bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Task‐based language learning research: expecting too much or too little?
Authors: Foster Pauline 
Published: October 2009

There are many assumptions about task‐based language learning (TBLL) for which empirical support would be illuminating. Some of these are researchable and others are not, and it is important to distinguish between the two. Robust investigations into learning are not easy to design and should not necessarily be regarded as the pathfinder for language pedagogy, though critics sometimes may represent research into TBLL as claiming this role. This paper argues for a greater understanding of the scope of educational research, and a greater role for it in shaping best practice in classrooms.Er zijn veel veronderstellingen over taakgericht taal leren (tgtl) waarvoor empirische onderbouwing verhelderend zou zijn. Sommige van deze veronderstellingen vallen wel te onderzoeken maar andere niet – dit verschil is belangrijk. Het is niet makkelijk om degelijk onderzoek naar ‘leren’ te ontwerpen. Daarom moeten we dit niet zien als de enige juiste manier van onderzoek doen naar taalonderwijs, ook al doen critici soms als of onderzoek naar tgtl deze rol wil vervullen. Dit artikel pleit voor een beter begrip van het bereik van onderzoek naar onderwijs en wil bovendien dit soort onderzoek een grotere rol toekennen bij de ontwikkeling van ‘best practices’ voor de onderwijspraktijk.
The political economy of childcare in OECD countries: Explaining cross‐national variation in spending and coverage rates
Authors: BONOLI GIULIANO , REBER FRANK 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIf childcare policy has become topical in most OECD countries over the last ten years or so, actual developments display huge cross‐national variations. Countries like Sweden and Denmark spend around 2 per cent of GDP on this service, and provide affordable childcare places to most children below school age. At the other extreme, in Southern Europe, only around 10 per cent of this age group has access to formal daycare. Against this background, this article aims to account for cross‐national variations in childcare services. It distinguishes two dependent variables: the coverage rate and the proportion of GDP spent subsidising childcare services. Using a mix of cross‐sectional and pooled times‐series methods, it tests a series of hypotheses concerning the determinants of the development of this policy. Its main conclusion for the coverage rate is that key factors are public spending and wage dispersion (both positive). For spending, key factors are the proportion of women in parliaments (positive) and spending on age‐related policies (negative).
The friend of my enemy is my enemy: International alliances and international terrorism
Authors: PLÜMPER THOMAS , NEUMAYER ERIC 
Published: October 2009

AbstractTerrorism is an instrument for groups that cannot achieve their political goals legally. One important strategic function of terrorism is to weaken the government – either directly by attacking representatives or supporters of the government or indirectly by causing a political response that is unpopular among the population. Often, however, political stability of the home government is buttressed by foreign powers. In this case, the terrorists can have a strategic interest in attacking nationals of these foreign countries. This article analyses this logic by looking at international alliances as a proxy for international support. If the friend of my enemy is my enemy, then terror entrepreneurs, which seek to overthrow their home country's government (the enemy), may find it attractive to target nationals of the foreign allies of their country (the friends of the enemy). The theory in this article predicts that attacking nationals of a foreign ally is particularly attractive if this ally is militarily more powerful than the home country. Moreover, the combined effect of alliance and relative power differentials becomes stronger the more democratic the ally and becomes weaker the more democratic the terrorists' home country. Empirical support for the hypotheses in this article is found in an analysis of a directed country dyad sample of international terrorism.
Growth in women's political representation: A longitudinal exploration of democracy, electoral system and gender quotas
Authors: PAXTON PAMELA , HUGHES MELANIE M. , PAINTER MATTHEW A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe expansion of women's formal political representation ranks among the most significant trends in international politics of the last 100 years. Though women made steady political progress, substantial country‐level variation exists in patterns of growth and change. In this article, longitudinal theories are developed to examine how political factors affect women's political representation over time. Latent growth curve models are used to assess the growth of women in politics in 110 countries from 1975 to 2000. The article investigates how electoral systems, national‐level gender quotas and growth of democracy – both political rights and civil liberties – impact country‐level trajectories of women's legislative representation. It is found: first, national quotas do affect women's political presence, but at a lower level than legislated by law; second, the impact of a proportional representation system on women's political representation is steady over time; and third, democracy, especially civil liberties, does not affect the level of women's political representation in the earliest period, but does influence the growth of women's political representation over time. These findings both reinforce and challenge prior cross‐sectional models of women's political representation.
