bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sinnhaftigkeit und Effektivität der deutschen Schuldenbremse
Authors: Feld Lars P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSince 2009 Germany has a new debt regime that requires the federal government to reduce its structural deficits to 0.35 percent of GDP until 2016 and the Länder to balance their budgets structurally until 2020. In this paper the rationale for a debt brake is discussed, the provisions of the new regime are summarized and its effectiveness is assessed. Although the new debt brake basically provides for a reasonable framework to achieve sustainable public finances, several loopholes remain that enable finance ministers to avoid fiscal consolidation. Particularly problematic are the provisions for the Länder which have incentives to appear excessively indebted until 2019 in order to negotiate better financial conditions in the fiscal equalization system that must be revised until 2019. These incentives may be stronger than the constitutional provision to reduce deficits.
The Effect of International Terrorism on EU Intelligence Co‐operation
Authors: MÜLLER‐WILLE BJÖRN 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWhile the US has revamped its intelligence community by creating the Department of Homeland Security, little seems to have happened at the European level. The article seeks to explain why some intelligence co‐operation takes place within the EU and why the bulk does not. It uses a new model, the ‘intelligence cube’, to develop a discussion on co‐operation in distinct areas. Following a functionalist approach, suggesting that collaboration is utility driven, it proposes that efficiency considerations offer the most convincing explanation why no new European Intelligence Agency has been created and why so little co‐operation takes place within EU structures.
Effect of deep‐fat frying of potato chips and chicken on the quality of soybean oil
Authors: Goburdhun Daya , Seebun Padmini , Ruggoo Arvind 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe type of products may affect the quality of oil during deep‐fat frying. The quality changes in pure soybean oil during frying of potato chips and chicken drumsticks were evaluated and compared. The oil was subjected to continuous frying at 180°C for a period of 315 min. The parameters used to assess the oil quality were peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), free fatty acids (FFA), refractive index (RI) and colour. The percentage of oil absorbed by the two products was determined. The oil was also assessed visually for any change in colour, viscosity, turbidity, flavour and deposit. Results showed that, for both products, PV, IV, FFA, RI and colour changed significantly with time (P < 0.05). Potato absorbed oil during frying (6.9%), whereas chicken released fat into the frying medium (2.4%). When the rates of change of the various parameters in the oils were compared for the two products, significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted for PV and colour only. The oil used during the frying of chicken appeared visually to be at a more advanced stage of deterioration.
A preliminary investigation of factors affecting seafood consumption behaviour in the inland and coastal regions of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Bose Shekar , Brown Naomi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis paper examines whether there are any substantial differences in factors influencing seafood consumption (at‐home) behaviour of consumers from two different regions of Victoria, Australia. We have used the logit modelling procedure and found that there exist noticeable regional differences in seafood consumption behaviour. In the case of the inland region, it is found that the variables price, distance, taste, quality and season are significant at the conventional level. For the coastal region, the factors quality, age and number of persons employed (at the 5% level) and size of households (at the 10% level) significantly influence the seafood consumption behaviour.
The consumption of gambling in everyday life
Authors: Parsons Ken , Webster David 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the escalation of gambling in the UK and the consequences this has for the consumer. Reasons why people consume risk through the medium of gambling are provided with social factors, presented here, as important variables that have influenced this consumption. The National Lottery in the UK is highlighted as the most recent example that provides the context for this escalation in the consumption of gambling. The paper then presents research data obtained from reformed problem gamblers and describes the social ills associated with their compulsive gambling behaviour traits and their worries over the impact that gambling has on the individual and the community. The paper suggests that there will be an increase in the number of problem gamblers as a result of the increasing exposure of the consumer towards many forms of gambling.
The synergistic effects of maltodextrin and high‐fructose corn sweetener 90 in a fat‐reduced muffin
Authors: Conforti Frank D. , Nee Patricia , Archilla Leslie 
Published: September 2010

AbstractLow‐fat muffins were prepared using as fat substitutes a combination of maltodextrin and high‐fructose corn sweetener 90 (HFCS‐90), which replaced sucrose at a rate of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The focus of the investigation was to determine the synergistic effects of these two ingredients on the physical properties in a low‐fat muffin. Results indicated that maltodextrin and HFCS‐90 were effective in maintaining moisture and water activity (aw) levels similar (P> 0.05) to the full‐fat muffin. Texture profiles indicated that the low‐fat variations were firmer (P< 0.05) than the full‐fat counterpart. Increased levels of HFCS‐90 had a significant effect (P< 0.05) on crust and crumb darkening. Maltodextrin alone significantly (P< 0.05) impeded the staling rate during storage. However, when maltodextrin was combined with increased levels of HFCS‐90, the staling rate accelerated. The two ingredients were found to be effective in maintaining product quality, but HFCS‐90 could only be used up to a 50% replacement before any adverse effects in product quality were observed.
