bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Country impacts of multilateral oil sanctions
Authors: Canes ME.
Published: January 2010

In recent years, economic sanctions have become an important tool in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Though usually aimed at a single country, they also can affect the economies of other nations. Knowledge of such impacts would inform U.S. policy‐makers as to which other countries might be helped or harmed, and help predict which other nations likely would support or oppose the sanctions. This article presents results relating to the imposition of sanctions in the oil market. These results are obtained from exercising a dynamic computable general equilibrium model built by Charles River Associates under sponsorship of the American Petroleum Institute. The model is used to analyze GDP effects on a number of countries from multilateral oil sanctions against Iraq. The results suggest that it is possible to provide useful information regarding the impacts of sanctions as a foreign policy tool. However, they also indicate that sanctions can be expensive, with substantial spillover effects. Though sanctions may be an appropriate policy choice in given instances, these effects should be incorporated into foreign policy analyses.
Three measures of East Asian currency evaluation
Authors: Chinn MD.
Published: January 2010

One of the prominent explanations for the East Asian financial crises of 1997 relies upon East Asian currency overvaluation. However, most empirical studies of these crises do not undertake serious examination of whether these currencies were overvalued. In this article, three major approaches to identifying the equilibrium exchange rate are implemented: long‐run purchasing power parity (PPP), a productivity‐based model, and a monetary model of the nominal exchange rate. The PPP calculations indicate that as of May 1997, the Hong Kong dollar, baht, ringgit, and peso were overvalued, and the won undervalued. In a framework that explicitly accounts for the role of productivity, substantial overvaluation of the peso is detected, but an undervaluation of the won is also uncovered. Misalignments of the ringgit and baht are small. Finally, the estimated equilibrium rates from a monetary model do not imply much deviation from short‐run equilibrium at the end of June 1997. A conclusion of substantial overvaluation on the eve of the East Asian currency turmoil is not very plausible, suggesting that some alternate mechanism for generating crises ‐ other than one involving the conventional macroeconomic fundamentals ‐ was at work.
US domestic airline alliances: does the national welfare impact turn on strategic international gains?
Authors: Clougherty JA.
Published: January 2010

The six largest U.S. airlines announced in the beginning of 1998 the formation of three domestic alliances, but the size and scope of these alliances spurred significant public interest concerns. GAO analysis suggests a rough equivalence between the domestic costs and benefits of alliances, yet the international competitive effects have not been considered. I argue that the national welfare merits of domestic airline alliances turn on positive international competitive effects. Empirical tests ‐ run on comprehensive panel data covering the international airline markets among 21 nations over the 1983–1992 period ‐ support domestic market concentration resulting in strategic international gains; hence, domestic airline alliances likely improve national welfare.
Policy issues in the teaching of economics in cyberspace: research design, course design, and research results
Authors: Navarro P. , Shoemaker J.
Published: January 2010

More than 50 colleges, universities, and community colleges now offer economics instruction in cyberspace, and this number is growing rapidly. Despite the implications of this growth for the quality of economics instruction, only a small fraction of those institutions venturing into cyberlearning are doing so in a carefully monitor the quality and performance of their online courses. It does so within the context of reporting the course design, research design, and research results of two cyberlearning studies conducted at the University of California.
HAS MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE REGAINED ITS ANTIPOVERTY BITE?
Authors: HAVEMAN R , SCHWABISH J
Published: January 2010

From the mid‐1980s to the early 1990s, several important studies examined the statistical relationship between the U.S. official poverty rate and overall economic performance. Most of these studies focused on the apparent break in this relationship beginning in the late 1970s or early 1980s. In this article, we present the results of our study of the relationship between macroeconomic performance and the poverty rate, using annual time‐series data on macroeconomic variables, such as the unemployment rate and per‐capita GDP growth from 1959 through 1998. Like these earlier studies, we also find that economic performance had a smaller antipoverty effect during the 1970s and 1980s than it did in earlier years. However, our estimates suggest that the weakened economic growth‐poverty relationship may have been an aberration of this period and that the expected relationship of the 1960s has again been reestablished in the 1990s. This is true even after accounting for changes in earnings inequality over the entire period.
INTEREST GROUPS AND ECONOMIC POLICY: EXPLAINING THE PATTERN OF PROTECTION IN THE BRAZILIAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Authors: Helfand SM
Published: January 2010

This article examines the determinants of the pattern of protection across products in the Brazilian agricultural sector from 1969 to 1989. Three key determinants of policy are explored: interest group pressure, government objectives, and structural change associated with economic crisis and a change in political regime. The principal agricultural policies are analyzed, and nominal protection coefficients (NPCs) and producer subsidy equivalents (PSEs) are calculated. When NPCs are used as the dependent variable, econometric results indicate that interest group characteristics such as group size were an important determinant of the pattern of protection. With PSEs, government efforts to raise tax revenues, generate foreign exchange, and control inflation played a more significant role. The results of this paper suggest that future studies of the political economy of protection should pay more attention to the specification of the dependent variable because the conclusions can depend crucially on this choice.
THE RESEARCH ASSESSMENT EXERCISE AND THE REFORM OF ACADEMIC TENURE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Dnes AW , Seaton JS
Published: January 2010

