bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monetary Union Enlargement, Fiscal Policy, and Strategic Wage Setting*
Authors: Sidiropoulos Moïse , Zimmer Blandine 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis contribution develops a framework for studying the effects of the enlargement of a monetary union on macroeconomic performances in the presence of strategic interactions between non‐atomistic labor unions, monetary, and fiscal authorities. We show that the integration of new identical member countries may have beneficial effects, depending on the fiscal policymaking structure. Qualifications to this result are provided under cross‐country asymmetries in the size of the economies, the structure of the labor markets, and the fiscal authorities' preferences.
PERCEPTIONS OF AND RESPONSES TO THE HOLOCENE FLOODING OF THE NORTH SEA LOWLANDS
Authors: LEARY JIM 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThis paper explores how the drastic landscape changes that took place in the North Sea basin during the Holocene affected the lives of those dwelling in that area. Previous contributions to the discussion of the Holocene inundation of the North Sea have tended to concentrate on the timings. This paper discusses the ways people could have perceived and responded to these events, emphasizing that climate change should not be viewed apart from social factors. It is also argued that sea‐level rise was not something externally imposed on communities but an integral part of their world.
Prednisolone reduces nitric oxide‐induced migraine
Authors: Tfelt‐Hansen P. , Daugaard D. , Lassen L. H. , Iversen H. K. , Olesen J. 
Published: July 2009

Background and purpose  Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) induces delayed migraine attacks in migraine patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pre‐treatment with prednisolon could decrease this effect of GTN.Methods  In this double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled, crossover study 15 migraineurs with migraine without aura were pre‐treated with 150 mg of prednisolone or placebo followed by a 20‐min infusion of GTN (0.5 ug/kg/min). One hour after the GTN‐infusion, the participants were sent home, but continued to rate headache and possible associated symptoms by filling out a headache diary every hour for 12 h. There were two equal primary efficacy end‐points: frequency of delayed migraine and intensity of delayed headache.Results  Nine patients experienced a GTN headache fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for migraine without aura on the placebo day compared with four patients on the prednisolone day (P = 0.14). Prednisolone pre‐treatment did not alter the summed or peak immediate headache responses to GTN significantly (P = 0.08, P = 0.07), whereas the peak headache scores during the following 12 h were significantly lower after prednisolone pre‐treatment (median peak score = 1, range 0–8) compared with placebo (median = 4, range 0–8) (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the two treatment days in the effect of GTN on blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (a decrease) or on the dilation of the superficial temporal artery or the radial artery.Conclusion  Pre‐treatment with prednisolone did not reduce the immediate GTN‐induced headache, did not inhibit the frequency of delayed headache but significantly decreased the intensity of delayed GTN‐induced headache. These findings suggest that GTN causes induction of inflammatory mediators, and that this is the mechanism of delayed GTN‐induced migraine. They also support a role of inflammatory mediators in spontaneous migraine attacks.
Aspects of peripheral nerve involvement in patients with treated hypothyroidism
Authors: Nebuchennykh M. , Løseth S. , Mellgren S. I. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  We studied involvement of large and small nerve fibres in patients with hypothyroidism and symptoms and signs of polyneuropathy.Methods:  Sixteen patients with established diagnosis of hypothyroidism were extracted from a patient population participating in a ‘polyneuropathy study’. In addition, seven patients with other additional potential causes of polyneuropathy than hypothyroidism were investigated. The patients underwent neurological examination, routine blood tests, nerve conduction studies (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST) and skin biopsies with assessment of intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density.Results:  Sixty‐three per cent of the patients with ‘pure’ hypothyroidism had abnormalities on NCS, 25% had reduced IENF density and 31% had abnormalities on QST. Four patients (25%) met criteria for small fibre polyneuropathy, the other (75%) were classified as having mixed fibre polyneuropathy. There were no differences in the amount of abnormalities on NCS, QST and skin biopsy between patients with hypothyroidism and those with hypothyroidism and other potential causes of polyneuropathy.Conclusions:  The majority of patients with hypothyroidism had involvement of both large and small nerve fibres. However, some patients had isolated small fibre polyneuropathy. Patients with ‘pure’ hypothyroidism had essentially the same degree of peripheral nerve fibre involvement as those with other additional causes of polyneuropathy.
