bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression pattern of miR‐146a, an inflammation‐associated microRNA, in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Aronica E. , Fluiter K. , Iyer A. , Zurolo E. , Vreijling J. , Van Vliet E. A. , Baayen J. C. , Gorter J. A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIncreasing evidence supports the involvement of inflammatory and immune processes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MicroRNAs (miRNA) represent small regulatory RNA molecules that have been shown to act as negative regulators of gene expression controlling different biological processes, including immune‐system homeostasis and function. We investigated the expression and cellular distribution of miRNA‐146a (miR‐146a) in a rat model of TLE as well as in human TLE. miR‐146a analysis in rat hippocampus was performed by polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry at 1 week and 3–4 months after induction of status epilepticus (SE). Prominent upregulation of miR‐146a activation was evident at 1 week after SE and persisted in the chronic phase. The miR‐146a expression was confirmed to be present in reactive astrocytes. In human TLE with hippocampal sclerosis, increased astroglial expression of miR‐146a was observed mainly in regions where neuronal cell loss and reactive gliosis occurred. The increased and persistent expression of miR‐146a in reactive astrocytes supports the possible involvement of miRNAs in the modulation of the astroglial inflammatory response occurring in TLE and provides a target for future studies aimed at developing strategies against pro‐epileptogenic inflammatory signalling.
Quorum sensing‐controlled Evr regulates a conserved cryptic pigment biosynthetic cluster and a novel phenomycin‐like locus in the plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum
Authors: Williamson Neil R. , Commander Paul M. B. , Salmond George P. C. 
Published: February 2010

Summary Pectobacterium carotovorum SCRI193 is a phytopathogenic Gram‐negative bacterium. In this study, we have identified a novel cryptic pigment biosynthetic locus in P. carotovorum SCRI193 which we have called the Pectobacterium orange pigment (pop) cluster. The pop cluster is flanked by two tRNA genes and contains genes that encode non‐ribosomal peptide synthases and polyketide synthase and produces a negatively charged polar orange pigment. Orange pigment production is activated when an adjacent transcriptional activator sharing sequence similarity with the Erwinia virulence regulator (Evr) is overexpressed. Evr was shown to positively activate its own transcription and that of the pigment biosynthetic genes and an unlinked locus encoding a phenomycin homologue. In addition, the expression of Evr and orange pigment production was shown to be regulated by N‐(3‐oxohexanoyl)‐HSL (OHHL) quorum sensing and have a virulence phenotype in potato. Finally, by comparative genomics and Southern blotting we demonstrate that this pigment biosynthetic cluster is present in multiple P. carotovorum spp., Pectobacterium brasiliensis 1692 and a truncated version of the cluster is present in Pectobacterium atrosepticum. The conserved nature of this cluster in P. carotovorum and P. brasiliensis suggests that the pop cluster has an important function in these broad‐host‐range soft rotting bacteria, which is no longer required in the narrow‐host‐range P. atrosepticum SCRI1043.
DNA sequence‐based analysis of the Pseudomonas species
Authors: Mulet Magdalena , Lalucat Jorge , García‐Valdés Elena 
Published: February 2010

SummaryPartial sequences of four core ‘housekeeping’ genes (16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD) of the type strains of 107 Pseudomonas species were analysed in order to obtain a comprehensive view regarding the phylogenetic relationships within the Pseudomonas genus. Gene trees allowed the discrimination of two lineages or intrageneric groups (IG), called IG P. aeruginosa and IG P. fluorescens. The first IG P. aeruginosa, was divided into three main groups, represented by the species P. aeruginosa, P. stutzeri and P. oleovorans. The second IG was divided into six groups, represented by the species P. fluorescens, P. syringae, P. lutea, P. putida, P. anguilliseptica and P. straminea. The P. fluorescens group was the most complex and included nine subgroups, represented by the species P. fluorescens, P. gessardi, P. fragi, P. mandelii, P. jesseni, P. koreensis, P. corrugata, P. chlororaphis and P. asplenii. Pseudomonas rhizospherae was affiliated with the P. fluorescens IG in the phylogenetic analysis but was independent of any group. Some species were located on phylogenetic branches that were distant from defined clusters, such as those represented by the P. oryzihabitans group and the type strains P. pachastrellae, P. pertucinogena and P. luteola. Additionally, 17 strains of P. aeruginosa, ‘P. entomophila’, P. fluorescens, P. putida, P. syringae and P. stutzeri, for which genome sequences have been determined, have been included to compare the results obtained in the analysis of four housekeeping genes with those obtained from whole genome analyses.
Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis in the Jamaican Gray Anole, Anolis lineatopus (Reptilia: Polychrotidae)
Authors: Rheubert Justin L. , Wilson Byron S. , Wolf Klaus W. , Gribbins Kevin M. 
