bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective Taxation of Top Incomes in Germany
Authors: Bach Stefan , Corneo Giacomo , Steiner Viktor 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe exploit a dataset that includes the individual tax returns of all taxpayers in the top percentile of the income distribution in Germany to pin down the effective income taxation of households with very high incomes. Taking tax base erosion into account, we find that the top percentile of the income distribution pays an effective average tax rate of 30.5% and contributes more than a quarter of total income tax revenue. Within the top percentile, the effective average tax rate is first increasing, then decreasing, with income. Since the 1990s, effective average tax rates for the German super-rich have fallen by about a third, with major reductions occurring in the wake of the personal income tax reform of 2001-05. As a result, the concentration of net incomes at the very top of the distribution has strongly increased in Germany.
Crime, Deterrence, and Democracy
Authors: Dušek Libor 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The article provides new evidence on the effects of a major shock to deterrence on crime. The collapse of communism in the Czech Republic in 1989 was followed by sharp reductions in the probability and severity of punishment and by sharp increases in crime rates. I investigate whether deterrence was a significant contributor to the post-1989 growth in crime on a panel dataset of Czech regions. The results show strong deterrence effects for robbery, theft and intentional injury, but not for murder and rape. About 25% of the increase in robberies and 50% of the growth in thefts is accounted for by weaker deterrence.
Increased stroke risk in Bell's palsy patients without steroid treatment
Authors: Lee C.‐C. , Su Y.‐C. , Chien S.‐H. , Ho H.‐C. , Hung S.‐K. , Lee M.‐S. , Chou P. , Chiu B. C.‐H. , Huang Y.‐S. 
Published: June 2012

Background and purposeTo investigate the risk of stroke development following a diagnosis of Bell's palsy in a nationwide follow‐up study.Methods and materialsInformation on Bell's palsy and other factors relevant for stroke was obtained for 433 218 eligible subjects without previous stroke who had ambulatory visit in 2004. Of those, 897 patients with Bell's palsy were identified. Over a median 2.9 years of follow‐up, 4581 incident strokes were identified. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals [CI] with Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, co‐morbidities, and important risk factors. Standardized incidence ratio of stroke amongst patients with Bell's palsy was analyzed.ResultsCompared with non‐Bell's palsy patients, patients with Bell's palsy had a 2.02‐times (95% CI, 1.42–2.86) higher risk of stroke. The adjusted HR of developing stroke for patients with Bell's palsy treated with and without systemic steroid were 1.67 (95% CI, 0.69–4) and 2.10 (95%, 1.40–3.07), respectively.ConclusionsPatients with Bell's palsy carry a higher risk of stroke than the general population. Our data suggest that these patients might benefit from a more intensive stroke prevention therapy and regular follow‐up after initial diagnosis.
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with myasthenia gravis and improvement of fatigue after supplementation of vitamin D3: a pilot study
Authors: Askmark H. , Haggård L. , Nygren I. , Punga A. R. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Vitamin D has important roles both in the autoimmune response and in skeletal muscles. We determined the levels of 25‐hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] in patients with MG and in healthy subjects to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is present in MG and whether vitamin D supplementation has beneficial effects on fatigue.MethodsPlasma levels of 25(OH)D were analyzed in 33 patients with MG (22 males; mean age, 58 years) and in 50 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched blood donors, without vitamin D3 medication. MG composite (MGC) score assessed fatigue. Thirteen patients with MG without previous vitamin D3 supplementation were started on vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) 800 IU/day, with a follow‐up examination after 2.5–10 months (mean, 6 months).ResultsPatients with MG without pre‐existing vitamin D3 supplementation (N = 16) had a mean MGC of 4.5 and lower plasma 25(OH)D levels (mean, 51 ± 19 nM) than healthy controls (69 ± 21 nM) (P = 0.017). Seventeen patients had pre‐existing vitamin D3 supplementation, because of corticosteroid treatment, and their mean 25(OH)D was 79 ± 22 nM and mean MGC was 5.5. In the 13 patients who received cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D was overall increased at follow‐up with 22% (P = 0.033) and MGC score improved by 38% (P = 0.05).ConclusionsPlasma 25(OH)D levels are significantly lower in patients with MG compared with healthy controls. As vitamin D has beneficial effects on the autoimmune response and on fatigue score in patients with MG, we suggest monitoring this parameter in patients with MG and supplementation with vitamin D3 when 25(OH)D levels are low.
