bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mean Monte Carlo Finite Difference Method for Random Sampling of a Nonlinear Epidemic System
Authors: Mohammed M. A. , Ibrahim A. I. N. , Siri Z. , Noor N. F. M.
Published: October 2016

In this article, a numerical method integrated with statistical data simulation technique is introduced to solve a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations with multiple random variable coefficients. The utilization of Monte Carlo simulation with central divided difference formula of finite difference (FD) method is repeated n times to simulate values of the variable coefficients as random sampling instead being limited as real values with respect to time. The mean of the n final solutions via this integrated technique, named in short as mean Monte Carlo finite difference (MMCFD) method, represents the final solution of the system. This method is proposed for the first time to calculate the numerical solution obtained for each subpopulation as a vector distribution. The numerical outputs are tabulated, graphed, and compared with previous statistical estimations for 2013, 2015, and 2030, respectively. The solutions of FD and MMCFD are found to be in good agreement with small standard deviation of the means, and small measure of difference. The new MMCFD method is useful to predict intervals of random distributions for the numerical solutions of this epidemiology model with better approximation and agreement between existing statistical estimations and FD numerical solutions.
A Factor Analytic Investigation of the Person-in-Recovery and Provider Versions of the Revised Recovery Self-Assessment (RSA-R)
Authors: Konkolÿ Thege Barna , Ham Elke , Ball Laura C.
Published: October 2016

Recovery is understood as living a life with hope, purpose, autonomy, productivity, and community engagement despite a mental illness. The aim of this study was to provide further information on the psychometric properties of the Person-in-Recovery and Provider versions of the Revised Recovery Self-Assessment (RSA-R), a widely used measure of recovery orientation. Data from 654 individuals were analyzed, 519 of whom were treatment providers (63.6% female), while 135 were inpatients (10.4% female) of a Canadian tertiary-level psychiatric hospital. Confirmatory and exploratory techniques were used to investigate the factor structure of both versions of the instrument. Results of the confirmatory factor analyses showed that none of the four theoretically plausible models fit the data well. Principal component analyses could not replicate the structure obtained by the scale developers either and instead resulted in a five-component solution for the Provider and a four-component solution for the Person-in-Recovery version. When considering the results of a parallel analysis, the number of components to retain dropped to two for the Provider version and one for the Person-in-Recovery version. We can conclude that the RSA-R requires further revision to become a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing recovery-oriented practices in an inpatient mental health-care setting.
Crowdfunding and the democratization of the music market
Authors: Galuszka Patryk , Brzozowska Blanka
Published: October 2016

The article analyzes the phenomenon of crowdfunding from the perspective of its democratizing influence on the music market. Crowdfunding enables artists to finance the release of their records, which theoretically allows them to enter the music market without the intermediation of traditional record labels. By using empirical data, the article shows that the democratizing influence of crowdfunding is limited. This results partially from the difficulties of dealing with promotional activities traditionally conducted by record labels. In other words, neither crowdfunding platforms nor contributors have the power, connections, or know-how of traditional record labels.
Big Data Cohort Extraction to Facilitate Machine Learning to Improve Statin Treatment
Authors: Chi Chih-Lin , Wang Jin , Clancy Thomas R. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Tonellato Peter J. , Adam Terrence J.
Published: October 2016

Health care Big Data studies hold substantial promise for improving clinical practice. Among analytic tools, machine learning (ML) is an important approach that has been widely used by many industries for data-driven decision support. In Big Data, thousands of variables and millions of patient records are commonly encountered, but most data elements cannot be directly used to support decision making. Although many feature-selection tools can help identify relevant data, these tools are typically insufficient to determine a patient data cohort to support learning. Therefore, domain experts with nursing or clinic knowledge play critical roles in determining value criteria or the type of variables that should be included in the patient cohort to maximize project success. We demonstrate this process by extracting a patient cohort (37,506 individuals) to support our ML work (i.e., the production of a proactive strategy to prevent statin adverse events) from 130 million de-identified lives in the OptumLabs™ Data Warehouse.
Professionalized music teacher education: Swiss and French students’ expectations
Authors: Güsewell Angelika , Joliat François , Terrien Pascal
Published: October 2016

The aim of this research was to investigate preservice music teachers’ expectations of their curriculum, namely: (a) What content do they expect in view of their future professional activity? (b) Are their expectations in line with the principles of professionalized teacher education? (c) Are there any differences between the expectations of Swiss and French, and generalist and specialist preservice music teachers? Thirty prospective music teachers studying in two Swiss and two French institutions were included. The results showed that, overall, students’ expectations were (more or less) in line with the principles of professionalized teacher education. The hypothesis that the two French vs. the two Swiss and the two generalist vs. the two specialist subsamples would display distinct expectation profiles was not confirmed. Instead, a solid musical basis emerged as crucial for students to be ready to deal with the contents of professionalized initial music-teacher education.
Tuned In: The effectiveness for young adults of a group emotion regulation program using music listening
Authors: Dingle Genevieve A. , Fay Carly
Published: October 2016

