bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 1972 Biological Weapons Convention: A view from the South
Authors: Zaluar Achilles , Monteleone-Neto Roque
Published: January 2010

Before addressing the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) itself, we should point out that any view of the treaty from a Southern perspective can be only partial, that is, one perspective among many possible others. Developing and non-aligned countries may have different — and equally legitimate — interests and expectations regarding a particular international instrument. In fact, this diversity is itself one of the defining characteristics of the “South”, a term we use to categorize developing States whose main point in common is the absence of alignment with any great power and, indeed, with each other.
National legislation on the use and protection of the emblem of the red cross or red crescent
Authors: Lavoyer Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2010

The emblem of the red cross or red crescent occupies a very important place in international humanitarian law. In time of war, the emblem is the visible sign of the protection conferred by the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 on medical personnel and medical units and transports.
Selection for contrasting seed tocopherol content in sunflower seeds
Authors: VELASCO L. , DEL MORAL L. , PÉREZ-VICH B. , FERNÁNDEZ-MARTÍNEZ J. M.
Published: January 2010

Sunflower oil, with more than 0·9 of tocopherols in the alpha-tocopherol form, supplies more vitamin E than any other vegetable oil. Thus far, no breeding to increase vitamin E levels in sunflower seeds has been conducted. The objective of the present research was to develop sunflower lines with high and low total seed tocopherol content through evaluation and subsequent selection of a large germplasm collection (952 sunflower entries). A range of variation from 119 to 491 mg/kg was found. Selection conducted from S1 to S4 plant generations allowed the isolation of line IAST-413, with an increased tocopherol content of 467 mg/kg compared to 251 mg/kg in the control line HA89, and line IAST-522, with a reduced tocopherol content of 73 mg/kg. Another accession with potentially high tocopherol content, but completely self-incompatible, was crossed to the line HA89 followed by plant-to-row selection up to the F5 plant generation; it averaged 463 mg/kg compared to 240 mg/kg in HA89. Two field experiments carried out at Córdoba in southern Spain in 2006 and 2007 with different sowing dates confirmed that the increased tocopherol content in the selected lines was consistently expressed across environments.
Worldwide experience with sequential phase-shift sound cancellation treatment of predominant tone tinnitus
Authors: Choy D S , Lipman R A , Tassi G P
Published: January 2010

Objective:

To report clinical data from six centres in the US, Western Europe and Asia which have used phase-shift sound wave cancellation for treatment of predominant tone tinnitus, from the first treatment in 2000 to 2009.

Method:

Clinical data were obtained from New York City, London, Erie (Pennsylvania, USA), Antwerp, Grottamare (Italy) and Kuala Lumpur, and summarised.

Results:

A total of 493 patients were treated. A reduction in tinnitus volume (defined as ≥6 dB) was seen in 49–72 per cent of patients.
Vitamin D, innate immunity and upper respiratory tract infection
Authors: Bartley J
Published: January 2010

Introduction:

At the turn of the twentieth century, ultraviolet light was successfully used to treat tuberculosis of the skin. Upper respiratory tract infections had been inversely associated with sun exposure. During the last decade, basic scientific research demonstrated that vitamin D has an important anti-infective role.

Method:

Review of the relevant literature on the influence of vitamin D on innate immunity and respiratory tract infection.

Results:

Vitamin D is involved in the production of defensins and cathelicidin – antimicrobial peptides that provide a natural defence against potential microbiological pathogens. Vitamin D supplementation increases cathelicidin production. Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D appears to play an important role in the regulation of innate immunity in the upper respiratory tract. Optimal vitamin D levels and appropriate dosing schedules have yet to be determined.
Retropharyngeal superficial angiomyxoma
Authors: Toth A , Nemeth T , Szucs A , Szollosi Z , Sziklai I
Published: January 2010

Objective:

To describe the first published case of superficial angiomyxoma with an epithelial component occurring in the retropharynx.

Method:

Case report of a patient with swallowing difficulties caused by a rare case of superficial angiomyxoma in the retropharynx.

Results:

Superficial angiomyxoma is a distinct entity among the dermal myxomatous lesions. Superficial angiomyxoma is poorly circumscribed, and local recurrence is common unless the tumour is excised with clear margins. Distinctive histological features include a myxoid mass composed of spindle and stellate-shaped cells and occasional multinucleated cells. There is prominent vasculature and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the stroma, particularly by neutrophil polymorphs. Epithelial structures are seen in about one-third of cases. A case of retropharyngeal tumour with morphological features of superficial angiomyxoma is reported. The tumour cells, including multinucleated ones, were negative for soft tissue differentiation markers. The inflammatory cells included lymphocytes, histiocytes and neutrophil polymorphs.