The complexity of food choices in an everyday context
Authors: Palojoki Päivi , Tuomi‐Gröhn Terttu 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis study aims to understand the complexity of food choices in an everyday household context. The qualitative data are based on homemakers’ (n= 18) context‐specific accounts of their choice of milk brand, i.e. milk varieties with different fat contents (noted in a 4‐day qualitative food diary and a semi‐structured interview based on the diary). These accounts were considered an approximation of real food choices in households. The necessity of making compromises between contradictory expectations makes food choices, as well as milk brand choices, problematic. The homemakers' accounts involve various levels affecting household activities. At the individual level, the most important motive of choice is the taste and practical use of a product. At the level of households, the traditions stemming from one's childhood and the social aspect of acknowledging other family members’ taste preferences are important. The influence at the level of society and culture leads towards healthier choices, e.g. by providing examples of new, healthier food habits. Here, the special nature of everyday knowledge is emphasized as context dependent. This provides a complementary view to the more traditional, cognitive views of studying the relationship between knowledge of nutrition and food choices. Choices are determined not only by stimulus, cognition or societal structures, but are also constrained by everyday conditions, as well as by the activities of other people.
Why do European consumers smoke? Responses from the rational addiction model
Authors: Escario José Julián , Molina José Alberto 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we test whether European consumers are addictive smokers and, if this is the case, then whether such addictions can be explained by the rational addiction theory. To this end, we start from a non‐separable intertemporal utility function, which allows us to derive a demand function that is estimated using tobacco time‐series. The results are in accordance with the model of rational addiction for all European smokers. Thus, we observe the addictive character of tobacco consumption and, secondly, we note that the addiction is not the result of myopic consumer behaviour, but rather of the maximization of total utility, implying that consumers consider the future effects of their current decisions.
Consumer purchase behaviour of irradiated beef products: a simulated supermarket setting
Authors: Hashim I. B. , McWatters K. H. , Rimal A. P. , Fletcher S. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn December 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of irradiation to kill harmful bacteria in beef. As a result of limited information about consumers’ potential response to implementation of this technology, a supermarket simulation setting (SSS) test was conducted to assess consumer purchase behaviour. The objectives were to determine consumers’ willingness to purchase irradiated beef products when provided with information at the grocery store level and consumer's perceptions towards irradiated beef. Primary household grocery shoppers (n = 207) in Griffin, Georgia, USA who consumed beef at least twice per week participated in the study. Ground beef, ground chuck, top round steak and rib eye steak were displayed in refrigerated cases in either traditionally labelled packages (non‐irradiated) or in packages labelled as irradiated. Irradiated and non‐irradiated beef had the same unit price. Participants were instructed to purchase two packages of each cut on their first shopping trip; they then shopped a second time after an informative poster about irradiation had been placed in the display cases. The results indicated that irradiation information displayed on the poster at the point of purchase was effective in causing significant change in beef purchase behaviour. The information caused some consumers who had bought traditional packages initially to buy irradiated packages subsequently while others who bought irradiated packages initially subsequently bought traditional packages. Hence, the net effect of the information was minimal. A mean test across form/cut showed that consumers did not differentiate between the ground form and the muscle form in selecting irradiated packages.
A gender perspective on the use of supplemental healthcare plans
Authors: Hira Tahira K. , Loibl Cäzilia 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBecause employer‐provided health coverage represents the main source of health insurance for Americans and its costs for employees are rising, accurate knowledge about health coverage would seem to be crucial for making sound decisions on choosing the plans that best meet the specific needs of a family. However, previous research suggests that most employees have little understanding of the scope and monetary value, or even the existence of many components of their health benefit package. This paper re‐examines employees’ general financial learning efforts and knowledge level, and how they relate to participation in and importance attached to supplemental healthcare plans. We find that, while self‐directed financial learning and general financial knowledge significantly predicted plan participation and the importance attached to them, demographic factors, such as gender, age and job classification, dominated the supplemental healthcare decisions.
