bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explaining the Employability Gap of Short‐Term and Long‐Term Unemployed Persons
Authors: Thomsen Stephan L. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYEuropean countries provide a number of different active labor market policy programs to reduce the risk and the amount of long‐term unemployment. Programs focus on particular sets of barriers to employment, such as lack of motivation (via sanctions), lack of job search skills (via job search assistance), lack of experience (via wage subsidies), or lack of marketable skills (via training programs). Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze the effectiveness of these activities. The results clarify that a number of programs are not very successful in reaching the intended goals. The major reason may be that the available programs do not (or do not fully) meet the needs of the unemployed. In this paper, differences in the employability between short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons are studied in order to reveal the crucial factors of job‐finding chances. Analyzing the factors driving employment chances is a necessary step to shed light on the needs of job seekers and to derive recommendations for a (re‐)arrangement of active labor market policy according to those needs. The empirical analysis is based on unique survey data of short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons merged with administrative data for Germany, including usually unavailable information. The results highlight three significant and important findings. First, differences in formal skills could only explain a small part of the employability gap between short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons. Hence, providing courses that aim at increasing skills of the individuals (at least in Germany) may reduce the employment gap, but the scope is limited. Second, differences in obstacles to employment – in particular care obligations – are relevant. If long‐term unemployed persons were equal in characteristics to the short‐term unemployed, the employability gap between both groups would clearly be narrower. Third, differences in the state of health, and in particular limitations in working ability, largely account for the employment gap. For this reason, policy makers should pay more attention to the last two findings when designing the placement process. The set of active labor market programs should be revised addressing these aspects in order to increase the employability of the participants.
Fisher Hypothesis in Japan: Analysis of Long‐term Interest Rates under Different Monetary Policy Regimes
Authors: Ito Takayasu 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the validity of the Fisher hypothesis in Japanese long‐term interest rates (two, three, four, five, seven and ten years) using non‐stationary time series models. Initially, the entire sample period (October 1987–June 2006) is investigated. Then the samples, divided into three segments depending on each period's monetary policy regimes, are investigated. Thus, the asymmetric impacts of inflation expectation on Japanese long‐term interest rates can be investigated. The first period examined is from October 1987–June 1991. The second period is from July 1991–July 2000. The third period is from March 2001–June 2006. In the first period monetary policy is tightening, but in the second and third periods it is easing. Thus it is concluded that the Fisher hypothesis is valid only in all maturities of long‐term interest rates in the first period. However, it does not hold in any of the maturities in the entire sample period or in the second and third periods.
The Forward Puzzle: The Roles of Exchange Rate Regime and Base Currency Strength
Authors: Liu Fang , Sercu Piet 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe forward puzzle is traditionally explained as the presence of a covariance‐risk premium, market friction or limits to arbitrage. Recently, Liu and Sercu, working on intra‐ERM rates for the DEM, presented evidence consistent with career risk considerations: portfolio managers shun assets with danger signals. In this paper, we test the external validity of this finding: we compare floating rates to band regimes, and strong base currencies to weak ones. We find that both the exchange rate regime and base currency strength influence the evidence on various theories: floating and strong intra‐ERM rates weakly support market friction or limit‐to‐arbitrage theories, while the HKD and weak intra‐ERM strongly support the career risk effect. We also decompose forward premium into a short‐term filtered component and a long memory trend. The filtered component is good at recognising danger signals or ‘extreme’ observation effects for band regime rates and weak floaters, while the trend works best for strong floaters. Lastly, the filtered premium provides the best fit, consistent with the idea that it has a closer link to expectations than the trend component.
