bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obesity resistance of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-deficient (scd1
-/-) mouse results from disruption of the epidermal lipid barrier and adaptive thermoregulation
Authors: Binczek Erika , Jenke Britta , Holz Barbara , Günter Robert Heinz , Thevis Mario , Stoffel Wilhelm 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Targeted deletion of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gene (scd1) in mouse causes obesity resistance and a severe skin phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that SCD1 deficiency disrupts the epidermal lipid barrier and leads to uncontrolled transepidermal water loss, breakdown of adaptive thermoregulation and cold resistance, as well as a metabolic wasting syndrome. The loss of ω-hydroxylated very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) and ceramides substituted with ω-hydroxylated VLCFA covalently linked to corneocyte surface proteins leads to the disruption of the epidermal lipid barrier in scd1
-/- mutants. Artificial occlusion of the skin by topical lipid application largely reconstituted the epidermal barrier and also reversed dysregulation of thermogenesis and cold resistance, as well as the metabolic disturbances. Interestingly, SCD1 deficiency abolished expression of the key transcription factor Lef1, which is essential for interfollicular epidermis, sebaceous glands, and hair follicle development. Finally, the occurrence of SCD1 and a newly described hSCD5 (ACOD4) gene in humans suggests that the scd1
-/- mouse mutant might be a valuable animal model for the study of human skin diseases associated with epidermal barrier defects.
Localization and organization of protein factors involved in chromosome inheritance in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Kaller Markus , Földesi Balint , Nellen Wolfgang 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) proteins are highly conserved heterochromatin components required for genomic integrity. We have previously shown that the two HP1 isoforms expressed in Dictyostelium, HcpA and HcpB, are mainly localized to (peri-)centromeric heterochromatin and have largely overlapping functions. However, they cause distinct phenotypes when overexpressed. We show here that these isoforms display quantitative differences in dimerization behavior. Dimerization preference, as well as the mutant phenotype in overexpression strains, depends on the C-terminus containing the hinge and chromo shadow domains. Both Hcp proteins are targeted to distinct subnuclear regions by different chromo shadow domain-dependent and -independent mechanisms. In addition, both proteins bind to DNA and RNA in vitro and binding is independent of the chromo shadow domain. Thus, this DNA and/or RNA binding activity may contribute to protein targeting. To further characterize heterochromatin, we cloned the Dictyostelium homolog of the origin recognition complex subunit 2 (OrcB). OrcB localizes to distinct subnuclear foci that were also targeted by HcpA. In addition, it is associated with the centrosome throughout the cell cycle. The results indicate that, similar to Orc2 homologs from other organisms, it is required for different processes in chromosome inheritance.
Neprilysin carboxydipeptidase specificity studies and improvement in its detection with fluorescence energy transfer peptides
Authors: Barros Nilana M.T. , Campos Marcelo , Bersanetti Patrícia A. , Oliveira Vitor , Juliano Maria A. , Boileau Guy , Juliano Luiz , Carmona Adriana K. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
We examined the substrate specificity of the carboxydipeptidase activity of neprilysin (NEP) using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptides containing ortho-aminobenzoyl (Abz) and 2,4-dinitrophenyl (Dnp) as a donor/acceptor pair. Two peptide series with general sequences Abz-RXFK(Dnp)-OH and Abz-XRFK(Dnp)-OH (X denotes the position of the altered amino acid) were synthesized to study P1 (cleavage at the X-F bond) and P2 (cleavage at R-F bond) specificity, respectively. In these peptides a Phe residue was fixed in P1′ to fulfill the well-known NEP S1′ site requirement for a hydrophobic amino acid. In addition, we explored NEP capability to hydrolyze bradykinin (RPPGFSPFR) and its fluorescent derivative Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (EDDnp=2,4-dinitrophenyl ethylenediamine). The enzyme acts upon bradykinin mainly as a carboxydipeptidase, preferentially cleaving Pro-Phe over the Gly-Phe bond in a 9:1 ratio, whereas Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp was hydrolyzed at the same bonds but at an inverted proportion of 1:9. The results show very efficient interaction of the substrates' C-terminal free carboxyl group with site S2′ of NEP, confirming the enzyme's preference to act as carboxydipeptidase at substrates with a free carboxyl-terminus. Using data gathered from our study, we developed sensitive and selective NEP substrates that permit continuous measurement of the enzyme activity, even in crude tissue extracts.
