bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outsourcing and the US Labour Market
Authors: Ahmed Syud Amer , Hertel Thomas W. , Walmsley Terrie L. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThere is worldwide concern about the vulnerability of the current labour force to displacement by future imported services. In the USA, some have suggested that as much as one‐third of the workforce might be vulnerable to such outsourcing. However, the labour market impacts of this displacement are difficult to assess using purely analytical or statistical approaches. In this paper, simulation methods are used to understand how sensitive the US economy and labour market are to increases in services imports. Specifically, the scenario examined assumes that the share of imported services in total employment increases from 0.8 per cent to 7.25 per cent over a time horizon in which workers are unable to change occupations. In response, it is found that all industries increase their use of imported services and their use of the composite input that is comprised of imported services and tradable labour. With the exception of legal workers, all workers in tradable occupations experience declines in their real wages. Demand for non‐tradable occupations labour rises in the industries that expand the most, while demand falls in shrinking industries. The non‐tradable occupations that are used intensively in the shrinking industries experience declines in real wages, while the real wages rise for workers in non‐tradable occupations used intensively in the expanding industries.
Rebalancing IMF Quotas
Authors: Bénassy‐Quéré Agnès , Béreau Sophie 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we address the issue of IMF quota calculation in several directions. We first discuss the relevance of various specifications regarding the choice of variables, the way to measure them and the potential functional forms. Then, relying on long‐run projections for GDP, trade and foreign direct investment, we compare the ‘old’ system of formulas to the new one adopted in 2008 at different time horizons until 2030. Two major results emerge from our analysis. First, a single chair for the Eurozone can free 2–3 percentage points of quota shares, but this amount fades over time because intra‐Eurozone trade is relatively less dynamic than world trade. Second, introducing population in quota formulas would be the most transparent and efficient way of significantly raising the quota shares for less developed countries.
Colonel Blotto und seine ökonomischen Anwendungen
Authors: Homburg Stefan 
Published: February 2011

AbstractRedistributional issues are important in contemporary welfare states. These issues cannot be analyzed using the median voter theorem because preferences fail singlepeakedness: Collective preferences are intransitive, giving rise to cyclical preferences. A suitable instrument for analyzing redistributional issues is the Colonel Blotto game. This game is older than the more familiar prisoner’s dilemma, but it has been solved only recently. The article introduces the Colonel Blotto Game as well as the general structure of its solutions. Thereafter, the game’s logic is illustrated using several policy examples. The two most fascinating results state that, in a political contest, it is never optimal to use pure strategies, and that the political process itself induces remarkable inequalities.
Werden niedrige Steuersätze in Osteuropa durch Verzicht auf Verlustverrechnung erkauft?
Authors: Jacob Martin , Pasedag Andreas , Wagner Franz W. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates whether countries in the EU finance low tax rates by restrictive loss offset rules. As effects from intertemporal loss offset rules are difficult to anticipate, restrictions only marginally affect overall investments. In contrast, tax rates have a significant bearing on investment decisions. Therefore, the combination of low tax rates with restrictive loss offset rules can increase investments without affecting the tax revenue. Our analysis for the EU reveals that countries with low tax rates restrict loss offset possibilities while “high tax” countries allow an unlimited loss carryforward or even a loss carryback.
Pet‐related consumption as a consumer identity constructor
Authors: Jyrinki Henna 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe objective of this paper was to analyse how pet‐related consumption can be connected to consumer identity construction. This objective is based on the idea that consumers use symbolic meanings from possessions to construct and communicate their identities. Objects of attachment have especially been found to be closely connected to the formation of consumer identity. Furthermore, it is often assumed that consumers struggle to maintain a true sense of self or personal identity while retaining a feeling of belonging and social identity. This may be portrayed through layers of identity, which are composed of personal identity, social identity and other people. Empirical research was conducted using focus groups to create individual collages. The findings indicated that pet‐related consumption was used in the following six ways to construct consumer identity: ‘character developer’, ‘source of well‐being’, ‘means to connect’, ‘status communicator’, ‘object of devotion’ and ‘intermediary’, all of which found their places in the layers of identity. Each of these ways of using pet‐related consumption was paired with one other so that the extremes formulated three dimensions in a consumers' identity construction: the personal dimension, the social dimension and the dimension of emotional attachment. In conclusion, it was proposed that consumer identity construction illustrated via pet‐related consumption as created within both social interactions with meaningful others and those three dimensions is multi‐levelled and multifaceted. The paper invites future research to study both identity construction and emotional attachment, being such multifarious phenomena, and to explore the dynamic interactions that may exist.
