bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial arrangement affects population dynamics and competition independent of community composition
Authors: Hart Simon P. , Marshall Dustin J.
Published: June 2009

Theory suggests that the spatial context within which species interactions occur will have major implications for the outcome of competition and ultimately, coexistence, but empirical tests are rare. This is surprising given that individuals of species in real communities are typically distributed nonrandomly in space. Nonrandom spatial arrangement has the potential to modify the relative strength of intra‐ and interspecific competition by changing the ratio of conspecific to heterospecific competitive encounters, particularly among sessile species where interactions among individuals occur on local scales. Here we test the influence of aggregated and random spatial arrangements on population trajectories of competing species in benthic, marine, sessile‐invertebrate assemblages. We show that the spatial arrangement of competing species in simple assemblages has a strong effect on species performance: when conspecifics are aggregated, strong competitors perform poorly and weaker competitors perform better. The effect of specific spatial arrangements depends on species identity but is also strongly context dependent. When there are large differences in species competitive ability, aggregated spatial arrangements can slow competitive exclusion, and so nonrandom spatial arrangement can work synergistically with other trade‐off based mechanisms to facilitate coexistence.
Energy forest irrigated with wastewater: a comparative microbial risk assessment
Authors: Carlander A. , Schönning C. , Stenström T. A.
Published: June 2009

In this study, risks for human infection associated with irrigation of municipal wastewater on short rotation willow coppice (Salix) were evaluated in three countries. The aim was also to determine the reduction of indicator organisms and pathogens in the treatment plants. Two of the field sites were chosen for further evaluation by QMRA (quantitative microbial risk assessment) applied to three scenarios: accidental ingestions of wastewater, exposure to aerosols and ingestion of groundwater. The risks of infection for bacteria (Salmonella), virus (rotavirus) and protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) were characterised as probability of infections per exposure and number of infections per year.

The highest risk for infection was associated with exposure to rotavirus in Culmore (Northern Ireland), by either accidental ingestion of wastewater or ingestion of groundwater (Pinf 8 × 10−1). For Kvidinge (Sweden) the risk for virus infection by ingestion of wastewater were in the same range (Pinf 7 × 10−1). The risk for Giardia infection differed between the two sites due to differences in concentration of this pathogen in the wastewater. The groundwater was found to have suffered faecal contamination due to the wastewater irrigation. Use of partially treated wastewater for irrigation of energy crops could be a sustainable option if site-specific recommendations are developed.
Environmental risk factors for diarrhoea among male schoolchildren in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Mansour A. , Bentham Graham , Hunter Paul R.
Published: June 2009

Diarrhoeal disease is still one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity of children in developing countries. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among male schoolchildren in Jeddah and to identify the associated risk factors, especially those related to drinking water and sanitation disposal. This cross-sectional study was conducted randomly where self-administered questionnaires were issued to parents through the schools. The data were collected from 1,064 respondents indicating that 14.9% of the children had diarrhoea during the previous month. The main risk factors were: the number of children under five years living in the same house (OR per child 1.34, 95% confidence intervals 1.15–1.56), being of Saudi nationality (OR 1.75, 1.08–2.84), reporting sewage spillage near the home (OR 1.69, 1.14–2.53), eating out after school hours (OR 1.74, 1.16–2.60), not drying hands after washing them (OR 1.66, 1.10–2.51), using reusable cloths or sponges to dry dishes (OR 1.70, 1.14–2.52).
Of taps and toilets: quasi-experimental protocol for evaluating community-demand-driven projects
Authors: Pattanayak Subhrendu K. , Poulos Christine , Yang Jui-Chen , Patil Sumeet R. , Wendland Kelly J.
Published: June 2009

Sustainable and equitable access to safe water and adequate sanitation are widely acknowledged as vital, yet neglected, development goals. Water supply and sanitation (WSS) policies are justified because of the usual efficiency criteria, but also major equity concerns. Yet, to date there are few scientific impact evaluations showing that WSS policies are effective in delivering social welfare outcomes. This lack of an evaluation culture is partly because WSS policies are characterized by diverse mechanisms, broad goals and the increasing importance of decentralized delivery, and partly because programme administrators are unaware of appropriate methods. We describe a protocol for a quasi-experimental evaluation of a community-demand-driven programme for water and sanitation in rural India, which addresses several evaluation challenges. After briefly reviewing policy and implementation issues in the sector, we describe key features of our protocol, including control group identification, pre-post measurement, programme theory, sample sufficiency and robust indicators. At its core, our protocol proposes to combine propensity score matching and difference-in-difference estimation. We conclude by briefly summarizing how quasi-experimental impact evaluations can address key issues in WSS policy design and when such evaluations are needed.
Implementation of the WHO guidelines for the safe use of wastewater in Pakistan: balancing risks and benefits
Authors: Ensink Jeroen H. J. , van der Hoek Wim
Published: June 2009