If things can only get worse: Anticipation of enlargement in European Union legislative politics
Authors: LEUFFEN DIRK , HERTZ ROBIN 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAnticipation is a central feature of political behaviour. It has an impact on actors' choices and can change the timing of decisions. This article analyses anticipation in legislative politics. After delineating different objects as well as consequences of anticipation theoretically, a set of hypotheses about anticipatory behaviour in EU decision‐making is derived. In particular, it is asked whether the EU Council anticipates the arrival of new Member States and how this affects legislative output. The theory is tested by estimating count models using a dataset that contains information on all binding EU legislation from 1976 to 2007. Covering five enlargement rounds, evidence is presented for anticipatory behaviour in EU legislative politics.
NS11021, a novel opener of large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+channels, enhances erectile responses in rats
Authors: Kun A , Matchkov VV , Stankevicius E , Nardi A , Hughes AD , Kirkeby HJ , Demnitz J , Simonsen U 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose: Large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+channels (BKCa), located on the arterial and corporal smooth muscle, are potential targets for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study investigated whether NS11021 (1‐(3,5‐Bis‐trifluoromethyl‐phenyl)‐3‐[4‐bromo‐2‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐phenyl]‐thiourea), a novel opener of BKCachannels, relaxes erectile tissuein vitroand enhances erectile responses in intact rats. The effects were compared with sildenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5.Experimental approach: Patch clamp was used to record whole cell current in rat isolated corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Isometric tension was measured in intracavernous arterial rings and corpus cavernosum strips isolated from rats and men, and simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension were performed in intracavernous arteries. Erectile response was measured in anaesthetized rats.Key results: In patch clamp recordings, NS11021 increased currents sensitive to the selective BKCachannel blocker, iberiotoxin (IbTX) in SMCs, but did not modulate K+current in HUVECs. NS11021 reduced [Ca2+]iand tension in penile arteries. IbTX inhibited the vasorelaxation induced by NS11021 and sildenafil in human erectile tissue. NS11021 and sildenafil but not vehicle increased erectile responses in anaesthetized rats, an effect which was abolished after pretreatment with tetraethylammonium.Conclusions and implications: NS11021 leads to relaxation of both intracavernous arteries and corpus cavernosum strips primarily through opening of BKCachannels. It is also effective in facilitating erectile responses in anaesthetized rats. These results suggest a potential for use of BKCaopeners in the treatment of ED.
Beneficial effect of a hydrogen sulphide donor (sodium sulphide) in an ovine model of burn‐ and smoke‐induced acute lung injury
Authors: Esechie Aimalohi , Enkhbaatar Perenlei , Traber Daniel L , Jonkam Collette , Lange Matthias , Hamahata Atsumori , Djukom Clarisse , Whorton Elbert B , Hawkins Hal K , Traber Lillian D , Szabo Csaba 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  The present study investigated whether the pathophysiological changes induced by burn and smoke inhalation are modulated by parenteral administration of Na2S, a H2S donor.Experimental approach:  The study used a total of 16 chronically instrumented, adult female sheep. Na2S was administered 1 h post injury, as a bolus injection at a dose of 0.5 mg·kg−1 and subsequently, as a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.2 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 24 h. Cardiopulmonary variables (mean arterial and pulmonary arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, ventricular stroke work index, vascular resistance) and arterial and mixed venous blood gases were measured. Lung wet‐to‐dry ratio and myeloperoxidase content and protein oxidation and nitration were also measured. In addition, lung inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and cytochrome c were measured in lung homogenates via Western blotting and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) respectively.Key results:  The H2S donor decreased mortality during the 96 h experimental period, improved pulmonary gas exchange and lowered further increase in inspiratory pressure and fluid accumulation associated with burn‐ and smoke‐induced acute lung injury. Further, the H2S donor treatment reduced the presence of protein oxidation and 3‐nitrotyrosine formation following burn and smoke inhalation injury.Conclusions and implications:  Parenteral administration of the H2S donor ameliorated the pulmonary pathophysiological changes associated with burn‐ and smoke‐induced acute lung injury. Based on the effect of H2S observed in this clinically relevant model of disease, we propose that treatment with H2S or its donors may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in managing patients with acute lung injury.