Consumer trust in animal farming practices – exploring the high trust of Finnish consumers
Authors: Jokinen Pekka , Kupsala Saara , Vinnari Markus 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTrust in animal farming is a complex phenomenon and it is expressed in heterogeneous ways in different cultural contexts. Nordic countries are typically known as high‐trust societies in terms of food issues. Based on group interviews among Finnish consumers, this paper explores how citizen–consumers express trust and distrust regarding animal farming practices and whether it is possible to identify different forms of trust among different consumer groups. The foundations of emotional trust in animal farming have been weakening due to urbanization and the structural change in agriculture. Ordinary shoppers responded to this situation by transferring responsibility for farm animal welfare to public authorities, relying on habitual policy‐generated trust in animal farming. In contrast, gastronomes and organic consumers actively cultivated their emotional trust in livestock production by creating new kinds of contacts to farming. Gastronomes, organic consumers and vegetarians especially acknowledged the complexity of the claims made in farm animal welfare politics. As trust in food has arguably become a subject of active negotiation in Finland, the foundations for the habit‐based policy‐generated trust may be partly weakening, creating more space for the politicizing of food issues and the developing of alternative sources for regaining trust in food production.
Colon‐specific contractile responses to tetrodotoxin in the isolated mouse gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Okuno Y. , Kondo T. , Saeki A. , Uchida E. , Teraoka H. , Kitazawa T. 
Published: February 2011

Summary 1 Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a useful pharmacological tool for distinguishing neural and myogenic responses of isolated visceral organs to drugs. Although TTX does not generally affect smooth muscle tonus, in this study, we have found that TTX causes contraction of the mouse colon. The aim of this study was to characterize this TTX‐induced contraction in the mouse gastrointestinal tract. 2 Longitudinal and circular muscle strips from the stomach and small intestine were less sensitive to TTX. However, TTX contracted both smooth muscle strips from the proximal colon and distal colon. 3 Pretreatment with TTX, Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), (1)H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ) and apamin inhibited the TTX‐induced contraction. l‐NAME, ODQ or apamin itself caused contraction in the colon but not in the gastric and small intestinal strips. Region dependency of l‐NAME, ODQ and apamin‐induced contraction correlated with that of TTX‐induced contraction. 4 l‐Arginine but not d‐arginine inhibited contractility of the colonic strips without affecting the contractility of muscle strips from other regions. Sodium nitroprusside caused strong relaxation of the colonic strips. 5 1,1‐Dimethyl‐4‐phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) caused relaxation of proximal and distal colons, which was significantly decreased by l‐NAME or apamin. 6 In conclusion, among mouse gastrointestinal preparations, TTX induces contraction of colonic strips preferentially through blockade of potent tonic inhibitory neural outflow, which involves nitrergic and apamin‐sensitive pathways. Colon‐specific responses to l‐arginine, l‐NAME, ODQ and apamin support the hypothesis that there is a continuous suppression of colonic motility by enteric inhibitory neurons.