The use of wastewater in agriculture is receiving renewed attention as a result of increasing global water scarcity. Wastewater use potentially poses a risk to public health if not properly managed. In Pakistan the use of wastewater in agriculture is already common, though in most cases its use is unregulated and wastewater untreated. In a four year study in Faisalabad, Pakistan, the risks and benefits of the use of untreated wastewater in agriculture were assessed. The study found an increased risk of intestinal disease in wastewater farmers but also found major financial and nutritional benefits for farmers and consumers in the city of Faisalabad. This paper presents a policy approach for the implementation of the WHO guidelines for the safe use of wastewater in agriculture in Pakistan.
An evaluation of methods for the isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from surface waters in the Grand River watershed
Authors: Cheyne Bo M. , Van Dyke Michele I. , Anderson William B. , Huck Peter M.
Published: June 2009

Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen, but the importance of water as a route of exposure for human infection is not well known. Y. enterocolitica isolation methods were developed primarily for food and clinical samples, and may not be effective for use with environmental samples. The objective of this study was to assess the recovery of Y. enterocolitica from surface water used for drinking water treatment. Four enrichment broths and an alkaline treatment protocol were compared for the isolation of Y. enterocolitica bioserogroup 4/O:3 spiked into surface water samples. Results showed that the methods tested were not effective for the recovery of Y. enterocolitica, primarily due to inadequate inhibition of interfering background microorganisms. Using one method that showed the most potential for recovery, Yersinia spp. were isolated from rivers in southwestern Ontario, Canada, over a 17-month period. Of 200 samples analysed, Yersinia spp. were isolated from 52 samples. All river isolates belonged to non-pathogenic sub-groups, including Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, Y. aldovae, Y. bercovieri, Y. frederiksenii, Y. intermedia, Y. kristensenii and Y. mollaretii. Results of this study show that method improvements are required to more fully understand the role of water as a source of clinically important Yersinia strains.
Population dynamics and genetic variability of Escherichia coli in a mixed land-use watershed
Authors: Udenika Wijesinghe R. , Feng Yucheng , Wesley Wood C. , Stoeckel Donald M. , Shaw Joey N.
Published: June 2009

Better understanding of Escherichia coli population dynamics and genetic variability in the secondary habitat is essential to improve fecal contamination monitoring and contamination pathway characterization. In this study, water samples were collected monthly over a one-year period at eight locations in the Catoma Creek watershed, a mixed land-use watershed in Central Alabama. E. coli concentrations varied from 17 to 12,650 CFU/100 ml and were well correlated with stream flow rates. Repetitive sequence-based PCR DNA fingerprinting was used to generate 271 unique DNA fingerprint patterns from 502 E. coli isolated from water samples. Cluster analysis showed an overall similarity of 32.8% across all DNA fingerprints. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that E. coli genotypes had a tendency to cluster according to season and stream flow rather than sampling sites. MANOVA of a subset of data within a given season and flow rate, however, revealed some geographical differentiation between urban and rural sampling sites. The results indicate that genetic diversity of E. coli populations was not only high in the secondary habitat but also varied with season, flow conditions and, to a lesser extent, sampling location. To our knowledge, this is the first report relating E. coli genotype to stream flow.
Retraction Notice: An Outlook on Ovarian Cancer and Borderline Ovarian Tumors: Focus on Genomic and Proteomic Findings
Authors: Tinelli Andrea , Vergara Daniele , Martignago Roberta , Leo Giuseppe , Pisanò Maurizio , Malvasi Antonio
Published: June 2009

The above article is a plagiarized version of another article entitled “Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers: A Focus on Genomic and Proteomic Findings, 2007 Aug; 8(5): 335–342” written by the same authors and published in “Current Genomics”. Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for not detecting this omission during the publishing process.

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The Call of the Wild: Zookeepers, Callings, and the Double-edged Sword of Deeply Meaningful Work
Authors: Bunderson J. Stuart , Thompson Jeffery A.
Published: June 2009