Higher risk of AIDS or death in patients with lower CD4 cell counts after virally suppressive HAART
Authors: Taiwo BO , Li X , Palella F , Jacobson LP , Margolick JB , Detels R , Rinaldo CR , Phair JP 
Published: July 2009

Background
The clinical implications of a failure to achieve high CD4 cell counts while receiving virally suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are uncertain.Methods
We analysed data from HIV‐infected men participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) to elucidate associations between CD4 cell counts achieved during virally suppressive HAART and risks of AIDS or death. Inclusion criteria were: CD4 cell count <200 cells/μL before HAART initiation; ≥2 viral load (VL) determinations after HAART initiation; and sustained viral suppression, defined as all VL <50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL, but allowing a single VL of 50–1000 copies/mL.Results
One hundred and twenty‐one men were included; median age was 42 years. After first VL <50 copies/mL, six participants had a new AIDS diagnosis and seven died. The median CD4 cell count change/year (cells/μL) after first VL <50 copies/mL was zero among patients who either developed AIDS or died vs. 39 among those who did not meet either endpoint (P=0.119). After controlling for time from HAART initiation to first VL <50 copies/mL, age at first VL <50 copies/mL, history of AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience before HAART, the hazard ratio for AIDS or death at CD4 cell count of ≤200 vs. >350 cells/μL was 10.7 (P=0.013), and at CD4 cell count of 201–350 vs. >350 cells/μL was 8.54 (P=0.014).Conclusion
In this cohort, lower CD4 cell count at the time of viral suppression was associated with increased risk of AIDS or death.
Intraspecific variation in resistance to desiccation and climatic gradients in the distribution of the land snail Xeropicta vestalis
Authors: Arad Z. , Goldenberg S. , Heller J. 
Published: July 2009

Land snails are subject to desiccating conditions in their terrestrial habitat. Our previous studies have revealed significant differences in resistance to desiccation among closely related species and among genera that share a similar life style, suggesting that the distribution pattern is correlated with the abiotic regime in its specific habitat. Our present study extends the scope of comparison to the intraspecific level, by examining the resistance to desiccation in five populations of Xeropicta vestalis, a Mediterranean‐dwelling species that ranges from the 1000 mm to the 200 mm isohyet.The resistance to desiccation varied among populations in correlation with the specific habitat of each population and with the north‐to‐south and the west‐to‐easl climatic gradients. Furthermore, in one case it exceeded the resistance of other, desert‐dwelling species (Trochoidea simulata, Sphincterochila zonata). We suggest that, in spite of its physiological capacity to invade deserts, X. vestalis is prevented from doing so because it is an annual, semelparous species. The Negev Desert is an unpredictable environment, susceptible to year‐to‐year fluctuations to such an extent that one rainless year would wipe out all its populations.
Diving behaviour of the shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Aves: Pelecaniformes) in relation to water depth and prey size
Authors: Wanless S. , Corfield T. , Harris M. P. , Buckland S. T. , Morris J. A. 
Published: July 2009

The durations of more than 4000 dives and recovery periods on the surface of 31 shags. Phalacrocorax aristotelis, were recorded using radio‐telemetry, during three breeding seasons. Data were also collected on the depth of water where the birds were diving and the size of lesser sandeels. Ammodytes marinus, fed to young each year. On average, shags foraged in water 30 m deep; mean dive and recovery times were 62·0 ± 1·92 sec and 84·4 ± 5·02 sec. respectively. These times were much longer than those recorded in previous studies and also longer than those predicted from allometric relationships for dive and recovery times derived for cormorants. A large proportion (> 50%)) of dives appeared to involve anaerobic metabolism.Dive and recovery times were examined in relation to water depth, time of day and position within the diving sequence (dive number). In each year. dive time was positively correlated with water depth: in 1987 dive number also had a negative effect. The relationship between recovery time and dive time was positively accelerated, suggesting that birds were diving anaerobically on longer dives. The percentage of the dive cycle spent underwater therefore decreased significantly as dive time and water depth increased. Average vertical rates of ascent and descent of shags were calculated to be between 1·46 1·87 m sec−1. Estimated prey capture rates were significantly higher in 1989 (average 6±8 fish dive−1) when adults were feeding their young on small, low energy value sandeels than the two previous years (averages 1·4 and 1·9 fish dive−1, respectively) when birds were feeding on larger, higher quality fish. We calculated that, on average, birds spent 8 10 sec (36 48%) longer on the bottom at any given depth in 1989, which suggested that the higher prey capture ratcs were associated with an increase in duration of the bottom phase of the dive.