Increase in mitochondrial DNA mutations impairs retinal function and renders the retina vulnerable to injury
Authors: Kong Yu X. G. , Van Bergen Nicole , Trounce Ian A. , Bui Bang V. , Chrysostomou Vicki , Waugh Hayley , Vingrys Algis , Crowston Jonathan G. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryMouse models that accumulate high levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations owing to impairments in mitochondrial polymerase γ (PolG) proofreading function have been shown to develop phenotypes consistent with accelerated aging. As increase in mtDNA mutations and aging are risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, we sought to determine whether increase in mtDNA mutations renders neurons more vulnerable to injury. We therefore examined the in vivo functional activity of retinal neurons and their ability to cope with stress in transgenic mice harboring a neural‐targeted mutant PolG gene with an impaired proofreading capability (Kasahara, et al. (2006) Mol Psychiatry11(6):577–93, 523). We confirmed that the retina of these transgenic mice have increased mtDNA deletions and point mutations and decreased expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation enzymes. Associated with these changes, the PolG transgenic mice demonstrated accelerated age‐related loss in retinal function as measured by dark‐adapted electroretinogram, particularly in the inner and middle retina. Furthermore, the retinal ganglion cell–dominant inner retinal function in PolG transgenic mice showed greater vulnerability to injury induced by raised intraocular pressure, an insult known to produce mechanical, metabolic, and oxidative stress in the retina. These findings indicate that an accumulation of mtDNA mutations is associated with impairment in neural function and reduced capacity of neurons to resist external stress in vivo, suggesting a potential mechanism whereby aging central nervous system can become more vulnerable to neurodegeneration.
Use of a Genetic Algorithm for Multiobjective Design Optimization of the Femoral Stem of a Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Ishida Toshimasa , Nishimura Ikuya , Tanino Hiromasa , Higa Masaru , Ito Hiroshi , Mitamura Yoshinori 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThere are many designs of the femoral stem of a cemented total hip arthroplasty, and mechanical failure of the stem is caused by several factors related to the cement, such as failure of the cement. Optimization of the shape of the stem, especially multiobjective optimization, is required to solve these design problems because a cement fracture is caused by multiple factors. The objective of this study was to determine a stem geometry considering multiple factors at the same time. A three‐dimensional finite element model of the proximal femur was developed from a composite femur. A total of four objective functions—two objective functions, the largest maximum principal stress of proximal and distal sections in the cement mantle, for each of the two boundary conditions, walking and stair climbing—were used. The neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm was introduced to minimize these objective functions. The results showed that the geometry that leads to a decrease in the proximal cement stress and the geometry that leads to a decrease in the distal cement stress were not the same. However, the results of the walking and the stair climbing conditions matched. Five dominant stem designs were considered to be the Pareto solution, and one design was identified as the “better design” for all objective functions. It was shown that multiobjective optimization using a genetic algorithm may be used for optimizing the shape of the femoral stem in order to avoid cement fracture.
Mechanical Comparison of Two Suture Constructs For Extra‐Capsular Stifle Stabilization
Authors: Cabano Nic R. , Troyer Kevin L. , Palmer Ross H. , Puttlitz Christian M. , Santoni Brandon G. 
Published: February 2011

Objective: Mechanical evaluation of 2 suture constructs for extracapsular stifle stabilization.Study Design: In vitro study.Sample Population: Crimped interlocking loop constructs (ILC) of 45 kg nylon leader line (NLL) and Orthofiber® (OF).Methods: ILC were tightened to 100 N, then crimp secured. Ramp to failure (n=10/group)—Data were derived from force/displacement plots. Stress–relaxation testing (n=10/group)—ILC's were nondestructively loaded and held at resultant displacement as force data were recorded. Incremental, cyclic loading (n=10/group)—ILC's were loaded (5 cycles/set) starting at 100 N and incrementally increased by 50 N (1 and 3 Hz protocols). Loop tension and elongation were recorded after each set.Results: Ramp to failure—initial loop tension was similar (NLL 75.5 ± 9.5 N; OF 68.7 ± 10.4 N, P=.140). Tested OF constructs were stiffer (NLL 125.7 ± 4.0; OF 234.6 ± 25.0 N/mm, P≤.001), had lower yield load (NLL 193.6 ± 13.8; OF 137.3 ± 94.3 N, P≤.001), lower peak load (NLL 873.7 ± 68.6; OF 653.6 ± 80.2 N, P≤.001), and lower elongation at failure (NLL 19.1 ± 1.4; OF 5.2 ± 1.0 mm, P≤.001) and at yield (NLL 1.52 ± 0.2; OF 0.3 ± 0.6 mm, P=.003) than NLL constructs. Yield in NLL ILC's was variable knot tightening/crimp slippage, but only crimp‐suture slippage in OF. Stress–relaxation testing—OF demonstrated greater relaxation. Incremental, cyclic loading—induced ILC elongation and tension loss in both groups, independent of loading frequency. NLL lost tension at lower rate, but elongated more than OF.Conclusions: NLL construct is mechanically superior to OF construct.
