bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IMPERFECT SUBSTITUTES FOR PERFECT COMPLEMENTS: SOLVING THE ANTICOMMONS PROBLEM
Authors: Alvisi Matteo , Carbonara Emanuela 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTAn integrated monopoly, where two complements forming a composite good are offered by a single firm, is typically welfare superior to a complementary monopoly. This is ‘the tragedy of the anticommons’. We analyse the robustness of such result when competition is introduced for one or both complements. Particularly, competition in only one of the two markets may be welfare superior to an integrated monopoly if and only if the substitutes differ in their quality so that, as their number increases, average quality and/or quality variance increases. Then, absent an adequate level of product differentiation, favouring competition in some sectors while leaving monopolies in others may be detrimental for consumers and producers alike. Instead, competition in both markets may be welfare superior if goods are close substitutes and their number in each market is sufficiently high, no matter the degree of product differentiation.
Orphans and Political Instability
Authors: Breuning Marijke , Ishiyama John 
Published: October 2011

ObjectiveThis study investigates the security implications of growing orphan populations, particularly in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Little has been written about the security implications of this especially vulnerable group of children. Are growing orphan populations associated with increases in political instability as has been suggested?MethodUsing data from several sources, we employ regression analysis to test whether Sub‐Saharan African countries with larger proportions of orphans and those with increasing orphan populations experience higher rates of political instability.ResultsWe find that the increase in the orphan population is related to an increasing incidence of civil conflict, but do not find a similar relationship for the proportion of orphans. In addition, we find that the causes of orphanhood matter.ConclusionsWe conclude that increases in orphan populations (rather than simple proportions) are destabilizing. We suggest possible avenues for mediating the security risks posed by growing orphan populations.
MMP‐8 ‐799 C>T genetic polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to chronic and aggressive periodontitis in Taiwanese
Authors: Chou Yu‐Hsiang , Ho Ya‐Ping , Lin Ying‐Chu , Hu Kai‐Fang , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Ho Kun‐Yen , Wu Yi‐Min , Hsi Edward , Tsai Chi‐Cheng 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAimMatrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 is a protease that degrades numerous extracellular molecules and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Polymorphism in the MMP‐8 could affect the susceptibility to disease. Our aim was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and MMP‐8 ‐799 C>T polymorphism.Material and methodsGenomic DNA was obtained from 361 chronic periodontitis patients (CP), 96 aggressive periodontitis patients (AgP), and 106 periodontally healthy controls (HC). MMP‐8 ‐799 C>T polymorphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP).ResultsThe frequencies of genotypes in diseased groups were similar but were significantly different from those in the HC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender and smoking indicated that increased risks of AgP and CP were associated with the ‐799 T allele (in AgP, adjusted OR = 1.99, p = 0.04; in CP, adjusted OR = 1.87, p = 0.007). To avoid the confounded effect of smoking on MMP‐8 polymorphism to periodontitis, the analysis was conducted on non‐smokers and the associations were significant.ConclusionsThese results suggested that non‐smoking Taiwanese with the MMP‐8 ‐799 T allele were associated with the risks of both CP and AgP. Further studies in other ethnic populations are necessary.
ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS SWEETENERS IN PETIT SUISSE CHEESE: DETERMINATION OF THE IDEAL AND EQUIVALENT SWEETNESS
Authors: DE SOUZA VANESSA RIOS , PINHEIRO ANA CARLA MARQUES , CARNEIRO JOÃO DE DEUS SOUZA , PINTO SANDRA MARIA , ABREU LUÍZ RONALDO , MENEZES CAMILA CARVALHO 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTFor a sweetener to successfully replace sucrose in food formulations, studies must first determine the necessary concentration of the sweetener to be used and its equivalent sweetness to sucrose. In this study, we verified both the equivalent sweetness and the magnitude of sweetness of processed cheese sweetened with different sweeteners and combinations of sweeteners. A total of four formulations were evaluated: sucralose, sucralose/acesulfame‐K (4:1), thaumatin/sucralose (2:1) and cyclamate/saccharin (1:1). First, the sweetness was determined using the ideal scale. Next, we determined the equivalent sweetness compared to sucrose (considered to be ideal in terms of sweetness) for each sweetener studied and evaluated its sweetness through the magnitude estimation method. The concentration of sucrose considered ideal in strawberry petit suisse was 17%. To promote a sweetness equivalent to the ideal (17% sucrose) sucralose, sucralose/acesulfame‐K (4:1), thaumatin/sucralose (2:1) and cyclamate/saccharin (1:1) sweeteners should be added to processed cheese at concentrations of 0.065%, 0.066%, 0.108% and 0.349%, respectively.PRACTICAL APLICATIONSThe purpose of this work is to study the use of sweeteners, including thaumatin in petit suisse. The study of sweeteners in this product is important because currently consumers yearn for more healthy products and the fact of not having many studies related to this product. Therefore, this work supports the development of a new product, with more consumer desires and contributing to the competitiveness of the market.
Worldwide Inflation and International Monetary Reform: Exchange Rates or Interest Rates?
Authors: McKinnon Ronald 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe international dollar standard is malfunctioning. Near‐zero US short‐term interest rates launch massive hot money outflows into emerging markets (EM) in Asia and Latin America. Each EM central bank buys dollars to prevent its currency from appreciating but loses monetary control. Despite some appreciation, average inflation in EMs is now much higher than in the old industrial economies and world commodity prices are bid up sharply. This inflation on the dollar's periphery only registers in the US CPI with a long lag. However, the more immediate effect of the Fed's zero interest rate is to upset the process of bank intermediation within the American economy. Bank credit continues to decline while employment languishes. Therefore, constructive international monetary reform calls for the Fed to abandon its zero‐interest rate policy, which is best done in cooperation with the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of England also abandoning their ultra low interest rates.
China's Economic Growth: International Spillovers
Authors: Arora Vivek , Vamvakidis Athanasios 
Published: October 2011

