bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant growth co-ordination in natura: a unique temperature-controlled law among vegetative and reproductive organs in mango
Authors: Dambreville Anaëlle , Normand Frédéric , Lauri Pierre-Éric
Published: November 2012

The impact of temperature on plant growth is usually studied on the leaves of annuals. We studied in natura the effect of temperature on the growth of three plant organs: the growth unit (GU) axis; its attached leaves, considering their position along the axis; and the inflorescence axis. Mango tree was chosen as plant model. Organ growth was measured at different seasons and elevations, permitting a range of temperatures overlapping the optimal range for mango growth. Four growth parameters were investigated: the final organ size, the duration of growth, the maximal absolute growth rate (AGRmax) and the relative growth rate at the time of AGRmax (RGRip). Temporal growth dependencies were found between the axis and its leaves, regardless of their positions. Size dependencies were revealed only between the GU axis and its proximal leaf. Strong effects of temperature on duration of growth and on RGRip were observed regardless of the organ studied. A common allometric coefficient linked duration of growth and RGRip of all organs although the intercepts for axes and leaves were different. These relationships strongly suggested that regardless of the physiological mechanisms subtending the growth dynamics, e.g. auto- vs heterotrophy, a common temperature-controlled allometric constraint is probably underlying the growth of all these organs in mango.
Investigating a cluster of vulvar cancers in young women: distribution of human papillomavirus and HPV-16 variants in vulvar dysplastic or neoplastic biopsies
Authors: Tan Sarah E. , Garland Suzanne M. , Rumbold Alice R. , Zardawi Ibrahim , Taylor-Thomson Debbie , Condon John R. , Tabrizi Sepehr N.
Published: November 2012

Background
A high incidence of vulvar cancer, and its precursor lesion, high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) has been identified in young Indigenous women living in the Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. This clustering is restricted to women aged <50 years, suggesting that oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key causal factor. This study compared the HPV genotype prevalence, HPV-16 variant distribution and p16INK4aexpression in stored vulvar cancer and high-grade VIN biopsy specimens from women residing in Arnhem Land, with specimens taken from Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in other regions of NT where there is no observed increase in vulvar cancer incidence. Methods: Twenty high-grade VIN and 10 invasive cancer biopsies were assessed from Arnhem Land along with 24 high-grade VIN and 10 invasive cancer biopsies from other regions of NT. Results: Biopsies from Arnhem Land were similar to those from other regions in the detection of high-risk (HR) or possible HR HPV (VIN: 95% and 84% respectively for Arnhem Land and other regions, P = 0.356; invasive cancer: 100% and 80%, P = 0.473), HPV-16 (VIN: 60% and 80%, P = 0.364; invasive cancer: 70% and 70%, P = 1.0) and p16INK4a expression (VIN: 90% and 84%, P = 0.673; invasive cancer: 100% and 80%, P = 0.474). All HPV-16 variants were of the European prototype. Conclusion: Comparison of biopsies revealed no significant difference in the frequency of oncogenic HPVs or HPV-16 variant types between Arnhem Land and other regions, suggesting another cofactor in this cluster.
Psychosocial determinants of the intention to use a chlamydia home self-test: awareness of risk behaviour and test accuracy are important elements of educational interventions
Authors: Ronda Gaby , van Bokhoven Loes , van der Weijden Trudy
Published: November 2012

Background
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between psychosocial variables and the intention to use a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) home self-test, to enable information to be tailored to the target population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among an internet panel. A questionnaire was sent to a sample of 227 panellists in October 2006. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive value of the psychosocial factors for the intention to test. Results: The response rate was 88% (n = 200). Respondents with higher intentions to use a home self-test were younger, perceived themselves to be more susceptible to chlamydia, had more personal experience with chlamydia, felt a stronger moral obligation to do a test and had a higher level of response efficacy than those with lower intentions. Conclusions: This study provides topics for educational interventions aimed at encouraging chlamydia testing in general, and at developing a more effective use of home self-test. Awareness of personal behaviour and information about the probability of false positive and false negative test results with home self-tests should be elements of these interventions.
Rapid communication: Mobilizing unused resources: Using the placebo concept to enhance cognitive performance
Authors: Weger Ulrich W. , Loughnan Stephen
Published: November 2012

People have significant psychological resources to improve their well-being and performance, but these resources often go unused and could be better harnessed. In the medical domain, it is well established that these resources can be mobilized under certain conditions, for example in the context of the placebo effect. Here we explored whether the placebo principle can be used to enhance cognitive performance. To do so, we employed a modified placebo induction—a bogus priming method that we told participants would unconsciously enhance their knowledge and that they should hence trust their skills in an upcoming knowledge test. Participant performance was indeed enhanced, compared to a group that did not think the priming process would improve their knowledge. The study documents the relevance of the placebo effect outside the medical and therapeutic setting.
The Scientist qua Policy Advisor Makes Value Judgments
Authors: Steele Katie
Published: November 2012