Conclusion:

This case demonstrates that a cutaneous type of angiomyxoma with epithelial-lined structures can occur in deep soft tissue, such as the retropharynx.
Risk Factors for Severe Child Poverty in the UK
Authors: MAGADI MONICA
Published: January 2010

Despite recent declines in child poverty in the UK, there is evidence that children from the poorest families remain a legitimate concern. Little is known about the circumstances of children in severe poverty for whom policy responses may need to be different. This study examines the extent and risk factors of severe child poverty in the UK, based on the 2004/5 Family Resources Survey. Given the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, its measurement encompasses both material deprivation (child and parent deprivation) and low household income. The results show significant regional variations in severe child poverty experience, ranging from 3 per cent of children in South and East England to 10 per cent in London. The multinomial logistic regression results conform to what might be expected, showing relatively high risks of severe poverty among children: with workless parents; whose parents have low levels of education; in large families of four or more children; from ethnic minority groups, especially of Asian origin; and in families with disabled adult(s). However, the results with respect to lone parenthood and benefit receipt do not conform to expected patterns. For instance, the overall risk of severe poverty is lower for children of lone parents, compared to those of similar background characteristics with both parents. Also, the results suggest that non-receipt of benefits in the family is associated with higher likelihood of experience of severe child poverty, an issue that requires policy attention and is worth investigating in future research.
Explaining more by drawing on less
Authors: Hahn Ulrike
Published: January 2010

One of the most striking features of “Bayesian rationality” is the detail with which behavior on logical reasoning tasks can now be predicted and explained. This detail is surprising, given the state of the field 10 to 15 years ago, and it has been brought about by a theoretical program that largely ignores consideration of cognitive processes, that is, any kind of internal behavior that generates overt responding. It seems that an increase in explanatory power can be achieved by restricting a psychological theory.
Human capital convergence in Latin America: 1950–2000
Authors: Villarroya Isabel Sanz
Published: January 2010

Usando la información contenida en las Penn World Table las estadísticas de la CEPAL y la base de datos OLAD para el periodo 1950–2000, y considerando una muestra de 18 países Latinoamericanos, este artículo pretende estudiar el proceso de convergencia que se da entre ellos. Los resultados obtenidos utilizando técnicas de datos de panel nos permiten hablar de convergencia sólo en un sentido condicional. Realmente, encontramos que el principal factor que explica el proceso de crecimiento y convergencia en esta región es el nivel de capital humano. Esta variable ha sido construida usando la metodología de Componentes Principales y tomando en consideración variables tales como la tasa de matrícula en educación primaria y secundaria, el número de habitantes por médico, la esperanza de vida, la mortalidad infantil y la tasa de dependencia.
Growth and structural change in Spain, 1850–2000: a european perspective
Authors: de la Escosura Leandro Prados
Published: January 2010

En este ensayo se examina el progreso económico a largo plazo de la España contemporánea y se sitúa en perspectiva europea. En siglo y medio, la renta per capita aumentó quince veces. Tres grandes fases pueden distinguirse: 1850–1950, 1951–1974 y 1975–2000. El peor comportamiento relativo de España en el largo plazo se debió fundamentalmente al lento crecimiento durante etapas concretas del siglo anterior a 1950. En la segunda mitad del siglo XX, y en particular, durante 1959–1974, España acortó distancias. El cambio estructural contribuyó significativamente a la aceleración del crecimiento, en tanto la falta de exposición a la competencia internacional constituyó un elemento recurrente de atraso.
Spanish savings banks and the competitive cooperation model (1928–2002)
Authors: Comín Francisco
Published: January 2010

Este artículo examina la relación existente entre la naturaleza de las Cajas de Ahorros y su éxito en términos de cuotas de mercado durante el siglo XX. Analiza los factores clave que han posibilitado este éxito competitivo de las Cajas de Ahorros, tales como: su capacidad para promover el ahorro, cooperar con la política económica del gobierno, adaptarse a circunstancias cambiantes, operar en áreas geográficas concretas y cooperar entre ellas. Finalmente, el artículo se centra en el factor mencionado en último lugar. Se recurre al modelo de cooperación competitiva para explicar el destacado papel desempeñado por la Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros para hacer posible la alianza estratégica entre las Cajas de Ahorros españolas.
Desigualdad y especialización en el crecimiento de las economías templadas de nuevo asentamiento, 1870–1940
Authors: Willebald Henry
Published: January 2010

Este trabajo propone analizar el comportamiento de la distribución del ingreso y la riqueza en las economías templadas de reciente colonización europea para evaluar de qué forma sus condiciones de conformación dieron lugar a determinada configuración productivo-comercialy, a la postre, a la dinámica de largo plazo.

