bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Water war’ in the Mekong Basin?
Authors: Pearse‐Smith Scott W.D. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe Mekong River system provides a crucial source of natural resources for riparian nations. However, the increasingly rapid pace of hydro‐development in the Mekong Basin is threatening the integrity of the river system, posing a real concern for Lower Basin states, which are particularly dependent on the basin. This scenario has led to warnings of armed conflict, or even ‘water war’, between riparian states. Certainly, the expanding scale of hydro‐development can be expected to continue increasing interstate tensions in the Mekong region; but are these tensions really likely to escalate to armed conflict? This paper explores this question by drawing on the water and conflict theory of Aaron Wolf. Ultimately, this paper concludes that interstate tensions over Mekong hydro‐development are unlikely to generate armed conflict. This is in part due to the strategic impracticality of such a conflict as well as the presence of a river basin management institution. Most compellingly, though, armed conflict is unlikely because the economic imperative shared by Mekong states is better served by cooperation – or at least non‐interference – than conflict, over regional hydro‐development. In closing, the paper urges that the study of water and conflict in the Mekong Basin be refocused at the intrastate level.
Land degradation and population relocation in Northern China
Authors: Dong Chong , Liu Xiumei , Klein K.K. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractOvergrazing in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia following market reform in China has led to severe soil degradation and desertification. In an effort to revive the ecological environment in northern pastoral areas, the government of China recently adopted an intervention policy to relocate families from areas where excess grazing pressure was seriously compromising land and the environment. A survey was conducted in three villages to determine how well the relocated families have adapted to their new living conditions and the factors that affect their willingness to stay in the new villages. Regression analysis revealed that the most important factors were age of the head of the household, length of time the family has resided in the new village, proportion of total income that is made up of government payments and level of fixed, durable and current assets.
Banknotes And Economic Growth
Authors: Lastrapes William D. , Selgin George 
Published: August 2012

AbstractModern paper currency contributes little to productive investment. This shortcoming is not inherent to paper money. It stems from the fact that currency today is monopolistically supplied by public monetary authorities that are poor intermediaries. Commercial banknotes may, in contrast, support efficient intermediation, just as private bank deposits do. We demonstrate this advantage in an endogenous growth model, and use the model to simulate, for a sample of developing countries, steady‐state growth‐rate gains from various degrees of banknote deregulation. The simulated gains are generally large compared with those from conventional forms of financial liberalization.
Prioritarianism and Welfare Reductions
Authors: Persson Ingmar 
Published: August 2012

abstractDerek Parfit has argued that egalitarianism is exposed to a levelling down objection because it implies, implausibly, that a change, which consists only in the better‐off sinking to the level of the worse‐off, is in one respect better, though it is better for nobody. He claims that, in contrast, the prioritarian view that benefits to the worse‐off have greater moral weight escapes this objection. This article contends, first, that prioritarianism is equally affected by the levelling down objection as is egalitarianism, but that this objection lacks force. Secondly, prioritarianism is less plausible than egalitarianism because it implies that lowering the level of equality by diffusing a quantity of welfare equally over as many recipients as possible is for the better all things considered, and that the outcome of such welfare diffusion would still be better in one respect, even if the quantity of welfare was radically reduced.
Understanding the propensity of wild predators to illegal poison baiting
Authors: Márquez C. , Vargas J. M. , Villafuerte R. , Fa J. E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn many parts of the world, illegal poisoning of wild predators has increased abruptly in recent decades. Birds of prey and carnivores have been targeted directly or indirectly if these are perceived to impact game species or domestic animals. Non‐target species have experienced widespread declines, even local extinctions, as the result of illegal use of poisoned bait. In this study, we used data on detected poisoning events in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia to measure the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic variables on poisoning propensity of 18 wild predator species. Extrinsic factors affecting a species being poisoned were those related to the predicted coverage of poisoning events and how this overlapped with the distribution range of each species. To achieve this, we mapped areas of high ‘favourability’ of poisoning, as well as areas favourable for the species. Intrinsic factors that could increase a species' chances of consuming poisoned bait were related to how much a species depended on scavenging for food, whether it lived in groups, pairs or solitary, and on its sedentariness (whether migratory or sedentary). For each species, we calculated an index of potential spatial conflict between the distribution of poisoning events and the species' most favourable natural areas. To assess a species' intrinsic likelihood for consuming poisoned bait, we derived an index from the species' feeding habits, its sociality and sedentariness. Finally, by combining the extrinsic and extrinsic indices, we produced a general index of propensity to poisoning. We show that vultures and the red kite (Milvus milvus) among the raptors had the highest propensity of being poisoned, while the Iberian grey wolf (Canis lupus signatus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Eurasian badger (Meles meles) were more prone among the carnivores. With our method managers can measure vulnerability of species to poisoning and prioritize them in a clear spatial context.
The Material Life of the Ottoman Middle Class
Authors: Abou‐Hodeib Toufoul 
Published: August 2012