Soluble amyloid precursor protein α in the cerebrospinal fluid as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Miyajima M. , Nakajima M. , Ogino I. , Miyata H. , Motoi Y. , Arai H. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundCognitive impairment is difficult to improve after shunt operation in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). This study aims to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers predictive of improvement in cognitive function.MethodsThis study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2010 on consecutive, unselected admissions to our program for the treatment of patients with clinically suspected iNPH. Lumbar CSF concentrations of total tau (Tau), tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p‐tau), soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP), sAPPα, sAPPβ, and β‐amyloid1‐42 (Aβ42) were analyzed by ELISA.ResultsConcentrations of p‐tau, sAPP, sAPPα, and sAPPβ were strong diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing between iNPH and Alzheimer's disease (AD). sAPPα exhibited the highest accuracy in differentiating iNPH from patients with AD and normal controls, with an area under the curve value of 0.994. We examined the prognostic value of p‐tau and sAPPα for cognition function after surgery. With a cutoff value of 198 ng/ml or less for sAPPα, sensitivity and specificity are 66.7% and 82.9%, respectively, whilst the Mini‐Mental State Examination score at 6 months after surgery is expected to be 25 or more.ConclusionOur results show that sAPPα is a suitable biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of iNPH.
Real‐time imaging of plasma membrane deformations reveals pre‐fusion membrane curvature changes and a role for dynamin in the regulation of fusion pore expansion
Authors: Anantharam Arun , Axelrod Daniel , Holz Ronald W. 
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 661–671.AbstractAssays for real‐time investigation of exocytosis typically measure what is released from the granule. From this, inferences are made about the dynamics of membrane remodeling as fusion progresses from start to finish. We have recently undertaken a different approach to investigate the fusion process, by focusing not primarily on the granule, but rather its partner in exocytosis – the plasma membrane. We have been guided by the idea that biochemical interactions between the granule and plasma membranes before and during fusion, cause changes in membrane conformation. To enable study of membrane conformation, a novel imaging technique was developed combining polarized excitation of an oriented membrane probe 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (diI) with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pTIRFM). Because this technique measures changes in membrane conformation (or deformations) directly, its usefulness persists even after granule cargo reporter (catecholamine, or protein), is no longer present. In this mini‐review, we first summarize the workings of pTIRFM. We then discuss the application of the technique to investigate deformations in the membrane preceding fusion, and later, during fusion pore expansion. Finally, we discuss how expansion of the fusion pore may be regulated by the GTPase activity of dynamin.
Food incentives improve adherence to tuberculosis drug treatment among homeless patients in Russia
Authors: Gärden Bodil , Samarina Arina , Stavchanskaya Irina , Alsterlund Rolf , Övregaard Amanda , Taganova Olga , Shpakovskaya Ludmilla , Zjemkov Vladimir , Ridell Malin , Larsson Lars‐Olof 
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 117–122

Food incentives improve adherence to tuberculosis drug treatment among homeless patients in Russia
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of food incentives on adherence to tuberculosis (TB) drug treatment among homeless patients with TB. Food packages were thus given as a part of directly observed therapy to 142 homeless patients with TB at a dispensary in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. In addition, a social worker provided the patients with information and legal assistance, for example help with internal passports. Among the 142 patients, 66 were included in the study at the dispensary during their entire treatment period, while 76 patients were included in the study during shorter periods mainly because of transfer to inpatient care. In the first group, 59% of the patients continued the TB drug treatment without interruption in contrast to 31% in a control group. In the second group, that is those studied during shorter periods, 95% continued the TB drug treatment without interruption while attached to the dispensary. Food was introduced in the TB programme of the City of St. Petersburg as a consequence of this study. In conclusion, it can be stated that the food incentive had a strong positive impact on the adherence to TB drug treatment among these socially marginalized patients. The social support contributed in all probability also to the positive results.
