bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Income Inequality and Technology Diffusion: Evidence from Developing Countries*
Authors: Hyytinen Ari , Toivanen Otto 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWe study the effect of within‐country income inequality on the diffusion of mobile phones using data on market penetration in a sample of developing countries from 1985 to 1998. Mobile phones are an example of international technology, originating in industrialized countries and diffusing worldwide. We find that income inequality, as measured by the income share of the highest earning deciles, has a positive effect on the early diffusion of mobile phones and that the estimated effect becomes greater when a measure of agricultural endowments is used as an instrument. The instrumental variable results are robust to weak instruments. Our findings suggest that the diffusion of new technologies originating from industrialized countries may generate yet another channel that links inequality and development.
Newspaper Circulation and Local Government Efficiency*
Authors: Bruns Christian , Himmler Oliver 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the role of the newspaper market for a key aspect of political accountability: the efficient use of public funds by elected politicians. Newspapers are a major provider of the political information voters use to monitor their elected officials, especially at the local level. Thus, the incentives for politicians to reduce budgetary slack should be stronger in jurisdictions where the electorate is well informed by newspapers. Using panel data on the circulation of some 150 newspapers in Norwegian municipalities, we show that increases in local newspaper circulation are associated with higher levels of local government efficiency.
Optimal Redistribution with Productive Social Services
Authors: Greco Luciano G. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractPublicly‐provided private goods are conventionally considered consumer goods. Departing from this perspective, we analyze the public provision of inputs that improve household productivity (e.g., education and childcare). In a two‐class economy with distorting taxation, public provision is always welfare improving with respect to pure taxation, given that the public input directly affects household productivity. Moreover, the case for public provision strengthens as households' heterogeneity in input demand fades out, contrary to consolidated results in the literature. The features of optimal provision schemes depend on the nature of publicly provided input, namely, if it substitutes household productive capacity or just helps households to exploit it.
A follow‐up fMRI study of a transferable placebo anxiolytic effect
Authors: Zhang Wencai , Qin Shaozheng , Guo Jianyou , Luo Jing 
Published: February 2011

AbstractOur previous study showed that placebo expectations can develop in a transferable manner; for example, a placebo expectation developed within an analgesic experience may lead to reduced anxiety. Considering that activities in such emotion‐responsive areas as the amygdala and insula can be detected through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we used fMRI to further study the transferable placebo anxiolytic effect. A main‐effect analysis showed that activity in the amygdala and insula was reduced in the placebo condition, whereas an interaction analysis showed activity in the two regions was selectively attenuated in the placebo condition when unpleasant pictures were viewed. We also observed greater activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex under placebo conditions when either emotionally negative or neutral pictures were viewed. These data suggest that the anxiety‐relieving placebo effect arose from a reward‐related response underpinned by the participants' expectations.
Prediction and error in multi‐stage models for spread of aquatic non‐indigenous species
Authors: Muirhead Jim R. , Lewis Mark A. , MacIsaac Hugh J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim  Predictions of spread of non‐indigenous species allow for greater efficiency in managing invasions by targeting areas for preventative measures. The invasion sequence is a useful concept in predictions of spread, as it allows us to test hypotheses about the transport and establishment of propagules in novel habitats. Our aims are twofold: (1) to develop and validate multi‐stage invasion models for the introduced fishhook waterflea, Cercopagis pengoi, and (2) to assess how variability in the transport patterns of the propagules influences the accuracy and spatial extent for predictions of spread.Location  New York State, USA.Methods  We developed a two‐stage model for the spread of C. pengoi. First, we developed a stochastic gravity model for dispersal based on surveys of recreational boat traffic in New York State as a proxy for propagule pressure. We then modelled the probability of establishment based on predicted levels of propagule pressure and measures of lakes’ physicochemistry. In addition, we used Monte Carlo simulations based on the gravity model to propagate variability in boater traffic through the establishment model to assess how uncertainty in dispersal influenced predictions of spread.Results  The amount recreationalists were willing to spend, lake area and population size of the city nearest to the destination lake were significant factors affecting boater traffic. In turn, boater traffic, lake area, specific conductance and turbidity were significant predictors of establishment. The inclusion of stochastic dispersal reduced the rate of false positives (i.e. incorrect prediction of an invasion) in detecting invasions at the upper 95% prediction interval for the probability of establishment.Main conclusions  Combinations of measures of propagule pressure, habitat suitability and stochastic dispersal allow for the most accurate predictions of spread. Further, multi‐stage spread models may overestimate the extent of spread if stochasticity in early stages of the models is not considered.
