bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Failure isn't Failure: European Union Constitutionalism after the Lisbon Treaty*
Authors: SCICLUNA NICOLE
Published: January 2012

The Constitutional Treaty's attempt to turn the peoples of Europe into a much more coherent citizenry, bound together by a common identity, was not successful. Moreover, its failure greatly damaged the federalist cause. Member States retain significant power to constrain supranational agendas in the post‐Lisbon Treaty European Union.
The effect of humeral torsion on rotational range of motion in the shoulder and throwing performance
Authors: Roach Neil Thomas , Lieberman Daniel E. , Gill Thomas J. , Palmer William E. , Gill Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

Several recent studies have found that throwing athletes typically have lower humeral torsion (retroversion) and a greater range of external rotation at the shoulder than non‐athletes. How these two parameters are related is debated. This study uses data from a sample of both throwers and non‐throwers to test a new model that predicts torsion values from a range of motion data. The model proposes a series of predicted regressions which can help provide new insight into the factors affecting rotational range of motion at the shoulder. Humeral torsion angles were measured from computed tomography scans collected from 25 male subjects. These values are compared to predicted torsion values for the same subjects calculated from both kinematic and goniometric range‐of‐motion data. Results show that humeral torsion is negatively correlated (goniometric: r = −0.409, P = 0.047; kinematic: r = −0.442, P = 0.035) with external rotational range of motion and positively correlated (goniometric: r = 0.741, P < 0.001; kinematic: r = 0.559, P = 0.006) with internal rotational range of motion. The predicted torsion values are highly correlated (goniometric: r = 0.815, P < 0.001; kinematic: r = 0.617, P = 0.006) with actual torsion values. Deviations in the data away from predicted equations highlight significant differences between high torsion and low torsion individuals that may have significant functional consequences. The method described here may be useful for non‐invasively assessing the degree of torsion in studies of the evolution and biomechanics of the shoulder and arm, and for testing hypotheses about the etiology of repetitive stress injuries among athletes and others who throw frequently.
Imposing Identity against Social Catastrophes. The Strategies of (Re)Generation of Meaning of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (Argentina)
Authors: GATTI GABRIEL
Published: January 2012

This article explores the processes of definition, construction and social management of collective identity in situations of social catastrophe such as that defined in the Southern Cone of Latin America following the grave human rights violations that occurred in the 1970s, especially those deriving from the forced disappearance of persons. This form of repression creates deep wounds in the social fabric affected and, besides this, produces what could be called a ‘catastrophe’, that is, a permanent confusion of the mechanisms of social construction of meaning and subjectivity within which one lives. In this case, the catastrophe affects several collective goods and, principally, the social bases of modern identity construction. In order to manage these catastrophes, the subjects that inhabit the social spaces formed around them – in this case those who live in the field of the detained–disappeared – develop very different strategies, with the most widespread in the Argentinean case being what I will call the ‘narrative of meaning’. This is a hard and conservative strategy that confronts the catastrophe of identity by employing identity constructions supported on old narratives of the family and biological heritage. This article is dedicated to an analysis of this socially successfully strategy and studies the form it adopts in the work of constructing identity of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo.
Impact of selected nutraceuticals on viability of probiotic strains in milk during refrigerated storage at 4 °C for 15 days
Authors: AWAISHEH SADDAM , AL‐DMOOR HANEE , OMAR SHARAF , HAWARI AZMY , ALROYLI MESHREF
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to establish suitable combinations of selected probiotics and nutraceuticals. Interactions among 24 probiotic strains were investigated, and the effect of a blend of isoflavones and phytosterols on viability of single and mixed probiotic strains under incubation and refrigeration storage in milk was assessed. Upon incubation, counts of single strains increased by 7–15 times, while mixed strains showed slight insignificant decrease. Both single and mixed probiotic strains retained high counts (>log 8) throughout refrigeration storage. Eight probiotic strains showed nil or very weak interactions. Results revealed the possibility of developing novel multibenefits synbiotic products using combinations of these probiotic strains and nutraceuticals.
Plasma uric acid remains a marker of poor outcome in hypertensive pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hawkins TL‐A , Roberts JM , Mangos GJ , Davis GK , Roberts LM , Brown MA
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Hawkins T, Roberts J, Mangos G, Davis G, Roberts L, Brown M. Plasma uric acid remains a marker of poor outcome in hypertensive pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study. BJOG 2012 2012;119:484–492.

Objective  To examine the relationship between hyperuricaemia, haemoconcentration and maternal and fetal outcomes in hypertensive pregnancies.

Design  Retrospective analysis of a database of hypertensive pregnancies.

Setting  St George Hospital, a major obstetric unit in Australia.

Population  A cohort of 1880 pregnant women without underlying hypertension or renal disease, referred for management of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension.

Methods  Demographic, clinical and biochemical data at time of referral and delivery were collected for each pregnancy. Women were grouped according to diagnosis (pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension) and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between uric acid, haemoglobin, haematocrit and adverse outcomes; an α level of P < 0.01 was used for statistical significance.

