bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What does a Monetary Policy Shock Do? An International Analysis with Multiple Filters*
Authors: Castelnuovo Efrem 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWhat does a monetary policy shock do? We answer this question by estimating a new‐Keynesian monetary policy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for a number of economies with a variety of empirical proxies of the business cycle. The effects of two different policy shocks, an unexpected interest rate hike conditional on a constant inflation target and an unpredicted drift in the inflation target, are scrutinized. Filter‐specific Bayesian impulse responses are contrasted with those obtained by combining multiple business cycle indicators. Our results document the substantial uncertainty surrounding the estimated effects of these two policy shocks across a number of countries.
Profit Sharing and Training*
Authors: Kraft Kornelius , Lang Julia 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe analyze the impact of profit sharing on training intensity. Profit sharing may affect training because it is a credible commitment by firms to reward firm‐specific skills, may reduce turnover and leads to peer group pressure to participate in training courses. To eliminate possible selectivity effects, we combine matching with difference‐in‐differences. We identify the proportion of employees participating in profits and differentiate profit sharing according to the percentage of the workers covered. Using German establishment data we find that profit sharing only has a significant effect on training intensity if the majority of the workforce benefits from it.
BEYOND INTERMARRIAGE: THE ROLE OF THE INDIGENOUS ITALIC POPULATION AT PITHEKOUSSAI
Authors: KELLEY OLIVIA 
Published: July 2012

SummaryDebate has long raged over the nature and extent of contact and cooperation between the Greeks and the Levantines at the site of Pithekoussai on the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. The native Italic population, however, has been largely overlooked or viewed as a marginal or fringe element. Italic fibula types, which are found extensively in the cemetery, have been traditionally interpreted as evidence for the intermarriage of Italic females into the colonial settlement. This concept has limited our understanding of the role or impact of the Italic population at the site, effectively obscuring any more nuanced or balanced interpretations of their activity. A detailed analysis of several tombs from Pithekoussai, which contained iron tools or instruments, indicates that the Italic population was more actively involved in the creation of material culture at the site than has previously been supposed. Parallels for the practice are found widely on the Italic mainland and have often been associated with elite customs or funerary rituals. The presence of such practices at the site of Pithekoussai indicates the active impact of the native Italic population and the dynamic effect that diverse members of the community had on the creation and promulgation of a uniquely Pithekoussan identity.
Has Labor Income Become More Volatile? Evidence from International Industry-Level Data
Authors: Buch Claudia M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractChanges in labor market institutions and the increasing integration of the world economy may affect the volatility of capital and labor incomes. This article documents and analyzes changes in income volatility using data for 11 industrialized countries, 22 industries and 35 years (1970-2004). The article has four main findings. First, the unconditional volatility of labor income has declined in parallel to the decline in macroeconomic volatility. Second, the industry-specific, idiosyncratic component of labor income volatility has hardly changed. Third, cross-sectional heterogeneity is substantial. If anything, the labor incomes of high- and low-skilled workers have become more volatile relative to the volatility of capital incomes. Fourth, the volatility of labor income relative to the volatility of capital income declines in the labor share. Trade openness has no clear-cut impact.
Does p40‐targeted therapy represent a significant evolution in the management of plaque psoriasis?
Authors: Griffiths Christopher E.M. , Girolomoni Giampiero 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe recognition of the roles of interleukins (IL)‐12 and IL‐23 in the development of psoriasis is an important advance in the understanding, and the subsequent management, of this chronic inflammatory disease. Two human anti‐p40 monoclonal antibodies targeting both IL‐12 and IL‐23 via their shared p40 subunit have been developed: briakinumab and ustekinumab. Recent Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials have illustrated the benefits of briakinumab (in Phase 3 clinical development) and ustekinumab (approved in the EU, and also in other territories worldwide) in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Available data indicate that a strategy targeting the IL‐12 p40 subunit has considerable advantages over targeting of tumour necrosis factor‐α, offering rapid onset of efficacy with a favourable dosing regimen (every 12 weeks for ustekinumab). Registries incorporating rigorous pharmacovigilance are now required to further understand the clinical profile of these drugs over long‐term use.