A qualitative examination of work meaning in the zoo-keeping profession pointed to the centrality of the notion of work as a personal calling. The view of calling expressed by zookeepers, however, was closer in basic structure to the classical conceptualization of the Protestant reformers than it was to more recent formulations. We used qualitative data from interviews with U.S. zookeepers to develop hypotheses about the implications of this neoclassical conceptualization of calling for the relationship between individuals and their work. We found that a neoclassical calling is both binding and ennobling. On one hand, zookeepers with a sense of calling strongly identified with and found broader meaning and significance in their work and occupation. On the other hand, they were more likely to see their work as a moral duty, to sacrifice pay, personal time, and comfort for their work, and to hold their zoo to a higher standard. Results of a survey of zookeepers from 157 different zoos in the U.S. and Canada supported the hypotheses from our emergent theory. These results reveal the ways in which deeply meaningful work can become a double-edged sword.
Regret in Later Life: Exploring Relationships between Regret Frequency, Secondary Interpretive Control Beliefs, and Health in Older Individuals
Authors: Newall Nancy E. , Chipperfield Judith G. , Daniels Lia M. , Hladkyj Steven , Perry Raymond P.
Published: June 2009

The present study examined what older people regret, and the relationships between regret, health and life satisfaction. The study also explored the role of secondary interpretive control beliefs in relation to regret. Participants ( N = 228; 79–98 years old) were asked to report on the content and frequency of their regret, secondary interpretive control beliefs (e.g., beliefs in finding the “silver lining” in a dark cloud), health, and life satisfaction. A content analysis revealed that participants most commonly reported feeling regret due to things they had not done, the death of a loved one, and their own or others' health problems. Regression analyses indicated that experiencing regret more frequently was associated with poorer health and life satisfaction. Moreover, evidence for an emotion-modifying role of secondary interpretive control beliefs was shown through its negative association with regret. Results suggest that older adults may be experiencing age-related regrets that differ in content from those experienced at younger ages and that certain control beliefs may serve to lessen regret.
Age Differences in Responses to Conflict in the Workplace
Authors: Davis Mark H. , Kraus Linda A. , Capobianco Sal
Published: June 2009

Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) has been used successfully to explain age differences in interpersonal conflict behavior: older adults are generally less likely to engage in destructive responses, and more likely to employ nonconfrontational ones. However, this research has focused almost exclusively on conflict with intimates (spouses, family, friends), and has typically not examined conflict in the workplace. The present investigation uses behavior ratings made by bosses, peers, and subordinates of 2513 working adults to examine the association between age and workplace conflict behavior; more specifically, it tests three hypotheses generated from socioemotional selectivity theory. Consistent with predictions, raters generally agreed that older working adults were more likely to engage in nonconfrontational responses (yielding, delaying responding); also as expected, older and younger respondents did not consistently differ in their efforts to constructively solve conflict. Unexpectedly, little evidence was found that older adults engage in less active destructive behavior.
Building Tools for Identifying Local Variability and Cultural Patterns: A Digital Ceramic Attribute Analysis
Authors: Labrador Angela M.
Published: June 2009

Recent studies of Northeast Algonquin cultures emphasize variation on the local level and position individuals as agents operating within—but not inescapably constrained by—a worldview. This welcome theoretical focus in Northeast studies presents a particular dilemma to the treatment of archaeological datasets. How can archaeologists structure and quantify data in ways that remain sensitive to local change and agency while simultaneously allowing for recognition of cultural tradition across space and time? This article documents the process of building a digital model and Web-based tool for archiving and analyzing ceramic attribute datasets using current theories in the field of Knowledge Discovery. Modeling and automating a manual laboratory process offers many lessons in the limits of statistical tools, the challenges of relational data schemas, and the continuing potential for computerized tools in archaeology.
Woodland Adaptations at the Vergennes Substation (VT-AD-1474), a Native American Site, Vergennes, Vermont
Authors: Donta Christopher , Medina Antonio
Published: June 2009

The University of Massachusetts identified, evaluated, and completed a data recovery survey in 2006 and 2007 of the Vergennes Substation site in advance of construction of an electrical substation. The excavations documented a series of lithic work areas and 1 burn episode in association with several postmolds and over 14,000 lithic artifacts. Levanna projectile points predominate the diagnostic artifacts, which also include a Meadowood perforator. The site is interpreted as representing a hunting camp with ongoing tool reworking. The project highlights the dangers of writing off a site in CRM contexts based on limited Phase I finds, as well as the amount of information that can be gathered from primarily plow zone contexts, using tight sampling procedures.
Moving beyond the Reduction Stage in Debitage Analysis, with a Little Help from the Pot Sherd
Authors: Rinehart Niels R.
Published: June 2009

The two central goals of identifying stages of reduction and type of tool industry limit the potential of debitage analysis. The vocabulary we typically use to answer these two central goals prevents us from asking questions beyond these two goals. Assemblages that do not readily answer these goals are determined to be mixed. The problem is that the mixture may, in some cases, actually be finer grades of variation than we are able to see because of our limited goals and typologies. In this article I discuss the concept of choice in archaeology and how its interpretation in the analysis of pottery might guide us in the development of more nuanced approaches to interpreting assemblages of debitage. These approaches might lead us beyond the ecological functionalism that typically shapes our interpretations of choice in lithic production. In this way, debitage, the most common artifact type at pre-Contact sites in the Northeast, may play a more important role in the creation of a richer understanding of the past.
Artisan Choices and Technology in Native American Pottery Production
Authors: Stewart R. Michael , Pevarnik George
Published: June 2009

