bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ITALIAN AGRICULTURE
Authors: Tarditi Secondo 
Published: November 2008

The relative importance of Italian agriculture in the EC, both in terms of net value added and of employment, has never been matched by a comparable impact on the CAP policymaking process. Mediterranean agricultural products in particular have been less favoured by the overwhelming common policy instrument of product price support, which has also a negative impact on the economy as a whole.The most relevant effects of the CAP are reviewed: the impact on resource allocation, including international income transfers, and the effects on the environment, as well as the effects on interpersonal income distribution. An evaluation of CAP is then made from different points of view: the likely perspective of present Italian farmers, a national perspective and an overall perspective, including the interests of non EC countries and future generations. Lower and more balanced price support, together with higher concern for structural and environmental policies especially in less favoured areas, are advocated.
Exploring Self‐Neglect in Older Adults: Preliminary Findings of the Self‐Neglect Severity Scale and Next Steps
Authors: Kelly P. Adam , Dyer Carmel B. , Pavlik Valory , Doody Rachelle , Jogerst Gerald 
Published: November 2008

Despite the public health implications of self‐neglect, no tool exists for characterizing this condition. Self‐neglecters often have no caregivers or surrogates to interview regarding the neglect and are often too cognitively impaired to provide valid self‐reports. In response to this need, researchers from the Consortium for Research in Elder Self‐neglect of Texas (CREST) collaborated with other experts in the field of elder self‐neglect to design the Self‐neglect Severity Scale (SSS). The SSS assesses three domains of self‐neglect (hygiene, functioning, and environment) and relies on observational ratings assigned by trained observers. After pilot testing and revision, the SSS was field tested in the homes of subjects who had been reported to and substantiated by Texas Adult Protective Services (APS) as self‐neglecting and compared with results of subjects recruited from a local geriatric clinic who were reported to APS but had no history of self‐neglect.The first field test demonstrated that the SSS could distinguish elderly self‐neglecters from community dwellers who do not self‐neglect. The SSS exhibited adequate scale reliability (Cronbach alpha) and correlation with case status. Interrater reliability also appeared adequate, although sensitivity and specificity fell below the conventional acceptable range. Future methods are proposed for refining the SSS to improve its use as the benchmark for identifying elder self‐neglect.
Does Poorer Familiarity with Medicare Translate into Worse Access to Health Care?
Authors: Morgan Robert O. , Teal Cayla R. , Hasche Jennifer C. , Petersen Laura A. , Byrne Margaret M. , Paterniti Debora A. , Virnig Beth A. 
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between a global measure of Medicare program familiarity and a broad set of measures of actual and perceived healthcare access.DESIGN: Mailed survey in fall of 2004 (2,997 completed surveys; 53% response rate).SETTING: Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas across the United States.PARTICIPANTS: White, black, and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries.MEASUREMENTS: Familiarity with Medicare and self‐reported measures of health status, healthcare use, and perceived access to care.RESULTS: Reported poorer familiarity with Medicare is associated with a greater likelihood of delayed care due to cost, multiple emergency department visits, lack of prescription medication use, poorer perceived access to care, poorer overall health, and a greater reported decline in health from the prior year. Black and Hispanic respondents were more likely to be unfamiliar than whites, although the relationship between familiarity and healthcare access persisted after adjusting for race or ethnicity, Medicare health plan enrollment status, supplemental insurance status, age, sex, income level, education, geographic area, and general healthcare use.CONCLUSION: Poorer familiarity with Medicare may affect beneficiaries' ability to access needed care effectively, may lead them to delay or avoid seeking care, and ultimately may have negatively affect the quality of the health care that they receive and their outcomes.
Associations between West Nile virus infection and symptoms reported by blood donors identified through nucleic acid test screening
Authors: Custer Brian , Kamel Hany , Kiely Nancy E. , Murphy Edward L. , Busch Michael P. 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Blood collected in the United States and Canada is screened for West Nile virus (WNV) using nucleic acid testing (NAT). The role that donor‐reported symptoms of infection disclosed at or shortly after donation may play in enhancing blood safety has been debated. Little data are available on subsequent manifestations of WNV‐specific disease outcomes in viremic donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donors with initially reactive NAT results were informed by telephone and asked to complete symptom interviews. The questionnaires are focused on three time periods: the week before, the day of, and the 2 weeks after donation. Symptoms and risk factors were compared between confirmed‐positive and false‐positive donors (classified based on confirmatory NAT and serology). Additional analyses comparing confirmed‐positive symptomatic and asymptomatic donors were conducted.RESULTS: A total of 423 of 536 initially reactive donors were interviewed between 2003 and 2006: 292 confirmed‐positive for WNV and 131 false‐positive. Individual symptoms were not significant predictors of WNV infection, except skin rash in the week before donation (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2‐7.9) and body aches in the period after donation (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1‐7.4). Specific combinations of symptoms were not good predictors of infection, but donors with three or more concurrent symptoms before donation were more likely to have WNV infection (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2‐5.1). Demographic characteristics, predonation symptoms, and serology profiles in confirmed‐positive donors did not predict postdonation symptom severity. Thirty‐five confirmed‐positive donors (12%) sought medical care for WNV infection, with two hospitalizations, but no cases of neuroinvasive disease.CONCLUSION: The number rather than type of symptoms is associated with confirmed WNV infection, but the overall predictive value is low. Very few infected donors develop clinically significant disease.
Arrhythmogenic Potential of Pulmonary Venous Tissue: Triggers for Atrial Fibrillation Identified within the Remnant of a Vein
Authors: DIXIT SANJAY , SAUER WILLIAM H. , CALLANS DAVID J. , MARCHLINSKI FRANCIS E. 
Published: November 2008