This article presents a description and pilot evaluation of Tuned In, a brief group intervention using music listening to teach young people emotional awareness and regulation skills. The program is underpinned by a two-dimensional (valence and arousal) model of emotion and activities to enhance participants’ emotional responses while listening to music. The four-session program was piloted with 51 university students aged 18–25 years (67% female). Approximately a third of the sample was above the normal range for depression, anxiety or stress symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned to Tuned In or a wait-list control. Tuned In involved groups of around eight participants with two psychologist facilitators. Tuned In participants experienced greater improvement in emotional awareness and clarity and total emotion regulation than controls. Weekly ratings pooled for the entire sample (after the wait-listed participants had completed Tuned In) indicated significant improvements over time in emotional awareness, ability to name emotions, and ability to regulate emotions. Ratings of engagement were high and the overall attendance rate was 98%. Tuned In shows promise as a brief emotion regulation intervention for young adults.
Preoperative Outcome Scores Are Predictive of Achieving the Minimal Clinically Important Difference After Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Nwachukwu Benedict U. , Fields Kara , Chang Brenda , Nawabi Danyal H. , Kelly Bryan T. , Ranawat Anil S.
Published: October 2016

Background:

There is increasing interest in defining meaningful improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Knowledge of the thresholds and determinants for successful femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) outcomes is evolving.

Purpose:

To define preoperative outcome score thresholds and determine clinical/demographic patient factors predictive for achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after arthroscopic FAI surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A prospective institutional hip preservation registry was reviewed to identify patients undergoing arthroscopic FAI surgery. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and the international Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) were administered at baseline and 1 year postoperatively. The MCID was calculated using a distribution-based method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to calculate cohort-based threshold values predictive of achieving the MCID. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to define predictive ability, with AUC >0.7 considered acceptably predictive. Multivariable analysis identified patient factors associated with achieving the MCID. Sensitivity analysis was performed to derive the MCID by an alternative anchor-based method.

Results:

There were 364 patients (mean [±SD] age, 32.5 ± 10.3 years), and 57.1% were female. The MCID for the mHHS, HOS–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), HOS-Sports, and iHOT-33 was 8.2, 8.3, 14.5, and 12.1, respectively. ROC analysis findings (threshold, percentage achieving the MCID, and strength of association) for these tools were as follows: mHHS (60.5, 77.2%, and 0.68, respectively), HOS-ADL (83.3, 68.1%, and 0.85, respectively), HOS-Sports (58.3, 65.9%, and 0.76, respectively), and iHOT-33 (53.9, 81.9%, and 0.65, respectively). The likelihood for achieving the MCID significantly declined above these thresholds. In multivariable analysis, a higher sagittal center-edge angle (CEA) (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08) was a positive predictor of achieving the MCID on the iHOT-33, while a higher Outerbridge grade for the acetabulum was a negative predictor (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-0.99) on the mHHS. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these variables and identified relative femoral retroversion as another negative predictor (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.17-0.94).

Conclusion:

The HOS had excellent predictive ability for identifying patient thresholds of achieving the MCID; patients with preoperative scores below identified thresholds were most likely to achieve the MCID. Additionally, anterior acetabular undercoverage, chondral injuries, and relative femoral retroversion were clinically significant negative modifiers of outcomes. These findings have implications for managing preoperative expectations of FAI surgery.
Application of stability indicators for the assessment of the degradation of residual household waste before landfilling
Authors: Chantou Thouraya , Feuillade Geneviève , Mausset Denis , Matejka Guy
Published: October 2016

In France, domestic waste production is estimated at c. 350 kg year−1 per person and landfilling still represents a predominant way of municipal solid waste management, with 39% of waste dumped in 2007. Waste characterization campaigns were conducted at different stages of a mechanical–biological treatment process in order to evaluate its efficiency. Waste samples were sorted by size (>100 mm, <100–20 mm and <20 mm) in order to assess the opportunity for mechanical and aerobic degradation and to reduce the volume of waste landfilled. The monitoring of parameter characteristics of waste stabilization highlighted a decrease in both organic matter and oxidizable organic matter, and an increase in fine particles <20 mm. The respirometric index after 4 days performed on waste samples from the pre-treatment stage showed a decrease in the biological activity compared with the samples taken upstream in the process. The biochemical methane potential of the waste is above the German limit of acceptance in landfills. This intermediate phase of stabilization is confirmed by the results of the leaching tests and hydrophobic fractionation.
The Sedimentation of Public Values: How a Variety of Governance Perspectives Guide the Practical Actions of Civil Servants
Authors: van der Steen Martijn , van Twist Mark J. W. , Bressers Daphne
Published: October 2016

