bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personality Development at Work: Workplace Conditions, Personality Changes, and the Corresponsive Principle
Authors: Le Kimdy , Donnellan M. Brent , Conger Rand 
Published: January 2013

AbstractInvestigations concerning adult personality development have increasingly focused on factors that are associated with apparent personality trait changes. The current study contributes to this literature by replicating and extending previous research concerning personality trait development in young adulthood and perceptions of workplace conditions. Analyses were based on up to 442 individuals who participated in the ongoing Family Transitions Project (e.g., Conger & Conger, 2002). The current analyses included personality trait data from 1994 and 2003, high school grades and socioeconomic status indicators from 1994, and reports about work conditions in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Personality attributes were prospectively associated with work conditions and income. Findings also support the corresponsive principle of personality development (e.g., Roberts, Caspi, & Moffitt, 2003): Traits that were prospectively associated with particular workplace conditions often seemed to be accentuated by those conditions. Personality traits are prospectively associated with perceptions of the workplace. Workplace conditions are also associated with trait development.
Trade Restrictiveness and Pollution
Authors: CHAU NANCY H. , FÄRE ROLF , GROSSKOPF SHAWNA 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper proposes a trade restrictiveness indicator that explicitly incorporates environmental externalities. The index employs directional distance functions and uses indicators (i.e., differences rather than ratios) modified to account for and evaluate efficiency changes in the face of simultaneous and multidimensional trade and environmental policy reforms. The index is made up of two components, one for production and one for consumption. Our overall trade restrictiveness indicator is accordingly the difference of the two. The properties of the indicator are developed and discussed together with its estimation.
Auctioning Monopoly Franchises: Award Criteria and Rollout Obligations
Authors: DOSI CESARE , MORETTO MICHELE 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe study the competition to acquire the exclusive right to operate an utility service, by comparing two specifications for the financial proposals—the fee that the concessionaire will pay to the government and the price that the concessionaire will charge to its customers—and two alternative contractual arrangements, a concession which incorporates the obligation for the franchisee to operate the service immediately after winning the auction, and a contract which simply assigns the right to supply the market. We show that relieving the concessionaire from rollout obligations may either increase or reduce the government’s expected payoff depending on the bidding rule used to allocate the contract. As long as the government is indifferent between maximizing the fiscal revenue and maximizing the consumer surplus, concessioning without imposing rollout time limits and awarding the contract to the bidder offering the highest fee appears to be the best policy option.
Status‐Seeking in Criminal Subcultures and the Double Dividend of Zero‐Tolerance
Authors: DUR ROBERT , VAN DER WEELE JOËL 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper offers a new argument for why a more aggressive enforcement of minor offenses (zero‐tolerance) may yield a double dividend in that it reduces both minor offenses and more severe crime. We develop a model of criminal subcultures in which people gain social status among their peers for being “tough” by committing criminal acts. As zero‐tolerance keeps relatively “gutless” people from committing a minor offense, the signaling value of that action increases, which makes it attractive for some people who would otherwise commit more severe crime. If social status is sufficiently important in criminal subcultures, zero‐tolerance reduces crime across the board.
Strategy Proof Scoring Rule Lotteries for Multiple Winners
Authors: HECKELMAN JAC C. , CHEN FREDERICK H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe develop a lottery procedure for selecting multiple winners that is strategy proof. The rule assigns points to each candidate based on any standard scoring rule method, and then uses one draw to select a single winning set of candidates in proportion to their collective score. In addition to being strategy proof, the lottery rule is also shown to have several other attractive normative properties. Violations of some other important normative properties are noted as well.
Institutional Quality and Growth
Authors: NGENDAKURIYO FABIEN 
Published: January 2013

AbstractI analyze the dynamic interaction between civil society organizations and the government in a representative developing economy. Government fails to establish efficient institutions by favoring corruption. On its side, civil society exerts pressure to constrain government to cease corruption. I distinguish between an authoritarian government and an unrestrictive one: the latter does not repress protests from the civil society while the former implements punishment mechanisms. I demonstrate analytically the existence of a unique locally stable equilibrium by solving a linear quadratic differential game for three regimes: respectively, the optimal control problem, noncooperative, and cooperative game. Everything remaining constant; numerical assessment indicates that both civil monitoring and government pressure always increase as the government’s ability to extract rents and the effectiveness of institutions increases. The government pressure also increases with an increase in the marginal utility of rent. Both government pressure and civil society's monitoring effort decrease with the increase in the cooperation weight. Total Factor Productivity effects always dominate the detrimental effect of civil monitoring on growth, except when the government’s capacity of rent extraction increases in the second regime and under some restrictions in the first. In a nutshell, I show that civil society contributes to the improvement of institutions fostering growth.
Epidemics of Rhizoctonia Root Rot in Association with Biological and Physicochemical Properties of Field Soil in Bean Crops
Authors: Naseri Bita 
Published: January 2013