Main outcome measures  Composites of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Results  In women with ‘benign’ GH (without proteinuria or any other maternal clinical feature of pre‐eclampsia) gestation‐corrected hyperuricaemia was associated with increased risk of a small‐for‐gestational‐age infant (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.8) and prematurity (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.4–7.2), but not with adverse maternal outcome. In the whole cohort of hypertensive pregnant women (those with pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension) the risk of adverse maternal outcome (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6–2.4) and adverse fetal outcome (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5–2.1) increased with increasing concentration of uric acid. Hyperuricaemia corrected for gestation provided additional strength to these associations. Haemoglobin and haematocrit were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.

Conclusions  Hyperuricaemia in hypertensive pregnancy remains an important finding because it identifies women at increased risk of adverse maternal and particularly fetal outcome; the latter, even in women with gestational hypertension without any other feature of pre‐eclampsia.
Maternal sepsis: a Scottish population‐based case–control study
Authors: Acosta CD , Bhattacharya S , Tuffnell D , Kurinczuk JJ , Knight M
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Acosta C, Bhattacharya S, Tuffnell D, Kurinczuk J, Knight M. Maternal sepsis: a Scottish population‐based case–control study. BJOG 2012;119:474–483.

Objective  To describe the risk of maternal sepsis associated with obesity and other understudied risk factors such as operative vaginal delivery.

Design  Population‐based, case–control study.

Setting  North NHS region of Scotland.

Population  All cases of pregnant, intrapartum and postpartum women with International Classification of Disease‐9 codes for sepsis or severe sepsis recorded in the Aberdeen Maternal and Neonatal Databank (AMND) from 1986 to 2009. Four controls per case selected from the AMND were frequency matched on year‐of‐delivery.

Methods  Cases and controls were compared; significant variables from univariable regression were adjusted in a multivariable logistic regression model.

Main outcome measures  Dependent variables were uncomplicated sepsis or severe (‘near‐miss’) sepsis. Independent variables were demographic, medical and clinical delivery characteristics. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported.

Results  Controlling for mode of delivery and demographic and clinical factors, obese women had twice the odds of uncomplicated sepsis (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.14–3.89) compared with women of normal weight. Age <25 years (OR 5.15; 95% CI 2.43–10.90) and operative vaginal delivery (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.02–4.87) were also significant predictors of sepsis. Known risk factors for maternal sepsis were also significant in this study (OR for uncomplicated and severe sepsis respectively): multiparty (OR 6.29, 12.04), anaemia (OR 3.43, 18.49), labour induction (OR 3.92 severe only), caesarean section (OR 3.23, 13.35), and preterm birth (OR 2.46 uncomplicated only).

Conclusions  Obesity, operative vaginal delivery and age <25 years are significant risk factors for sepsis and should be considered in clinical obstetric care.
Reference standard for serum bile acids in pregnancy
Authors: Egan N , Bartels Ä , Khashan AS , Broadhurst DI , Joyce C , O’Mullane J , O’Donoghue K
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Egan N, Bartels Ä, Khashan A, Broadhurst D, Joyce C, O’Mullane J, O’Donoghue K. Reference standard for serum bile acids in pregnancy. BJOG 2012;119:493–498.

Objective  Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a liver disorder characterised by pruritus and elevated serum bile acids (SBA) that affects one in 200 pregnant women. It is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as premature delivery and stillbirth. Mild OC is defined as SBA levels of 10–39 μmol/l, and severe OC is defined by levels >40 μmol/l. SBA levels in normal pregnancy have not been investigated. We aimed to establish reference values for SBA in healthy pregnant women across different trimesters of pregnancy.

Design  Cross‐sectional analysis of SBA levels.

Setting  A large tertiary referral university teaching maternity hospital.

Population  Healthy pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy and a body mass index (BMI) < 40, excluding women with significant alcohol intake, history of liver disease, prior cholecystectomy and OC.

Methods  Cross‐sectional analysis of SBA levels at 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, and on days 1–3 postpartum.

Main outcome measures  SBA levels in μmol/l.

Results  A total of 219 women attending for antenatal care were recruited, and SBA levels were assayed at 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, and up to 72 hours postpartum (n = 44–49 cases at each stage). The majority were white European women, with a median age of 30 years (range 17–46 years) and median BMI of 25 (range 18–38). Values of SBA ranged from 0.3 to 9.8 μmol/l in 216 women, with only three measurements outside this range. There were no significant changes throughout pregnancy.

Conclusions  SBA values in uncomplicated pregnancies are consistent, regardless of gestation, and are not elevated in pregnancy. The current reference values for the diagnosis of OC appear to be appropriate.
Impending macrosomia: will induction of labour modify the risk of caesarean delivery?
Authors: Cheng YW , Sparks TN , Laros Jr RK , Nicholson JM , Caughey AB
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Cheng Y, Sparks T, Laros R Jr, Nicholson J, Caughey A. Impending macrosomia: will induction of labour modify the risk of caesarean delivery? BJOG 2012;119:402–409.