American Memory, Culture Wars, and the Challenge of Presenting Science and Technology in a National Museum
Authors: LAUNIUS ROGER D. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
There is no question that the American public has an unabashed appetite for history. This is demonstrated in numerous ways from bestsellers by popular historians to tourism at historic sites and museums to the popularity of films and other media depicting versions of the past. Although historians might think that the discourse presented in most of these forums is simplistic and stilted, little doubt exists that it is passionate. This discussion explores a few of the issues affecting the public's deep fascination with the past, especially in the context of the history of science and technology, and the presentation of these issues in the Smithsonian Institution. These thoughts are tentative and speculative, but, I hope, stimulating and worthy of further consideration.
Burying Atomic History: The Mound Builders of Fernald and Weldon Spring
Authors: KRUPAR JASON 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The Fernald, Ohio and Weldon Spring, Missouri uranium refinery sites performed critical functions in the nation's nuclear weapons manufacturing complex during the Cold War. Now, the U.S. Department of Energy has created two radioactive tombs on the former grounds of these industrial centers. These mounds may be viewed as unofficial monuments to the billions spent building and maintaining the country's atomic arsenal. Radioactive contamination precludes the adaptive reuse of Fernald and Weldon Spring. Yet these two sites reside in counties that continue to experience steady population growth. The present and future generations need to be informed about the activities conducted at the sites for health, environmental, and educational reasons. Policy choices made by federal government officials concerning Weldon Spring and Fernald indicate a pattern shift from disclosure/preservation to exclusion/destruction by 2005.
“A Wealth of Historical Interest”: The Medical Artifact Collection at the University of Western Ontario
Authors: HAMILTON MICHELLE A. , WOODS REBECCA 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Along with a teaching collection, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, began accepting medical artifacts for a historical museum in the early 1920s, although it never developed into more than an unofficial collection until the 1970s, when it was transformed into the Medical Museum and Archives at the University Hospital. In the 1990s, the artifacts were dispersed among several local institutions. The remaining objects at the university have been now reorganized as the Medical Artifact Collection. While these objects were once used to educate students about the practice and philosophy of medicine, they are now used to teach students about local, medical, Canadian and public history.
WTO Enforcement Issues
Authors: Pelzman Joseph , Shoham Amir 
Published: March 2007

In theory, the WTO dispute settlement system is expected, via an elaborate system of sequential legal maneuvers to ensure the implementation of the dispute settlement body (DSB) recommendations. In reality when trade issues rise above some critical threshold to a respondent, the theory behind the DSU enforcement breaks down and the well meaning legal system only leads to prolonging the dispute rather than resolving it. Since 1995, more than 300 complaints have been filed through the WTO dispute settlement system. In most cases, the parties reach a mutually satisfactory solution in accordance with the WTO Agreements through consultations without having recourse to the panel and Appellate Body review. When the consultation process fails the resulting process of Panel reports and Appellate Body reports result in a removal or modification of the violating measures. In those cases where there is no removal or modification of the violating measures, the period of non-compliance tends to be very long and leads to core questions about the true intent of the DSU. In particular, was the DSU designed to ensure a legal process for the settlement of a dispute and to recommend a remedy to the offending violation but was not designed to secure compliance. The intent of this paper is to show that this is indeed the case. Moreover, if one treats the WTO as a contract, then the non-compliance issue may be viewed as an `efficient breach' and the only efficient remedy is a `fine' rather than the usual practice of suspension of concessions or other obligations to the offending Member. Under our suggested enforcement rules, it may be possible for a Member to continue to breach her obligation to the WTO contract while simultaneously compensating for damages created by the offending measure. The end result will be more efficient than the current system of diplomatic maneuvering designed to pressure the Member to remove or modify the offending measure.