Background:
Pulmonary veins (PVs) have frequently been identified as triggers for atrial fibrillation (AF), and higher arrhythmogenic potential of superior PVs has been attributed to their larger size, which can more rigorously support abnormalities of impulse formation and/or conduction.
Case Report:
Contrary to this belief, we report our observations in a 63‐year‐old patient with history of lung cancer, S/P left upper lobectomy, undergoing ablation for paroxysmal AF. Circular mapping (Lasso) and ablation (ABL; 8‐mm) catheters were deployed in left atrium (LA). Intracardiac ultrasound revealed separate right superior (RS) and inferior (RI) PVs and a single left PV. Segmented LA anatomy from the CT angiogram images corroborated this, although on the latter there appeared to be a “stump” at superior aspect of the left PV. This stump likely was the remnant of the left superior (LS) PV. Thus, the patent left vein was likely the dilated left inferior (LI) PV. With the Lasso and ABL deployed at the LIPV ostium and LSPV remnant, respectively, AF was reproducibly seen to initiate with earliest activity in the latter. Single radio‐frequency ablation (RFA) lesion within the LSPV remnant abolished AF triggers. Additional RFA was done to isolate LI, RS, and RI PVs. Over a follow‐up period of 24 months, this patient has remained free from AF off any drugs.
Conclusions:
Our observations suggest that even very proximal remnants of PVs can serve as triggers for AF. Recognition of this phenomenon was facilitated by the use of advanced imaging technique and the deployment of multiple catheters.
Clinical Experience with a Single Catheter for Mapping and Ablation of Pulmonary Vein Ostium
Authors: DE FILIPPO PAOLO , HE DING SHENG , BRAMBILLA ROBERTA , GAVAZZI ANTONELLO , CANTÙ FRANCESCO 
Published: November 2008