In this article the reform of academic tenure is examined in the United Kingdom. We test the hypothesis that reforming tenure may have reduced performance in the universities. The years following the 1988 Education Reform Act provide an interesting natural experiment, as the broad effect of the legislation was to soften (though not to remove) tenure in universities in the United Kingdom. It is concluded that the act has not adversely affected efficiency as some writers have predicted it would.
HOUSEHOLD INEQUALITY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Leibbrandt M , Bhorat H , Woolard I
Published: January 2010

There has been very little detailed exploration of the relationship between wage income and household inequality in South Africa despite the relevance of this issue for many contemporary growth and development policy debates. This article is directed at such an analysis. It uses a decomposition of household income inequality by income components to highlight the dominance of wage income in driving overall income inequality. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the distribution of the unemployed across different wage‐earning household categories. Many of the unemployed are seen to depend on wage earners within their households, but a significant percentage of the unemployed, especially in rural areas, have no direct link to labor market earners. In such cases, the creation of employment is essential. The conclusion explores policy implications by linking our empirical findings to South African debates over the quality versus the quantity of employment.
KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS AND THE SHORTAGE OF DONORS: IS A MARKET THE ANSWER?
Authors: WELLINGTON ALISON J. , WHITMIRE JUSTIN B.
Published: January 2010

This article examines the problem of kidney shortages for transplant in the United States. Following a study by Kaserman and Barnett, we reexamine the viability of allowing a market for cadaveric kidneys and estimate the implied equilibrium price based on our survey responses. In sharp contrast to the findings of Kaserman and Barnett, we estimate that a market equilibrium price for cadaveric kidneys may be prohibitively high. Consequently, we support other policy alternatives to increase supply, particularly presumed consent and mandated choice. Our findings also highlight the importance of obtaining data through experiments, rather than a survey, to estimate the impact of financial incentives. (JEL I18, I12, I00)
OBESITY AND NUTRIENT CONSUMPTION: A RATIONAL ADDICTION?
Authors: RICHARDS TIMOTHY J. , PATTERSON PAUL M. , TEGENE ABEBAYEHU
Published: January 2010

Recent research shows that the dramatic rise in obesity in the United States is due more to the overconsumption of unhealthy foods than underactivity. This study tests for an addiction to food nutrients as a potential explanation for the apparent excessive consumption. A random coefficients (mixed) logit model is used to test a multivariate rational addiction model. The results reveal a particularly strong addiction to carbohydrates. The implication of this finding is that price‐based policies, sin taxes, or produce subsidies that change the expected future costs and benefits of consuming carbohydrate‐intensive foods may be effective in controlling excessive nutrient intake. (JEL D120, I120, C230)
LABOR MARKETS AND HEALTH BENEFITS: THE OFFER AND RESTRICTIONS ON IT
Authors: MAXWELL NAN L.
Published: January 2010

This study argues that a multidimensional health benefit offer (i.e., offers of medical, dental, sick leave, or vision benefits) and the hours or tenure restrictions placed on it are affected by the relative demand for workers in the local labor market. Using the Bay Area Longitudinal Surveys (BALS), a database of low‐skilled jobs, we show that an excess labor demand for workers’ skills increases the firm’s offer of health benefits and reduces the restrictions on them, while an excess labor supply increases restrictions. These findings suggest that research assessing the correlation between wages, skills, and whether or not a firm offers health insurance might understate the plight of the low‐skilled worker since health care access may also be restricted by a failure to receive an array of health benefits and by the restrictions placed on the offer. Furthermore, public policies might place the issues of uninsurance of low‐wage workers within the context of a lack of marketable skills since low‐skilled workers might be able to enhance their ability to secure jobs that offer an array of health benefits if they acquire skills in short supply in the local labor market. (JEL J3)
LANGUAGE‐RELATED DIFFERENCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ESTIMATION: EVIDENCE FROM A MAIL SURVEY
Authors: REN XIAOLIN , PATUNRU ARIANTO A. , BRADEN JOHN B.
Published: January 2010

In contingent valuation studies, failing to accommodate populations with limited language skills might yield biased estimates. In the United States, there are many residents primarily fluent in Spanish. This study uses conditional logit models applied to data from a bilingual (English and Spanish) conjoint choice mail survey to evaluate the effects of language proficiency on estimates of the economic benefits of contaminated site cleanup. Results indicate that language does have significant effects on welfare estimates. The results suggest that mail surveys addressing environmental issues that may affect a linguistically diverse population should be designed at the outset with multiple languages in mind. (JEL Q51, J19)
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PAYDAY LOAN CUSTOMERS
Authors: LAWRENCE EDWARD C. , ELLIEHAUSEN GREGORY
Published: January 2010

