bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Steuern, Wettbewerb und Wettbewerbsneutralität
Authors: Haucap Justus 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe taxation of goods and services that are either non-tradable (such as local postal services) or only tradable to a limited extent is not subject to international tax competition. Hence, tax induced distortions of competition between different domestic firms can easily continue to exist even in an otherwise globalised economy. This article discusses two recent examples from Germany that illustrate the problem and demonstrate how consumption taxes can distort product market competition. First, the value-added tax privilege of Deutsche Post AG is discussed, and secondly, the air travel tax that has recently been introduced in Germany.
The intermediate‐term effects of PZP immunocontraception: behavioural monitoring of the treated elephant females and associated family groups
Authors: Druce H. C. , Mackey R. L. , Pretorius K. , Slotow R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractRapidly increasing elephant populations are raising concerns, especially within enclosed conservation areas in southern Africa. Elephant immunocontraception is an effective management tool, enabling conservation managers to control elephant population growth rates, but the behavioural consequences of this intervention needs to be studied more intensively and over longer periods of time. This is especially important as the potential risk of disturbance, and the ethical concerns over the welfare of wildlife, can compromise the success of management interventions. We determined the influence of immunocontraception application on behaviour of family groups. The disruption effect of immunocontraception darting on the family groups within the population was minimal, with no significant changes found in the mobility of family groups. Analysis of family group fission and fusion indicated that family groups spent more time alone during the second year of contraception application; this could be a consequence of maturation of the relatively young population. There was no significant relationship between bulls' association with family groups and the number of oestrous females present in the group. With negligible short‐term effects on the behaviour of family groups, immunocontraception may be an effective, flexible management tool. Furthermore, this study showed that monitoring and assessment of behavioural assays during active adaptive management is important to determine conservation outcomes and to ensure future management success.
The relationship between large cavum septum pellucidum and antisocial behavior, callous‐unemotional traits and psychopathy in adolescents
Authors: White Stuart F. , Brislin Sarah , Sinclair Stephen , Fowler Katherine A. , Pope Kayla , Blair R. James R. 
Published: August 2012

Background:  The presence of a large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) has been previously associated with antisocial behavior/psychopathic traits in an adult community sample.Aims:  The current study investigated the relationship between a large CSP and symptom severity in disruptive behavior disorders (DBD; conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder).Method:  Structural MRI scans of youth with DBDs (N = 32) and healthy comparison youth (N = 27) were examined for the presence of a large CSP and if this was related to symptom severity.Results:  Replicating previous results, a large CSP was associated with DBD diagnosis, proactive aggression, and level of psychopathic traits in youth. However, the presence of a large CSP was unrelated to aggression or psychopathic traits within the DBD sample.Conclusions:  Early brain mal‐development may increase the risk of a DBD diagnosis, but does not mark a particularly severe form of DBD within patients receiving these diagnoses.
The persistence and stability of psychiatric problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Simonoff Emily , Jones Catherine R. G. , Baird Gillian , Pickles Andrew , Happé Francesca , Charman Tony 
Published: August 2012

Background:  Psychiatric problems are common in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the reasons are poorly understood. We use a longitudinal population‐representative cohort to examine for the first time the persistence of psychiatric problems and to identify risk factors for their occurrence and stability.Methods:  Eighty‐one 16‐year olds (75 male, six female), initially seen at 12 years, were re‐assessed using the parent‐report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Child, family and contextual characteristics from age 12 were tested as risk factors for psychopathology.Results:  Prevalence rates varied depending on whether general population or ASD‐specific SDQ cut‐offs were used. While the former suggested a decrease in psychiatric problems over time, the ASD‐specific cut‐offs showed no significant differences. With the exception of ADHD, the ASD‐specific cut‐offs identified a smaller proportion of individuals as ‘affected’ than did the general population cut‐offs. There was longitudinal domain specificity, with parent correlations ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 and teacher SDQ reports at age 12 correlating 0.33–0.53 with parent reports at 16 years. In examining the role of risk factors, lower IQ and adaptive functioning predicted higher hyperactivity and total difficulties scores. Greater emotional problems at 16 were predicted by poorer maternal mental health, family‐based deprivation and lower social class. Improvement from 12 to 16 years in conduct problems was predicted by greater neighbourhood deprivation and special school attendance.Conclusions:  This is the first longitudinal study of other psychiatric symptoms in ASD. Additional psychiatric problems in ASD are persistent and domain‐specific from childhood to adolescence. The finding that age‐related reduction in SDQ symptoms does not apply when ASD‐specific cut‐offs are used requires further evaluation using diagnostic measures. Only a few of the expected risk factor‐psychopathology predictions expected from general population studies were found, raising the possibility that the causes of psychopathology in ASD differ from those in the general population.