What defines a good civil servant is not self-evident. In fact, when you ask civil servants what it means “to be a good civil servant” and “to do a good job,” you receive differing responses based on the various values that guide the way each individual approaches their job. The differing values can be traced to well-established perspectives in the literatures of public administration, governance, and political science. Each perspective defines “good government” and “being a good civil servant” in different ways, elevating differing values in the process. These perspectives are institutionalized and internalized in the present-day reality of public administration. Therefore, a present-day civil servant works amid a variety of competing perspectives about what “good government” and “being a good civil servant” mean. It is interesting how various perspectives on “good governance” and “being a good civil servant” play out in the working-practice of civil servants: How do values from the various governance perspectives guide the practical actions of civil servants? To answer this question, we conducted a research project to look for patterns in the values that guide the work of civil servants. We distinguished four governance perspectives from literature on governance. We translated these four governance perspectives into typical value statements that guide practical action, and used Q-methodology to survey civil servants with these perspectives as options. We found four distinct profiles of combined values that apparently guide the practical actions of civil servants. The profiles help us better understand the variety of values that guide practical actions of civil servants.
Diagnosing Pediatric Malnutrition
Authors: Bouma Sandra
Published: October 2016

The publication of the landmark paper “Defining Pediatric Malnutrition: A Paradigm Shift Toward Etiology‐Related Definitions” launched a new era in diagnosing pediatric malnutrition. This work introduced the paradigm shift of etiology‐related definitions—nonillness and illness related—and the use of anthropometriczscores to help identify and describe children with malnutrition (undernutrition) in the developed world. Putting the new definition into practice resulted in some interesting observations: (1) Etiology‐related definitions result in etiology‐related interventions. (2) Illness‐related malnutrition cannot always be immediately “fixed.” (3) Usingzscores in clinical practice often puts the burden of proof on the clinician to show that a child is not malnourished, rather than the other way around. (4) Children with growth failure severe enough to be admitted with “failure to thrive” should always be assessed for malnutrition, and when they meet the criteria, malnutrition should be documented and coded. The publication of the consensus statement came next, announcing the evidence‐informed, consensus‐derived pediatric malnutrition indicators. Since the indicators are a work in progress, clinicians are encouraged to use them and give feedback through an iterative process. This review attempts to respond to the consensus statement's call to action by thoughtfully appraising the indicators and making recommendations for future review. Coming together as a healthcare community to identify pediatric malnutrition will ensure that this vulnerable population is not overlooked. Outcomes research will validate the indicators and result in new discoveries of effective ways to prevent and treat pediatric malnutrition.
Applied STEM Coursework, High School Dropout Rates, and Students With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Plasman Jay Stratte , Gottfried Michael A.
Published: October 2016

Applied science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) coursetaking is becoming more commonplace in traditional high school settings to help students reinforce their learning in academic STEM courses. Throughout U.S. educational history, vocational education has been a consistent focus for schools to keep students on the school-to-career pathway. However, very few studies have examined the role of applied STEM coursetaking in improving schooling outcomes for students with learning disabilities. This is a major missing link as students with learning disabilities tend to exhibit much higher dropout rates than students from the general population. This study examines mechanisms displayed through applied STEM courses and the role they play in helping students with learning disabilities complete high school and transition into college. Using a nationally representative data set of high school students and their full transcripts (i.e., Education Longitudinal Study of 2002), we found that students with learning disabilities who took applied STEM courses significantly increased their educational outcomes in the following ways: lowered chances of dropout, increased math test scores, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education. While the general student population also benefited by taking applied STEM courses, the advantages were greater for those students with learning disabilities.
Reversal of Fortunes: Transformations in State-NGO Relations in Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Lamia
Published: October 2016

In 2011, the government of Bangladesh began an investigation into the financial dealings of the Grameen Bank that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. This disciplining of a world-renowned institution and its founder by the state reconfigures the altered relationship between the state and NGOs in Bangladesh. This article investigates this about-face between the state and NGOs from the 1990s, when their relationship was characterized as ‘partners in development’, to the late 2000s when the state saw the leading NGOs and their leaders as potential political adversaries. In Bangladesh, the former relationship of a weak state vis-à-vis the powerful, western-funded NGO has been recalibrated. Under the present condition of authoritarian rule, the state is willing to accept the role of the NGO as a development actor but not as a political contender. This article examines this shifting relationship between the state and NGOs.
Do Worries About Cognitive Functioning and Concerns About Developing Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Psychological Well-Being?
Authors: Cutler Stephen J. , Brăgaru Corina
Published: October 2016