Richard Rudner famously argues that the communication of scientific advice to policy makers involves ethical value judgments. His argument has, however, been rightly criticized. This article revives Rudner's conclusion, by strengthening both his lines of argument: we generalize his initial assumption regarding the form in which scientists must communicate their results and complete his ‘backup’ argument by appealing to the difference between private and public decisions. Our conclusion that science advisors must, for deep-seated pragmatic reasons, make value judgments is further bolstered by reflections on how the scientific contribution to policy is far less straightforward than the Rudner-style model suggests.
Contradictions of Commercialization: Revealing the Norms of Science?
Authors: Knuuttila Tarja
Published: November 2012

The proponents of the entrepreneurial university have claimed that it implies adjustments in the normative structure of science. In this article, I will critically examine whether a qualitatively new kind of academic ethos can emerge from the commercialization of academic research. The traditional conception of norms of science as institutionalized imperatives is distinguished from the constructivist conception of norms as strategic or ideological resources. An empirical case study on the commercialization of the research of one academic language-technology group is presented. The case study does not support the constructivist conclusion that the norms of science are malleable at will.
Acidity: The Persistence of the Everyday in the Scientific
Authors: Chang Hasok
Published: November 2012

Acidity provides an interesting example of an everyday concept that developed fully into a scientific one; it is one of the oldest concepts in chemistry and remains an important one. However, up to now there has been no unity to it. Currently two standard theoretical definitions coexist (Br⊘nsted and Lowry's and Lewis's); the standard laboratory measure of acidity, namely the pH, only corresponds directly to the Br⊘nsted-Lowry concept. The lasting identity of the acidity concept in modern chemistry is based on the persistence of the quotidian concept. This is suggestive for considerations of other scientific concepts.
How Ordinary Race Concepts Get to Be Usable in Biomedical Science: An Account of Founded Race Concepts
Authors: Efstathiou Sophia
Published: November 2012

This essay unpacks a seeming paradox: a concept used to formulate, promote, and legitimate oppressive ideologies—a concept used to formulate mistaken, because they were typological, biological theories about human diversity—is, it seems, the same concept that now promises to deliver wonderful, socially sensitized, innovative results in social and genetic epidemiology. But how could that be? How could scientists expect a concept as problematic as ordinary race to deliver useful scientific results? I propose that there is a process for retranslatingBallungenrace concepts in appropriate ways to make them fit and work within social scientific and bioscientific contexts.
Distinguishing Explanatory from Nonexplanatory Fictions
Authors: Bokulich Alisa
Published: November 2012

There is a growing recognition that fictions have a number of legitimate functions in science, even when it comes to scientific explanation. However, the question then arises, what distinguishes an explanatory fiction from a nonexplanatory one? Here I examine two cases—one in which there is a consensus in the scientific community that the fiction is explanatory and another in which the fiction is not explanatory. I shall show how my account of “model explanations” is able to explain this asymmetry, and argue that realism—of a more subtle form—does have a role in distinguishing explanatory from nonexplanatory fictions.
Atom probe tomography of ion-irradiated ultra-thin Fe/Cr/Fe trilayers with sub-nm spatial resolution
Authors: Gnaser H , Schiller R , Wahl M , Reuscher B , Zeuner A , Kopnarski M , Neb R , Hillebrands B
Published: November 2012

Ion-bombardment effects in a magnetic trilayer Fe (10 nm)/Cr (0.7 nm)/Fe (10 nm) system have been studied by 3D atom probe tomography (APT). The films were bombarded by 30 keV Ga+ ions at low fluences. From APT, the positions of individual Cr and Fe atoms could be located with sub-nm spatial resolution, both before and after ion bombardment. In the pristine specimen the presence of the 0.7 nm Cr layer was verified and individual lattice planes with a spacing of ∼0.15 nm were identified which would correspond to the monolayer spacing of the Fe lattice, in agreement with the growth process. Upon irradiation, the Cr layer is broadened to ∼1.2 nm at a fluence of 3 × 1014 Ga+ cm−2 and to ∼3.4 nm at 3 × 1015 Ga+ cm−2. Computer simulations indicate that, at a fluence of 3 × 1014 Ga+ cm−2, each Cr atom in the intermediate layer is displaced on average once in the collision processes.
Changing Meat Demand Structure in the United States: Evidence from a Price Flexibility Analysis
Authors: Dahlgran Roger A.
Published: November 2012

A flexibility system for beef, pork, and chicken is estimated in accordance with a theoretical, income‐constrained utility maximization model of consumer behavior subject to fixed quantities. The cumulative sum of squares technique is generalized for equation systems and used to detect structural change in retail meat demands. The findings suggest, (1) red meat demands have become more variable, and (2) cross‐price flexibilities for beef, pork and chicken have increased in absolute value which supports the hypothesis that chicken has become a closer substitute for beef and pork in the post‐1973 period.
Impact of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 on a Cross Section of U.S. Dairies
Authors: McGuckin Tom , Welsh Gail , Glinsmann Rodney J. , Bruner Gary
Published: November 2012

