the basis of demographic characteristics in the provision of this job‐related training. Finally, and in support of recent non‐competitive training models, higher levels of wage compression are found to be positively related to a greater incidence of employee training.
Capital Inflow in the Presence of Endogenous Labour Supply and Monopolistic Competition
Authors: ANWAR SAJID
Published: August 2004

This paper examines the impact of capital mobility within the context of a simple general equilibrium model where the supply of labour is endogenous and the producer services sector is subject to monopolistic competition. It is shown that the presence of monopolistic competition influences the size of all comparative static results. The paper also shows that the size of the elasticity of substitution between leisure and consumption of the final good plays a crucial role in determining the impact of changes in the supply of capital on utility‐maximising labour supply and welfare. Specifically, it is shown that capital mobility has no impact on optimal labour supply if the elasticity of substitution is equal to unity. The impact of a small capital inflow on welfare can be negative if the elasticity of substitution is sufficiently larger than unity.
Distributional Impact of Government Outlays on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2001–02
Authors: HARDING ANN , ABELLO ANNIE , BROWN LAURIE , PHILLIPS BEN
Published: August 2004

In recent years outlays on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme have increased rapidly, prompting both attempts by government to reduce growth in outlays and renewed interest in the characteristics of the beneficiaries of the Scheme. This article uses a microsimulation model to analyse the distributional impact of Australian Government outlays on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, by such characteristics as family income, family type, age, sex and lifecycle group. We find that there are pronounced distributional effects by such characteristics as income, age and sex, with both older and poorer Australians receiving far greater PBS benefits than younger and more affluent Australians.