Objective  To compare the annual incidence rates of caesarean delivery between induction of labour and expectant management in the setting of macrosomia.

Design  This is a retrospective cohort study.

Setting  Deliveries in the USA in 2003.

Population  Singleton births of macrosomic neonates to low‐risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks of gestation and beyond.

Methods  Women who had induction of labour at 39 weeks of gestation with a neonatal birthweight of 4000 ± 125 g (3875–4125 g) were compared with women who delivered (either induced or spontaneous labour) at 40, 41 or 42 weeks (i.e. expectant management), assuming an intrauterine fetal weight gain of 200 g per additional week of gestation. Similar comparisons were made at 40 and 41 weeks of gestation. Chi‐square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for statistical comparison.

Main outcome measures  Method of delivery, 5‐minute Apgar scores, neonatal injury.

Results  There were 132 112 women meeting the study criteria. In women whose labours were induced at 39 weeks and who delivered a neonate with a birthweight of 4000 ± 125 g, the frequency of caesarean was lower compared with women who delivered at a later gestational age (35.2% versus 40.9%; adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.17–1.33). This trend was maintained at both 40 weeks (36.1% versus 42.6%; adjusted OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.23–1.40) and 41 weeks (38.9% versus 41.8%; adjusted OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06–1.28) of gestation.

Conclusions  In the setting of known birthweight, it appears that induction of labour may reduce the risk of caesarean delivery. Future research should concentrate on clinical and radiological methods to better estimate birthweight to facilitate improved clinical care. These findings deserve examination in a large, prospective, randomised trial.
Early hospital discharge of infants born to group B streptococci‐positive mothers: a decision analysis
Authors: Berger MB , Xu X , Williams JA , Van de Ven CJM , Mozurkewich EL
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Berger M, Xu X, Williams J, Van de Ven C, Mozurkewich E. Early hospital discharge of infants born to group B streptococci‐positive mothers: a decision analysis. BJOG 2012;119:439–448.

Objective  To compare the cost‐effectiveness of an additional 24‐hour inpatient observation for asymptomatic term neonates born to group B streptococcus (GBS) ‐colonised mothers with adequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) after an initial 24‐hour in‐hospital observation.

Design  Cost‐effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective.

Setting  United States.

Population  Asymptomatic term neonates born to GBS‐colonised mothers with IAP after an initial 24‐hour in‐hospital observation.

Methods  Monte Carlo simulation for a decision tree model incorporating the following chance events: development of GBS sepsis during the second 24 hours of life, development of GBS sepsis between 48 hours and 7 days of life, prompt versus delayed treatment for sepsis, neonatal mortality and long‐term health sequelae.

Main outcome measures  Expected cost and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Results  Delayed, versus early, hospital discharge results in similar mean expected QALYs, but substantially higher expected cost. The mean difference in QALY is 0.00016 (95% CI 0.00005–0.00040), whereas the mean difference in cost is $1170.96 (95% CI $750.13–1584.32). The ICER is estimated to be $9,771,520.87 per QALY (95% CI $2,573,139.89–24,407,017.82). The proportion of early‐onset GBS that develops during the second 24 hours of life, the cost of 24 hours of inpatient observation, and the probability of long‐term sequelae following prompt versus delayed treatment play important roles in determining the cost‐effectiveness of delayed hospital discharge.

Conclusion  Cost‐effectiveness analysis suggests that with adequate IAP, discharging asymptomatic term neonates to home after 24 hours is the preferred approach compared with 48 hours inpatient observation.
Glial cells in (patho)physiology
Authors: Parpura Vladimir , Heneka Michael T. , Montana Vedrana , Oliet Stéphane H. R. , Schousboe Arne , Haydon Philip G. , Stout Randy F. , Spray David C. , Reichenbach Andreas , Pannicke Thomas , Pekny Milos , Pekna Marcela , Zorec Robert , Verkhratsky Alexei
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 4–27.

Neuroglial cells define brain homeostasis and mount defense against pathological insults. Astroglia regulate neurogenesis and development of brain circuits. In the adult brain, astrocytes enter into intimate dynamic relationship with neurons, especially at synaptic sites where they functionally form the tripartite synapse. At these sites, astrocytes regulate ion and neurotransmitter homeostasis, metabolically support neurons and monitor synaptic activity; one of the readouts of the latter manifests in astrocytic intracellular Ca2+ signals. This form of astrocytic excitability can lead to release of chemical transmitters via Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis. Once in the extracellular space, gliotransmitters can modulate synaptic plasticity and cause changes in behavior. Besides these physiological tasks, astrocytes are fundamental for progression and outcome of neurological diseases. In Alzheimer’s disease, for example, astrocytes may contribute to the etiology of this disorder. Highly lethal glial‐derived tumors use signaling trickery to coerce normal brain cells to assist tumor invasiveness. This review not only sheds new light on the brain operation in health and disease, but also points to many unknowns.
Kainate receptor‐mediated depression of glutamatergic transmission involving protein kinase A in the lateral amygdala
Authors: Negrete‐Díaz José Vicente , Duque‐Feria Paloma , Andrade‐Talavera Yuniesky , Carrión Miriam , Flores Gonzalo , Rodríguez‐Moreno Antonio
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 36–43.