Validation of the patients’ perceived involvement in care scale among patients with chronic pain
Authors: Jonsdottir Thorbjorg , Jonsdottir Helga , Gunnarsdottir Sigridur 
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the Modified Patients’ Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (M‐PICS), I‐PICS, an instrument measuring patients’ perceptions of pain‐related communication with health care providers (HCP).Methods:  The M‐PICS was translated into Icelandic according to standard procedures for forward and backward translation. The questionnaire consisted of 20 items measuring four constructs: (i) the degree to which the HCP was perceived as controlling the information‐exchange process; (ii) to what extent patients sought or shared information with their HCP; (iii) patients’ perceived encouragement to raise questions and discuss their symptoms with their health care provider and (iv) patients’ perceived participation in decision‐making during the health care visit. The response options for each item ranged from one to five on a 5‐point Likert scale, where higher scores indicated higher endorsement.Results:  One hundred and forty‐nine participants with pain lasting longer than three months (77.2% women; mean age, 49.9 years) completed the questionnaire. To examine the construct validity of the I‐PICS, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed, specifying four factors in congruence with the theoretical underpinnings of the original modified scale (M‐PICS). Of the 20 items, 19 were retained, and the I‐PICS factor structure was for the most part identical to the M‐PICS, with the exception of three items that moved between factors and one item that did not fall decisively on one specific factor. Internal consistency (alpha) for the four factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.86 and was 0.86 for the total scale. The mean score on the total I‐PICS was 2.67 on a one to five scale, ranging from 1.21 to 4.28 (possible range, 1–5).Conclusion:  This study supports the four‐factor structure of the M‐PICS and that the I‐PICS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing patient–HCP communication.
PGE2 maintains the tone of the guinea pig trachea through a balance between activation of contractile EP1 receptors and relaxant EP2 receptors
Authors: Säfholm J , Dahlén S‐E , Delin I , Maxey K , Stark K , Cardell L‐O , Adner M 
Published: August 2012

Background and PurposeThe guinea pig trachea (GPT) is commonly used in airway pharmacology. The aim of this study was to define the expression and function of EP receptors for PGE2 in GPT as there has been ambiguity concerning their role.Experimental ApproachExpression of mRNA for EP receptors and key enzymes in the PGE2 pathway were assessed by real‐time PCR using species‐specific primers. Functional studies of GPT were performed in tissue organ baths.Key ResultsExpression of mRNA for the four EP receptors was found in airway smooth muscle. PGE2 displayed a bell‐shaped concentration–response curve, where the initial contraction was inhibited by the EP1 receptor antagonist ONO‐8130 and the subsequent relaxation by the EP2 receptor antagonist PF‐04418948. Neither EP3 (ONO‐AE5‐599) nor EP4 (ONO‐AE3‐208) selective receptor antagonists affected the response to PGE2. Expression of COX‐2 was greater than COX‐1 in GPT, and the spontaneous tone was most effectively abolished by selective COX‐2 inhibitors. Furthermore, ONO‐8130 and a specific PGE2 antibody eliminated the spontaneous tone, whereas the EP2 antagonist PF‐04418948 increased it. Antagonists of other prostanoid receptors had no effect on basal tension. The relaxant EP2 response to PGE2 was maintained after long‐term culture, whereas the contractile EP1 response showed homologous desensitization to PGE2, which was prevented by COX‐inhibitors.Conclusions and ImplicationsEndogenous PGE2, synthesized predominantly by COX‐2, maintains the spontaneous tone of GPT by a balance between contractile EP1 receptors and relaxant EP2 receptors. The model may be used to study interactions between EP receptors.