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if cognitive worries affect psychological well-being, if these effects are long-term, and if such concerns affect well-being more so among persons with a parent having Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Method: We used structural equation models with three waves of data collected from persons ages 40 to 60 at T1. We created summative scores on five indicators of concerns about cognitive functioning and worries about dementia. Well-being measures included depression, life satisfaction, stress, and mastery. Results: We found (a) cognitive worries at Waves 1, 2, and 3 were generally associated with lower levels of psychological well-being at each of these waves; (b) there was no evidence of long-term, lagged effects, and (c) these relationships were statistically similar across groups of adult children and controls. Discussion: Because concerns about cognitive functioning and developing AD are pervasive among middle-aged and older persons, practitioners should be aware of their potentially deleterious effect on psychological well-being.
Reduction of the effect of actuator saturation with periodic servo-constraints
Authors: Bencsik László , Kovács László L
Published: October 2016

Saturation is an undesired event in trajectory tracking control of mechanical systems. When the actuators of a robotic device saturate, the solution of the inverse dynamics problem cannot fully be realized, which results in deviations from the desired trajectory and loss of performance. It is generally hard to consider the limited actuator torques and the corresponding nonlinear effects in the control design. The most common way to handle the problem is recalculating the control forces and trying to adjust the desired trajectory such that saturation will not happen. In contrast we propose a switched control approach, where, upon saturation, different sets of inputs are varied periodically to keep the reference point of the robot on the desired trajectory. For this, the desired motion is formulated by means of servo-constraints, and the periodic switching of these constraints is adjusted according to the variation of a new, manipulability type performance measure. It is demonstrated that the proposed controller can effectively reduce the trajectory following error due to actuator saturation. A typical robotic benchmark example is provided to show the application of the method, and to compare it with other approaches taken from the literature.
Use of plasma human herpesvirus-8 viral load measurement: evaluation of practice in three UK HIV treatment centres
Authors: Nugent DB , Webster D , Mabayoje D , Chung E , El Bouzidi K , O’Sullivan A , Ainsworth J , Miller RF
Published: October 2016

A retrospective audit of plasma human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) viral load testing was performed in three HIV treatment centres over 24 months. Reasons for testing (360 tests) were: symptoms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (fever, lymphadenopathy and raised inflammatory markers); monitoring in known HHV-8 pathology other than Kaposi sarcoma (KS); investigation of known/suspected KS, and other/no reason. Of patients with multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), 14/16 (88%) had detectable plasma HHV-8, as did 27/45 (60%) with biopsy proven or clinically confirmed KS, and 6/19 (32%) with lymphoma. Neither of the two patients with MCD and no detectable HHV-8 had SIRS symptoms at the time of the test. There was wide variation between centres in the indications prompting HHV-8 testing, with a more conservative approach resulting in a higher proportion of positive results. Measuring plasma HHV-8 in the absence of SIRS symptoms, established HHV-8 disease monitoring, or confirmed/suspected KS is unlikely to yield detectable HHV-8 thus allowing potential cost savings.
Politics of defamilialization: A comparison of Italy, Japan, Korea and Spain
Authors: Estévez-Abe Margarita , Naldini Manuela
Published: October 2016

This article investigates the politics of ‘defamilialization of care’ in four familialist countries – Italy, Japan, Korea and Spain – during the past 15 years. By ‘defamilialization of care’, we refer to those public policies, which aim at reducing the care responsibility of the family – both for the young and the old. We build upon the existing literature on new social risks by highlighting the role of those macro-political institutions such as electoral systems and government types in order to demonstrate that there are two very different types of politics of defamilialization: (1) election-oriented and (2) problem-oriented. We attribute different policy outcomes in the four familialist countries to their specific institutional configurations rather than to partisan government composition or different cultural orientations.
Conditionality, austerity and welfare: Financial crisis and its impact on welfare in Italy and Korea
Authors: Sacchi Stefano , Roh Jungho
Published: October 2016

What happens to welfare states when conditional financial aid is provided by an external financial actor? The conventional wisdom is that conditionality brings about welfare state retrenchment. The two cases analysed in this article – Korea during the financial crisis of 1997–1998 and Italy during the Eurozone crisis since 2011 – do not seem to confirm this received wisdom. This article tackles the puzzle of expansionary welfare reforms in the presence of economic conditionality, as transpired in Italy and Korea. We argue that conditionality and its contents interacted with, activated and had an impact on domestic political dynamics that led to progressive choices in welfare policy. Utilizing the Most Different Systems Design, we stress the importance of government ideology or partisanship and political contestation and competition – focusing on political actors that could threaten the government’s legitimacy when acquiescing to conditionality if not balancing neoliberal elements with expansion of social rights – and political agency underpinning government strategies in effectively introducing and implementing policy reforms.
The Challenges of Collecting and Using Patient Care Data From Diverse Care Systems: Lessons From COMPASS
Authors: Solberg Leif I. , Ferguson Robert , Ohnsorg Kris A. , Crain A. Lauren , Williams Mark D. , Ziegenfuss Jeanette Y. , Boggs Jennifer M. , Neely Claire , Brooks Leslie , Molitor Beth A. , Monkman Jeyn , Coughlin Meg
Published: October 2016