AbstractDuring two growing seasons (2008 and 2009), the associations of Rhizoctonia root rot (RRR) with a number of soil properties were determined at different growth stages in 122 commercial bean fields in Zanjan, Iran. Mean RRR incidence at a level of 4–25% sand content was lower than that at 45–65% level. Damage by fly puparia had no significant effect on RRR incidence and occurrence. A greater RRR incidence was detected in field soils treated with fungicides compared with non‐treated soils. A lower RRR incidence was associated with the highest level of soil organic matter (1.2–1.8) compared with the lowest level, 0.4–0.8. The highest RRR incidence corresponded with no rhizobial nodulation compared with highly nodulated bean roots. RRR incidence was negatively correlated with soil silt and organic matter content at R6–7 and R9 growth stages. RRR‐affected fields were recognized with a greater soil pH (V3) and sand content (R9), and a lower silt (R9) and organic matter content (R6–7 and R9) in comparison with RRR‐free fields. Loadings and linear regressions between RRR incidence and principal component scores indicated that the most effective soil characteristic linked to the disease was silt at V3, sand at R6–7 and organic matter at R9 stage. This new epidemiological information extends our knowledge of the bean–RRR–soil interaction on a regional basis.
Bukovina blind mole rat Spalax graecus revisited: phylogenetics, morphology, taxonomy, habitat associations and conservation
Authors: Chişamera Gabriel , Bužan Elena V. , Sahlean Tiberiu , Murariu Dumitru , Zupan Sara , Kryštufek Boris 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The Bukovina blind mole rat Spalax graecus is the westernmost representative of the genus and one of the least known European mammals. As currently understood, the species contains three isolates on both sides of the south‐eastern Carpathian Mountains. Our focus was on Bukovina blind mole rats from north‐eastern Romania and adjacent Ukraine, i.e. on the nominal subspecies Spalax graecus graecus Topachevskii 1976.
Phylogenetic reconstruction based on 1140‐bp‐long cytochrome b sequence revealed a sister position of Spalax graecus against the genus Nannospalax. Pairwise Kimura two‐parameter genetic divergences were evidently higher between Spalax graecus and the three species of Nannospalax (mean distances ± standard errors between 0.177 ± 0.014 and 0.197 ± 0.016) than between the three species of Nannospalax (up to 0.128 ± 0.010). The two genera were separated by 178 mutational steps.
The Bukovina blind mole rat is so far known from 13 localities in north‐eastern Romania and adjacent Ukraine.
The most influential environmental factors in the Spalax graecus habitat model were seasonality in precipitation, type of soil and altitude. The elevational range of suitable habitats is 39–848 m. The area occupied is estimated at 15581 km2, but patches with high habitat suitability cover only 1604 km2.
The main habitat for the Bukovina blind mole rat is likely to degrade and the conservation needs of the species will soon have to be taken into account. We recommend the inclusion of the species on Annex II or IV of the European Union's Habitats Directive on grounds of its (i) narrow endemism, (ii) small range of occupancy, (iii) small overall population size and (iv) vulnerability to changes in agricultural land use.
Variation in the transcriptional response of threatened coral larvae to elevated temperatures
Authors: Polato Nicholas R. , Altman Naomi S. , Baums Iliana B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCoral populations have declined worldwide largely due to increased sea surface temperatures. Recovery of coral populations depends in part upon larval recruitment. Many corals reproduce during the warmest time of year when further increases in temperature can lead to low fertilization rates of eggs and high larval mortality. Microarray experiments were designed to capture and assess variability in the thermal stress responses of Acropora palmata larvae from Puerto Rico. Transcription profiles showed a striking acceleration of normal developmental gene expression patterns with increased temperature. The transcriptional response to heat suggested rapid depletion of larval energy stores via peroxisomal lipid oxidation and included key enzymes that indicated the activation of the glyoxylate cycle. High temperature also resulted in expression differences in key developmental signalling genes including the conserved WNT pathway that is critical for pattern formation and tissue differentiation in developing embryos. Expression of these and other important developmental and thermal stress genes such as ferritin, heat shock proteins, cytoskeletal components, cell adhesion and autophagy proteins also varied among larvae derived from different parent colonies. Disruption of normal developmental and metabolic processes will have negative impacts on larval survival and dispersal as temperatures rise. However, it appears that variation in larval response to high temperature remains despite the dramatic population declines. Further research is needed to determine whether this variation is heritable or attributable to maternal effects.
How Do Alphas and Betas Move? Uncertainty, Learning and Time Variation in Risk Loadings*
Authors: Trecroci Carmine 
Published: January 2013