AbstractRecent scholarship on the Ottoman Empire and Egypt pays close attention to the relationship between changing material culture and modernity in the late 19th and early 20th century. This has led to a better understanding of how, for a nascent middle class, objects and commodities served to define both its relationship to modernity as well as its social position. Nevertheless, conceptualizing changing aspects of material life does not go beyond the use of objects to represent and signal socioeconomic positions at the desires and whims of their users. Accordingly, objects have only served to reaffirm scholarly claims about the fragmentation and Westernization of the Ottoman middle class. Using conceptual perspectives on material culture and specific examples from the Levant, particularly Beirut, this article investigates how material culture can further push the understanding of the rise of the middle class by shedding light on anxieties shared across the religious divide and by demystifying the concept of ‘Westernization’.
Pacemaker Wire Central Venous Stenosis and One More Reason to Not Run Central Venous Catheters for Dialysis in Reverse Flow
Authors: Ash Stephen R. , Ugianskis Erika J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA 75‐year‐old man on chronic peritoneal dialysis had unrecognized stenosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) due to pacemaker wires placed 5 years earlier. The patient was placed on hemodialysis after hernia surgery. When a tunneled central venous catheter for dialysis was placed from the right internal jugular (IJ) vein, the venous lumen extended through the stenotic area but not the arterial lumen. Probably due to a subsequent clot at the arterial lumen port the patient developed SVC syndrome and when the catheter was run in the reversed flow direction he developed hypovolemic shock. The stenosis and SVC syndrome resolved with angioplasty of the SVC stenosis, removal of the IJ catheter and use of a femoral vein catheter. The patient eventually returned to peritoneal dialysis and the femoral catheter was removed.
Antibiotic Catheter Locks in the Treatment of Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter‐Related Blood Stream Infection
Authors: Joshi Amit J. , Hart Peter D. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe prospectively examined the efficacy of systemic antibiotics and antibiotic catheter locks for the treatment of tunneled hemodialysis catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI). Patients with clinical signs of tunnel or metastatic infection were excluded. All patients with suspected CRBSI were treated empirically with systemic antibiotics at the onset of symptoms before final culture and susceptibility results were available. Once the organism was identified, antibiotics treatment was tailored and antibiotic catheter locks were instilled after each dialysis treatment. Clearance of infection was documented by negative surveillance cultures after completion of antibiotic course. Out of 46 episodes of CRBSI; 16 were due to gram positive organisms, 22 were due to gram negative organisms, and 8 were polymicrobial (≥2 organisms) infections. 19 cases required removal of dialysis catheter. Antibiotic lock protocol was successful for eradicating infection in 27 of 46 episodes (59%). The likelihood of a clinical cure was identical in both gram‐positive and gram‐negative infections (63% and 62% respectively). Antibiotic lock protocol remains an option in the treatment of clinically stable patients with CRBSI; however, success rate of this protocol in eradicating the infection is modest.
Burden of Alzheimer's Disease–Related Mortality in the United States, 1999–2008
Authors: Moschetti Kristin , Cummings Patricia L. , Sorvillo Frank , Kuo Tony 
Published: August 2012

ObjectivesTo update and examine Alzheimer's disease–related mortality trends according to age, sex, race and ethnicity, geography, and other case characteristics for a 10‐year period.DesignTrend and comparative analyses of the U.S. multiple‐cause‐of‐death records for 1999 to 2008.SettingUnited States.ParticipantsParticipants were decedents with Alzheimer's disease (AD) coded as underlying or associated cause of death; decedents with other forms of dementia or cognitive disorder were excluded.MeasurementsCase frequency, age‐specific death rates, and crude and age‐adjusted mortality rates were estimated for all AD decedents from the sampled period. Measures of AD mortality burden were compared with those of other leading causes of death (e.g., diabetes mellitus, stroke).ResultsFrom 1999 to 2008, 879,281 AD‐related deaths were identified. The age‐adjusted mortality rate for AD increased from 45.3 per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval (CI) = 45.0–45.7) in 1999 to 50.0 per 100,000 population (95% CI = 49.7–50.3) in 2008. The average age at death was 85.9. Differences in AD‐related deaths varied according to sex, race and ethnicity, and geography. The number of AD‐related deaths and age‐specific mortality for persons aged 85 and older (n = 532,338, 1,096.6 per 100,000 population) were comparable with those from the same age group who died from diabetes mellitus (n = 488,593, 1,006.5 per 100,000 population).ConclusionThe burden of AD‐related mortality was substantial for the period 1999 to 2008. This burden is expected to grow rapidly as the baby boomer generation ages. Findings from this study may have important implications for present and future planning in medicine, social services, public policy, and public health.
The European Union: A Shield Against the Downside of Globalization
Authors: BELKA MAREK 
Published: August 2012