AbstractChina's economic development since 1978 is one of the most significant events in recent history. Many aspects of this development have been extensively analyzed in the published literature. However, the implications of China's growth for other countries have been relatively neglected. The present paper attempts to fill this gap in the literature. The paper first presents some facts on China's role in the world economy, and then measures the impact of China's growth on growth in the rest of the world in both the short term and the long term. Short‐run estimates based on vector autoregression and error correction models suggest that spillover effects of China's growth have increased in recent decades. Long‐term spillover effects, estimated through growth regressions based on panel data, are also significant and have extended in recent decades beyond Asia. The estimates are robust to the effects of global and regional shocks, changes in model specification, and sample period.
Inflation and Economic Growth in China: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Hwang Jen‐Te , Wu Ming‐Jia 
Published: October 2011

AbstractUsing official provincial data for gross provincial product, consumer price index and other explanatory variables from 1986 to 2006, the present paper investigates the nonlinear effects of inflation on economic growth in China. The main finding of the study is that the inflation threshold effect is highly significant and robust in China. Above the 2.50 percent threshold, every 1‐percentage point increase in the inflation rate impedes economic growth by 0.61 percent; below this threshold, every 1‐percentage point increase in the inflation rate stimulates growth by 0.53 percent. This indicates that high inflation harms economic growth, whereas moderate inflation benefits growth. We suggest that China should maintain a moderate inflation rate for long‐run growth.
Intellectual Property Rights and Patenting in China's High‐technology Industries: Does Ownership Matter?
Authors: Yang Chih‐Hai , Kuo Chun‐Chien , Ramstetter Eric D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper aims to systematically investigate the impacts of strengthening intellectual property rights on patenting in China's high‐technology industries and to explore the potential differences in response to patent reform by ownership. Empirical results show that the estimated patent elasticity of R&D is lower than that for OECD countries, indicating relatively low R&D productivity for China's high‐technology industries. The direct innovation effect of technology imports is negative, while the absorptive ability embodied in R&D helps in gaining external sources of knowledge, thus contributing to innovations. Specifically, strengthening intellectual property rights can induce more innovations in terms of patents in China's high‐technology industries and is particularly relevant to foreign‐owned high‐technology enterprises.
Immunodiagnosis of Tuberculosis: a Dynamic View of Biomarker Discovery
Authors: Kunnath-Velayudhan Shajo , Gennaro Maria Laura 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYInfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes a variety of clinical conditions ranging from life-long asymptomatic infection to overt disease with increasingly severe tissue damage and a heavy bacillary burden. Immune biomarkers should follow the evolution of infection and disease because the host immune response is at the core of protection against disease and tissue damage in M. tuberculosis infection. Moreover, levels of immune markers are often affected by the antigen load. We review how the clinical spectrum of M. tuberculosis infection correlates with the evolution of granulomatous lesions and how granuloma structural changes are reflected in the peripheral circulation. We also discuss how antigen-specific, peripheral immune responses change during infection and how these changes are associated with the physiology of the tubercle bacillus. We propose that a dynamic approach to immune biomarker research should overcome the challenges of identifying those asymptomatic and symptomatic stages of infection that require antituberculosis treatment. Implementation of such a view requires longitudinal studies and a systems immunology approach leading to multianalyte assays.