Kainate receptors (KARs) have been described as modulators of synaptic transmission at different synapses. However, this role of KARs has not been well characterized in the amygdala. We have explored the effect of kainate receptor activation at the synapse established between fibers originating at medial geniculate nucleus and the principal cells in the lateral amygdala. We have observed an inhibition of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) amplitude after a brief application of KARs agonists KA and ATPA. Paired‐pulse recordings showed a clear pair pulse facilitation that was enhanced after KA or ATPA application. When postsynaptic cells were loaded with BAPTA, the depression of eEPSC amplitude observed after the perfusion of KAR agonists was not prevented. We have also observed that the inhibition of the eEPSCs by KARs agonists was prevented by protein kinase A but not by protein kinase C inhibitors. Taken together our results indicate that KARs present at this synapse are pre‐synaptic and their activation mediate the inhibition of glutamate release through a mechanism that involves the activation of protein kinase A.
Attenuation of neonatal ischemic brain damage using a 20‐HETE synthesis inhibitor
Authors: Yang Zeng‐Jin , Carter Erin L. , Kibler Kathleen K. , Kwansa Herman , Crafa Daina A. , Martin Lee J. , Roman Richard J. , Harder David R. , Koehler Raymond C.
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 168–179.

20‐Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20‐HETE) is a cytochrome P450 metabolite of arachidonic acid that that contributes to infarct size following focal cerebral ischemia. However, little is known about the role of 20‐HETE in global cerebral ischemia or neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia (H‐I). The present study examined the effects of blockade of the synthesis of 20‐HETE with N‐hydroxy‐N′‐(4‐n‐butyl‐2‐methylphenyl) formamidine (HET0016) in neonatal piglets after H‐I to determine if it protects highly vulnerable striatal neurons. Administration of HET0016 after H‐I improved early neurological recovery and protected neurons in putamen after 4 days of recovery. HET0016 had no significant effect on cerebral blood flow. cytochrome P450 4A immunoreactivity was detected in putamen neurons, and direct infusion of 20‐HETE in the putamen increased phosphorylation of Na+,K+‐ATPase and NMDA receptor NR1 subunit selectively at protein kinase C‐sensitive sites but not at protein kinase A‐sensitive sites. HET0016 selectively inhibited the H‐I induced phosphorylation at these same sites at 3 h of recovery and improved Na+,K+‐ATPase activity. At 3 h, HET0016 also suppressed H‐I induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 activation and protein markers of nitrosative and oxidative stress. Thus, 20‐HETE can exert direct effects on key proteins involved in neuronal excitotoxicity in vivo and contributes to neurodegeneration after global cerebral ischemia in immature brain.
The T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel as a molecular target of the novel cognitive enhancer ST101: enhancement of long‐term potentiation and CaMKII autophosphorylation in rat cortical slices
Authors: Moriguchi Shigeki , Shioda Norifumi , Yamamoto Yui , Tagashira Hideaki , Fukunaga Kohji
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 44–53.

In this study, we report that spiro[imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3,2‐indan]‐2(3H)‐one (ST101; previously coded as ZSET1446) targets T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels in mediating improved cognition in the CNS. We prepared rat somatosensory cortical and hippocampal slices, treated them with 0.01 to 100 nM ST101, and performed immunoblotting and electrophysiological analyses using various voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) inhibitors. Treatment of rat cortical slices with a range of ST101 concentrations significantly increased calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) autophosphorylation following a bell‐shaped dose–response curve, with 0.1 nM ST101 representing the maximally effective concentration. protein kinase Cα autophosphorylation was also significantly increased by 0.1 nM ST101 treatment. ST101 treatment had a moderate effect on CaMKII autophosphorylation but no effect on hippocampal protein kinase Cα autophosphorylation in slice preparations. Consistent with increased cortical CaMKII autophosphorylation, AMPA‐type glutamate receptor subunit 1 (Ser‐831) phosphorylation as a CaMKII post‐synaptic substrate was significantly increased by treatment with 0.1–1 nM ST101, whereas phosphorylation of the pre‐synaptic substrate synapsin I (Ser‐603) remained unchanged. Notably, enhanced CaMKII autophosphorylation seen following 0.1 nM ST101 treatment was significantly inhibited by pre‐treatment with 1 μM mibefradil, a T‐type VGCC inhibitor, but not with N‐type (ω‐conotoxin), P/Q‐type (ω‐agatoxin) or L‐type (nifedipine) VGCC inhibitors. Similarly, 0.1 nM ST101 significantly potentiated long‐term potentiation in cortical but not hippocampal slices. Enhanced long‐term potentiation in cortical slices was totally inhibited by 1 μM mibefadil treatment. Finally, whole‐cell patch‐clamp analysis of Neuro2A cells over‐expressing recombinant human CaV3.1 (α1G) T‐channels and treated with 0.1 nM ST101 showed significant increases in T‐type VGCC currents. These results indicate that T‐type VGCCs are direct molecular targets for the novel cognitive enhancer ST101, a potential Alzheimer disease therapeutic.
GENDER AND WORK COMPENSATION IN CHINA'S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
Authors: RICKNE JOHANNA
Published: January 2012