Age and body weight adjusted warfarin initiation program for ischaemic stroke patients
Authors: Yoo S.‐H. , Nah H.‐W. , Jo M.‐W. , Kang D.‐W. , Kim J. S. , Koh J.‐Y. , Kwon S. U. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Despite its proven effect, anticoagulation is not recommended to the acute ischaemic stroke due to the risk of bleeding complications. The purpose of this study is development of individualized warfarin initiation program for acute or subacute stroke patients.Methods:  Among stroke patients who regularly visited out‐patient clinics, we included patients who have continuously taken the same dose of warfarin as the prothrombin time remained at target International Nomarlized Ratio (INR). We assessed potential variables that affect the maintenance dose of warfarin. Using these variables, we developed an individualized warfarin initiation program.Results:  The median warfarin maintenance dose (interquartile range) in the 321 included patients was 4 (3–5) mg per day. Age (adjusted R2 = 0.221, P < 0.001) and body weight (added to age, adjusted R2 = 0.238, P = 0.008) were significant predicting factors of the dose. We classified the maintenance doses into high (HG), standard, and low group (LG) based on the distribution of maintenance doses. Decision tree analysis categorized younger (≤55 years old) and heavier (≥55 kg) patients into HG, and very old (≥80 years old) or low body weight (<55 kg among those >56 years old) patients into LG. We recommend 7 mg of warfarin as a standard initial dose, but 10 mg was recommended for HG patients and 5 mg for LG.Conclusion:  We expect that this individualized program may reduce the time to target INR without excessive anticoagulation. Further prospective studies are needed to reveal the efficacy and safety of applying this program for acute stroke patients.
Tonic autoinhibition contributes to the heterogeneity of evoked dopamine release in the rat striatum
Authors: Moquin Keith F. , Michael Adrian C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractElectrically evoked dopamine release as measured by voltammetry in the rat striatum is heterogeneous in both amplitude and temporal profile. Previous studies have attributed this heterogeneity to variations in the density of dopamine (DA) terminals at the recording site. We reach the alternate conclusion that the heterogeneity of evoked DA release derives from variations in the extent to which DA terminals are autoinhibited. We demonstrate that low‐amplitude, slow evoked DA responses occur even though recording electrodes are close to DA terminals. Moreover, the D2agonist and antagonist, quinpirole and raclopride, respectively, affect the slow responses in a manner consistent with the known functions of pre‐synaptic D2autoreceptors. Recording sites that exhibit autoinhibited responses are prevalent in the dorsal striatum. Autoinhibition preceded electrical stimulation, which is consistent with our prior reports that the striatum contains a tonic pool of extracellular DA at basal concentrations that exceed the affinity of D2receptors. We conclude that the striatum contains DA terminals operating on multiple time courses, determined at least in part by the local variation in autoinhibition. Thus, we provide direct, real‐time observations of the functional consequence of tonic and phasic DAergic signalingin vivo.
Nitric oxide and cGMP signal transduction positively regulates the motility of human neuronal precursor (NT2) cells
Authors: Tegenge Million Adane , Bicker Gerd 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDevelopmental studies in both vertebrates and invertebrates implicate an involvement of nitric oxide (NO) signaling in cell proliferation, neuronal motility, and synaptic maturation. However, it is unknown whether NO plays a role in the development of the human nervous system. We used a model of human neuronal precursor cells from a well‐characterized teratocarcinoma cell line (NT2). The precursor cells proliferate during retinoic acid treatment as spherical aggregate culture that stains for nestin and βIII‐tubulin. Cells migrate out of the aggregates to acquire fully differentiated neuronal phenotypes. The cells express neuronal nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), an enzyme that synthesizes cGMP upon activation by NO. The migration of the neuronal precursor cell is blocked by the use of nNOS, sGC, and protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitors. Inhibition of sGC can be rescued by a membrane permeable analog of cGMP. In gain of function experiments the application of a NO donor and cGMP analog facilitate cell migration. Our results from the differentiating NT2 model neurons point towards a vital role of the NO/cGMP/PKG signaling cascade as positive regulator of cell migration in the developing human brain.