Gender differences in consumers’ acceptance of genetically modified foods
Authors: Moerbeek Hester , Casimir Gerda 
Published: September 2010

AbstractResearch has shown that women are less accepting of genetically engineered products than men. We expect two mechanisms to be at work here. First, in consumer behaviour theory, more knowledge is assumed to lead to more acceptance. We assumed that for genetically engineered foods, this general principle does not apply since long‐term consequences are not known yet. The well‐informed consumer is likely to be comparatively more concerned with this lack of knowledge. We call this the information paradox. Theory on the topic is relatively recent. The results of this study will help to distinguish consumer behaviour with regard to new types of food as compared with traditional foods. Second, we assumed that there is a gender factor included in attitudes toward foods. In general, women still plan food and household purchases. A tentative attitude and an accompanying reluctance toward food innovation are adopted when buying food for children. We call this the gender paradox. In this exploratory study we use data from the Eurobarometer. Eurobarometer surveys have been executed since 1973 by the European Commission among the adult population of European Union member countries (n > 10 000), monitoring the evolution of public opinion. Analysis of these surveys shows that gender differences exist in the acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods in Europe. Women tend to be less accepting toward genetically modified foods. This supports our gender hypothesis. However, no evidence was found to support the assumed information paradox. It seems that knowledge leads to acceptance, also of GM foods, but more so for men than for women.
Creative teachers and creative teaching strategies
Authors: Horng Jeou‐Shyan , Hong Jon‐Chao , ChanLin Lih‐Juan , Chang Shih‐Hui , Chu Hui‐Chuan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence creative teaching and to find out what effective strategies are used by three award‐winning teachers in the learning area of Integrated Activities. As creative thinking is crucial for the knowledge economy, it is essential that education serves its purpose in improving this important aspect. The methods used for data collection include in‐depth interview, focus group interview, classroom observation and content analysis. Three teachers with a GreaTeach Creative Instruction Award for creative teaching in the Integrated Activities field were selected as subjects. Results were acquired by analysing the interview content, the teaching plans, teachers’ reflection and the classroom observation videotapes. The study found that: the factors influencing creative teaching in Integrative Activities are (a) personality traits: persistence, willingness to develop, acceptance of new experiences, self‐confidence, sense of humour, curiosity, depth of ideas, imagination, etc.; (b) family factors: open and tolerant ways of teaching children, creative performance of parents, etc.; (c) experiences of growth and education: self‐created games and stories, brainstorming between classmates, etc.; (d) beliefs in teaching, hard work, motivation and (e) the administrative side of school organization. Among these factors, beliefs in teaching, hard work and motivation are the main aspects. The effective teaching strategies used by the awarded teachers are: student‐centred activities, a connection between teaching contents and real life, management of skills in class, open‐ended questions, an encouragement of creative thinking and use of technology and multimedia. Integrated Activities are closely connected to life experience and a basis for the development of creative thinking within education.
Lesson practice and teachers’ views on citizenship and gender: focusing on home economics and civics in Japan
Authors: Arai Noriko , Ohta Tomoko 
Published: September 2010

AbstractHome economics and civics as school subjects in Japan have a common feature, in that both subjects nurture a sense of citizenship at home, in the workplace and in the wider society. In addition, both have the potential to help students recognize the gender bias around them and can empower them to help make a more gender‐equal society. Focusing on this, the purpose of this report was to investigate home economics and civics teachers’ views, in order to analyse the features of the two subjects and the relationship between them. Questionnaires were sent to home economics and civics teachers of all the senior high schools in four prefectures around Japan in October 2001, and 357 samples were analysed. The results were as follows: (a) Home economics teachers and female teachers expressed more interest in lessons on gender than civics teachers and male teachers. Concerning lessons on citizenship, no statistical difference in teachers’ interest was found. (b) Topics on citizenship were learned in the fields of consumer, environment and social welfare issues in both subjects. More lessons were reported to take place in home economics than in civics. (c) In home economics, topics on gender were learned as core issues in the areas of family relations, family law and parenting. On the other hand, in family law, civics, topics on gender were taught as marginal issues in the area of basic human rights and labour issues. (d) Home economics teachers thought the goals of gender education were to empower students to overcome narrow gender roles and to strengthen self‐respect. In contrast, civics teachers thought it would empower a sense of human rights. Concerning citizenship education, teachers of both home economics and civics thought the goals would enable students to recognize social problems as their own issues and try to solve them.