Se consideran dos canales para interpretar las relaciones entre patrón distributivo y estructura productivo-comercial —la demanda agregada y los factores institucionales y geográficos— y el análisis se concentra en cuatro de las causas próximas de la especialización: la capacidad de aprendizaje, la innovación y el progreso técnico, la acumulación de capital físico y la formación de capital humano. Se adopta una perspectiva comparada para encontrar diferencias relevantes en el desarrollo de las economías templadas de reciente colonización europea durante el período 1870–1940. Primeramente se realiza una panorámica histórica y, luego, ejercicios econométricos que, de modo indicativo, procuran complementar la visión anterior. La evidencia señala que economías con alta inequidad tienden a conformar una estructura económica con reducida incorporación de conocimiento en la producción y bajo valor agregado. En consecuencia, evidencian peores desempeños en el largo plazo que otras economías que presentan un patrón distributivo más equitativo.
Incentives or obstacles? institutional aspects of the cork business in the Iberian Peninsula (1930–1975)
Authors: Branco Amélia , Parejo Francisco M.
Published: January 2010

El análisis cuantitativo y comparativo de las exportaciones corcheras españolas y portuguesas durante el siglo XX muestra que España perdió el liderazgo en el comercio mundial de manufacturas del corcho en beneficio de Portugal, que pasó a ocupar la primera posición en este comercio. Este artículo trata de avanzar en la identificación de los aspectos institucionales que estuvieron detrás de las diferentes trayectorias seguidas por el negocio corchero en los dos países entre 1930 y 1975. Partiendo del análisis comparativo del marco legal y de las políticas económicas que afectaron a las distintas vertientes del negocio corchero durante las dictaduras ibéricas, se argumenta que fue diferente la atención prestada por Salazar y Franco al sector del corcho. Finalmente, se concluye que los aspectos institucionales pueden explicar una parte de la pérdida de competitividad de las exportaciones españolas respecto a las portuguesas, en la medida en que influyeron en el grado de inserción de las respectivas economías en los flujos de comercio internacional, y que afectaron a los costes de producción de esta industria.
Instituciones y políticas en eldecliveeconómico de Uruguay durante el siglo xx
Authors: París Gabriel Oddone
Published: January 2010

Durante el siglo XX, especialmente en la segunda mitad, Uruguay asiste a un prolongado declive económico. A partir de la segunda posguerra las instituciones económicas y las políticas adoptadas no fueron capaces de crear un clima favorable para que el crecimiento y el desarrollo tuvieran lugar. Este artículo presenta evidencia que permite afirmar que factores institucionales habrían contribuido a explicar un pobre crecimiento del PIB, así como una elevada volatilidad cíclica entre 1920 y 2001. Entre estos factores sobresalen el debilitamiento del poder político de los gobiernos, la mayor fraccionalización del sistema político, una política monetaria excesivamente discrecional y la presencia de ciclos políticos de tipo oportunista en las políticas macroeconómicas.
Primary education and fiscal policy in Mid-19th century Chile: in search of a Balance
Authors: Couyoumdjian Juan Pablo
Published: January 2010

En este trabajo examinamos una propuesta sobre la organización de un sistema de instrucción primaria en Chile presentada por el entonces diputado Manuel Montt. Este proyecto representó una iniciativa muy anhelada en favor de la difusión de la educación en Chile, a la vez que involucró un diseño organizacional bastante radical. En la medida que el proyecto incluía consideraciones relativas al financiamiento del sistema, éste parece también relevante en cuanto al tema de la organización de la estructura fiscal de Chile. Aunque la propuesta de Montt fue finalmente desechada, las discusiones que ella suscitó constituyen un marco muy ilustrativo para debates fundamentales respecto de las bases de un sistema fiscal en el Chile del siglo XIX.
The spanish trade in american cotton: atlantic synergies in the Age of Enlightenment
Authors: Thomson J. K. J.
Published: January 2010

Este artículo documenta e interpreta el comercio español en algodón americano que se desarrolló entre los años 1740 y 1790. Siguiendo un análisis historiográfico concerniente a este comercio, aporta datos sobre la cantidad importada, el Estado, con o sin pepita, en que se introducía, sus orígenes en el imperio americano, las medidas para su transporte marítimo, sus costes de flete y los precios pagados en España. Muestra que el crecimiento de este comercio está relacionado con un incremento en la demanda para el algodón en rama durante los primeras etapas de la industrialización catalana cuya satisfacción fue facilitada por las reformas introducidas en el sistema colonial hispánico.
La fiabilidad de la asignación geográfica en las estadísticas de comercio exterior: América Latina y el Caribe (1908–1930)
Authors: Carreras-Marín Anna , Badia-Miró Marc
Published: January 2010

The statistical accuracy of Historical Foreign Trade Sources has been stated by Federico and Tena (1991) and Tena (1985, 19991 y 1992). This article follows his works in the most suspect field: geographical distribution. We have use Latin American Coal Trade Data among 1908–1930. Most international trade, considering weight, was coal trade; meanwhile it is an ideal product to isolate geographical effects. Statistical disagreements persistence makes us to think this is not a random phenomenon. We have specified an econometric model based on distance. Results show that including geography we can understand statistical disagreements. As a consequence Latin American Sources appear reasonably accurate, considering its geographical pattern.
Women's Paid Work in an Urban Developing Economy. Barcelona in 1930
Authors: Domènech Jordi , Elu-Terán Alexander
Published: January 2010