Multitask electrical stimulation for cortical language mapping: Hints for necessity and economic mode of application
Authors: Wellmer Jörg , Weber Christian , Mende Meinhard , Von Der Groeben Ferdinand , Urbach Horst , Clusmann Hans , Elger Christian E. , Helmstaedter Christoph 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Electrical stimulation mapping (ESM) is the gold standard for identifying language‐relevant cortex prior to neurosurgical resections near the eloquent cortex. However, its application mode is not standardized, as some procedures rely on a single task, whereas others depend on task batteries. In this study, we examine whether multitask ESM is necessary, quantify the information loss that occurs from restricting the number of applied tasks, and search for a procedure that allows for time‐efficient, multitask ESM.Methods:  Thirty‐eight epilepsy and 11 brain tumor patients with subdural grid electrodes receive extraoperative ESM for language cortex at 1,890 stimulation sites. The applied test battery includes counting, naming, repeating, reading, Token Test, and body commands. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis are used to identify the functional overlap between tasks. Sensitivity analysis is the basis for determining the optimal task order, which requires a minimum number of stimulations for identifying language loci.Results:  Correlation coefficients between tasks are −0.17 to 0.63; frontal and temporoparietal language cortex are organized differently. Naming is the most sensitive task, but 31% (temporoparietal) to 43% (frontal) of language sites remained undetected after naming alone. The optimal procedure starts with naming and the Token Test and differs thereafter between frontal and temporoparietal cortex. Omitting the Token Test and body commands from the battery results in up to 26% information loss.Discussion:  Despite considerable overlap between different tasks, multitask ESM appears necessary to avoid missing language relevant cortex. Applying the tasks in an optimal order allows economizing the procedure.
Frontal and temporal volumes in Childhood Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Caplan Rochelle , Levitt Jennifer , Siddarth Prabha , Wu Keng Nei , Gurbani Suresh , Sankar Raman , Shields W. Donald 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPurpose:  This study compared frontotemporal brain volumes in children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) to age‐ and gender‐matched children without epilepsy. It also examined the association of these volumes with seizure, demographic, perinatal, intelligence quotient (IQ), and psychopathology variables.Methods:  Twenty‐six children with CAE, aged 7.5–11.8 years, and 37 children without epilepsy underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at 1.5 Tesla. Tissue was segmented, and total brain, frontal lobe, frontal parcellations, and temporal lobe volumes were computed. All children had IQ testing and structured psychiatric interviews. Parents provided seizure, perinatal, and behavioral information on each child.Results:  The CAE group had significantly smaller gray matter volumes of the left orbital frontal gyrus as well as both left and right temporal lobes compared to the age‐ and gender‐matched children without epilepsy. In the CAE group these volumes were related to age, gender, ethnicity, and pregnancy complications but not to seizure, IQ, and psychopathology variables. In the group of children without epilepsy, however, the volumes were related to IQ.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that CAE impacts brain development in regions implicated in behavior, cognition, and language. In addition to supporting the cortical focus theory of CAE, these findings also imply that CAE is not a benign disorder.