Clay sources of potential use to Indian potters in the Middle and Lower Delaware Valley of the Middle Atlantic Region (eastern United States) are extensive and varied. Single massive exposures often contain clays of variable colors, although all seem workable, and laboratory experiments show that upon firing, color differences between these clays are discernible. Evidence from Late Woodland (post A.D. 800) archaeological sites in the valley show that certain of these clays are more frequently used by ancient potters than others, with clays that fire white to tan being rarely employed, but concentrated at a small number of sites. Particle size, petrographic thin section, and Instrumental Neutron Activation analyses are used to examine the nature of clays, archaeological sherds, experimental briquettes, and pots. Firing temperatures are estimated by refiring archaeological sherds at controlled intervals in an electric kiln. Technological and cultural factors that might explain the clay selection process and the distribution of white clay pots are explored.
Post-Death Encounters: Grieving, Mourning, and Healing
Authors: Nowatzki Nadine R. , Kalischuk Ruth Grant
Published: June 2009

Historical accounts and previous research have shown that bereaved individuals often report seeing, hearing, or feeling the presence of the deceased. We examined such encounters in the context of the grieving, mourning, and healing processes. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 individuals who reported a post-death encounter following the death of a loved one. Phenomenological analysis showed that participants went through an interpretive process in which they attempted to make sense of their experiences. The encounters profoundly affected the participants' beliefs in an afterlife and attitudes toward life and death, and had a significant impact on their grief. Finally, post-death encounters had a healing effect on the participants by contributing to a sense of connectedness with the deceased. We conclude that health care professionals and counselors should be educated about post-death encounters so that the bereaved can share their experiences in a supportive and understanding atmosphere.
Muscogee Creek Spirituality and Meaning of Death
Authors: Walker Andrea C. , Thompson Tim
Published: June 2009

This qualitative, collective case study involves interviews with 27 members of the Muscogee Creek Tribe to explore spirituality as related to death and bereavement. Results yielded that Creeks are generally open to the existence of inexplicable supernatural events. Creek spirituality encompasses awareness of spiritual beings, both good and bad. Participants believed that spirits exist alongside people and can send and receive messages from people to guide and inform them. Creeks have ongoing, though not constant, relationships with loved ones and others who have died. Spiritual attunement can occur at every point in the life cycle but seems to be especially astute in children and animals. Results are discussed in terms of continuing bonds and meaning making perspectives.
The Important Role of the School following Suicide in Norway. What Support Do Young People Wish That School Could Provide?
Authors: Dyregrov Kari
Published: June 2009

Little knowledge has been documented on the experiences of young suicide survivors, how they are coping with schooling and what kind of support they think they need. Thirty-two adolescents who had lost a close family member or friend by suicide participated in a research project by filling in questionnaires and participating in focus group interviews. The article explores the young people's experiences with and wishes for help from the school, including teachers and school nurses. The results show that the young people struggle with concentration and learning new material. Although many are satisfied with care and support while at school, the young bereaved do not receive all the assistance they wish for and need. In order to adequately support young suicide survivors to continue schooling, it is worth listening to their opinions about how they may be approached.
Flexibility Analysis in Flowsheet Simulation of Solids Processes
Authors: Schwier Daniel , Hartge Ernst-Ulrich , Werther Joachim , Gruhn Guenter
Published: June 2009

This paper proposes a method for the flexibility analysis in flowsheet simulation of solid processes. It provides the evaluation of a process with varying independent variables in terms of acceptance regarding the process demands. The existence of control variables for the operation of the process is considered as well as processes without this potential. The result is a plain information about the capability of the process to handle varying independent influencing variables. The method gives an approximation of the largest inscribed block-shaped volume within the solution space, spanned by the vector of the independent variables. So that for each variable, a range is given for which an allowed operating point can be achieved. The method is applied to a soil-washing process as an important example in the field of solids processes.
Debt-for-development Exchanges: The Origins of a Financial Technique
Authors: Buckley Ross
Published: June 2009

Debt-for-development exchanges grew out of debt-equity exchanges and now include debt-for-nature, debt-for-education and debt2health exchanges, among other variants. This history and analysis of the evolution of this idea sheds considerable light upon the technique and allows a more nuanced appreciation of it.
Microtitrimetric determination of a drug content of pharmaceuticals containing olanzapine in non-aqueous medium
Authors: Basavaiah Kanakapura , Rajendraprasad Nagaraju , Vinay Basavaiah
Published: June 2009