In this paper we explore the determinants of women's work using data from Barcelona in 1930. Although participation rates were much lower in Barcelona than in cities in the UK or the US at roughly the same time, our estimates of the labour supply suggest women in Barcelona did respond to wage incentives. The most distinguishable feature of the household division of labour in Barcelona is the lack of substitution effects among family members, especially among women. The sensitivity of the participation of each individual woman to the participation of other members of the household might indicate that labour markets were highly segmented and anticipates the existence of large differences in household earnings and welfare. We argue that the persistence of labour-intensive methods of production requiring on-the-job training might explain the type of household division of labour that we find in Barcelona.
Ciclos de vida en empresas de servicios públicos. Las compañías norteamericanas y británicas de electricidad en Argentina, 1887–1950
Authors: Lanciotti Norma Silvana
Published: January 2010

During the first half of the 20th century, most electric utilities were owned by foreign companies in Latin America as well as in Argentina, where the electric system was managed by firms of different nationalities and types. After comparing the trajectories of the firms, the article explores the causes of the unsuccessful performance of the electric utilities managed by British and American companies in Argentina. The results show that the life-cycles of electric utility companies greatly diverged according to their style of management and financing, the entry into the market, and the level of capitalization and technology applied to electrical networks.
Globalization, de-industrialization and underdevelopment in the third world before the modern era
Authors: Williamson Jeffrey G.
Published: January 2010

Between 1810 and 1940, a large GDP per capita gap appeared between the industrial core and the poor periphery, the latter producing, increasingly, primary products. Over the same period, the terms of trade facing the periphery underwent a secular boom then bust, peaking in the 1870s or 1890s. These terms of trade trends appear to have been exogenous to the periphery. Additionally, the terms of trade facing the periphery exhibited relatively high volatility. Are these correlations spurious, or are they causal? This Figuerola Lecture, to be given at Carlos III University (Madrid), argues that they are causal, that secular growth and volatility in the terms of trade had asymmetric effects on core and periphery. On the upswing, the secular rise in its terms of trade had powerful de-industrialization effects in the periphery. Over the full cycle 1810–1940, terms of trade volatility suppressed accumulation and growth in the periphery as well.
La imagen económica de la España de Carlos III: Joseph Townsend, Alexander Jardine y los economistas españoles
Authors: Ramos Gorostiza José Luis
Published: January 2010

De entre todos los viajeros británicos que visitaron España en el siglo XVIII, Alexander Jardine y Joseph Townsend fueron los que realizaron los itinerarios más completos y los que más atención prestaron al análisis de la realidad socioe-conómica. En su identificación de los problemas económicos específicos coinci-den esencialmente con los ilustrados españoles, y particularmente con Campomanes, cuya obra toman como referente básico. Sin embargo, a la hora de enjuiciar la situación económica general, el sistema político y ciertas actitudes gubernamentales basadas aún en planteamientos mercantilistas, surgen discrepancias entre los viajeros y los ilustrados. El gradualismo reformista de estos últimos choca entonces con los planteamientos de transformación profunda del orden político y social que hacían los viajeros. Asimismo, el optimismo de los ilustrados respecto a las posibilidades de crecimiento de la economía española contrastaba con la negativa visión global de los viajeros.
Political Institutions and Economic Policy: rural renter legislation in Argentina, 1912–1942
Authors: Gallo Andrés
Published: January 2010

La importancia de las instituciones políticas en el crecimiento económico en países en desarrollo no ha sido adecuadamente estudiada. El desarrollo económico argentino hacia fines del siglo XIX y principios del XX se basó en la producción agropecuaria de exportación. La estructura de producción se sostuvo con un sistema generalizado de contratos de arrendamientos. Este artículo utiliza análisis espacial y regresiones logísticas para estudiar el rol del Congreso Nacional en dar forma al marco legal de dichos contratos para el período 1912–1943. La principal conclusión es que las reformas legislativas fueron un producto del funcionamiento de las instituciones políticas en el Congreso, que proveyeron de poder de veto a los Conservadores para suavizar las reformas propuestas por los Radicales. El fraude electoral en los años treinta detuvo el proceso reformista en el Congreso y dio paso a cambios más revolucionarios a partir de 1940.
Institutional change in industrial relations. Strike arbitration in Spain, 1880–1915
Authors: Domenech Jordi
Published: January 2010

Este artículo analiza los intentos por parte del estado español de ofre-cer un marco regulatorio para las relaciones industriales a principios del siglo XX. Se discute aquí que el conflicto principal se centraba en el reconocimiento de los sindicatos por parte de los propietarios de empresas, lo que hacía que cualquier acuerdo para finalizar huelgas en curso fuera muy inestable. Respondiendo a un movimiento obrero cada vez más activo, el Estado intentó regular las huelgas, pero sin embargo no se decidió a forzar a los empresarios a reconocer a los sindicatos. Esto dio pie a la formulación de un sistema transitorio que duró casi veinte años en el que el empresariado pedía constantemente al estado que garantizara la libertad de trabajo en las huelgas y el estado selectivamente desoía a los empresarios para forzarles a conceder algunas de las demandas de los trabajadores y evitar que los conflictos sociales adquirieran mayores proporciones. Se analiza con detalle el papel del estado en las huelgas y se muestra cómo la intervención de las autoridades —generalmente del gobernador civil— aseguraba la concesión de al menos algunas de las reclamaciones de los trabajadores. Finalmente, se argumenta que este equilibrio institucional generaba la radicalización y movilización de empresarios y trabajadores.