Effect of dietary preformed water on energy and water budgets of two sympatric desert rodents, Acomys russatus and Acomys calzivinus
Authors: And M. Kam , Decen A. Allan 
Published: July 2009

Golden spiny mice (Acomys russatus) and common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) are omnivorous rodents that are sympatric in many rocky areas in Israeli deserts. They are similar in body size and diet habits. They differ in that A. cahirinus are nocturnal whereas A. russatus are diurnal and A. russatus inhabit extremely arid areas where A. cahirinus are absent. These differences led us to hypothesix that A. russatus are more conservative in their water needs and thererore are ahle to consumc a drier diet than A. chairinus. To test this hypothesis we oikrcd both species a dry ration and different numbers of snails and measured their energy and water intakes and their body mass changes.Acomys russatus were capable of maintaining body mass on a much drier diet than A. cahirinus and therefore our hypothesis was supported. In order to maintain body mass A. cahirinus required about 2·1 ml/day (or about 4·7% body mass) preformed water, about twice the volume required by A. russatus. They also required a diet that had a water content of 48·3%, of the fresh matter, which was about 20% higher than that of A. russatus. The main reason why A. russatus needed less water was that they losl less by evaporation than A. cahirinus did. We suggest that the lower preformed water needs of A. russatus and their ability to consume a drier diet allom them to tolerate higher air temperatures and to inhabit extreme deserts where A. cahirinus are absent.
The early anomodont Venjukovia and the evolution of the anomodont skull
Authors: King Gillian M. 
Published: July 2009

The skull morphology and function of the anomodont mammal‐like reptile Venjukovia is described and compared with that of Patranomodon, Eodicynodon, Galeops and Diictodon. Changes in osteology and functional anatomy of these forms are noted.It is concluded that the acquisition of herbivorous adaptations in the anomodonts may have occurred in the following sequence: division of the external adductor muscles of the jaw into a medial and lateral component, propalinal jaw movement, increased Moment Arm of the external adductors by raising the level of the jaw hinge, anterior migration of the adductor insertions, reduction of the size and number of teeth and acquisition of a horn covering to the jaws, elaboration of the external adductors and reduction of the internal adductors (pterygoideus muscles), and elaboration of palatal areas for mastication of food.The first (in the morphological sense) committed herbivorous anomodont is identified as the South African form, Galeops. As far as anomodonts are concerned, the major correlate of successful herbivorous feeding is the acquisition of propaliny.A chronology of character acquisition in the anomodonts cannot yet be drawn up since the stratigraphic correlation of Russian and South African sequences is uncertain. However, it appears that the transition from a generalized carnivore to a committed herbivore took place very rapidly compared to the species longevity of anomodonts.
Distribution, abundance and breeding cycle of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea (Mammalia: Pinnipedia)
Authors: Gales N. J. , Shaughnessy P. D. , Dennis T. E. 
