bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the (de)stabilizing effect of public debt in a Ramsey model with heterogeneous agents
Authors: Nishimura Kazuo , Nourry Carine , Seegmuller Thomas , Venditti Alain 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe introduce public debt in a Ramsey model with heterogeneous agents and a public spending externality affecting utility which is financed by income tax and public debt. We show that public debt considered as a fixed portion of GDP can have a stabilizing or destabilizing effect, depending on some fundamental elasticities. When the public spending externality is weak and the elasticity of capital–labor substitution is low enough, public debt can only be destabilizing, generating damped or persistent macroeconomic fluctuations. However, when the public spending externality and the elasticity of capital–labor substitution are strong enough, public debt can be stabilizing, driving to monotone convergence an economy experiencing damped or persistent fluctuations without debt.
Regime type and international commercial agreements
Authors: Rosendorff B. Peter , Shin Kong Joo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPreferential trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties limit member‐states’ policy discretion; consequently policy uncertainty is mitigated. Reductions in policy uncertainty stemming from accession to an international agreement improve the resource allocation decisions of voters and reduce deadweight losses from the need to self‐insure against policy uncertainty. If electoral accountability makes expropriation of assets or discriminatory treatment of firms more costly to leaders (whereas electoral accountability has little effect on rent creation via tariff revenues) then among developing countries, democratic states sign preferential trade agreements relatively more frequently than autocratic states; however, autocratic states are more likely to sign bilateral investment treaties than are democratic states. We offer a simple model, and present some empirical regularities consistent with the theory.
Stable sets for asymmetric information economies
Authors: Graziano Maria Gabriella , Meo Claudia , Yannelis Nicholas C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAn exchange economy with asymmetrically informed agents is considered with an exogenous rule that regulates the information sharing among agents. In this context, the notion of stable sets à la von Neumann and Morgenstern is analyzed. Two different frameworks are taken into account as regards preferences: a model without expectations and a model with expected utilities. For the former, it is shown that the set V of all individually rational, Pareto optimal, symmetric allocations is the unique stable set of symmetric allocations. For the latter, an example is presented which shows that the same set V is not externally stable and a weaker result is proved.
On the value of small‐scale GE models
Authors: Jones Ronald W. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe field of international economics has made frequent use of general equilibrium models in order to investigate the nature of those possible comparative static equilibrium solutions that seem somewhat paradoxical. Frequently the analysis is done for settings in which the number of commodities, countries, and/or factors of production is assumed to be rather small. For example, the classic Ricardian model making use of the concept of comparative advantage based on comparisons of efficient ratios of country productivities has solutions that hold for any number of countries or commodities. A number of different issues, such as stability conditions and the transfer problem, are discussed in which surprising equilibrium outcomes possible in a general situation can be understood more easily in a small‐scale setting.
Association of TNFAIP3 and TNFRSF1A variation with multiple sclerosis in a German case–control cohort
Authors: Hoffjan S. , Okur A. , Epplen J. T. , Wieczorek S. , Chan A. , Akkad D. A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryVariations in two genes of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha pathway have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases: polymorphisms in the TNFRSF1A gene, encoding TNF receptor 1, showed significant association with MS in genomewide association scans, and variation in or near the TNFAIP3 gene, coding for a negative regulator of NFkB, was associated with MS, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed at investigating association of MS with variation in the TNFRSF1A gene as well as in the TNFAIP3 gene region in an independent German case–control cohort. Four hundred and ninety‐seven unrelated patients with MS and 878 healthy controls were genotyped with restriction enzyme digestion or TaqMan assays for three polymorphisms in the TNFRSF1A gene and seven in the region of the TNFAIP3 gene. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls by chi‐square testing. We found significant association of rs10499194, located in the intergenic region upstream of TNFAIP3, with MS (pc = 3.4 × 10−4). Further, the intronic SNP rs1800693 in TNFRSF1A showed moderate association (pc = 0.033) with MS. In conclusion, evidence is accumulating that polymorphisms in both TNFAIP3 and TNFRSF1A genes play a role in MS pathogenesis. Additional studies are warranted to further elucidate the role of TNF pathway variation for MS development.