Two simple, rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods based on titrimetry in non-aqueous medium are described for the determination of olanzapine in pharmaceuticals. In these methods, the drug dissolved in the glacial acetic acid was titrated with the acetous perchloric acid with visual and potentiometric end point detection, crystal violet being used as the indicator for visual titration. The methods are applicable over 1-15 mg range of olanzapine. The procedures were applied to determine olanzapine in pharmaceutical products and the results were found to be in a good agreement with those obtained by the reference method. Associated pharmaceutical materials did not interfere. The precision results, expressed by inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviation values, were satisfactory, higher than 2%. The accuracy was satisfactory as well. The methods proved to be suitable for the analysis of olanzapine in bulk drug and in tablets. The accuracy and reliability of the methods were further ascertained by recovery studies via a standard addition technique with percent recoveries in the range 97.51-103.7% with a standard deviation of less than 2%.
Investigation of operating conditions for soil remediation by subcritical water
Authors: Soltanali Saeed , Hagani Shams , Rouzbahani Venous
Published: June 2009

The aim of the present research is to investigate the application of subcritical water to naphthalene removal from soils. The extraction curves obtained show no clear patterns relating the operating conditions to the extraction time. This is mainly due to anomalies that occurred during some extraction runs. The analysis of the results shows an extraction time rather constant as function of the operating conditions (pressure, temperature, and mass flow). The extraction efficiency, on the other hand, is found to increase at higher hot water flows and lower temperatures, while no dependence is recorded from the pressure or the density. The data interpretation suggests that the film transfer resistance is the extraction rate limiting factor in the flow range considered. Finally, the relationships between the extraction efficiency and the operating conditions, together with the non-achievement of 100% efficiency, seems to confirm some authors' theory on the resistance to desorption due to the presence in the soil of 'resistant' and slowly desorbing fractions, constituted by immobile fluid in pores.
Artificial neural network model with the parameter tuning assisted by a differential evolution technique: The study of the hold up of the slurry flow in a pipeline
Authors: Lahiri S.K. , Ghanta K.C.
Published: June 2009

This paper describes a robust hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) methodology which can offer a superior performance for the important process engineering problems. The method incorporates a hybrid artificial neural network and differential evolution technique (ANN-DE) for the efficient tuning of ANN meta parameters. The algorithm has been applied for the prediction of the hold up of the solid liquid slurry flow. A comparison with selected correlations in the literature showed that the developed ANN correlation noticeably improved the prediction of hold up over a wide range of operating conditions, physical properties, and pipe diameters.
Molecular interaction studies of the volumetric behavior of binary liquid mixtures containing alcohols
Authors: Djordjevic Bojan , Radovic Ivona , Kijevcanin Mirjana , Tasic Aleksandar , Serbanovic Slobodan
Published: June 2009

An attempt has been made to relate the volumetric effects involved in the binary mixtures of normal and branched alcohols and various components (aromatics, halo and nitroaromatics and haloaliphatics) with the molecular interactions of unlike molecules. This review is a condensation of research activities developed in recent years as results of a better understanding of volumetric behavior and a stronger insight into the complex structure of those mixtures. The influence of important contributions of a physical, chemical and geometrical nature that change excess molar volume, VE (positive, sigmoidal, negative) is considered and explained in detail. It appears that the balance between these contributions is quite sensitive to the behavior of the alcohol molecules in contact with the chosen compounds.
A mechanistic investigation of the oxidation of N,α-diphenylnitrones by dichloramine-T in aqueous acetonitrile medium - a non-linear Hammett plot
Authors: Manivarman S. , Rajarajan G. , Manikandan G. , Sekar M. , Jayabharathi J. , Thanikachalam V.
Published: June 2009

The kinetics of oxidation of a number of meta- and para-substituted N,?-diphenylnitrones (nitrone) by dichloramine-T (DCT) was investigated in the presence of alkali in aqueous acetonitrile medium. The order with respect to DCT was one and to OH- an inverse fractional order. The reaction was first order with respect to nitrone. Both electron releasing and withdrawing substituents suppress the reaction rate. The observed rate constant for the substituents were plotted against the Hammett constant, ?, and a non-linear concave downward curve was obtained. The electron withdrawing substituents fall on one side of the curve, having a negative ? value and the electron releasing substituents fall on the other side, with a positive ? value. A mechanism is proposed and the derived rate law is in conformity with the observed results.
Effects of various nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on AlCl3-induced neuronal injury in rats
Authors: Stevanovic Ivana , Jovanovic Marina , Jelenkovic Ankica , Colic Miodrag , Ninkovic Milica
Published: June 2009