The Impact of Driver Cell Phone Use on Accidents
Authors: Hahn Robert W. , Prieger James E 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Cell phone use is increasing worldwide, leading to a concern that cell phone use while driving increases accidents. Several countries, three states and Washington, D.C. have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. In this paper, we develop a new approach for estimating the relationship between cell phone use while driving and accidents. Our approach is the first to allow for the direct estimation of the impact of a cell phone ban while driving. It is based on new survey data from over 7,000 individuals.This paper differs from previous research in two significant ways: first, we use a larger sample of individual-level data; and second, we test for selection effects, such as whether drivers who use cell phones are inherently less safe drivers, even when not on the phone.The paper has two key findings. First, the impact of cell phone use on accidents varies across the population. This result implies that previous estimates of the impact of cell phone use on risk for the population, based on accident-only samples, may be overstated by about one-third. Second, once we correct for endogeneity, there is no significant effect of hands-free or hand-held cell phone use on accidents.
Public Complaints and Alberta's Environmental Regulation
Authors: Eckert Heather L 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
In recent years, different levels of government in Canada and the United States have claimed that public complaints are an important source of information for the enforcement of environmental regulations. Public complaints provide monitoring at a lower cost than inspections but are inaccurate because citizens lack the information to assess a potential environmental threat properly. Little existing literature examines the use of public complaints in enforcing environmental regulations. Using a dataset of environmental reports in the province of Alberta between January 1996 and September 2002, this paper details the use of public complaints to enforce Alberta's environmental legislation and examines the effectiveness of public complaints in different industries and for different environmental threats. I find that that the majority of public complaints are simply odour complaints, and that public complaints are investigated less often over time and very rarely lead to enforcement action.
After the Traffic Stops: Officer Characteristics and Enforcement Actions
Authors: Close Billy R , Mason Patrick L 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between officer characteristics and racially biased policing. In particular, we explore the relationship between the officer's race/ethnicity and the nature and extent of excessive enforcement actions by race. We derive an efficient enforcement action theorem which suggests that if public safety is the sole concern of police agencies, then racially and ethnically biased policing will not be a persistent element of police practice. Alternatively, our political economic model suggests that police apply more severe sanctions against other-group drivers. Our results show that the race and ethnicity of officers have a significant and substantive impact on the intensity of enforcement actions by the Florida Highway Patrol against stopped drivers.
Explaining the Decreased Use of International Courts - The Case of the ICJ
Authors: Satzer Janina 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The popularity of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the subject of much controversy. This paper examines usage of the ICJ by all United Nations (UN) member states as compared with its usage by those states with the top-ten economies of the world. Five hypotheses explaining the decrease in ICJ usage by the top-ten economies are presented as follows: (1) a home-bias of judges, (2) the diversification of international tribunals, (3) changes in the composition of the cases filed, (4) the (re-)allocation of power, and (5) an increased heterogeneity of external institutions among UN member states. We find empirical evidence that an increase in UN membership has led to increased heterogeneity, which in turn has led to a decline in usage of the ICJ by the top-ten economies.
