bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between phonological skills and word decoding
Authors: HØIEN‐TENGESDAL INGJERD , TØNNESSEN FINN‐EGIL 
Published: November 2010

Høien‐Tengesdal, I. & Tønnessen, F.‐E. (2011). The relationship between phonological skills and word decoding. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 93–103.Word decoding ability is a critical factor in reading performance. In the present study, we examined the relationship between word decoding ability and three different phonological skills; phonemic awareness, verbal short‐term memory (V‐STM), and rapid automatic naming (RAN) in 1007 Scandinavian third‐ and fifth‐graders. In the first part of the study, we sought to investigate the influence of the three phonological skills on word decoding ability. Using multiple regression analysis, our result clearly demonstrated that phonemic awareness was the most powerful phonological skill explaining variance in word decoding ability among average decoders. Among children with poor decoding skills, however, RAN was the most important factor in Grade 3, whereas V‐STM was the main contributor to decoding ability among children in Grade 5. In the second part of the research, we examined the relationship between poor phonological skills and word decoding ability. Interestingly, our result revealed that approximately one half of the children with phonological difficulties, still performed within the average range with regard to word decoding ability. However, our analyses confirmed earlier research concerning the severe word decoding difficulties children with both poor phonemic awareness and restricted V‐STM, experience.
A Modest Proposal for a Two‐Sided Market Clearing Institution under Asymmetric Supply Constraints with Skewed Pricing: The Market for Adoption and Abortion in the United States
Authors: BALDING CHRISTOPHER 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a theoretical model matching the potential supply of terminated pregnancies with the total demand for children within certain modeling constraints. First, the demand and supply of pregnancies should be studied within the theoretical framework of a market with economic incentives. Second, a theoretical model for the demand for abortion must incorporate the total market for children, which implies the market for pregnancy, abortion, and adoption. Third, there exist in the overall market for procreative goods and services certain unique characteristics that need to be carefully considered. Producers and suppliers within the procreative goods and services market have radically different price and cost elasticity functions and unique production asymmetries that create a potential net benefit for buyer and seller alike. The market for abortion and adoption, while seemingly related and similar, suffer from a fundamental disconnect, preventing a simple exchange of goods and services: abortion implies potential supply that does not flow to potential consumersthose seeking to adopt. Studying this market inefficiency will benefit from a two‐sided market analysis used in situations where an intermediary business must attract both producers and suppliers. There are two key findings. First, I find that the producer decision to supply the good depends primarily on exogenous preference formation and not on consumer‐provided incentives. Second, I find that the market would benefit from legal framework for a market clearing institution using the market for real estate as the blueprint.
Regulatory Policy Design in an Uncertain World
Authors: CHAMBERS ROBERT G. , MELKONYAN TIGRAN A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe paper examines principal–agent relationships in uncertain environments where beliefs of the contracting parties (the regulator and the firm) are represented by sets of probabilities. In addition to fully characterizing the first‐best and the second‐best solutions, we examine optimality of zero‐risk, fixed‐payment schemes and the relationship between the first‐best and the second‐best solutions. In the second‐best world, where the regulator can only contract on the quality of the good, a zero‐risk standard is optimal when the firm has beliefs that are so ambiguous that the firm’s marginal rate of transformation belongs to the set of the firm’s relative probabilities.
THE UNIVERSAL VERSUS THE PARTICULAR IN ECOFEMINIST ETHICS
Authors: Kao Grace Y. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTWhile not a monolithic movement, ecofeminists are united in their conviction that there are important connections between the exploitation of both women and nature. They are internally divided, however, on the propriety of applying their theoretical claims and activist strategies across social contexts. This paper explores three debates within ecofeminism that largely turn on this universalist versus particularist tension: whether ecofeminist theorizing can adequately account for cultural variation; whether its common usage of essentialist rhetoric is productive or troubling; and whether resources for social activism could legitimately be culled from an assembly of heterogeneous and foreign sources. I conclude that the universalism of the women–nature connection can indeed be justified if perceived in multivalent ways, that “earthcare” or “ecomaternalist” discourse can be helpful in some contexts but harmful in others, and that selective retrieval of other cultures for the purposes of advocacy should not be ruled out as necessarily imperialistic or otherwise inappropriate.
JUST LIES: Finding Augustine's Ethics of Public Lying in His Treatments of Lying and Killing
Authors: Decosimo David 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTAugustine famously defends the justice of killing in certain public contexts such as just wars. He also claims that private citizens who intentionally kill are guilty of murder, regardless of their reasons. Just as famously, Augustine seems to prohibit lying categorically. Analyzing these features of his thought and their connections, I argue that Augustine is best understood as endorsing the justice of lying in certain public contexts, even though he does not explicitly do so. Specifically, I show that parallels between his treatments of killing and lying along with his “agent (auctor)–instrument (minister)” distinction, in which God is the true agent or “author” of certain acts and humans are merely God's instruments, together imply that he would regard certain instances of public lying as permissible and even obligatory. I buttress my argument by examining several key but neglected passages and by responding to various objections and rival interpretations. Throughout, I challenge standard interpretations of Augustine's ethics of killing and lying and seek to deepen our overall understanding of these dimensions of his thought. In so doing, I contribute to ongoing discussions of public and private lying and to the task of relating Augustine's thought to contemporary debate and deliberation on war, killing, and lying.
Managerial Performance and Closed‐End Country Fund Premiums: A Lead or Lag Relationship?*
Authors: ISMAILESCU IULIANA , BRANCH BEN 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTHerein, we examine whether changes in closed‐end country fund premiums lead and/or lag management performance. Using a sample of 46 country funds and a time period of 11 years, we find evidence of a significant negative relationship between past performance and current fund premiums, but no support for the hypothesis that past premiums are indicative of future performance. Furthermore, the above results are driven primarily by the emerging market funds. The difference between emerging market and developed market fund premiums' response to past performance, although less obvious, continues to hold in the crises period, but vanishes in the tranquil period.
On the Behavior and Determinants of Risk‐Based Capital Ratios: Revisiting the Evidence from UK Banking Institutions*
Authors: FRANCIS WILLIAM B. , OSBORNE MATTHEW 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTUsing bank‐level panel data from the United Kingdom, this paper investigates the factors that influence banks' choice of risk‐based capital ratios. The study focuses on evaluating the role of regulatory capital requirements. Findings indicate that such requirements, even when not binding, affect banks' capital management practices and suggest that banks maintain targeted buffers above regulatory thresholds. That behavior differs across several dimensions, including bank size, nearness to regulatory minimum, reliance on core (equity) capital and exposure to market discipline. Capital ratios also vary over the economic cycle. These findings have implications for the ongoing review of international capital standards.
Annexins
Authors: Laohavisit Anuphon , Davies Julia M. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryAnnexins are multifunctional lipid‐binding proteins. Plant annexins are expressed throughout the life cycle and are under environmental control. Their association or insertion into membranes may be governed by a range of local conditions (Ca2+, pH, voltage or lipid identity) and nonclassical sorting motifs. Protein functions include exocytosis, actin binding, peroxidase activity, callose synthase regulation and ion transport. As such, annexins appear capable of linking Ca2+, redox and lipid signalling to coordinate development with responses to the biotic and abiotic environment. Significant advances in plant annexin research have been made in the past 2 yr. Here, we review the basis of annexin multifunctionality and suggest how these proteins may operate in the life and death of a plant cell.ContentsSummary40I.Introduction40II.Expression and localization during development41III.Response to the environment42IV.Control of subcellular localization42V.Structural determinants of function43VI.Activities and possible functions47VII.Conclusions and prospects49Acknowledgements49References49
Evidence of clonazepam abuse liability: results of the tools developed by the French Centers for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) network
Authors: Frauger Elisabeth , Pauly Vanessa , Pradel Vincent , Rouby Frank , Arditti Jocelyne , Thirion Xavier , Lapeyre Mestre Maryse , Micallef Joëlle 
Published: November 2010