Effect of tecarfarin, a novel vitamin K epoxide reductase inhibitor, on coagulation in beagle dogs
Authors: Choppin A , Irwin I , Lach L , McDonald MG , Rettie AE , Shao L , Becker C , Palme MP , Paliard X , Bowersox S , Dennis DM , Druzgala P 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  Tecarfarin (ATI‐5923) is a novel vitamin K epoxide reductase inhibitor that is metabolized by esterase (mainly human carboxylesterase 2) to a single major metabolite, ATI‐5900, in rats, dogs and humans. Tecarfarin is not significantly metabolized by CYP450 enzymes. The objective of this study was to test and compare the efficacy of tecarfarin with that of warfarin, when administered either intravenously or once a day orally, to produce stable anticoagulation in beagle dogs.Experimental approach:  Effects on coagulation were assessed by measuring the activity levels of Factor VII and Factor X and thromboplastin‐induced coagulation times, reported as prothrombin time (PT).Key results:  Continuous intravenous infusions and oral administration of tecarfarin and warfarin caused a dose‐dependent decrease in activity of Factor VII and Factor X, and associated increase in PT. Intravenous fresh frozen canine plasma or subcutaneous vitamin K1 treatment reversed the anticoagulant effects of orally administered tecarfarin. Consistent with the inhibitory effects of amiodarone on CYP2C9, co‐administration of amiodarone significantly increased the anticoagulation effect of warfarin and plasma warfarin concentrations. In contrast, amiodarone had no effect on the anticoagulation induced by tecarfarin or tecarfarin plasma concentrations in this model.Conclusions and implications:  Overall, the data presented herein indicate that tecarfarin, via a vitamin K‐dependent mechanism, causes changes in key parameters of haemostasis in beagle dogs that are consistent with effective anticoagulation. Compared to warfarin it has a decreased potential to interact metabolically with drugs that inhibit CYP450 enzymes and, therefore, may offer an improved safety profile for patients.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin receptor 1 is a novel target for pro‐tussive agents
Authors: Andrè E , Gatti R , Trevisani M , Preti D , Baraldi PG , Patacchini R , Geppetti P 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose: The transient receptor potential ankyrin receptor 1 (TRPA1) is a cation channel, co‐expressed with the pro‐tussive transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel in primary sensory neurons. TRPA1 is activated by a series of irritant exogenous and endogenous α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes which seem to play a role in airway diseases. We investigated whether TRPA1 agonists provoke cough in guinea pigs and whether TRPA1 antagonists inhibit this response.Experimental approach: Animals were placed in a Perspex box, and cough sounds were recorded and counted by observers unaware of the treatment used.Key results: Inhalation of two selective TRPA1 agonists, allyl isothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde, dose‐dependently caused cough in control guinea pigs, but not in those with airway sensory nerves desensitized by capsaicin. Coughs elicited by TRPA1 agonists were reduced by non‐selective (camphor and gentamicin) and selective (HC‐030031) TRPA1 antagonists, whereas they were unaffected by the TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine. Acrolein and crotonaldehyde, two α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes recently identified as TRPA1 stimulants and contained in cigarette smoke, air pollution or produced endogenously by oxidative stress, caused a remarkable tussive effect, a response that was selectively inhibited by HC‐030031. Part of the cough response induced by cigarette smoke inhalation was inhibited by HC‐030031, suggesting the involvement of TRPA1.Conclusions and implications: A novel pro‐tussive pathway involves the TRPA1 channel, expressed by capsaicin‐sensitive airway sensory nerves and is activated by a series of exogenous (cigarette smoke) and endogenous irritants. These results suggest TRPA1 may be a novel target for anti‐tussive medicines.