Because they have failed to address the fundamental economic imbalances within Europe obscured by the single currency, each effort by European leaders so far to resolve the euro crisis has only deepened it. Without a decisive move toward fiscal and political union, accompanied by policies that push productivity and competitiveness toward convergence while closing the democratic deficit, the Eurozone will disintegrate.To discuss the way forward, the Nicolas Berggruen Institute's Council on the Future of Europe met in Rome on May 28 with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. In this section we publish the contributions from that meeting by the former European leaders, scholars and Nobel laureates who are members of the Council.
Making Europe Work
Authors: MUNDELL ROBERT 
Published: August 2012

Because they have failed to address the fundamental economic imbalances within Europe obscured by the single currency, each effort by European leaders so far to resolve the euro crisis has only deepened it. Without a decisive move toward fiscal and political union, accompanied by policies that push productivity and competitiveness toward convergence while closing the democratic deficit, the Eurozone will disintegrate.To discuss the way forward, the Nicolas Berggruen Institute's Council on the Future of Europe met in Rome on May 28 with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. In this section we publish the contributions from that meeting by the former European leaders, scholars and Nobel laureates who are members of the Council.
The New Egypt: Don't Give Up Hope
Authors: ZEWAIL AHMED 
Published: August 2012

The revolutions of the Arab Spring are twisting and turning on a troubled course. After an uprising overthrew Mubarak last year, elections were held in June in which the Muslim Brotherhood dominated—only to have the military once again assert its authority over any new parliament and constitution. What is at stake is whether Egypt will remain a secular state like Turkey, or take on a moretheocratic bent if ruled by Islamists.In this section, the Arab world's only Nobel laureate in science offers his views about Egypt's future. The Turkish president argues for a secularism that tolerates all religions in Egypt. The CIA's former top analyst on the Muslim world questions whether Islamist parties can deliver once in power instead of opposition.
Resident phenotypically modulated vascular smooth muscle cells in healthy human arteries
Authors: Harhun Maksym I. , Huggins Christopher L. , Ratnasingham Kumaran , Raje Durgesh , Moss Ray F. , Szewczyk Kinga , Vasilikostas Georgios , Greenwood Iain A. , Khong Teck K. , Wan Andrew , Reddy Marcus 
Published: August 2012

AbstractVascular interstitial cells (VICs) are non‐contractile cells with filopodia previously described in healthy blood vessels of rodents and their function remains unknown. The objective of this study was to identify VICs in human arteries and to ascertain their role. VICs were identified in the wall of human gastro‐omental arteries using transmission electron microscopy. Isolated VICs showed ability to form new and elongate existing filopodia and actively change body shape. Most importantly sprouting VICs were also observed in cell dispersal. RT‐PCR performed on separately collected contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and VICs showed that both cell types expressed the gene for smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM‐MHC). Immunofluorescent labelling showed that both VSMCs and VICs had similar fluorescence for SM‐MHC and αSM‐actin, VICs, however, had significantly lower fluorescence for smoothelin, myosin light chain kinase, h‐calponin and SM22α. It was also found that VICs do not have cytoskeleton as rigid as in contractile VSMCs. VICs express number of VSMC‐specific proteins and display features of phenotypically modulated VSMCs with increased migratory abilities. VICs, therefore represent resident phenotypically modulated VSMCs that are present in human arteries under normal physiological conditions.
Does complementarity in leaf phenology and inclination promote co‐existence in a species‐rich meadow? Evidence from functional groups
Authors: Mason Norman W. H. , Pipenbaher Nataša , Škornik Sonja , Kaligarič Mitja 
Published: August 2012