Published: July 2009

Surveys of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea were conducted throughout its range in Western and South Australia between December 1987 and February 1992. Almost every island was visited between Houtman Abrolhos and The Pages (n = 255), many of them more than once.Sea lions breed on at least 50 islands, 27 in Western Australia and 23 in South Australia. Of the 50 breeding sites, 31 have not been reported previously. A further 19 islands may also support breeding colonies. A total of 1,941 pups was counted and pup production was estimated at 2,432. Only five colonies produced more than 100 pups each and they accounted for almost half of the pup production. Most of these colonies are near Kangaroo Island, South Australia. A breeding cycle of 17–18 months has been reported for N. cinerea at Kangaroo Island and on the west coast of Western Australia; this was also noted at another 11 islands where repeated visits coincided with breeding. No evidence was found for breeding seasons shorter or longer than 17–18 months. The breeding season was not synchronized between islands, as it is in other pinnipeds. A predictive model is developed to estimate the population size from pup production figures. It indicates that pup numbers should be multiplied by between 3.81 and 4.81 to estimate the total population size just before the pupping season begins. This leads to estimates of 9,300–11,700 for the total population, considerably greater than earlier estimates.Causes of the unique reproductive cycle of N. cinerea are unknown, but we hypothesize that it results from living in a temperate climate in some of the most biologically depauperate waters of the world. It is also clear that day length and water temperature cannot act as exogenous cues for implantation of the blastocyst; the physiological events of gestation must, rather, be cued endogenously.
Body growth in Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from Greenland
Authors: Knutsen L. Ø. , Born E. W. 
Published: July 2009

Morphometric data were collected from 105 Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in northwestern Greenland in the periods 1977–78 and 1989–91. Of these 21 walruses were subjected to a detailed study on body composition.The asymptotic maximum standard body length of Atlantic walruses in NW Greenland was 269 cm for females and 314 cm for males. This is similar to Pacific walruses, but significantly longer than Atlantic walruses from Hudson Bay. Despite this, walruses from NW Greenland apparently do not attain the same total body mass as Pacific walruses (O.r.divergens).The asymptotic maximum body weights for walruses in NW Greenland were estimated to be 720 kg for females and 1114 kg for males.Total body surface area was proportional to the two‐thirds power of total body weight.The percentage proportion of blubber and viscera were both negatively correlated to body mass, while skin and muscles constituted a nearly fixed proportion. On average, blubber constituted 19% of total body mass of adult females, 15% of adult males and 24% of subadults of both genders. The average walrus consisted of 18% blubber, 12% skin, 12% viscera and 58% blood, muscle and skeleton. Muscles were estimated to constitute 44% of total body weight.Allometric functions for weight of internal organs relative to body mass are presented.
The colony structure and reproductive biology of the afrotropical Mashona mole‐rat, Cryptomys darlingi
Authors: Bennett N. C. , Jarvis J. U. M. , Cotterill F. P. D. 
Published: July 2009

Cryptomys darlingi occurs in the mesic Miombo woodland of north‐eastem Zimbabwe. It occurs in colonies of up to nine individuals, in which reproduction is limited to one of the largest males and the largest female in the colony.Reproduction and details of colony size and number of breeding animals in a colony are described for five complete field‐captured colonies.In captivity, mating is not confined to a particular season, and up to three litters of pups are orn per annum. The reproductive female initiates the pre‐copulatory behaviour. The gestation lengti is 56–61 days (n = 2). The new‐born pups are altricial and litter size is small x̄ = 1.7 ± 0.5 (n = 6). In this case, the pups first left the nest 10 days after birth, began to eat solids when 14 days old, and were fully weaned at five weeks. They began to spar with each other when 36–40 days old, but did not disperse and were incorporated into the colony. This suggests that the Mashona mole‐rat colonies are composed of a founding pair and at least three successive litters of pups.