Blood product use in trauma resuscitation: plasma deficit versus plasma ratio as predictors of mortality in trauma (CME)
Authors: de Biasi Andreas R. , Stansbury Lynn G. , Dutton Richard P. , Stein Deborah M. , Scalea Thomas M. , Hess John R. 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Resuscitation of rapidly bleeding trauma patients with units of red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma given in a 1:1 ratio has been associated with improved outcome. However, demonstration of a benefit is confounded by survivor bias, and past work from our group has been unable to demonstrate a benefit.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We identified 438 adult direct primary trauma admissions at risk for massive transfusion who received 5 or more RBC units in the first 24 hours and had a probability of survival of 0.010 to 0.975. We correlated survival with RBC and plasma use by hour, both as a ratio (units of plasma/units of RBC) and as a plasma deficit (units of RBC − units of plasma) in the group as a whole and among those using 5 to 9 and more than 9 units of RBCs.RESULTS: Resuscitation was essentially complete in 58.3% by the end of the third hour and 77.9% by the end of the sixth hour. Mortality by hour was significantly associated with worse plasma deficit status in the first 2 hours of resuscitation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) but not with plasma ratio. In a subgroup with a Trauma Revised Injury Severity Score of 0.200 to 0.800, early plasma repletion was associated with less blood product use independently of injury severity (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: 1) The efficacy of plasma repletion plays out in the first few hours of resuscitation, 2) plasma deficit may be a more sensitive marker of efficacy in some populations, and 3) early plasma repletion appears to prevent some patients from going on to require massive transfusion.
Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen and occult hepatitis B virus infections in Korean blood donors
Authors: Seo Dong Hee , Whang Dong Hee , Song Eun Young , Kim Hyun Soo , Park Quehn 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) among Korean blood donors and frequencies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) in anti‐HBc–positive donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 12,461 consenting blood donors were consecutively enrolled from Korean Red Cross Blood Services from April to October 2008. All of the donors were screened for anti‐HBc with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Repeat‐reactive anti‐HBc–positive donors were assayed for anti‐HBs and for HBV DNA using a multiplex test (Cobas TaqScreen, Roche Molecular Systems) on individual donation.RESULTS: Of the 12,461 donors, 1682 (13.5%) were reactive for anti‐HBc. Among different age groups, there was a steady increase in the anti‐HBc–positive rate, ranging from 2.0% in the age group of less than 20 years to 80.0% in the age group of 60 years and older (p < 0.0001). Of the anti‐HBc–positive donors, 1523 (90.5%) were anti‐HBs positive. HBV DNA was detected in two donors who were anti‐HBc positive and hepatitis B surface antigen negative. The prevalence of occult HBV infection was 0.016%, and the HBV nucleic acid test (NAT) yield was 1 in 838 (0.12%).CONCLUSION: This study helps to determine the current status of hepatitis B infection and the prevalence of occult HBV infection in the blood donor population in Korea. We estimate that in Korea, up to 161 units per million donated units from blood donors may contain HBV DNA. Although the potential infectivity of these units has been debated upon, the HBV NAT assay could prevent certain transfusion‐transmitted HBV infections.