Interleukin‐15‐activated natural killer cells kill autologous osteoclasts via LFA‐1, DNAM‐1 and TRAIL, and inhibit osteoclast‐mediated bone erosion in vitro
Authors: Feng Shan , Madsen Suzi H. , Viller Natasja N. , Neutzsky‐Wulff Anita V. , Geisler Carsten , Karlsson Lars , Söderström Kalle 
Published: February 2015

AbstractOsteoclasts reside on bone and are the main bone resorbing cells playing an important role in bone homeostasis, while natural killer (NK) cells are bone‐marrow‐derived cells known to play a crucial role in immune defence against viral infections. Although mature NK cells traffic through bone marrow as well as to inflammatory sites associated with enhanced bone erosion, including the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, little is known about the impact NK cells may have on mature osteoclasts and bone erosion. We studied the interaction between human NK cells and autologous monocyte‐derived osteoclasts from healthy donors in vitro. We show that osteoclasts express numerous ligands for receptors present on activated NK cells. Co‐culture experiments revealed that interleukin‐15‐activated, but not resting, NK cells trigger osteoclast apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner, resulting in drastically decreased bone erosion. Suppression of bone erosion requires contact between NK cells and osteoclasts, but soluble factors also play a minor role. Antibodies masking leucocyte function‐associated antigen‐1, DNAX accessory molecule‐1 or tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand enhance osteoclast survival when co‐cultured with activated NK cells and restore the capacity of osteoclasts to erode bone. These results suggest that interleukin‐15‐activated NK cells may directly affect bone erosion under physiological and pathological conditions.
Tissue‐resident macrophages: then and now
Authors: Davies Luke C. , Taylor Philip R. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryMacrophages have been at the heart of immune research for over a century and are an integral component of innate immunity. Macrophages are often viewed as terminally differentiated monocytic phagocytes. They infiltrate tissues during inflammation, and form polarized populations that perform pro‐inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory functions. Tissue‐resident macrophages were regarded as differentiated monocytes, which seed the tissues to perform immune sentinel and homeostatic functions. However, tissue‐resident macrophages are not a homogeneous population, but are in fact a grouping of cells with similar functions and phenotypes. In the last decade, it has been revealed that many of these cells are not terminally differentiated and, in most cases, are not derived from haematopoiesis in the adult. Recent research has highlighted that tissue‐resident macrophages cannot be grouped into simple polarized categories, especially in vivo, when they are exposed to complex signalling events. It has now been demonstrated that the tissue environment itself is a major controller of macrophage phenotype, and can influence the expression of many genes regardless of origin. This is consistent with the concept that cells within different tissues have diverse responses in inflammation. There is still a mountain to climb in the field, as it evolves to encompass not only tissue‐resident macrophage diversity, but also categorization of specific tissue environments and the plasticity of macrophages themselves. This knowledge provides a new perspective on therapeutic strategies, as macrophage subsets can potentially be manipulated to control the inflammatory environment in a tissue‐specific manner.
Proteinase activated receptor‐2‐mediated dual oxidase‐2 up‐regulation is involved in enhanced airway reactivity and inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma
Authors: Nadeem Ahmed , Alharbi Naif O. , Vliagoftis Harissios , Tyagi Manoj , Ahmad Sheikh F. , Sayed‐Ahmed Mohamed M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAirway epithelial cells (AECs) express a variety of receptors, which sense danger signals from various aeroallergens/pathogens being inhaled constantly. Proteinase‐activated receptor 2 (PAR‐2) is one such receptor and is activated by cockroach allergens, which have intrinsic serine proteinase activity. Recently, dual oxidases (DUOX), especially DUOX‐2, have been shown to be involved in airway inflammation in response to Toll‐like receptor activation. However, the association between PAR‐2 and DUOX‐2 has not been explored in airways of allergic mice. Therefore, this study investigated the contribution of DUOX‐2/reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling in airway reactivity and inflammation after PAR‐2 activation. Mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with intact cockroach allergen extract (CE) in the presence of aluminium hydroxide followed by intranasal challenge with CE. Mice were then assessed for airway reactivity, inflammation, oxidative stress (DUOX‐2, ROS, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitrite, nitrotyrosine and protein carbonyls) and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3). Challenge with CE led to up‐regulation of DUOX‐2 and ROS in AECs with concomitant increases in airway reactivity/inflammation and parameters of oxidative stress, and apoptosis. All of these changes were significantly inhibited by intranasal administration of ENMD‐1068, a small molecule antagonist of PAR‐2 in allergic mice. Administration of diphenyliodonium to allergic mice also led to improvement of allergic airway responses via inhibition of the DUOX‐2/ROS pathway; however, these effects were less pronounced than PAR‐2 antagonism. The current study suggests that PAR‐2 activation leads to up‐regulation of the DUOX‐2/ROS pathway in AECs, which is involved in regulation of airway reactivity and inflammation via oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Effect of maternal use of chewing gums containing xylitol on transmission of mutans streptococci in children: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lin Hsi‐Kuei , Fang Chia‐En , Huang Mao‐Suan , Cheng Hsin‐Chung , Huang Tsai‐Wei , Chang Hui‐Ting , Tam Ka‐Wai 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundMutans streptococci (MS) are the major causative bacteria involved in human dental decay. Habitual consumption of xylitol has been proved to reduce MS levels in saliva and plaque.AimTo evaluate the effect of the maternal use of xylitol gum on MS reduction in infants.DesignA structured literature review and meta‐analysis. A random effects model was used to assess the relative risks of the incidence of MS in the saliva or plaque of children who were 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months old.ResultsWe reviewed 11 RCTs derived from 5 research teams that included 601 mothers. Our results indicated that the incidence of MS in the saliva or plaque of the infants was significantly reduced in the xylitol group (risk ratio: 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.73, at 12–18 months) and (risk ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.79, at 36 months) compared with the control groups. The long‐term effect of maternal xylitol gum exposure on their children's dental caries was controversial.ConclusionHabitual xylitol consumption by mothers with high MS levels was associated with a significant reduction in the mother–child transmission of salivary MS.