Cellulite’s aetiology: a review
Authors: de la Casa Almeida M. , Suarez Serrano C. , Rebollo Roldán J. , Jiménez Rejano J.J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractCellulite, highly prevalent among women, represents a serious problem for many of them, and one of their main aesthetic concerns. It is difficult to pinpoint its aetiology and physiology/pathophysiology, as there are many factors that are involved in it, affect it, and many processes that are taking place simultaneously and sequentially. Our objective is therefore, to review the scientific scholarship on cellulite to explore the causes of its origin. We carried out a preliminary search of the Medline, Cochrane, and Web of Knowledge databases covering the period from 1978 to April 2011. As there is no specific key word for the phenomenon at hand, we used the following descriptors: adipose tissue, subcutaneous fat, subcutaneous tissue, connective tissue, skin, skin disease and dermis. This resulted in a retrieval of 26 articles contributing to relevant information on the aetiology of cellulite. As a result of our first research, we concluded that cellulite is a physiological phenomenon or at least, that it has a physiological origin, which is characteristic of women, and multi‐causal, with the coexistence of a number of factors that trigger, perpetuate, or exacerbate it. The outstanding factors include, among others, connective tissue architecture, oestrogen action, microvascular alterations and certain genetic and hormonal characteristics. All of them provide us with future and novel clues to cellulite treatment, and is necessary to take some or all of these factors into account in developing an effective therapy. However, we are aware of the necessity of further investigation in this field.
Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 level in patients with Behçet’s disease
Authors: Örem A. , Yayli S. , Arıca D.A. , Akcan B. , Yücesan F.B. , Bahadir S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractsBackground  Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by vasculitis. Vasculitis is thought to underlie many of the clinical manifestations of Behçet’s disease. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) is a highly specific biomarker for vascular inflammation, and has low biological variability. Those features make it more attractive than other inflammatory markers including C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which may reflect systemic inflammation non‐specifically.Objectives  It was aimed to investigate circulating Lp‐PLA2 levels and its relationship with CRP and ESR in patients with BD by considering disease activity.Methods  Study group included 72 patients with BD (34 men and 38 women with a mean age of 35.3 years) and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy subjects (15 men and 15 women with a mean age 32.6 years). Patients group included 40 patients with active and 32 patients with inactive BD.Results  Lp‐PLA2, CRP and ESR levels were found to be significantly higher in patient group than controls. In addition, those levels were also significantly higher in patients with active BD than in patients with inactive disease. Lp‐PLA2 showed positive correlations with CRP and ESR (r = 0.63, P < 0.05 and r = 0.33, P < 0.05 respectively). Lp‐PLA2 also showed significant important area under curve (AUC) value (0.779), besides CRP (0.941) and ESR (0.888). Optimum cut‐off value was obtained as 218.5 ng/mL.Conclusions  It was concluded that Lp‐PLA2 may be a new useful biomarker to evaluate clinical or subclinical activity of the disease besides CRP and ESR.
The potential of human toe flexor muscles to produce force
Authors: Goldmann Jan‐Peter , Brüggemann Gert‐Peter 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe maximal force a muscle produces depends among others on the length of the muscle and therefore on the positions of the joints the muscle crosses. Long and short toe flexor muscles (TFM) cross the ankle joints and metatarsal phalangeal joints (MPJ) and work against gravity during human locomotion. The purpose of this study was to describe the maximal moments around the MPJ during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the TFM as a function of ankle joint and MPJ position. Twenty men performed MVIC of the TFM in a custom‐made dynamometer. Ankle and MPJ angles were modified after each contraction. External moments of force around the MPJ were determined. Moments ranged between 6.3 ± 2.6 Nm and 14.2 ± 5.8 Nm. Highest moments were produced at 0°–10° ankle joint dorsal flexion and 25°–45° MPJ dorsal flexion. Lowest moments were generated at 35° ankle joint plantar flexion and 0° MPJ dorsal flexion. In conclusion, if the ankle is plantar‐flexed, dorsal flexion of the MPJ avoids a disadvantage of the force–length relationship of TFM. Therefore, MPJ dorsal flexion is a necessary function in the push‐off phase of human locomotion to work against the loss of the mechanical output at the forefoot caused by plantar flexion of the ankle.