Palabras clave: relaciones industriales, huelgas, cambio institucional, Restauración, España
Stature in nineteenth-century Rio de Janeiro: preliminary evidence from prison records
Authors: Frank Zephyr
Published: January 2010

Esta análise sobre condições de vida no Rio de Janeiro, no século XIX, baseia-se em dados antropométricos e descritivos obtidos na documentação da Casa de Detenção. A pesquisa mostra que houve mudanças significativas nas alturas de presos ao longo do tempo e em função de sua cor e nacionalidade. Principalmente, houve um declínio na estatura de escravos, a partir dos nascidos nos anos 1830 e continuando ate os anos 1860, onde se interrompe o presente estudo. As diferenças entre escravos e homens livres por um lado, e entre brasileiros nativos no Rio de Janeiro e brasileiros nascidos fora da capital por outro lado, mostram que, além do declínio percebido na estatura dos escravos, houve também uma «penalidade urbana» na estatura, indicada pelo fato de serem os presos nascidos no Rio de Janeiro menos altos do que os outros presos brasileiros. Falta de alimentação, aumento no custo de vida em geral, transferência de escravos para fora da cidade depois de 1850, e epidemias urbanas eram fatores que influíam nas alturas dos presos.
La circulación de moneda en el Norte argentino después de la Independencia: el caso de Tucumán entre 1820 y 1850
Authors: Nicolini Esteban A. , Parolo María Paula
Published: January 2010

The study of monetary phenomena in Argentina between 1810 and 1850 is complicated by the lack of historical sources and the coexistence of various currencies. According to previous research, the north of the country and specially Tucumán have been strongly influenced by Bolivian monetary policy and its currency devaluation throught the issue of coins Know as «feble». However, so far, a quantitative analysis of the circulation of money in this region for this period does not exist. This article shows that probate inventories have a great potential for advancing the exploration of these issues and presents an analysis of all the inventories available for Tucumán between 1820 and 1850. With this information the demand for money for this period is estimated and we confirm that money in circulation would have become more abundant in the 1840s, the period of highest levels of issue of «feble» coins, but without an obvious break with previous decades.
Financiamiento e Inversión Pública en la Argentina en un Periodo de Transición, 1900–1935. Un Enfoque General y Dos Estudios de Caso
Authors: Regalsky Andrés Martín , Salerno Elena
Published: January 2010

Between 1900 and 1935, the Argentine economy experienced important changes. Strongly specialized at first in the exportation of primary goods to European markets, the economy gradually turned to import substitution for the internal market. This transition was accompanied by increases in the number and scope of the functions performed by the State. In this paper we approach this evolution with an analysis of public investment in two critical areas: railways and water and drainage works, both of which resulted in the formation of the first public enterprises. Other aspects of public finances are also examined here: the evolution and structure of tax collection and public debt, both of which experienced an ever increasing complexity and scope.
Initial value formalism for Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi collapse
Authors: Lasky P. D. , Lun A. W. C. , Burston R. B.
Published: January 2010

Formulating a dust-filled spherically symmetric metric utilizing the 3 + 1 formalism for general relativity, we show that the metric coefficients are completely determined by the matter distribution throughout the spacetime. Furthermore, the metric describes both inhomogeneous dust regions and also vacuum regions in a single coordinate patch, thus alleviating the need for complicated matching schemes at the interfaces. In this way, the system is established as an initial boundary value problem, which has many benefits for its numerical evolution. We show the dust part of the metric is equivalent to the class of Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) metrics under a coordinate transformation. In this coordinate system, shell crossing singularities (SCS) are exhibited as fluid shock waves, and we therefore discuss possibilities for the dynamical extension of shell crossings through the initial point of formation by borrowing methods from classical fluid dynamics. This paper fills a void in the present literature associated with these collapse models by fully developing the formalism in great detail. Furthermore, the applications provide examples of the benefits of the present model.
A note on the stability and the approximation of solutions for a Dirichlet problem with p(x)-Laplacian
Authors: Galewski Marek
Published: January 2010

We show the stability results and Galerkin-type approximations of solutions for a family of Dirichlet problems with nonlinearity satisfying some local growth conditions. 2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary 35A15; secondary 35B35, 65N30. Keywords and phrases: p(x)-Laplacian, duality, variational method, stability of solutions, Galerkin-type approximations.
Biorthogonal interpolatory multiscaling functions and corresponding multiwavelets
Authors: Shouzhi Yang
Published: January 2010

A method for constructing a pair of biorthogonal interpolatory multiscaling functions is given and an explicit formula for constructing the corresponding biorthogonal multiwavelets is obtained. A multiwavelet sampling theorem is also established. In addition, we improve the stability of the biorthogonal interpolatory multiwavelet frame by the linear combination of a pair of biorthogonal interpolatory multiwavelets. Finally, we give an example illustrating how to use our method to construct biorthogonal interpolatory multiscaling functions and corresponding multiwavelets.
Calculating the near field of a line of sources using Mellin transforms
Authors: Martin P. A.
Published: January 2010