Pro‐fibrotic processes in human lung fibroblasts are driven by an autocrine/paracrine endothelinergic system
Authors: Ahmedat AS , Warnken M , Seemann WK , Mohr K , Kostenis E , Juergens UR , Racké K 
Published: August 2012

Background and PurposeSince endothelin (ET) may act as pro‐fibrotic mediator, expression and release of ET isoforms, their receptors and potential pro‐fibrotic ET effects were studied in human lung fibroblasts.Experimental ApproachMRC‐5 and primary human lung fibroblasts (phLFb) were cultured. Expression of prepro‐ET isoforms was determined by qPCR and release of ET‐1 by elisa. ET receptor function was analysed by real‐time measurement of dynamic mass redistribution (DMR). Incorporation of [3H]‐thymidine was determined as measure of proliferation and that of [3H]‐proline for collagen synthesis. Phospho‐p42/44 MAP kinase was determined by Western blot.Key ResultsET‐1 is the predominant ET in human lung fibroblasts (hLF), and TGF‐β caused a further, selective and sustained up‐regulation of ET‐1 resulting in increased extracellular ET‐1 accumulation. hLFb express mRNA encoding ET‐A and ET‐B receptors. Expression of both receptors was confirmed at protein level. ET‐1 induced marked DMR signals, an effect that involved ET‐A and ET‐B receptors. Stimulatory effects of ET‐1 on hLFb proliferation and collagen synthesis were mediated exclusively via ET‐A receptors. ET‐1, again via ET‐A receptors, induced rapid activation of ERK MAPK, shown to be a crucial cellular signal in ET‐1‐induced collagen synthesis. ET‐1‐induced activation of ERK and collagen synthesis was, in contrast to corresponding effect of a muscarinic agonist, largely insensitive to pertussis toxin.Conclusions and ImplicationshLFb are endowed with all elements necessary to build a functional autocrine/paracrine endothelinergic system, which appears to drive pro‐fibrotic airway and lung remodelling processes, effects for which only ET‐A, but not ET‐B receptors appear to be of significance.
Oral and maxillofacial osteosarcoma in dogs: a review
Authors: Farcas N. , Arzi B. , Verstraete F. J. M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractOsteosarcoma in dogs is a heterogeneous disease entity with regard to its histologic, clinical and biologic behaviour. Differences in behaviour are associated with tumour location. Oral and maxillofacial osteosarcomas are typically reported as a component of the broader classifications of axial osteosarcoma or osteosarcoma of flat bones to differentiate them from appendicular osteosarcoma. Similar to human oral and maxillofacial osteosarcoma, in dogs, these also appear to have less aggressive behaviour than appendicular osteosarcoma. Ideally, local control is achieved with wide surgical resection that results in tumour‐free margins. Failure of local control is the most common contributor to poor prognosis. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are reported to have variable outcomes. The aim of this article is to review the literature on oral and maxillofacial osteosarcoma in dogs in comparison to appendicular and axial osteosarcoma. Similarities and differences between oral and maxillofacial osteosarcoma in humans are addressed.
Critical Care nurses' understanding of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Stewart Laura FM , Rae Agnes M 
Published: August 2012

Aims: This small‐scale research study aimed to explore Critical Care nurses' understanding of the National Health Service (NHS) Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) in relationship to its challenges and their nursing role.Background: The NHS KSF is central to the professional development of nurses in Critical Care and supports the effective delivery of health care in the UK. KSF was implemented in 2004 yet engagement seems lacking with challenges often identified.Design: This qualitative study adopted an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework.Method: Data were collected from five Critical Care nurses using semi‐structured interviews that were transcribed for analysis.Results: Two super‐ordinate themes of ‘engagement’ and ‘theory‐practice gap’ were identified. Six subthemes of ‘fluency’, ‘transparency’, ‘self‐assessment', ‘achieving for whom’, ‘reflection’ and ‘the nursing role’ further explained the super‐ordinate themes. Critical Care nurses demonstrated layers of understanding about KSF. Challenges identified were primarily concerned with complex language, an unclear process and the use of reflective and self‐assessment skills.Conclusions: Two theory‐practice gaps were found. Critical Care nurses understood the principles of KSF but they either did not apply or did not realize they applied these principles. They struggled to relate KSF to Critical Care practice and felt it did not capture the ‘essence’ of their nursing role in Critical Care.Relevance to clinical practice: Recommendations were made for embedding KSF into Critical Care practice, using education and taking a flexible approach to KSF to support the development and care delivery of Critical Care nurses.