The ability to aggregate clinical data across multiple diverse organizations and to use it for performance measurement, quality improvement, evaluation, and research is rapidly becoming a national necessity, but there are few examples of how to do that. This article uses lessons from a national effort to implement the collaborative care management model for patients with both depression and diabetes or heart disease across 8 partner organizations, 18 medical groups, and more than 170 clinics in 8 states to identify the challenges and provide experience-based recommendations for those tasks. The challenges are divided into those needed for (1) collecting similar data, (2) aggregating those data across care systems, and (3) using the data to both improve and evaluate care. Start with agreement on goals, methods, transparency, and a data system integrated into the electronic medical record while promptly addressing all the legal, regulatory, and human subject requirements.
Punishment, Race, and the Organization of U.S. Immigration Exclusion
Authors: Valdez Inés
Published: October 2016

Although the punitive character of the U.S. immigration enforcement regime has been noted, less research has inquired into the productivity of punishment beyond detention and deportation, the particular rationale of punishment, and the way in which punitive enforcement shapes (rather than targets) race. By analyzing antimigrant rhetoric and the practices of immigration enforcement, I argue that punishment is best understood as a violent material reassertion of the narrative of the United States as a nation of laws. My biopolitical approach to immigration innovates by (1) conceptualizing the process through which race becomes a biopolitical divide, (2) noting that the construction of race also shapes the meaning of whiteness, and (3) showing the particular ways in which sovereignty, discipline, and biopower are combined in the U.S. immigration enforcement regime. I illustrate these claims by examining policies and practices that characterize contemporary immigration enforcement and find that punishment fulfills functions of regeneration, discipline, or moralization, among others, and treats different subpopulations of migrants differently. Even inclusionary interventions involve processes of subjectification among the beneficiaries. I conclude by examining the implications of this framework for understanding the current political stalemate.
An Anatomic Study of the Percutaneous Endoscopically Assisted Calcaneal Osteotomy Technique to Correct Hindfoot Malalignment
Authors: Veljkovic Andrea , Tennant Joshua , Rungprai Chamnanni , Abbas Kaniza Zahra , Phisitkul Phinit
Published: October 2016

Background:

Open calcaneal osteotomy using traditional methods is associated with complications such as sural nerve injury and potential wound healing problems. We hypothesized that by using novel minimally invasive techniques, these potential risks could be mitigated. This anatomic cadaveric study serves to assess the safety of percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy (PECO) compared to a traditional open osteotomy technique.

Methods:

Anatomic safety of PECO was assessed using 8 fresh-frozen cadaver below-knee specimens. Lateral calcaneal nerve (LCN) damage was primarily noted and then secondly compared to a potential open surgical incision approach.

Results:

Only 1 of 11 LCN branches (n = 8 limbs) was transected using PECO, compared to up to 8 of 10 LCN branches (n = 6 limbs) that potentially would have been injured during open surgery.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy is a minimally invasive technique that had fewer nerve injuries in this cadaveric model than traditional open surgery.

Clinical Relevance:

Percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy due to its less invasive nature may result in fewer neurovascular injuries relative to an open procedure.
Teaching Paraprofessionals to Implement Function-Based Interventions
Authors: Walker Virginia L. , Snell Martha E.
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of workshops and coaching on paraprofessional implementation of function-based interventions. The results of indirect and direct functional behavior assessment guided the development of intervention strategies for three students with autism and intellectual disability. Following intervention, students’ appropriate behavior increased and challenging behavior decreased. In general, paraprofessionals implemented strategies with high levels of fidelity and judged both the coaching and workshop training procedures and student intervention strategies as socially valid. Implications for practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
“High Demand” Legislative Committees and Bureaucratic Output
Authors: Benson Bruce L.
Published: October 2016

Niskanen contended that “high demand” committee review increases bureaucratic output, and the bureau appropriates the entire gain from expansion. This is inconsistent with the political behavior underlying Niskanen's analysis. The committee review system is designed to facilitate logrolling, so many of the benefits of overproduction must flow to legislators' constituencies.
On Two Proposals to Promote Saving
Authors: Yitzhaki Shlomo
Published: October 2016