Transnational Sourcing Practices in Ghana's Perennial Crop Sectors
Authors: FOLD NIELS 
Published: September 2010

Neo‐liberal policies increasingly affect African agricultural production and the influence and power of transnational agro‐food companies have deepened substantially since the turn of the century. As a consequence the conditions of transactions of many African export crops have been modified or changed completely. This paper examines the changes and emerging patterns of transnational buyers’ sourcing practices within four of Ghana's perennial crop sectors: cocoa, pineapple, oil palm and shea nut. The findings suggest that transnational sourcing practices are primarily determined by the need for immediate processing of the crop after harvest and that control over this process is essential for value adding via product differentiation. Different transnational sourcing practices have distinctive spatial outcomes reflected by new patterns of rural transformation within privately regulated territories.
Genomic expression changes induced by topical N‐acetyl glucosamine in skin equivalent cultures in vitro
Authors: Bissett Donald L , Farmer Teresa , McPhail Sara , Reichling Tim , Tiesman Jay P , Juhlin Kenton D , Hurley George J , Robinson Michael K 
Published: September 2010

Summary N‐acetyl glucosamine (NAG) has been shown to be effective in reducing the appearance of hyperpigmented spots. From published in vitro mechanistic testing, glucosamine inhibits enzymatic glycosylation, a required processing step in converting inactive human pro‐tyrosinase to the active tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the production of melanin. There is also published literature discussing the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties of glucosamine compounds. To identify additional mechanisms by which NAG might affect melanin production, an in vitro genomics experiment was conducted in SkinEthic skin equivalent cultures, which were topically dosed with NAG vs. a vehicle control. Relative to vehicle, NAG reduced melanin production, and the expression of several pigmentation‐relevant genes were affected (down‐regulated or up‐regulated) by NAG treatment. Thus, there are several mechanisms that may be operative in the observed pigmentation effects.
An analysis of entry‐level postgraduate students’ readiness for student‐centred, Masters Level learning
Authors: Kell Clare 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAllied health professionals have an obligation, through their rules of professional conduct, to maintain currency of practice and to demonstrate active continuous professional development (CPD). Many therapists choose postgraduate (M‐Level) studies as part of their ongoing CPD activity. Assuming that practitioner maturity and autonomy can be transferred to educational contexts, many M‐Level courses adopt a student‐centred approach to their learning and teaching activities. This article reports the results of a learning profile exercise on a group of entry postgraduate students. The results suggest that some students have learning profiles incompatible with direct transition into a student‐centred, M‐Level learning environment. Learning profiles appear to reflect routes to professional qualification, namely degree vs. graduate diploma. The article will consider the possible learning support needs of postgraduate learners.
Patient safety investigations: the need for interprofessional learning
Authors: Wakefield Ann , Carlisle Caroline , Hall Andy , Attree Moira 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSelected findings from the qualitative aspect of an impact evaluation examining the effectiveness of a Root Cause Analysis 3‐day Training Programme relating to interprofessional learning and work are reported in this paper. The study sample comprised managers, clinicians, administrators and human resource personnel (n = 38) employed at Band 6 or above, and 18 key organizational stakeholders from three National Health Service case study sites who seconded staff to the Root Cause Analysis programme. Although the study was primarily designed to assess the impact of using a blended e‐learning approach to educate staff about Root Cause Analysis, participants revealed that working in interprofessional teams was a vital element of any patient‐safety investigation. Interprofessional learning and inter‐disciplinary collaboration was a particularly valued element of the training programme. One of the main benefits of interprofessional learning identified by participants was that it improved networking and promoted more open communication. Moreover, participants felt interprofessional learning allowed them to increase their understanding of each other's roles, leading to greater cooperation, collaboration and increased confidence. For this reason, the paper examines the extent to which the management of patient‐safety‐related incidents and patient‐safety investigations can be improved by using an interprofessional learning format. Finally, the study will suggest that interprofessional approaches to patient‐safety education should be adopted by course designers so as to encourage participants to think beyond their respective occupational silos.