One of the most rapidly growing and controversial forms of consumer lending to recently emerge in the marketplace has been payday advances. This form of credit allows the borrower to obtain a small amount of cash for a short period of time. Claims of predatory lending often arise due to the high annual percentage rates that result from the fees for borrowing small amounts of money for 2 wk or less. By analyzing the data collected in a national survey of payday customers, this research allows policymakers to better understand what type of consumer borrows from payday lenders, for what purpose, and what the true benefits and costs are. The results confirm a strong demand for payday loans that satisfy a real financial need within a certain segment of the population.(JELD12, D18, G20)
STADIUMS AND ARENAS: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR ECONOMIC REDISTRIBUTION?
Authors: COATES DENNIS
Published: January 2010

This article explores the literature on the impact of professional sports teams and stadiums on their host communities. A large body of research has addressed these issues, some of it academic and much of it for hire by team and sport boosters. The broad conclusion of this literature is that stadiums and franchises are ineffective means to creating local economic development, whether that is measured as income or job growth. There may be substantial public benefits from stadiums and franchises, but those too are insufficient to warrant large‐scale subsidies by themselves. In combination with consumer surpluses from attendance, however, subsidies may be efficient.(JELR58, J30, H71, L83)
THE IMPACT OF UTILITY DEREGULATION IN ARIZONA
Authors: MACFIE BRIAN P.
Published: January 2010

This analysis assesses Arizona’s short‐run price response to utility energy deregulation in the commercial and industrial sectors and the long‐term response to deregulated industrial utility prices. Using a standard utility industry approach, ordinary least squares regression confirms commercial/industrial utility prices remain inelastic and Arizona’s deregulation efforts have not effectively promoted short‐run price competition. Moreover, widening differences in utility rates could be a response to a stronger long‐run price elastic effect across states. The findings suggest states not aggressively deregulating utility price to narrow artificial comparative price advantages could be at a competitive disadvantage for interstate manufacturing investment. (JEL Q41, Q48, Q40)
INSIDE THE IMPOSSIBLE TRIANGLE: MONETARY POLICY AUTONOMY IN A CREDIBLE TARGET ZONE
Authors: JANSEN W. JOS
Published: January 2010

This paper examines the trade‐off between exchange rate stability and monetary autonomy for a target zone. Using the guilder‐mark target zone in the pre‐Economic and Monetary Union period as a case study, we empirically estimate how much policy discretion the Dutch central bank still enjoyed and how much had been ceded to the German central bank. The sum of these two measures is an estimate of the policy autonomy under a free float. We find that the narrow guilder‐mark target zone still permitted a modest degree of policy independence. This result suggests that intermediate exchange rate regimes may offer an attractive trade‐off compared to the corner solutions (free float and monetary union), which is consistent with the “fear of floating” phenomenon. (JEL E52, F33, F41, F42)
EFFECTS OF STRENGTHENING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN NEWLY INDUSTRIALIZED ECONOMIES: EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN’S 1994 PATENT REFORM
Authors: YANG CHIH‐HAI
Published: January 2010

Does strengthening intellectual property rights (IPR) in terms of a longer patent life induce more patents? This article investigates the responses of high‐technology firms to Taiwan’s 1994 patent reform. Empirical analyses reveal that firms’ patenting propensity rose gradually before patent reform and showed an increase after patent reform, tending to support the viewpoint that stronger IPR can induce more patents. However, this cannot lead to lasting effect. Furthermore, patenting capability can serve as the access ticket for potential entrants to a science park under the circumstance of stronger IPR protections. These new entrants are found to have a better post‐entry performance in patenting relative to the incumbents in the short run. (JEL O14, O31)
THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL HELP AND GIFTS ON HOUSING DEMAND AND COST BURDENS
Authors: LUEA HEATHER M.
Published: January 2010

Financial transfers are an important source of income for many households and recipients may use these funds to pay for housing services. This paper examines the separate impact of financial help and substantial gifts on both housing demand and housing cost burden. The results indicate receiving gifts has a positive and statistically significant impact on housing demand. Households receiving help or gifts have substantially higher housing cost burdens, all else being held constant. These findings have implications for the financial well‐being of recipient households and ultimately, the mortgage industry. (JEL R20, R21)
ARE FINANCIAL SECTOR POLICIES EFFECTIVE IN DEEPENING THE MALAYSIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM?
Authors: ANG JAMES B.
Published: January 2010

This paper provides an empirical assessment of the effects of financial sector policies on development of the financial system in Malaysia over the period 1959–2005. The technique of principal component analysis is used to construct a summary measure of interest rate policies in order to account for the joint influence of various interest rate controls imposed on the Malaysian financial system. The results show that economic development, interest rate controls, and capital liquidity requirements positively affect the level of financial development. However, greater trade openness, higher statutory reserve requirements, and the presence of directed credit programs appear to be harmful for development of the Malaysian financial system. The results provide some support to the argument that some form of financial restraints may help promote financial development. (JEL E44, E58, O16, O53)
COMMON COSTS AND CROSS‐SUBSIDIES: MISESTIMATION VERSUS MISALLOCATION
Authors: BURTON MARK L. , KASERMAN DAVID L. , MAYO JOHN W.
Published: January 2010