This article presents a new technique for analyzing tax reform proposals. The main idea is to add an optimizing numerical procedure to the NBER Tax Simulation Model. This procedure enables the user of the model to find the transformation curve between the targets of the proposed reform. The technique is illustrated by analyzing two alternative proposals to promote saving.
Tax Structure and Bureaucratic Bargaining
Authors: Hunter William J.
Published: October 2016

This article explores some limitations on the power of the public bureaucracies to control public sector budgets. Two conditions are considered within a majority rule election framework. First, individuals may react to the potential loss of income resulting from a bureaucratically chosen output of public goods. Second, bureaucratic control of the public budget is constrained by the existing tax structure. The model demonstrates that the bureaucratic ability to set public expenditure levels has been seriously overestimated. Further, the model raises questions as to the role of the median voter in elections when the agenda is controlled by a public bureaucracy.
Intertemporal Effects, Intertemporal Suitability, and the Analysis of In-Kind Subsidy Programs
Authors: Caniglia Alan S.
Published: October 2016

In-kind subsidy programs have traditionally been analyzed using a static one-period model of consumer behavior. In this article it is argued that an intertemporal framework is in principle superior, not only as a way of explaining consumer behavior but also as a way of accurately characterizing the subsidies themselves and the restrictions they impose on the consumption behavior of recipients. Potentially important distinctions between different types of subsidy programs that are obscured in a static framework become apparent once the intertemporal aspects of the problem are considered. Examples are given that illustrate the potential benefits of using an intertemporal framework in the evaluation of in-kind programs.
State and Local Government Fiscal Constraints: Public Sector and Private Sector Effects
Authors: Fox William F. , Quindry Kenneth E.
Published: October 2016

The Tennessee Econometric Model is employed to simulate the effects of alternative fiscal limits on a state economy. Limits modelled on those currently in effect in California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Tennessee are applied using both an elastic and an inelastic revenue structure. Economic and fiscal effects depend on the elasticity of the revenue structure, the coverage of the limits, the degree of restraint imposed by the limit, whether business or individual taxes are reduced, and the timing of tax reductions. The limits have a greater constraining effect on elastic structures. A frequent effect of the limits is a reduction in the size of the public sector and a small increase in the private sector with the overall level of economic activity generally declining. Fiscal limits are found to have more stimulative economic effects if the tax relief is business-oriented, so that the net economic effect may be positive.
Tax Rates and Tax Losses. A Preliminary Analysis Using Aggregate Data
Authors: Long James E.
Published: October 2016

Theory suggests that increases in income tax rates induce individuals to make choices that reduce their tax liability. This article documents the growth of “business” losses reported on personal tax returns during 1948–1980. Such losses offset $57 billion of taxable income in 1980 and saved taxpayers an estimated $16 billion.
Tax Analysis in an Oligopoly Model
Authors: Katz Michael L. , Rosen Harvey S.
Published: October 2016

In this article we analyze taxation using the conjectural variations model of oligopoly. We demonstrate the way in which the incidence of a tax depends on the pattern of firm interaction. The results obtained have important implications for the controversy surrounding the question of whether a tax on corporate income can be overshifted. We also study normative aspects of taxation. The focus here is on the errors that can arise in excess burden calculations when incorrect assumptions on market structure are made.
Work Incentives and the Two-Earner Deduction
Authors: Leuthold Jane H.
Published: October 2016

One consequence of the two-earner deduction is to lower the marginal tax rate on the first dollar earned by secondary workers and to encourage their labor force participation. This study estimates the potential impact of the two-earner deduction on the probability of labor force participation by married women and tests the sensitivity of labor force participation levels to changes in the rate of deduction. Probit estimates of a labor force probability model suggest that the two-earner deduction increases the probability that a married woman work outside the home and that the effect is stronger the higher the deduction rate and the greater the after-tax income of the husband. Data for the study were drawn from the 1979 Michigan Survey of Income Dynamics.
Owner-Occupied Housing, the Cpi, and Indexing
Authors: Flowers Marilyn R.
Published: October 2016

The Consumer Price Index is widely used as a basis for adjusting money incomes in both the private and the public sector. Problems in measuring the cost of owner-occupied housing have contributed to serious deficiences in the accuracy of the CPI's measurement of price level change. A shift to imputed rental value has improved the measure but still ignores a serious conceptual issue. The problem is examined in this article.
Distributional Implications of the Highway Revenue Act
Authors: Bingham Tayler H. , Anderson Donald W. , Cooley Philip C.
Published: October 2016

Estimates have been developed of how the burden of the Federal Highway Revenue Act of 1982 is distributed in relation to the former federal highway tax package. The tax burdens are reported by population-income decile. A large input-output model with several linking models of consumer expenditures and vehicle stocks is used to compute the indirect effects on consumers, assuming all tax payments are passed forward as higher product prices. The net burden of the new law is shown to be distributed regressively with respect to after-tax family income. The indirect effects are somewhat more regressively distributed than the direct effects.
“Managed” Urban Land Markets
Authors: Ellson Richard W. , Roberts R. Blaine
Published: October 2016