Novel Metabolic Attributes of the Genus
Cyanothece
, Comprising a Group of Unicellular Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Elvitigala Thanura , Welsh Eric , Stöckel Jana , Liberton Michelle , Min Hongtao , Sherman Louis A. , Pakrasi Himadri B. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The genus
Cyanothece
comprises unicellular cyanobacteria that are morphologically diverse and ecologically versatile. Studies over the last decade have established members of this genus to be important components of the marine ecosystem, contributing significantly to the nitrogen and carbon cycle. System-level studies of
Cyanothece
sp. ATCC 51142, a prototypic member of this group, revealed many interesting metabolic attributes. To identify the metabolic traits that define this class of cyanobacteria, five additional
Cyanothece
strains were sequenced to completion. The presence of a large, contiguous nitrogenase gene cluster and the ability to carry out aerobic nitrogen fixation distinguish
Cyanothece
as a genus of unicellular, aerobic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.
Cyanothece
cells can create an anoxic intracellular environment at night, allowing oxygen-sensitive processes to take place in these oxygenic organisms. Large carbohydrate reserves accumulate in the cells during the day, ensuring sufficient energy for the processes that require the anoxic phase of the cells. Our study indicates that this genus maintains a plastic genome, incorporating new metabolic capabilities while simultaneously retaining archaic metabolic traits, a unique combination which provides the flexibility to adapt to various ecological and environmental conditions. Rearrangement of the nitrogenase cluster in
Cyanothece
sp. strain 7425 and the concomitant loss of its aerobic nitrogen-fixing ability suggest that a similar mechanism might have been at play in cyanobacterial strains that eventually lost their nitrogen-fixing ability.

IMPORTANCE
The unicellular cyanobacterial genus
Cyanothece
has significant roles in the nitrogen cycle in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Cyanothece
sp. ATCC 51142 was extensively studied over the last decade and has emerged as an important model photosynthetic microbe for bioenergy production. To expand our understanding of the distinctive metabolic capabilities of this cyanobacterial group, we analyzed the genome sequences of five additional
Cyanothece
strains from different geographical habitats, exhibiting diverse morphological and physiological attributes. These strains exhibit high rates of N
2
fixation and H
2
production under aerobic conditions. They can generate copious amounts of carbohydrates that are stored in large starch-like granules and facilitate energy-intensive processes during the dark, anoxic phase of the cells. The genomes of some
Cyanothece
strains are quite unique in that there are linear elements in addition to a large circular chromosome. Our study provides novel insights into the metabolism of this class of unicellular nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.
Vascular Responses to Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents in Diabetic/Hypercholesterolemic and Nonatherosclerotic Porcine Coronary Arteries
Authors: Llano Raul , Winsor-Hines Dawn , Patel Dhavalkumar B. , Seifert Paul S. , Hamamdzic Damir , Wilson Gregory J. , Wang Hong , Keane Martin G. , Huibregtse Barbara A. , Wilensky Robert L. 
Published: October 2011