Expert Panel: A New Strategy for Creating a Student‐Centred Learning Environment for Software Applications
Authors: Wang Sy‐Chyi 
Published: February 2011

AbstractEducation reforms from teacher‐centred to student‐centred courses usually come with the adoption of new teaching strategies. However, following the growing design and development of student‐centred teaching and learning innovations in many fields of study, not many efforts have been found in the field of software application teaching. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new strategy for creating a student‐centred learning environment for software applications, in which students learn in a more active, collaborative environment with reduced reliance on teachers. This study puts forward a teaching innovation, called Expert Panel, designed in three stages of activities: exploration, experimentation and reflection. Thirty‐eight college students and one teacher participated in the implementation of the innovation. This article describes the design specifications of the innovation, and reports the preliminary findings of the implementation. The findings show that the teacher derived a certain degree of pleasure and surprise at being a true ‘facilitator’ rather than solely an instructor. Students felt engaged in the activities and motivated throughout the learning process. However, the student‐centred learning method challenged the students’ understanding of the traditional teacher's role. Therefore, accommodating not only teachers but also students in the acquisition of new concepts of teaching and learning was suggested. Several possible solutions for the drawbacks and pitfalls in the strategy were drawn up at the end for further development of the strategy.
Extracorporeal Treatment of Cast Nephropathy
Authors: Gakhar Bhavna , Kobrin Sidney , Berns Jeffrey S. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), most commonly caused by cast nephropathy resulting from precipitation of free light chains (FLC) in renal tubules. AKI may be irreversible and require dialysis and predicts a poor prognosis. Reduction in serum FLC concentration is thought to be associated with improved likelihood of kidney function recovery in MM patients with AKI. Plasma exchange (PE), by removing circulating FLC, has been used as a treatment modality to improve kidney function in MM, although its efficacy remains uncertain. Extracorporeal treatment with extended high cutoff hemodialysis (HCO‐HD) has also recently been studied as a potentially more effective means of FLC removal. Both PE and HCO‐HD may be beneficial in some patients, but only when used as adjuncts to successful chemotherapy. Further research is necessary to establish the specific efficacy of each of these extracorporeal methods in the treatment of cast nephropathy.
Prevalence of Electrocardiographic Findings Suggestive of Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in 10,867 Apparently Healthy Young Korean Men
Authors: UHM JAE‐SUN , HWANG IL‐UNG , OH YONG‐SEOG , CHOI MIN‐SEOK , JANG SUNG‐WON , SHIN WOO‐SEUNG , KIM JI‐HOON , LEE MAN‐YOUNG , RHO TAI‐HO , KIM YOU‐HO , SUNG JUNG‐HOON , LEE YOUNG‐SOO , CHO JEONG‐GWAN , OH DONG‐JIN , KIM DAE‐KYEONG , NAMGUNG JUNE , PARK KYOUNG‐MIN , KIM YONG‐HOON , KIM YOON‐NYUN , LIM HONG‐EUY , CHA TAE‐JOON , ON YOUNG‐KEUN , SHIN DONG‐GU , PAK HUI‐NAM , KIM NAM‐HO 
Published: February 2011

Background:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic (ECG) findings suggestive of sudden cardiac death risk in apparently healthy young Korean men.
Methods:
We administered questionnaires that elicited personal and family histories and performed ECGs on 10,867 male subjects (mean age, 20.9 years). The subjects with abnormal ECG findings underwent echocardiography, a treadmill test, Holter monitoring, a flecainide provocation test, or an electrophysiologic study (EPS) according to the ECG findings and histories.