AbstractI employ a parsimonious model with learning, but without conditioning information, to extract time‐varying measures of market‐risk sensitivities, pricing errors and pricing uncertainty. The evolution of these quantities has interesting implications for macroeconomic dynamics. Parameters estimated for US equity portfolios display significant low‐frequency fluctuations, along patterns that change across size and book‐to‐market stocks. Time‐varying betas display superior predictive accuracy for returns against constant and rolling‐window OLS estimates. As to the relationship of betas with business‐cycle variables, value stocks’ betas move pro‐cyclically, unlike those of growth stocks. Investment growth, rather than consumption, predicts the betas of value and small‐firm portfolios.
Identifying Changes in Mean, Seasonality, Persistence and Volatility for G7 and Euro Area Inflation*
Authors: Bataa Erdenebat , Osborn Denise R. , Sensier Marianne , Dijk Dick van 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe propose an iterative decomposition that tests and accounts for multiple structural breaks in the mean, seasonality, dynamics and conditional volatility, while also accounting for outliers. Considering each component separately within each iteration leads to greater flexibility compared with joint procedures. Monte Carlo analysis shows the procedure performs well. Applied to monthly CPI inflation in G7 countries and the Euro area, we uncover mean and seasonality breaks for all countries and, allowing for these, changes in persistence are generally also indicated. Further, volatility reductions are widespread in the early to mid 1980s, with some countries exhibiting increases from 1999 onwards.
Serum microRNAs as potential biomarkers of mandibular prognathism
Authors: Gu Y , Zhang Y , Zhao C , Pan Y , Smales RJ , Wang H , Ni Y , Zhang H , Ni J , Ma J , Wang L 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine whether the expression levels of specific circulating serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with mandibular prognathism (MP).MethodsSixty subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 23 in the mixed dentition stage with MP were identified. Sixty‐eight normal control subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 24 in the mixed dentition stage were recruited for comparison. According to the microarray‐based expression profiling, four serum miRNAs (let‐7i‐3p, miR‐595, miR‐16‐2‐3p, and miR‐367‐5p) were validated.ResultsIn the MP groups, let‐7i‐3p was significantly over‐expressed in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.0005) and mixed (P < 0.001) dentitions, and miR‐595 was significantly under‐expressed (P < 0.004) in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.004) and mixed (P < 0.0005) dentitions, compared with normal control groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that let‐7i‐3p and miR‐595 were able to significantly discriminate MP subjects from normal controls.ConclusionLet‐7i‐3p and miR‐595 could be potential, non‐invasive biomarkers for the accurate early detection and diagnosis of MP, which may result in improved clinical management.
Positive nickel patch tests in infants are of low clinical relevance and rarely reproducible
Authors: Mortz Charlotte G. , Kjaer Henrik F. , Eller Esben , Osterballe Morten , Norberg Lene A. , Høst Arne , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten , Andersen Klaus E. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundWe have previously reported patch test reactivity to nickel sulphate in a cohort of unselected infants tested repeatedly at 3–18 months of age. A reproducible positive reaction at 12 and 18 months was selected as a sign of nickel sensitivity provided a patch test with an empty Finn chamber was negative. A reproducible positive reaction was seen in 8.6% of the infants. The objective of this study is to follow‐up on infants with alleged nickel sensitivity.MethodsA total of 562 infants were included in the cohort and patch tested with nickel sulphate (ICDRG guidelines). The 26 children with a positive patch test reaction to nickel sulphate at 12 and 18 months were offered repeated patch tests at 3 and 6 yr.ResultsAmong the 21 children tested at both 12 months, 18 months and at 3 and 6 yr only 2 of 21 had reproducible nickel reactions (one clinically relevant), 13 of 21 were negative and 6 of 21 were negative at 3 or 6 yr.ConclusionsOnly 9.5% of the children had reproducible nickel sulphate reactivity, while 62% became negative. The results are noteworthy and can be interpreted in different ways: Repeated nickel patch tests did not cause patch test sensitization. The test reactions in infancy are probably of irritant or non‐specific nature. Hence, nickel patch tests should only be performed in small children if there is a clinical suspicion of nickel‐induced allergic contact dermatitis.
Hydrochlorothiazide Enhances UVA‐Induced DNA Damage
Authors: Kunisada Makoto , Masaki Taro , Ono Ryusuke , Morinaga Hironobu , Nakano Eiji , Yogianti Flandiana , Okunishi Kunihiro , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Nishigori Chikako 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe UVA is currently thought to be carcinogenic because, similar to UVB, it induces the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Various drugs have been reported to cause photosensitive drug eruptions as an adverse effect. Although the precise mechanism of photosensitive drug eruption remains to be elucidated, it is generally accepted that free radicals and other reactive molecules generated via UV‐irradiated drugs play important roles in the pathogenesis of photosensitive drug eruptions. The waveband of concern for photo‐reactive drugs is UVA‐visible light, but some extend into the UVB region. We tested whether photosensitive drugs could enhance CPD formation after UVA exposure by using isolated DNA in the presence of several reported photosensitive drugs using high‐performance liquid chromatography. We found that the diuretic agent hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) significantly enhanced the production of TT dimers over a wide range of UVA. Furthermore, we investigated whether UVA plus HCT could enhance CPD production in xeroderma pigmentosum model mice defective in nucleotide excision repair. Immunofluorescence studies showed that CPD formation in the skin significantly increased after 365 nm narrow‐band UVA irradiation in the presence of HCT, compared with that in wild‐type mice. HCT could be used with caution because of its enhancement of UVA‐induced DNA damage.
Suture Anchor Fixation of Olecranon Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: Ravenscroft Matthew J. , Phillips Nicholas , Mulgrew Emma , Yasin Mohammed N. 
Published: January 2013