Phylogenetic evidence for multiple and secondary introductions of invasive snails: Pomacea species in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Lv Shan , Zhang Yi , Liu He‐Xiang , Hu Ling , Liu Qin , Wei Fu‐Rong , Guo Yun‐Hai , Steinmann Peter , Hu Wei , Zhou Xiao‐Nong , Utzinger Jürg 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimTo determine the genetic diversity of invasive snails (Pomacea spp.) that are implicated in crop damage, environmental degradation and human disease, and to determine their distribution pattern in a large part of eastern Asia.LocationPeople's Republic of China (P.R. China).MethodsWe collected Pomacea snails in a national survey using a grid sampling approach. Overall, 544 snails from 54 sites were used for the present investigation. The mitochondrial cox1 gene was amplified and sequenced from all the snails. We determined and classified the haplotypes using network analyses and mapped them within P.R. China. Haplotypes from this study, together with sequences available from GenBank, were used to reveal the global distribution of Pomacea canaliculata and P. insularum.ResultsWe obtained 521 cox1 sequences and identified 24 unique haplotypes. Six haplotypes were commonly found in P.R. China. Two species, P. canaliculata and P. insularum, and one cryptic group were observed. The distribution of the 24 haplotypes across P.R. China shows a mosaic pattern. Globally, only six of 112 haplotypes of P. canaliculata, P. insularum, P. dolioides, P. lineata and P. paludosa are shared between introduced and native snail populations. We found 16 haplotype clusters, five of which occur in mainland P.R. China. Three of the five clusters could be traced back to South America. The remaining two clusters were unique to P.R. China.Main conclusionsPhylogenetic analyses indicate that P. canaliculata, P. insularum and two cryptic groups, discovered by the present and previous studies, coexist in the mainland of P.R. China. The mosaic distribution and the high diversity found in the collection sites suggests multiple and secondary introductions. The findings indicate the importance of preventing further intentional introductions and call for appraisal of the risk posed by these snails in vulnerable areas. Discrimination of the ecological impacts of the different species or genotypes will help to develop setting‐specific management strategies.
Terminology Matters: Patient Understanding of “Opioids” and “Narcotics”
Authors: Wallace Lorraine S. , Keenum Amy J. , AbdurRaqeeb Obaydah , Miser William F. , Wexler Randy K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:  The terms “opioid” and “narcotic” are often used interchangeably by healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to compare understanding “narcotics” vs. “opioids.”Methods:  A convenience sample of English‐speaking women (n = 188), aged 21–45 years, seeking care at a primary care clinic were asked (1) “What is an opioid/narcotic?” (2) “Give an example of an opioid/narcotic?” (3) “Why does someone take an opioid/narcotic?” and (4) “What happens when someone takes an opioid/narcotic for a long time?” Responses were recorded verbatim by a research assistant and then coded independently by two investigators.Results:  More than half of respondents (55.9%) responded “don’t know” to all 4 opioid questions, while just 3.2% responded “don’t know” to all 4 narcotic questions (P < 0.01). Most women were unfamiliar with the term opioid (76.3%) and did not know why someone would take an opioid (68.8%). About two‐thirds of respondents were able to give an example of a narcotic (64.2%) and knew the consequences of long‐term narcotic use (63.2%).Conclusions:  While more women were more familiar with narcotic, many identified negative connotations with this term. Future research should explore how to improve patient understanding and attitudes regarding both the terms opioids and narcotics.
Testing Adverse Selection With Two‐Dimensional Information: Evidence From the Singapore Auto Insurance Market
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhang Wei , Valdez Emiliano A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis article examines adverse selection in insurance markets with two‐dimensional information: policyholders’ riskiness and degree of risk aversion. We build a theoretical model to make equilibrium predictions on competitive insurance screening. We study several variations on the pattern of information asymmetry. The outcomes range from full separation to partial separation, and complete pooling of risk types. Next, we propose a copula approach to jointly examine policyholders’ coverage choice and accident occurrence in the Singapore automobile insurance market. Furthermore, we invoke the theory to identify subgroups of policyholders for whom one may expect the risk–coverage correlation and adverse selection to arise.