Language in pediatric epilepsy
Authors: Caplan Rochelle , Siddarth Prabha , Vona Pamela , Stahl Lesley , Bailey Caroline , Gurbani Suresh , Sankar Raman , Donald Shields W. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPurpose:  This study examined the severity and range of linguistic impairments in young, intermediate, and adolescent youth with epilepsy and how these deficits were associated with illness effects, nonverbal intelligence, psychopathology, and reading.Methods:  Tests of language, intelligence, achievement, and structured psychiatric interviews were administered to 182 epilepsy youth, aged 6.3–8.1, 9.1–11.7, and 13.0–15.2 years, as well as to 102 age‐ and gender‐matched normal children. Parents provided demographic, seizure‐related, and behavioral information on their children.Results:  Significantly more epilepsy subjects had language scores 1 standard deviation (SD) below average than the age‐matched control groups did. The intermediate and adolescent epilepsy groups also had significantly lower mean language scores compared to their matched controls. The older compared to the younger epilepsy groups had more language impairment and a wider range of linguistic deficits. Longer duration of illness, childhood absence epilepsy, psychiatric diagnosis, and socioeconomic status were associated with linguistic deficits in the young group. Prolonged seizures, lower Performance IQ, and minority status predicted low language scores in the intermediate epilepsy group. In the adolescent group, language impairment was associated with poor seizure control, decreased Performance IQ, and lower socioeconomic status. Linguistic and reading deficits were significantly related in each epilepsy group.Conclusions:  The age‐related increase in linguistic impairment, different profiles of predictors in each age group, and the relationship of linguistic deficits with poor reading skills have important clinical, developmental, theoretical, and academic implications.
Harnessing Catastrophe to Promote Resource Recovery and Eco‐industrial Development
Authors: Ardani Kristen B. , Reith Charles C. , Donlan C. Josh 
Published: July 2009

SummaryHurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, causing widespread damage to industry, housing, and infrastructure. The area of New Orleans East was particularly devastated, including a cluster of industries, such as a major food‐processing plant, manufacturing facilities, and bulk material and gas processors. Although this area was well suited for resource recovery and eco‐industrial linkages, little progress has been made in implementation. This article explores New Orleans as a case study in the application of industrial ecology to disaster management. Hurricane Katrina's damage to New Orleans resulted in a significant increase in the amount of waste flowing into New Orleans East, which precipitated a massive expenditure of federal funds toward debris management. Those circumstances created an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize a resource recovery program and to establish eco‐industrial relationships, both of which would have resulted in new jobs and environmental improvement. Yet straightforward opportunities for resource recovery and eco‐industrial linkage were overlooked or dismissed, in spite of antilandfill activism from the environmental community and formal recommendations for recycling from scientists and other professionals. We describe the specific resource recovery and eco‐industrial opportunities that were available to New Orleans East, especially those that were magnified by Hurricane Katrina, and analyze the barriers that prevented their actualization. We also provide recommendations for overcoming barriers to resource recovery and eco‐industrial progress with the goal that future postcatastrophe scenarios may benefit from more effective use of relief and recovery funding.
Anti‐HrB and anti‐hrB revisited
Authors: Pham Bach‐Nga , Peyrard Thierry , Tourret Séverine , Beolet Marylise , Many Hélène , Juszczak Geneviève , Roussel Michèle , Kappler‐Gratias Sandrine , Rouger Philippe , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Since their description in the 1970s, anti‐HrB (antibody against a high‐prevalence Rh antigen) and anti‐hrB (anti‐e–like antibody) are still a subject of debate about representing two aspects of a global immune response or being two independent antibodies.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response against the antigens of Rh system of 30 individuals presenting a hrB(RH31)− phenotype. Genomic analysis of RH genes was performed in all individuals.RESULTS: Among the 30 individuals, 27 had a HrB(RH34)− phenotype. No immunization against Rh antigens was found in 16 individuals. Three individuals made anti‐D only, whereas six individuals made anti‐HrB (four with anti‐hrB and two without anti‐hrB) and two individuals made anti‐hrB without anti‐HrB. Among the 30 individuals, three had a HrB+ phenotype. No immunization against Rh antigens was found in one individual, whereas two individuals made anti‐hrB; the genomic analysis of selected individuals showed the presence of a (C)ces haplotype, either Type 1 or Type 2, and a DIII Type 5 ces haplotype, in the homozygous state, in compound heterozygosity with each other or in heterozygosity with a DcE haplotype. Genomic data were in accordance with serologic data.CONCLUSION: Our data provide the evidence that anti‐HrB and anti‐hrB are independent antibodies, defining two different specificities. These antibodies may be produced by individuals expressing variants of RhCE protein. Serologic and molecular data indicate that e antigen encoded by the (C)ces haplotype is a partial antigen. In individuals carrying a (C)ces haplotype, the risk and the type of alloimmunization to Rh antigens are related to the second Rh haplotype.