Facilitation of central imidazoline I1‐site/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling mediates the hypotensive effect of ethanol in rats with acute renal failure
Authors: El‐Mas Mahmoud M , El‐Gowelli Hanan M , Ghazal Abdel‐Rheem M , Harraz Osama F , Mohy El‐Din Mahmoud M 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose: This study investigated the role of central sympathetic activity and related mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling in the cardiovascular effects of ethanol in a model of acute renal failure (ARF).Experimental approach: The effects of pharmacological interventions that inhibit peripheral or central sympathetic activity or MAPK on the cardiovascular actions of ethanol in rats with ARF induced by glycerol were evaluated.Key results: Glycerol (50%, 10 mL·kg−1, i.m.) caused progressive increases and decreases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) respectively. Subsequent i.v. ethanol (0.25 or 1 g·kg−1) elicited dose‐related changes in BP (decreases) and HR (increases). These effects were replicated after intracisternal (i.c.) administration of ethanol. Blockade of nicotinic cholinoceptors (nAChR, hexamethonium, 20 mg·kg−1) or α1‐adrenoceptors (prazosin, 1 mg·kg−1) attenuated cardiovascular effects of ethanol. Ethanol hypotension was also attenuated after the centrally acting sympatholytic drug moxonidine (selective I1‐site agonist, 100 µg·kg−1i.v.), but not guanabenz (selective α2‐receptor agonist, 30 µg·kg−1, i.v.), suggesting involvement of central circuits of I1sites in ethanol‐evoked hypotension. Selective blockade I1sites (efaroxan) but not α2(yohimbine) adrenoceptors abolished the hypotensive response to ethanol. Intracisternal administration of PD98059 or SB203580, inhibitors of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) and p38 MAPK, respectively, reduced the hypotensive action of moxonidine or ethanol. When used simultaneously, the two MAPK inhibitors produced additive attenuation of ethanol hypotension.Conclusions and implications: Sympathoinhibitory pathways of central I1‐sites and downstream ERK/p38 MAPK signalling were involved in the hypotensive action of ethanol in ARF.
EEG spike activity precedes epilepsy after kainate‐induced status epilepticus
Authors: White Andrew , Williams Philip A. , Hellier Jennifer L. , Clark Suzanne , Edward Dudek F. , Staley Kevin J. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Chronic epilepsy frequently develops after brain injury, but prediction of which individual patient will develop spontaneous recurrent seizures (i.e., epilepsy) is not currently possible. Here, we use continuous radiotelemetric electroencephalography (EEG) and video monitoring along with automated computer detection of EEG spikes and seizures to test the hypothesis that EEG spikes precede and are correlated with subsequent spontaneous recurrent seizures.Methods:  The presence and pattern of EEG spikes was studied during long recording epochs between the end of status epilepticus (SE) induced by three different doses of kainate and the onset of chronic epilepsy.Results:  The presence of spikes, and later spike clusters, over several days after SE before the first spontaneous seizure, was consistently associated with the development of chronic epilepsy. The rate of development of epilepsy (i.e., increase in seizure frequency) was strongly correlated with the frequency of EEG spikes and the cumulative number of EEG spikes after SE.Conclusions:  The temporal features of EEG spikes (i.e., their presence, frequency, and pattern [clusters]) when analyzed over prolonged periods, may be a predictive biomarker for the development of chronic epilepsy after brain injury. Future clinical trials using prolonged EEG recordings may reveal the diagnostic utility of EEG spikes as predictors of subsequent epilepsy in brain‐injured humans.