Designing a Countercyclical Insurance Program for Systemic Risk
Authors: Boyle Phelim , Kim Joseph H. T. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis article proposes a framework for measuring and managing systemic risk. Current solvency regulations have been criticized for their focus on individual firms rather than the system as a whole. We show how an insurance program can be designed to deal with systemic risk through a risk charge on participating institutions. The risk charge is based on the generalized co‐conditional tail expectation, a conditional risk measure adapted from conditional value‐at‐risk. Current regulations have been criticized on the grounds that their capital requirements are procyclical. They require extra capital in periods of extreme stress thus exacerbating a crisis. We show how to construct a countercyclical risk charge and illustrate the approach using a numerical example.
All by Myself: Personal Qualifications versus Party Affiliation in Colombian Mayoral Elections
Authors: Avellaneda Claudia N. , Escobar-Lemmon Maria C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPolitical decentralization has been promoted as a way to devolve responsibility, bring government closer to citizens, and improve accountability. The shift prompted new local elections, but were the elected officials responsive to citizens or to national party elites? This study examines unique survey data from 125 Colombian mayors to identify the factors they believe were critical in their victories and thereby to identify the people to whom they believe they owe loyalty: citizens or party leaders. Examining the relative value mayors assign to their own actions versus those of the party, combined with information on how they financed campaigns, sheds important light on subnational electoral dynamics in Colombia.
Tunable Blue Emission from Ta5+ Doped Sulfophosphate Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Yang Yifan , Zeng Huidan , Ren Jing , Yuan Shuanglong , Fan Chaxing , Sun Luyi , Chen Guorong 
Published: June 2012

In this article, Ta5+ ion doped P2O5–ZnO–ZnSO4–Na2O glasses were prepared. Luminescence properties of Ta5+ doped sulfophosphate glass‐ceramics were studied. A broad blue emission band of Ta5+ doped sulfaphosphate glass excited by 254 nm Ultraviolet (UV) light was observed at the range 350–600 nm. After thermal treatment, the luminescence intensity of Ta5+ doped glass‐ceramic was significantly enhanced by over 400%. More importantly, the luminescence intensity could be fine‐tuned by controlling the matrix crystallinity surrounding the Ta5+ cations, which was achieved via a facile heat treatment. Compared with the glass samples, the decay life of Ta5+ doped glass‐ceramics became shorter and two different decay times were calculated based on a second‐order exponential decay model. This indicates that Ta5+ cations properly exist around NaZnPO4 crystallite in the residual glass phase.
Strontium‐Substituted Calcium Deficient Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Ravi Narmadha Devi , Balu Rajkamal , Sampath Kumar T.S. 
Published: June 2012

Strontium‐substituted apatites have provoked increased interest in recent years for their beneficial effects on osteoporotic bone treatment and replacement. In this study, rod‐ and acicular‐shaped, strontium‐substituted calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) nanoparticles with (Ca + Sr)/P ratio of 1.61 were synthesized via accelerated microwave processing. The X‐ray powder diffraction analysis indicates the synthesized nanoparticles as apatite phase with diffraction patterns similar to those of hydroxyapatite. The hydrodynamic diameter of the particles were observed to be ~200–500 nm and found to increase with strontium substitution along with an increase in the negative zeta potential by dynamic light scattering method, suggesting the particles to be agglomerates in water. The morphology of the nanoparticles was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), where, pure CDHA showed globular and strontium substituted CDHAs showed rod and acicular shape for 5% and 10% Sr substitution, respectively. The average size of the particles in TEM was measured to be 33 nm × 5 nm, 40 nm × 6 nm, and 55 nm × 8 nm (L × W) for pure and strontium‐substituted CDHAs, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy further confirm the substitution of strontium and deficiency of calcium in the synthesized nanoparticles. Thermal stability and in vitro solubility of CDHA nanoparticles were observed to increase with strontium substitution. The MTT [3‐(4, 5‐Dimethylthiazole‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay indicate that the substituted nanoparticles are non‐toxic to human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPDLF) cells. Cell uptake study by fluorescence microscopy using rhodamine‐123 and actin/DAPI stained HPDLF cells show cellular localization of the nCDHA, nSr5CDHA, nSr10CDHA nanoparticles without any adverse effects. The strontium‐substituted CDHAs showed significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria by colony count method. The 10% Sr substituted CDHA show the maximum microbial reduction of around 56% for E. coli and 35% for S. aureus with 1 × 105 cells/mL of respective bacterial culture.