This paper analyzes the impact of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA) on the economic, feasibility of dairies for owner/operators and for general partnerships. The analysis examines the present value of total capital investment using the Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) and TRA tax rules for different sized dairy units located throughout the U.S. using a twenty‐year dynamic simulation model of a dairy farm.
Economic Losses from Pseudorabies Infection in a Swine Farrowing Herd
Authors: Kliebenstein James , Patterson Dennis , Moore Kevin , Thawley David
Published: November 2012

Disease causes losses in many forms for livestock producers. This study evaluates swine farrowing losses resulting from a pseudo rabies outbreak. Losses are estimated through a case study of detailed records available from a swine production firm that operates numerous farrowing facilities. Pig production loss levels were estimated through use of regression techniques. For the firm a pseudorabies outbreak resulted in a 5.28 percentage point reduction in pigs weaned over a 17 week period. This resulted in an economic loss of $16.21 per sow farrowed over the outbreak period.
Measuring Allocative Efficiency in Experimental Markets: An Alterntive Approach
Authors: Rhodus W. Timothy , Henderson Dennis R.
Published: November 2012

An alternative approach to measuring allocative efficiency within experimental markets is proposed. This approach incorporates the traditional efficiency measure, the deadweight loss of economic surplus, and an additional measure that captures income (value) redistribution between buyers and sellers resulting from individual transactions at prices that deviate from equilibrium. An extension is made to construct an additional measure to further discriminate between markets that appear similar in terms of pricing efficiency, which reflects the rate at which prices converge toward equilibrium. Previous conclusions regarding the relative pricing efficiency of different experimental markets need to be reexamined using the more comprehensive measures.
Measurement of Importance of Risk on Supply Response of Corn and Soybeans
Authors: Nieuwoudt W.L. , Womack Abner W. , Johnson Stanley R.
Published: November 2012

Risk response was included at the aggregate level in positive supply models for corn and soybeans. The welfare cost of risk was measured, allowing for interactions between product demand and supply functions as well as in the risk specification. Impacts of risk response are simulated within a simultaneous equation modeling system. Findings indicate that consumers gain but producers lose from reduction in risk. The social cost of risk as a percentage of the value of the crop was estimated for corn and soybeans at 0.36 percent and 0.35 percent, respectively.
Crop Insurance's Role in Risk Management on Hog‐Crop Farms
Authors: Patrick George F. , Rao Ananth S.
Published: November 2012

Multiple peril crop insurance's (MPCI) impact on Central Indiana hog‐crop farms was analyzed under scenarios of alternative debt/asset ratios, government deficiency payment programs, and levels of off‐farm income and yield variability. MPCI reduced the probability of survival of high‐debt farms when yield variability was equal to county average yields. More positive effects result from use of MPCI under assumptions of greater available financial resources or higher levels of yield variability. MPCI is likely to have a more important role in risk management for the medium‐debt farm or the high‐debt farm with off‐farm income than for the other scenarios analyzed.
Managerial Performance and Income Variability for a Sample of Illinois Cash Grain Producers
Authors: Sonka Steven T. , Hornbaker Robert H. , Hudson Michael A.
Published: November 2012

Managerial ability generally is considered a key determinant of success in farming. This analysis evaluates managerial performance over the period 1976–1983 for a sample of 179 Illinois cash grain producers. Characteristics of the superior and inferior performing groups are presented and the variability of performance is assessed.
Impact of Bovine Somatotropin on U.S. Dairy Markets under Alternative Policy Options
Authors: Kaiser Harry M. , Tauer Loren W.
Published: November 2012

The annual market impacts of bovine Somatotropin on the U.S. dairy sector are simulated under four dairy policy scenarios for 1988–2000. The scenarios include freezing the support price at its predicted 1990 level ($10.60) for 1990–2000, adjusting the support price annually to keep annual government purchases of dairy products between 2.5 and 5 billion pounds, using annual cow removals to maintain support program purchases under 5 billion pounds, and using a combination of support price changes and annual cow removals. Annual equilibrium values for supply, demand and prices are generated for the farm sector and fluid and manufactured dairy product retail markets. Estimates of government purchases of dairy products and government costs for each year are reported. The results suggest that a combination of support price changes and cow removals is the most attractive policy in terms of government costs and producer profits.
DSSP: A Model of Production and Marketing Decisions on a Midwestern Crop Farm
Authors: Kaiser Harry M. , Apland Jeffrey
Published: November 2012