The gender gap in earnings is analyzed using data for 250,000 Chinese industrial firms in 2004. The skill‐weighted gender wage is estimated to be 12 percent and stems entirely from the female wage disadvantage among employees with below college education. Firms' payments to social insurance programs do not give further polarization of earnings, and descriptive statistics contradict the notion that women are segregated into sectors with low program participation rates. Narrower gender wage gaps are found in more labor intensive industries and in private domestic firms, suggesting that the market transition has not hurt the relative wages of female industrial workers. Finally, women's earnings disadvantage is fully accounted for by smaller contributions to value added, suggesting that firms do not wage‐discriminate against female employees.
MEASURING THE PRICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OUTPUT
Authors: COPELAND ADAM , FIXLER DENNIS
Published: January 2012

We construct a price index for the scientific R&D services industry, a significant producer of R&D in the United States. Unlike most previous R&D price indexes, our index is not based on input costs but rather on measures of R&D sales. Consequently, unlike input‐cost price indexes, our output‐based index is able to account for changes in productivity and markups in the scientific R&D services industry. We compute that scientific R&D services prices increased, on average, by 7.14 percent at an annual rate from 1987 to 2006. Using our index, we find that real revenues grew at an annual average rate of 2.85 percent. We then propose using our index, in combination with an input‐cost price index, to deflate total R&D nominal expenditures. We find that real total U.S. R&D expenditures grew at an average annual rate of 1.42 percent from 1987 to 2006.
LIQUIDITY CONSTRAINTS, HOUSEHOLD WEALTH, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP REVISITED
Authors: FAIRLIE ROBERT W. , KRASHINSKY HARRY A.
Published: January 2012

The existence of liquidity constraints for entrepreneurs has been challenged by the finding that business entry rates are invariant throughout most of the asset distribution and increase dramatically only at the top of this distribution. We reexamine the liquidity constraint hypothesis in three ways. First, we separately examine those who do and those who do not experience a job loss to reveal generally increasing entry rates through the wealth distribution for both groups, and show why these groups should be separately analyzed. Second, we use a two‐period simulation of the Evans and Jovanovic model to shows how exogenous wealth shocks can accurately identify the presence of liquidity constraints. Third, we provide new evidence from matched Current Population Survey data to show that housing appreciation measured at the MSA‐level is a significantly positive determinant of entry into self‐employment, after controlling for changes in local economic conditions.
Younger Dryas cold stage vegetation patterns of central Europe – climate, soil and relief controls
Authors: Theuerkauf Martin , Joosten Hans
Published: January 2012

In the north Atlantic region the final period of the last ice age saw abrupt shifts between near present‐day warm and near ice age cold conditions, ending with the cold Younger Dryas. The effects of the cold periods may have been more severe in the vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean than in continental Europe. We use pollen percentage and influx data combined with data on substrate and relief to reconstruct spatially explicit vegetation composition, patterns and development during the Younger Dryas, with special focus on to the forest/non‐forest transition across NE Germany. Opposing trends, such as birch pollen percentages sharply increasing but accumulation rates sharply decreasing northwards, underline pitfalls in the interpretation of pollen percentage data in tree‐line situations. The combined approach reveals a sharp ecotone. Pine declined on northern sites, possibly because of permafrost formation, but was hardly affected in the south. Birch also declined in the south, possibly because of the severe winter cold. Cold‐adapted trees did not enter forest gaps. The cooling had little impact on herbal vegetation. Steppe elements (grasses, Artemisia) were largely restricted to south‐exposed slopes and did not benefit from the cooling – patches of steppe vegetation were even less abundant than during the preceding warm periods. The approach of combining fossil pollen data, including accumulation rates, with data on the contemporary distribution of substrate and relief allowed unprecedented spatial resolution to be reached in the reconstruction of Younger Dryas vegetation patterns.
DURATIONS OF GAMETE MOTILITY AND CONJUGATION ABILITY OF ULVA COMPRESSA (ULVOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Hashioka Takashi , Nishihara Gregory N. , Iima Masafumi
Published: January 2012