Nitroxyl exacerbates ischemic cerebral injury and oxidative neurotoxicity
Authors: Choe Chi‐un , Lewerenz Jan , Fischer Gerry , Uliasz Tracy F. , Espey Michael Graham , Hummel Friedhelm C. , King Stephen Bruce , Schwedhelm Edzard , Böger Rainer H. , Gerloff Christian , Hewett Sandra J. , Magnus Tim , Donzelli Sonia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNitroxyl (HNO) donor compounds function as potent vasorelaxants, improve myocardial contractility and reduce ischemia‐reperfusion injury in the cardiovascular system. With respect to the nervous system, HNO donors have been shown to attenuate NMDA receptor activity and neuronal injury, suggesting that its production may be protective against cerebral ischemic damage. Hence, we studied the effect of the classical HNO‐donor, Angeli’s salt (AS), on a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of experimental stroke and on relatedin vitroparadigms of neurotoxicity. I.p. injection of AS (40 μmol/kg) in mice prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion exacerbated cortical infarct size and worsened the persistent neurological deficit. AS not only decreased systolic blood pressure, but also induced systemic oxidative stressin vivoindicated by increased isoprostane levels in urine and serum.In vitro, neuronal damage induced by oxygen‐glucose‐deprivation of mature neuronal cultures was exacerbated by AS, although there was no direct effect on glutamate excitotoxicity. Finally, AS exacerbated oxidative glutamate toxicity – that is, cell death propagated via oxidative stress in immature neurons devoid of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Taken together, our data indicate that HNO might worsen cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by increasing oxidative stress and decreasing brain perfusion at concentrations shown to be cardioprotectivein vivo.
Zn(II)‐ and Cu(II)‐induced non‐fibrillar aggregates of amyloid‐β (1–42) peptide are transformed to amyloid fibrils, both spontaneously and under the influence of metal chelators
Authors: Tõugu Vello , Karafin Ann , Zovo Kairit , Chung Roger S. , Howells Claire , West Adrian K. , Palumaa Peep 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAggregation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides is a central phenomenon in Alzheimer’s disease. Zn(II) and Cu(II) have profound effects on Aβ aggregation; however, their impact on amyloidogenesis is unclear. Here we show that Zn(II) and Cu(II) inhibit Aβ42 fibrillization and initiate formation of non‐fibrillar Aβ42 aggregates, and that the inhibitory effect of Zn(II) (IC50 = 1.8 μmol/L) is three times stronger than that of Cu(II). Medium and high‐affinity metal chelators including metallothioneins prevented metal‐induced Aβ42 aggregation. Moreover, their addition to preformed aggregates initiated fast Aβ42 fibrillization. Upon prolonged incubation the metal‐induced aggregates also transformed spontaneously into fibrils, that appear to represent the most stable state of Aβ42. H13A and H14A mutations in Aβ42 reduced the inhibitory effect of metal ions, whereas an H6A mutation had no significant impact. We suggest that metal binding by H13 and H14 prevents the formation of a cross‐β core structure within region 10–23 of the amyloid fibril. Cu(II)‐Aβ42 aggregates were neurotoxic to neurons in vitro only in the presence of ascorbate, whereas monomers and Zn(II)‐Aβ42 aggregates were non‐toxic. Disturbed metal homeostasis in the vicinity of zinc‐enriched neurons might pre‐dispose formation of metal‐induced Aβ aggregates, subsequent fibrillization of which can lead to amyloid formation. The molecular background underlying metal‐chelating therapies for Alzheimer’s disease is discussed in this light.
Suicidal Behaviour Among Youth in Five Public Sectors of Care
Authors: Chavira Denise A. , Accurso Erin C. , Garland Ann F. , Hough Richard 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Rates of suicidal ideation and behaviours as well as associated risk factors are examined among youth recruited from five public sectors of care (i.e. child welfare, juvenile justice, special education services, alcohol and drug services, and county mental health).Method:  1057 youth (ages 11–18) completed a diagnostic interview and questionnaires assessing relevant suicide risk factors at baseline and 2‐year follow‐up.Results:  While past year thoughts about death (28%) and talking about killing oneself (7.1%) were comparable to community norms, rates of lifetime suicide attempts (20.1%) were considerably higher in this sample. However, youth in the special education sector reported significantly more suicidal thoughts and behaviours relative to the other sectors. In multivariate analyses, longitudinal predictors of suicidality included major depression, female gender, and involvement in the special education sector.Conclusions:  Efforts to implement screening and evidence based interventions for depression and suicide in the public sector, particularly special education services, are necessary.