Existing models of cross‐subsidization have focused on either ex ante distortions to investments or misallocations of common costs as the principal sources of cross‐subsidies in regulated firms. In this paper, we identify a third vehicle for such cross‐subsidization that, given regulators’ preferences, is not only likely but likely to be prominent; namely, the misestimation of the magnitude of common costs. Because our results incorporate regulators’ preferences, they may provide the necessary building block for a positive theory of the magnitude of observed common costs that has, heretofore, been absent in the literature. (JEL L51, L97)
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND FISCAL PERFORMANCE IN EMERGING MARKETS
Authors: HAUNER DAVID , KUMAR MANMOHAN S.
Published: January 2010

Various effects of rising integration of emerging markets into the global capital markets have been studied, yet not its potentially significant fiscal implications. This article argues that larger external financing implies a rising pass‐through from external financial conditions to public finances. It contributes to the literature on financial globalization as well as to the one on measuring fiscal performance. It suggests a framework for analyzing the effects of external financial conditions on fiscal performance and applies it in two case studies to 40 emerging markets. The results suggest that ignoring financial conditions can entail misleading assessments of underlying fiscal performance. (JEL F3, H5, H6)
AID, ECONOMIC FREEDOM, AND GROWTH
Authors: HECKELMAN JAC C. , KNACK STEPHEN
Published: January 2010

Foreign aid has often been intended by donors to entice recipient nations into policy and institutional reforms favorable to private sector economic development. In this study, we investigate the relationship between aid and changes to economic freedom in recipient nations over the 1990–2000 decade. The evidence is mixed. In general, we find that foreign aid has no significant effect on economic freedom overall. However, using a hedonic approach on the different categories of economic freedom, we find that aid has still managed to contribute toward a policy and institutional environment favorable to growth, as the different categories of economic freedom improved by aid more than offset those which are harmed by aid, in terms of their impact on growth. (JEL 010, 019)
DEMAND RESPONSE TO COST SHARING UNDER MANAGED HEALTH CARE
Authors: LU CHUNLING , FRANK RICHARD G. , MCGUIRE THOMAS G.
Published: January 2010

We use 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to examine the demand response of ambulatory medical services to demand‐side cost sharing under managed health care and find that demand response to a coinsurance rate is less than that under conventional plans. To address the selection problem, only respondents who were offered a single insurance plan from private establishments are studied. Our results show that managed care, relying on different approaches to ration, has blunted demand response. This suggests that in a managed care context, increasing demand‐side cost sharing will reduce costs to plans mainly by shifting costs to enrollees. (JEL I11)
SOARING MINDS: THE FLIGHT OF ISRAEL’S ECONOMISTS
Authors: BEN‐DAVID DAN
Published: January 2010

The brain drain issue used to revolve primarily around migration from developing to developed countries. In recent years, there is an accumulation of evidence that this is an issue that should interest developed countries as well. Recently published numbers by the European Commission and the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development indicate a nonnegligible flow of European academics to American universities. This article provides the first case study conducted on the most massive out‐migration of academics on record. At a time when Europe and other developed countries have begun to express concern about the phenomenon, the rate of academic emigration from Israel to the United States is already four to six times the European emigration rate. The particular focus here is on the area of economics, in which the exodus of younger academics from Israel coupled with a heightened retirement rate among the older academics has brought Israel’s top economics departments—among the best in the world, until now—to the brink. Countries wanting to create conditions for fostering and nurturing the necessary productivity advances underlying economic growth must become aware of how far and how quickly an academic implosion can occur, if left unchecked. The findings brought forth here should help increase the level of this awareness. (JEL A11, F22, H52, H83, I23, J31, J61, O15)
INDIVIDUAL SPECIES‐STATE ANALYSIS OF NATURESERVE’S “AT‐RISK” CATEGORIES: HUNTING AND FISHING’S ROLE
Authors: NIESWIADOMY MICHAEL , LABAND DAVID N.
Published: January 2010

We examine the impact of hunting and fishing on rankings in NatureServe’s 2005 “at‐risk” list using 24,291 observations on individual vertebrate animal species for 47 states (we omit Alaska, Hawaii, and Missouri). We use 1) a probit analysis of the binary “at‐risk” designation and 2) an ordered probit analysis of the five categories of endangerment. We control for species type (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and turtles), population density, farming area, forest cover, coastline existence, endemism, and per capita income. We find that states with higher hunting and fishing participation (or higher per capita expenditures) have fewer “at‐risk” species. States with larger per capita big game spending have fewer “at‐risk” non–big game species. States with larger wildlife agency budgets have fewer endangered species.(JEL Q57)
THE ECONOMICS OF GASOHOL
Authors: PRYOR FREDERIC L.
Published: January 2010