AbstractRecent observations suggest the existence of clonazepam abuse. To determine its importance in France, a quantitative and systematic synthesis of all clonazepam data of several epidemiological tools of the Centers for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence (CEIP) network has been performed in comparison with data on others benzodiazepines (BZD). Data on clonazepam and other BZD have been analysed from different epidemiological tools: OSIAP survey that identifies drugs obtained by means of falsified prescriptions, Observation of Illegal Drugs and Misuse of Psychotropic Medications (OPPIDUM) survey that describes modalities of use and data from regional French health reimbursement system. In OSIAP survey, the proportion of clonazepam falsified prescriptions among all BZD falsified prescriptions increased. During the 2006 OPPIDUM survey, the analysis of the BZD modalities of use highlights clonazepam abuse liability (for example 23% of illegal acquisition), in second rank after flunitrazepam. Studies based on data from the French health reimbursed system show that 1.5% of subjects with clonazepam dispensing had a deviant behaviour. Among BZD, clonazepam has the second most important doctor‐shopping indicator (3%) after flunitrazepam. All these data provide some arguments in favour of clonazepam abuse liability in real life and the necessity to reinforce its monitoring.
An improved model to investigate the efficacy of antidyskinetic agents in hemiparkinsonian rats
Authors: Spinnewyn Brigitte , Charnet Christelle , Cornet Sylvie , Roubert Véronique , Chabrier Pierre‐Etienne , Auguet Michel 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA number of experimental models of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia have been proposed, but these models result in a low to medium rate of dyskinetic animals with mild to severe symptoms. The objective of this study was to combine a model of 6‐OHDA‐induced parkinsonism and of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia in rats to establish a reliable preclinical model. Two stereotaxic injections of 6‐OHDA were administered in the left striatum. This model led to 90–100% of rats with a marked contralateral circling behaviour, significant limb use asymmetry (20%), a decrease in ipsilateral striatal dopamine content (70%) and degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (70%). Chronic treatment with L‐DOPA was administered for 35 days and consisted of three phases with incremental daily doses. The third phase resulted in 83–90% of rats developing severe abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) which included limb and locomotive dyskinesia, axial dystonia and orolingual dyskinesia. Reproducibility of the model, criteria of strict blinding, placebo‐controlled design, randomization of study subjects and pretrial determination of sample size were used to measure efficacy of amantadine and istradefylline and to validate the protocol design. Acute or subchronic post‐treatment with amantadine reduced the severity of dyskinesia while istradefylline punctually attenuated AIMs. Our experimental conditions using gradual development of dyskinesia induced by increasing doses of L‐DOPA resulted in a reliable model of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia with a high rate of dyskinetic rats.
Effects of florfenicol on LPS‐induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2production in RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Xiong Huanzhang , Li Hongyu , Yu Lu , Deng Xuming 
Published: November 2010