Preoperative hemostasis and its association with bleeding and blood component transfusion requirements in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
Authors: Emeklibas Nahit , Kammerer Inna , Bach Juergen , Sack Falk‐Udo , Hellstern Peter 
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Variables of hemostasis before surgery might indicate an elevated risk of bleeding. We determined hemostasis tests and standardized bleeding history and their association with bleeding and transfusion requirements in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective trial, variables from 104 patients were associated with postsurgical bleeding and with red blood cells (RBCs) and platelet concentrate (PC) transfusions. Variables included standardized bleeding history, prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, fibrin monomers, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (VWF), multiple electrode aggregation (MEA), and the day of aspirin or thienopyridine withdrawal before operation.RESULTS: Multiple linear regression revealed bleeding history score, ADP‐induced MEA, CPB time, and hemoglobin (Hb) independently associated with postoperative bleeding and bleeding history, arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced MEA, CPB time, and PT associated with RBC transfusions. The logistic regression model for the outcome of bleeding within 24 hours after operation indicated ADP‐induced MEA, the day of aspirin withdrawal before operation, and CPB time as predictors. AA‐induced MEA, CPB time, Hb, and PT were predictors of RBCs transfusion. ADP‐induced MEA, the day of aspirin withdrawal, PT, and VWF were associated with PC transfusion.CONCLUSIONS: A standardized bleeding history may help to identify patients undergoing CPB surgery whose risk of bleeding is elevated. ADP‐induced MEA appears to predict postoperative bleeding and PC transfusion requirements, while AA‐induced MEA and preoperative Hb indicate the need for RBCs. The time of aspirin withdrawal before surgery influences perioperative blood loss and PC transfusion.
SALL4 is a key transcription regulator in normal human hematopoiesis
Authors: Gao Chong , Kong Nikki R. , Li Ailing , Tatetu Hiro , Ueno Shikiko , Yang Youyang , He Jie , Yang Jianchang , Ma Yupo , Kao Grace S. , Tenen Daniel G. , Chai Li 
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Stem cell factor SALL4 is a zinc finger transcription factor. It plays vital roles in the maintenance of embryonic stem cell properties, functions as an oncogene in leukemia, and has been recently proposed to use for cord blood expansion. The mechanism(s) by which SALL4 functions in normal human hematopoiesis, including identification of its target genes, still need to be explored.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by microarray hybridization (ChIP‐chip) was used for mapping SALL4 global gene targets in normal primary CD34+ cells. The results were then correlated with SALL4 functional studies in the CD34+ cells.RESULTS: More than 1000 potential SALL4 downstream target genes have been identified, and validation of binding by ChIP‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for 5% of potential targets. These include genes that are involving in hematopoietic differentiation and self‐renewal, such as HOXA9, RUNX1, CD34, and PTEN. Down regulation of SALL4 expression using small‐hairpin RNA in these cells led to decreased in vitro myeloid colony–forming abilities and impaired in vivo engraftment. Furthermore, HOXA9 was identified to be a major SALL4 target in normal human hematopoiesis and the loss of either SALL4 or HOXA9 expression in CD34+ cells shared a similar phenotype.CONCLUSION: Taken together, SALL4 is a key regulator in normal human hematopoiesis and the mechanism of its function is at least in part through the HOXA9. Future study will determine whether modulating the SALL4/HOXA9 pathway can be used in cellular therapy such as cord blood expansion and/or myeloid engraftment.