Gasohol has received considerable governmental financial support because it is alleged to have important ecological and economic advantages. It is, for instance, supposed to reduce our extraction of nonrenewable energy, to have a cost advantage over gasoline, and to reduce pollution. This essay presents evidence that the amount of nonrenewable energy used in producing the corn ethanol is less than the amount of energy it provides as a fuel, that its price competitiveness with gasoline is doubtful, and that its environmental benefits are far from proven. In brief, current U.S. policies encouraging ethanol production to produce gasohol do not seem economically rational. (JEL Q100, Q400, D210, L780)
The contributions of topoclimate and land cover to species distributions and abundance: fine‐resolution tests for a mountain butterfly fauna
Authors: Illán Javier Gutiérrez , Gutiérrez David , Wilson Robert J.
Published: January 2010

Aim  Models relating species distributions to climate or habitat are widely used to predict the effects of global change on biodiversity. Most such approaches assume that climate governs coarse‐scale species ranges, whereas habitat limits fine‐scale distributions. We tested the influence of topoclimate and land cover on butterfly distributions and abundance in a mountain range, where climate may vary as markedly at a fine scale as land cover.

Location  Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain, southern Europe)

Methods  We sampled the butterfly fauna of 180 locations (89 in 2004, 91 in 2005) in a 10,800 km2 region, and derived generalized linear models (GLMs) for species occurrence and abundance based on topoclimatic (elevation and insolation) or habitat (land cover, geology and hydrology) variables sampled at 100‐m resolution using GIS. Models for each year were tested against independent data from the alternate year, using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (distribution) or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) (abundance).

Results  In independent model tests, 74% of occurrence models achieved AUCs of > 0.7, and 85% of abundance models were significantly related to observed abundance. Topoclimatic models outperformed models based purely on land cover in 72% of occurrence models and 66% of abundance models. Including both types of variables often explained most variation in model calibration, but did not significantly improve model cross‐validation relative to topoclimatic models. Hierarchical partitioning analysis confirmed the overriding effect of topoclimatic factors on species distributions, with the exception of several species for which the importance of land cover was confirmed.

Main conclusions  Topoclimatic factors may dominate fine‐resolution species distributions in mountain ranges where climate conditions vary markedly over short distances and large areas of natural habitat remain. Climate change is likely to be a key driver of species distributions in such systems and could have important effects on biodiversity. However, continued habitat protection may be vital to facilitate range shifts in response to climate change.
Climatic control of dispersal–ecological specialization trade‐offs: a metacommunity process at the heart of the latitudinal diversity gradient?
Authors: Jocque Merlijn , Field Richard , Brendonck Luc , De Meester Luc
Published: January 2010

We outline the potentially important role of dispersal in linking diversity patterns at different spatial and temporal scales, and the resulting potential to link hypotheses explaining macroscale patterns of diversity. We do this by proposing a possible mechanism linking climate to diversity patterns: we argue that climate, via effects of continuity of habitat availability in space and time, mediates a dispersal–ecological specialization trade‐off at the metacommunity level that leads to latitudinal trends in dispersal ability, ecological specialization, range sizes, speciation and species richness, ultimately driving the latitudinal diversity gradient. This trade‐off constitutes a possible mechanism for the strong macroscale correlation between climate and species richness that is consistent with recent ideas about niche conservatism and gradient lengths, as well as other leading hypotheses. We present an overview of predictions derived from our ideas. Of these, some have already been tested and supported and others are still open to debate or need testing. Together they provide a unique set of predictions that allows falsification.
Variability in the Inter‐group Attitudes of White Children: What We Can Learn from Their Ethnic Identity Labels
Authors: Brown Christia Spears , Spatzier Agnieszka , Tobin Mollie
Published: January 2010

The current study examined the ethnic identity of White (N = 120), Latino (N = 87), and African‐American (N = 65) children and early adolescents (aged = 9–14 years), with an emphasis on whether the specific ethnic label White children used to describe themselves might reflect differences in their inter‐group attitudes and whether those differences mirror group differences between White children and children in ethnic minority groups. Results indicated that White children who identified with a minority label (i.e., White biracial, hyphenated American, ethnic/cultural/religious label) had more positive ethnic identities, were more aware of discrimination, and were less likely to show biases in their perceived similarity to in‐group and out‐group peers than youth who identified as White or American. In many instances, White children who identified with a minority label did not differ from ethnic minority youth. In addition, although all participants were more positive about their ethnic in‐group than out‐groups, children who identified their ethnicity as American were less positive about out‐groups relative to other children. Taken together, the findings indicate that children's self‐chosen ethnic identity is as important as their ascribed ethnic or racial identity in predicting their inter‐group attitudes.
Is an Apophatic Trinitarianism Possible?
Authors: KILBY KAREN
Published: January 2010

A good deal of recent theology has been characterized by a robust, self‐confident trinitarianism. Is it possible, by contrast, to develop something like an apophatic trinitarianism? This article attempts to sketch what such a thing might look like and defend it against some obvious objections.
Tendon and ligament fibrillar crimps give rise to left‐handed helices of collagen fibrils in both planar and helical crimps
Authors: Franchi Marco , Ottani Vittoria , Stagni Rita , Ruggeri Alessandro
Published: January 2010