The present study was designed to develop a technique for crossing and to gain insight into how sexual reproduction contributes to the maintenance of local populations of Ulva compressa L. To examine the durations of gamete motility and conjugation ability, freshly released gametes were incubated for various periods of time prior to mixing both mating types. The conjugation ability of the gametes gradually declined after being released from the thalli when the gametes were incubated without mixing with the opposite mating type. The ability to conjugate decreased by half after 6 h, although most of the gametes remained motile. The gametes released 4 h later had the same level of conjugation ability when mixed immediately after releasing. When the mature thalli were wrapped in a moist paper towel to prevent gametes from being released, the gametes were preservable for 7 h without a significant decrease in their conjugation ability. Conjugation occurred soon after mixing gametes of both mating types and reached a plateau after 30 s. However, conjugation rates did not exceed a rate of ∼70%, even though freshly released gametes were used. Interestingly, a portion of the gametes newly conjugated 30 min after mixing both mating types, and conjugation rates reached a second plateau at ∼90%. Gametes with delayed conjugation are provided some period of time that allows them to be transported away and increases their chances of mating with more distant populations, thus contributing to the maintenance of genetic variation.
Joint Private Safety Standards and Vertical Relationships in Food Retailing
Authors: Giraud‐Héraud Eric , Hammoudi Abdelhakim , Hoffmann Ruben , Soler Louis‐Georges
Published: January 2012

In recent years, it has become common for downstream firms to impose Joint Private Standards (JPSs) on upstream producers. In this paper, we present an original model of a vertical relationship, explaining the incentives for and the effects of such JPSs with an example concerning food safety. The risk of a food crisis is endogenously determined. Using the concept of cartel stability (d’Aspremont et al., 1983), it is shown that liability rules are crucial for JPSs to emerge, that a JPS can become a minimum quality standard, and that a more stringent JPS does not necessarily reduce the market risk.
Outsourcing, Product Quality, and Contract Enforcement
Authors: Lu Yi , Ng Travis , Tao Zhigang
Published: January 2012

Does outsourcing compromise product quality? Does sound contract enforcement alleviate this concern? We offer a simple model to illustrate how outsourcing leads to lower product quality and how contract enforcement helps mitigate this problem. These theoretical predictions are borne out of a survey of 2,400 firms in China conducted by the World Bank in 2003.
Carbon Offset Provision with Guilt‐Ridden Consumers
Authors: Gans Joshua S. , Groves Vivienne
Published: January 2012

Carbon offsets allow consumers to mitigate their guilt associated with their carbon footprint. On the one hand, when offsets are purchased in an industry unrelated to the consumption activity, offsets are complements to consumption and the introduction of an offset market causes consumption to rise. On the other hand, when offsets are purchased in a related industry, consumption and offsets are substitutes and consumption falls. In general, however, net emissions decline. We find two exceptions to this rule. First, when offsets are purchased in an unrelated market, if there is no latent demand for offsets in their absence, the introduction of offsets can potentially cause a rise in net emissions when producers of “dirty” consumption goods have market power. Second, when offsets are purchased to fund green energy, emissions can rise if “dirty” producers can engage in pre‐emptive strategic commitments and the price of offsets is chosen endogenously.
Optimal Hedging Strategies and Interactions between Firms
Authors: Loss Frederic
Published: January 2012

This paper studies corporate risk management in a context of financial constraints and imperfect competition in the product market. The paper shows that interactions between firms affect their hedging strategies. As a general rule, firms’ hedging demands decrease with the correlation between their internal funds and investment opportunities. Moreover, when a firm’s hedging demand is high in the case where investments are strategic substitutes, its hedging demand is low in the case where investments are strategic complements and vice versa.
Levels of Institutional Capacity and Actor Expectations about Industrial Symbiosis
Authors: Boons Frank , Spekkink Wouter
Published: January 2012

One assumption underlying the work on industrial symbiosis (IS) is that certain social conditions must be fulfilled in order for firms to develop symbiotic linkages. In this article we add depth to this insight by using institutional capacity as an underlying concept for these conditions, and we propose that such capacity influences IS by altering the opportunity set of actors. We then test the assumption on a dataset of 233 projects aiming to develop eco‐industrial parks. We find that the link between institutional capacity and the opportunities for symbiotic linkages perceived by actors is not always present and is more complicated than has been recognized thus far. We discuss potential alternative ways in which institutional capacity might influence IS and present ideas for future research to shed light on this important relationship.
Commercial Real Estate Returns: An Anatomy of Smoothing in Asset and Index Returns
Authors: Bond Shaun A. , Hwang Soosung , Marcato Gianluca
Published: January 2012