Results:
Of the subjects, 5.95% had left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG, but no subjects had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by echocardiography. The percentage of subjects with a Brugada ECG pattern was 0.90%. We identified one subject with a positive result on the flecainide provocation test. The percentage of subjects with a preexcitation ECG was 0.17%. In two of the subjects, supraventricular tachycardia was induced in the EPS. Of the subjects, 0.05% had epsilon waves, but there were no subjects with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy by echocardiography. The percentage of subjects with long QT intervals was 0.02%, but there were no arrhythmias on the treadmill test or Holter monitoring.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of a Brugada ECG pattern in apparently healthy young men is higher in Korea than other countries. (PACE 2011; 717–723)
X-ray and optical observations of the closest isolated radio pulsar
Authors: Tiengo A. , Mignani R. P. , De Luca A. , Esposito P. , Pellizzoni A. , Mereghetti S. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
With a parallactic distance of 170 pc, PSR J2144–3933 is the closest isolated radio pulsar currently known. It is also the slowest (P= 8.51 s) and least energetic ( erg s−1) radio pulsar; its radio emission is difficult to account for with standard pulsar models, since the position of PSR J2144−3933 in the period–period derivative diagram is far beyond the typical radio ‘death lines’. Here we present the first deep X-ray and optical observations of PSR J2144−3933, performed in 2009 with XMM–Newton and European Southern Observatory (ESO)/Very Large Telescope (VLT), from which we derive, assuming a blackbody emission spectrum, a surface temperature upper limit of 2.3 × 105 K for a 13 km radius neutron star, 4.4 × 105 K for a 500 m radius hotspot and 1.9 × 106 K for a 10 m radius polar cap. In addition, our non-detection of PSR J2144−3933 constrains its non-thermal luminosity to be &lt;30 and &lt;2 per cent of the pulsar rotational energy loss in the 0.5–2 keV X-ray band and in the B optical band, respectively.
Dating the formation of the counter-rotating stellar disc in the spiral galaxy NGC 5719 by disentangling its stellar populations
Authors: Coccato L. , Morelli L. , Corsini E. M. , Buson L. , Pizzella A. , Vergani D. , Bertola F. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We present the results of the VLT/VIMOS integral-field spectroscopic observations of the inner 28 × 28 arcsec2 (3.1 × 3.1 kpc2) of the interacting spiral NGC 5719, which is known to host two cospatial counter-rotating stellar discs. At each position in the field of view, the observed galaxy spectrum is decomposed into the contributions of the spectra of two stellar and one ionized-gas components. We measure the kinematics and the line strengths of the Lick indices of the two stellar counter-rotating components. We model the data of each stellar component with single stellar population models that account for the α/Fe overabundance. We also derive the distribution and kinematics of the ionized-gas disc, that is associated with the younger, less rich in metals, more α-enhanced, and less luminous stellar component. They are both counter rotating with respect the main stellar body of the galaxy. These findings prove the scenario where gas was accreted first by NGC 5719 on to a retrograde orbit from the large reservoir available in its neighbourhoods as a result of the interaction with its companion NGC 5713, and subsequently fuelled the in situ formation of the counter-rotating stellar disc.
Comparison of stochastic and fuzzy dynamic programming models for the operation of a multipurpose reservoir
Authors: Chandramouli Sangamreddi , Nanduri Umamahesh V. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractReservoir management is a highly complex problem, which includes the uncertainty in the inflows as well as in the objectives. Stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) has been widely used to develop the optimal operating policies of multipurpose reservoirs. In the recent years, fuzzy optimization has been used to incorporate the uncertainty caused due to the imprecise nature of objectives. In the present study, a comparison is made between a conventional SDP model and fuzzy dynamic programming models for optimal operation of a multipurpose reservoir. The two models are developed for Hirakud Reservoir on River Mahanadi in the State of Orissa in India. The performance of the reservoir is evaluated under the operating policies derived from these models through simulation. The results indicate that the fuzzy dynamic programming model performs better in achieving the flood control objective and thus in the overall performan1ce of reservoir.