Self‐perceived preparedness for dental practice amongst graduates of The University of Hong Kong’s integrated PBL dental curriculum
Authors: Yiu C. K. Y. , McGrath C. , Bridges S. , Corbet E. F. , Botelho M. G. , Dyson J. E. , Chan L. K. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractObjectives:  To determine how prepared for dental practice graduates from the integrated problem‐based learning (PBL) dental undergraduate curriculum at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) perceive themselves to be and to identify factors associated with self‐perceived preparedness.Materials and methods:  A postal questionnaire was sent to five cohorts of dentists who had graduated from HKU’s integrated PBL curriculum between 2004 and 2008. Using a 4‐point Likert scale, the questionnaire assessed the self‐perceived level of preparedness in 59 competencies grouped in nine domains. Responses were dichotomised into ‘poorly prepared’ and ‘well prepared’.Results:  The response rate was 66% (159/241). The mean proportion (± standard deviation) of respondents indicating well‐preparedness was 72.0 ± 15.1% overall, and for each domain was as follows: general patient management, 93.1 ± 12.1%; practice management, 81.0 ± 22.2%; periodontology and dental public health, 73.5 ± 19.3%; conservative dentistry, 92.5 ± 13.1%; oral rehabilitation, 62.8 ± 24.0%; orthodontics, 23.0 ± 32.9%; managing children and special‐needs patients, 64.8 ± 28.9%; oral and maxillofacial surgery, 52.2 ± 25.2%; and drug and emergency management, 84.7 ± 22.6%. The odds of self‐perceived well‐preparedness were increased for cohorts graduating in 2004 and 2005 and graduates working in a non‐solo dental practice.Conclusions:  Dental graduates of HKU’s integrated PBL curriculum felt well prepared for the most fundamental aspects of dental practice. However, apparent deficiencies of training in orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery will need to be addressed by continuing education, postgraduate training and planning for the new 6‐year undergraduate curriculum in 2012.
An improved method for measurement of change in skin roughness caused by cleansing products under mild application conditions
Authors: Lee Eunyoung , An Susun , Im Moon‐sup , Kim Han Kon , Lee Tae Ryong 
Published: February 2011

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a method for the evaluation of subtle change in skin roughness caused by cleansing products under mild application conditions using a non‐invasive three‐dimensional (3D) analysis system.Methods: A double‐blind comparative study of the modified soap chamber test was performed using two soap bars and a syndet bar. Skin changes were evaluated by visual scoring [mean cumulative irritation index (MCII)] and by bioengineering measurements [transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, and skin surface roughness].Results: MCII of the syndet bar was statistically higher than that of one soap bar, and TEWL increase after application of the syndet bar was statistically higher than that of both soap bars. Skin capacitance decreased significantly only after application of the syndet bar. The change in the average roughness of the skin surface was significantly greater after the application of the syndet bar than with classic soap bars.Conclusion: A simple, fast, and objective evaluation of skin surface topography was performed using a modified soap chamber test and a non‐invasive 3D analysis system. The results suggest that measurement of skin roughness using a non‐invasive 3D analysis system might be a good method for the evaluation of a subtle change caused by cleansing products under mild application conditions.
Imaging of the skin and subcutaneous tissue using classical and high‐frequency ultrasonographies in anti‐cellulite therapy
Authors: Mlosek Robert Krzysztof , Dębowska Renata Maria , Lewandowski Marcin , Malinowska Sylwia , Nowicki Andrzej , Eris Irena 
Published: February 2011

Background: The development of ultrasonography allowed for skin imaging used in dermatology and esthetic medicine. By means of classic and high‐frequency ultrasonographies, changes within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue can be presented.Objective: The aim of this study was to show the possibilities of applying classic and high‐frequency ultrasonographies in esthetic dermatology based on monitoring various types of anti‐cellulite therapies.Methods: Sixty‐one women with cellulite were assigned to two smaller groups. One group was using anti‐cellulite cream and the second group was a placebo group. The ultrasound examination was carried out before the initiation and after the completion of the treatment and evaluated epidermal echoes, the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue and the dermis, dermis echogenicity, the length and surface area of the subcutaneous tissue fascicles growing into the dermis, and the presence or absence of edemas.Results: After the completion of the treatment, a statistically significant difference was observed. The most useful parameters were as follows: the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue, echogenicity, the surface area and length of the subcutaneous tissue, as well as the presence of edemas. The discussed changes were not observed in the placebo group.Conclusion: Classic and high‐frequency ultrasonographies are useful methods for monitoring anti‐cellulite therapies.