Discrete stochastic sequential programming (DSSP) is a mathematical programming technique that allows for random coefficients in the objective function and constraint set, and a multi‐stage decision process. Despite its intuitive appeal, DSSP is often overlooked in empirical research because 1) the size of the programming matrix becomes large as the number of states of nature and stages increases, and 2) the data requirements associated with these models are formidable. The purpose of this article is to document the construction and use of a DSSP model of a Midwestern corn‐soybean farm. The model is general in the decision variables and the sources of risk it includes. The costs of using DSSP are decreasing, and such models should be considered seriously for a wide variety of empirical problems.
Analysis of Feeder Pig Auction Price Differentials
Authors: Schroeder Ted C. , Jones John M. , Nichols David A.
Published: November 2012

Several physical characteristics are important in pricing feeder pigs. This study identifies and estimates the discounts associated with various characteristics. Weight, lot size, health and lot uniformity were important physical traits affecting feeder pig price differentials. In addition, time of sale, changes in expected finished hog prices and fluctuations in expected feeder costs of finishing the pigs had significant impacts on feeder pig prices over time.
A Model of Farm‐Level Demand for Extension Information
Authors: Bagi F.S. , Bagi S.K.
Published: November 2012

Since our sample includes both types of farmers who have and who have not contacted extension agents during the year, a Tobit model has been used to estimate the demand for extension service. The results show that the demand for extension service is directly related to the level of farm assets, farming experience, and level of education. The demand for extension service is significantly higher for white farmers as compared to black farmers, ceteris paribus.
The Simple Analytics of Technology Adoption: Bovine Growth Hormone and the Dairy Industry
Authors: Larson Bruce A. , Kuchler Fred
Published: November 2012

Economic simulation studies of the effects of bovine growth hormone (bGH) on the dairy industry usually assume that producers will have the incentive to adopt bGH and that aggregate milk supply will increase. Based on the description of per‐cow milk yield response to bovine growth hormone (bGH), a short‐run model of milk production is developed to analyze the farm‐level incentives to adopt bGH. This analysis emphasizes that the incentives to adopt a new technology greatly depend on how it alters the existing production environment. Because higher levels of energy are needed in the cow to attain greater levels of production made possible with bGH, those farmers who can most easily and inexpensively expand energy levels in the cow will be most likely to adopt. The model identifies: (1) why farmers may not have the incentive to adopt the new technology; and (2) if farmers adopt bGH, they may not have the economic incentive to produce at the levels obtained in test studies.
Basis Expectations and Soybean Hedging Effectiveness
Authors: Hauser Robert J. , Garcia Philip , Tumblin Alan D.
Published: November 2012

There are two issues which form the central focus of the paper: a) the role of basis expectations in measuring hedging effectiveness (HE), and b) the behavior of HE over time and space. An HE conceptual model is developed which emphasizes the explicit specification of the hedger's basis expectation. Alternative soybean basis expectation (forecast) models are then evaluated. One of two models—both of which are simple and practical—perform best, depending on contract expiration. An analysis of HE during 1966 to 1983 indicates that there was an increase in the risk‐shifting opportunity associated with the soybean futures market, and that the possibility of nonstationary (over time) and nonconstant (over space) hedging effectiveness needs to be considered when analyzing direct and cross hedges.
A Multi‐Sectoral Analysis of Feed Grain Exports in the Cornbelt Economy
Authors: Smith Thomas R. , Baldwin E. Dean , Larson Donald W.
Published: November 2012

Large feed grain export variations adversely impact the agricultural sector and the Cornbelt economy. A multi‐sectoral input‐output linear programming model is developed to measure the cross industry effects of a 10 percent increase in feed grain exports. Base model, elastic labor supply, and full employment labor supply results are presented.
The Influence of Distributional Assumptions on the Calculation of Crop Insurance Premia
Authors: Nelson Carl H.
Published: November 2012

Crop insurance premia are shown to be sensitive to the distributional assumptions used in their calculation. Premia calculations based on normal distributions and beta distributions are compared. The normal distribution overstates the probability of loss relative to the beta distribution, and causes premia to be higher. It is argued that use of the normal distribution in crop insurance premia calculation cannot be justified by appealing to a Central Limit Theorem because crop insurance loss events are not independent, and that distributions with flexible representation of skewness would be more appropriate for crop insurance premia calculation.
A Regional Analysis of Milk Supply Response in the United States
Authors: Chavas Jean-Paul , Kraus Alan Francis , Jesse Edward V.
Published: November 2012

A regional model of U.S. milk supply response is specified and estimated. The results suggest that, while being very inelastic in the short run, milk supply tends to be elastic in the longer‐run. Also, the effects of milk price or feed price on milk production are found to vary across regions. This indicates that dairy pricing policy and feed grain policy do affect the regional evolution of U.S. dairy production.
Testing Perfect Spatial Market Integration: An Application to Regional U.S. Cattle Markets
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Schroeder Ted C.
Published: November 2012