In slender-body theories, one cften has to find asymptotic approximations for certain integrals, representing distribution:; of sources along a line segment. Here, such approximations are obtained by a systematic method that uses Mellin transforms. Results are given near the line (using cylindrical polar coordinates) and near the ends of the line segment (using spherical polar coordinates).
A comparative study of the direct boundary element method and the dual reciprocity boundary element method in solving the Helmholtz equation
Authors: Zhu Song-Ping , Zhang Yinglong
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we compare the direct boundary element method (BEM) and the dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) for solving the direct interior Helmholtz problem, in terms of their numerical accuracy and efficiency, as well as their applicability and reliability in the frequency domain. For BEM formulation, there are two possible choices for fundamental solutions, which can lead to quite different conclusions in terms of their reliability in the frequency domain. For DRBEM formulation, it is shown that although the DBREM can correctly predict eigenfrequencies even for higher modes, it fails to yield a reasonably accurate numerical solution for the problem when the frequency is higher than the first eigenfrequency. 2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary 65N38; secondary 35Q35. Keywords and phrases: the dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM), Helmholtz equation, irregular frequencies.
Some new results for the Lagrange polynomials in several variables
Authors: Chen Kung Yu , Liu Shouh Jung , Srivastava H. M.
Published: January 2010

In some recent investigations involving certain differential operators for a general family of Lagrange polynomials, Chan el al. encountered and proved a certain summation identity for the Lagrange polynomials in several variables. In the present paper, we derive some generalizations of this summation identity for the Chan-Chyan-Srivastava polynomials in several variables. We also discuss a number of interesting corollaries and consequences of our main results.
Inverse coefficient problems for nonlinear elliptic equations
Authors: Yang Runsheng , Ou Yunhua
Published: January 2010

This paper is devoted to a class of inverse coefficient problems for nonlinear elliptic equations. The unknown coefficient of the elliptic equations depends on the gradient of the solution and belongs to a set of admissible coefficients. It is shown that the nonlinear elliptic equations are uniquely solvable for the given class of coefficients. Proof of the existence of a quasisolution of the inverse problems is obtained.
A modified AOR-type iterative method for L-matrix linear systems
Authors: Wu Shiliang , Huang Tingzhu
Published: January 2010

Both Evans et al. and Li et al. have presented preconditioned methods for linear systems to improve the convergence rates of AOR-type iterative schemes. In this paper, we present a new preconditioner. Some comparison theorems on preconditioned iterative methods for solving L-matrix linear systems are presented. Comparison results and a numerical example show that convergence of the preconditioned Gauss-Seidel method is faster than that of the preconditioned AOR iterative method.
PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN AND WORK IN PRE-COLONIAL SOUTH INDIA
Authors: Ramaswamy Vijaya
Published: January 2010

Until a few decades ago, most labour histories did not bother to address women as workers in the domestic or public domain who contributed to a household income or the overall economy. Patriarchal spaces of historical discourse rendered women invisible (or effected distortions) that can only be contested by a rigorous study of women's unrecorded presence in the economy of the household and the broader domain of production. This article is an effort to understand the “being” and “doing” of women, and to map the interrelations of women and work over a vast historical span of time, beginning with women's writings on the theme of women and work and going on to plot women's agency historically in labour processes. In order to make the historical evidence more cohesive, it has been written with special reference to Peninsular India, while also drawing comparisons from the regions to the north of the Vindhya mountains that geographically and culturally mark the north–south divide.
THE PHILIPPINE CURRENCY SYSTEM DURING THE AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD: TRANSFORMATION FROM THE GOLD EXCHANGE STANDARD TO THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE STANDARD
Authors: Nagano Yoshiko
Published: January 2010

This article describes the transformation of the Philippine currency system from a gold exchange standard to a dollar exchange standard during the first half of the twentieth century. During the American colonial period, Philippine foreign trade was closely bound to the United States. In terms of domestic investment, however, it was domestic Filipino or Spanish entrepreneurs and landowners who dominated primary commodity production in the Philippines, rather than American investors. How were both this US-dependent trade structure and the unique production structure of domestic primary commodities reflected in the management of the Philippine currency system? To answer this question, this article first discusses the introduction of the gold standard system in the Philippines in the early twentieth century. Second, the de facto conversion of the Philippine currency system from the gold standard to the dollar exchange standard in the 1920s is described, together with the mismanagement of the currency reserves and the debacle of the Philippine National Bank that functioned as the government depository of the currency reserves in the United States. Third, the formal introduction of the dollar exchange standard during the Great Depression is outlined, a clear example of the dependency of the Philippine currency system on the US in the 1930s.
Linearity of DMS transfer coefficient with both friction velocity and wind speed in the moderate wind speed range
Authors: Huebert B. J. , Blomquist B. W. , Yang M. X. , Archer S. D. , Nightingale P. D. , Yelland M. J. , Stephens J. , Pascal R. W. , Moat B. I.
Published: January 2010