Introduction:
The aim of this single center study is to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of performing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a single high‐density mesh ablator (HDMA) catheter.
Methods:
A total of 17 consecutive patients with paroxysmal (10 patients) or persistent atrial fibrillation (7 patients) and no heart disease were enrolled. A single transseptal puncture was performed and the HDMA was placed at each PV ostium identified with anatomic and electrophysiological mapping. Pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy was delivered at the targeted temperature of 58°C with maximum power of 80 watts. No other ablation system was utilized. The primary objective of the study was acute isolation of the targeted PV, and the secondary objective was clinical efficacy and safety of PVI with HDMA for atrial fibrillation (AF) prevention. Patients were followed at intervals of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results:
PVI was attempted with HDMA in 67/67 PVs. [Correction made after online publication October 27, 2008: PVs changed from 6/67 to 67/67] Acute success rate were: 100% (16/16) for left superior PV, 100% (16/16) for left inferior PV, 100% (17/17) for right superior PV, 100% (1/1) for left common trunk and 47% (8/17) for right inferior PV. Total procedure time was 200 ± 36 minutes (range 130–240 minutes) and total fluoroscopy time was 42 ± 18 minutes (range 23–75 minutes). During a mean follow‐up of 11 ± 4 months, 64% of patients remained in sinus rhythm (8/10 paroxysmal AF and 3/7 for persistent AF). No complications occurred either acutely or at follow‐up.
Conclusions:
PV isolation with HDMA is feasible and safe. The midterm efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm is higher in paroxysmal than in persistent patients.
Effects of Electrocautery on Transvenous Lead Insulation Materials
Authors: LIM KIAM‐KHIANG , REDDY SHANTANU , DESAI SHROJAL , SMELLEY MATTHEW , KIM SUSAN S. , BESHAI JOHN F. , LIN ALBERT C. , BURKE MARTIN C. , KNIGHT BRADLEY P. 
Published: November 2008

Introduction:
Insulation defects are a leading cause of transvenous lead failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of electrocautery on transvenous lead insulation materials.
Methods:
A preparation was done to simulate dissection of a transvenous lead from tissues. Radiofrequency energy was delivered using a standard cautery blade at outputs of 10, 20, and 30 W, for 3 and 6 seconds, using parallel and perpendicular blade orientations on leads with outermost insulations of silicone rubber, polyurethane, and silicone–polyurethane copolymer. Damage to each lead segment was classified after visual and microscopic analysis.
Results:
Significant insulation damage occurred to almost all polyurethane leads. Full insulation breaches were observed with 30 W regardless of application duration with a parallel direction and with all power outputs with a perpendicular direction. Thermal insulation damage to copolymer insulation was similar to that of the polyurethane leads. In contrast, there was no thermal damage to silicone leads, regardless of the power output and duration of power delivery. However, mechanical insulation damage was observed to all silicone leads when at least 20 W was applied in a direction perpendicular to the lead.
Conclusions:
Polyurethane (PU55D) and copolymer materials have low thermal stability and are highly susceptible to thermal damage during cautery. Implanting physicians should be aware of the lead insulation materials being used during implant procedures and their properties. The use of direct contact cautery on transvenous leads should be minimized to avoid damage to the lead, especially on leads with polyurethane or copolymer outer insulations.
Effect of the dental adhesive, 4‐META/MMA‐TBB resin, on adhesion and keratinization of regenerating oral epithelium
Authors: Tsuchiya Y. , Muramatsu T. , Masaoka T. , Hashimoto S. , Shimono M. 
Published: November 2008

Background and Objective:  The 4‐META/MMA‐TBB [4‐(2‐methacryloxyethyl)trimellitic anhydride/methyl methacrylate‐tributylborane] resin is widely used as a dental adhesive. It has also been applied in the dressing of gingival wound surfaces following periodontal surgery. However, its effect on the regeneration and/or cell attachment of the oral epithelium remains to be clarified. To evaluate the effect of the resin applied as a wound dressing, we investigated expression of laminin 5, integrin β4 and cytokeratin 14 in regenerating oral epithelium treated with this resin following gingivectomy from the viewpoint of cell attachment and differentiation.Material and Methods:  The resin was applied to the entire wound surface in rats after gingival surgery, and regenerating epithelium was examined immediately and at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days later. The resin was removed 2 weeks after application in some animals and tissue further examined at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days later.Results:  Regenerating epithelium under the resin was not keratinized, but became keratinized immediately after removal of the resin. Laminin 5 and integrin β4 were immunolocalized in the basal lamina, the internal basal lamina, in marginal cells of the regenerating epithelium and at the resin–regenerating epithelium interface. Cytokeratin 14 localized in the regenerating epithelium underneath the resin, as well as in healthy and regenerated junctional epithelial cells.Conclusion:  These results suggest that this resin covers the wound surface and that the regenerating epithelium biologically adheres to the resin during the initial process of its regeneration.
Novel Use of the Gigli Saw for Management of Penile Entrapment
Authors: Eaton Samuel H. , Dickstein Rian J. , Wiygul Jeremy B. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Penile entrapment is a rare clinical entity requiring urgent and efficient management. If left untreated, it may result in vascular compromise to penile soft tissue structures. Management poses unique challenges to the treating physician through variable presentation as well as the lack of specifically designed treatment options.