Evaluation of CVD‐Deposited SiO2 as a Sintering Aid for Cubic Boron Nitride Consolidated with Alumina by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Tu Rong , Goto Takashi 
Published: June 2012

A SiO2 nanolayer, 1.0–2.8 mass% in content, was coated on cubic boron nitride (cBN) powder by rotary chemical vapor deposition (RCVD). The morphology of the SiO2 nanolayer changed from isolated islands to a continuous layer with increasing supply rate of the precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate. The effect of the SiO2 coating on the sinterability and mechanical properties of cBN for machine‐tool applications was evaluated. The SiO2‐coated cBN (cBN/SiO2) powder was mixed with Al2O3 and consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1473–1873 K. The phase transformation temperature of cBN to hexagonal BN (hBN) in Al2O3–cBN/SiO2 was 1773 K, 100 K higher than that in Al2O3–cBN composites. The highest density of the Al2O3–cBN/SiO2 composites was 99.5% at 30 vol% cBN/SiO2 content, at which the microhardness and fracture toughness were 28 GPa and 4.1 MPa·m1/2, respectively. This indicates that RCVD‐deposited SiO2 is a promising sintering aid for cBN and Al2O3–cBN/SiO2 sintered bodies produced by SPS may be applicable as cutting tools.
Electrophoretic Deposition of Ti3SiC2 and Texture Development in a Strong Magnetic Field
Authors: Mishra Mrinalini , Sakka Yoshio , Hu Chungfeng , Suzuki Tohru S. , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Besra Laxmidhar 
Published: June 2012

In this study,we have shown the applicability of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) for shape‐forming in Ti3SiC2—a representative MAX phase; and viability of texture development thereof by application of a strong magnetic field (12 T). The dispersion characteristics of Ti3SiC2 suspension were investigated in terms of surface charge, rheological measurement, and adsorption study. Polyethyleneimine has been used as dispersant to stabilize the suspension. It was found that the iso‐electric point (IEP) of Ti3SiC2 powder was pHIEP ~ 4. The surface charge of powder changed in presence of the Polyethyleneimine dispersant and IEP shifted significantly towards basic pH ~ 10. The shift in IEP has been quantified in terms of ΔG0SP, the specific free energy of adsorption between the surface sites and the adsorbing polyelectrolyte (PEI) (The value of ΔG0SP obtained is −9.521 RT units). The optimized suspension parameters for EPD were determined as 10 vol% Ti3SiC2 and 1 dwb PEI in 50% ethanolic water at pH ~ 7. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the textured samples developed, revealed that the preferred orientation of Ti3SiC2 grains parallel to the magnetic field direction was along the a, b‐axis (The Lotgering orientation factors on the textured top surface and textured side surface were determined as fL(hk0) = 0.35 and fL(00l) = 0.75, respectively).
Investigation of Ternary System PbHfO3–PbTiO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 with Morphotropic Phase Boundary Compositions
Authors: Wang Dawei , Cao Maosheng , Zhang Shujun 
Published: June 2012

Ternary system, (1−x)Pb(Hf1−yTiy)O3–xPb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (x = 0–0.5, y = 0.45–0.70) was prepared using two‐step precursor method. The phase structure, dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of the ceramics near morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) have been investigated systematically. On the basis of the results of X‐ray powder diffraction and dielectric‐temperature measurement, the MPB region and isothermal map of Curie temperature (TC) for the ternary system were obtained. The optimum piezoelectric and electromechanical properties were achieved in the MPB composition 0.8Pb(Hf0.445Ti0.555)O3–0.2Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3, with piezoelectric d33 being on the order of 680 pC/N, while the maximum high‐field piezoelectric d33* of 780 pm/V was observed for 0.82Pb(Hf0.445Ti0.555)O3–0.18Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 with tetragonal composition, due to the high extrinsic contribution induced by domain wall motion. In addition, the fracture toughness KIC and flexural strength σf were measured and found to be 1.2 MPa·m1/2 and 71.4 MPa, respectively, comparable to PZT‐based ceramics.