In this article we derived the socially optimal conditions for the implementation of growth management policies in urban areas. We showed that prior research could be biased because it failed to model a land transition process explicitly. Next, we demonstrated the conditions under which growth management is equivalent to the perfectly competitive model. Finally, we assessed the desirability of each policy given the practical realities of urban land markets.
Density and distribution of feline conjunctival goblet cells
Authors: Eördögh Réka , Jakab Csaba , Papp Renáta , Tichy Alexander , Nell Barbara
Published: October 2016

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the density and distribution of goblet cells (GCs) in the feline conjunctiva and to investigate a potential effect of age and sex on GC density (GCD).

Methods

Thirty-nine eyes of 21 cats euthanased for reasons unrelated to this study were used. Fixed upper and lower eyelid and bulbar conjunctiva were divided into nasal and temporal regions. The third eyelid was excised and investigated separately. Samples were embedded in paraffin wax; sections were stained with periodic acid–Schiff reaction and analysed with light microscopy. To determine the topographic distribution of GCs, each region was subdivided into the marginal, palpebral and bulbar zone. In each zone 200 epithelial cells, including GCs, were counted. Goblet cell index was defined as a percentage of the epithelial cells.

Results

The palpebral zone of both eyelids contained significantly ( P <0.001) more GCs (27.5–32.0%) than the marginal or bulbar areas. The highest GCD was found in the nasal palpebral zone of the upper eyelid (32.0%). Marginal and bulbar sites contained fewer numbers of GCs (2.6–10.0%). The lowest GCD was detected in the nasal bulbar zone of the lower eyelid (2.6%). Overall the nasal region contained significantly ( P = 0.036) more GCs than the temporal region, but there was no significant difference in GCD between the upper and lower eyelids. Correlation analysis did not show any effect of age or sex on GC counts.

Conclusions and relevance

GCD in the palpebral zones and on the anterior surface of the third eyelid was highest; the lowest density was found in the bulbar zones of the lower eyelid and in the marginal zones of both eyelids. Overall, higher GCD was found in the cat than in other species. Age and sex have no effect on GCD.
Discontinuation of disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis – Clinical outcome and prognostic factors
Authors: Bsteh Gabriel , Feige Julia , Ehling Rainer , Auer Michael , Hegen Harald , Di Pauli Franziska , Deisenhammer Florian , Reindl Markus , Berger Thomas
Published: October 2016

Background:

Stable disease course may prompt consideration of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) discontinuation in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective:

To investigate the clinical outcome after DMT discontinuation and to identify predictive factors supporting decision-making.

Methods:

We included 221 RRMS patients, who discontinued DMT after ⩾12 months and had documented follow-up ⩾2 years after discontinuation. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) regarding relapse and disability progression after DMT discontinuation were calculated from Cox regression models.

Results:

Age >45 years at discontinuation (HR = 0.47, CI = 0.23–0.95, p = 0.038), absence of relapses for ⩾4 years on DMT before discontinuation (HR = 0.29, CI = 0.10–0.82, p = 0.020) and absence of contrast enhancing lesions (HR = 0.46, CI = 0.28–0.78, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of absence of relapse after discontinuation. Age >45 years and absence of relapses ⩾4 years on DMT combined had an HR of 0.06 (CI = 0.01–0.44, p < 0.001). Higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at discontinuation, age >45 years and longer disease duration were significantly associated with disability progression after discontinuation.

Conclusion:

While freedom from further disease activity is generally unpredictable, there is a subset of patients (age ⩾45 years, DMT intake ⩾4 years without evidence of clinical or radiological disease activity) having a high likelihood of remaining relapse-free after DMT discontinuation. However, close clinical monitoring for recurrent disease activity is mandatory after discontinuing treatment.
Fragility analysis of self-centering prestressed concrete bridge pier with external aluminum dissipators
Authors: Cao Zhiliang , Wang Hao , Guo Tong
Published: October 2016

A novel self-centering prestressed concrete pier with external energy dissipators has been developed to realize seismic resilient performance and enhanced corrosion-resisting property. Self-centering capacity of the pier is provided by the unbonded post-tensioned tendons and damage is mostly concentrated on the replaceable dissipators. To investigate the seismic behavior of the proposed pier, a detailed analytical model considering interface opening and dissipator deformation was developed and verified through existing cyclic load tests. Based on the proposed model, a prototype reinforced concrete pier and a self-centering prestressed concrete pier with similar backbone curves are designed, and fragility analyses are conducted on the two piers through incremental dynamic analysis. One maximum drift-based performance limit state (i.e. collapse prevention) and two residual drift-based performance limit states (i.e. emergent usage and reconstruction) are defined for seismic capacity evaluation. Fragility curves indicate that the self-centering prestressed concrete pier has a slightly higher peak drift demand owing to its inferior dissipating capacity as compared with the reinforced concrete pier, while sustains a much lower residual drift demand due to its inherent self-centering characteristic.
Seismic performance comparison between precast beam joints and cast-in-place beam joints
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Yan Qiushi , Du Xiuli
Published: October 2016