How Standards Drive Taxes: The Political Economy of Tailpipe Pollution
Authors: Gulati Sumeet , Roy Devesh 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
To control tailpipe pollution, governments often use environmental product standards and consumption taxes in conjunction (for example, the use of fuel economy standards and gasoline taxes to restrict automobile pollution in the US). Further, the choice of standards and consumption taxes is often independently influenced by special interests. For example, domestic producers have the incentive to influence environmental product standards, and likewise, domestic consumers have the incentive to influence the choice of the consumption tax. In this paper we explore the political link between environmental standards and consumption taxes in the presence of independent special interests. We find that despite the independence of special interests, the political outcome is inextricably linked. This political link is different from the welfare maximizing second-best link usually expected between two related policies, and is crucial in correctly anticipating policy outcomes. Specifically, we find that the government's choice of an environmental standard influences political incentives in the choice of the consumption tax. As the environmental standard falls, a higher demand for the environmentally damaging product develops. This higher demand increases the incentives for consumers to lobby for lower consumption tax. Under certain conditions, this political link is large enough to result in a complementary relationship between the two policies in equilibrium. The complementary relationship implies that a lower standard results in a lower consumption tax and vice versa when the standard is higher.
The Timing of Prenatal WIC Participation
Authors: Swann Christopher A 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food vouchers, nutritional counseling, and health care referrals to low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women and their young children. This paper uses duration models to study the factors that influence the timing of prenatal WIC participation among pregnant women. The estimates show that Hispanic women, women with low levels of education, women who have no private insurance, and women who are overweight participate in WIC earlier than others. WIC program rules such as allowing applicants to self-declare income and linking WIC eligibility to Medicaid eligibility are related to earlier participation for women experiencing their first pregnancies. Extending the analysis to women pregnant for the second time shows a strong relationship between WIC participation during the first pregnancy and the timing, and likelihood, of participation during the second pregnancy.
The Role of Distance in Gravity Regressions: Is There Really a Missing Globalisation Puzzle?
Authors: Márquez-Ramos Laura , Martínez-Zarzoso Inmaculada , Suárez-Burguet Celestino 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to investigate the role of distance in gravity regressions in relation to the missing globalisation puzzle cited by Coe et al. (2002). These authors claimed that the fact that distance coefficients do not fall over time is another puzzle that should have been added in Obsfeld and Rogoff's (2000) paper, in which six major puzzles in international macroeconomics were cited. In order to do so, a linear and a non-linear gravity model are estimated for a cross-section of 65 countries over the period 1980-1999. Non-linear specifications of the gravity model have been recently used in the literature to address the issue of non-declining transport costs over time (Coe et al., 2002 and Croce et al., 2004). However, we claim that there is no missing globalisation puzzle once the linear specification results are correctly interpreted. The main findings are that distance has a different effect for developed and developing countries and that the grounds for using a non-linear specification are not clear since the linear specification, in general terms, shows better performance than the non-linear one.
Resource Allocation with Spatial Externalities: Experiments on Land Consolidation
Authors: Tanaka Tomomi 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
This paper compares the performance of a two-sided combinatorial call market, direct negotiation, and double auction for consolidating fragmented land. Experimental results suggest direct negotiation produces higher efficiencies than other mechanisms. The combinatorial call market tends to alleviate the exposure problem, and performs well when 1) swapping is easily agreeable, and 2) the number of subjects and commodities are increased and the initial endowments are unchallenging. The two-sided combinatorial call market, however, suffers from the holdout problem when the number of subjects and commodities is small.
Regional Integration, Subsidy Competition and the Relocation Choice of MNCs
Authors: Albornoz Facundo , Corcos Gregory 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Regional integration makes relocation a more attractive option for Multinational Corporations (MNC), influencing in turn the provision of investment incentives by member countries. We examine in this context the effects of subsidy competition. To do so, we model the strategic interaction between two governments offering subsidies to a MNC facing different location alternatives, which involve relocation and plant closure. Our welfare analysis shows that the combination of regional integration and subsidy competition may lead to suboptimally high levels of subsidization. We also discuss how the desirability of harmonizing subsidies (by banning them), and the net gains from integration crucially depend on technological differences, ownership, and on corporate tax rates. For instance, a simple agreement on avoiding subsidies generally raises welfare if the MNC belongs to an extra-regional country. This is not the case for a regional MNC. Lastly, we find that the gain from regional subsidy coordination increases with integration.