Background Transverse olecranon fractures are commonly fixed using a tension band wiring technique. This technique has a high rate of complications because of the prominent metalwork, frequently resulting in further surgery to remove the hardware. We investigated a new technique using two metal screw in bone anchors double loaded with Orthocord. Methods A tension band suture technique was employed in 22 patients (14 Mayo type IIA fractures and 8 olecranon osteotomies) using two double Orthocord loaded bone anchors in a standardised fashion. Twenty-one patients started mobilisation at 1 week. Patients were followed up until both clinical and radiological union was evident. Any problems with fixation hardware and complications were all recorded. Results The mean time of union was 6.4 weeks (range 5 weeks to 9 weeks). One patient developed an asymptomatic fibrous non-union and 20 achieved complete anatomical union. At a mean of 14.2 months, no patient had developed any hardware problem or required further surgery. Discussion Tension band suturing is a safe, easy and quick technique that avoids the risks associated with other methods of fixation. It provides a comparable union rate without any complications as a result of the hardware. In our series, no patients required further surgery.
Acromioclavicular Fusion: An Approach for Painful Clavicular Instability
Authors: Sonnabend David H. , Hughes Jeffery S. , Poon Peter C. , Schwarz Ben 
Published: January 2013

Background The present study aimed to assess efficacy of acromioclavicular fusion as a salvage procedure for the treatment of painful horizontal (transverse) plane instability following distal clavicular excision. Methods A prospective, nonrandomized study of 16 consecutive cases was performed over an 8½ year period, assessing fusion rates, pain relief, subjective instability and range of motion. Results Initial attempts at isolated coracoclavicular fusion were relatively unsuccessful. Subsequent procedures combined acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular fusion. Once stability was achieved, all patients noted a reduction in pain and in instability sensation. Eleven patients had similar or improved ranges of shoulder motion postoperatively. In four patients, elevation > 100 °C was limited by pain. Four patients developed sternoclavicular pain. Six patients had revision fusion procedures, two of them twice. Of these six, three achieved fusion. One other patient remained unfused and painful, declining a second procedure. Thirteen patients were satisfied with their result and all but one would have the surgery again. Conclusions Painful horizontal-plane acromioclavicular instability secondary to distal clavicle excision may be effectively treated by acromioclavicular arthrodesis, usually without excessive loss of movement but often with some sternoclavicular discomfort. Fusion is difficult to achieve, and the use of locking plates and ‘biological supplementation’ is recommended.
Automatic measurement of skin textures of the dorsal hand in evaluating skin aging
Authors: Gao Qian , Yu Jiaming , Wang Fang , Ge Tiantian , Hu Liwen , Liu Yang 
Published: January 2013

Background/purposeChanges in skin textures have been used to evaluate skin aging in many studies. In our previous study, we built some skin texture parameters, which can be used to evaluate skin aging of human dorsal hand. However, it will take too much time and need to work arduously to get the information from digital skin image by manual work. So, we want to build a simple and effective method to automatically count some of those skin texture parameters by using digital image‐processing technology.MethodsA total of 100 subjects aged 30 years and above were involved. Sun exposure history and demographic information were collected by using a questionnaire. The skin image of subjects' dorsal hand was obtained by using a portable skin detector. The number of grids, which is one of skin texture parameters built in our previous study, was measured manually and automatically. Automated image analysis program was developed by using Matlab 7.1 software.ResultsThe number of grids counted automatically (NGA) was significantly correlated with the number of grids counted manually (NGM) (r = 0.9287, P < 0.0001). And in each age group, there were no significant differences between NGA and NGM. The NGA was negatively correlated with age and lifetime sun exposure, and decreased with increasing Beagley‐Gibson score from 3 to 6. In addition, even after adjusting for NGA, the standard deviation of grid areas for each image was positively correlated with age, sun exposure, and Bealey‐Gibson score.ConclusionThe method introduced in present study can be used to measure some skin aging parameters automatically and objectively. And it will save much time, reduce labor, and avoid measurement errors of deferent investigators when evaluating a great deal of skin images in a short time.