A rational expectations model is used to test spatial integration in regional slaughter steer markets. Market integration is examined using the concept of the law of one price across spatially separated markets. The approach and methodology used in this study overcomes three problems associated with standard approaches to testing market integration: simultaneity biases, an ignorance or misrepresentation of serial correlation, and a neglect of price expectations. Results indicate limited integration and suggest a shift in spatial price linkages between regional cattle markets between 1980 and 1987.
Sources, Uses, and Adequacy of Marketing Information for Commercial Midwestern Cash Grain Farmers
Authors: Batte Marvin T. , Schnitkey Gary D. , Jones Eugene
Published: November 2012

The objective of this research is to better understand the use of marketing information by cash grain farmers. In particular, factors which influence farmers' perceptions of the “adequacy” of their marketing information supply are examined. Statistical analyses of a random sample of Ohio cash grain farmers were employed in these evaluations. Radio broadcasts and general farm magazines were the two marketing information sources most frequently cited as useful. Highly formalized and marketing specific sources such as marketing consultants, commercial advisory newsletters and computerized information sources were cited relatively infrequently. Radio and television broadcasts were more frequently cited as the ‘most useful’ source of marketing information by older farmers and operators of small farms than by their counterparts. Marketing professionals were cited as ‘most useful’ more frequently by operators of larger farms and operators with at least some college education. A multivariate logit analysis was used to examine the joint effect of operator, farm and information source characteristics on information adequacy evaluations. The probability of an “adequate” evaluation was positively influenced by total farm information expenditure, the use of time‐diversified marketing of grain from storage facilities, and the use of marketing consultants, brokers or commercial advisory newsletters as the primary source of marketing information.
Government Program Impacts on the Selection of Crop Insurance in Northeastern Kansas
Authors: Williams Jeffery R. , Harper Jayson K. , Barnaby G. Art
Published: November 2012

The impact of the government commodity program, crop insurance, disaster aid, and optional paid land diversion on net return risk for corn and soybeans is examined. Results indicate that most preferred risk management strategies include crop insurance for corn in northeast Kansas whether disaster aid is available or not. Crop insurance for soybeans is generally not preferred. Participation in the optional paid diversion program is a preferred risk management strategy for extremely risk averse producers. Willingness to pay analysis indicates that moderately and strongly risk averse producers would be willing to pay more for crop insurance when disaster aid and the optional paid land diversion for corn are not available. Risk averse corn producers would be willing to pay more for crop insurance than disaster aid as well.
Risk Sharing in Custom Cattle Feeding
Authors: Weimar Mark R. , Hallam Arne
Published: November 2012

A simulation model is used to evaluate the risks and returns to feedlot operators and cattle owners in the upper Midwest that occur with alternative types of custom cattle feeding contracts. Historical price data were combined with seasonal performance data to analyze the seasonal incentives for different risk‐sharing arrangements. Seasonal returns varied significantly both as to mean and variance and point out the need for seasonally varying contract terms. Feedlot owners are significantly better off with yardage fee contracts as opposed to cost‐of‐gain contracts in terms of return variance, whereas cattle owners are only slightly better off with guaranteed cost‐of‐grain contracts.
Abnormal Returns in Livestock Futures Prices Around USDA Inventory Report Releases
Authors: Schroeder Ted , Blair Joanne , Mintert James
Published: November 2012

This study examines the responsiveness of futures market prices for live hogs, live cattle, and feeder cattle to economic information contained in the USDA livestock inventory reports. Event study methodology is employed to test for persistent biases in market price changes around inventory report release dates. Few significant abnormal returns are detected in livestock futures markets following the quarterly inventory report releases, suggesting that the reports do not exert a persistent downward or upward influence on futures prices. Increases in return variability around report releases suggest that the reports provide new information to the market. Sustained high variability in the live hog futures market relative to the cattle markets following report releases suggests that less information is available for the hog market.
A Dynamic Assessment of the Wheat Export Enhancement Program
Authors: Bailey Kenneth W. , Houck James P.
Published: November 2012

A major goal of the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) was to expand U.S. exports. This objective was empirically tested in this study for the case of wheat. An analytical approach, reflecting the impact of the EEP on global wheat trade, was developed and incorporated within a nonspatial equilibrium model of world wheat trade. The results suggest that the EEP expanded U.S. wheat exports 20 percent in 1986/87, but only 7 percent in 1987/88. Most of the actual expansion occurred in 1987/88 and was due to other factors.
Economic Feasibility of Conservation Tillage with Stochastic Yields and Erosion Rates
Authors: Prato Tony
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the extent to which stochastic variation in crop yields and erosion rates affect the economic feasibility of, and farmer's willingness to adopt, minimum and no tillage in a northern Idaho watershed. Stochastic variation in yield is evaluated by sampling an empirical frequency distribution of the ratio of yields between conservation and conventional tillage. Variability in yield due to tillage system and weather are separated from variability caused by soil type and management. Stochastic variation in erosion rates is determined by sampling the distribution of erosion prediction errors for the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Expected utility maximization is used to identify the optimal choice of tillage systems for different risk preferences. Stochastic variation in yield due to tillage practice and rainfall was found to have a proportionately greater effect on yield than errors in predicting erosion rates. For the soils, crops and land treatment practices evaluated, risk averse farmers would prefer conventional tillage to minimum and no tillage.
An observation on common names and proper
Authors: Tienson John
Published: November 2012

Common names, for Mill, have both connotation and denotation. Thus ‘horse’ connotes certain properties, and the name ‘horse’ denotes the things that have those properties. By contrast, proper names have no connotations; they do not denote in virtue of the possession of certain properties by their denotations, but so to speak, directly. Thus Socrates received his name by being dubbed ‘Socrates’; and he might just as well have been given any other name.