Determinants of the gender unemployment gap in Italy and the United Kingdom: A comparative investigation
Authors: BAUSSOLA Maurizio , MUSSIDA Chiara , JENKINS Jamie , PENFOLD Matthew 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe authors analyse the gender unemployment gap in Italy and the United Kingdom by investigating the determinants of labour market flows, on the basis of multinomial logit model estimates, and identifying the contribution of a single transition from each state – employment, unemployment, inactivity – to the gap. Using this methodology, labour markets in Italy and the United Kingdom are compared, based on both countries' labour force survey data for the period 2004–13. Decomposition of the gender unemployment gap, using a transition probability matrix approach, shows that while women are disadvantaged in Italy, the reverse is true in the United Kingdom.
Controlled Synthesis of Layered Rare‐Earth Hydroxide Nanosheets Leading to Highly Transparent (Y0.95Eu0.05)2O3 Ceramics
Authors: Lu Bin , Li Ji‐Guang , Suzuki Tohru S. , Estili Mehdi , Liu Weigang , Sun Xudong , Sakka Yoshio 
Published: February 2015

Chemical precipitation at the freezing temperature of ~4°C has directly yielded layered rare‐earth hydroxide [LRH, Ln2(OH)5NO3·nH2O, Ln = Y0.95Eu0.05] nanosheets (up to 7 nm thick) for the Y/Eu binary system, with the interlayer NO3− exchangeable with SO42−. Calcining the sulfate derivative at 1100°C for 4 h produces well‐dispersed and readily sinterable Ln2O3 red phosphor powders (~14.8 m2/g) that can be densified into highly transparent ceramics via optimized vacuum sintering at the relatively low temperature of 1700°C for 4 h (average grain size ~14 μm; in‐line transmittance ~80% at the 613 nm Eu3+ emission or ~99% of the theoretical transmittance of Y2O3 single crystal). Our systematic studies also found that (1) the extent of SO42− exchange and the interlayer distance of LRH are both affected by the SO42−/Ln3+ molar ratio (R), and an almost complete exchange is achievable at R = 0.25 as expected from the chemical formula (one SO42− replaces two NO3− for charge balance). The optimal R value for sintering, however, was found to be 0.03; (2) The Ln3+ concentration for LRH synthesis substantially affects properties of the resultant oxides, and hard agglomeration has been significantly reduced at the optimized Ln3+ concentration of 0.05–0.075 mol/L; (3) Sulfate exchange significantly alters the thermal decomposition pathway of LRH, and was found essential to produce well‐dispersed and highly sinterable oxide powders; (4) Both the oxide powders and transparent ceramics exhibit the typical red emission of Eu3+ at ~613 nm (the 5D0→7F2 transition) under charge‐transfer (CT) excitation. Red‐shifted CT band center, stronger excitation/emission, and shorter fluorescence lifetime were, however, observed for the transparent ceramics.
The effects of providing periodontal disease risk information on psychological outcomes – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Asimakopoulou Koula , Newton Jonathon Tim , Daly Blánaid , Kutzer Yvonne , Ide Mark 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimIn a two arm randomized controlled trial this study compared the effects of a routine periodontal assessment consultation versus a routine consultation + individualized risk assessment communication intervention on patient thoughts and emotions about periodontal disease.Materials and MethodsAdults (N = 102) with moderate/advanced chronic periodontitis referred to a Periodontology Department of a large UK dental school, completed psychological measures before a periodontal assessment and again at the end of the visit. Intervention participants received an individualized calculation of their periodontal disease risk using PreViser Risk Calculator in addition to their routine assessment consultation.ResultsIn routine care, patients’ thoughts about periodontal disease seriousness (p < 0.001) and susceptibility (p < 0.03) increased post‐consultation and participants felt more positive (p < 0.02) about periodontal disease. These effects were also seen in intervention participants. Additionally, the individualized risk communication intervention led to patients reporting i) periodontal disease treatment as more effective than they did pre‐consultation (p < 0.001), ii) feeling more confident in their ability to adhere to treatment as seen in increases in self‐efficacy (p < 0.05) and iii) higher intentions to adhere to periodontal management (p < 0.03).ConclusionsIndividualized periodontal disease risk communication influences psychological variables that underpin adherence with periodontal instructions.