Collagen fibres in tendons and ligaments run straight but in some regions they show crimps which disappear or appear more flattened during the initial elongation of tissues. Each crimp is formed of collagen fibrils showing knots or fibrillar crimps at the crimp top angle. The present study analyzes by polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy the 3D morphology of fibrillar crimp in tendons and ligaments of rat demonstrating that each fibril in the fibrillar region always twists leftwards changing the plane of running and sharply bends modifying the course on a new plane. The morphology of fibrillar crimp in stretched tendons fulfills the mechanical role of the fibrillar crimp acting as a particular knot/biological hinge in absorbing tension forces during fibril strengthening and recoiling collagen fibres when stretching is removed. The left‐handed path of fibrils in the fibrillar crimp region gives rise to left‐handed fibril helices observed both in isolated fibrils and sections of different tendons and ligaments (flexor digitorum profundus muscle tendon, Achilles tendon, tail tendon, patellar ligament and medial collateral ligament of the knee). The left‐handed path of fibrils represents a new final suprafibrillar level of the alternating handedness which was previously described only from the molecular to the microfibrillar level. When the width of the twisting angle in the fibrillar crimp is nearly 180° the fibrils appear as left‐handed flattened helices forming crimped collagen fibres previously described as planar crimps. When fibrils twist with different subsequent rotational angles (< 180°) they always assume a left‐helical course but, running in many different nonplanar planes, they form wider helical crimped fibres.
A 2‐year observational study to determine the efficacy of a novel single incision sling procedure (MinitapeTM) for female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: North CE , Hilton P , Ali‐Ross NS , Smith ARB
Published: January 2010

Please cite this paper as: North C, Hilton P, Ali‐Ross N, Smith A. A 2‐year observational study to determine the efficacy of a novel single incision sling procedure (Minitape™) for female stress urinary incontinence. BJOG 2010;117:356–360.

Objective  Assessment of the 2 year outcome of the Minitape™ procedure.

Design  A prospective observational study of women undergoing the Minitape™ procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence.

Setting  Two tertiary referral urogynaecology units in the north of England.

Population  Sixty women between November 2002 and March 2006.

Methods  Women attended a research clinic where they completed a standardised 1 hour pad test and were examined. Women were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.

Main outcome measures  Success was determined by a negative 1 hour pad test (gain of <1 g) and no desire for further treatment for stress urinary incontinence.

Results  All procedures were completed with local anaesthesia, with no additional sedation in 82% of cases. Intra‐operative and immediate postoperative complications were rare. Twelve women (20%) experienced mesh complications, half of which were considered to be serious adverse events requiring exit from the study. At 2 years following Minitape™ insertion, six women (10%) were defined as cured.

Conclusions  Although feasible to perform, this procedure is associated with a substantially lower cure rate than that published previously for other procedures. Cure rates decline over the 2 year follow‐up period, especially during the first 6 months.
Involvement of ERK2 in traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Yu Chen‐Guang , Yezierski Robert P. , Joshi Aashish , Raza Kashif , Li Yanzhang , Geddes James W.
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2010.06579.x

Activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) are implicated in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the specific functions of individual ERK isoforms in neurodegeneration are largely unknown. We investigated the hypothesis that ERK2 activation may contribute to pathological and functional deficits following SCI and that ERK2 knockdown using RNA interference may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for SCI. Lentiviral ERK2 shRNA and siRNA were utilized to knockdown ERK2 expression in the spinal cord following SCI. Pre‐injury intrathecal administration of ERK2 siRNA significantly reduced excitotoxic injury‐induced activation of ERK2 (p < 0.001) and caspase 3 (p < 0.01) in spinal cord. Intraspinal administration of lentiviral ERK2 shRNA significantly reduced ERK2 expression in the spinal cord (p < 0.05), but did not alter ERK1 expression. Administration of the lentiviral ERK2 shRNA vector 1 week prior to severe spinal cord contusion injury resulted in a significant improvement in locomotor function (p < 0.05), total tissue sparing (p < 0.05), white matter sparing (p < 0.05), and gray matter sparing (p < 0.05) 6 weeks following severe contusive SCI. Our results suggest that ERK2 signaling is a novel target associated with the deleterious consequences of spinal injury.
EphA4 is localized in clathrin‐coated and synaptic vesicles in adult mouse brain
Authors: Bouvier David , Tremblay Marie‐Ève , Riad Mustapha , Corera Amadou T. , Gingras Diane , Horn Katherine E. , Fotouhi Maryam , Girard Martine , Murai Keith K. , Kennedy Timothy E. , McPherson Peter S. , Pasquale Elena B. , Fon Edward A. , Doucet Guy
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2010.06582.x