This contrast is misleading. After all, we might have named horses by another name, too; e.g., ‘cow’ or ‘Pferd’. However, once the convention by which they are called ‘horses’ is established, it is not correct to call them ‘cows’. A horse is not a cow. Just so Socrates could have been named ‘Plato’ or ‘Moses’, but once he has been named ‘Socrates’, it is just as wrong to call him ‘Plato’ as it is to call a horse a ‘cow’. What is correctly called a ‘horse’ is so called in virtue of its possession of certain properties, just as what is called ‘Socrates’ is so called in virtue of his possession of the requisite properties. From this point of view, proper names are words like any others. (Leonard Linsky, Oblique Contexts, University of Chicago Press 1983, pp. 16f.)
A Model of Focusing in Economic Choice*
Authors: Kőszegi Botond , Szeidl Adam
Published: November 2012

We present a generally applicable theory of focusing based on the hypothesis that a person focuses more on, and hence overweights, attributes in which her options differ more. Our model predicts that the decision maker is too prone to choose options with concentrated advantages relative to alternatives, but maximizes utility when the advantages and disadvantages of alternatives are equally concentrated. Applying our model to intertemporal choice, these results predict that a person exhibits present bias and time inconsistency when—such as in lifestyle choices and other widely invoked applications of hyperbolic discounting—the future effect of a current decision is distributed over many dates, and the effects of multiple decisions accumulate. But unlike in previous models, in our theory (1) present bias is lower when the costs of current misbehavior are less dispersed, helping explain why people respond more to monetary incentives than to health concerns in harmful consumption; and (2) time inconsistency is lower when a person commits to fewer decisions with accumulating effects in her ex ante choice. In addition, a person does not fully maximize welfare even when making decisions ex ante: (3) she commits to too much of an activity—for example, exercise or work—that is beneficial overall; and (4) makes “future-biased” commitments when—such as in preparing for a big event—the benefit of many periods’ effort is concentrated in a single goal.
Magnetic charge and ordering in kagome spin ice
Authors: Chern Gia-Wei , Tchernyshyov Oleg
Published: November 2012

We present a numerical study of magnetic ordering in spin ice on kagome, a two-dimensional lattice of corner-sharing triangles. The magnet has six ground states and the ordering occurs in two stages, as one might expect for a six-state clock model. In spin ice with short-range interactions up to second neighbours, there is an intermediate critical phase separated from the paramagnetic and ordered phases by Kosterlitz–Thouless (KT) transitions. In dipolar spin ice, the intermediate phase has long-range order of staggered magnetic charges. The high- and low-temperature phase transitions are of the Ising and 3-state Potts universality classes, respectively. Freeze-out of defects in the charge order produce a very large spin correlation length in the intermediate phase. As a result of that, the lower-temperature transition appears to be of the KT type.
Choosing between the government and the regions: An empirical analysis of the Italian constitutional court decisions
Authors: Pellegrina Lucia Dalla , Garoupa Nuno
Published: November 2012

In this article the extent to which political variables can explain the behaviour of constitutional judges in Italy when dealing with conflicts between the central government and regions is explored. Two competing hypotheses are tested. One hypothesis argues that one should expect some alignment between the political preferences of the judges and the success of the central government primarily due to the appointment mechanism. The other hypothesis suggests that there should be no systematic alignment between the political preferences of the judges and the success of the central government. Unlike previous literature, the empirical results presented in this article seem to confirm that when the Rapporteur and the court's majority are allegedly affiliated with the Prime Minister's coalition, the odds of success of the Prime Minister go up.
Issue evolution in Britain: The debate on European Union integration, 1964–2010
Authors: Stevens Daniel
Published: November 2012

While Carmines and Stimson's work on issue evolutions has prompted research showing the dynamics and effects of new party alignments on abortion, religion, gender and cultural issues, this research has all centred on the United States. This article examines issue evolution in Britain. Using evidence on the timing of changes in elite positions from Comparative Manifestos Group data, and survey data on public attitudes to the European Union with a longer historical sweep than heretofore, the article finds strong evidence that the European issue has followed an issue evolution path, though with distinct dynamics contingent on the pace of elite re‐positioning. Thus, this article extends the theory of issue evolution to a parliamentary political system and demonstrates the responsiveness of the public to elite cues, while also providing additional insights from a unique case in which elites have staked out distinct positions not once, but twice.
Seromucous anal gland in a New World hystricognath rodent Thrichomys apereoides (Lund, 1839)
Authors: Talamoni Sônia A. , Assis Miguel Angelo C. , Freitas Melina Maciel F. , Godinho Hugo Pereira , Bazzoli Nilo
Published: November 2012