Human‐induced morphological shifts in an island lizard
Authors: Marnocha Erin , Pollinger John , Smith Thomas B. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractUnderstanding the evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change is an emerging topic in evolutionary biology. While highly sensitive species may go extinct in response to anthropogenic habitat alteration, those with broader environmental tolerances may persist and adapt to the changes. Here, we use morphological data from the brown anole (Anolis sagrei), a lizard species that lives in both natural and human‐disturbed habitats, to examine the impact of anthropogenic habitat alteration. We find populations inhabiting disturbed habitats were significantly larger in snout‐vent length, hindspan, and mass and provide evidence that the observed divergence in hindspan is driven by human‐induced changes in habitat structure. Populations were found to be genetically distinct among islands but are not genetically differentiated between habitat types on islands. Thus, the observed pattern of intra‐island morphological differences cannot be explained by separate founding populations. Rather, our results are consistent with morphological differences between habitats having arisenin situon each island. Results underscore the significant impact anthropogenic change may have on evolutionary trajectories of populations that persist in human‐altered habitats.
BRAF mutations in cutaneous melanoma are independently associated with age, anatomic site of the primary tumor, and the degree of solar elastosis at the primary tumor site
Authors: Bauer Jürgen , Büttner Petra , Murali Rajmohan , Okamoto Ichiro , Kolaitis Nicholas A. , Landi Maria T. , Scolyer Richard A. , Bastian Boris C. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryOncogenic BRAF mutations are more frequent in cutaneous melanoma occurring at sites with little or moderate sun‐induced damage than at sites with severe cumulative solar ultraviolet (UV) damage. We studied cutaneous melanomas from geographic regions with different levels of ambient UV radiation to delineate the relative effects of cumulative UV damage, age, and anatomic site on the frequency of BRAF mutations. We show that BRAF‐mutated melanomas occur in a younger age group on skin without marked solar elastosis and less frequently affect the head and neck area, compared to melanomas without BRAF mutations. The findings indicate that BRAF‐mutated melanomas arise early in life at low cumulative UV doses, whereas melanomas without BRAF mutations require accumulation of high UV doses over time. The effect of anatomic site on the mutation spectrum further suggests regional differences among cutaneous melanocytes.
Introduction and clinical evaluation of servo‐controlled applanation resonance tonometry
Authors: Jóhannesson Gauti , Hallberg Per , Eklund Anders , Lindén Christina 
Published: February 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  In recent years, Applanation Resonance Tonometry (ART) has been suggested for intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. The manual version of ART (ARTmanual) has been further developed, and to improve usability, an automatic servo‐controlled prototype (ARTservo) has been proposed. The aim of this study was to assess the limits of agreement (LoA) of ARTmanual and ARTservo as compared with the reference method, Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT).Methods:  This was a prospective single‐centre study on 152 eyes from 77 subjects. It was designed according to International Standard Organization’s (ISO) requirements for tonometers (ISO 2001). Intraocular pressure was measured six times/method in a standardized order. The ART technique has two available analysis procedures: a dynamic one that measures IOP during the indentation phase and a static one that causes a Goldmann‐like measurement during two seconds of full applanation. The 95% LoA was defined as ±1.96 × standard deviation of difference against GAT.Results:  Mean IOP for GAT was 19.1 mmHg (range: 10–37 mmHg). The 95% LoA of ARTmanual was ±4.5 mmHg for both dynamic and static analyses. The 95% LoA of ARTservo was ±5.7 mmHg for dynamic and ±4.9 mmHg for static analyses.Conclusions:  This study confirms that the ART methodology is feasible. The further developed ARTmanual fulfilled the ISO standard with both the dynamic and the static analysis techniques. ARTservo with static analysis was close to fulfilling the standard but failed to do so in the highest IOP range. ARTservo has the potential to greatly improve usability if further development is completed.