EphA4, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is expressed in various pre‐, post‐ and peri‐synaptic organelles and implicated in the regulation of morphological and physiological properties of synapses. It regulates synaptic plasticity by acting as a binding partner for glial ephrin‐A3 and possibly other pre‐ or post‐synaptic ephrins. Now, its trafficking mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we examine the association of EphA4 with transport, clathrin‐coated and synaptic vesicles using cell fractionation, vesicle immunoisolation and electron microscopy. EphA4 was found in highly purified fractions of clathrin‐coated or synaptic vesicles. It was also detected in vesicles immuno‐isolated with antibodies anti‐synaptophysin, anti‐vesicular glutamate transporter or anti‐vesicular GABA transporter; demonstrating its presence in synaptic vesicles. However, it was not detected in immuno‐isolated piccolo–bassoon transport vesicles. In vivo and in dissociated cultures, EphA4 was localized by immunoelectron microscopy in vesicular glutamate transporter 1‐positive terminals of hippocampal neurons. Remarkably, the cell surface immunofluorescence of EphA4 increased markedly in cultured hippocampal neurons following KCl depolarization. These observations indicate that EphA4 is present in subsets of synaptic vesicles, can be externalized during depolarization, and internalized within clathrin‐coated vesicles. This trafficking itinerary may serve to regulate the levels of EphA4 in the synaptic plasma membrane and thereby modulate signaling events that contribute to synaptic plasticity.
A Quantitative Analysis of the Thermoelastic Effect in CFRP Composite Materials
Authors: Pitarresi G. , Galietti U.
Published: January 2010

Abstract:  In this study the thermoelastic signal from carbon fibre‐reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates is investigated. A comparison between the theoretical and experimental values of the thermoelastic signal is reported, with the theoretical predictions obtained from two different quantitative models. These models are based on the classic thermoelastic effect law extended to the case of orthotropic materials (by using the mesomechanical or bulk approach), and the modified law assuming that the surface resin‐rich layer behaves as a strain witness of the laminate. It is found that the theoretical predictions of the two models can be strongly and differently influenced by the intrinsic orthotropy of carbon fibres. Some effects are highlighted in particular such as the influence of the laminate lay‐up and the strong mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficients of the polymer matrix and the fibres. These influences are investigated analytically, predicting the thermoelastic signal from various lay‐ups and using strain‐based and stress‐based analytical models. Experimental evidence of some theoretical findings is provided by reporting on tests performed on CFRP tensile samples manufactured from low‐crimp unidirectional fabrics.
Employed Family Physician Satisfaction and Commitment to Their Practice, Work Group, and Health Care Organization
Authors: Karsh Ben‐Tzion , Beasley John W. , Brown Roger L.
Published: January 2010

Objective. Test a model of family physician job satisfaction and commitment.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Data were collected from 1,482 family physicians in a Midwest state during 2000–2001. The sampling frame came from the membership listing of the state's family physician association, and the analyzed dataset included family physicians employed by large multispecialty group practices.

Study Design and Data Collection. A cross‐sectional survey was used to collect data about physician working conditions, job satisfaction, commitment, and demographic variables.

Principal Findings. The response rate was 47 percent. Different variables predicted the different measures of satisfaction and commitment. Satisfaction with one's health care organization (HCO) was most strongly predicted by the degree to which physicians perceived that management valued and recognized them and by the extent to which physicians perceived the organization's goals to be compatible with their own. Satisfaction with one's workgroup was most strongly predicted by the social relationship with members of the workgroup; satisfaction with one's practice was most strongly predicted by relationships with patients. Commitment to one's workgroup was predicted by relationships with one's workgroup. Commitment to one's HCO was predicted by relationships with management of the HCO.

Conclusions. Social relationships are stronger predictors of employed family physician satisfaction and commitment than staff support, job control, income, or time pressure.
The ecto‐nucleotidase NTPDase1 differentially regulates P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptor‐dependent vasorelaxation
Authors: Kauffenstein Gilles , Fürstenau Cristina Ribas , D'Orléans‐Juste Pedro , Sévigny Jean
Published: January 2010

Background and purpose: Extracellular nucleotides produce vasodilatation through endothelial P2 receptor activation. As these autacoids are actively metabolized by the ecto‐nucleotidase nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase‐1 (NTPDase1), we studied the effects of this cell surface enzyme on nucleotide‐dependent vasodilatation.

Experimental approach: Vascular NTPDase expression and activity were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and histochemistry. The vascular effects of nucleotides were testedin vivoby monitoring mean arterial pressure, andin vitrocomparing reactivity of aortic rings using wild‐type andEntpd1−/−(lacking NTPDase1) mice.

Key results: The absence of NTPDase1 inEntpd1−/−mice led to a dramatic drop in endothelial nucleotidase activity. This deficit was associated with an exacerbated decrease in blood pressure after nucleotide injection. Following ATP injection, mean arterial pressure was decreased inEntpd1+/+andEntpd1−/−mice by 5.0 and 17%, respectively, and by 0.1 and 19% after UTP injection (10 nmole·kg−1both).In vitro, the concentration‐response curves of relaxation to ADP and ATP were shifted to the left, revealing a facilitation of endothelial P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptor activation inEntpd1−/−mice. EC50values inEntpd1+/+versusEntpd1−/−aortic rings were 14 µM versus 0.35 µM for ADP, and 29 µM versus 1 µM for ATP. InEntpd1−/−aortas, P2Y1 receptors were more extensively desensitized than P2Y2 receptors. Relaxations to the non‐hydrolysable analogues ADPβS (P2Y1) and ATPγS (P2Y2) were equivalent in both genotypes confirming the normal functionality of these P2Y receptors in mutant mice.