New World species of the Hystricognathi comprise a group of rodents that exhibit poorly understood social behaviour. One such species, the echimyid Thrichomys apereoides, has a behavioural and social repertoire which suggests the use of its eversible anal gland in communication between individuals; however, no information on the morphology of this gland is available. In this study, the anal gland of nineteen adult individuals (11 males and 8 females) was analysed through histological and histochemical techniques. The gland was located in the submucosal of the anal region, cranial to the anus, and had an opening located dorsally in the rectum mucosa at approximately 1 mm from the anus. The gland was characterized as seromucous, secreting neutral glycoprotein. Not all individuals studied presented secretion in the glandular ducts, indicating a possible functional variation in the gland. This was the first record of an anal gland of the seromucous type in rodents.
Optogenetic control of cell function using engineered photoreceptors
Authors: Pathak Gopal P. , Vrana Justin D. , Tucker Chandra L.
Published: November 2012

Over the past decades, there has been growing recognition that light can provide a powerful stimulus for biological interrogation. Light‐actuated tools allow manipulation of molecular events with ultra‐fine spatial and fast temporal resolution, as light can be rapidly delivered and focused with sub‐micrometre precision within cells. While light‐actuated chemicals such as photolabile ‘caged’ compounds have been in existence for decades, the use of genetically encoded natural photoreceptors for optical control of biological processes has recently emerged as a powerful new approach with several advantages over traditional methods. Here, we review recent advances using light to control basic cellular functions and discuss the engineering challenges that lie ahead for improving and expanding the ever‐growing optogenetic toolkit.
The Public Good. Historical and Political Roots of Municipal Preschools in Emilia Romagna
Authors: Lazzari Arianna
Published: November 2012

According to the findings of a recent European study on competence requirement for the early childhood education and care workforce, competent systems that succeed in achieving high levels of professionalism are embedded in coherent public policies that build on consultation with key stakeholders, particularly at local level. In order to flourish, the professional competence of early childhood practitioners needs to be cultivated not only within the institutions they are working for, but also within a constant democratic dialogue that involves children, parents and local communities. A vision of ECEC as a public good therefore becomes an essential precondition for sustaining the development of high quality services for young children and their families. Given the wide range of interconnected socio‐economic, educational and rights‐based rationales that currently underpin the investment in the expansion of early childhood provision in many European countries, a further elaboration of these findings may offer interesting insights on the purposes of early childhood education and the nature of political commitment serving such purposes. In this article, these issues are discussed by drawing on the analysis of the origin and development of municipal preschool education in the Emilia Romagna region (Italy). Starting from the investigation of the historical and socio‐cultural conditions that gave birth to early childhood municipal institutions, the trends characterising ECEC policy‐making developments over time are analysed with reference to the experiences of grassroot politics elaborated at regional and local level. Through a careful contextualisation of social and political processes and an in‐depth analysis of relevant documentary sources, the conceptual categories underpinning the construction of early childhood education as a public good are outlined and described.
Rights of the Child and Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe
Authors: Herczog Maria
Published: November 2012

‘Securing the rights articulated in the Convention is an effective approach to improving the quality of early experiences.’

This article analyses early childhood education and care and child rights in early childhood and their relationship in the European Union. Both are primarily national competencies. The EU has limited access and tools to influence policies and practices, while there are many ways in which indirect interventions are not only possible, but greatly used, often in areas that do not seem to be closely related to the issues discussed here. Yet there is a strong desire and interest of the different EU institutions to encourage and support Member States to implement both ECEC targets and child rights.

In this article, we show that, while ECEC has become an essential part of different policies at EU level, there have been efforts to implement and mainstream child rights, with special attention paid to specific dimensions in relation to early childhood policies and practices, but a child rights based approach is missing.
HAX‐1 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein with a possible role in mRNAprocessing
Authors: Grzybowska Ewa A. , Zayat Valery , Konopiński Ryszard , Trębińska Alicja , Szwarc Maria , Sarnowska Elżbieta , Macech Ewelina , Korczyński Jarosław , Knapp Anna , Siedlecki Janusz A.
Published: November 2012