The Optimal Consumption and the Quitting of Harmful Addictive Goods
Authors: Wang Ruqu 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
In this paper we study a model of rational consumption and quitting in the context of harmful addictive goods. We assume that a person has imperfect information about his ability to resist and terminate the addiction. We first characterize the optimal consumption path of a non-addicted person, along which his stock of the addictive substance is either always increasing (and thus addiction occurs stochastically), always decreasing, or always unchanged. We then characterize the optimal consumption path of an addicted person, along which he may attempt to quit the addiction for a period of time, and then resume his consumption if the attempt is unsuccessful. Finally, we remark on the issues of regret, multiple attempts to quit, and quitting programs.
Assessment Tools in Early Detection of Osteoporosis in Dentistry
Authors: Zlatarć Dubravka , Pandurć Josip , Koršić Mirko , Dodig Damir 
Published: March 2007

Dijagnostičke Metode Za Rano Otkrivanje Osteoporoze U StomatologijiOsteoporoza, široko rasprostanjena i učestala koštana bolest odmakle životne dobi, obilježena je gubitkom koštane mase i dotrajalošču mikroarhitekture koštanoga tkiva, uz posljedično slabljenje tvrde koštane strukture te povečanje rizika pojave prijeloma. U radu su navedeni sistemski i lokalni čimbenici odgovorni za gubitak koštanoga tkiva čeljusti. Najčešči sistemski čimbenici povezani s gubitkom koš tane mase čeljusti, su osteoporoza, bubrežne bolesti, hormonski poremečaji, prehrana, ali i utjecaj različitih lijekova na koštanu strukturu. Od lokalnih čimbenika povezanih s gubitkom kosti čeljusti navode se kronične parodontne bolesti, rani gubitak zuba te nepovoljan učinak protetskog nadomjeska na bezubi dio grebena. U svrhu procjene gubitka koštane strukture čeljusti primjenjuju se različite metode, od kojih najčešče apsorpciometrija x-zraka (DXA), kvantitativna kompjuterska tomografija, intraoralna mikrodenzitometrija, indeks SCORE te procjena debljine i kvalitete donjeg kortikalnog ruba mandibule. Kvantitativna i kvalitativna procjena koštanoga tkiva čeljusti od iznimnog je značenja za sva područja stomatologije - od parodontologije do endodoncije i stomatološke protetike, posebice u stomatološkoj implantologiji. U tijeku planiranja buduče implantološke terapije važno je procijeniti stanje kosti čeljusti, odnosno njihovu kvalitetu i kvantitetu te, uzimajuči u obzir navedene sistemske i lokalne čimbenike povezane s gubitkom koštane mase, ispravno postaviti indikacije za daljnje liječenje.
Assessment for Microsatellite DNA Instability in Nasal Cytology Samples of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Karatzanis Alexander D. , Samara Katerina D. , Zervou Maria , Tzortzaki Eleni , Helidonis Emmanuel S. , Siafakas Nikolaos , Velegrakis George A. 
Published: March 2007

Background Genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), have been described in both malignant and benign diseases. Previous studies have successfully detected such alterations in sputum samples of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). The aim of this study was to assess the presence of MSI and/or LOH in nasal cytology samples of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods Nasal brush samples and peripheral blood from 20 patients with AR were analyzed. DNA was extracted and analyzed for MSI and LOH using the following microsatellite markers: D16S289, D4S2394, D4S1651, DXS8039, D3S3606, and D2S2113, harboring potential susceptibility genes for AR and atopy. Microsatellite analysis was performed also in eight control subjects. Results No MSI and/or LOH were noted in either the AR or the control group. Conclusion Although MSI and LOH are detectable phenomena in sputum samples of patients with BA, this seems not to be the case for nasal cytology samples of patients with AR. Additional studies are needed, using a larger number of polymorphic markers, to assess if such a difference exists among two diseases otherwise very closely related.