Published: February 2010

Rheubert, J.L., Wilson, B.S., Wolf, K.W. and Gribbins, K.M. 2010. Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis in the Jamaican Gray Anole, Anolis lineatopus (Reptilia: Polychrotidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 484–494.AbstractAs the number of spermatozoal characters being described in reptiles increases, it is important to detail the ontogeny of the features leading to the mature morphology of the spermatozoa which may give rise to more comprehensive data matrices for future phylogenetic analyses within the Reptilia. Therefore, spermiogenically active testes from Anolis lineatopus were investigated ultrastructurally to describe the intracellular changes that occur throughout spermiogenesis. The primary events of spermiogenesis (acrosome formation, nuclear condensation, and elongation) seen in A. lineatopus are similar to those previously described for other amniotes. Characters including a round perforatorium tip, stopper‐like perforatorial base plate, open pits of nucleoplasm during condensation, and protein layers within the acrosome complex corroborate trends from previous studies in squamates. However, uniquely defined in A. lineatopus are the excessive amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes that contribute to cellular secretions during mid elongation of the spermatids and the lack of a manchette. During acrosome formation, the acrosome granule is found in a basal rather than an apical position, which has been observed in previous studies. These similarities and differences observed during spermiogenesis may be helpful in elucidating the development of mature spermatozoal characters as well as aid in future phylogenetic analyses.
Foreign bank entry, bank efficiency and market power in Central and Eastern European Countries1
Authors: Poghosyan Tigran , Poghosyan Arsen 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis article analyses the implications of the recently observed sharp expansion of foreign banks in the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) as measured by equity ownership. We show that the mode of foreign entry has a pivotal impact on the post‐entry performance of banks in CEECs. Foreign greenfield banks are characterized by superior cost efficiency, compared with domestic and foreign‐acquired banks. The efficiency of foreign‐acquired banks deteriorates in the initial year of acquisition, but improves thereafter. Banks acquired by foreigners have less market power relative to domestic and foreign greenfield banks. Overall, the CEEC banking sectors have benefited from the increased foreign bank participation, both in terms of higher efficiency and more competition.
FDI spillovers in new EU member states
Authors: Nicolini Marcella , Resmini Laura 
Published: February 2010

AbstractUsing an unbalanced panel of firm‐level data in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, we examine the impact of foreign firms on domestic firms’ productivity. In particular, we try to answer the following research questions: (1) Are there any spillover effects of foreign direct investments (FDI), and if so, are they positive or negative? (2) Are spillover effects more likely to occur within or across sectors? (3) Are the existence, the direction and the magnitude of spillovers conditioned by sector and firm‐specific characteristics? Our findings show that FDI spillovers exist both within and across sectors. The former arise when foreign firms operate in labour‐intensive sectors, while the latter occur when foreign firms operate in high‐tech sectors. Moreover, we find that domestic firm size conditions the exploitation of FDI spillovers even after controlling for absorptive capacity. We also detect a great deal of heterogeneity across countries consistent with the technology gap hypothesis.
Industrial labour productivities and tariffs in South Africa
Authors: Harding Torfinn , Rattsø Jørn 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe analysis of the effect of tariffs for labour productivity faces the challenge of tariff policy endogeneity. Tariff policy is designed to promote economic development and the industrial sector tariff structure may reflect characteristics of the industries protected. We seek to identify the effect of tariffs by taking advantage of multilateral tariff liberalization using reductions in industrial sector tariffs in other world regions as instruments for sectoral tariff reductions in South Africa. The data cover 28 manufacturing sectors over the period 1988–2003. We find that tariff reductions have stimulated labour productivity when instrumented by multilateral tariffs. The ordinary least‐squares estimates show downward bias and this confirms the endogeneity of tariffs. Investigation of channels of effects shows some support for the importance of competitive pressure and technology spillover from trade liberalization.