In this article, we investigate the commonly used autoregressive filter method of adjusting appraisal‐based real estate returns to correct for the perceived biases induced in the appraisal process. Many articles have been written on appraisal smoothing but remarkably few have considered the relationship between smoothing at the individual property level and the amount of persistence in the aggregate appraisal‐based index. To investigate this issue we analyze a large sample of appraisal data at the individual property level from the Investment Property Databank. We find that commonly used unsmoothing estimates at the index level overstate the extent of smoothing that takes place at the individual property level. There is also strong support for an ARFIMA representation of appraisal returns at the index level and an ARMA model at the individual property level.
Origination Channel, Prepayment Penalties and Default
Authors: Rose Morgan J.
Published: January 2012

This article presents evidence that nonbank‐originated subprime mortgages have a higher probability of default than bank‐originated subprime mortgages, but only for loans with prepayment penalties. Evidence also indicates that nonbanks price prepayment penalties less favorably to borrowers than banks do, and nonbanks originate disproportionately more loans with prepayment penalties in locales with less financially sophisticated borrowers. State antipredatory lending law provisions restricting the use of prepayment penalties eliminate the elevated default risk of nonbank originations relative to bank originations. These findings are consistent with incentives generated by nonbank compensation via yield spread premiums on loans with prepayment penalties.
Detailed Behavioral Analysis as a Window Into Cross‐Situational Word Learning
Authors: Suanda Sumarga H. , Namy Laura L.
Published: January 2012

Recent research has demonstrated that word learners can determine word‐referent mappings by tracking co‐occurrences across multiple ambiguous naming events. The current study addresses the mechanisms underlying this capacity to learn words cross‐situationally. This replication and extension of Yu and Smith (2007) investigates the factors influencing both successful cross‐situational word learning and mis‐mappings. Item analysis and error patterns revealed that the co‐occurrence structure of the learning environment as well as the context of the testing environment jointly affected learning across observations. Learners also adopted an exclusion strategy, which contributed conjointly with statistical tracking to performance. Implications for our understanding of the processes underlying cross‐situational word learning are discussed.
Intracranial Angioplasty and Stent Placement After Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) Trial: Present State and Future Considerations⋆
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I , Al‐Senani Fahmi M. , Husain Shakir , Janjua Nazli A. , Lanzino Giuseppe , Lavados Pablo M. , Nguyen Thanh , Raymond Jean , Shah Qaisar A. , Suarez Jose I. , Suri M. Fareed K. , Tolun Reha
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE

The results of prematurely terminated stenting and aggressive medical management for preventing recurrent stroke in intracranial stenosis (SAMMPRIS) due to excessively high rate of stroke and death in patients randomized to intracranial stent placement is expected to affect the practice of endovascular therapy for intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The purpose of this report is to review the components of the designs and methods SAMMPRIS trial and to describe the influence of those components on the interpretation of trial results.

METHODS

A critical review of the patient population included in SAMMPRIS is conducted with emphasis on “generalizability of results” and “bias due to cherry picking phenomenon.” The technical aspects of endovascular treatment protocol consisting of intracranial angioplasty and stent placement using the Gateway balloon and Wingspan self‐expanding nitinol stent and credentialing criteria of trial interventionalists are reviewed. The influence of each component is estimated based on previous literature including multicenter clinical trials reporting on intracranial angioplasty and stent placement.

RESULTS

The inclusion criteria used in the trial ensured that patients with adverse clinical or angiographic characteristics were excluded. Self‐expanding stent as the sole stent, technique of prestent angioplasty, periprocedural antiplatelet treatment, and intraprocedural anticoagulation are unlikely to adversely influence the results of intracranial stent placement. A more permissive policy toward primary angioplasty as an acceptable treatment option may have reduced the overall periprocedural complication rates by providing a safer option in technically challenging lesions. The expected impact of a more rigorous credentialing process on periprocedural stroke and/or death rate following intracranial stent placement in SAMMPRIS such as the one used in carotid revascularization endarterectomy versus stenting trial remains unknown.

CONCLUSION

The need for developing new and effective treatments for patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis cannot be undermined. The data support modification but not discontinuation of our approach to intracranial angioplasty and/or stent placement for intracranial stenosis. There are potential patients in whom angioplasty and/or stent placement might be the best approach, and a new trial with appropriate modifications in patient selection and design may be warranted.
Aortic Interruption Presenting with Recurrent Ischemic Strokes in an Adult
Authors: Vural Atay , Arsava Ethem M. , Ozgen Burce , Oguz Kader K. , Efe Orhan , Demircin Metin , Topcuoglu Mehmet A.
Published: January 2012

Presentation of an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) in adulthood is extremely rare. Nonhemorrhagic stroke has not been reported previously in any adult with IAA. We, herein, describe a formerly asymptomatic 52‐year‐old male presenting with recurrent vertebrobasilar circulation ischemic strokes resulting from accelerated atherosclerotic arteriopathy secondary to IAA associated upper body hypertension. Surgical correction of IAA led to treatment of hypertension and cessation of ischemic attacks together with regression of collateral arterial networks as shown by computer tomography angiography.
Getting Down to Basics: A Situated Model of Conflict in Social Relations
Authors: Coleman Peter T. , Kugler Katharina G. , Bui‐Wrzosinska Lan , Nowak Andrzej , Vallacher Robin
Published: January 2012