Relationship between Urological Disease and Inferior Vena Cava Reflux on Color Doppler Ultrasonography
Authors: SUGAYA Kimio , MATSUMURA Eiri , TASAKI Shinsuke , KIMURA Ryu , KIYUNA Asuka , NISHIJIMA Saori , KADEKAWA Katsumi 
Published: February 2011

Objectives: The possible relationship between urological disease and inferior vena cava (IVC) reflux was examined.Methods: Transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography of the IVC was performed. The patient was placed supine and the convex probe was positioned in vertical to the upper abdominal wall. Then the extent of reflux in the IVC accompanying each heart beat was examined near the diaphragm. A total of 403 patients (202 males and 201 females aged 12–90 years) were studied. The relationship between the existence of IVC reflux or its severity and urological disease was examined.Results: The 202 males included 104 and 98 subjects without and with IVC reflux, respectively, while the 201 females included 64 and 137 subjects without and with IVC reflux, respectively. The prevalence of IVC reflux was significantly higher in females than males. Chronic prostatitis (18/21 subjects) in males and stress incontinence (22/23 subjects) in females were significantly related to the existence of IVC reflux. Conversely, urolithiasis was related to lack of IVC reflux in females.Conclusions: IVC reflux may be positively or negatively related to the occurrence of some urological diseases. Pelvic congestion secondary to IVC reflux may be one of the factors contributing to chronic prostatitis and stress incontinence.
The active methanotrophic community in a wetland from the High Arctic
Authors: Graef Christiane , Hestnes Anne Grethe , Svenning Mette Marianne , Frenzel Peter 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe dominant terminal process of carbon mineralization in most freshwater wetlands is methanogenesis. With methane being an important greenhouse gas, the predicted warming of the Arctic may provide a positive feedback. However, the amount of methane released to the atmosphere may be controlled by the activity of methane‐oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) living in the oxic surface layer of wetlands. Previously, methanotrophs have been isolated and identified by genetic profiling in High Arctic wetlands showing the presence of only a few genotypes. Two isolates from Solvatnet (Ny‐Ålesund, Spitsbergen; 79°N) are available: Methylobacter tundripaludum (type I) and Methylocystis rosea (type II), raising the question whether the low diversity is a cultivation effect. We have revisited Solvatnet applying stable isotope probing (SIP) with 13C‐labelled methane. 16S rRNA profiling revealed active type I methanotrophs including M. tundripaludum, while no active type II methanotrophs were identified. These results indicate that the extant M. tundripaludum is an active methane oxidizer at its locus typicus; furthermore, Methylobacter seems to be the dominant active genus. Diversity of methanotrophs was low as compared, e.g. to wetland rice fields in the Mediterranean. This low diversity suggests a high vulnerability of Arctic methanotroph communities, which deserves more attention.
How many adenocarcinoma lung cancers come from bronchioloalveolar carcinoma?
Authors: Wong Alvin S. , Seto Kar‐Yin , Ang Bertrand , Wong Eunice , Chin Tan‐Min , Nga Min‐En , Soo Ross A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  There is emerging evidence that bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is the forerunner of peripheral adenocarcinoma lung cancers (ALC). Since advanced stage ALC is often diagnosed on cytology alone, we hypothesized that the incidence of BAC is underreported and that a large proportion of ALC in our population are part of the BAC‐adenocarcinoma sequence.Methods:  We reviewed the pretreatment computed tomographic (CT) scans of 69 patients with ALC and looked for characteristic features of BAC.Results:  The median patient age was 63, and the majority were of Chinese descent (75.4%). Women comprised 43.5% of the patients (30 patients) and never‐smokers comprised 47.8% (33 patients). Only 15 patients (21.7%) had surgical specimens. The presence of BAC components was reported in the pathology of 16 patients (23.2%). CT features classically associated with BAC were found in 35 patients (50.7%). These included air bronchograms or bubble‐like lucencies in 24 patients (34.8%), ground‐glass opacities in 19 (27.5%), consolidation or pneumonic picture in 11 (15.9%), diffuse small or miliary nodules in 10 (14.5%), and the CT angiogram sign in 4 (5.8%).Conclusions:  We found provocative radiologic evidence that a large proportion of our ALC cases arise from BAC. The CT findings are consistent with current understanding of the likely pathogenesis of peripheral ALC.