The present study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors: N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, 7-nitroindazole and aminoguanidine in modulating the toxicity of AlCl3 on superoxide production and the malondialdehyde concentration of Wistar rats. The animals were sacrificed 10 min and 3 days after the treatment and the forebrain cortex was removed. The results show that AlCl3 exposure promotes oxidative stress in different neural areas. The biochemical changes observed in the neuronal tissues show that aluminum acts as pro-oxidant, while NOS inhibitors exert an anti-oxidant action in AlCl3-treated animals.
Verifying the PCP-rule by five-center bond indices
Authors: Djurdjevic Jelena , Gutman Ivan , Ponec Robert
Published: June 2009

According to the recently discovered PCP-rule, the (stabilizing) energy- effect of the cyclic conjugation in the 5-membered ring of acenaphthyleneand fluoranthene-type polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons increases with the number of phenyl-cyclopentadienyl (PCP) fragments present in the molecule. It is now shown that the validity of the PCP-rule is also supported by the 5-center bond indices, an independent quantitative theoretical measure of cyclic conjugation in 5-membered rings.
Human trafficking and legalized prostitution in the Netherlands
Authors: Siegel Dina
Published: June 2009

On 1 October 2000, the Netherlands became the first European country to legalize prostitution as a profession, with its rights and duties. On the other hand, this new Dutch law excluded those sex workers, who come from outside the EU. The majority of women working in the sex industry, who are considered illegal migrants in the Netherlands, had two choices: either leaving the country or disappearing into the illegal criminal circuit. For law enforcement and assistant services, it became extremely difficult to control the sector. In this paper, the consequences of the 'Brothel Law' are presented. What happens with illegal non-European sex workers in the Netherlands, how the problem of human trafficking is constructed in Dutch media and combated in the country, what could be learned from the 'Dutch case'? The paper aims to answer these questions and contribute to the general study on human trafficking and voluntary prostitution in Europe.
Anthropology of sexual exploitation
Authors: Lalic Velibor , Kesetovic Zelimir
Published: June 2009

In this paper, the authors observe sexual exploitation from an anthropological perspective. They analyze the rational, ethical, emotional and mythological dimensions of human sexuality. Consequently, after setting the phenomenon in a social and historical context, sexual exploitation is closely observed in the contemporary age. Based on thoughts of relevant thinkers, they make the conclusion that the elimination of sexual exploitation is not an utterly legal issue, but political and economical issues as well. Namely, legal norms are not sufficient to overcome sexual exploitation, but, political and economical relationships in contemporary societies, which will be based on sincere equal opportunities must be established.
Different families, same love: Challenges of the 2008
Authors: Mrsevic Zorica
Published: June 2009

The year 2008 by all means will be remembered by several events, which contributed to significant progress in the domain of legal recognition of various aspects of same sex communities. There were also several initiatives contributing to making the political will necessary for legal changes. The most visible one probably was the May recognition of same sex marriage by the Supreme Court of California, which was valid only 5 months before it was cancelled by the referendum held in November 2008. Since this American state has 38 million inhabitants, more than the whole Balkan region, the event was visible by the whole world. The paper provides further analysis of mostly European events, e.g. decisions of European courts in Strasbourg and Luxembourg, political interventions by the EU Parliament Intercrop, releases of the ILGA-Europe, gay pride marches, other public activities, e.g. exhibition in the EU Parliament regarding the International Day of Human Rights, adoption of various documents relevant for the EU member states and permanent changes in internal legal provisions of the member states. The UN Declaration against discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity concluded the year. The paper also comprises analysis of a few typical cases of implementation of family relations among same sex partners.
Characteristics of Firms Responding to Underwater Employee Stock Options: Evidence from Traditional Repricings, 6&1 Exchanges, and Makeup Grants
Authors: Zamora Valentina L.
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT: I examine the characteristics of firms choosing to respond to underwater employee stock options using one of three stock-option-based responses. A traditional repricing offers a new and lower exercise price to restore the incentive alignment and retention power lost in underwater options, but is subject to potential expense recognition. A 6&1 exchange likewise restores what was lost in underwater options, but avoids potential expense recognition by delaying the issuance of replacement options until six months and one day later. A makeup grant potentially increases the total option value lost and avoids potential expense recognition, but is more dilutive since old underwater options are not cancelled. Results indicate that makeup grant firms have relatively deeper underwater options with shorter expected remaining lives. Makeup grant firms also issue these options to more non-executives compared to traditional repricing firms. I also find that while both makeup grant and 6&1 exchange firms have less insider ownership and historically report positive income more so than traditional repricing firms 6&1 exchange firms have greater overhang than makeup grant firms. Taken together, a possible explanation for these results is that firms that have more incentive alignment and/or retention power lost in underwater options prefer makeup grants that potentially increase total option value for its non-executive optionholders. However, when dilution from options is also a concern, it appears these firms may opt for a 6&1 exchange. In addition, it is possible that the choice of response is associated more with the desire to avoid recognizing option expense, rather than with potential rent extraction opportunities, as critics claim.
The Agency Cost Effects of Unionization on Firm Value
Authors: Naiker Vic , Navissi Farshid , Sridharan VG
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT: Using a sample of 99 New Zealand stock-exchange-listed firms we employ agency framework and strategy typology to examine whether introduction of unionization legislation affects value of prospector firms more negatively than defender firms. The results from this examination indicate that firms characterized by strategy of higher Growth-Diversity and Innovation-Risk (prospector firms) experience greater loss in value. We attribute the results to the higher agency costs associated with the strategies adopted by prospector firms. The results hold after controlling for variables such as size, industry membership, labor intensity, and proportion of unionized workers.
The Assignment of Decision Rights in Formal Information Systems
Authors: Ozbilgin Mehmet , Penno Mark
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT: Contracting theory presumes an uncontestable report on which to base required payments. We demonstrate the importance of decision rights for this central feature of the theory by examining the optimal assignment of the right to choose from a menu of ex ante identical, but noisy, performance measures. We identify conditions where a principal would strictly prefer to assign these rights to an agent even though the choice is made after the report is realized. What is surprising about the result is that neither individual has a natural advantage in making the choice, and the assignment of rights alleviates problems jointly caused by the agent's risk aversion, the principal's inability to commit to a reporting system, and a measurement system that detects shirking better than working. We also identify conditions for which the principal welcomes a larger menu of performance measures from which the principal or the agent can choose.
Regeneration of the Pancreas in Adult Zebrafish
Authors: Moss Jennifer B. , Koustubhan Punita , Greenman Melanie , Parsons Michael J. , Walter Ingrid , Moss Larry G.
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