AbstractFlorfenicol, an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections, has previously been shown to modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced early cytokine responses by blocking the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects of florfenicol on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production as well as on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in LPS‐stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. We also analysed the effects of florfenicol on mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Florfenicol significantly inhibited LPS‐induced NO and PGE2production. Consistent with these observations, mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX‐2 were also inhibited by florfenicol in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was suppressed by florfenicol. However, c‐JunN‐terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation remained unaffected. Using specific inhibitors of ERK and p38, we found that florfenicol may inhibit NO and PGE2mostly through ERK and p38 pathway. These results suggest that florfenicol inhibits NO and PGE2production in conjunction with an inhibition of iNOS and COX‐2 expression, at least partially via suppression of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation.
Comparison between orlistat plus l‐carnitine and orlistat alone on inflammation parameters in obese diabetic patients
Authors: Derosa Giuseppe , Maffioli Pamela , Ferrari Ilaria , D’Angelo Angela , Fogari Elena , Palumbo Ilaria , Randazzo Sabrina , Cicero Arrigo F.G. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of 1‐year treatment with orlistat plus l‐carnitine compared to orlistat alone on body weight, glycemic and lipid control, and inflammatory parameters in obese type 2 diabetic patients. Two hundred and fifty‐eight patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 8.0%] in therapy with different oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin were enrolled in this study and randomized to take orlistat 120 mg three times a day plus l‐carnitine 2 g one time a day or orlistat 120 mg three times a day. We evaluated the following parameters at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months : body weight, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA‐IR), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), triglycerides (Tg), adiponectin (ADN), leptin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), vaspin, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (Hs‐CRP). We observed a better decrease in body weight, glycemic profile, HOMA‐IR, LDL‐C, and ADN and a faster improvement in FPI, TC, Tg, leptin, TNF‐α, Hs‐CRP with orlistat plus l‐carnitine compared to orlistat alone. We also recorded an improvement in vaspin with orlistat plus l‐carnitine not reached with orlistat alone. Orlistat plus l‐carnitine gave a better improvement in body weight, glycemic and lipid profile compared to orlistat alone; furthermore, a faster and better improvement in inflammatory parameters was observed with orlistat plus l‐carnitine compared to orlistat alone.
The tumor suppressor ING1 contributes to epigenetic control of cellular senescence
Authors: Abad María , Moreno Alberto , Palacios Alicia , Narita Masako , Blanco Francisco , Moreno‐Bueno Gema , Narita Masashi , Palmero Ignacio 
Published: November 2010

SummaryCellular senescence is an effective tumor‐suppressive mechanism that causes a stable proliferative arrest in cells with potentially oncogenic alterations. Here, we have investigated the role of the p33ING1 tumor suppressor in the regulation of cellular senescence in human primary fibroblasts. We show that p33ING1 triggers a senescent phenotype in a p53‐dependent fashion. Also, endogenous p33ING1 protein accumulates in chromatin in oncogene‐senescent fibroblasts and its silencing by RNA interference impairs senescence triggered by oncogenes. Notably, the ability to induce senescence is lost in a mutant version of p33ING1 present in human tumors. Using specific point mutants, we further show that recognition of the chromatin mark H3K4me3 is essential for induction of senescence by p33ING1. Finally, we demonstrate that ING1‐induced senescence is associated to a specific genetic signature with a strong representation of chemokine and cytokine signaling factors, which significantly overlaps with that of oncogene‐induced senescence. In summary, our results identify ING1 as a critical epigenetic regulator of cellular senescence in human fibroblasts and highlight its role in control of gene expression in the context of this tumor‐protective response.
Prophylactic Botulinum Type A Toxin Complex (Dysport®) for Migraine Without Aura
Authors: Chankrachang Siwaporn , Arayawichanont Arkhom , Poungvarin Niphon , Nidhinandana Samart , Boonkongchuen Pairoj , Towanabut Somchai , Sithinamsuwan Pasiri , Kongsaengdao Subsai 
Published: November 2010