Background—
Animal models used to gain insight into the vascular response to drug-eluting stents are generally juvenile and nonatherosclerotic, whereas stents are placed in patients with complex atherosclerosis and comorbidities. Hence, models reflecting these complexities are needed to help elucidate the vascular effects of drug-eluting stents. We compared the vascular responses with bare metal stent (BMS) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation in a diabetic/hypercholesterolemic (DM/HC) porcine model of advanced coronary atherosclerosis with the standard juvenile porcine model.

Methods and Results—

Two studies using similar stent procedural protocols were performed in either DM/HC (n=20) or domestic swine (non-DM/HC, n=20). Animals pretreated with dual-antiplatelet therapy, underwent BMS or PES implantation (1/artery, 2 stents per animal) and were euthanized 30 or 90 days later. DM/HC resulted in a 24% increase in platelet aggregation (
P
=0.05 versus baseline), whereas dual-antiplatelet therapy reduced platelet aggregation in both groups (
P
<0.0001). DM/HC pigs developed substantially greater neointimal area versus non-DM/HC pigs, regardless of stent type, (
P
=0.004 for BMS at 30 days and
P
=0.002 at 90 days,
P
=0.005 for PES at 30 days,
P
=0.002 at 90 days). Compared with non-DM/HC pigs, reendothelialization was delayed in DM/HC pigs, more so after PES implantation. Increased para-strut leukocytes were observed for PES compared with BMS in the DM/HC pigs at both 30 days (
P
=0.023) and 90 days (
P
=0.04). As well, increased T-lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the DM/HC pigs.

Conclusions—
Stent implantation in a DM/HC swine model provides a metabolic environment closer to human disease, including hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and increased platelet aggregation. This model augmented differences in the vascular response between PES and BMS that are not as clearly evident in the non-DM/HC swine, including increased neointimal area, delayed reendothelialization, and greater, persistent vascular inflammation.
Effects of Hydration in Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury After Primary Angioplasty
Authors: Maioli Mauro , Toso Anna , Leoncini Mario , Micheletti Carlo , Bellandi Francesco 
Published: October 2011

Background—
Intravascular volume expansion represents a beneficial measure against contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients undergoing elective angiographic procedures. However, the efficacy of this preventive strategy has not yet been established for patients with ST-elevation–myocardial infarction (STEMI), who are at higher risk of this complication after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this randomized study we investigated the possible beneficial role of periprocedural intravenous volume expansion and we compared the efficacy of 2 different hydration strategies in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Methods and Results—

We randomly assigned 450 STEMI patients to receive (1) preprocedure and postprocedure hydration of sodium bicarbonate (early hydration group), (2) postprocedure hydration of isotonic saline (late hydration group), or (3) no hydration (control group). The primary end point was the development of CI-AKI, defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥25% or 0.5 mg/dL over the baseline value within 3 days after administration of the contrast medium. Moreover, we evaluated a possible relationship between the occurrence of CI-AKI and total hydration volume administered. There were no significant differences in baseline clinical, biochemical, and procedural characteristics in the 3 groups. Overall, CI-AKI occurred in 93 patients (20.6%): the incidence was significantly lower in the early hydration group (12%) with respect to both the late hydration group (22.7%) and the control group (27.3%) (
P
for trend=0.001). In hydrated patients (early and late hydration groups), lower infused volumes were associated with a significant increase in CI-AKI incidence, and the optimal cutoff point of hydration volume that best discriminates patients at higher risk was ≤960 mL.