HAX‐1 is a multi‐functional protein that is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, cell motility and calcium homeostasis. It is also reported to bind RNA: it associates with structural motifs present in the 3′ untranslated regions of at least two transcripts, but the functional significance of this binding remains unknown. Although HAX‐1 has been detected in various cellular compartments, it is predominantly cytoplasmic. Our detailed localization studies of HAX‐1 isoforms revealed partial nuclear localization, the extent of which depends on the protein isoform. Further studies demonstrated that HAX‐1 is in fact a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein, dependent on the exportin 1 nuclear export receptor. Systematic mutagenesis allowed identification of the two nuclear export signals in the HAX‐1 sequence. HAX‐1 nuclear accumulation was observed after inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B, but also after specific cellular stress. The biological role of HAX‐1 nuclear localization and shuttling remains to be established, but the HAX‐1 transcript‐binding properties suggest that it may be connected to mRNA processing and surveillance. In this study, HAX‐1 status was shown to influence mRNA levels of DNA polymerase β, one of the HAX‐1 mRNA targets, although this effect becomes pronounced only after specific stress is applied. Moreover, HAX‐1 tethering to the reporter transcript caused a significant decrease in its expression. Additionally, the HAX‐1 co‐localization with P‐body markers, reported here, implies a role in mRNA processing. These results suggest that HAX‐1 may be involved in the regulation of expression of bound transcripts, possibly as part of the stress response.

Structured digital abstract

HAX1andDCP1A,colocalizebyfluorescence microscopy(View Interaction:1,2)

HAX1 physically interacts with XPO1 by anti tagcoimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Strategic Conservative Earnings Management of Technology Firms: Evidence from the IPO Market
Authors: Francis Bill B. , Hasan Iftekhar , Zhou Mingming
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we investigate the conservative earnings management strategies of technology firms in the IPO market. We hypothesize that technology IPOs, due to their fewer tangible assets, more information asymmetry, and higher uncertainties of future cash flows, tend to have higher litigation risk. At equilibrium, technology firms are more motivated to strategically employ conservative earnings management during the IPO process, to mitigate their higher litigation risk. Using a sample of U.S. IPOs, we find that technology IPOs, on average, involve significantly more conservative earnings management, especially during the bubble periods. Our results also show that the conservative earnings management strategies of technology firms tends to have a greater impact on their underpricing than for non‐tech firms, and thus effectively reduce their risk of being a target in the securities class action lawsuits.
Ultrafast Laser Inscription in Soft Glasses: A Comparative Study of Athermal and Thermal Processing Regimes for Guided Wave Optics
Authors: Gross Simon , Ams Martin , Palmer Guido , Miese Christopher T. , Williams Robert J. , Marshall Graham D. , Fuerbach Alexander , Lancaster David G. , Ebendorff‐Heidepriem Heike , Withford Michael J.
Published: November 2012

The combination of ultrafast laser inscription and engineered soft glasses is enabling a new class of photonic devices offering long wavelength transparency, high nonlinearity, and optical gain. However, this field of research also possesses its own unique set of fabrication challenges, which range from the predictable, such as self‐focusing effects, material stress, and damage to the unexpected, such as photo‐induced index changes of different sign. In this article, we review many of the fabrication challenges surrounding ultrafast laser‐written soft‐glass photonics and highlight these by comparing and contrasting laser processing of common soft glasses in both the athermal and thermal writing regimes.
The heritable basis and cost of colour plasticity in coastrange sculpins
Authors: Bergstrom C. A. , Whiteley A. R. , Tallmon D. A.
Published: November 2012

Both genetic and plastic traits contribute to adaptation in novel environments. Phenotypic plasticity can facilitate adaptation by allowing for existence in a wider range of conditions and a faster response to environmental change than gene‐based selection. Coastrange sculpins (Cottus aleuticus) colonize new and variable streams arising in the wake of receding glaciers in south‐east Alaska, and substrate‐matching plasticity may enhance colonization success by reducing detection by visual predators. As part of a long‐term study of the fitness consequences of colour plasticity and its capacity to respond to both positive and negative selection, we investigated whether it is heritable and costly. We raised full‐sib broods of sculpins in the laboratory: one half of each brood was raised in white containers, the other half in black. After 4 months, we digitally analysed their colour and found significant but weak heritability in both baseline colour and colour plasticity. To investigate the cost of colour plasticity, we compared the growth and mortality rates of juvenile sculpins reared under constant substrate colours to those reared on substrates that changed colour frequently, and compared growth rates among sculpin that differed in their colour change ability. We found evidence of small costs of plasticity, consistent with other studies of natural populations. Evidence of heritable genetic variation for plasticity and small costs to its maintenance and expression contributes to explanations of how plasticity is variable and persistent among wild populations and underscores its ability to respond both positively and negatively to selection in variable habitats.
Increased mortality risk in congestive heart failure patients with comorbid sleep apnoea: 10‐year follow up
Authors: Bakker J. P. , Campbell A. J. , Neill A. M.
Published: November 2012

We aimed to determine the mortality rates of a congestive heart failure (CHF) research cohort during a 10‐year follow up and compare survival between those with CHF only (controls), CHF and central sleep apnoea, and CHF and obstructive sleep apnoea. There was a significant detriment of survival in patients with CHF/central sleep apnoea compared with both CHF/obstructive sleep apnoea patients (mean survival time difference 3.8 years, P = 0.005) and controls (mean survival time difference 4.0 years, P = 0.01).