Regenerating organs in diverse biological systems have provided clues to processes that can be harnessed to repair damaged tissue. Adult mammalian β-cells have a limited capacity to regenerate, resulting in diabetes and lifelong reliance on insulin. Zebrafish have been used as a model for the regeneration of many organs. We demonstrate the regeneration of adult zebrafish pancreatic β-cells. This nonmammalian model can be used to define pathways for islet-cell regeneration in humans.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Adult transgenic zebrafish were injected with a single high dose of streptozotocin or metronidazole and anesthetized at 3, 7, or 14 days or pancreatectomized. Blood glucose measurements were determined and gut sections were analyzed using specific endocrine, exocrine, and duct cell markers as well as markers for dividing cells.

RESULTS

Zebrafish recovered rapidly without the need for insulin injections, and normoglycemia was attained within 2 weeks. Although few proliferating cells were present in vehicles, ablation caused islet destruction and a striking increase of proliferating cells, some of which were Pdx1 positive. Dividing cells were primarily associated with affected islets and ducts but, with the exception of surgical partial pancreatectomy, were not extensively β-cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of the zebrafish to regenerate a functional pancreas using chemical, genetic, and surgical approaches enabled us to identify patterns of cell proliferation in islets and ducts. Further study of the origin and contribution of proliferating cells in reestablishing islet function could provide strategies for treating human diseases.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Regulates Adipocyte Resistin Expression
Authors: Lefterova Martina I. , Mullican Shannon E. , Tomaru Takuya , Qatanani Mohammed , Schupp Michael , Lazar Mitchell A.
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

Resistin is a secreted polypeptide that impairs glucose metabolism and, in rodents, is derived exclusively from adipocytes. In murine obesity, resistin circulates at elevated levels but its gene expression in adipose tissue is paradoxically reduced. The mechanism behind the downregulation of resistin mRNA is poorly understood. We investigated whether endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which is characteristic of obese adipose tissue, regulates resistin expression in cultured mouse adipocytes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effects of endoplasmic stress inducers on resistin mRNA and secreted protein levels were examined in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, focusing on the expression and genomic binding of transcriptional regulators of resistin. The association between downregulated resistin mRNA and induction of ER stress was also investigated in the adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet.

RESULTS

ER stress reduced resistin mRNA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effects of ER stress were transcriptional because of downregulation of CAAT/enhancer binding protein-α and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ transcriptional activators and upregulation of the transcriptional repressor CAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein-10 (CHOP10). Resistin protein was also substantially downregulated, showing a close correspondence with mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as in the fat pads of obese mice.