Phenotypic and genetic associations between reading comprehension, decoding skills, and ADHD dimensions: evidence from two population‐based studies
Authors: Plourde Vickie , Boivin Michel , Forget‐Dubois Nadine , Brendgen Mara , Vitaro Frank , Marino Cecilia , Tremblay Richard T. , Dionne Ginette 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundThe phenotypic and genetic associations between decoding skills and ADHD dimensions have been documented but less is known about the association with reading comprehension. The aim of the study is to document the phenotypic and genetic associations between reading comprehension and ADHD dimensions of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in early schooling and compare them to those with decoding skills.MethodsData were collected in two population‐based samples of twins (Quebec Newborn Twin Study – QNTS) and singletons (Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development – QLSCD) totaling ≈ 2300 children. Reading was assessed with normed measures in second or third grade. Teachers assessed ADHD dimensions in kindergarten and first grade.ResultsBoth decoding and reading comprehension were correlated with ADHD dimensions in a similar way: associations with inattention remained after controlling for the other ADHD dimension, behavior disorder symptoms and nonverbal abilities, whereas associations with hyperactivity/impulsivity did not. Genetic modeling showed that decoding and comprehension largely shared the same genetic etiology at this age and that their associations with inattention were mostly explained by shared genetic influences.ConclusionBoth reading comprehension and decoding are uniquely associated with inattention through a shared genetic etiology.
Ensuring consistent reporting of clinical pharmacy services to enhance reproducibility in practice: an improved version of DEPICT
Authors: Rotta Inajara , Salgado Teresa M. , Felix Daniel C. , Souza Thais T. , Correr Cassyano J. , Fernandez‐Llimos Fernando 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesDEPICT (Descriptive Elements of Pharmacist Intervention Characterization Tool) was created in response to the frequently reported issue of poor intervention description across studies assessing the impact of clinical pharmacy activities. The aim of this study was to create an improved version of DEPICT (i.e. DEPICT 2) to better characterize clinical pharmacy services in order to ensure consistent reporting, therefore enhancing reproducibility of interventions in practice.MethodA qualitative approach through a thematic content analysis was performed to identify components of pharmacist interventions described in 269 randomized controlled trials. A preliminary version of DEPICT 2 was applied independently by two authors to a random sample of 85 of the 269 RCTs and reliability determined by the prevalence‐adjusted bias‐adjusted kappa (PABAK) or the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The final version of DEPICT 2 was compared against DEPICT 1.ResultsThe final version of DEPICT 2 comprised 146 items and 11 domains. The inter‐rater agreement analysis showed that DEPICT presented good to optimal reproducibility, with a mean PABAK value of 0.87 (95% CI 0.85–0.89) and a mean ICC value of 0.88 (95% CI 0.62–1.14). The mean difference between items checked in the two versions (DEPICT 2 – DEPICT 1) was 10.58 (95% CI 9.55–11.61), meaning that approximately 11 more components were identified in the new version of DEPICT.ConclusionsDEPICT 2 is a reliable tool to characterize components of clinical pharmacy services, which should be used to ensure consistent reporting of interventions to allow their reproducibility in practice.
Risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma development in non‐cirrhotic patients with sustained virologic response for chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Kumada Takashi , Tada Toshifumi , Kiriyama Seiki , Tanikawa Makoto , Hisanaga Yasuhiro , Kanamori Akira , Kitabatake Shusuke , Ito Takanori 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground and AimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can develop in patients with chronic hepatitis C after they have achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) to antiviral therapy, that is eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thus, surveillance for HCC remains necessary after SVR. We investigated factors that are predictive of HCC in HCV‐infected patients who achieved SVR.MethodsThe incidence and risk factors for HCC were evaluated in 522 patients who achieved SVR with interferon‐based antiviral therapy for HCV. Patients maintained regular follow‐up every 6 months for HCC surveillance. The FIB‐4 index and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet count ratio index were calculated based on laboratory data at the time that SVR was documented (SVR24).ResultsPatients continued follow‐up visits for 1.0–22.9 years (median, 7.2 years) after SVR. HCC developed in 18 patients. The incidence of HCC was 1.2% at 5 years and 4.3% at 10 years. The use of peginterferon or ribavirin for treatment and a history of antiviral therapy prior to the course when SVR was achieved were not associated with the incidence of HCC after SVR. The presence of diabetes mellitus (risk ratio 2.08; P = 0.0451) and FIB‐4 index calculated at the time of SVR24 (risk ratio 1.73; P = 0.0198) were associated with a higher likelihood of HCC after SVR by multivariate analysis.ConclusionsPatients with diabetes mellitus and patients with the elevation of FIB‐4 index at SVR24 are at higher risk of HCC after SVR. Surveillance for HCC should be continued in this patient subpopulation.