Blood donation and donor recruitment in Iran from 1998 through 2007: ten years' experience
Authors: Maghsudlu Mahtab , Nasizadeh Soheila , Abolghasemi Hassan , Ahmadyar Shima 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Recruiting and retaining blood donors is of utmost importance, especially since there is no alternative for human blood. This article describes different aspects of blood donation to evaluate recruitment activities.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from annual reports made by the Statistical Committee of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization and the national database.RESULTS: The trend in yearly blood donations has significantly increased from 1,183,630 blood units in 1998 to 1,735,008 by the end of 2007. During this period the overall growth rate was 59.8% (p < 0.005). Yearly blood donation in the northwest region of the country was 13 per 1000 in contrast to 39 per 1000 in the central region. There was a significant decrease in the number of donations during the months of April, September, and January whereas in May, August, and the religious month of Muharram a significant increase was noted. Voluntary donations increased from 77% in 1998 to 100% by the end of 2007.CONCLUSION: Continuous donor recruitment efforts in Iran have resulted in a significant increase in blood donation rates during the past decade as well as achieving 100% voluntary, nonremunerated blood donors. Nevertheless some provinces will have to put more effort into donor recruitment and retention so as to ensure self sufficiency in their blood supply. Educating blood donors and the public about the continuous need for a sufficient blood supply in every community is equally important and times where supply exceeds demand should be avoided at the most.
Does Environmental Degradation Influence Migration? Emigration to Developed Countries in the Late 1980s and 1990s*
Authors: Reuveny Rafael , Moore Will H. 
Published: July 2009

Objective. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that climate change will intensify during the 21st century. The exact distribution of impacts will likely be complex in nature. Although some areas may exhibit benefits, many areas will likely experience environmental decline. The objective of this article is to answer the following question: What are the potential implications of deteriorating environmental conditions for human migration? This is not an easy question to answer because the full effects of climate change are not yet completely evident. Yet by studying the impact of environmental forces on migration in recent decades, we can offer some insight to this question.Methods. In implementing this approach, we employ theoretical and empirical methods. Our theoretical model suggests that environmental degradation should promote out‐migration from affected areas, all other things being equal. To test this prediction empirically, we conduct a large‐N statistical analysis focusing on the role of several environmental factors in emigration to developed countries. Our empirical sample covers the late 1980s and the 1990s.Results. The empirical results suggest that environmental decline plays a statistically significant role in out‐migration, pushing people to leave their homes and move to other countries.Conclusions. In the conclusions section of this article, we evaluate the policy implications of these findings for developed countries in the context of climate change and national security.
Won't You Be My Neighbor? Norms of Cooperation, Public Broadcasting, and the Collective Action Problem*
Authors: Kropf Martha 
Published: July 2009

Objectives.The logic of collective action suggests that public broadcasting stations should not receive the empirically observed level of member support they do. Why do people contribute to public television when they can view it without contributing?Methods.The hypothesis tested is that “norms of cooperation” govern the behavior of individuals in collective action situations. This article tests the hypothesis with an original survey of public television viewers in three large communities.Results.The survey data provide support for the “norms of cooperation” hypothesis. The higher the level of characteristics of an individual that measure cooperation, the more likely the individual is to give to public broadcasting, all other factors being equal.Conclusions.Norms of cooperation—an important part of social capital—help overcome the logic of collective action where it concerns public television contributions.