Comparison ofHb‐200 and 6% hetastarch 450/0.7 during initial fluid resuscitation of 20 dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus
Authors: Haak Carol E. , Rudloff Elke , Kirby Rebecca 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the use of polymerized stroma‐free bovine hemoglobin (Hb‐200) and 6% hetastarch 450/0.7 (HES450/0.7) in 0.9% saline during fluid resuscitation of dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV).DesignProspective, randomized clinical case series.SettingPrivate specialty and referral clinic.AnimalsTwenty client‐owned dogs presenting withGDV.InterventionsDogs presenting withGDVand abnormal perfusion parameters first received rapidIVinfusion of a buffered isotonic replacement crystalloid (15 mL/kg) andIVopioids. Patients were then randomized to receive eitherHb‐200 (N= 10) orHES450/0.7 (N= 10). Balanced isotonic replacement crystalloids (10–20 mL/kgIV) were rapidly infused along with eitherHb‐200 orHESin 5 mL/kgIValiquots to meet resuscitation end points.Measurements and Main ResultsResuscitation was defined as meeting at least 2 of 3 criteria: (1) capillary refill time 1–2 seconds, pink mucous membrane color, strong femoral pulse quality; (2) heart rate (HR) ≤ 150/min; or (3) indirect arterial systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 90 mmHg.HR,SBP, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, glucose, venous pH, bicarbonate, base excess, anion gap, and colloid osmotic pressure were compared at hospital entry and within 30 minutes post‐resuscitation. Compared to theHESgroup, theHb‐200 group required significantly less colloid (4.2 versus 18.4 mL/kg) and crystalloid (31.3 versus 48.1 mL/kg) to reach resuscitation end points (P= 0.001). Time to resuscitation was significantly shorter in theHb‐200 group (12.5 versus 52.5 min).ConclusionsDogs withGDVreceivingHb‐200 during initial resuscitation required smaller volumes of both crystalloid and colloid fluids and reached resuscitation end points faster than dogs receivingHES450/0.7 (P= 0.02).
In vitro evaluation of the effect of hypothermia on coagulation in dogs via thromboelastography
Authors: Taggart Ryan , Austin Brenda , Hans Eric , Hogan Daniel 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of temperature alterations on in vitro coagulation in healthy dogs using thromboelastography (TEG).DesignIn vitro study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsSix healthy purpose‐bred laboratory dogs.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsThromboelastograph tracings were created daily for all test subjects and used to generate control values forR,K, α, andMA. Control values were compared to test samples incubated at 42, 39, 36, 33, 30, and 27°C. At temperatures ≤ 30°C, a significant increase inKvalues and a significant decrease in the α values were noted. There were no significant differences detected forRandMAamong any of the test temperatures.ConclusionsHypothermia results in in vitro coagulation changes in healthy dogs as determined by whole blood analysis usingTEG. The data suggest that while clots may form more slowly at decreased temperatures, the ultimate strength of the clot appears unaffected.
Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4): A Novel Player in Ethanol‐Mediated Suppression of Protein Translation in Primary Cortical Neurons and Developing Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Narasimhan Madhusudhanan , Rathinam Marylatha , Riar Amanjot , Patel Dhyanesh , Mummidi Srinivas , Yang Hsin‐Shen , Colburn Nancy H. , Henderson George I. , Mahimainathan Lenin 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundPrenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) elicits a range of neuro‐developmental abnormalities, microcephaly to behavioral deficits. Impaired protein synthesis has been connected to pathogenesis of EtOH‐induced brain damage and abnormal neuron development. However, mechanisms underlying these impairments of protein synthesis are not known. In this study, we illustrate the effects of EtOH on programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), a tumor and translation repressor.MethodsPrimary cortical neurons (PCNs) were treated with 2.5 and 4 mg/ml EtOH for different time points (4 to 24 hours), and PDCD4 expression was detected by Western blotting. Protein synthesis was determined using [35S] methionine incorporation assay. Methyl cap pull‐down assay was performed to establish the effect of EtOH on association of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) with capped mRNA. Luciferase assay was performed to determine the in vivo translation. A 2‐day acute 5‐dose binge model with EtOH (4 g/kg body wt, 25% v/v) was performed in Sprague–Dawley rats at 12‐hour intervals and analyzed for PDCD4, eIF4A, and eIF4A–methyl cap association.ResultsEtOH increased PDCD4 expression in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner in PCNs, which inhibited the association of eIF4A with methyl cap. EtOH and ectopic PDCD4 expression suppressed in vivo translation in PCNs and RNAi targeting of PDCD4 blocked the inhibitory effect of EtOH on protein synthesis. In utero exposure of pregnant rats to EtOH resulted in a significant increase in PDCD4 in fetal cerebral cortex along with the inhibition of methyl cap–associated eIF4A, compared with isocaloric controls. Increased PDCD4 also occurred in pooled fractions of remaining brain regions.ConclusionsOur data, for the first time, illustrate that PDCD4 mediates inhibitory effects of EtOH on protein synthesis in PCNs and developing brain.
Greening Constitutions with Environmental Rights: Testing the Isomorphism Thesis
Authors: Gellers Joshua 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWhy do some countries have constitutional environmental rights while others do not? In this paper, I conduct statistical analyses to respond to this inquiry. Through studying the impact of intraregional constitutional design, I aim to understand why states adopt environmental rights. I argue that regional isomorphism—i.e., the tendency among states within a region to converge on certain policies—may explain the trend toward constitutionalization of environmental rights. In this paper I (1) define and provide historical background on environmental rights, (2) describe theories which support regional isomorphism as a means of explaining the adoption of constitutional environmental rights, and (3) conduct statistical tests to determine the validity of the regional isomorphism thesis. I find that the enactment of constitutional environmental rights within a region does not increase the likelihood that another state within the same region will include environmental rights within its constitution.
Sequential Dependencies in Driving
Authors: Doshi Anup , Tran Cuong , Wilder Matthew H. , Mozer Michael C. , Trivedi Mohan M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe effect of recent experience on current behavior has been studied extensively in simple laboratory tasks. We explore the nature of sequential effects in the more naturalistic setting of automobile driving. Driving is a safety‐critical task in which delayed response times may have severe consequences. Using a realistic driving simulator, we find significant sequential effects in pedal‐press response times that depend on the history of recent stimuli and responses. Response times are slowed up to 100 ms in particular cases, a delay that has dangerous practical consequences. Further, we observe a significant number of history‐related pedal misapplications, which have recently been noted as a cause for concern in the automotive safety community. By anticipating these consequences of sequential context, driver assistance systems could mitigate the effects of performance degradations and thus critically improve driver safety.