AbstractQuestionCould tests of proportionality for functionally defined guilds provide a rapid means of revealing potential mechanisms of co‐existence in species‐rich meadow communities?Study siteA species‐rich meadow in Slovenia.MethodsSpecies presence/absence was recorded in 830 contiguous 0.2 m × 0.2 m quadrats arranged in a rectangular transect. Evidence for guild proportionality was assessed for guilds defined by (1) taxonomy, (2) growth form and (3) functional group defined by leaf inclination or leaf phenology. We also tested whether classifying the graminoid‐like forb Scorzenera villosa as a graminoid improved evidence for proportionality in taxonomic guilds.ResultsThere was no evidence of guild proportionality for guilds defined by either taxonomy or growth form. There was significant proportionality for functional groups defined by leaf phenology and leaf inclination. Classifying S. villosa as a graminoid did not improve evidence for proportionality of taxonomic guilds.ConclusionsTesting for proportionality in functionally defined guilds provides a rapid means for detecting potential mechanisms of co‐existence in species‐rich communities. We found evidence that species differing in strategy for spatial light capture (leaf inclination) and temporal resource use (phenology) were more likely to co‐exist than expected by chance. These findings may help to guide future experimental work attempting to confirm co‐existence mechanisms in meadow communities. This approach may prove useful in other poorly studied, species‐rich vegetation types.
The Economic Geography of Australia and Its Analysis: From Industrial to Post‐Industrial Regions
Authors: BEER ANDREW 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe Australian economy has experienced profound change over the last five decades, moving from an industrial to a post‐industrial structure. This transformation has had far‐reaching implications for the nature of economic activity in Australia and has provided the backdrop for the evolving analysis of the nation's space economy. The paper argues that three interrelated themes underpin much of the work of economic geographers in Australia: the impacts of globalisation on Australia's space economy; neoliberalism and the governance of regions; and policy‐focused analysis of regions, their history and prospects. The paper concludes that economic geography will continue to make important intellectual and practical contributions to Australia in the near future as the reshaping of the Australian economy continues and as new challenges reshape the nation's regions.
Overview of: “Promoting Evidence‐Based Practice in Delinquency Prevention at the State Level: Principles, Progress, and Policy Directions”
Authors: Greenwood Peter W. , Welsh Brandon C. 
Published: August 2012

Research SummaryEvidence‐based practice in the field of delinquency prevention has come a long way in the last 15 years in the United States. This progress has been aided by several leading organizations and researchers providing authoritative and up‐to‐date lists of what works, the application of cost–benefit models, and some political leaders championing this movement over “get tough” practices. State governments are on the cutting edge of this movement, providing leadership, infrastructure, and funding for local efforts. This article reports on the first study to examine the ways that state governments are promoting and supporting the use of evidence‐based practice. Case studies of seven early adopter states show a modest yet growing investment in several brand name evidence‐based programs, including Functional Family Therapy (FFT), Multisystemic Therapy (MST), and Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC). To support these programs, numerous efforts stand out across the seven states, including special funding, risk assessment guidance and support, assistance in needs assessment and program selection, and program evaluation.Policy ImplicationsThe experiences of the two most progressive states—Connecticut and Pennsylvania—offer many lessons for policy makers and practitioners in other states. Evidence‐based practice should begin with bringing together a collaborative group, representing all key stakeholders, for the purpose of identifying needs and selecting programs to support. States also should consider establishing evidence‐based centers, which can provide training and technical assistance to county agencies, and report to stakeholders on the performance of programs along with their impacts on crime and correctional costs within the state. At some point, many states will find it necessary to design and evaluate programs tailored to their own special needs, or to evaluate the application of proven programs to populations different from those covered in the original research.The positive experiences and reaction to the rollout of evidence‐based programs in early adopter states suggests that state and county agencies can develop the expertise to make effective use of such programs by adopting the strategies and methods that have already been developed for that purpose. With a growing knowledge base and much promise on the horizon, state and local governments and practitioners should be cautiously optimistic about the potential of evidence‐based practice in delinquency prevention.
Local Officials' Incentives and China's Economic Growth: Tournament Thesis Reexamined and Alternative Explanatory Framework
Authors: Su Fubing , Tao Ran , Xi Lu , Li Ming 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTo explain China's dramatic economic growth, researchers have proposed a “tournament thesis.” According to this thesis, the central government's ability to set growth targets has played a crucial role in growth since political promotion is largely based on local economic growth. We use provincial officials' career mobility data to test this thesis. For both time periods (1979–1995 and 1979–2002), economic performance, measured in annual, average and relative terms, did not affect these officials' career advancement. We then sketch an alternative analytical framework to explain Chinese local officials' strong urge for developmentalism and, finally, draw policy implications from this explanatory framework.
Does Life Expectancy Affect Private Educational Investment in China?
Authors: Sun Wenkai , Wang Xiaoxia , Ying Xiaoni 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we emphasize the interactive effect between life expectancy and human capital accumulation, and test the positive feedback of longevity to educational investment in China. This is very important for understanding the pressure from the aging population and the increase in private educational investment in China. We first show in an extended human capital investment model that life expectancy growth acts as a driving force for educational investment. We then build a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences empirical framework and use cross‐province data to examine the effect in China. We use the maternal mortality rate (MMR) to identify the difference in life expectancy between genders, and the illiteracy rate or average years of education by gender for educational investment. The empirical results comply with the theory, in that increases in life expectancy significantly lower illiteracy rates and improve the average schooling years in China. This content of the present paper is closely related to crucial issues like population aging, human capital accumulation and gender discrimination. Policy implications are discussed based on the empirical results.