Value of electrical stimulation and high frequency oscillations (80–500 Hz) in identifying epileptogenic areas during intracranial EEG recordings
Authors: Jacobs Julia , Zijlmans Maeike , Zelmann Rina , Olivier André , Hall Jeffery , Gotman Jean , Dubeau François 
Published: October 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Electrical stimulation (ES) is used during intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) investigations to delineate epileptogenic areas and seizure‐onset zones (SOZs) by provoking afterdischarges (ADs) or patients’ typical seizure. High frequency oscillations (HFOs—ripples, 80–250 Hz; fast ripples, 250–500 Hz) are linked to seizure onset. This study investigates whether interictal HFOs are more frequent in areas with a low threshold to provoke ADs or seizures.Methods:  Intracranial EEG studies were filtered at 500 Hz and sampled at 2,000 Hz. HFOs were visually identified. Twenty patients underwent ES, with gradually increasing currents. Results were interpreted as agreeing or disagreeing with the intracranial study (clinical‐EEG seizure onset defined the SOZ). Current thresholds provoking an AD or seizure were correlated with the rate of HFOs of each channel.Results:  ES provoked a seizure in 12 and ADs in 19 patients. Sixteen patients showed an ES response inside the SOZ, and 10 had additional areas with ADs. The response was more specific for mesiotemporal than for neocortical channels. HFO rates were negatively correlated with thresholds for ES responses; especially in neocortical regions; areas with low threshold and high HFO rate were colocalized even outside the SOZ.Discussion:  Areas showing epileptic HFOs colocalize with those reacting to ES. HFOs may represent a pathologic correlate of regions showing an ES response; both phenomena suggest a more widespread epileptogenicity.
Paradigms and Novelty in Economics: The History of Economic Thought as a Source of Enlightenment
Authors: Dolfsma Wilfred , Welch Patrick J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractOver time, economics has experienced paradigm shifts, and there is every reason to think this will continue. In economics, as in the development of technological knowledge, paradigms do not emerge from nowhere, but build on precursors, possibly from other fields. Our understanding of current economic thinking can be enhanced by paying greater attention to the role of paradigms and by using concepts such as myth, plot structure, and cultural endowment, which are typically given greater attention by literary analysts than by economists, to study paradigms. Here we argue that together these can help us better understand how ideas from other times and fields may be combined with our own to generate better research and publications, and that a greater awareness of the history of economics may well be an excellent vehicle for enhancing that understanding.
The Market, the Firm, and the Economics Profession
Authors: Sutter Daniel 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe mathematical and statistical complexity of economic research increased remarkably over the past century. While criticisms of the trend abound, the “wisdom of crowds” argument creates a presumption that the profession's acceptance of increasing mathematical sophistication is a net improvement. I provide a contrasting “market failure” argument for the excessive mathematization of economics. Academic research is not a cash‐based economy, and this limits economists' ability to contract for assistance with technical research. Consequently, production of mathematical and statistical research must use the firm—the department—instead of the market. This alters the composition of the faculty and ultimately the economics curriculum, and the resulting level of sophistication may be greater than optimal.
Febrile, Nonhemolytic Transfusion Reactions and the Limited Role of Leukoagglutinins in Their Etiology
Authors: Kevy Sherwin V. , Schmidt Paul J. , McGinniss Mary H. , Workman William G. 
Published: October 2009

In more than ten thousand transfusions given over a four‐year period to 1,649 patients, the incidence of urticarial reactions was 1.1 per cent. There were no hemolytic transfusion reactions and none due to bacterial contamination or to bacterial pyrogens. There were 276 “Febrile Nonhemolytic” reactions for an incidence of 2.5 per cent.The clinical picture described for reactions due to leukocyte incompatibility was extremely rare. Eighteen per cent of patients responding with fever to transfusion did so following their very first transfusion. Many patients had only one transfusion reaction despite many further transfusions and others had many successive reactions followed by numerous reaction‐free transfusions of blood from which leukocytes had not been removed.A prospective study was made to investigate the relationship between the presence of leukoagglutinins and incidence of “Febrile Nonhemolytic” transfusion reactions. In 185 individuals who were tested and then transfused without regard to leukocyte compatibility, we did not demonstrate any correlation between the presence of leukoagglutinins and the occurrence of transfusion reactions.