(Headache 2011;51:52‐63)Objective.— To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimum dose of a highly purified Clostridium botulinum type A toxin‐hemagglutinin complex (Dysport) for migraine prophylaxis.Background.— Botulinum toxin type‐A has demonstrated good efficacy in several open‐label studies of patients with migraine, involving either individualized or standardized protocols, although data from placebo‐controlled trials have been conflicting.Methods.— A 12‐week, double‐blind, randomized trial of Dysport (120 or 240 units) vs placebo was conducted in 6 centers in Thailand to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimum dose of botulinum toxin type‐A (Dysport) for migraine prophylaxis. A total of 128 patients with migraine without aura were enrolled. The primary end point was the change in the mean number of migraine attacks per 4‐week period from the pre‐treatment period to 8‐12 weeks post injection. Secondary efficacy measures included the change in the mean total intensity score from the pre‐treatment period to 8‐12 weeks, the investigator and patient global assessments of change at each visit compared with pre‐treatment, and Migraine Disability Assessment and Short Form‐36 scores.Results.— Change in number of migraine attacks from pre‐treatment to weeks 8‐12 was not significantly different. There was a greater improvement in total intensity score at weeks 8‐12 with Dysport‐240 (not significant), and interim visit data showed that this was significant at weeks 0‐4 (P = .03 Dysport‐240 vs placebo). The mean duration of headache during weeks 0‐4 was lower with Dysport‐240 (P = .04 vs placebo). Improvements in patient and investigator global assessments of change between weeks 0‐4 and 8‐12 were significant for the Dysport‐240 group (both P < .05 vs placebo).Conclusions.— Limitations in study design and assessment tools employed may have contributed to the inconclusive nature of the primary end point data. Dysport‐240 showed significant benefit over placebo at some end points and further trials with more appropriate outcome measures are required to evaluate effectively this treatment.
Ranking Economics Departments in a Contested Discipline: A Bibliometric Approach to Quality Equality Between Theoretically Distinct Subdisciplines
Authors: Lee Frederic S. , Grijalva Therese C. , Nowell Clifford 
Published: November 2010

AbstractQuality ranking of economic journals and departments is a widespread practice in the United States. The methods used are peer review and bibliometric measures. In a divided discipline such as economics scientific knowledge is contested. So knowing which journals and departments are the best in terms of research is somewhat muddied. If the methods used to measure the production of quality scientific knowledge are tilted towards one of the contested approaches, the resulting quality rankings of journals and departments are tilted as well. So if the objective is the open‐minded pursuit of the production of scientific knowledge, then it is important to have measures of quality that treat the different contested approaches equally. Our article explores this issue by examining the impact that a quality‐equality bibliometric measure can have on the quality rankings of doctoral economic programs in the United States.
Research Quality Rankings of Heterodox Economic Journals in a Contested Discipline
Authors: Lee Frederic S. , Cronin Bruce C. , McConnell Scott , Dean Erik 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis article argues that the discipline of economics consists of two subdisciplines: heterodox and mainstream economics. Being distinct bodies of knowledge, it is possible that the processes of building scientific knowledge are different enough so to generate distinctly different referencing and citation practices. Therefore, a specific impact contribution score is necessary for ranking heterodox journals in terms of their contribution to building heterodox economics. If properly developed such a metric could also be used to produce a single overall quality‐equality ranking of mainstream and heterodox journals. Utilizing citation data and peer evaluations of 62 heterodox economics journals, a research quality measure is developed and then used to rank the journals. The measure is then used in conjunction with the SSCI five‐year impact factor to produce a comparative research quality‐equality rankings of the 62 heterodox and the 192 mainstream journals in the SSCI.
The Diffusion of Heterodox Economics
Authors: Cronin Bruce 
Published: November 2010

AbstractHeterodox economics is in part defined by exclusion from orthodox circles and there is an understandable tendency for heterodox economists to engage primarily with each other outside these circles. Yet the critique offered by heterodoxy speaks more widely. This study examines the diffusion of heterodox economic ideas beyond the immediate confines via an analysis of the citation of heterodox economic journals by other journals. The diffusion of heterodox economics across wider disciplines is traced utilizing data from Emerald, Wiley, and Sage bibliographic databases. Employing the techniques of social network analysis, key journals in the diffusion process are identified, with implications for heterodox economics publishing strategy and engagement in valuation processes.