CONCLUSIONS

ER stress is a potent regulator of resistin, suggesting that ER stress may underlie the local downregulation of resistin mRNA and protein in fat in murine obesity. The paradoxical increase in plasma may be because of various systemic abnormalities associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
Adult Stature and Diabetes Complications in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wadén Johan , Forsblom Carol , Thorn Lena M. , Saraheimo Markku , Rosengård-Bärlund Milla , Heikkilä Outi , Hietala Kustaa , Ong Ken , Wareham Nicholas , Groop Per-Henrik
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

Short adult stature has previously been associated with cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with the microvascular complications of diabetes is uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the association between adult stature and prevalence and incidence of diabetic microvascular complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional and longitudinal study comprises 3,968 adult patients with type 1 diabetes from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study and 1,246 adult patients from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). In FinnDiane, diabetic nephropathy was defined as urinary albumin excretion ≥300 mg/24 h, dialysis, or renal transplantation. Retinopathy was divided into background and proliferative (laser-treated) retinopathy. In the DCCT, original nephropathy (class 1–6) and retinopathy (Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study) classifications were used.

RESULTS

In the FinnDiane study, patients in the lowest quartile of adult height had increased risks of prevalent diabetic nephropathy (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% CI 1.44–2.02) and prevalent laser-treated retinopathy (1.66, 1.43–1.93) compared with other patients. Similarly, in the DCCT, patients in the lowest quartile of adult height had increased risks of incident diabetic nephropathy class 4–6 (hazard ratio 2.70, 95% CI 1.59–4.59) and incident proliferative retinopathy (2.06, 1.15–3.71). In the FinnDiane study, the associations were largely explained by childhood exposure to diabetes. However, in the DCCT, where a greater proportion of patients had diabetes onset >18 years, the association with nephropathy was independent of childhood diabetes exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Short adult stature is associated with microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes. These findings are compatible with either childhood diabetes exposure or “common soil” or both as potential explanations.
Kir6.2 Variant E23K Increases ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Activity and Is Associated With Impaired Insulin Release and Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Normal Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Villareal Dennis T. , Koster Joseph C. , Robertson Heather , Akrouh Alejandro , Miyake Kazuaki , Bell Graeme I. , Patterson Bruce W. , Nichols Colin G. , Polonsky Kenneth S.
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

The E23K variant in the Kir6.2 subunit of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The present study was undertaken to increase our understanding of the mechanisms responsible. To avoid confounding effects of hyperglycemia, insulin secretion and action were studied in subjects with the variant who had normal glucose tolerance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Nine subjects with the E23K genotype K/K and nine matched subjects with the E/E genotype underwent 5-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), graded glucose infusion, and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with stable-isotope–labeled tracer infusions to assess insulin secretion, action, and clearance. A total of 461 volunteers consecutively genotyped for the E23K variant also underwent OGTTs. Functional studies of the wild-type and E23K variant potassium channels were conducted.

RESULTS

Insulin secretory responses to oral and intravenous glucose were reduced by ∼40% in glucose-tolerant subjects homozygous for E23K. Normal glucose tolerance with reduced insulin secretion suggests a change in insulin sensitivity. The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp revealed that hepatic insulin sensitivity is ∼40% greater in subjects with the E23K variant, and these subjects demonstrate increased insulin sensitivity after oral glucose. The reconstituted E23K channels confirm reduced sensitivity to inhibitory ATP and increase in open probability, a direct molecular explanation for reduced insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

The E23K variant leads to overactivity of the KATP channel, resulting in reduced insulin secretion. Initially, insulin sensitivity is enhanced, thereby maintaining normal glucose tolerance. Presumably, over time, as insulin secretion falls further or insulin resistance develops, glucose levels rise resulting in type 2 diabetes.
Validation of a Belt Model for Prediction of Hub Forces from a Rolling Tire
Authors: Lecomte C. , Graham W. R. , O’Boy D. J.
Published: June 2009

An integrated model is under development which will be able to predict the interior noise due to the vibrations of a rolling tire structurally transmitted to the hub of a vehicle. Here, the tire belt model used as part of this prediction method is first briefly presented and discussed, and it is then compared to other models available in the literature. This component will be linked to the tread blocks through normal and tangential forces and to the sidewalls through impedance boundary conditions. The tire belt is modeled as an orthotropic cylindrical ring of negligible thickness with rotational effects, internal pressure, and prestresses included. The associated equations of motion are derived by a variational approach and are investigated for both unforced and forced motions. The model supports extensional and bending waves, which are believed to be the important features to correctly predict the hub forces in the midfrequency (50–500 Hz) range of interest. The predicted waves and forced responses of a benchmark structure are compared to the predictions of several alternative analytical models: two three dimensional models that can support multiple isotropic layers, one of these models include curvature and the other one is flat; a one-dimensional beam model which does not consider axial variations; and several shell models. Finally, the effects of internal pressure, prestress, curvature, and tire rotation on free waves are discussed.