The Expatriate Real Estate Complex: Creative Destruction and the Production of Luxury in Post‐Socialist Prague
Authors: COOK ANDREW 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis article explores the influence of international financial capital on the production of exclusionary housing markets and spatialities in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It focuses on the regeneration of Karlín, a district of Prague increasingly defined by the presence of luxury housing and high‐specification office developments. Through a critical discussion of two private companies heavily implicated in the renewal of the district, it is possible to examine the ways in which these actors are contributing to this regeneration. I argue that the regeneration of the district is intimately bound up with processes of capitalist uneven development that couple networks of foreign investors with local municipal authorities through an asymmetric set of power relations. These relations are heavily skewed in favour of the private sector, and the complexity of the linkages between these actors makes meaningful regulation of foreign investment extremely challenging. I also suggest that such practices should not be seen as a transitory position between state socialist planning mechanisms and mature ‘Western’ practices of regeneration, but rather as explicitly post‐socialist in nature, and only as a partial reading of a number of different post‐socialisms, instead of being seen as representative of a singular ‘post‐socialist condition’.RésuméCet article explore l’influence du capital financier international sur la production de spatialités et de marchés du logement générateurs d’exclusion dans la capitale tchèque. Il s’intéresse à la régénération de Karlín, un quartier de Prague qui se caractérise de plus en plus par la présence d’habitations de luxe et d’aménagements de bureaux très spécifiques. À travers une analyse critique de deux sociétés privées fortement impliquées dans la rénovation du quartier, il est possible d’étudier les modalités selon lesquelles ces acteurs contribuent à cette régénération. Celle‐ci apparaît étroitement liée à des processus d’essor inégal du capitalisme qui associent des réseaux d’investisseurs étrangers aux autorités municipales dans un cadre asymétrique de relations de pouvoir. Ce cadre penche considérablement en faveur du secteur privé, et la complexité des liaisons entre ces acteurs rend extrêmement problématique une réglementation sensée de l’investissement étranger. De telles pratiques ne devraient pas être considérées comme une situation transitoire entre les mécanismes étatiques de planification socialiste et des pratiques de régénération ‘occidentales’éprouvées, mais comme étant de nature explicitement postsocialiste, et seulement dans une lecture partielle de plusieurs postsocialismes différents plutôt que dans une vision représentative d’une ‘situation postsocialiste’ singulière.
An Econometric Analysis of The Remittance Determinants Among Ghanaians and Nigerians in The United States, United Kingdom, and Germany
Authors: Ecer Sencer , Tompkins Andrea 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis paper examines the determinants of remittance behavior relying on a dataset of migrants living in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States who remit to Ghana and Nigeria. Controlling for endogeneity of several independent variables, the model measures the effects on the amount sent of the following variables: Home Country (Ghana or Nigeria), Host Country (United States, United Kingdom or Germany), Remittance Fees, Relationship to the Receiver, Purpose of Remittance, Financial Obligations in the Host Country, and Demographics. The results indicate that remittances are primarily influenced by the purpose of the remittance and from where the remittance is sent. It appears that different generations chose to migrate to different countries, creating differences in income, education and age. These differences along with financial obligations in the host country contribute to higher remittance levels. In regards to the development affects, the results of this paper hint that altruistic reasons for remitting may be associated with higher levels of remittances, while more self‐interested reasons for remitting are associated with lower levels of remittances. These results indicate that it may be difficult to design policies to encourage the use of remittances for development purposes, as remittances are primarily used for basic needs.
Trade Credit, Bank Credit and Financial Crisis*
Authors: LOVE INESSA , ZAIDI RIDA 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper examines trade credit behavior in a sample of small and medium enterprises in four East Asian countries before and after the financial crisis of 1998. We use a unique dataset that contains detailed data on trade credit amount and contract terms along with data on access to finance. We find that after the crisis, firms constrained in bank finance receive less trade credit in terms of percent of inputs bought on credit and shorter time of repayment. They also reduce credit extension to their customers in terms of quantity and length of time, due to a smaller pool of available finance. Discount terms rise on both receivables and payables. Our evidence does not support the hypothesis that trade credit can substitute for bank credit in times of the crisis, and instead suggests that liquidity shocks are propagated along the supply chains.
Credit Default Swaps and the Stability of the Banking Sector*
Authors: HEYDE FRANK , NEYER ULRIKE 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper considers credit default swaps (CDSs) used for the transfer of credit risk within the banking sector. The banks' motive to conclude these CDS contracts is to improve the diversification of their credit risk. It is shown that these CDSsreducethe stability of the banking sector in a recession. However, during a boom or in periods of moderate economic up‐ or downturn, theymay reducethis stability. The main reasons behind these negative impacts are firstly, that banks are induced to increase their investment in an illiquid, risky credit portfolio, and secondly, that these CDSs may create a possible channel of contagion.
Sophistication in Risk Management, Bank Equity, and Stability*
Authors: GERSBACH HANS , WENZELBURGER JAN 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTWe investigate the question of whether sophistication in risk management fosters banking stability. We compare a simple banking system that uses an average rating with a sophisticated banking system in which banks are able to assess the default risk of entrepreneurs individually. Both banking systems compete for deposits, loans, and bank equity. While a sophisticated system rewards entrepreneurs with low default risks with low loan interest rates, a simple system acquires more bank equity and finances more entrepreneurs. Expected repayments in a simple system are always higher and its default risk may be lower. As an economy with a sophisticated banking system invests its funds more efficiently, there is a trade‐off between efficiency and stability of a banking system.