Early adoption, experience, and farm performance of GM corn seeds
Authors: Aldana Ursula , Barham Brad , Foltz Jeremy , Useche Pilar 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe current article explores the characteristics that distinguish early from late adopters of GM corn and measures the productivity impacts of early adoption, for a sample of farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The results of the adoption analysis confirm that size, education as well as specialization are positively correlated with early adoption. In addition, these results also show that farms that are mostly worked by family labor but hire some off‐farm labor are more likely to adopt GM seeds earlier in the diffusion process. The productivity analysis demonstrates the superiority of stacked varieties. At the same time, we find no evidence of a direct impact of experience on yields. Given the previously documented impact of early adoption on the use of stacked varieties, we conclude that experience plays a role through the adoption of these new technologies but does not play a role in allowing the producer to use the technology more efficiently, once it has been adopted.
Impacts of tenancy arrangements on investment and efficiency: evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Akhter , Abdulai Awudu , Goetz Renan 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this article, we use farm‐level data from the Punjab Province in Pakistan to analyze the impact of three tenancy contracts on investment in soil‐improving and productivity‐enhancing measures and farm productivity. A multivariate tobit model that accounts for potential substitutability and complementarity of investment options, as well as endogeneity of tenure arrangements was employed in the empirical analysis. Our empirical results indicate that land tenure arrangements influence farmers’ decisions to invest in soil‐improving and productivity‐enhancing measures. In particular, owner‐cultivators with secured tenancy arrangements were found to be more likely to invest in soil‐improving and productivity‐enhancing measures, compared to those on leased contracts. We also find that output per hectare was highest on land cultivated by owners and lowest on land under sharecropping tenancy, lending support to the Marshallian inefficiency hypothesis.
Machinery‐sharing in the presence of strategic uncertainty: evidence from Sweden
Authors: Lagerkvist Carl Johan , Hansson Helena 
Published: August 2012

AbstractInterpersonal choices related to machinery‐sharing collaborations between farmers in the presence of strategic uncertainty were examined by combining personality measures, game theory, and socioeconomic questionnaire results to empirically analyze the formation of voluntary cooperation in collaborations relating to farm machinery. It was found that aversion to probabilistic uncertainty referring to the Ellsberg paradox had no explanatory power. Intolerance of ambiguity as a personal trait proved to be a significant variable explaining collaborative strategies, whereas fear of negative evaluation by others did not significantly affect the choices made. In the repeated game context, the time taken to converge from limited to full collaboration was longer than that needed to dissolve the full collaboration owing to deviating behavior of the other party. These results can be used in developing richer, descriptive, fertile models that explain the formation of more viable farm business structures.
Alterations in Antibody Subclass Immune Reactivity to Trophoblast‐derived Fetal Fibronectin and α2‐Macroglobulin in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Saunders Rhiana D. , Nakajima Steven T. , Rai Shesh N. , Pan Jianmin , Gercel‐Taylor Cicek , Taylor Douglas D. 
Published: August 2012

ProblemIncreasing evidence supports the involvement of complex antibody‐mediated immunologic events at the decidua–trophoblast interface. Our objective is to define the humoral immune responses of pregnant women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) compared with gestation‐age‐matched and non‐pregnant controls in terms of trophoblast‐derived antigenic targets and IgG subclasses.Method of studyImmunoprecipitation and Western immunoblotting were performed to characterize IgG subclass reactivity to Sw.71 trophoblast–derived fetal fibronectin and alpha‐2‐macroglobulin, using serum obtained from first‐trimester pregnant RPL subjects, gestation‐age‐matched controls, and non‐pregnant controls.ResultsUsing a generalized linear model, sera from women with a history of RPL exhibited increased IgG3 immunoreactivity to trophoblast‐derived fetal fibronectin and alpha‐2‐macroglobulin compared with controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionIgG3 reactivity in women with RPL may play a significant role in aberrant immune‐regulatory mechanisms in early pregnancy. Further investigations into the role of autoantibodies against trophoblast‐derived proteins in implantation and pregnancy are warranted.