Conclusions and implications: NTPDase1 controls endothelial P2Y receptor‐dependent relaxation, regulating both agonist level and P2 receptor reactivity.
The mixed‐lineage kinase 1–3 signalling pathway regulates stress response in cardiac myocytes via GATA‐4 and AP‐1 transcription factors
Authors: Ola A , Kerkelä R , Tokola H , Pikkarainen S , Skoumal R , Vuolteenaho O , Ruskoaho H
Published: January 2010

Background and purpose: The mixed‐lineage kinases (MLKs) act upstream of mitogen‐activated protein kinases, but their role in cardiac biology and pathology is largely unknown.

Experimental approach: We investigated the effect of a MLK1–3 inhibitor CEP‐11004 on G protein‐coupled receptor agonist‐induced stress response in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes in culture.

Key results: CEP‐11004 administration dose‐dependently attenuated phenylephrine and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐induced c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activation. MLK inhibition also reduced ET‐1‐ and phenylephrine‐induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. In contrast, phenylephrine‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation was further up‐regulated by CEP‐11004. ET‐1 increased activator protein‐1 binding activity 3.5‐fold and GATA‐binding protein 4 (GATA‐4) binding activity 1.8‐fold, both of which were attenuated with CEP‐11004 administration by 59% and 63% respectively. Phenylephrine induced activator protein‐1 binding activity by 2.6‐fold, which was decreased by 81% with CEP‐11004 administration. Phenylephrine also induced a 3.7‐fold increase in the transcriptional activity of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which was attenuated by 41% with CEP‐11004 administration. In agreement, MLK inhibition also reduced hypertrophic agonist‐induced secretion of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide and BNP.

Conclusions and implications: These results showed that inhibition of the MLK1–3 signalling pathway was sufficient for suppressing the activity of key nuclear effectors (GATA‐4 and activator protein‐1 transcription factors) in cardiac hypertrophy, and attenuated the agonist‐induced atrial natriuretic peptide secretion and activation of BNP gene transcription.
Physical Frailty Is Associated with Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment in Community‐Based Older Persons
Authors: Boyle Patricia A. , Buchman Aron S. , Wilson Robert S. , Leurgans Sue E. , Bennett David A.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVES:To test the hypothesis that physical frailty is associated with risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

DESIGN:Prospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING:Approximately 40 retirement communities across the Chicago metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS:More than 750 older persons without cognitive impairment at baseline.

MEASUREMENTS:Physical frailty, based on four components (grip strength, timed walk, body composition, and fatigue), was assessed at baseline, and cognitive function was assessed annually. Proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, and education were used to examine the association between physical frailty and the risk of incident MCI, and mixed effect models were used to examine the association between frailty and the rate of change in cognition.

RESULTS:During up to 12 years of annual follow‐up, 305 of 761 (40%) persons developed MCI. In a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, and education, physical frailty was associated with a high risk of incident MCI, such that each one‐unit increase in physical frailty was associated with a 63% increase in the risk of MCI (hazard ratio=1.63; 95% confidence interval=1.27–2.08). This association persisted in analyses that required MCI to persist for at least 1 year and after controlling for depressive symptoms, disability, vascular risk factors, and vascular diseases. Furthermore, a higher level of physical frailty was associated with a faster rate of decline in global cognition and five cognitive systems (episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory, perceptual speed, and visuospatial abilities).

CONCLUSION:Physical frailty is associated with risk of MCI and a rapid rate of cognitive decline in aging.
Monozygotic twins are discordant for chronic periodontitis: clinical and bacteriological findings
Authors: Torres de Heens Gaudy L. , Loos Bruno G. , Van Der Velden Ubele
Published: January 2010

Torres de Heens GL, Loos BG, van der Velden U. Monozygotic twins are discordant for chronic periodontitis: clinical and bacteriological findings. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 120–128. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01511.x.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess, in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs in whom the proband of the twin pair was suffering from moderate to severe chronic periodontitis, the contribution of genetics, periodontal pathogens and lifestyle factors towards the clinical phenotype.

Material and Methods: For this study, 18 adult twin pairs were selected on the basis of interproximal attachment loss (AL) 5 mm in 2 non‐adjacent teeth in one twin member. The study included 10 MZ and eight DZ twin pairs, in whom the periodontal condition, presence of periodontal pathogens, educational level, smoking behaviour and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated.

Results: Both MZ and DZ twins were discordant regarding AL and alveolar bone loss. Discordance was greater in DZ compared with MZ twins. In MZ twins, the discordance could not be explained by education, smoking, BMI and periodontal pathogens. In DZ twins, 45.6% of the discordance could be explained by more pack‐years of the probands.

Conclusion: The results confirm a possible role of genetic factors in periodontitis. However, the magnitude of the genetic effects on disease severity may have been overestimated previously.