Conclusions—
Adequate intravenous volume expansion may prevent CI-AKI in patients undergoing primary PCI. A regimen of preprocedure and postprocedure hydration therapy with sodium bicarbonate appears to be more efficacious than postprocedure hydration only with isotonic saline.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00770614.
Typology of schizophrenic symptoms and quality of life in patients and their main caregivers in northern Chile
Authors: Caqueo-Urízar Alejandra , Gutiérrez-Maldonado José , Ferrer-García Marta , Morales Alfonso Urzúa , Fernández-Dávila Paula 
Published: October 2011

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder characterized by the presence of both ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms that affect the essential functions through which a person gains his or her sense of individuality and capacity for independent functioning. Aims: To describe the typology of schizophrenic symptoms and their relationship to quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and their main caregivers. Methods: Participants were 45 patients and 45 relatives seen by the mental health services in Arica, Chile. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Seville Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQLQ), and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The latter was also administered to caregivers, along with the Zarit Burden Interview. Results: Patients reported moderate levels of quality of life, there being a strong relationship with the negative syndrome and the general psychopathology of the disorder. The quality of life of main caregivers was related with the general psychopathology of patients. The results regarding social functioning and the caregivers’ perceptions of patients’ functional capacity showed that patients had a very limited degree of social integration. Conclusions: Negative symptoms and general psychopathology are the main predictors of quality of life in both patients and their caregivers.
A randomized controlled trial of electrostimulation effects on effussion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a pilot study
Authors: Ediz Levent , Ceylan Mehmet Fethi , Turktas Ugur , Yanmis Ibrahim , Hiz Ozcan 
Published: October 2011

Objective: To evaluate rehabilitation results of electrostimulation especially on joint effusion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Design: A randomized controlled trial; the assessor was not blinded to the group allocation. Setting: Orthopaedics-traumatology and physical medicine-rehabilitation departments. Subjects: Twenty-nine consecutive patients underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Interventions: Both groups began the voluntary exercise protocol one day post-surgery. The intervention group ( n = 15) also received 30 sessions electrostimulation treatment protocol started four days after the operation. Main measures: Numerical bulge-dancing patella signs for effusion assessment; differences in circumferences of the mid-centre of the patella between operated and non-operated knees for swelling assessment. Aself-report of average daily resting pain assessed by visual analogue scale; Intenational Knee Documentation Committee scoring system and Tegner Activity Scale for subjective response assessment. Results: Twenty-six subjects including 13 patients from the intervention group completed the study. Significantly less effusion and swelling were determined in the intervention group after seven days (1.8 ± 1.3 versus 2.4 ± 1.7 for effusion and 1.7 ± 1.2 versus 3.4 ± 1.5 for swelling) to 12 weeks (0.2 ± 0.7 versus 0.6 ± 0.8 for effusion and 0.2 ± 0.8 versus 0.8 ± 0.9 for swelling) postoperative ( P < 0.05). Patients treated with electrostimulation had significantly lower pain scores from seven days up to 12 weeks after the operation ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Electrostimulation along with exercise therapy appears superior to exercise alone regarding knee effusion, swelling and pain recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Still, there is need for further clinical studies using a radiologic method to demonstrate this effect of electrostimulation.
Dropping damage evaluation for a hyperbolic tangent cushioning system with a critical component
Authors: Wang Jun , Duan Fang , Jiang Jiu-hong , Lu Li-xin , Wang Zhi-wei 
Published: October 2011

A new concept of dropping damage boundary surface is proposed to evaluate the dropping damage of a critical component for a hyperbolic tangent nonlinear packaging system. A novel dynamic model is established to analyze the effect of three key coordinate parameters, i.e., the non-dimensional dropping shock velocity, the frequency parameter ratio and the defined system parameter, on dropping damage potential. An experiment, which showed good agreement, was conducted to verify the theory proposed.