Precast reinforced concrete structures are widely used due to many constructional advantages such as faster construction speed, lower construction cost, being environmentally friendly, higher strength, and so on. To study the seismic performance of precast reinforced concrete structures, tests on beam-to-column joints of precast reinforced concrete structures were conducted under low reversed cyclic loading. In total, four joint specimens were produced in this study, including two precast joints and two cast-in-place joints. In addition to the comparison between different types of joints, the axial compression ratio of column was adopted as the main variable in this study. Analysis was carried out on the basis of the observed joint failure mode and relationships derived from the test data such as hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation curves, energy dissipation capacities, and sleeve joint strain curves. Despite the closeness of energy dissipation capacity between the precast joints and the cast-in-place joints, they had different failure modes. Precast joints feature a relatively concentrated crack distribution in which the limited number of cracks was distributed throughout the plastic zone of the beam. Cast-in-place joints feature more evenly distributed cracks in the plastic zone, especially at the later stage of the loading. The steel slippage of the precast concrete joints was found influenced by the axial compression ratio. Through this study, it is concluded that seismic resistance capacity of precast concrete joint needs to be considered in design and construction and the grouting sleeve splice could be kept away from the hinge zones when precast concrete structures were used in regions of high seismicity. The results in this study can provide a theoretical basis for seismic design of precast reinforced concrete structures, which in turn can promote the application of precast reinforced concrete structures.
The extent and type of gambling harms for concerned significant others: A cross-sectional population study in Finland
Authors: Salonen Anne H. , Alho Hannu , Castrén Sari
Published: October 2016

Aims: This study investigates the proportion of concerned significant others (CSOs) of problem gamblers at population level and describes the extent and type of gambling harms for CSOs. Methods: Cross-sectional random sample data ( n = 4515) were collected in 2015. The data were weighted based on age, gender and residence. CSOs were identified using a question including seven options. Gambling harms were inquired using structured questions. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Squared and Fischer’s exact tests were used. Results: Overall, the proportion of CSOs was 19.3%. Males had close friends with gambling problems more often than females, while females had family members with gambling problems more often than males. Of the CSOs, 59.5% had experienced one or more harms. Females experienced more harms than males. Typical harms were worry about health or well-being of close ones, emotional distress and problems in interpersonal relationships. CSOs with a problem gambler in the family, particularly a partner, child/children or mother, experienced harms more often than CSOs with a problem gambler as a close friend. Conclusions: Female gender was associated with a larger extent of harms. The extent of harms was greatest if the problem gambler was a family member; however, a substantial amount of harms were experienced when the problem gambler was a close friend. CSOs and their position in evaluating gambling harms in general should be acknowledged. Persons beyond the nuclear family and the harms they encounter should be better acknowledged in prevention and harm minimisation. Early identification and a clear referral path to tailored support in occupational, social and healthcare settings may be considered.
Child mortality and poverty in three world regions (the West, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa) 1988–2010: Evidence of relative intra-regional neglect?
Authors: Pritchard Colin , Keen Steven
Published: October 2016

Aims: Poverty kills children. This study assesses the relationship between poverty and child mortality rates (CMRs) in 71 societies from three world regions to determine whether some countries, relative to their region, neglect their children. Methods: Spearman rank order correlations were calculated to determine any association between the CMR and poverty data, including income inequality and gross national income. A current CMR one standard deviation (SD) above or below the regional average and a percentage change between 1988 and 2010 were used as the measures to assess the progress of nations. Results: There were positive significant correlations between higher CMRs and relative poverty measures in all three regions. In Western countries, the current CMRs in the USA, New Zealand and Canada were 1 SD below the Western mean. The narrowest income inequalities, apart from Japan, were seen in the Scandinavian nations alongside low CMRs. In Asia, the current CMRs in Pakistan, Myanmar and India were the highest in their region and were 1 SD below the regional mean. Alongside South Korea, these nations had the lowest percentage reductions in CMRs. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the current CMRs in Somalia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola were the highest in their region and were 1 SD below the regional mean. Conclusions: Those concerned with the pursuit of social justice need to alert their societies to the corrosive impact of poverty on child mortality. Progress in reducing CMRs provides an indication of how well nations are meeting the needs of their children. Further country-specific research is required to explain regional differences.