Aim
This article describes the use of the Gigli saw for management of penile entrapment.

Main Outcome Measures and Methods
We employed the Gigli saw to remove an entrapped metallic peno-scrotal constriction ring.

Results
We successfully removed the entrapped ring with no noted immediate complications.

Conclusions
The Gigli saw can be safely used, and represents an easily available and potentially effective option in the management of penile entrapment.
Canadian Agricultural Programs and Policy in Transition
Authors: Schmitz Andrew 
Published: November 2008

Canada does not have an agricultural policy, rather it has agricultural programs. The history of price and income stabilization programs is discussed along with supply management. Programs for the grains and oilseeds sectors have witnessed major changes while supply management has not. Canadian agricultural policy falls under the responsibility of both federal and provincial governments. As a result, farmers in Alberta, for example, receive far greater assistance than farmers in Saskatchewan. Under the new Canadian farm program (CAIS) large payments have been made to Canadian farmers even though many of the farmers who applied for CAIS payments received none.Le Canada ne possède pas de politique agricole, mais plutôt des programmes agricoles. Le présent article porte sur l'histoire du programme de stabilisation du revenu, du programme de stabilisation des prix et de la gestion de l'offre. Contrairement à la gestion de l'offre, les programmes destinés aux secteurs des céréales et des oléagineux ont subi des modifications importantes. La politique agricole canadienne relève des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux. Par conséquent, les agriculteurs de l'Alberta, par exemple, reçoivent une aide supérieure à celle accordée aux agriculteurs de la Saskatchewan. Dans le cadre du nouveau Programme canadien de stabilisation du revenu agricole (PCSRA), certains producteurs ont reçu des paiements importants alors que de nombreux autres producteurs ayant fait une demande n'ont rien reçu.
WTO Disciplines on Domestic Support and Market Access in Agri‐Food Supply Chains
Authors: Gervais Jean‐Philippe , Larue Bruno , Lapan Harvey E. 
Published: November 2008

Multilateral negotiations on agriculture in the WTO are making very little progress as developed economies are reluctant to bind trade‐distorting domestic support and import tariffs at levels acceptable to developing countries. This paper presents the basic Bagwell–Staiger framework as it relates to agricultural trade negotiations. In its basic version, market access commitments are sufficient to achieve efficient trade agreements. We show that vertical linkages between agricultural goods and processed food commodities may prevent countries to reach an efficient trade agreement. We argue that the features of agricultural supply chains hinder the argument that total discretion over domestic policies is appropriate. Les négociations multilatérales de l'OMC sur l'agriculture progressent très lentement étant donné que les pays développés hésitent à maintenir un soutien interne qui fausse les échanges et des barrières tarifaires à des niveaux acceptables pour les pays en développement. Le présent article traite du modèle Bagwell–Staiger dans le contexte des négociations sur le commerce des produits agricoles. Dans sa version de base, les engagements quant à l'accès au marché sont suffisants pour permettre des échanges commerciaux efficaces. Nous montrons que les liens verticaux entre les produits agricoles et les produits alimentaires transformés peuvent empêcher les pays d'atteindre un accord commercial efficace. Nous soutenons que les caractéristiques des chaînes d'approvisionnement agricole entravent l'argument voulant que l'entière discrétion quant aux politiques intérieures soit appropriée.
High Commodity Prices and the EU's Single Payment Scheme: Some Consequences of Double‐Dipping
Authors: Schmitz Andrew , Schmitz Troy G. , Schure Paul 
Published: November 2008