A comparative study of the retention and lethality of the first and second generation arthropod protein markers
Authors: Slosky Lauren M. , Hoffmann Eric J. , Hagler James R. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA greenhouse study was conducted that compared the protein mark retention time of a well‐established rabbit IgG protein detection protocol with those of three newer, less expensive protein detection protocols designed to detect casein in bovine milk, egg albumin in chicken egg whites, and soy trypsin in soy milk, respectively. Adult convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guérin‐Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were topically marked with either 2.0 ml of a 5.0 mg ml−1 rabbit IgG solution or 2.0 ml of pure bovine milk, chicken egg whites, or soy milk solutions. The variously marked cohorts of beetles were then released into cages that contained a single cotton plant. In turn, beetles were collected every other day for 26 days after marking and assayed for the presence of the protein marks by either a sandwich anti‐rabbit IgG enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or an indirect anti‐casein, anti‐egg albumin, or anti‐soy trypsin ELISA to detect bovine casein, chicken egg albumin, or soy milk trypsin, respectively. Data indicate that the durability of the protein markers on the beetles decreases in the following order: egg whites > rabbit IgG > milk > soy milk. In addition, the mortality of H. convergens after receiving each protein mark treatment was assessed. Data revealed that there were no significant differences in mean mortality of beetles between any of the protein treatments. Overall mortality during the course of the 26‐day study ranged from 30% for the soy‐marked beetles to 50% for the water and rabbit IgG‐marked beetles.
Relationship between focal cortical dysplasia and epilepsy‐associated low‐grade tumors: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Marucci Gianluca , Martinoni Matteo , Giulioni Marco 
Published: July 2012

We retrospectively analyzed 29 seizure‐associated temporal lobe low‐grade tumors to evaluate the utility of CD34 and bcl‐2 expression in clarifying the relationship of these tumors with different classes of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). CD34 immunostained 75% of gangliogliomas (GG) and 60% of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas. FCD type IIIb [i.e. abnormal cortical layering associated with a glioneuronal tumor, according to the new International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification] presented CD34‐immunopositive cells in 2/9 (22.2%) cases, whereas FCD type II in 6/7 (85.7%) cases, a difference statistically significant (p = 0.0117). Bcl‐2 immunostained 9/12 (75%) gangliogliomas and 2/3 (66.6%) gangliocytomas. The cases of FCD type IIIb resulted negative for Bcl‐2, whereas 4/7 cases (57.1%) of FCD type II showed immunopositive cells. These differences in Bcl‐2 expression between FCD type IIIb and FCD type II resulted statistically significant (p = 0.0088). Abnormal cortical layering, overall, represents the kind of FCD more commonly associated with seizure‐related low‐grade tumors, whereas FCD type II is more frequently associated with GG. The profile of CD34 and Bcl‐2 expression exhibited by GG is more similar to that observed in FCD type II. Such immunoprofile suggests the existence of a common pathogenesis linking glioneuronal tumors and FCD type II.
Antimicrobial responses of primary gingival cells to Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Dommisch Henrik , Reinartz Markus , Backhaus Tim , Deschner James , Chung Whasun , Jepsen Søren 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundHuman beta‐defensins (hBDs) and the C–C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) produced by gingival epithelial cells (GECs) and fibroblasts (HGFs) are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that play an important role in innate immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the differential immune response of GECs and HGFs to the oral commensal Streptococcus gordonii (SG) and the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG).Material and MethodsIn addition to the analysis of gingival biopsies, primary GECs and HGFs were exposed to SG and/or PG, and expression of various AMPs and pro‐inflammatory mediators was studied by real‐time PCR and ELISA.ResultsGene expression of AMPs was detected in gingival connective tissue. Both SG and PG induced the mRNA‐expression of hBD‐2 and hBD‐3 in GECs as well as HGFs after 24 h (p < 0.05). In HGFs, the commensal bacterium SG stimulated the mRNAs of hBD‐3 and CCL20 after 24 h (p < 0.05), while not in GECs. In GECs, the inductive effect of PG on the mRNA‐expression of hBD‐2 was amplified when cells were first exposed to commensal SG (for 1 h) prior to stimulation with PG (SG‐PG; p < 0.05).ConclusionOur data indicate that cell‐bacteria interactions and/or bacteria‐bacteria cross‐talk may have an impact on AMP‐regulation in gingiva.