Entry risk into the juvenile justice system: African American, American Indian, Asian American, European American, and Hispanic children and adolescents
Authors: Vazsonyi Alexander T. , Chen Pan 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Findings on disproportionate minority contact remain mixed. Few empirical studies have examined to what extent entry risk into juvenile justice varies across ethnic/racial groups, and to what extent childhood aggressive behaviors foretell later deviance and entry risk. In the current study, we sought to address these shortcomings by implementing a survival analysis on a representative sample of youth followed from age 8 to 18.Methods:  The sample included N = 2,754 lower to lower‐middle SES youth from five different ethnic/racial groups (African American, American Indian, Asian American, European American, and Hispanic youth), part of a large‐scale violence prevention effort. Aggressive behaviors were rated by teachers during elementary school, entry risk into juvenile justice was measured by official data, while SES was based on census data.Results:  Developmental entry risk into the juvenile justice system peaked at age 14 and subsequently declined. No differences were found across the four racial groups; however, Hispanic youth were at elevated risk (by 73%). Only childhood physical aggressive behavior increased entry risk (by 87%); this was above and beyond a ‘simple’ maturational liability we found and net any effects by sex, race/ethnicity, and SES.Conclusions:  Some evidence suggested disproportionate minority contact, but only for Hispanic youth. Entry risk was invariant by race, but differed for males versus females and for youth from relatively higher socioeconomic status (SES) strata compared to youth from lower ones. Intervention efforts should target physically aggressive children during the elementary school years; however, some of the evidence also suggests that there exists a ‘maturational liability’ developmentally over time, between the ages of 8 and 18, independent of any of the focal predictors tested.
Electrical source imaging for presurgical focus localization in epilepsy patients with normal MRI
Authors: Brodbeck Verena , Spinelli Laurent , Lascano Agustina M. , Pollo Claudio , Schaller Karl , Vargas Maria I. , Wissmeyer Michael , Michel Christoph M. , Seeck Margitta 
Published: February 2010

SummaryPurpose: Patients with magnetic resonance (MR)–negative focal epilepsy (MRN‐E) have less favorable surgical outcomes (between 40% and 70%) compared to those in whom an MRI lesion guides the site of surgical intervention (60–90%). Patients with extratemporal MRN‐E have the worst outcome (around 50% chance of seizure freedom). We studied whether electroencephalography (EEG) source imaging (ESI) of interictal epileptic activity can contribute to the identification of the epileptic focus in patients with normal MRI.Methods: We carried out ESI in 10 operated patients with nonlesional MRI and a postsurgical follow‐up of at least 1 year. Five of the 10 patients had extratemporal lobe epilepsy. Evaluation comprised surface and intracranial EEG monitoring of ictal and interictal events, structural MRI, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), ictal and interictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans. Eight of the 10 patients also underwent intracranial monitoring.Results: ESI correctly localized the epileptic focus within the resection margins in 8 of 10 patients, 9 of whom experienced favorable postsurgical outcomes.Discussion: The results highlight the diagnostic value of ESI and encourage broadening its application to patients with MRN‐E. If the surface EEG contains fairly localized spikes, ESI contributes to the presurgical decision process.
Revised terminology and concepts for organization of seizures and epilepsies: Report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology, 2005–2009
Authors: Berg Anne T. , Berkovic Samuel F. , Brodie Martin J. , Buchhalter Jeffrey , Cross J. Helen , Van Emde Boas Walter , Engel Jerome , French Jacqueline , Glauser Tracy A. , Mathern Gary W. , Moshé Solomon L. , Nordli Douglas , Plouin Perrine , Scheffer Ingrid E. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission on Classification and Terminology has revised concepts, terminology, and approaches for classifying seizures and forms of epilepsy. Generalized and focal are redefined for seizures as occurring in and rapidly engaging bilaterally distributed networks (generalized) and within networks limited to one hemisphere and either discretely localized or more widely distributed (focal). Classification of generalized seizures is simplified. No natural classification for focal seizures exists; focal seizures should be described according to their manifestations (e.g., dyscognitive, focal motor). The concepts of generalized and focal do not apply to electroclinical syndromes. Genetic, structural–metabolic, and unknown represent modified concepts to replace idiopathic, symptomatic, and cryptogenic. Not all epilepsies are recognized as electroclinical syndromes. Organization of forms of epilepsy is first by specificity: electroclinical syndromes, nonsyndromic epilepsies with structural–metabolic causes, and epilepsies of unknown cause. Further organization within these divisions can be accomplished in a flexible manner depending on purpose. Natural classes (e.g., specific underlying cause, age at onset, associated seizure type), or pragmatic groupings (e.g., epileptic encephalopathies, self‐limited electroclinical syndromes) may serve as the basis for organizing knowledge about recognized forms of epilepsy and facilitate identification of new forms.