When negotiating agricultural policies, decisions are generally based on historical net farm income figures, which are derived from the then current price and production data. In 2003, when the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) was introduced in the EU, agricultural commodity prices were “low.” As a result the SPS is very generous when viewed in light of today's “high” agricultural commodities prices: farmers are double‐dipping. We provide an empirical assessment of the implications for compensatory payments under the SPS in combination with high commodity prices for two major EU crops: wheat and barley. Yearly compensatory payments for these two crops alone exceed $10 billion. The lesson of this result for agricultural policy reform is that the payments under the SPS should have been made more flexible and tied to future (farm gate) prices, i.e., so payouts would usually vary with changing market conditions, while still being decoupled from production decisions. Au moment de négocier des politiques agricoles, les décisions sont généralement fondées sur les données historiques sur le revenu agricole net, lesquelles sont dérivées des prix et des données de production d'alors. En 2003, année où l'UE a mis en place le régime de paiement unique (RPU), les prix des produits agricoles étaient ≪faibles≫. Actuellement, le RPU est très généreux en raison des prix ≪élevés≫ des produits agricoles: les producteurs cumulent les avantages. Nous présentons une estimation empirique des répercussions sur les paiements compensatoires du RPU combinées aux prix élevés des produits de base pour deux grandes cultures de l'UE, à savoir le blé et l'orge. Pour ces deux cultures seulement, les paiements compensatoires annuels dépassent les dix milliards de dollars. La leçon est que les paiements versés dans le cadre du RPU auraient dûêtre plus souples et liés aux prix (à la ferme) futurs, de sorte que les versements varieraient généralement en fonction des conditions changeantes du marché tout en demeurant indépendants de la production.
European Sugar Policy Reform and Agricultural Innovation
Authors: Dillen Koen , Demont Matty , Tollens Eric 
Published: November 2008

In July 2006, the European Union's (EU) Common Market Organization (CMO) for sugar underwent the first radical reform since its establishment in 1968. In this article, we study the incentives for adoption of new technologies before and after the policy reform. We build a stochastic partial equilibrium model and use it to analyze the effect of the policy reform on the adoption incentives of genetically modified herbicide tolerant sugar beet. Our findings show that the adoption incentives of high‐cost sugar beet farmers are significantly reduced under the new CMO. Medium‐cost producers, in contrast, have greater incentives to adopt new technologies, while low‐cost producers are largely left unaffected. The reduced adoption incentives of high‐cost farmers lead to lower flexibility and competitiveness of these farmers and therefore coincides with the goals of the reform to crowd out high‐cost producers and increase competitiveness of the European sugar market. En juillet 2006, l'Organisation commune du marché (OCM) du sucre a subi sa première réforme radicale depuis sa mise en place par l'UE en 1968. Dans la présente étude, nous avons examiné les incitatifs offerts pour l'adoption de nouvelles technologies, avant et après la réforme. Nous avons élaboré un modèle stochastique d'équilibre partiel et l'avons utilisé pour analyser les répercussions de la réforme sur les incitatifs offerts pour l'adoption de variétés de betteraves sucrières génétiquement modifiées résistantes aux herbicides. Selon nos résultats, les incitatifs offerts aux producteurs de betterave sucrière ayant des coûts marginaux élevés ont significativement diminué depuis la réforme de l'OCM du sucre. Par contre, les incitatifs offerts aux producteurs ayant des coûts marginaux moyens se sont accrus, tandis que ceux offerts aux producteurs ayant de faibles coûts marginaux n'ont pas changé. La diminution des incitatifs offerts aux producteurs ayant des coûts marginaux élevés entraîne une diminution de la souplesse et de la capacité concurrentielle de ces producteurs et, par conséquent, coïncide avec les objectifs de la réforme qui visent àévincer les producteurs ayant des coûts marginaux élevés et à accroître la capacité concurrentielle du marché européen du sucre.