The field of conflict resolution is fractured. Despite many decades of fine research, we still lack a basic unifying framework that integrates the many theories of conflict dynamics. Thus, the findings from research on conflict are often piecemeal, decontextualized, contradictory, or focused on negative outcomes, which contributes to a persistent research‐practice gap. In this article, we describe a situated model for the study of conflict that combines separate strands of scholarship into a coherent framework for conceptualizing conflict in dyadic social relations. The model considers conflict interactions in the context of social relations and employs prior research on the fundamental dimensions of social relations to create a basic framework for investigating conflict dynamics. The resulting model is heuristic and generative. We discuss the theoretical context and main propositions of this model as well as its implications for conflict resolution practitioners.
Escalation and Mindfulness
Authors: Smyth Leo F.
Published: January 2012

Escalation of conflict, the use of progressively more contentious tactics, is not always intended. It may occur when parties become preoccupied with ideas or feelings that impair their ability to comprehend the situation and focus on the conflict issues. Action springing from such preoccupation can initiate a set of feedback loops that are self‐amplifying. In this article, I suggest that by raising their present moment awareness through formal meditation and informal day‐to‐day mindfulness practice, parties may reduce preoccupation and thereby amplification. Drawing on Friedrich Glasl's stages of escalation and Magorah Maruyama's work on change‐amplifying feedback loops, this article examines how mindfulness might contribute to a greater awareness of psychological and systemic factors that predispose disputants to escalation of their conflict.
The Reputational Advantages of Demonstrating Trustworthiness: Using the Reputation Index with Law Students
Authors: Welsh Nancy A.
Published: January 2012

Lawyers should care about their reputations. But exactly what sort of reputation should lawyers seek to establish and maintain in the largely nontransparent context of legal negotiation? And even if a lawyer has developed a reputation as a negotiator, how will he/she know what it is and how it came to be?

I force my students to grapple with these questions by incorporating the issues of reputation and reputation development into my negotiation/mediation course. I introduced this innovation at the same time that I decided to increase my focus on developing students' skills in distributive (or value‐claiming) negotiation. Although legal negotiation certainly offers frequent opportunities for the creation of integrative joint and individual gains, the process will almost inevitably involve distribution. The pie, once baked, must be cut.

As a result, I now base a portion of my students' final grade on the objective results they achieve in two negotiation simulations. Two dangers of this assessment choice are that it can encourage students to focus only on the numbers and, even worse, engage in “sharp practice”— an extreme form of hard bargaining that tests ethical boundaries — in order to achieve the best short‐term distributive outcomes. Of course, neither a quantitative focus nor sharp practice is synonymous with a distributive approach to negotiation. Nonetheless, to counterbalance the temptations posed by the focus on, and ranking of, objective results, I also base part of students' final grades on their scores on a “Reputation Index.” These scores are based on students' nominations of their peers, accompanied by explanatory comments.

This article describes the Reputation Index and how I use it. It also explores the empirical support for the validity of the Reputation Index as a tool for simulating the development and assessment of lawyers' reputations in the “real world.” To that end, the article considers research regarding the bases for lawyers' perceptions of effectiveness in legal negotiation, the sometimes counterintuitive distinction between negotiation “approach” and negotiation “style,” and the relationships among perceptions of negotiation style, procedural justice, trustworthiness, and reputation.
A comparison of mandibular denture base deformation with different impression techniques for implant overdentures
Authors: Elsyad Moustafa Abdou , El‐Waseef Fatma Ahmad , Al‐Mahdy Yasmeen Fathy , Fouad Mohammed Mohammed
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate mandibular denture base deformation along with three impression techniques used for implant‐retained overdenture.

Materials and methods

Ten edentulous patients (five men and five women) received two implants in the canine region of the mandible and three duplicate mandibular overdentures which were constructed with mucostatic, selective pressure, and definitive pressure impression techniques. Ball abutments and respective gold matrices were used to connect the overdentures to the implants. Six linear strain gauges were bonded to the lingual polished surface of each duplicate overdenture at midline and implant areas to measure strain during maximal clenching and gum chewing.

Results

The strains recorded at midline were compressive while strains at implant areas were tensile. Clenching recorded significant higher strain when compared with gum chewing for all techniques. The mucostatic technique recorded the highest strain and the definite pressure technique recorded the lowest. There was no significant difference between the strain recorded with mucostatic technique and that registered with selective pressure technique. The highest strain was recorded at the level of ball abutment's top with the mucostatic technique during clenching.

Conclusion and recommendation

Definite pressure impression technique for implant‐retained mandibular overdenture is associated with minimal denture deformation during function when compared with mucostatic and selective pressure techniques. Reinforcement of the denture base over the implants may be recommended to increase resistance of fracture when mucostatic or selective pressure impression technique is used.