In many air‐sea gas exchange parameterizations, wind speed is the sole environmental controlling factor for exchange velocity, k. Here we examine also the role of friction velocity (u*) in the mid‐range of wind speeds, using data from the 2007 Deep Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment. We measured dimethyl sulfide (DMS) fluxes and divided these by the interfacial concentration difference, ΔCDMS, to derive k. Computed ks are sensitive to spatial gradients in seawater DMS concentration (DMSw). A linear function with either u* or U10N (wind speed) explains 87% of the variance in k. Lower and higher winds will have different physics and curvature in transitions between ranges. This linearity demonstrates that a simple physical model of wind‐driven stirring is sufficient for DMS in the wind speed range U10N = 4–12 m/s. A non‐linear relationship to wind speed would be superfluous and obscures the physics.
Different impacts of two kinds of Pacific Ocean warming on tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific
Authors: Chen Guanghua , Tam Chi‐Yung
Published: January 2010

The present study examines the relationship of ENSO Modoki and canonical ENSO, respectively, with the tropical cyclone (TC) frequency over the western North Pacific (WNP) for the period 1960–2008. The TC frequency is significantly positively correlated with ENSO Modoki index. The Niño‐3 index has a markedly negative (positive) correlation with the TC frequency in the northern (southeastern) portion of the WNP. In response to heating source related to El Niño Modoki, a large‐scale cyclonic anomaly forms over the WNP. In contrast, during the canonical El Niño years, zonally‐elongated heating source and sink exhibit a meridional dipole pattern, which induces an anticyclonic anomaly in the subtropics and a cyclonic anomaly near the equatorial central Pacific. Numerical experiments under the realistic mean state and heating profiles validate that the anomalous circulation responses to heating play essential roles in different modulations of two kinds of Pacific Ocean warming on the TC frequency.
Relativistic runaway breakdown in low‐frequency radio
Authors: Füllekrug Martin , Roussel‐Dupré Robert , Symbalisty Eugene M. D. , Chanrion Olivier , Odzimek Anna , van der Velde Oscar , Neubert Torsten
Published: January 2010

The electromagnetic radiation emitted by an electron avalanche beam resulting from relativistic runaway breakdown within the Earth's atmosphere is investigated. It is found from theoretical modeling with a computer simulation that the electron beam emits electromagnetic radiation which is characterized by consecutive broadband pulses in the low‐frequency radio range from ∼10 to 300 kHz at a distance of ∼800 km. Experimental evidence for the existence of consecutive broadband pulses is provided by low‐frequency radio observations of sprite‐producing lightning discharges at a distance of ∼550 km. The measured broadband pulses occur ∼4–9 ms after the sprite‐producing lightning discharge, they exhibit electromagnetic radiation which mainly spans the frequency range from ∼50 to 350 kHz, and they exhibit complex waveforms without the typical ionospheric reflection of the first hop sky wave. Two consecutive pulses occur ∼4.5 ms and ∼3 ms after the causative lightning discharge and coincide with the sprite luminosity. It is concluded that relativistic runaway breakdown within the Earth's atmosphere can emit broadband electromagnetic pulses and possibly generates sprites. The source location of the broadband pulses can be determined with an interferometric network of wideband low‐frequency radio receivers to lend further experimental support to the relativistic runaway breakdown theory.
Madden‐Julian Oscillation and sea level: Local and remote forcing
Authors: Oliver E. C. J. , Thompson K. R.
Published: January 2010

The Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) is the dominant mode of atmospheric variability in the tropical atmosphere on intraseasonal time scales (i.e., weeks to seasons). This study examines the connection between the MJO and global sea level measured by altimeters over the last 17 years. We first identify regions exhibiting a significant (both statistical and practical) relationship between sea level and the MJO. The first region consists of the equatorial Pacific and western coastal zones of North and South America. Consistent with previous studies, we identify wind‐driven equatorially trapped Kelvin waves that propagate eastward along the equatorial Pacific and then transform into coastal trapped waves that propagate poleward along the western coasts of North and South America. The second region includes the shallow waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria (off Australia's north coast) and the adjacent Arafura and Timor seas. Setup by onshore winds is shown to be the dominant physical process. Finally, the northeastern Indian Ocean is shown to be a complex region involving a combination of equatorially trapped Kelvin waves, coastal trapped waves, and westward‐propagating Rossby waves exhibiting characteristics of both local and remote forcing. The implications of the results for deep and coastal ocean forecasting are discussed.
H2S transiently blocks IL‐6 expression in rheumatoid arthritic fibroblast‐like synoviocytes and deactivates p44/42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Kloesch Burkhard , Liszt Melissa , Broell Johann
Published: January 2010

Sulfur bath therapy represents the oldest form of treatment for patients with different types of rheumatic disorders. However, scientific reports about the beneficial effects of this form of therapy are controversial, rare and of poor scientific quality. Also, little is known about the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of H2S. Therefore, this topic encouraged us to investigate the influence of H2S on fibroblasts isolated from the synovial membrane of RA (rheumatoid arthritis) patients. FLSs (fibroblast‐like synoviocytes) were treated with different concentrations of an exogenous H2S donor (NaHS). At defined time points, secretion of IL‐6 was quantified by ELISA. Activation/deactivation of MAPKs (mitogen‐activated protein kinases), p38 and p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) were confirmed by Western blot experiments. FLSs constitutively express and secrete large quantities of IL‐6 and IL‐8. Data provided prove that, in FLSs, constitutive as well as IL‐1β‐induced expression of IL‐6 is transiently and partially down‐regulated by the short treatment of cells with low concentrations of NaHS. Another key finding is that H2S deactivates p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2). Long‐term exposure of FLSs to H2S provides stimulatory effects, leading to reinforced activation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 accompanied by upregulation of IL‐6 expression. Presented data seem of importance for studying (patho‐) physiological functions of H2S and also for re‐evaluating sulfur spa therapy as one of the oldest forms of therapy for rheumatic disorders.
Reduced nephron endowment due to fetal uninephrectomy impairs renal sodium handling in male sheep
Authors: Singh Reetu R. , Denton Kate M. , Bertram John F. , Jefferies Andrew J. , Moritz Karen M.
Published: January 2010

Reduced nephron endowment is associated with development of renal and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized this may be attributable to impaired sodium homoeostasis by the remaining nephrons. The present study investigated whether a nephron deficit, induced by fetal uninephrectomy at 100 days gestation (term=150 days), resulted in (i) altered renal sodium handling both under basal conditions and in response to an acute 0.9% saline load (50 ml·kg−1 of body weight·30 min−1); (ii) hypertension and (iii) altered expression of renal channels/transporters in male sheep at 6 months of age. Uninephrectomized animals had significantly elevated arterial pressure (90.1±1.6 compared with 77.8±2.9 mmHg; P<0.001), while glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow (per g of kidney weight) were 30% lower than that of the sham animals. Total kidney weight was similar between the groups. Renal gene expression of apical NHE3 (type 3 Na+/H+ exchanger), ENaC (epithelium Na+ channel) β and γ subunits and basolateral Na+/K+ ATPase β and γ subunits were significantly elevated in uninephrectomized animals, while ENaC α subunit expression was reduced. Urine flow rate and sodium excretion increased in both groups in response to salt loading, but this increase in sodium excretion was delayed by approximately 90 min in the uninephrectomized animals, while total sodium output was 12% in excess of the infused load (P<0.05). In conclusion, the present study shows that animals with a congenital nephron deficit have alterations in tubular sodium channels/transporters and cannot rapidly correct for variations in sodium intake probably contributing to the development of hypertension. This suggests that people born with a nephron deficit should be monitored for early signs of renal and cardiovascular disease.
The Peruvian Implementation of the US-Peru FTA: A Model for the World with Room for Improvement
Authors: Jorge María F.
Published: January 2010

Under the Democratic controlled Congress, the leadership of the Ways and Means Committee of the United States House of Representatives led the renegotiation of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between the United States and Peru, Colombia and Panama reaching a better balance between the protection of intellectual property IP rights and access to medicines. The US-Peru FTA was the only one of the three agreements that has been ratified so far by the congresses of both countries, and Peru is the only country of the three that has implemented the New Trade Policy in its national laws. The article analyzes the final text of the FTA vis à vis the implementation performed by the Peruvian government. A careful review of the agreement shows that the government of Peru took advantage of many of the improvements of the renegotiation done by the Ways and Means Committee seeking to ensure access to affordable medicines while fully respecting the FTA. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement in this implementation. Countries changing their IP laws should analyze the Peruvian example and learn from it.
Impact of the Australia—US Free Trade Agreement on Australian Medicines Regulation and Prices
Authors: Faunce Thomas , Bai Jimmy , Nguyen Duy
Published: January 2010

The Australia—United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) came into force on 1 January 2005. Before and subsequently to the AUSFTA being concluded, controversy surrounded the debate over its impact on Australia's health policy, specifically on regulation of pharmaceutical patents and Australia's cost-effectiveness system relating to prescription medicine prices known as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This article examines the expectations of both parties in the pharmaceutical sector with regard to the AUSFTA, as well as how successfully they were achieved. It seeks to analyse important relevant outcomes for regulators, the public and pharmaceutical industry, as well as lessons about how trade negotiations relating to health and medicines policy should be approached in future. To investigate whether AUSFTA-related regulatory changes may lead to higher medicines prices in Australia, we looked at recent PBS Public Summary Documents to discover examples of PBS-approved FI (patented) drugs, over the period from July 2008 until June 2009, that failed to establish cost-effectiveness over F2 (generic) comparators (with mandated price cuts) and were thence cost-minimised. This period was chosen because the major price effects of the potentially AUSFTA-related National Health Amendment ( Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme) Act 2007 (Cth) came into effect from August 2008.